Hong Kong: FSD academy open day set The Fire Services Department announced today that it will hold an open day for the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O on November 6. The Fire & Ambulance Services Education Centre & Museum will also be open that day. Activities will include a fire appliances parade, firefighting and rescue demonstrations as well as training facility, equipment and special vehicle displays. It will also feature a recruitment experience area, a Fire Services working dogs demonstration, an exhibition and game booths. The open day will be held from 9am to noon and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. People can apply for a maximum of four admission tickets online until October 26. Children aged three or below do not require a ticket. The tickets will be allocated by computer ballot and successful applicants will receive an email notification on October 28. Call 2411 8825 for enquiries. This story has been published on: 2022-10-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Jeremy Hunt replaces Kwarteng as UK chancellor Xinhua) 10:48, October 15, 2022 Newly appointed UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt leaves 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, on Oct. 14, 2022. Jeremy Hunt, former foreign secretary of the United Kingdom (UK), has been appointed as chancellor of the exchequer, Downing Street said in a statement on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Ying) LONDON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Jeremy Hunt, former foreign secretary of the United Kingdom (UK), has been appointed as chancellor of the exchequer, Downing Street said in a statement on Friday. Hunt, 55, replaces Kwasi Kwarteng, who resigned earlier in the day after his mini-budget was blamed for causing economic turmoil. "You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor. I have accepted," Kwarteng said in his resignation to Prime Minister Liz Truss posted on Twitter. Kwarteng's time in office -- 38 days -- made him one of the shortest-serving UK chancellors in history. The mini-budget he presented last month, which contained controversial debt-funded tax cuts, has been blamed for the economic turmoil which saw the British pound plunge to a 37-year low against the U.S. dollar while the cost of government borrowing and mortgage rates surge. Amid tremendous pressure, Kwarteng made a U-turn earlier this month on plans to scrap the 45 percent income tax rate for the highest earners. "As I have said many times in the past weeks, following the status quo was simply not an option. For too long this country has been dogged by low growth rates and high taxation -- that must still change if this country is to succeed," he said in his resignation. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) On August 31, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a meeting attended by non-CPC personages at Zhongnanhai in Beijing to solicit opinions and suggestions from the central committees of the other political parties, head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation on the draft report of the 19th CPC Central Committee to the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and made an important speech. He stressed that in the face of the new tasks and requirements presented by the new era and new journey, the CPC and the other political parties must strengthen cooperation, consolidate and develop the broadest patriotic united front, pool the wisdom and strength of people from all social strata and circles to the maximum extent, give full play to the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the whole society and entire nation, and strive together to build a modern socialist country in all respects and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng also attended the meeting. At the meeting, Xi introduced the process of how the draft report was conceived and expressed his hope to receive keen perspectives and insights from non-CPC personages about it. At the meeting, Wan Exiang, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Chen Xiaoguang, executive vice chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, Chen Zhu, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Wan Gang, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairperson of the Central Committee of Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and Gao Hongjun, a representative of personages without party affiliation, respectively gave their speeches. They considered the past five years since the CPC's 19th National Congress and the past decade into the new era unusual and extraordinary. They noted that the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has kept in mind the overall picture for national rejuvenation and major changes in the world unseen in a century, united and led the whole Party, the military and Chinese people of all ethnic groups in effectively responding to the grave and complicated international and domestic situation and a series of major risks and challenges that kept emerging, pushing forward socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era in an energetic manner. Our first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been achieved on schedule, and historic achievements and shifts have been realized in the cause of the Party and the country, writing a glorious chapter in history. The draft report to the 20th CPC National Congress, from a commanding height in considering both China's national rejuvenation and the drastic changes in the world unseen in a century, scientifically lays out goals, tasks, and major policies for developing the cause of the Party and the country in the next five years or even longer period to come, putting forward a series of new approaches, strategies and measures. It will serve as a guiding document for us to realize the second centenary goal and build China into a modern socialist country in all respects. The participants also put forward their opinions and suggestions regarding promoting consensus on the great national rejuvenation, building an international communication and discourse system on human rights, pursuing higher-standard opening up under the "dual circulation" pattern, boosting the revitalization of northeast China, strengthening the building of the united front and the new type of political party system as well as the ideological and political work among non-CPC intellectuals, enhancing independent innovation and encouraging entrepreneurs to be more innovative, improving the management systems in universities and forming a mechanism for ensuring sustainable and stable funding for public health. After their discussions, Xi delivered an important speech. He said that drafting the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee to the 20th CPC National Congress is an essential part of the preparation work for the congress. In order to ensure the report represents the common will of the entire Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, meets the requirements of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and adapts to the new situation and tasks faced in the endeavor of our Party and country, we gave full play to democracy, deepened investigations and research, solicited people's views in an extensive manner, and pooled wisdom from all parties. Soliciting opinions from non-CPC personages on the report is an important part of political consultation as well as an effective way for non-CPC personages to air their views and advice for our country's development and national rejuvenation. Xi stressed that in late February this year, the CPC Central Committee entrusted its United Front Work Department to solicit opinions and suggestions from non-CPC personages on issues related to the 20th CPC National Congress, and many valuable opinions and suggestions were put forward. Since the first half of 2022, the central committees of the other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation have conducted fact-finding missions in various forms, getting a number of high-quality findings and putting forward valuable opinions and suggestions. They offered some very good suggestions during their speeches at the meeting, which, Xi said, were constructive and would be seriously considered. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi expressed gratitude to all at attendance. He pointed out that maintaining commitment to the united front is an important historical experience of the Party over the past century. The historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country over the past 10 years in the new era are the results of the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the hard work of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and the joint efforts of all members of the united front, including the other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation. Xi hoped the central committees of the other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and public figures without party affiliation could closely follow, in both thinking and action, the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. He urged them to strengthen the sense of political responsibility and historical mission in cooperating with the CPC in solidarity and focus their ingenuity and energy on realizing the inspiring blueprint, goals and strategic deployments to be laid out at the upcoming 20th National Congress of the CPC. Adhering to the right political orientation, they should closely follow the CPC Central Committee in thinking, stance, and action, keep in mind the worst-case scenarios and champion the fighting spirit, said Xi. He urged them to play a bigger role in coordinating social relationships, defusing social tensions as well as maintaining social stability. He also asked them to enhance political transition that highlights political integrity and inheritance and make it more targeted and deliverable, and pass on the fine traditions of multi-party cooperation, namely, being of one heart and mind with the CPC, loving the country and serving the people, working closely together and dedicating to the common cause. Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen, Liu He, Xu Qiliang, Sun Chunlan, Yang Xiaodu, Chen Xi, Hu Chunhua, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, You Quan, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie, Zhang Qingli, Xia Baolong, He Lifeng and other leading officials from the central departments attended the meeting. Prominent non-CPC figures including Zheng Jianbang, Gu Shengzu, Liu Xincheng, He Wei, Shao Hong, Jiang Zuojun, Li Yuefeng, and Huang Yuguang were present. ISTANBUL -- An explosion in a coal mine in Turkey's northern Bartin province on Friday killed 22 people, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said, but it was not clear how many people were still trapped due to the blast that occurred as 110 people were working. Seventeen others were receiving treatment, Koca said in a statement on Twitter. Earlier, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said that at the time of the blast, 49 people had been working 300 meters and 350 metres (985 to 1,148 feet) underground, describing it as the risky zone. "There are those whom we were able to evacuate from that area. There are those whom we were not able to evacuate from that area," Soylu told reporters at the scene of the blast. People wait outside the coal mine after an explosion in Amasra in the northern Bartin province, Turkey November 14, 2022. Nilay Meryem Comlek/Depo Photos via Reuters Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said that the initial indications were that the blast was caused by firedamp, a term referring to methane in coal mines. There are no ongoing fires inside the mine and the ventilation inside was working properly, Donmez said, adding that there were partial collapses inside the mine. The explosion occurred 300 metres (985 feet) below the entrance of the mine at around 1515 GMT, the Bartin governor's office said. The mine belongs to the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises. A general view of the coal mine after an explosion in Amasra in the northern Bartin province, Turkey November 14, 2022. Ihlas News Agency (IHA) via Reuters Footage on Turkish television showed what it said were the families of the miners watching from the sidelines as health and rescue workers huddled around the entrance to the mine. Some miners were taken out and carried off to ambulances on stretchers, footage showed. Bartin prosecutor's office said it had launched an investigation into the cause of the explosion. President Tayyip Erdogan said he would go to Bartin on Saturday. "Our hope is that the loss of life will not increase further, that our miners will be saved safely and all our efforts are in this direction," he said on Twitter. Check out the news you should not miss today: Society -- Police in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam, are investigating a case where two people died and another was injured after a street brawl between two gangs on Friday night. -- Doctors at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi said on Friday thay they had successfully saved a foreigner who had been diagnosed with malignant malaria, a rare disease that has practically been eradicated in Vietnam. -- According to the French Embassy in Vietnam, from October 17, people wishing to apply for a visa at one of the French diplomatic missions in Vietnam must present their passport together with information of birthplace. -- A 15 year-old boy from Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam, was brought to hospital earlier this week after mistakenly drinking 21 pills of his mother's contraceptive pills as he thought it were cough medicine. -- Hai Van Tunnel, which connects the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang and nearby Thua Thien-Hue Province, was shut due to a flash flood on Friday night. -- Police in Da Nang have successfully saved a man who was swept away by swift-flowing currents on a street and was forced to cling to a tree for three hours on Friday night. Lifestyle -- Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, from Vietnam, was crowned Miss Intercontinetal 2022 at the pageants finale in Egypt on Saturday, becoming the first Vietnamese contestant to win the title. World News -- Robbie Coltrane, the larger-than-life Scottish actor who played the beloved half-giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, died on Friday at the age of 72, Reuters reported on Friday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A tropical depression originated from the weakened Son Ca Storm in the East Vietnam Sea has entered the mainland of central Quang Nam and Quang Ngai Provinces early Saturday morning, bringing torrential rains, especially in Thua Thien Hue Province and Da Nang City. Son Ca, the Vietnamese name registered by Vietnam with the World Meteorological Organization, is the fifth storm that has hit Vietnam so far this year, causing downpours and heavy flooding in central Vietnam, the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reported. The circulation of tropical depression has caused downpours in many central localities from Friday evening, with rainfalls measured for nine hours from 7:00 pm on the same day amounting to 550 millimeters in Thua Thien Hue, 382 millimeters in Da Nang and 228 millimeters in Quang Nam Province. Such torrential rains have triggered serious flooding in many provinces and cities, especially in Da Nang, where residents said they have never experienced such a severe flood over the past decades. At 4:00 am on Saturday, the tropical depression, which moved northwest at a speed of 15 - 20 km per hour, was centered in the Quang Nam - Quang Ngai area, packing strong winds with gusts reaching 74 km per hour. The depression has since continued moving in the same direction and weakened into a low pressure in the southern region of neighboring Laos. There have yet to be initial reports about damage caused by the depressions landfall in central Vietnam. Due to the depression, moderate to heavy rains will continue hitting many central localities during Saturday, with precipitation likely reaching over 300 millimeters in some places in the area from south Ha Tinh to Thua Thien Hue, the center said. Rainfalls in many areas in Da Nang and Quang Nam during the same day may amount to over 120 millimeters. From Saturday until the end of Sunday, moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms will cover the area from the south of Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai. The center forecast that the rainy weather will likely decline from Sunday night. Torrential rains brought in by circulation of the depression has also caused levels of many rivers in many central provinces to rise, the center said. At 1:00 am on Saturday, many rivers in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam were increasing rapidly, while the rivers in Quang Tri and Quang Binh began fluctuating at higher levels than normal. Within the next six to 12 hours, the water level of the Vu Gia River in Quang Nam will likely peak at 9.2 meters, 0.2 meters above the alarm level, while many rivers in Thua Thien Hue will see water keep rising. Over the next 12 to 24 hours, the Thu Bon River at Quang Nams Cau Lau bridge area will continue to rise and the same situation will take place at the Huong River in Hue City. Therefore, flooding is likely to continue in low-lying, riverside and urban areas in the central region, including Thua Thien Hue, Quang Binh to Quang Nam. In addition, there is a very high risk of flash floods in lowlands and landslides in the midland and mountainous areas. Local authorities should take precaution measures to cope with the risk and ensure safety for people and hydroelectric and irrigation projects, particularly the small and vulnerable ones, the agency advised. Like us onFacebook or follow us onTwitter to get the latest news aboutVietnam! Heavy downpours from noon to midnight on Friday flooded many areas in the central city of Da Nang, leaving the local residents in misery. The torrential deluge was triggered by Storm Son Ca, the fifth storm formed along the Vietnam coast this year, inundating the entire central city, with houses submerged under over 0.5 meter of water in many places. People are stranded on a sidewalk due to floodwaters in Da Nang City, October 14, 2022. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre Le Thi Phuong, who has lived in Hai Chau District for more than 60 years, said that this was the first time she had ever witnessed floodwater rising so high in the urban area, which prompted her family to relocate to their houses second floor. The water rushed into the house so fast, within less than an hour, that we were unable to react, Phuong said. This supplied photo shows rescuers taking an elderly woman through floodwaters to safety in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City, October 14, 2022. While power outage hit many areas in Da Nang at around midnight on Friday and several houses were isolated by floodwater, many residents took to social media to seek help from the authorities. The police, military and rescue forces were dispatched to flooded areas with boats and strings to get people to safety. This collage of screenshots shows Facebook posts created by residents to call for help during the serious inundation in Da Nang City, October 14, 2022. The floodwaters swept many cars away and left them on Le Duan, 30-4, and Dong Da Streets on Saturday morning. A section of the coastal road near the T-junction of Hoang Sa and Tran Nguyen Hang Streets in Son Tra District was also seriously damaged. High water shaved both sides of the road's culvert and formed two large ditches that link directly to the sea. Floodwater sweeps away cars to Le Duan Street in Da Nang City, October 15, 2022. Photo: Tuoi Tre Floodwater damages a coastal road in Son Tra District, Da Nang City, October 15, 2022. Photo: Doan Cuong / Tuoi Tre The city was still without electricity as of 8:30 am on Saturday. Thua Thien-Hue Province, which is adjacent to Da Nang, has also suffered serious impacts from heavy rains. Flash floods prompted authorities to temporarily ban traffic through the Hai Van Tunnel linking the two localities. Floodwater sweeps through the Hai Van Tunnel linking Da Nang City and Thua Thien-Hue Province, October 14, 2022. Photo: N.T. / Tuoi Tre Hours of heavy rains also flooded many streets in Hue, the capital city of Thua Thien-Hue, and inundated over 11,200 houses across the province. A section of National Highway 1A, a major north-south route, has also been covered by floodwater. Floodwaters submerge the Thuong Bac Park near the Huong River in Hue City, Thua Thien-Hue Province, October 15, 2022. Photo: Phuoc Tuan / Tuoi Tre In a part of Quang Nam Province close to the south of Da Nang, floodwaters were rising rapidly on the Vu Gia River on Saturday morning while National Highway 14B was seriously eroded. Storm Son Ca weakened into a tropical depression before entering the coastal area from Da Nang to Quang Ngai early on Saturday morning, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. National Highway 14B is seriously eroded in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, October 15, 2022. Photo: N. Man / Tuoi Tre It is forecast to continue bringing rainfall up to 500 millimeters to the central region until the end of Sunday. Central Highlands provinces could see precipitation up to 100 millimeters over the next two days, according to the national forecasting center. This supplied photo show rescuers take four people trapped on a street out of floodwaters in Da Nang City, October 14, 2022. This supplied photo shows authorities use a rope to rescue people from floodwaters in Hoa Vang District, Da Nang City, October 14, 2022. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam has said that the ministry is considering the feasibility of using unmanned aircraft and manufacturing 32-meter ladder trucks to fight fires at high-rise buildings. Minister Lam disclosed the plan in a recent report to the National Assembly, which showed that 1,748 fires occurred nationwide, killing 105 people, injuring 95 others, and causing property damage of VND1 trillion (US$42.8 million) from October 2021 to September of this year. During this period, 20 explosions killed 13 people, injuring 20 others, and causing property damage of VND5 billion ($207,168). The causes of 1,315 fires have been clarified while 433 others are still under investigation. Rescuers saved and sent 5,147 people to safety and found 753 victims bodies. Currently, 209 works across the country do not meet the requirements on fire prevention and fighting as they had been put into use before the law took effect. As many as 1,253 facilities also need repairs to ensure fire safety requirements. The report also showed that 13,357 administrative violations of fire prevention and fighting regulations were booked last year. The ministry also dealt with 51 units and 127 individuals in the firefighting sector that let serious violations happen. For solutions, the Ministry of Public Security emphasized the importance of technology application, such as developing a software to manage the database of fire prevention and fighting and quickly spread fire reports online, using unmanned drones and manufacturing 32-meter ladder trucks to fight fires at high-rise buildings. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, from Vietnam, was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2022 at the pageants finale in Egypt on Saturday, becoming the first Vietnamese contestant to win the title. The 21-year-old beauty from Can Tho City, Vietnams Mekong Delta region, was honored after surpassing 70 other candidates from different countries and territories around the world. The beauty queen was followed by five runners-up, namely Mariela Pepin from Puerto Rico, Cecilia Almeida from Brazil, Joy Raimi from Nigeria, Tatjana Genrich from Germany, and Emmy Carrero from Venezuela. Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc receives the crown from Miss Intercontinental 2021 Cindy Obenita. Photo: Supplied In the final night, Ngoc not only showed her confidence and outstanding beauty in the national costume and evening gown performances, but also presented good communication skills through the eloquence and behavior categories. During the interview round, Ngoc delivered a persuasive answer to the judges' question: From which failure in your life helped you learn the most? Vietnamese contestant Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc is seen in her evening gown performance in this screenshot. For me, my biggest failure does not lie on the failure itself but in the fact that I might not have tried enough and did not try my best, which led to the failure. Therefore, in my life, I have learned that whatever I do, I must put my heart and soul into it. And for me, at this given moment, the thing I want to conquer the most is to live up to the title of Miss Intercontinental, and to do that, I have made a promise with my people in Vietnam that I am going to be the ambassador to bring and spread and elaborate the message of Miss Intercontinental; of power, beauty, love, grace, and cultural interaction. That is who I am. The time has come and Vietnam is ready for the title of Miss Intercontinental, Ngoc answered. Ngoc is currently a student at the International University of Ho Chi Minh City. She was named Miss World Vietnam 2022's first runner-up. Vietnamese contestant Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc is seen in her swimsuit performance in this screenshot. This supplied image shows Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, the newly-crowned beauty at Miss Intercontinental 2022 in Egypt. This supplied image shows Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, the newly-crowned beauty at Miss Intercontinental 2022 in Egypt. Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc is 1m85 tall. Photo: Supplied This supplied image shows Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, the newly-crowned beauty at Miss Intercontinental 2022 in Egypt. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Max Verstappen, Red Bull, on the full wet tyres. Japan, October 2022. Credit: PA Images Max Verstappen would happily take on a few extra testing days to help Pirelli create better wet-weather tyres for Formula 1. The approach Formula 1 takes to racing in the rain is certainly not a new topic for debate, although the most recent rounds in Singapore and Japan have put it centre stage in the spotlight once more. A torrential downpour ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix start caused that race to be delayed, the track ready for intermediate tyres by the time the action got under way, while at the Japanese GP spray was making the driving conditions dangerous for the drivers. After an opening lap which brought multiple incidents from a standing start, the race was stopped for more than two hours with 29 laps completed before the race clock ran out. And Verstappen, who was crowned 2022 World Champion after his dominant Suzuka display, argues better rain tyres are needed for Formula 1 and he would happily help Pirelli in that quest. World Champion 2022!!! Weve been absolutely on it, the whole year. A season where we had a difficult start but kept it cool, bounced back and never let go. pic.twitter.com/lRX9mj1siw Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) October 9, 2022 I didnt want to take a dig out of everyone, but I think we need better rain tyres, Verstappen told reporters post-race. If you saw what we could do in the 90s or early 2000s, with the amount of water on the track. Im very happy to have a few test days and try all different kinds of tyres, but we need better rain tyres because I think the extremes are just slow and they cant really carry a lot of water away. Thats why everyone always tries to switch very quickly to an intermediate because its just so much faster per lap. You could see from one to the other lap, we went from the extreme to the inter and we immediately went five seconds at least faster and thats just too big. And thats why nobody really wants to run that extreme. Story continues And when it rained like it did when the red flag came out and you would have put extreme tyres on, I think it would still be really difficult to drive. But then if you compare that to 20 years ago, that would have been perfectly fine. So there must be a solution. Like I said, this is not criticism because Im very happy to help out. We should look into it. Maybe we can just organise more test days in the wet and work together, to try and find better tyres to at least have an opportunity to really drive in the wet and not always only drive like two laps on an extreme, switch to intermediate and call it a wet race because a wet race is also normally driven with heavy rain. Read more: Adrian Newey highlights Max Verstappens greatest strengths in 2022 The article Max Verstappen calls for more tests to create better tyres for wet conditions appeared first on Planetf1.com. ReportLinker The Global Wind Power Market size was estimated at USD 71. 99 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 79. 70 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 10. 96% to reach USD 134. 40 billion by 2027. New York, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Wind Power Market Research Report by Location, Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06342534/?utm_source=GNW Market Statistics: The report provides market sizing and forecast across 7 major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2020 are considered as historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered as the forecast period. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the Wind Power to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Location, the market was studied across Offshore and Onshore. Based on Application, the market was studied across Non-Utility and Utility. Based on Region, the market was studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19: COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, and the long-term effects are projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report delivers insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecasts, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. Cumulative Impact of 2022 Russia Ukraine Conflict: We continuously monitor and update reports on political and economic uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Negative impacts are significantly foreseen globally, especially across Eastern Europe, European Union, Eastern & Central Asia, and the United States. This contention has severely affected lives and livelihoods and represents far-reaching disruptions in trade dynamics. The potential effects of ongoing war and uncertainty in Eastern Europe are expected to have an adverse impact on the world economy, with especially long-term harsh effects on Russia.This report uncovers the impact of demand & supply, pricing variants, strategic uptake of vendors, and recommendations for Wind Power market considering the current update on the conflict and its global response. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Wind Power Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Market Share Analysis: The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits. Competitive Scenario: The Competitive Scenario provides an outlook analysis of the various business growth strategies adopted by the vendors. The news covered in this section deliver valuable thoughts at the different stage while keeping up-to-date with the business and engage stakeholders in the economic debate. The competitive scenario represents press releases or news of the companies categorized into Merger & Acquisition, Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership, New Product Launch & Enhancement, Investment & Funding, and Award, Recognition, & Expansion. All the news collected help vendor to understand the gaps in the marketplace and competitors strength and weakness thereby, providing insights to enhance product and service. Company Usability Profiles: The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Wind Power Market, including Acciona Energia SA, Bergey Windpower Co., DNV GL Limited, Dongfang Electric Corporation, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd., Duke Energy Corporation, E.ON SE, EDF SA, ENERCON GmbH, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, Indowind Energy Ltd., NextEra Energy Inc., Nordex SE, Orient Green Power Company Limited, Orsted AS, Prysmian Group, Siemens AG, Sinovel Wind Group Company, Suzlon Energy Limited, Suzlon Group, Wind World Limited, and Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd.. The report provides insights on the following pointers: 1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players 2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets 3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments 4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players 5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments The report answers questions such as: 1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Wind Power Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Wind Power Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Wind Power Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Wind Power Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Wind Power Market? 6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Wind Power Market? 7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Wind Power Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06342534/?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 (Photo: Jianan Liu/HuffPost UK) (Photo: Jianan Liu/HuffPost UK) Youre reading Gen:Blxck , a series exploring Black culture, history, family and identity through the generations. Anyone who is a part of the Black diaspora has thought about their identity and belonging. So much so, that when someone asks you where youre from, you have to pause, because your answer depends on several factors. Were you born back home or in the UK? Do you speak your language? Do you go home often? If a non-Black person asks me this loaded question, Ill usually start with: Im from East London/Essex, but Im Congolese. But if this comes from a Black person, Id say: Im Congolese but I live in East London/Essex. I pretty much said the same thing, but I phrased it differently. Why? Because identity is complex. I was born in Kenya but moved to the UK when I was a few months old and come from a Congolese family. On paper, Im as British as can be, but I havent always felt like that. Up until the age of around 17, I identified as Congolese because I felt I was. I ate Congolese food, had a good grasp of Congolese culture and history and that was enough. In recent years, though, Ive started realising how much I dont know about Congo and that I relate way more to British culture specifically, Black British culture than I thought I did. I lean towards identifying as Black British, but my mother says she's firmly Congolese. (Photo: Habiba Katsha) I lean towards identifying as Black British, but my mother says she's firmly Congolese. (Photo: Habiba Katsha) My aversions to calling myself British lied in the role Britain played in colonisation and slavery. Could I truly be proud of being British knowing what this country has done to Black people? And even today, the treatment of Black people in the UK needs a lot of work. Though I love being Congolese, I still havent been there, cant fully speak or understand Swahili (my mothers mother tongue). So yes, Im Congolese, but today I tend to identify more with the term Black British. To me, Black British acknowledges that yes, I am British, but Im also Black. This is my home, but I also have a part of my identity from a different country that is equally as important. Story continues My mum on the other hand would still say shes Congolese, despite her being in this country for more than 26 years. As I said, identity is complex and evolving both individually and within one family. I feel both Black and British at exactly the same time.Lynda Aneno-Aciro Lynda Aneno-Aciro, who is a 26-year old podcaster and receptionist from London, says she feels Black British like me and is proud of what that means. Its the diverse melting pot of Jamaican and Nigerian cultures, seasoned with an abundant amount the cultures of the immigrants that came beyond the first waves, Aneno-Aciro says. We have a solid sense of who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. And from what I can see, we are going beyond the moon. (Photo: Lynda Aneno-Aciro) (Photo: Lynda Aneno-Aciro) Aneno-Aciro was born and raised in London but her roots lie in northern Uganda. She tells HuffPost UK she feels so close to her culture, it often feels like she grew up over there. I know my maternal and paternal villages and frequent there a lot, she says. There as aspects of my culture that I love, the traditional dancing, the story-telling, the pride that we have, carrying our Nilotic stories on our back that predate all of us. The food, the land, the language and way, way more. But during her secondary school years throughout the 2010s, she started to feel confused about her identity. The zeitgeist [then] was that if you werent from Nigeria, Ghana, or Jamaica, your country basically didnt exist, she says. I was told I was too dark and [had] several reminders about my appearance that only came from fellow Black people. It left me confused about my identity, and quite frankly, I didnt feel Black enough. Aneno-Aciro says that this experience was compounded by the area that her family lived in. If you didnt grow up in a Black area, speak the colloquial stuff, your blackness was called into question, she says. Fast forward a good few years and I learnt that my experience is just as valid, were not a monolith. I feel both Black and British at exactly the same time. When people ask me where Im from I always say Nigeria first.Iyobosa Idubor-Williams Iyobosa Idubor-Williams, who is a 23-year-old government affairs intern based in Reading, shares that he feels more Nigerian than anything, but relates to the phrase Black in Britain a term people use to describe a feeling of being Black in the UK, but not necessarily a part of British culture. Idubor-Williams was born in East London but moved back to Lagos between the ages of two and 16. However, he spent term time in a British boarding school before he moved back here permanently. When people ask me where Im from, I always say Nigeria first, because thats what I identify more with and despite the awfully corrupt country that it is, thats the country that has my heart, he says. During my teens, this identity did slip away having spent my adolescent years in a British boarding school and being one out of only four Black people in school at one point I dont think you can expect anything else. He believes the way he sees himself has a lot to do with his parents. The fact that they decided to move us back to Nigeria young so that we were in touch with where we are from makes me feel very privileged and grateful, he adds. His parents would identify with being authentically Nigerian, he says. As soon as I graduated from uni, they told me theres nothing left here for them, sold the house, packed up their bags and moved home, they barely ever spent winters here, and took the earliest opportunities to go back home. If speaking to a non-person of colour, Im from here.' Jaja Muhammed, a 31-year-old audio-producer from London, also says her answer to where are you from is dependant on whos asking. I typically say, if speaking to a non-person of colour, Im from here, London, England, she says. When speaking to Black people Ill instantly say my grandparents are Jamaican. I feel when talking to non-black people they try to do everything to invalidate your right to be in this country, so I do my best to antagonise them. Ill even say both my parents are born here and so was I. Then I ask about their heritage if they go steps further. (Photo: Jaja Muhammed) (Photo: Jaja Muhammed) Muhammed identifies more with being Black British than Black Caribbean. I grew up in a family which had discarded many aspects of Caribbean heritage, we were vegetarians so we didnt eat much of the cultural food, we didnt celebrate many of the cultural celebrations due to former religious beliefs and I also havent visited the country very many times, so where was home? she asks. Its certainly not here, but it has to be here. The way I speak is critiqued, but Ive unfortunately had to adapt, so code-switching is still a thing. We were reset to a default culturally, so Ive picked up many typically British traits. Now shes met a few more Caribbean counterparts, shes realised how her DNA and growing up around her grandmother truly makes her so very Caribbean. Its undeniable, she says. There are things I thought were just normal standards of life, and then I realise its literally a Jamaican / Caribbean thing. So Im in this weird limbo, I am Black British with Jamaican Heritage. Like many of us, Muhammed is still figuring out how she identifies. Identity is complicated, but it also changes. Are we proud to be Black? Yes I think we all are, but this doesnt negate from the fact that we grew up in the UK and have adopted British values and norms. To be Black and British is to read books by Malorie Blackman but also Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Listen to Stormzy but also Wizkid, Burna Boy and Beenie Man. Its having rice and peas, or mac and cheese, with a Sunday roast. We can be proud to be both. What does it mean to be Black and British? Well, it depends which generation you ask. This Black History Month, HuffPost UK has teamed up with BuzzFeeds Seasoned and Tasty UK to find out. Read more from Gen:Blxck here. (Photo: Paris Anthony-Walker) (Photo: Paris Anthony-Walker) This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated. Related... The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) will open at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and conclude on Oct. 22, lasting seven days, Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the congress, said Saturday. The dream of the Lao people to transform their landlocked country into a land-linked hub has come true. Cambodia finally has its first expressway. Islands in the Maldives are connected by a bridge for the first time. Belarus has established its first plant producing passenger automobiles. Africa has built its first electrified railway and light rail... These cases of win-win cooperation exactly mirror how China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promotes common prosperity. The BRI, comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. As proved in the past nine years, the initiative leads the world to common development. It starts in China and brings opportunities and progress to the rest of the world. The BRI is a Chinese scheme promoting open cooperation and improving global economic governance. It sets a new benchmark for international economic cooperation. The construction of the Belt and Road calls on countries to join hands with each other instead of letting go of each others hands. It encourages countries to tear down walls, not to erect walls. By constantly promoting policy coordination, connectivity of infrastructure, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds, the BRI has injected positive energy into the building of an open world economy. As economic globalization is encountering headwinds and protectionism is on the rise, China is expanding its opening up to jointly build the Belt and Road with all relevant parties, which fully demonstrates the country's sense of responsibility in leading open cooperation. The Belt and Road construction, with its caring for the world and a win-win spirit, is of vital significance in today's world, especially when humanity is facing a growing governance deficit, trust deficit, development deficit and peace deficit. A general connectivity framework consisting of six corridors, six connectivity routes and multiple countries and ports has been put in place under the Belt and Road framework. China-Europe freight trains have become a transport artery running through the Eurasian continent, promoting in-depth economic integration among countries along their routes. From 2013 to 2021, the total volume of trade of goods between China and other Belt and Road countries was nearly $11 trillion, while two-way investment exceeded $230 billion. Pascal Lamy, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, noted that the BRI proposed by China will become an engine driving globalization. The construction of the Belt and Road is an important practice to promote common prosperity and build a community with a shared future for mankind. It writes a new chapter in global development. The world is becoming a community with a shared future where countries share weal and woe and rise and fall together. The construction of the Belt and Road conforms to this trend, upholds the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, rejects prejudice that is based on systems and models, and rises above ideological differences. It pursues not only China's development but also the common prosperity of the world. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, relevant parties have offered mutual assistance to each other to tide over difficulties, which has injected confidence and strength into the global community and made important contributions to global cooperation on the COVID-19 fight and economic recovery. So far, core concepts of the BRI have been incorporated in multiple important documents of international and multilateral organizations, such as the UN, G20, AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It fully indicates that the BRI is an international public product that builds consensus for cooperation. The BRI involves countries in different regions, at different development stages and with different cultures. It has been joined by over 140 countries and 30 international organizations. The initiative has constantly enriched its connotations, which now cover a wide range of aspects from digital development, innovation, green development and health. A large number of BRI projects have been implemented, benefiting more and more people in participating countries. China has set up over 50 joint laboratories with countries participating in the initiative, which enables many of them to have their own bases of production and intelligent manufacturing. The BRI closely follows the common ground of development and builds a better future with concrete actions. It is believed by the international society that the construction of the Belt and Road is a concrete move of China to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and an important contribution made by the country to promote the common prosperity of the world. China will keep working with all relevant parties to advance high-quality development of the BRI and build projects under the initiative to benefit the people, so as to make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind. TOKYO - Viet Nam's leading IT services provider, FPT, on Thursday announced an investment in the Japanese business consulting services provider LTS Inc., becoming a strategic shareholder. The investment is expected to help FPT strengthen its capabilities in Japan's consulting industry and target more double-digit million-dollar deals. LTS Inc. is a Japan-based company specialising in delivering business process management, consulting services, and digital transformation solutions. As a part of FPTs ecosystem, LTS Inc. will join with other subsidiaries to provide consulting services to existing and new customers. According to the agreement, the focused fields include ERP-related services, low-code development-related services, and business management-related services. The customer-centric alliance will help FPT enhance its consulting knowledge across industries, and engineering resources, improving customers business results. Through this collaboration, Viet Nam's leading IT services company provides LTS Inc. with strengthened software services and strong expertise in new emerging technologies. Also, FPT helps LTS Inc. target current and new customers, especially in the manufacturing industry, by combining the power of operational and information technology to support accelerating its digital transformation movement. LTS Inc. contributes to building a high-quality workforce and a system for employee retention based on the company's know-how. This includes a strategy for human resource development, plans to provide necessary educational opportunities and an engaging working environment for FPT's employees. Additionally, LTS Inc. can leverage FPT's global presence across 27 countries to compete worldwide. - VNS HA NOI Vietnamese islands and seas are featured on a new wall calendar for 2023 launched by the National Political Publishing House recently. It includes 365 full-colour easy-to-tear pages that introduce and popularise the image and information of the national islands and sea. This is the second among three unique block calendars launched by the house for 2023. "We hope that it will provide useful information about the natural resource of the national islands and sea," said Pham Minh Tuan, Director and Editor-in-Chief of the house. "We will be happy if the calendar, through image and information, helps young people to know more about the national islands and sea and inspire their patriotism." The calendar also introduces and popularises sea economy achievements Viet Nam gained in recent years, according to Tuan. The calendar is designed with a blue colour to symbolise the sea and peace. Viet Nam lies on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula in a strip of land shaped like the letter "S", with a long coastline of 3,260km comprising 28 provinces, from Mong Cai in the northern province of Quang Ninh to Ha Tien in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang. Along the coastline, Viet Nam has lots of beautiful beaches, more than 4,000 islands and islets, which include about 3000 islands in the northeast region and 40 islands in the north-central region and Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracels). Tourism spots of the coastal provinces featured in the calendar will be a rich source for people who want to discover beautiful beaches. Award-winning photos at the national photo contests were selected to be printed in the calendar, including snaps of traditional festivals such as Nghinh Ong (whale worshipping) and Cau Ngu (fish worshipping) and cultural characteristics of the coastal provinces. "The calendar is meaningful, not least because it raises awareness of the nation's islands and sea," said Nguyen Trung Khanh, director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, at the launch of the calendar. "It is important to inspire people to travel and contribute to tourism advertisement to attract domestic and foreign tourists." Around 1,500 calendars will be presented to delegates at the 12th National Congress of the HCM Communist Youth Union in December. The house plans to print an English and a larger-size version to popularise Vietnamese islands and seas abroad. VNS For generations, the Red Co Lao, one of Viet Nam's ethnic minority groups, have lived in villages on the side of the Tay Con Linh mountain range in the northern province of Ha Giang. There are about over 1,000 people living in 200 households, mainly in Tung San Commune in Hoang Su Phi District. They have connections with other Co Lao communities in Hoang Su Phi and ong Van districts. Hoang Su Phi District also suffers difficulties due to harsh natural conditions. However, these living conditions and geographical factors have not hindered the local populace from retaining many unique aspects of their longstanding culture. HA NOI Education plays a key role in socio-economic development that creates competitive resources, Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am told at the 12th ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting (ASED). The 12th ASED began on Thursday, chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son. It was attended by ASEAN education ministers, representatives of the Secretariat of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation and the director of the ASEAN University Network, among others. Viet Nam, like other countries, has identified education as a top national policy. Vietnamese law requires that at least 20 per cent of the State budget be spent on education. Education is also a top priority of the ASEAN Community and is one of the three goals enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, said the Deputy PM. am said that the COVID-19 pandemic affected all aspects of life over the past two years, causing a global learning crisis and inequality among children, especially in developing countries. In ASEAN countries, the learning activities of at least 180 million children and young people were affected by school closures, and up to 35 million students were out of school. Schools were closed for an average of 136 days in the past 18 months before May this year, negatively impacting students' physical, mental and academic performance. Viet Nam is the current chair of ASEAN education cooperation in 2022-23. Deputy PM am expressed his belief that educational leaders of ASEAN countries would jointly implement appropriate and effective education policies. Each country in the ASEAN Community is ready to respond to future challenges that could seriously disrupt learning by building a more resilient education system. He said the Vietnamese Government would support and create favourable conditions to promote actions agreed upon at the ASED, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the goals of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community by 2025. Joint efforts Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that the ministry had made several priorities during Viet Nam's tenure as president of the education channel from 2022-23. They include; protecting learners' mental health; increasing education on environmental protection and climate change; ensuring quality access to education for learners, especially disadvantaged groups; promoting comprehensive digital transformation; ensuring cyber safety for learners; and innovation in higher education to meet the requirements of socio-economic development. These priorities align with the five themes that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for countries to commit to in education and the five topics discussed at the Education Summit held in New York recently. With the desire to continue to receive support from ASEAN countries, Son committed: "We will try our best to realise the major priorities and orientations of ASEAN education in the coming period". During the 12th ASED, educational ministers of ASEAN countries discussed each country's education and training situation, shared practical lessons and experiences, and found cooperative solutions towards the sustainable educational development of each country, especially in the post-COVID-19 context. The ASED updated activities implemented within the ASEAN Education Action Plan 2021-25 and other issues. The ASED agreed on the necessity of safely reopening schools, overcoming knowledge loss and increasing the adaptability of the education system in ASEAN countries against future pandemics, disasters and emergencies. Digitally transforming education systems in ASEAN and ensuring the mental health and well-being of the ASEAN Community were also highlighted at the ASED. VNS HA NOI Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and a delegation of Viet Nam left Kazakhstan on October 14, concluding their trip to Kazakhstan to attend the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA6) and bilateral activities in the country. Earlier the same day, the Vice President met with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov, who said Kazakhstan wished to promote cooperation with Viet Nam in all spheres, contributing to consolidating mutual trust and respect. He also thanked Viet Nam for its participation and contributions to the success of CICA6. For her part, Xuan affirmed that Viet Nam always attached importance to the traditional friendship with Kazakhstan, highlighting positive developments of the bilateral political and diplomatic ties over the past time. She suggested the two sides step up delegation exchange and continue their mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations, especially the United Nations and CICA. Host and guest noted with pleasure the progress in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, especially since the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union took effect in 2016. They agreed to review and upgrade the signed bilateral agreements, soon negotiate and amend some contents of the above-said FTA to further facilitate trade and investment, and promote collaboration in agriculture. Both expressed their belief that the opening of direct flights between the two countries would help to boost cooperation in potential areas, especially logistics, tourism, and education-training. PM Smailov also suggested railway and sea route connectivity between the two countries, making Kazakhstan an entrepot for Vietnamese goods to Europe. On this occasion, Xuan conveyed wishes, regards and invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to his Kazakhstan counterpart to visit Viet Nam at an appropriate time. - VNA/VNS HA NOI Politburo member and Minister of Public Security General To Lam concluded a three-day official visit to Cuba on October 14. On the day, Lam met with General Raul Castro Ruz and paid a courtesy call to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. The Vietnamese official expressed sympathy to the Cuban Party, State and people over the difficulties caused by COVID-19 and the fuel storage blaze in Matanzas in early August. Reaffirming Viet Nams support to Cuban people's revolution cause, he said he believed Cuba would overcome all difficulties and challenges and record greater successes. He proposed that the Cuban President continue to support the public security forces of Viet Nam and Cuba to cooperate effectively with each other in protecting security, order and social safety in each country. Earlier, General Lam and his entourage had a meeting with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, who had just visited Viet Nam earlier this month, and held talks with Cuban Minister of the Interior Lieutenant General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas. At the talks, the two sides reviewed the outcomes of the cooperation agreement signed in 2018 between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, as well as their partnership over the years. They pledged to strengthen cooperation in trans-border crime combat, and increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and experts in many fields. Viet Nam asked for Cuba's assistance in cancer treatment, cerebrovascular intervention, and organ transplant, as well as its cooperation in research and transfer of technology in medicine production. Visiting CIMEQ Hospital run by the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, Lam presented the hospital with a number of medical equipment. During their stay, the Vietnamese delegation paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the park named after the Vietnamese leader in Havana, and visited Fidel Castro Centre where the legacies left by the Cuban leader are kept. They also met staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in the country. VNS HA NOI Vietnam Expressway Company (VEC) has proposed to set up more electronic toll collection (ETC) at high-traffic toll booths on HCM City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay, Cau Gie - Ninh Binh and Ha Noi - Lao Cai expressways. VEC said that the increase is necessary to improve traffic capacity and reduce congestion during weekends and holidays. According to the company, since the ETC system was introduced on the expressways of Cau Gie - Ninh Binh, Noi Bai - Lao Cai, a Nang - Quang Ngai, HCM City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay on August 1, the number of vehicles using the services and traffic on these routes has risen beyond expectations. As of September this year, there are approximately 3.7 million vehicles with ETC tags, equivalent to four to five-fold the figure in the same period last year. The number of newly-registered cars also increased from 3.5 million to 4.5 million. During operations, VEC has also registered a number of problems that halt traffic on ETC lanes, such as insufficient account balance, faulty or incorrectly installed tags, and motorists having two different types of tags at the same time. These cases could lead to local congestion at the toll areas, which could get more severe on high-traffic expressways. Reports show that on the busy Cau Gie - Ninh Binh, Ha Noi - Lao Cai and HCM City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressways, gateway toll stations often record spikes in traffic density, which leads to congestion if there is an error in the ETC system. Based on these statistics, VEC proposes to add a total of seven ETC at tollgates leading to and out of these expressways. The change will take place at Cao Bo toll station at the end of Cau Gie - Ninh Binh Expressway, Km6 station at the beginning of Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway, as well as the Long Phuoc and National Route No 51 stations on HCM City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway. A company representative said: This solution of adding more ETC lanes is considered fitting for the actual traffic and the growing number of vehicles through the years. VNS LAI CHAU Hundreds of regular police have been sent to work in border communes where they keep social order and security while doing their bit to support the community for a better life. Colonel oan Ta Chinh, who has worked in Huoi Luong Commune, Phong Tho District of the northern province of Lai Chau since July 2021, said that before arriving in the commune, he was a lecturer at the People's Police Academy School. That all changed in July 2021, when Chinh and nearly 400 colleagues at the Ministry of Public Security were transferred to key border communes with complex security and order issues in Lai Chau Province. "When being deployed to remote, disadvantaged areas, especially border communes, we were all determined to complete all tasks assigned by the Party, State and the police sector," Chinh emphasised. Huoi Luong commune shares a borderline with China. The commune is home to four main ethnic groups; Ha Nhi, Dao, Mong and Kinh. "When we started working in the commune, our first difficulty was the language barrier, as we did not know the languages of the ethnic groups," Chinh said. Chinh always tried to learn the language so that he could better communicate with them and then tell them more about the guidelines and policies of the Party and the Government, Chinh said. Commune police had to work very hard during the campaign to make chip-based identity cards and create an account for people to use online public administrative services. "Many people did not master Vietnamese, and they filled in application forms with different names or dates of birth," Chinh said, adding that some people even changed their names when they felt sad. "We police have to correct the information that citizens provided to prevent possible troubles in future," Chinh said, adding that they also convinced citizens to apply to get new personal ID cards. Commune police also talked to people about how to use smartphones to do administrative tasks and avoid crimes like smuggling and human trafficking. Police called on donations to help needy students continue their schooling. Police set up bookshelves so that local people quickly access books and enrich their knowledge in production and life. Secretary of the Lai Chau Provincial Party Committee Giang Pao My said that the police force made a significant contribution to improving housing for local people through a housing support project in Muong Te District. For years, many households in the district had to live in temporary houses made of thatch, bamboo, or bamboo leaves which are very vulnerable to collapse, especially in the rainy and stormy seasons. They need a house that meets the three-hard standard; a hard foundation, wall and roof. Such houses also need electrical and rainwater collection systems suitable to the harsh conditions in Muong Te. Due to the difficult terrain, the materials were mainly transported by hand during the project's implementation. To reach some villages, people had to walk more than 20km. However, thanks to the hard work of soldiers, civil servants, officials and youth unions, more than 1,000 houses were built, helping people stay safer during the rainy season. My emphasised that the project was an important political task with great humanistic meaning. The provincial leaders promptly directed and assigned the provincial police to develop the project. The police, army and border guard forces reviewed beneficiaries and together implemented the project quickly, My said. "With the timely participation of all Party committees, authorities from the province to the grassroots, the consent and support of the people, the housing support project was completed on schedule, thereby assuring people," said My. Sung A Lau from Cao Chai village, Ta Tong Commune, said that thanks to the housing support project, his family live in a much more comfortable house and can focus on earning their living without worrying about the place to stay. VNS A year-old state law targeting theft of vehicles catalytic converters brought a brief dip in the crime, but has by no means eliminated the issue, numbers from Waco police show. Waco police received 261 reports of catalytic converter theft this year through Sept. 28, compared to 361 reports of catalytic converter theft in all of last year. The thefts started to arise as a significant issue locally in 2020, and police continue to investigate many cases, area law enforcement officials said. When we first started seeing these cases in 2020 there were only a few with mostly car dealerships such as Toyota and Ford being targeted, said Robert James, a detective in the Waco Police Departments theft unit. Thieves target catalytic converters, which are pollution control devices on vehicles exhaust systems, because they contain valuable metals, including platinum, palladium and rhodium, that can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars an ounce. Lt. Mike Gates with the McLennan County Sheriffs Office said he has seen video of thieves stealing a single catalytic converter in about a minute. The state law passed in the most recent legislative session advanced as House Bill 4110 and took effect in September of last year. James said the law creates three requirements for buyers of catalytic converters. He said it requires buyers to have sellers provide the title of the vehicle the converter came from, it requires buyers to keep the title information for a year, and it requires buyers to implement a numbering system allowing them to determine exactly who sold a converter. When the law took effect, officials saw a dip in cases, but the pace of catalytic converter thefts has bounced back, James said. M. Lipsitz & Co. Ltd., and Commercial Metals Company in Waco, and Quality Parts Supply Ltd., in Lorena, have cooperated with the sheriffs office and police departments in their investigations and have effectively left the catalytic converter trade, authorities said. Joey Harrell, who works at Lipsitz, said Thursday that it has been quite some time since the company bought a catalytic converter from an individual. When we do, we take their photo, we get a photo of their driver license, we record the VIN number of the car, and we collect other info as well to keep it on file, Harrell said, referring to requirements under the 2021 law. Harrell said Lipsitz rarely trades in catalytic converters any longer. But most of the ones we get come in still attached to cars that get sold to us to run through our shredder, Harrell said. Lipsitz also does not trade much in platinum, palladium or rhodium, he said. The company gets some in very small quantities when they buy the occasional computer or cellphone to recycle it. Rhodium recently sold at $450.11 a gram, or $14,000 an ounce, James said in an Oct. 12 email. Palladium is $68 a gram or $2,080 an ounce and Platinum is $28.55 a gram and $ 809.38 an ounce, the Waco police detective wrote. An average catalytic converter contains about 3-7 grams of platinum, 2-7 grams of palladium, 1-2 grams rhodium. Some contain three to five times as much of each. A thief can sell each converter for as much as $300 to $1500, James said. The biggest problem that we are seeing now is that people are coming from other towns to our city to steal catalytic converters, primarily from the Houston area and often on the weekends, he said. The cost to replace a catalytic converter varies from vehicle to vehicle and case to case. Many vehicles have multiple catalytic converters, and the damage caused by thieves operating power tools in a rush often extends beyond the exhaust system. Tundra trucks have four catalytic converters on them, two on the drivers side and two on the passengers, said Eva Merkel, a service advisor at Jeff Hunter Toyota. She said insurance pays the replacement cost for most of her customers, but parts and labor will cost around $4,900 if the only get the converters and oxygen sensors on one side. It will cost around $9,000 if they steal all four and cut the fuel lines or some other part as well. Gus Recio, assistant service manager at Jeff Hunter Toyota, said Toyota catalytic converters hardly ever break under normal use. Toyota only makes the number of converters they need for each vehicle they build, plus a few for the very low failure rate, Recio said. They dont take into account thefts, so it messes up the logistic system and the parts dont come in quickly. John Layne with Bird-Kultgen Ford said most Fords have one catalytic converter on each side of the vehicle. The cost to replace a single converter on an F-150 pickup is about $1,200, and the cost to replace two is about $2,050, Layne said. Sheriffs Cpl. Mike Hutchinson, a property theft detective who works catalytic converter thefts across McLennan County, said what helps him and his colleagues solve a case is high-resolution video of the thieves. Get the highest resolution video security camera the security store will sell you, Hutchinson said. Gates, the sheriffs office lieutenant, said low-resolution cameras produce blurry videos that will identify a suspect. He said high-resolution video will allow clear image capture of a suspects face or distinguishing marks or tattoos. Hutchinson, the Waco police detective, also said welding a mark or initials onto a catalytic converter can help with catching a thief. Dealers and shops also are able to install plates or bars that block easy access to a vehicles catalytic converters. Trump's subpoena and what's next for the Jan. 6 panel WASHINGTON (AP) In an extraordinary step, the House Jan. 6 committee has voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump a final effort to get the full story of the Capitol insurrection as the panel wraps up its work by the end of the year. Trump has been relentlessly hostile to the investigation, calling it a charade and a witch hunt in a letter to the committee on Friday. But he has not said whether he will comply with the demand for his appearance. Even if he does, there's no guarantee the committee would get anything different from the broadsides Trump sends out periodically. EXPLAINER: What to expect from China's party congress BEIJING (AP) Chinas ruling Communist Party is holding its twice-a-decade national congress starting Sunday. That's where President Xi Jinping is expected to receive a third five-year term as the uncontested head of the party, government and military of the worlds second-largest economy. The event proceedings are shrouded in secrecy, as is typical in Chinas authoritarian one-party state. But the congress, the 20th in its more than 100-year history, is expected to produce a new set of leaders handpicked by Xi. Xi faces no term limits and has yet to indicate a successor after a decade in the top spot. The 96 million-member party is led by a Central Committee and Politburo. Their top cadres, who now number seven, form the powerful Politburo Standing Committee. Los Angeles mystery: Who taped meeting with racist rants? LOS ANGELES (AP) An anonymously leaked recording of crude, racist remarks and political scheming that led to the resignation of the Los Angeles City Council president and a powerful labor leader left behind a mystery: Who made the tape and why? Five days after the disclosure of the year-old tape, it remains unknown who recorded it and posted it to the website Reddit, or even how many people are involved. The recording of the racist language led to the resignations of then-Council President Nury Martinez and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, and two other Council members who attended are facing pressure to resign. Putin calls his actions in Ukraine 'correct and timely' KYIV, UKRAINE (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin expects his troop mobilization for combat in Ukraine to end in about two weeks. That would allow him to end the unpopular and chaotic call-up meant to counter Ukrainian battlefield gains and solidify his illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. Putin faces domestic discontent and military setbacks in a neighboring country increasingly armed with advanced Western weapons. He told reporters Friday he did not set out to destroy Ukraine" and doesnt regret starting the conflict. Russias difficulties in achieving its war aims are becoming apparent in the illegally annexed Kherson region. Anticipating an advance by Ukrainian forces, Moscow-installed authorities there urged residents to flee Friday. Police: 15-year-old boy kills 5 in Raleigh shooting rampage RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Police say a 15-year-old boy fatally shot five people in an attack that stretched from the streets of a Raleigh neighborhood to a nearby walking trail. Two others were also injured in the Thursday evening attack, which led police on an hours-long manhunt before the teen was arrested. Raleigh police Chief Estella Patterson said Friday that the teen is hospitalized in critical condition. The motive for the shooting is still not known. Some of the victims were going about their daily routines when they died. They ranged in age from 16 to their late 50s. The dead include off-duty Raleigh police Officer Gabriel Torres, who was on his way to work. Mel Gibson can testify at Harvey Weinstein trial, judge says LOS ANGELES (AP) A judge has ruled that Mel Gibson can testify about what he learned from one of Harvey Weinsteins accusers. The 66-year-old actor and director Gibson was one of many trial witnesses whose identities were revealed in court Friday. Weinstein is accused of sexual battery against the woman, who is a masseuse and friend of Gibson's. The judge and lawyers took a break from jury selection to argue over which witnesses and evidence will be allowed during the eight-week trial. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty. Officials: 25 dead, many trapped in Turkish coal mine blast ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkish officials say an explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey has killed at least 25 people and dozens remain trapped underground. The explosion occurred Friday at a state-owned mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. The country's energy minister says a preliminary assessment indicates the blast was caused by firedamp a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines. There were 110 people in the mine at the time of the explosion. Most were able to evacuate the mine following the blast, but the interior minister says 49 people were caught in a higher risk area of the mine. Justice Dept. seeks end to arbiter's review of Trump docs WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court to overturn a judges appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trumps Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master. He was assigned last month by a judge to inspect the thousands of records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out from the investigation any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. At debate, Walker denies past support for US abortion ban SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) Georgias Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker is denying his previous support for an outright national ban on abortion, though he has insisted at various points throughout the campaign that it was a proposal he endorsed. Walker, a staunch anti-abortion politician, was recently accused by a former girlfriend of encouraging and paying for her 2009 abortion. He was asked during a debate Friday with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock about his support for a complete ban on a national level. He said the moderator had misstated his position. Walkers claim contradicted statements he had made repeatedly on the campaign trail. In July he said it's a problem that there is no national ban. 5 years on, key #MeToo voices take stock of the movement Once again, disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein sits in a courtroom, on trial in Los Angeles while the reckoning the accusations against him launched marks a significant milestone this month. Its been five years since a brief hashtag galvanized a broad social movement. It's been five years of #MeToo. The Associated Press went back to Weinstein accuser Louisette Geiss, Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand, and Me Too founder Tarana Burke about how their lives have changed, how hopeful they feel and the challenges ahead. Both Geiss and Constand said that coming forward was the right things to do. Xi Jinping presided over a preparatory meeting for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held Saturday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Participants at the meeting approved a list of 22 members of the delegate credentials committee, and a list of 243 members of the presidium of the congress. It was approved at the meeting that Wang Huning will serve as secretary-general of the congress. The meeting also approved the agenda of the congress. Delegates are expected to hear and examine a report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, examine a work report of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, deliberate and adopt an amendment to the Party's Constitution, and elect the 20th CPC Central Committee and the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. DES MOINES Four Iowa law enforcement agencies will split $750,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to hire six new law enforcement in Dubuque, Postville, Le Mars and Jefferson County to advance community policing. Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson announced the funding on Friday through the Department of Justices Office of Community Oriented Policing Services COPS Hiring Program. Hinson, in a statement, said Iowa needs more law enforcement officers to protect our communities, but recruitment has been a major challenge. Funding for the COPS Hiring Program was included in the fiscal year 2022 appropriations package Hinson supported. Ill continue working to keep our neighborhoods safe and supporting our brave men and women in blue, said Hinson, who sits on the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee. The funding is part of a combined $139 million grant awarded by the Department of Justice to 180 law enforcement agencies across the nation to hire 973 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The competitive award program provides grant dollars directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers and deputies to advance community policing and crime prevention efforts. According to a DOJ news release, of the 180 agencies awarded grants, nearly half will use the funding to focus on building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 30 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 26 will focus on other areas of violence; and 28 will focus resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to people in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found online at cops.usdoj.gov/grants. WATER QUALITY PROJECTS FUNDED: The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced $3.3 million in grants to water and sewer infrastructure projects in nine Iowa communities. The funding comes through the states Community Development Block Grant program. Investments in water infrastructure are vital to supporting Iowa families and businesses, IEDA director Debi Durham said in a news release. The awards announced today will not only support nine water quality projects but also will create opportunities for these communities to thrive. The projects that received funding are in Arcadia, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Fostoria, Guttenberg, Hospers, Oelwein, Spencer and Yale. Grants range from $600,000 in Oelwein and Spencer to $230,000 in Fostoria. Each community is matching the awards with local funding and other money. That match in Oelwein is $1.25 million. PIPELINE HEARING POSTPONED: State utility regulators will reschedule a public hearing regarding a hazardous liquid pipeline in Iowa after the board determined proper notice had not been provided to all affected individuals. The public hearing must be rescheduled due to an error regarding sending notice to landowners and any other affected people with an interest in property over which eminent domain is being requested, an Iowa Utilities Board news release said. The Iowa Utilities Board will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday to discuss possible dates for the public hearing. The hearing is regarding a 14-mile anhydrous ammonia pipeline entirely in Lee County in southeast Iowa. The project is proposed by the San Antonio, Texas-based energy company NuStar. It would give Iowa Fertilizer Co. near Wever access to a larger anhydrous ammonia pipeline network. At an expanded meeting in the Government of the Chechen Republic, they discussed the readiness of the housing and communal services of the region for the upcoming autumn-winter period. The corresponding report was made by the Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities of the Chechen Republic Muslim Zaipullayev. As of October 14, readiness for all items for the upcoming season is 100%. Also, all works on the replacement of networks in apartment buildings have been completed. At the same time, 64 utility facilities were provided with backup sources of power supply, including 50 heat supply facilities, 18 water supply and sanitation facilities, and others. An identical situation is observed in the fuel and energy complex. To date, the implementation of planned activities is also 100%. In case of unforeseen situations, repair teams with the appropriate machinery and equipment have been put up. There are no serious problems in the area of health care. After the preparatory work for the OZP, almost all healthcare facilities have been fully prepared. During the meeting, the topic of implementation of large investment projects was discussed in detail. All work is progressing according to schedule. One of the main projects is the airport named after the Hero of Russia Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov. It includes both the construction of a new airport terminal, runway, and the reconstruction of an existing one. I instructed Muslim Khuchiev to come to grips with attracting the necessary funds and resources. We did not bypass the topic of NWO in Ukraine. I noted the successes of our fighters on the front line. With what courage and bravery they fight, causes in us only admiration and pride. Earlier, I gave instructions to establish the award Hero of the Chechen Republic, which will fully appreciate the feat of our guys. Work in this direction has also been done. Soon we will celebrate distinguished fighters with a new award. At the end of the meeting, he thanked those present for the good results in the areas they supervise. Wish you good luck and success. Kadyrov WtR 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. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Copyright 2022 Albuquerque Journal During this weeks gubernatorial debate, a Roswell murder case emerged as the latest flashpoint in New Mexicos reckoning with high violent crime rates. Republican Mark Ronchetti accused Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams administration of releasing Christopher Beltran early from prison twice, before he shot and killed his ex-girlfriend in June 2021. This is the kind of story we see too often across New Mexico because we have a soft on crime approach and a catch and release approach, Ronchetti said, adding the problem was not with New Mexico law enforcement officers. The morning after the debate, a political committee affiliated with the Republican Governors Association launched a TV ad highlighting the case. But Lujan Grisham responded by criticizing Ronchetti for politicizing the case, while also pointing the finger at Roswell area District Attorney Dianna Luce, a Republican, and a state judge for not pursuing gun-related charges against Beltran that could have kept Beltran behind bars for longer. Whats shocking is my opponents description of facts that are fact-less, Lujan Grisham said during the Wednesday evening debate hosted by KOAT-TV, along with KKOB Radio and the Journal. The state Democratic Party has also entered the fray by accusing Ronchetti of lying about the Beltran case. So whos really to blame? Court records show Beltran was released from the Penitentiary of New Mexico outside Santa Fe on Sept. 28, 2020 just 12 days before his scheduled parole date under an executive order issued by Lujan Grisham during the COVID-19 pandemic that allowed inmates to be released early from prison if they met certain qualifying criteria. Beltran absconded from parole on Oct. 6 just days after being released and was arrested and subsequently imprisoned until the end of his parole sentence on June 22, 2021. Six days after his sentence ended, Beltrans ex-girlfriend Domonique Gonzales, 34, was found shot to death at the front door of her grandfathers home in Roswell, according to court records. Multiple witnesses, video footage and other evidence led police to charge Beltran with murder. On Sept. 29 of this year, Beltran pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and faces up to 12 years in prison, according to court documents. That sequence of events is not in dispute, but the reasons for Beltrans release have been hotly disputed. Dispute with DA District Attorney Luce, a staunch critic of Lujan Grishams executive order and other crime-related policies, told the Journal the governors administration clearly miscalculated when it came to awarding Beltran good time to reduce his sentence after he absconded from parole. Simple math makes it clear that Beltran was released from prison months early, said Luce, who added that Beltran should not have been eligible for a reduced sentence since he was recorded making threatening phone calls while behind bars. In response, a Corrections Department spokeswoman said Friday the agency was not aware of threatening phone calls being made by Beltran before his release. Agency spokeswoman Carmelina Hart also said Beltran did not earn any good time reductions for periods of time he was held in segregation while imprisoned, but said he ultimately got his sentence reduced by nearly five months under agency good time guidelines. Meanwhile, the Lujan Grisham administration has cited the fact Beltran was previously charged in April 2019 with being a felon in possession of a firearm while on probation in an auto theft case. That charge was dismissed by Luces office after Beltrans defense attorney filed a motion to suppress evidence due to illegal search and seizure by Roswell police. Corrections Department spokeswoman Hart said if Beltran had been convicted on the firearm charge he wouldnt have been eligible for early release under Lujan Grishams executive order which made those charged with a firearm enhancement ineligible to qualify for the program. A conviction also could have put Beltran behind bars for up to 18 months. Instead, Beltrans probation was revoked in January 2020 due to multiple violations including the gun charge and failed drug tests, according to court records. He was sentenced to 2 years behind bars with 442 days credit for time served but only ended up serving about nine months during that prison stint. Luce said her office has an ethical responsibility to not go forward on a case in which we believe constitutional rights were violated, but did not elaborate on the reasons the charge was dismissed. She also said her office used the initial charge, combined with failed drug tests, to have Beltrans probation revoked. Questionable ads With Election Day approaching, Ronchetti has sought to make crime a top issue in his attempt to oust Lujan Grisham. Specifically, the GOP nominee and former television meteorologist has targeted the Lujan Grisham executive order that authorized more than 700 inmates to be released early from prison due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order was issued in April 2020 and rescinded last month, though a Lujan Grisham spokeswoman said the decision was not related to Ronchettis criticism. The ad released this week by a political committee affiliated with the RGA targets the policy, even though the murder Beltran is accused of did not occur during the time period after Beltran was first released from prison under the executive order as the ad implies. Michelle Lujan Grisham is failing to keep us safe, the ads narrator says. Previously, Ronchetti released a separate campaign ad that focused on a different individual released under the early release order. That individual, Omar Manzanilla, was one of numerous targets in a gang- and drug-related investigation that led to a recent high-profile FBI drug raid in Albuquerque. But, like Beltran, Manzanilla is not accused of committing any crimes during the time period between when he was released early under the order and when he had been scheduled for release. The governor has countered the crime criticism New Mexico had the nations second-highest rate of violent crime in 2020 by touting recent pay raises for State Police officers and efforts to expand law enforcement recruitment and retention programs. She has also cited legislation she signed into law this year that, among other things, increased the criminal penalty for some gun-related offenses. Meanwhile, the Governors Office said Friday that former state Probation and Parole Division Director Cisco McSorley, a former state senator, resigned from his job in late August due to health reasons. Lujan Grisham spokeswoman Nora Meyers Sackett said state Finance and Administration Secretary Debbie Romero has been helping ensure some of the divisions budget-related obligations are met, but said a search is underway for a permanent successor. Editors note: The Journal continues its series of stories focusing on key races in this years general election. SANTA FE The race to serve as New Mexicos next secretary of state resembles a referendum on the states election system itself. The incumbent seeking reelection, Democrat Maggie Toulouse Oliver, has served as New Mexicos chief elections officer for six years and testified before Congress on election administration. Her Republican opponent, Audrey Trujillo, has cast doubt on the legitimacy of Joe Bidens 2020 election victory in New Mexico a race he won by almost 100,000 votes and is part of a national candidate coalition that promotes sweeping election changes, such as an end to early voting and mail-in ballots. Also running is Libertarian Mayna Myers, who hasnt reported any fundraising activity and didnt respond to a Journal interview request. Toulouse Oliver, who served for 10 years as Bernalillo County clerk and six as secretary of state, is campaigning as a leader who has defended New Mexico elections from false attacks and ensured voters will is respected. Ive been running or overseeing elections in the state for 16 years now, she said in a recent interview. Under my tenure, we have run fair, accurate elections that folks of both parties have won. Trujillo, whose campaign declined a Journal interview request, has pushed for broad changes. She has advocated for new limits on absentee voting, restricting the option to only disabled, elderly, military and voters who are temporarily out of the state on business, according to her website. The race comes amid intense scrutiny on election systems throughout the country following former President Donald Trumps false allegations of a rigged 2020 election. Social media posts Trujillo has cast doubt on the integrity of New Mexico elections. Her Facebook account, for example, shared video of her appearing for an interview with Steve Bannon who served as a strategist under Trump in which she questioned the legitimacy of Bidens victory in New Mexico, citing, in part, that she had seen more Trump signs than Biden signs in the state. In another Facebook post earlier this year, she urged counties to refuse to certify the primary election results until a hand tally of ballots was done. The states post-election audits show that counting ballots by hand produces strikingly similar results to the machine tabulation, with the small differences potentially due to mistakes in the hand count, not errors by the machines. The state also tests the machines before every election and requires recounts for close races. Trujillo, meanwhile, is also part of the America First coalition of secretary of state candidates a group that suggests on its website that the global establishment has sought to undermine election integrity, with help from George Soros, the philanthropist and target of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Trujillo faced criticism earlier this year after one of her social media accounts shared a post suggesting Jews had outsized influence in the development of COVID-19 vaccines. In a Journal interview in May, she suggested her account had been hacked or that she might not have seen the Star of David images next to peoples faces in the vaccine tweet. If it was tweeted by me which I said I dont recall these tweets thats not something I would say, in terms of anything with Jewish or racist intent at all, Trujillo said. Potential legislation Toulouse Oliver, for her part, said that if reelected, she will seek legislation that would restore a persons voting rights after incarceration, establish a Native American Voting Rights Act and create a permanent absentee list for voters who want to receive an absentee ballot in every election. For our democracy to continue to survive and to thrive, Toulouse Oliver said, we need to maximize participation, and we can do that at the same time as ensuring integrity and accuracy. In 2018, she pushed for New Mexico to bring back straight-party voting, though the Supreme Court blocked her from unilaterally making the policy change. Toulouse Oliver has a substantial financial advantage over Trujillo. The incumbent has raised about $582,000 during the election cycle, and Trujillo has raised $74,000. The 33rd KOATs for Kids drive is set to launch Monday. The annual drive spearheaded by KOAT-TV aims to collect coat donations across the state and provide them to New Mexico children in need as winter approaches. This years drive will run through Nov. 20. There will be multiple drop-off sites throughout the state, according to a news release from the television station. Donations will be accepted at participating Albertsons Market, Blakes Lotaburger and Nusenda Credit Union locations. KOAT-TV is collaborating with United Way of Central New Mexico to make online donations possible for this years drive. Funds raised online will be used to buy coats from nonprofit organization Alta Mira. KOAT understands communities throughout New Mexico are facing difficult circumstances. Families and our littlest ones needs are not being met and we are determined to help, Lori Waldon, KOAT-TV president, said in the release. For a full list of drop-off sites and more information, go to KOAT.com/koatsforkids. If you ride an elevator in the city of Albuquerque, theres a high probability that Phil Zweifelhofer has looked at it. Zweifelhofer got into the elevator industry in 1970, after leaving the Marines and a brief career in aviation construction. He moved to Albuquerque two years later, and has been installing, repairing and inspecting elevators ever since. If theres an elevator out there, Ive worked on it, Zwiefelhofer said, This is all Ive ever done. Zwiefelhofers potential customer base is a lot bigger today than it was a year ago, after the city cut its in-house elevator inspection program in September 2021. Thanks to that change, building owners with elevators are now required to schedule and pay for the services of private elevator inspectors like Zweifelhofer on their own. Thats in contrast with the system in the past, where city inspectors proactively set up those mandatory inspections. One might expect that as a private elevator inspector, Zweifelhofer would see the ending of Albuquerques public elevator inspection program as a boon for business. But he, among other elevator inspectors, says he has seen confusion among building owners about the change. City officials say theyre working to get a new system up and running to help keep inspections up-to-date. But Zweifelhofer said theres work to be done in getting that message out, and that its a safety issue. Albuquerque Fire Rescue was unable to provide the number of out-of-date inspections since they took over checking inspection certificates in January. Building owners dont even know what theyre supposed to do, Zwiefelhofer said. Probably 90% of them dont even know they ever had an elevator inspection. Cost and cuts For years, the city employed its own elevator inspectors, who inspected the citys more than 1,500 elevators on an annual schedule. But in September 2021, Mayor Tim Keller proposed legislation to cut the program, which was approved by City Council. Albuquerque was the only city in the state that employed public elevator inspectors. Building owners now have to find their own elevator inspectors and schedule inspection times. In January of this year, Albuquerque Fire Rescue started checking if building owners had in-date inspection certificates. The program had seen diminishing revenue for several years: in FY2018, the program earned about $128,950. By FY2020, that number had dropped to about $111,069. The revenue fell short of the almost $167,000 budget for the program, which came out of the Building Safety Divisions budget, and covered the salary for two inspectors, their benefits, phones and gas. A statement in the approved FY2022 budget cited difficulty in hiring qualified inspectors, which contributed to rising costs. When the department was cut, the city inspectors were reassigned to different departments and to roles that didnt involve inspecting elevators. There used to be four inspectors in Albuquerque at one time, said private elevator inspector Zwiefelhofer. And they whittled it down to one. And then all at once there was none. James Frese was one of the last elevator inspectors employed by the City of Albuquerque. He worked for the city for seven years until the city inspection program was cut. After the number of elevator inspectors dwindled, Frese said he inspected between seven to 10 elevators per day. And then, none. They removed me from the budget, Frese said. Didnt say a word about it. Frese was furloughed for a week before being reassigned within the City of Albuquerque to the Code Enforcement division, where his job was to inspect abandoned properties. It wasnt his specialty, Frese said. That isnt what I do, said Frese, who worked for Code Enforcement for a week before leaving government for good. He now works for Otis Elevators as a service technician, where he said he makes about double what he made at the city. But he still regrets not being able to retire in government. Frese has an associates degree in electronics and said that while code enforcement wasnt up his alley, he might have been interested in other opportunities at the city. I was pretty hurt and damaged, Frese said. I wanted to finish my career with the city, but I didnt get that opportunity. The city elevator inspections were greatly subsidized for the building owners. Originally, Frese said, elevator inspections from the city cost building owners just $40. But, Frese said, the Planning Department eventually raised the cost to a baseline $150, with an additional $15 fee for each floor over 4 stories. A Planning Department spokesperson said that the tab varied greatly based on the building and job. Private inspector Zwiefelhofer said he generally charges between $300 and $400. He said that the city missed a huge revenue-generating opportunity by cutting the program. The city could have made so much money, Zwiefelhofer said. And, you know, just even if youre breaking even, youre serving a function, you know, taking care of people. Changes, confusion Albuquerque Fire Rescue is currently establishing systems to ensure that all of the citys elevators get inspected. However, the transition hasnt been smooth for all business owners, some inspectors say. Since the program expired in January, Albuquerque Fire Rescue has been checking that buildings have up-to-date inspection certificates in their elevators during annual building inspections where they check if sprinklers, fire alarms and other life safety systems are safe. The city uses the 2015 International Building Code, which mandates yearly elevator inspections. They basically dropped the ball into the lap of Albuquerque Fire Rescue, said private elevator inspector Charlie Love, who works in Albuquerque. Fire Marshal Kris Romero said if an inspector found an immediate threat to life, the fire department would be able to shut down a buildings elevator or revoke their operating permit, although Fire Rescue doesnt do any of the actual inspecting themselves. Thats up to third-party inspectors, who report the results to Fire Rescue. If deficiencies are found by an inspector, Fire Rescue Captain Jacob Goevelinger said, building owners have 14 days or less to fix the problem, depending on the severity. The higher the risk, the less time theyll have to fix it. Compliance system In 2019, Albuquerque Fire Rescue partnered with Illinois-based company BRYCER to use their automated program the Compliance Engine, which reminds building owners when they are out of compliance with certain codes. The BRYCER system will be used for elevator inspections as well; however, that program wont be rolled out until Nov. 1. The Compliance Engine has a special program for elevator inspections, which allows third-party inspectors to upload the results of their inspections directly to the program. Fire Rescue is planning to offer training for third-party elevator inspectors on how to use the system. Were putting things in place to get things rolling, Goevelinger said. Love, who has worked on Albuquerque elevators for the past 40 years, said hes seen an increase in business since the city elevator inspections ended. And, he thinks the BRYCER program will work well. It appears to me that its going to be a good program when it gets up and running, Love said. I think its going to be a fantastic system for everyone. Building owners were notified of the inspection change via letter last year. However, some elevator inspectors, including Zwiefelhofer and Frese, say that many building owners are unaware that they now have to find their own, third-party elevator inspectors. Its really weird, Love said. The city did a horrible job of rolling these out. In response to questions about those concerns, the Albuquerque Planning Department, responded with a written statement: The Planning Department has been collaborating with Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) with the mutual goal of public safety. The change in the elevator program is a result of City Council action. City Council, after giving public notice, voted on this change at a public meeting. The Planning Department then created a frequently asked question page on its website and mailed individual notices to each building owner. Now, AFR is working with building owners to make sure they are aware of the new process. Love said that while some building owners hes spoken with were aware of the change, others were not. Frese said the general public is likely even more in the dark than business owners. As far as the public knows, the city still does that (elevator inspections), Frese said. Safety concerns Although Albuquerque Fire Rescue is working to fill in the gaps in city elevator inspections, the local International Union of Elevator Constructors is looking for statewide change. Marvin Regensberg, business agent for the IUEC Local 131 said the union is drafting elevator safety legislation for the 2023 New Mexico legislative session. The proposed law would standardize elevator inspection rules across the state, mandating annual inspections, and set uniform licensing and education standards for elevator inspectors. The yearly inspections would require a third-party witness with a Qualified Elevator Inspector certification from the National Association of Elevator Inspectors to supervise elevator mechanics during inspections in essence, replacing the role that city inspectors had up until last year on a statewide level. The union attempted to pass similar legislation in 2019. The Elevator Safety Act, had it passed, would have given property owners 60 days to fix elevator safety violations found during inspections. The bill passed one committee, then died in the second. The Local 131 union, which has 92 members, represents New Mexico as well as parts of Colorado and Texas. Regensberg said that Colorado and Texas both already have state elevator safety laws in place. The members we have in Texas and Colorado, they dont have the problems I got, Regensberg said. You know? Because they know, if they say somethings wrong with the elevator, its going to get fixed. Zwiefelhofer said that hes less concerned for the people riding elevators than the people working on them. Elevators right now, in this day and age, are safe for the riding public, Zwiefelhofer said. But theyre unsafe for the technicians. Most of the time, if an elevator fails, the worst that will happen to someone riding is that they get trapped inside. But technicians, who have to climb on top of and under elevators, are at higher risk if something goes wrong. Even missing a light, Zwiefelhofer said, can be dangerous for technicians. Regensburg said that working in elevators has been the most dangerous job hes ever had. His thumb was crushed by an elevator and he had to get it partially amputated. He said hes worried about elevator safety in New Mexico without additional safety regulations. Thank God, nothing bad has happened. Right? Regensberg said. But how long are we willing to gamble, or take the chance? To mark World Food Day and National Nutrition Month 2022, PepsiCo India through its brand Quaker and London-based market research major Euromonitor International released a research study on Lifestyle Choices & Ageing Perception of Urban Indians. The launch of the report was followed by a panel discussion in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) around the key findings and the importance of incorporating healthy ageing habits to ensure holistic health. The panel discussion included eminent names like Vikas Khanna, Celebrity Chef and Quaker Brand Ambassador, Ekta Bhyan, Asian Para Games Gold medalist, Tokyo Paralympian, Anshul Khanna, Senior Director, Marketing - Foods, PepsiCo India, Preeti Rao, Health and Wellness Consultant and Founder & CEO, Weljiii and Dr. Eram Rao, Professor, Department of Food Technology, Delhi University and Kavneet Sahni, Founder and CEO, GotoChef who moderated the session. The report revealed that 82% of Gen X audience (i.e., people aged 41 years and above) feel their own age or younger, while 40% of the Gen Z audience (i.e., 18-25 years of age) and 46% of the Millennial audience (i.e., 26-40 years of age) feel older than their current age. Low energy, general tiredness and poor immune health are some internal factors that are leading to respondents feeling older than their own age. Interestingly, data also shows that over 40% Gen X never skip breakfast, while busy mornings and long workdays affect breakfast patterns of the younger lot, with over 50% of Gen Z and 61% of Millennials who tend to skip breakfast. However, since the pandemic 82% of the total respondents have started incorporating more wholesome breakfast especially multigrain such as oats in their approach towards healthy ageing. The survey conducted to better understand overall well-being of Indian consumers also highlighted that since the pandemic, over 90% respondents have started adopting habits that support healthy ageing. Indians have become more cognizant towards improving digestive health, reducing stress levels, and enhancing immunity. The study indicates that over 70% respondents have improved their nutrition intake, with 44% consuming vitamins/supplements daily. The report also sheds light on breakfast being considered as the most important meal of the day with 82% respondents intending to start incorporating more wholesome breakfast as part of their healthy habits. Speaking at the launch event, Vikas Khanna, Celebrity Chef and Quaker Brand Ambassador, said, It is encouraging to see the young generation making conscious efforts towards better health and seeking ways to incorporate more nutrition in their daily lives. The pandemic bought the food community together in a completely new way, supporting each other in their journey to stay fit and eat better. We even saw chefs across the world join the conversation with interesting fun recipes that encouraged better eating. Through my continued association with Quaker, my goal is to provide people with nutritious yet tasty recipes that appeal to todays generation as well. Incorporating a wholesome breakfast in ones daily regime is a must for those embarking on their healthy ageing journey, and I personally consider breakfast to be the most important meal of the day. Talking about the study findings, Sonam Vij, Associate Director and Category Lead - Quaker Portfolio, PepsiCo India said, The survey provided us with unique insights and views of Indians on ageing. As per the study, the Gen X is feeling younger by following a healthy routine and Young India in their current lifestyle feels older than their current age. However, it was good to see the shift towards a better quality of life with over 90% of respondents incorporating healthy ageing habits in their daily routine. Breakfast being one of the most important meals of the day, the survey revealed that Oats and cereals are the preferred choices for people who are working towards incorporating wholesome breakfast in their daily routine. Much to our delight, the survey also revealed that Quaker Oats is among the most consumed breakfast cereal across India, highlighting its nutrition quotient and the value it adds to the lives of consumers who are choosing healthier options. Guided by our philosophy of Winning with pep+, we are consistently working towards addressing changing consumer and societal needs, and with Quaker Oats we provide consumers with nutritious yet quick & delicious recipes. Dilip Radhakrishna, Consultant, Euromonitor International commented, Indians across age groups of 18 to 40 years feel older than their current age primarily due to their poor nutrition intake. However, since pandemic 90% of people have started incorporating habits for healthy ageing and over 70% have improved their nutrition intake. People believe that higher consumption of vegetables, fruits, and wholegrains will improve their overall health. Majority of people believe that breakfast cereals, such as oats, provide lasting energy and resolve digestive health issues. In fact, those who take wholegrains, consume it every day or every alternate day in a week with an average of 1-2 serving per meal. The research was conducted with over 1,000 respondents from 18 years and above, living across four key metros i.e., Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata. With key focus on understanding multiple factors which impact overall health, the study helped in identifying drivers and deterrents to good health. It also mapped changing behaviours of Indians towards overall health & wellbeing, energy and weight management that are top priorities for better health. Stories.PR.Digital go Yabba Dabba Do, as the Public Relations, Digital & Communications Consultancy recently bagged the Public Relations mandate for Bengaluru-based Meme Marketing Company, Wubba Lubba Dub Dub (WLDD). Passionate about building a brand story for communications, SPRD will manage industry alliances and help the client in building thought leadership in addition to public relations. Commenting on the mandate win, Asif Upadhye, Director at SPRD, states, In a world full of routines, people seek solace in 'memes'. Its a fun as well as challenging way to accomplish customer retention strategies by deepening the connection with your audiences. We are definitely looking forward to unfolding what this collaboration beholds. Creating a meme revolution in India, WLDD has helped several businesses to break through the clutter via snackable and entertaining communication models. With relatable content, theyve introduced meme marketing to over 100+ brands so far, and have expanded their horizon as a leader in digital assets. Everything your audience sees online leaves an imprint on them, and through an extension of tech products, our aim is to showcase how this industry can continue to be profitable, number-driven, and accessible for all. We're committed to solidifying our impressions and communications with this partnership, adds Arihant Jain, CEO at WLDD. Memes have gained immense popularity today and play an integral role in an organizations marketing plan. Leveraging this strategy since inception, a startup turned pioneer of meme and experiential marketing in India, WLDD has successfully ventured into community building by expressing and engaging with audiences via a diversified meme-connect. Founded in 2018, by Arihant Jain, Jaidev Kesti, and Vivekanand Kilari, three college friends from Belgaum, WLDD have envisioned reaching greater heights with new-age meme and experiential marketing. This indicates the tremendous growth opportunity for the meme companies which would benefit from this trend. CNBC-TV18s Storyboard18 and Twitter Indias special series The Conversation - has been flagged off into its third edition this year, and is already sparking keen audience interest. This partnership is a result of an optimal match in brand synergies with Storyboard18 being CNBC-TV18's weekly flagship show that covers the A-to-Z of advertising & marketing, bringing together the industry's biggest voices from across business, advertising and marketing, to put the spotlight on the latest happenings in the A&M space, and Twitter being the go-to platform for brands to launch something new, connect audiences with whats happening and drive people to buy. The third season of the limited series will look to dive deep into the new nuances of social media marketing, by showcasing the most impactful campaigns along with popular themes and trends on Twitter. It will bring together leaders representing the brands that have been leading with innovation and are working towards nurturing a long lasting relationship with its consumers. Like previous seasons, it will also showcase iconic brand-audience moments on Twitter; with industry-experts and thought leaders who shine light on the trends and expectations of the year to come. The first episode of this new edition titled - The Conversation: Twitter Trends 2022' walks the audience through Twitters insightful Trends report, capturing themes shaping consumer behaviour in markets the world over, and delves deep into what's now, what's next, and what can brands look forward to. The top three trends spotted this year were Finance Goes Social, Fan-Build Worlds, and Entrepreneurship Hits Peak Culture. The first episode saw Preetha Athrey - Director, Global Business Marketing, Twitter APAC, and Lisa Cowie, Global Head of Twitter Trends discussing these latest emerging trends on the micro-blogging platform. The festive special second episode, titled The Conversation: Converse To Convert will be graced by the presence of Mayank Prabhakar, Head of Digital Marketing, vivo India; Nidhi Hola, Country Marketing Director, Dell; and Kanika Mittal, Country Lead, Large Clients Solutions, Twitter India. Tapping into the festive spirit of brands and audiences alike, this episode will analyse how brands leverage this season to launch new products and amplify initiatives on the platform and convert active conversations into sales, further driving positivity and fuel brand memorability during festive times. Talking about the association, Suma Nair, Head of Marketing, CNBC-TV18, said, Storyboard18 is a one-stop destination for brands across industries to share their insights on advertising & marketing, explore new ideas, and identify trends. We have partnered with Twitter for the third year in a row to bring forth key marketing trends and campaigns that are creating a huge buzz whilst guiding brands to stay on top of their games. The Twitter trends report especially looks to aid brands to strategize their business and marketing plans as per the most popular trends, which also is a key pillar for Storyboard18 as a show for brands to earmark trends, insights, analysis and stay ahead of the curve. Preetha Athrey, Director, Global Business Marketing, Twitter APAC, said, Twitter is the worlds largest forum of public human thought. Our audience is often first to talk about things, so when topics or trends start to pop-up on Twitter, they provide a window into culture. The latest edition of The Conversation series delves into developments influencing the India market that act as the barometer for brands to survive in the ever-changing environment. As one of the frontier news networks, CNBC-TV18 was the perfect partner, and Storyboard18 the perfect show, to reach out to the business community, and talk about how marketing is evolving. Tune in to the next episode The Conversation: Converse To Convert on 8.30 AM, Saturday, 15th & on 11.30 AM, Sunday, 16th Oct exclusively on CNBC-TV18. Flash The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected former President Donald Trump's request to get involved in the dispute over documents taken from his Florida home this summer. Trump requested the justices reverse a decision from a lower court and allow a special master to examine around 100 documents that had been marked as classified. The documents had been found during the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raid on Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. The Supreme Court rejected Trump's request on Thursday, and there were no dissents. Those documents were among 11,000 documents seized during the FBI operation. Trump's request occurred after an appeals court barred the so-called "special master," who had been given the task by a federal judge, from reviewing the government records. Trump has accused the FBI of searching his private residence for political purposes while claiming that some of the documents were protected by attorney-client privilege and executive privilege. Federal prosecutors had argued that Trump did not have the authority to claim executive privilege from his time in the White House since he is no longer in office. With so many boys left to the fend for themselves, the claws of social media, television, videogames, and the internet have grabbed hold and corrupted them at a time when they are most vulnerable to outside influences. Since observational learning plays a critical role in development, studies have shown how this exposure is linked to anger, violence, and anxiety. What chance do our boys have if the behavior of snakes and sharks is the primary source of guidance? While the absence of a father in the home has been shown to negatively impact children, the traditional family does not guarantee a positive impact. Parents must model the behavior and live the values they hope to instill in their children. This is important for both girls and boys; however, this article will focus on the significant role a father's behavior plays in the development of his sons. There are numerous articles written about a generation of men who fall prey to "toxic masculinity," which leads to sexism, aggression, violence, and suppression of emotions. What better way to manipulate a gender-confused society then to attribute all male anger, violence, and sexism to masculinity? Other significant factors such as boys who are raised without a father, have poor role models, or have suffered abuse are minimized or purposely disregarded. This permits fitting all of these destructive male behaviors under the same umbrella, allowing the gender fanatics to demonize and pervert masculinity, thereby providing cover for turning boys into their "new version" of men. Be tough, but in a sensitive way; be competitive, but focus on your opponent's feelings; be confident, but show your vulnerability. How is this supposed to work? We are asking a generation of testosterone-filled adolescent males to do the impossible. It is easier for them to just escape and engage in undesirable behaviors, such as listening to music that degrades women, playing a game that promotes violence and numbs the senses, and viewing pornographic images and videos on the internet. After such destructive behavior, is he supposed to sit with his girlfriend and talk about his feelings? Houston, we have a problem. I believe there are six critical areas in which a father's behavior will lay the necessary foundation for teaching boys how to become productive, respectable, and desirable men. Relationship with his wife When a woman wholeheartedly gives herself to a man in mind, body, and spirit, it should never be taken for granted. Other than God's love and mercy, this is the greatest gift a man could ever receive. A good husband will acknowledge this gift and through his actions model how to reciprocate a wife's faithfulness, love, and kindness. He will view his wife not through a lens of expectation, but through a lens of respect and tenderness. When a husband views his wife through this lens, his love and appreciation for her will grow without bound. Her beauty will never fade, her touch will always comfort, and her mere presence will make him want to become a better man. This will be visible to all, especially his son. Faith It is when man understands his insignificance through serving an almighty God that he will truly be set free. In a world that lacks selflessness and humility, a father who lives these virtues is sowing the seeds of faith in the fertile soil of a young boy. Our godless schools and perverted secular society taint the innocence of childhood and spread the seeds of darkness, creating Mordor on Earth. A father's faith plays a critical role in battling these demonic forces. By living his faith, a father provides the antidote for our poisoned culture. Without it, our young boys have to face this morally bankrupt and hedonistic society unarmed. Work Ethic It seems that with every generation, the traditional American philosophy work hard and pay your dues is nothing more than fool's gold. Those coming up in this new generation are demanding an employer that aligns with their social views, has flexible schedules, and offers mental health and wellness, or they just quit. I guess if you are single and have no responsibilities, such a mentality, as imprudent as it sounds, is possible. This attitude does not work for a man who has to provide for his family, nor does it align with the value most traditional American men place on work. A father will do whatever it takes to provide for his family. Sometimes that means working a job he is not completely satisfied with or taking a second job to ensure that the bills are paid and food is on the table. There is nothing wrong with trying to better your situation, but this is done in a way so as to minimize risk to the family's overall well-being. Capricious job-hopping causes emotional and financial stress. Fathers need to lead by example so their sons will understand the value of hard work and the dignity it provides. Ability to forgive Perhaps one of the most difficult virtues to practice is forgiveness not only to forgive others, but the ability to forgive oneself. When we carry a grudge, it penetrates deep into the core of our being and releases a negative energy that spreads into our daily lives. A father who does not practice the art of forgiveness harbors resentment. This resentment can negatively affect the brain and exposes those around him to the bitterness that has settled in his heart. A father full of resentment teaches his son that if someone wrongs you, it is acceptable to feel bitter and hold on to that feeling. One the other hand, a father can teach his son that although you may be unjustly treated, it is not healthy to hold on to the anger and resentment you may initially feel. By practicing forgiveness, a father creates an environment where healing is possible and negative emotions are unable to fester. How he handles setbacks The inevitability of failure can motivate some and paralyze others. If you have a family, there will be numerous setbacks and sometimes outright catastrophes. Children need comfort and security. It is vital that a father accept setbacks, reassure, and develop a plan to remedy the situation. A son looks to his father during difficult times because he sees his father as the "fixer" of all things. Just as a sailor looks to the captain during a sea battle, there must be clarity, confidence, and decisive decision-making so all impacted feel somewhat at ease. If a father collapses during a setback or crisis, his son will develop fear and anxiety towards failure and may avoid risks at all cost. Failure avoidance is no way to live. How he treats people You can often tell a lot about an individual based on his everyday interactions with people. Think about how many times you were with your parents, listening to them engaging in general conversation with neighbors, grocery store clerks, bank tellers, or restaurant staff. A father who looks down on certain people because of a superiority complex sends a direct message to his son I am better than this person, and he does not deserve my respect. If a father gets angry or annoyed and proceeds to berate an individual, it sends the same message. Conversely, if a son witnesses his father engaging individuals in a kindhearted manner and remaining poised in confrontational situations, he learns the importance of treating people with respect and self-control. As fathers, I think we need to be deliberate in the behaviors we are demonstrating. We all make mistakes when raising children; it comes with the territory. However, the proverb "do as I say, not as I do" is a cop-out, and it says much about the character of a man. We as fathers must "man up" and take responsibility to ensure that we are raising our boys to become men. Image via Needpix. He who controls the weather controls the world. These ominous words were spoken in 1962, at Southwest Texas State University, by then Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. In that Cold War era speech, he was alluding to what could happen after the development of a weather satellite that will permit man to determine the world cloud layer and ultimately control the weather. Later, as president, LBJ would authorize Operation Popeye, the spraying of silver and lead iodide into monsoon storm clouds over Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam to facilitate U.S. military operations by causing landslides and washing out river crossings. This was exposed by reporter Jack Anderson (in an 18 March 1971 column in Washington Post), Seymour Hersh, and the Pentagon Papers in the New York Times. America and the world woke up to the possibility that weather engineering could be part of invisible warfare, producing cloud cover, droughts, storms, or floods. Large-scale weather manipulation may be a reality today. And, while the world stands deeply divided on climate change, Dane Wigington, the founder and lead researcher of GeoEngineering Watch (GEW), is determined to expose the immense danger to the future of our planet that he alleges. He has been studying covert climate ops for over 20 years, scouring government and military documents, reviewing film footage, and performing atmospheric data testing. Most concerning, he says, is the fact that scientific inquiry on the subject is being censored and critical data suppressed. Wiginton recently produced The Dimming: Exposing the Global Engineering Cover-up, a documentary alerting the public about the serious implications for the atmosphere, human health, and ecosystems. He alleges that geoengineers aim to put 10m-20m tons of nanoparticles into the skies annually. Like fine ash from large volcanoes, these particles block out the sun. Wigington states that they are being sprayed into the atmosphere from aircraft, like the iodides used for artificial rain, and leave ubiquitous chemtrails, which are explained away by complicit scientists and media as contrails (or condensed vapor trails from aircraft). But Wigington, who says he has studied the contents of the trails, rejects the explanation: he says condensation is limited at flying altitudes because of low humidity, and its impossible for condensate to block out so much solar energy. Chemtrails, he says, play a major role in this ongoing interference with the atmosphere. For the past few years, Wigington and his colleagues have collected video footage of aircraft with visible nozzles being turned off and on and even uncovered films of World War II B-17s turning off a sprayed dispersion. They have sampled particulate matter from below, above, and through the confluent layer of haze emitted by large jets at 40,000 feet. They have detected significant and growing amounts of aluminum, barium, and strontium that linger and expand into cloud cover. Extraordinarily powerful radio frequency microwaves are then used to manipulate the cloud cover loaded with nanoparticles, Wigington says. Higher frequencies heat the loaded cloud cover, creating pressure zones in the upper levels of the atmosphere that steer wind currents to move air masses and maneuver weather systems. Lower frequencies cool the air and calm it down. Such climate engineering operations are also saturating our atmosphere with light-scattering particles that alter the light spectrum, its quality, and intensity. This affects photosynthesis and plant health. With the ozone layer damaged as a result, this also exposes the earth and its inhabitants to high levels of radiation UVA, UVB, and UVC. Wigington explains that aluminum particles are highly reflective and reduce direct sunlight. They are also desiccants that reduce atmospheric moisture and relative humidity, disrupting the hydrological cycle. GEW researchers allege that these stratospheric sulfate aerosols have caused a build-up of light-scattering particles in the atmosphere, creating a dimming effect. These reckless experiments a global enterprise are causing untold damage to the planet and human health. Precipitation has allegedly increased 10-30% as a result. Over 50 countries are involved independently in the creation of this Frankensteins monster Australia, India, Russia, Thailand, South Africa, and of course China. Wigington points to the appearance of crippling snow storms in Beijing in 2009, the earliest recording of snow in 22 years. Apparently, the citys Weather Modification Office had resorted to cloud seeding by dropping silver iodide into the atmosphere to cause water vapor to crystallize at lower temperatures than normal. GEW has researched the manipulation of hurricanes through frequency transmission, patented processes which have existed for quite some time. In fact, weather modification patents run into the hundreds. They call for seeding of storms from above by aircraft, after which ground-based frequency transmission facilities can increase precipitation in some areas and decrease it in others. Project Cirrus as early as 1947, tried to modify a hurricane. The project was a collaboration between General Electric, the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Air Force. In that first attempt, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Group flew along the rainbands of a hurricane and dropped 180 pounds of crushed dry ice into the clouds. The subsequent change in the hurricanes direction was blamed on the seeding, but later, in the face of lawsuits, human intervention as a causative factor was denied. There have been more projects since, trying to weaken cyclones and disrupt hurricanes, but to cover up, they were dismissed as ineffective. GEW, however, has captured footage of hurricanes steered by using radio frequency transmitters to manipulate particulate matter sprayed from aircraft. It also has NASA satellite images showing the manipulation of cyclones off the west coast of Africa. The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), a $330 million military project to explore electromagnetic warfare capabilities, was designed to achieve the goals laid out in Full-spectrum Dominance (2020) and Owning the Weather in 2025. Initially, its website listed the program purpose thus: HAARP is a scientific endeavor aimed at studying the properties and behavior of the ionosphere, with particular emphasis on being able to understand and use it to enhance communications and surveillance systems for both civilian and defense purposes. The part after the comma has since been dropped. The government claims to have shut down the project in 2013, but many suspect it is still in operation for weather control to cause earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and disrupt communication systems. All of this sounds like science fiction human beings playing G-d to control the weather. Is climate engineering destroying the climate cycle, the ozone layer and bombarding forests with intense UV radiation that is killing the planets flora from the top down? Has it been responsible for altering upper-level wind currents that alter the ocean currents? Is the planet more electrically conductive because interventional ionization of the atmosphere is causing more lightning and igniting more fires? Wigington and his researchers at GEW strongly believe all of that is true. Are he and his researchers credible? They believe that its climate engineering not climate change from human activity thats destroying the planet. Photo credit: Felton Davis CC BY 2.0 license Do you hear that noise? I hear it too. It grows louder by the day. Its not the Russian milblogger community demanding Putin nuke anything and everything in his way, although you could be forgiven for thinking it was. That sound were hearing, annoying at first, but now disconcerting, is the cacophonic clamor of politically conservative armchair warriors, posting gleefully from their keyboards, barely able to contain themselves at the prospect of a Second American Civil War. To their credit, they at least comprehend that such a war wouldnt involve divisions of troops duking it out in the open fields of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. So, to all our digital Rambos, I ask: How do you envision such a war playing out, and what precisely would your role in it be? Do you picture yourself coolly and calmly patrolling the abandoned streets of a dystopic America, decked out in your zombie apocalypse gear, your Punisher t-shirt and your Navy Seals imitation sunglasses, pumping a single 5.56mm round into each green-haired, lispy-voiced leftist who cartoonishly pops straight up from behind bushes and garbage cans? Maybe. Maybe it would be that easy. But who among the enemy is fair game? Armed leftists? Unarmed civilians who support the other side? Their property? Their families? Child soldiers? Your lifelong neighbors with the We Believe yard signs? Are we fighting simply to neutralize the threat and restore the ideals of our Founders, or do we, as victors, get to loot the wealth, or worse, of our adversaries? Will we force them to perform public penances and take ideological purity tests like the Left does now? Have you seen what a bullet does to flesh? Have you ever heard the sounds of a human being in their death throes? Maybe you fantasize standing over them while they bleed out, giving them your best Sam Elliott glare, so theyll realize in their last moments who they made the mistake of messing with. Do you think itll be as sensational and fist pumping as Hollywood makes it out to be? Or do you concede the possibility that it might severely traumatize you in ways you never imagined? If you mistakenly kill an innocent person, is that something youre prepared to live with? Maybe it wouldnt be that hard to kill somebody, at a distance, by pulling a trigger. But what about up close and personal, with a knife? Or a blunt object? Or with your bare hands? It takes approximately five minutes to strangle a human being to death. Are you willing to actively kill a person for five minutes straight? These hypotheticals are based on the assumption that our side would win, and easily so. Yes, I know, our side has all the guns, all the police, most blue collar workers, and all those true patriots just waiting for one more push and this time I mean it to entice them to revolutionary action. But dont mistake the enemy for a gaggle of pajama boys and under/overweight androgynes, and dont underestimate the motivating power of their hate. Have you turned on the TV in the last few years? Who controls our city streets, the civil authorities or highly organized Antifa insurrectionists? Whose symbols and bastions are being torn or burned down, ours or theirs? Is it the Left or the Right who has ready-made armed mobs available anytime and anywhere with a simple click on social media? Ahh, but thats the inner city, you think, they can have it. But if you think this can be confined to city limits, talk to the shell-shocked residents of the leafy suburbs of Minneapolis, Atlanta, San Diego, Chicago, and elsewhere, where daily Leftist reenactments of The Purge still somehow fail to sufficiently ruffle the feathers of our sides loudest civil war agitators. As the hordes roam through your neighborhood, you might picture yourself picking them off one by one from the safety of your rooftop or camouflaged canopy. But have you ever found yourself unexpectedly in the middle of a violent mob? Kyle Rittenhouse (whom I support) did, and his courtroom recollection of the event wasnt one of chest thumping braggadocio, but rather of the sheer horror of being engulfed alone, in the dark, into complete chaos with a thousand moving parts. What would the McCloskeys (whom I support) have done, despite being visibly armed, if the mob decided to charge them anyway? How many shots could they realistically have gotten off, much less neutralize dozens of running targets, before they were overrun and literally torn apart? And seeing as the Left already censors any dissident on social media, what happens in civil war when they use their BigTech quislings to block not only social media but also cell phone use from identified enemies of the state? Unless the local militias are planning to distribute CB radios by the millions, how could we communicate, much less mobilize? Morse code? Carrier pigeons? Smoke signals? What happens when the newly woke banking giants freeze our accounts? We conservatives look into carnival mirrors and see rugged individualists and grizzled frontiersmen staring assuredly back at us, in sharp contrast to the helpless, amorphous caricatures we imagine every Leftist to be and who we somehow just know we could easily outlast. But is that a realistic assessment? Remember when we ran out of toilet paper for two weeks, and this country damn near fell apart? Are we still lying to ourselves that was entirely the other side, and that we didnt contribute in any way to that panic? What will we by-our-bootstraps conservatives do when the food and gasoline shipments stop? When the water and electricity shut off? Have any of us, myself included, ever truly known hunger? How much could we endure before brute instinct replaced rationality in our decision making, when we realize just how truly little control we have over our faculties in such desperate situations? Will todays compatriot become tomorrows enemy in that Darwinian struggle? We conservatives always assumed the military was the ace up our sleeve, that all-volunteer bastion of authentic, walk-the-walk patriotism, against whose unleashed might the degenerates of Seattle CHAZ mien would never dare raise their laser pointers. And our military will always remain steadfastly conservative, right? Right? Image: Pixabay / Pixabay license What is it about celebrity, notoriety and fame that distorts, corrupts, and degrades the conscience, morality, and ethics of celebrities? Do some celebrities metaphorically and psychologically fly too close to the sun like Icarus? Why does the status of star stir the stars narcissism beyond healthy vocational satisfaction and self-esteem? Is star-power so seductive that it dissolves humility and moral integrity? How does inevitable human acquisitiveness progress to consuming greed and seeming inevitable worship of wealth as a source of fame, power, and prestige? Do fame, fortune and celebrity seductively whisper to inner fantasies or illusions of invulnerability? Omnipotence? God-like immortality? Even our presidents are celebrities and Facebook feeds the moment in the sun for many. Some celebrities to ponder: Bill Cosby Bill Cosby helped us to laugh heartily for decades. He and Felicia Rashad helped us to find joy and enjoyment in the family life of Dr. Huxtable. We grieved with Cosby at the tragic loss of his college age son by murder. Now, we experience collective shock, disbelief, revulsion, and sadness at the reports of his alleged misuse of celebrity power via sexual abuse of many women. Is Cosbys star status located too close to the sun? George Soros (Quotes abstracted from---www.DiscoverTheNetwork.org) Over the years, billionaire celebrity George Soros has given voice to this sense of grandiosity many times and in a variety of different ways. In his 1987 book The Alchemy of Finance, for instance, he wrote: I admit that I have always harbored an exaggerated view of self-importanceto put it bluntly, I fancied myself as some kind of god or an economic reformer like Keynes or, even better, a scientist like Einstein. Expanding on this theme in his 1991 book, Underwriting Democracy, Soros wrote: If truth be known, I carried some rather potent messianic fantasies with me from childhood, fantasies which I wanted to indulge to the extent that I could afford. In a June 1993 interview with The Independent, Soros, who is an atheist, said he saw himself as some kind of god, the creator of everything. In an interview two years later, he portrayed himself as someone who shared numerous attributes with God in the Old Testament , [Y]ou know, like invisible. I was pretty invisible. Benevolent. I was pretty benevolent. All-seeing. I tried to be all-seeing. Soros told his biographer Michael Kaufman that his goal was nothing less ambitious than to become the conscience of the world by using his charitable foundations. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. American presidents have increasingly become celebrities over the decades. After they serve, they continue to gain wealth, notoriety, and fame. Such celebrity status affords them opportunities to do good or to become or appear to be deceitful, unethical, or corrupt. American Presidents as Inevitable Celebrities Obama and Clintons Charm, Charisma, and Celebrity Status. Charm may have as its earliest origin in the smile response that occurs normally at three or four months of human development. A charming smile helps caretakers to bond in delight with the infant. Some infants more than others have the gift of more glowing smiles. In the Darwinian sense, the smile reduces any potential propensity to destroy or harm the innocent infant by a stranger. Barack Obamas smile says volumes before he ever says a word. Obamas boyish charm has helped him survive a difficult childhood. It also helped create and sustain his dazzlingly rapid ascent to political power. Even as a chubby toddler Barack Obama possessed a winning smile and early gift with and command of words. His white grandmother, whom Obama calls Tut (pronounced toot), thought not without reasons, that young Barack was a geniusespecially with words. David Maraniss in his book about Obama, describes Baracks comment as the English class of Ms. Czurles-Nelson at Punahou school discussed what people fear the most. Obama said, WORDSwords are the power to be feared mostwhether directed personally or internationally, words can be weapons of destruction. As one observes Obamas verbal skills in action, it is impressive how he entwines graceful movements, a winsome smile, and a smooth charm that accompanies his powerful wielding of words. His verbal-based charisma is significantly connected to the timing of his rising and falling baritone intonations. These seem studied and resemble other influential speakers like Bill Clinton, Martin Luther King, John Kennedy, and Billy Graham. Bill Clinton was always the teachers pet. First in His Class, as David Maraniss titled his biography of Bill Clinton. Clinton, the past Master of Political maneuvering, luxuriates in the pure joy of implementing his political magic, while enjoying the sound of his own voice. His supporters continue to adore him even after he lied to America on TV . Barack Obama Jr. seems spellbound by the omnipotent fantasy of the imagined pure power of his words. As If the programs and policies he wanted to establish, and their successful results were already on record. How could anyone disagree with the smooth magic of his words? Celebrity and Narcissism The erosion of a celebritys soul appears to get more active the longer the time period of his or her status ferments. The early years of famous performers often reveal a delightful Billy Budd sort of innocence. Then over time, economic fortune and fame accumulate, percolate and gain momentum almost in direct proportion to the glitzy mirrors of TV and movie cameras (Remember Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, and Michael Jackson toward their drug addled ends?). The adoring fans, media, voters, entourages, and political minions would not dare dent their celebrity heros narcissism by speaking truth to celebrity power. It is a rare celebrity that maintains sufficient humility, maturity, and wisdom about the danger of falling in love with their own image or words. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King Jr., Harry Truman, George Bush 41, and Ronald Reagan are a few who avoided flying too close to the sun of celebrity. Their good character trumped possible pathological narcissism. Graphic credit: Free SVG public domain Does Erik Aadland, running for Congress in the state's CD7 against Democrat Brittany Peterson, have the answers to the energy problems for Colorado and for the USA? Aadland has some serious energy credentials. Aadland drilled oil and natural gas wells in Colorado and Texas as a drilling engineer and worked as a procurement manager and business integration manager. "My final position was as the onshore Project Manager for the Leviathan Project in Israel, where I oversaw the construction of a natural gas pipeline, condensate pipelines and a condensate gathering facility (approximately $300 mm in scope for a $5 bn project)," he said. Also, in 2018, he helped defeat Proposition 112, which increased setbacks for oil and gas leases to inhibit hydraulic fracturing (fracking). In 2019, Democrats took power and instituted what the voters had rejected. It was a huge disappointment and a big deal in the state. "It was extremely upsetting to me, after significant personal effort defeating Prop. 112, to see Polis and the legislature blatantly overturn the will of Coloradans to the great detriment of Colorado," said Aadland. "Because of SB181, Colorado has lost between $10 and 20 billion every year into the Colorado economy. It's devastating. Though not the same scale of significance, it felt similar to the catastrophic disaster in Afghanistan (where I served in combat)." National Review wrote, "SB19-181 was an open dismissal of the will of Colorado voters, who overwhelmingly voted to reject a similar regulatory measure in a 2018 ballot initiative. The earlier attempt, Proposition 112, was pitched as a public-safety measure by environmentalist groups. It was resoundingly defeated at the ballot box, with 57 percent of the electorate voting against it." When asked how Coloradans can reverse what the Democrats did to Colorado energy, Aadland said, "SB 181 needs to be reversed at the level of the state legislature or challenged for constitutionality in the courts." That will take new leaders in the Colorado House and Senate. So Aadland is wise to the ways of politicians when it comes to energy, and he knows firsthand the cost of bad policy. This would seem to indicate that he is well suited to work in Congress. The Biden administration has gone to war on oil and gas since day one. The effects have been disastrous and should be reversed. A new study on energy, "The Cost of Biden's War on Oil and Gas: Nearly $100 Billion a Year in Lost Output," was published in October 2022. The executive summary: This study examines what has happened with oil and gas production when we adjust for the large increase in the world price since Biden entered office. We find that Biden's policies have shifted the energy supply curve such that we are producing less oil and gas at the range of current price levels tha[n] we would have with the Trump energy policies still in place. The U.S. would be producing between 2 and 3 million more barrels of oil a day and between 20 and 25 more billion cubic feet of natural gas under the Trump policies. This translates into an economic loss or tax on the American economy of roughly $100 billion a year. Aadland has spelled out his approach to energy on his website. "The energy sector including oil and natural gas, wind, and solar is [one of] the most significant contributors to the Colorado [economy, employing] thousands of high paying jobs. ... When federal policies strangle domestic energy production, the impact of those limitations is reflected in the price of gasoline at the pump[.]" As a Congressman, I will advocate for balanced energy policy that meets demands for a thriving economy, achieves energy independence by eliminating dependence on other countries (especially those antagonistic to us), and encourages innovation while protecting our environment. The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) is in my district. I will support federal funding for NREL to explore more sustainable sources of energy like nuclear. Erik Aadland seems to be one candidate for Congress who can help rebuild American energy policy. C.S. Boddie writes for Meadowlark Press, LLC. Flash Jeremy Hunt, former foreign secretary of the United Kingdom (UK), has been appointed as chancellor of the exchequer, Downing Street said in a statement on Friday. Hunt, 55, replaces Kwasi Kwarteng, who resigned earlier in the day after his mini-budget was blamed for causing economic turmoil. "You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor. I have accepted," Kwarteng said in his resignation to Prime Minister Liz Truss posted on Twitter. Kwarteng's time in office -- 38 days -- made him one of the shortest-serving UK chancellors in history. The mini-budget he presented last month, which contained controversial debt-funded tax cuts, has been blamed for the economic turmoil which saw the British pound plunge to a 37-year low against the U.S. dollar while the cost of government borrowing and mortgage rates surge. Amid tremendous pressure, Kwarteng made a U-turn earlier this month on plans to scrap the 45 percent income tax rate for the highest earners. "As I have said many times in the past weeks, following the status quo was simply not an option. For too long this country has been dogged by low growth rates and high taxation -- that must still change if this country is to succeed," he said in his resignation. This report is tantalizing (no paywall): The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said it has an "ongoing investigation into the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines in the European Union." "This exceptional confirmation comes after the extremely high public interest. No further details will be made public at this stage," the office said in a statement. (snip) "We cannot share more than we did in our statement. If there are any developments we can share, we will do so proactively (as we did today), As The Epoch Times report above notes, the EPPO was created by the European Union last year and is responsible for investigating and prosecuting "crimes against the financial interests of the EU." It is only speculation, of course, but the report of this investigation follows by just a few days the revelation in testimony by a Pfizer senior executive before the European Parliament that its vaccine was never tested for efficacy in stopping transmission of COVID-19, despite being sold to E.U. members (for billions and billions of euros) on that basis. Here is a video from E.U. parliament member Rob Roos that includes his questioning of the Pfizer executive: Roos also spoke to Tucker Carlson about it. Photo credit: Rumble video screen grab. Sir Roger Moore was among the old-fashioned movie superstars from an era in Hollywood that has vanished. He was flawlessly handsome, he stood over six feet, two inches tall, and rich baritone voice (with an uppercut English accent). Consequently, Sir Roger would be typecast as the gentleman hero. Always impeccably dressed, always charming, always getting the loveliest of girls, always eliminating the most sinister villains of all shapes and sizes, usually unflappable while mouthing the wittiest of one-liners. Roger Moore in 1973 (Photo credit: Allan Warren CC BY-SA 3.0 license He is most known for playing Simon Templar in the famous TV series The Saint and for playing James Bond in seven hugely enjoyable films. But Sir Roger did play many roles beyond Bond and Templar. On what would have been his 95th Birthday, heres an attempt to revisit some of his rare and overlooked works. The Man Who Haunted Himself Sir Roger played a London businessman who discovers that a doppelganger has tried to take over his identity. This film is dark and terrifying. Moore delivers a sterling performance in both roles as the man that was devoid of any heroism. Watch him play the everyman whose life unravels. Ffolkes, AKA North Sea Hijack Sir Roger plays the leader of a special commando unit who is deployed to stop a terrorist group from exploding two oil rigs in the North Sea. Moore clearly excelled playing against type as Ffolkes, a woman-hating curmudgeon genuis who is also a recluse and has no tolerance for who he considers his inferior. Ffolkes is also a cat enthusiast, enjoys scotch whiskey, and loves to knit. The complete film may be viewed for free on YouTube here. Bullseye Whats better than one Roger Moore? Two Roger Moores! It also helps to have another knight. Sir Michael Caine also plays dual roles. This is a comedy of errors. Moore and Caine play crooks who must impersonate two scientists working on an Anglo-American cold fusion project. Their mission is to investigate if the scientists plan to sell their inventions to hostile foreign powers. The film is hilarious. At one point in the film, Sir Roger masquerades as a visually impaired Austrian piano tuner to gain entry into one of the scientists homes. It proves how gifted Moore was at comedy The complete film may be viewed for free on YouTube here. The Wild Geese A British banker hires a group of mercenaries, played by Moore, Richard Harris, and Richard Burton, to rescue the imprisoned president of a Central African state. Moore famously requested to have fewer lines in his scenes with Burton and Harris. This was unheard of by a major star. When queried about this request, he replied in his typical trademark self-deprecating style, You dont seriously expect me to act against these gents? This film also featured one of Moores childhood heroes Stewart Granger. It was good fun with great humor and some well-done action scenes. Shout at the Devil (1968) This film was also set in the African continent. An American ex-military man played by Lee Marvin and a wealthy English aristocrat played by Sir Roger Moore become unlikely partners in the East African ivory trade on the eve of World War I. The men spend most of their time eluding occupying German troops. This was a good old-fashioned adventure film. It was beautifully photographed, well directed and acted. Moore and Marvin got into a real fight during filming. Moore recalled that Marvin was drunk and - with a red mist in his eyes - threw punches for real. Moore responded by punching back and won the fight. Marvin recalled, "The guy is built like granite. Nobody will ever underestimate him again." The Sea Wolves (1980) A German spy is sending crucial information about Allied ships in the neutral harbor of Portuguese-ruled Goa, India, with catastrophic results. Unable to officially undertake a full military operation in neutral territory, English intelligence brings out a crew of elderly ex-soldiers to accomplish the mission In addition to Sir Roger, the film starred greats such as Gregory Peck, David Niven, and Trevor Howard. This is a ponderous but enjoyable war action film, with plenty of thrills and humor. The presence of the great stars elevate the picture considerably. UNICEF Off-screen, Sir Roger dedicated his life as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. He was a fervent advocate and fundraiser for the welfare of children. He traveled extensively to poor countries as he promoted the importance of education, healthcare, sanitation, and clean water. Sir Roger received numerous recognitions for his work against child trafficking as a special representative to UNICEF. UPDATE: Finally, here is Sir Roger appearing alongside British politician Enoch Powell and British director and author Jonathan Miller. Powell was famous for his "Rivers of Blood" speech in 1968, where he strongly criticized mass immigration, especially Commonwealth immigration to the United Kingdom. The speech caused a political storm, making Powell a divisive figure in his country. The usual suspects continue to called him Powell "racist" or "fascist" and that has been Powells reputation. However British author Raheem Kassam, himself of Indian-Muslim origin wrote a book called 'Enoch Was Right: 'Rivers of Blood' 50 Years On' where he accuses the political establishment of either maliciously misrepresenting Powell, or too intellectually lacking to understand and convey the nuances of Powell's speech. The Dick Cavett show was broadcast in 1971, just 3 years after Powell's speech. In today's time, stars would not only refuse to appear alongside a figure like Powell but make a big deal about the refusal and brand Powell a bigot, etc. Even if they agreed with Powell they would be petrified to be seen with him. But Moore was respectful and cordial with Powell. Back then they could disagree without being disagreeable. New Orleans is known for jazz, Cajun cooking, voodoo...and now, murder. This year, the city passed St. Louis as the murder capital of the United States. It's not something the city wants to be known for since tourism makes up a large part of the economy, but with a 141-percent increase in homicides, it can't be denied. According to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, New Orleans has 52 homicides per 100,000 residents as of Sept. 11. This is a 141-percent increase compared to 2019. Overall, the city has seen 205 homicides. Shootings in the city have also doubled since 2019, according to Fox News. By comparison, as of Sept. 17, St. Louis had 45 homicides per 100,000 residents as of Sept. 17, according to data from the St. Louis Police Department. The numbers for Chicago and New York City are 18 per 100,000 residents and 3.5 per 100,000 residents, respectively. The overall number of homicides are greater in these cities, but they also have a significantly larger population. You would think that with crime on the rise, city officials would be looking to hire more police officers and get them out on the street. However, thanks to a demonization of police by the media and social justice warriors, fewer men and women are willing to put their lives on the line only to be sued by the criminals or prosecuted by the jurisdiction they serve when they are just doing their job. In September, officials in New Orleans announced an $80-million plan to increase pay for police officers, offer free health care, and provide $30,000 in increased hiring incentives for new hires within the department, according to Fox News. "Action must be taken NOW if there is ever a chance to save the city and bring the reputation of being a city where tourists can come to party and celebrate and not become victims," Fausto Pichardo, a consultant for the department, wrote. Desperation has also led the department to add 50 to 75 civilians to reduce the workload on officers and decrease the police response time, according to NOPD superintendent Shaun Ferguson. He explained that the civilians will respond to calls that do not require police presence, answer the phones, and take some of the workload from administrative police officers. Some civilians will be trained to take over detective work. This may sound good on paper, but it places the city in a dangerous situation. What if one of the civilians is injured on a call that wasn't supposed to require a police presence or one of the civilian detectives messes up an investigation? Given how police have been treated, it might not even take something major like that to have a civilian prosecuted. If New Orleans wants to address its crime problem, it first has to be willing to prosecute criminals. Then it has to support its police officers and not look for ways to usurp their authority and endanger their lives. When those things happen, then you will see qualified officers willing to join the force and make arrests. As the cases are prosecuted and criminals taken off the streets, crime will begin to drop. Everything else is just a Band-Aid that will eventually fall off. Michael A. Letts is the CEO and founder of In-VestUSA, a national grassroots non-profit organization helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. Image: Public Domain Pictures. The January 6 Show Committee, starring with Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Adam Schiff, returned to television on Thursday, October 13 to mixed reviews. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a somewhat more obscure panel member, used an earlier, virtual, People for the American Way event to drum up excitement for the new episode of baseless, mindless, orgiastic Trump-bashing, projection, and gaslighting. Raskin stated, "Tune in for our discussion of Trump's clear and present danger presented to democracy and freedom in America by a movement that he's galvanized." That's an interesting way to characterize a movement specifically intended to defend the democratic republic from the clear and present danger that today's Democrats pose to it. Moreover, "People for the American Way" is akin to the "People's Republic of China," in that neither is for the people...and both disdain the American way. During this episode hearing, the panel, all of whom are suffering from stage 4 Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS), focused on supposed evidence that Trump has trafficked in rhetoric "that we knew caused violence on Jan. 6," as Rep. Cheney recently told reporters. The Jan. 6 panel believes that at least 74 million Americans, nearly half of all those voting in the 2020 election, are a "clear and present danger to democracy and freedom"? That notion is, self-evidently, idiotic. As are they. Those 74 million or more, possibly many more Americans are only a threat to the power of Democrats and pathetic, spineless RINOs such as those constituting the ridiculous Jan. 6 committee. They consider themselves to be "our democracy," much like how Dr. Fauci considers himself to be science. Therefore, to their fevered minds, anyone who doesn't support them is, self-evidently, a threat to democracy. Even as they lie and cheat, weaponize entire departments of the federal government they currently control against the opposition party, threaten to pack the court and eliminate the filibuster, and openly discuss dispensing with the Electoral College. Image: NBC News via YouTube, CC BY 3.0 (cropped). What kind of a monster looks at a cherubic infant, with rosy cheeks and perfect little features, and then declares that precious child to be useless or pathetic? Ill tell you who: nihilistic leftists, thats who. The fact that theyre obsessed with targeting and dehumanizing the most vulnerable ought to be a massive red flag, and theres plenty of historical precedent to attest to that. What is it with these deranged freaks categorically targeting everything that is wholesome for destruction? Yesterday, The Atlantic published an essay titled, Pregnancy Is a War; Birth is a Cease-Fire (yes thats the actual lead-in to this steaming pile of drivel). Laying the framework for an argument against the sanctity of human life, the teaser then read, Fetuses want more than their mother can safely give. The author, Katherine J. Wu, starts her tale with a logical fallacy, building her house of cards upon the scientific and widely-accepted theory that humans evolved from single-celled organisms. Let me stress the word theory as this is not settled science (unlike human embryology, a discipline of which Im sure Ms. Wu is willfully ignorant), because it remains unable to meet a standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. Throughout, Wu sprinkled references to the animal kingdom, blurring the hard line which separates animal life from human life, one that renders humanity uniquely sacred; but aside from that, the entire essay sets the stage for a reality in which mothers hey, I thought the correct term was birthing parent, or pregnant person? are at enmity with their children, both before and after birth. Or, as the enlightened academic would say, maternal-fetal conflict. Get a load of this: However you look at it, pregnancy is marked by intergenerational strife, if not an all-out war between an offspring and its parent. Birth, then, in addition to welcoming new life, can bring out an end to the harshest hostilities. Really? Harshest hostilities? Pregnancy is harsher than being sawn in half by German machine gun fire? Its harsher than the torture at Japanese POW camps? She continues, including insight from a host of experts, all of whom declare that mother and child are at war with each other (thank goodness for the contribution of modern, leftist science). Wu spoke to Jessica Ayers, an evolutionary social psychologist (whatever the heck that is), and wrote: Fetuses may maximize their chances of surviving after birth by extracting as many resources from their parent as they can. Their tool for mooching [emphasis added] is the placentatechnically, the very first organ that any human produces, Ayers saidwhich allows a fetus to access its mothers blood vessels and siphon out nutrients. The human placenta actually entrenches itself so aggressively into the uterine wall that it sometimes leads to severe hemorrhaging at birth, Ayers told me, when the tissues starts to rip away. When describing human babies, Wu refers to them as offspring or fetuses accurate, but rather sanitized so as not to induce affection but when talking about a baby wildebeest? The sentimental and colloquial kiddo. Nothing is sacred to the left, not even eternal truths like agape love. Wu should have at least acknowledged her apparent mentor, and given a hat tip to Mr. Saul Alinsky. From his notorious handbook for Machiavellian maneuvering, Rule Thirteen states, Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. Wu picked her target (innocent babies), steadied the crosshairs and ignored all distractions, didnt shy away from her target, and polarized it. We can already see where this is going next: Abortion isnt wrong! Infanticide isnt wrong! After all, maternal-fetal conflict is a legitimate scientific and academic observation! Babies and children will kill their mother (sorry, birthing parent) if given the chance! Shes only acting in self-defense! Youre a Second Amendment supporter arent you? Isnt self-defense a right? I actually debated on whether to write this or not, because the Bible does say Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him but I simply couldnt resist. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. Do you stand outside abortion mills, praying for intercession or singing hymns? Or do you possibly minister to the mothers as they transport their unborn to the medical gallows? Do you oppose the physical and physiological mutilation of children at Big Pharma gender centers? Do you believe that schools should teach the basics, rather than cultural Marxism and deviant sexual ideology? Do you maybe, just maybe, believe the government could be lying about official narratives? Odds are, youre probably a terrorist. Enter a novel, and rather ingenious anonym: stochastic terrorism. Weve seen this all before: the War on Poverty, the War on Drugs, the War on Terror. No clear identification of the enemy means the enemy can be whatever (or whoever) at any given moment in time. There can never be an end to the conflict, because how can you defeat an ambiguous enemy? Accepting crusades against vague foes is a clear indicator that we are marching towards a tyrannical government. It makes me think of 1984s Winston, as he sat atop the chute that led to the incinerator nicknamed the Memory Hole if you recall where he contemplated his role in ever-changing history. Oceanias enemy was fluid, and based on the whims of the Party, but because Winston burned every piece of documentation, the enemy du jour had always been the enemy. A war on poverty dictates that as long as there is poverty, theres justification for massive welfare programs, even as they bankrupt an entire nation. A war on drugs means federal agencies have license to expand and trample the Constitution after all, you dont want cartels and drug dealers hurting children do you? And the war on terror was the culmination, nicely packaged in the ironically-named Patriot Act but it seems to have come full circle. Initially our government waged a war against foreign enemies in Iraq and Afghanistan, but now it seems to be waging a war against us. Dont forget, a stated belief in the Second Amendment can earn you the label Militia Violent Extremist. Whatever would we do without the Biden DOJ? Stochastic simply means randomly determined, and in the context of stochastic terrorism, it means that anyone is capable of being a terroristic threat. Conservative commentator Matt Walsh has been providing the public with groundbreaking exposes regarding the war against children, and recently identified some of the most egregious perpetrators. In one instance, Walsh complained to a university who employed a notorious offender, and urged his listeners to do the same. In response, enlightened and morally-superior academics wrote: Erlick [perpetrator] and some of her followers have accused Walsh of stochastic terrorism, an academic term used (in one sense) to describe the incitement of violence against a target, via mass media and plausible deniability [emphasis added]. In laymans terms: Someone is a stochastic terrorist if they buck the radical left agenda, expose it, and call out the racketeers (even though they dont actually call for violence). Hey, to a snowflake, public pressure and accountability can be quite violent, so cut the babies some slack. Terms like stochastic terrorism is at the very root of it, social conditioning, and it wont be very long until stochastic terrorism evolves into parental terrorism, or Christian terrorism, or American terrorism, or any other word to describe those against the Marxist forces afoot. And just like Winston, we will forget the current enemy was ever anything but the current enemy. Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required. It was no "Starry, starry night, paint your palette blue and gray" for Vincent Van Gogh in London. Instead, Van Gogh got some soup: A pair of climate protesters hurled tomato soup on a Vincent Van Gogh painting at London's National Gallery Friday the latest in a series of attempts to vandalize famous artwork to speak against oil. London's Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass. The duo were supporters of the activist group Just Stop Oil, which engages in publicity stunts to bring the public's attention to climate change. Publicity stunts? Well, I'm glad that we are calling a spade a spade. The story gets more interesting because apparently, the duo did it to save the planet. Yes, another couple of young people on a mission or whatever: Louis McKechnie, 21, and Emily Brocklebank, 24, glued themselves to Van Gogh's 1889 painting, "Peach Trees in Blossom, which hangs at the Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House in London. "A piece of art receives this protection and state concern. Whilst people's in Ethiopia, Somalia, India, Pakistan, the USA, Australia (to name a few) who are suffering from climate change NOW get ignored and left," the group wrote. "What's more important? This painting? Or a future"?! What's more important? Let me tell these clowns what's important. Y ou need to respect the law, private or public property, and the people who enjoy looking at these art pieces. They are people, too! Help people in Ethiopia or Somalia? Why don't these two collect some canned soup and send it to them? They need tomato soup a lot more than Van Gogh. I'm no expert in artwork, but I guess the protesters object that sunflowers were the subject of artwork by Van Gogh. Furthermore, the protesters object to making money out selling these pieces. Or something like that! It's okay to have windmills kill birds or electric car batteries pollute the Earth in the pursuit of banning oil, but please don't you dare sell a work of art that features a flower. Once again, we see the irrationality of this movement and why they can't persuade people, especially when Europe is about to freeze this winter for pursuing green policies. This is not about saving the Earth or the sunflower this is lawlessness and a bunch of people who need some growing up to do. Maybe we should throw some tomato soup on the teachers brainwashing these young people. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Van Gogh. EU doesn't rule out suspending Serbia visa waiver ""This is nothing that I will exclude": Commissioner (ANSA-AFP) - LUXEMBOURG, OCT 15 - The European Commission said on Friday it won't rule out suspending Serbia's visa-waiver access to the EU if it doesn't tamp down on irregular migration from its territory to the bloc. "This is nothing that I will exclude, but I do think, and I do hope, that we will have a good cooperation," EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson said on arriving for a meeting of EU interior ministers to discuss the problem. Serbia, a non-EU member that is a candidate to one day join the bloc, has a visa-free arrangement for its citizens travelling into the European Union. But it has riled EU member states by becoming a staging ground for migrants of other nationalities -- Syrians, Afghans, Turks, Indians, Burundians, Cubans and Tunisians -- seeking to enter the EU. While those nationalities need EU visas, they don't for Serbia, which has a broad visa-waiver policy for many countries. This year so far, more than 106,000 irregular entries into the EU have been recorded through the so-called western Balkans route that includes Serbia -- a hike of 170 percent over the same period last year. While Syrians and Afghans often have grounds to seek asylum in the EU, many of the other nationalities "need to be returned to their country of origin," Johansson said. Austria and Belgium both complain that they are facing a surge in numbers of asylum-seekers at a level unseen since 2015-2016, when more than a million Syrians fleeing war in their country entered the EU. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called Serbia's visa policy "not very nice" and said it was "based on which states do not recognise Kosovo," the Serbian province whose ethnic Albanian majority broke away to declare the territory independent in 2008, unrecognised by Belgrade. Most EU countries, including Germany, recognise Kosovo's independence, but not Spain, Slovakia, Greece nor Romania. "Serbia has to adapt its visa practice to the EU if it wants to become an accession candidate," Faeser said. After the meeting, Johansson said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had spoken about the issue with Serbian President Alexander Vucic. "We have got promises that Serbia will align their visa policy with ours, starting with some of the nationalities that is really urgent now -- the Tunisians, the Burundians and the Indians," Johansson told a media conference. The commissioner was to meet representatives of Serbia and other western Balkan nations next week in Berlin, and the following week in Prague. (ANSA-AFP). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved First Russian soldiers arrive in Belarus for joint force "Exclusively to strengthen protection and defence of the border" (ANSA-AFP) - MOSCOW, OCT 15 - The first Russian soldiers to take part in a new joint force with Belarusian troops have arrived in Belarus, Minsk's defence ministry said on Saturday. "The first convoys of Russian servicemen from the regional force group have arrived in Belarus," the ministry said, adding that their mission was "exclusively to strengthen the protection and defence of the border". Images from the ministry showed soldiers welcomed by women wearing traditional costumes and handing out bread and salt. Last Monday the leader of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko claimed Ukraine was plotting to attack his country and announced a joint force with Moscow. Lukashenko accused Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine of training Belarusian radicals "to carry out sabotage, terrorist attacks and to organise a military mutiny in the country". (ANSA-AFP). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved You are here: World Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences Thursday to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari over a boat capsizing incident in Nigeria. In his message, Xi said he was shocked to hear about the boat capsizing incident in Nigeria's southern state of Anambra that caused heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended deep condolences over the victims and sincere sympathy to their families. Ukraine: serious damages to energy infrastructure Possible emergency shutdowns after Russian raids (ANSA) - BELGRADE, OCT 15 - According to Ukrinform, Ukraine's national energy operator Ukrenergo has warned citizens of potential emergency shutdowns as a result of today's morning Russian missile attack on an energy infrastructure facility in the Kyiv region. "The enemy launched yet another heinous assault on vital infrastructure today. An energy infrastructure facility in the Kyiv region was severely damaged as a result. Specialists of Ukrenergo are already working to restore the dependability of the power supply in Kyiv and the central region. (ANSA). Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved Three Just Stop Oil climate activists have appeared in court over protests which included soup being thrown over Van Goghs Sunflowers painting. Two women are charged in relation to soup being thrown on the painting at the National Gallery, while a third is charged over paint sprayed on to the rotating New Scotland Yard sign both during protests in London on Friday. It comes after Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion demonstrators descended on Westminster, central London, on Friday to protest against the Governments approach to the environment. Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle, and Phoebe Plummer, 21, from Lambeth, south-west London, both pleaded not guilty to criminal damage to the frame of Van Goghs painting in a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Lora Johnson, 38, from Southwold, Suffolk, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal damage at the same court after paint was sprayed on to the New Scotland Yard sign. Appearing in the dock together, Holland and Plummer spoke only to confirm their name, date of birth, addresses and to enter pleas of not guilty to criminal damage to the value of less than 5,000. Prosecutor Ola Oyedepo said the pair threw the orange substance knowing there was a protective case over the actual painting, though damage was caused to the frame. Ms Oyedepo said it is unclear at this stage what the value of the damage is but said it is significantly below the 5,000 cost threshold. She said the pair did not damage the picture because the picture is worth millions. Katie McFadden, defending, said: The prosecution needs to prove that damage has been caused. She said the extent of the damage would be relevant to the proportionality assessment in weighing up their right to expression. District judge Tan Irkam released the pair on bail on the condition they do not enter galleries or museums and do not have paint or adhesive substances in a public place. He set their trial for December 13 at City of London Magistrates Court. Meanwhile, Johnson, who appeared in the dock for a separate hearing, also spoke to confirm her name, address and enter a not guilty plea. Ms Oyepedo said Johnson was part of a protest group which gathered at the New Scotland Yard building on Friday afternoon. They glued themselves to the floor while she went up to spray the sign, she said. The prosecutor said 4,750 has been spent trying to remove the paint from the sign and the ground under it. Mr Irkam released Johnson on bail on the condition she does not have paint or adhesive materials in a public place and set her trial for November 23 at City of London Magistrates Court. The court will not prevent you from lawfully protesting, Mr Irkam said. Some 28 arrests were made in relation to Fridays protests, the Metropolitan Police said, while 25 others have been bailed pending further enquiries. Two men fatally shot 11 people at a Russian military training facility near Ukraine on Saturday, Russias defense ministry said. The attackers were killed by return fire, the Russian military said. They were identified only as citizens of an ex-Soviet nation. In addition to the 11 fatalities, 15 more were wounded in the slaughter at a firing range in Russias Belgorod region, which borders northeastern Ukraine. Recruits fire from their sniper's rifles during a military training at a firing range in the Rostov-on-Don region in southern Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the military has recruited over 200,000 reservists as part of a partial mobilization launched two weeks ago. (AP Photo) Recruits fire from their sniper's rifles during a military training at a firing range in the Rostov-on-Don region in southern Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the military has recruited over 200,000 reservists as part of a partial mobilization launched two weeks ago. (AP Photo) Russias defense ministry called the shooting a terrorist attack. The bloodshed came less than a month after Russian leader Vladimir Putin called up 300,000 military reservists. The call-up led to large protests in Russia and sent many military-age men fleeing the country. There are few things that will destroy morale and trust more than fratricide, Mark Hertling, former commander of U.S. forces in Europe, wrote on Twitter. This level of killing by [ex-Soviets] against Russian recruits will cause exponential degradation of morale of the force. With News Wire Services Compass International Pictures "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below." H0rror loves a reboot. Oh man, horror loooooves a reboot. You've heard the names of horror classics like Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacrebecause they are utter classics of the genreand you've had those names re-splashed in your head in the last 20 years because they've been so frequently rerun, rebooted, or in some way or another re-established into the public consciousness. Perhaps no franchise in the history of horror has been as successful as Halloween, which started by revolutionizing the genre in 1978 and essentially hasn't stopped since. 2022's Halloween Ends, the third and final entry in a trilogy directed by David Gordon Green and starring original star Jamie Lee Curtis, promises to be the ending to a story that's now been going on for damn near 45 years. And while Halloween Ends may provide an ending, we all know damn well that it's never the end when we're talking about Michael Myers (and it's also never the end when we're talking about a series of movies that's making people money). But we're not just purely being cynical herewe're talking as fans of horror movies, as fans of slasher movies, and as informed fans of movies in general. The Halloween series has "come to an end" three times before, and, yet, here we are. Michael Myers and Laurie Strode have lived before, Michael Myers and Laurie Strode have died before, and this vicious cycle may just continue for the rest of our lives. If you're a fan of any and everything Halloween, you may have one particular goal in mind: how can I watch them all? They may not connect, but there's something cathartic about watching Michael Myers lurk in his William Shatner mask, quietly stalking before mowing down unsuspecting victims. The quality of the movies may vary, but if you like slashers, if you like taking an annual trip to Haddonfield, Illinois, this is what you live for. So, stick with us. Below, we break down the order in which you can watch every Halloween movie ever madethere are now 13and how you can get all the Laurie and Michael that your heart desires. The Holy Original The classic. You must watch this one at all costs. Halloween (1978) Photo credit: Compass International Pictures As you'll see proceeding through this list, there are numerous continuities within the larger Halloween franchise. Butoutside of the Rob Zombie remake films, which exist in their own little cornerthey all come after the 1978 classic, original, Halloween, directed by John Carpenter. And while a lot of older horror movies don't tend to stand the test of time, this one 100% does; it's a classic for a god damn reason. In the hands of a less capable director, maybe Halloween wouldn't be as memorable, or as classic, but Carpenter is not a "less capable director"he's one of the greats. His decisions to ramp up the tension but also maintain moments of humor where the movie doesn't take itself too seriously are inspired. This is the movie that made Jamie Lee Curtis a starand it's clear why. Stream Halloween Here The Sequel Trilogy The three movies in the Halloween sequel trilogyset 40 years after the original Halloweenaren't super cohesive, but are well-directed, with a star turn from Jamie Lee Curtis and some gnarly kills. Halloween (2018) Photo credit: Blumhouse/Universal The Halloween sequel trilogyall three of which are directed by David Gordon Green (The Righteous Gemstones, Pineapple Express) and co-written by Green and his pal Danny McBrideignores every other movie on this list and picks up things 40 years after the events of the original. The first installment is brilliant; it's full of modern characters (a doctor, true crime podcasters, etc) trying to put reason and science behind Michael Myers' evil, while a worn, weary, and utterly-prepared Laurie (a returning Curtis) knows far better. There's no explanation for evil, and there's no explanation for Michael Myersyou just have to kill it. Judy Greer and Andi Matichak join the cast as Laurie's daughter and granddaughter, respectively, and both are great in their roles. Stream It Here Halloween Kills (2021) Photo credit: Universal Halloween Kills picks up right when Halloween ends and makes some...strange decisions. Tommy Doyle, a child in the original film, returns as a key character played by Anthony Michael Hall, and he....leads an angry mob. Laurie enters the hospital in the beginning of the movie and never leaves (!?!?!?). Let's focus on the good: the kills are good! The movie is, once again, directed well. Mostly a misstep, but still fun for fans of the franchise and of slasher films. Stream It Here Halloween Ends (2022) Photo credit: Universal The newest film in the franchisethe final with Jason Blum producing, the final in the sequel trilogy, and possibly the final to star Jamie Lee CurtisHalloween Ends is an ambitious movie, even for this long-running, much-explored franchise. And while everything in the movie isn't executed perfectly, the stellar cast, the brutal kills, and Gordon Green's experienced eye behind the camera make this one of the better sequels in the franchise. And the last 30 minutes or so will have Halloween fans cheering, screaming, and yelling at their TV (I was, at least). Stream It on Peacock The Original Series After the original Halloween, five sequels were released. John Carpenter's original plan was for the Michael Myers story to be over after Halloween II, but after the lukewarm (at best) reaction to the Myers-less Season of the Witch, the iconic villain returned. But the real galaxy-brain take is that Season of the Witch, despite Michael's absence, is good. Halloween II (1981) Photo credit: Universal The night Michael Myers returned to Haddonfield continues in Halloween II, which picks up right where the original leaves off. It's not a classic like the first one, but it's got some good tension and kills and also some great Michael Myers moments (and also a dude on fire!). Worth watching for any fan. Weirdly, this does have the "Laurie is in the hospital the entire movie" thing in common with Halloween Kills. The biggest reveal here? That Michael and Laurie are actually, drum roll please....siblings.A great choice? Eh! But one the franchise lived with for everything except the sequel trilogy. Stream It Here Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) Photo credit: Universal Halloween was originally set to be done with Michael Myers after only those first two movies. Season of the Witch, then, was set to send the franchise in a new, anthology-based direction, where each proceeding film in the series would focus on a different event that went town on Halloween night. This one? Oh, just an evil toy manufacturer trying to sell masks to children that will kill them when they put them on (on Halloween night, of course). Season of the Witch also, for the first time, brings the supernatural into the franchise; rather than the slasher vibe put forth, this film focuses on witchcraft. It's become a cult favorite in recent decades, but at the time, the people wanted Michael Myersand he would later return. Stream It Here Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) Photo credit: Galaxy International Releasing In a decision that should have been punishable with a lengthy incarceration, Halloween 4 reveals that Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has died off-screen between movies, and instead focuses on Laurie's daughter (and Michael's niece), a little girl named Jamie Lloyd. Throughout the remainder of the original series, Donald Pleasance really anchors them with some familiarity as Dr. Loomis, as Michael runs around killing people. Not amazing, but if you like watching slashers in October you can do much worse. Stream It Here Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) Photo credit: Galaxy Releasing Halloween 5 continues with the Jamie Lloyd era of the franchise, following Laurie's niece as she attempts to once again evade Michael Myersand Dr. Loomis as he tries his best to help. It's....well, it's kind of more of the same at this point. But it's Michael Myers! Stream It Here Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) Photo credit: Dimension Films The final film of the original continuity is Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, which gets into the supernatural bit of the series and reveals how Michael manages to never freaking die. The plot finds Haddonfield celebrating Halloween for the first time in half a decade, only for Michael to show up with Dr. Loomis, as always, pursuing him. It's a little goofy, but it completes the Jamie Lloyd era of Halloween, and also features Donald Pleasance's final film appearance (and stars a guy you may have heard of named Paul Rudd as an older Tommy Doyle). Stream It Here The Retcon Series In the late '90s, a decision was made to ignore the Jamie Lloyd Halloween arc and bring back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie. These two films come after both Halloween (1978) and Halloween II (1981)meaning that Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, in this timeline, are siblings. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) Photo credit: Miramax H20 is considered by many to be the best sequel in the Halloween franchise. Picking up 20 years later in the late '90s (and based on a story originally pitched by Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer scribe Kevin Williamson), H20 gives Halloween fans what they wanted: more Laurie Strode. Michael is at it again, finding Laurie in her new quiet life: teaching at a boarding school. Stream It Here Halloween: Resurrection (2002) Photo credit: Miramax A few years after H20, a sequel, Resurrection came. With only a 12% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's not surprising that the franchise lost some steam after this one. If you're a loyalist, probably worth checking out, because why not? John Carpenter talked about Resurrection while promoting the 2018 film. "I watched the one in that house, with all the cameras. Oh my god," he said. "Oh lord, god. And then the guy gives the speech at the end about violence. What the hell? Oh my lord. I couldn't believe." Stream It Here The Remakes Halloween (2007) Photo credit: Dimension Films Music star and horror fanatic Rob Zombie (who had already directed movies like House of 1000 Corpses) took a stab at the Halloween franchise in 2007, when he directed a reboot/remake of the franchise with an all new cast. Scout Taylor-Compton plays Laurie, and Malcolm McDowell plays Dr. Loomis, but of whom aren't half bad. But his real diversion from the original comes in the attempts to develop Michael in his youth, a big difference from the original trilogy that just showed us murdering his sister. Stream It Here Halloween II (2009) Photo credit: Dimension Films Zombie got another go at it in 2009 with a direct sequel to his 2007 remake. This movie has a cult following, but John Carpenter himself is neither a fan of the remake nor its sequels. Stream It Here You Might Also Like Jeremy Hunt said that Liz Trusss mini-budget went too far, too fast as the new Chancellor effectively signalled the demise of the Prime Ministers economic vision. Political and economic circles spent Saturday sizing up Mr Hunt after he used a series of broadcast interviews in the morning to suggest Ms Trusss immediate economic plan is now largely defunct. With all eyes on whether he can restore the UKs financial credibility, Mr Hunt suggested tax rises could form part of a painful fiscal package designed to restore market confidence in the UK. The Chancellor, in a statement on Saturday evening, said that his vision would be growth underpinned by stability. Promising clear and robust plans, he said: We have to be honest with people and we are going to have to take some very difficult decisions both on spending and on tax to get debt falling, but at the top of our minds when making these decisions will be how to protect and help struggling families, businesses and people. Earlier, Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey said he spoke to Mr Hunt on Friday after his appointment. Speaking in Washington, he said the pair had a meeting of minds on the issue of fiscal sustainability as he noted the fact the Office of Budget Responsibility is now very much back in the picture. But that came alongside a warning that inflationary pressures could lead to another hike in interest rates by bank officials in the near future. Mr Hunt, a former foreign secretary, was parachuted into Number 11 to replace Kwasi Kwarteng in a bid to restore order to Ms Trusss ailing administration. He spent his first full day in office warning of difficult decisions to come as he suggested taxes could rise and budgets including health and defence are likely to be squeezed further in the coming months. On Friday, after three weeks of turmoil on the financial markets in the wake of Mr Kwartengs 43 billion mini-budget tax giveaway, Ms Truss sacked him and ditched her commitment to drop a planned rise in corporation tax from 19% to 25%. Writing in the Sun newspaper, Ms Truss admitted it had been a wrench to see my friend Kwasi Kwarteng leave the Government. Mr Hunt, twice a Tory leadership contender, wasted no time in criticising the mini-budget but endorsed the fundamentals of the push for growth. He told Sky News: It was a mistake when were going to be asking for difficult decisions across the board on tax and spending to cut the rate of tax paid by the very wealthiest. It was a mistake to fly blind and to do these forecasts without giving people the confidence of the Office of Budget Responsibility saying that the sums add up. Allies of Mr Hunt had likened his new role to that of the chief executive in Government and, on Saturday, Mr Hunt acknowledged that the Prime Minister has effectively handed control of public finances to him. But he played down talk of him being a newly powerful figure in Government, stressing he and Ms Truss are a team. He will meet her at Chequers on Sunday after holding talks with Treasury officials on Saturday. Prime Minister Liz Truss during a press conference in the briefing room at Downing Street on Friday (PA) Mr Hunts comments were immediately taken as a sign that cuts to public spending and tax rises could soon be coming, as he confirmed the medium-term fiscal plan on October 31 will effectively be a proper budget. Spending will not rise by as much as people would like and all Government departments are going to have to find more efficiencies than they were planning to, he said. And some taxes will not be cut as quickly as people want. Some taxes will go up. So its going to be difficult. Appearing to rule out an early election, Mr Hunt also repeatedly insisted that voters now want stability and in 18 months will be able to judge Ms Truss at the ballot box. But his comments may only add to the sense among some Tory MPs that Ms Truss is increasingly powerless in Downing Street, with her party split about its next steps. At a brief news conference in Downing Street on Friday, the Prime Minister dismissed calls for her resignation, saying she is absolutely determined to see through what I have promised. But it comes amid multiple reports of Tory MPs and Conservative grandees plotting moves to force her from office even as Cabinet ministers remained publicly loyal to the Prime Minister. Kwasi Kwarteng was forced out as chancellor on Friday (PA) To many observers, it appears the end could be nigh for the Prime Minister after only a few weeks in the job. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown told LBC on Saturday it all hinges on how the markets receive the fiscal plan at the end of the month. While he said he believes Mr Hunt can steady the ship, he warned that if it doesnt manage to satisfy the markets and satisfy everybody else and the economy is still in chaos then I think we would be in a very difficult situation. Elsewhere, there was speculation that including the Ministry of Defence in any round of spending cuts could spark a clash with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. A defence source said Mr Wallace will hold Ms Truss to the pledges made. Ms Truss promised to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 in the wake of the war in Ukraine. The promise of a new direction, yet again, also appeared to cause unrest among the partys free marketeers. Thatcherite Tory MP John Redwood offered an early warning to the new Chancellor, tweeting: You cannot tax your way to higher growth. If you tax too much you end up borrowing more as you have a worse slowdown. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer reached into his own partys factional disputes of yesteryear in a swipe at the grotesque chaos of the Truss Government. In a speech in Barnsley, he referenced former party leader Neil Kinnocks famous 1985 attack on the left-wing Militant group in Liverpool as he pointed to the grotesque chaos of a Tory Prime Minister handing out redundancy notices to her own Chancellor. Accusing Ms Truss of clinging on to power, Sir Keir said: There are no historical precedents for what they have done to our economy. He also called for the fiscal statement to be brought forward, telling the PA news agency: The crisis were facing at the moment is a crisis made in Downing Street and the damage has already been done and is very, very hard to reverse you cant reverse out of a car crash. An Armed Forces of Canada Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft arrived in Haiti Saturday, delivering the first four of more than a dozen new armored vehicles for the Haiti National Police. The vehicles are among 18 Haitis government purchased commercially from a Canadian-based firm over the summer but for inexplicable reasons were delayed getting to the Caribbean nation. The government of Canada, which had guided Haiti through its purchase, later stepped in to ensure delivery of the vehicles. Saturdays flight is part of a stepped-up effort by both Canada and the United States, which also flew in three additional armored vehicles later Saturday, to provide the ill-equipped Haiti National Police with badly needed security assistance to confront powerful gangs. In a statement, U.S. Southern Command said in response to a request for international assistance from the Haitian government, a U.S. Air Force C-17, based at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., also transported armored vehicles and other vital security equipment purchased by the Haitian National Police from Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario, Canada, to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The delivered equipment will help the HNP ensure access to vital resources and infrastructure urgently needed in Haiti to respond to a public-health crisis following a recent rise of cholera cases in the country, Southcom said. In a joint statement, the Canadian government said that along with the United States, they remain committed to supporting the police in its work to protect and serve the Haitian population. READ MORE: U.S. will support sending multinational rapid action force to Haiti After more than four weeks, gangs continue to block the distribution of fuel from the countrys main terminal, Varreux, in Port-au-Prince while also engaging in attacks on other ports, police stations and kidnappings. The alliance of gangs, known as the G-9 Family and Allies, has used trailers to block access to the terminal and seaports, as well as dug trenches along the road. Ti Magalie / Armored vehicles purchased by the Haitian government finally are being delivered by #canada #haiti pic.twitter.com/TTWbbY1BlI Sakapfet.com (@Sakapfet) October 15, 2022 Just as the Canadian armed forces flight was offloading the tan-colored armored vehicles on the runway at Port-au-Princes Toussaint Louverture International Airport on Saturday, the operators of the Varreux terminal issued an appeal for help. The facilities had suffered a new attack by armed men on Friday night, one of the tweets said. Individuals entered the compound via the northern evacuation portal neighboring Cite Soleil, overpowered the surveillance and emergency [protocols], then left with 4 tank trucks and filled drums with more than 28,000 gallons of petroleum products. It was the second armed attack in less than a week by gangs, which have been selling diesel, gas and propane for between $13 and $23 a gallon on the black market. Outside of Port-au-Prince, gasoline is more than $30 a gallon. WINECO is sounding the alarm on these situations of systematic theft and irregular handling, which endanger personnel, facilities and the surrounding population, the company said. Since mid-September, Haiti has been in the throes of a gang blockade of its seaports and roads, preventing the flow of fuel and drinking water in the country. Hospitals have been forced to close or cut services; the school year is currently delayed and hunger is deepening as Haitians have no access to markets, and grocery store shelves go bare. On top of it all, the country is now wrestling with an outbreak of cholera, a deadly waterborne disease that creates life-threatening vomiting and diarrhea. READ MORE: Catastrophic situation: Haitis gang violence spurs outbreak of cholera, other illnesses Civil unrest, lack of access to affected populations and fuel and logistics constrains are hindering the emergency response operations, the Pan American Health Organization said Friday after reporting that the government has reported 35 deaths and 560 suspected cases in metropolitan Port-au-Prince. Despite attempts to take back control of key infrastructure from the gangs, the countrys ill-equipped police force has not been able to. Earlier this month, Haitis government pleaded with the U.S. and others in the international community for a specialized armed force to help police regain control of the Haitian territory so that a humanitarian corridor can be created to get help to those who need it. The U.N. secretary general in a letter to the Security Council on Sunday endorsed the deployment of a rapid action force to help police and offered other proposals on how the international community can help strengthen the Haiti National Police after the strike force leaves. The idea of a multinational strike force is also being endorsed by the United States, according to a copy of a United Nations Security Council resolution the Biden administration has drafted. The draft, obtained by the Miami Herald and McClatchy, which first reported on the language, encourages the immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force to Haiti to address the nations worst security and health crisis in decades. A decorated police officer from southwestern Kansas has been indicted on charges of rape and sexual assault. Guillermo Gutierrez, formerly of the Dodge City Police Department, is charged with felony rape, felony aggravated sexual battery and misdemeanor sexual battery. He was indicted Oct. 4 after Ford County prosecutors presented the case to a grand jury. Prosecutors announced the charges last week, which stem from an alleged incident that occurred on May 19. Charging documents allege Gutierrez raped a woman who was unable to provide consent because she was under the influence of alcohol. The Star generally does not identify possible victims of sexual assault without their permission. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation was made aware of the allegations and handled the criminal investigation. In addition to two members of the KBI, witnesses called upon by Ford County prosecutors during grand jury proceedings included several members of the Dodge City Police Department. Gutierrez worked for Dodge City police for 11 years, from May 2011 through Aug. 4. At the time that the allegations came to light, he was a corporal, assisting with supervision of the departments uniformed patrol squad. Police Chief Drew Francis said in a statement that Gutierrez was placed on administrative leave and stripped of police powers immediately upon learning of the allegations. While the KBI handled the criminal investigation, an administrative review was conducted by Dodge City polices internal affairs office. Gutierrez was no longer employed there following the completion of the departments administrative review, Francis said. Van Z. Hampton, representing Gutierrez in his defense, said in a statement that the former officer is asserting his actual innocence in the case, noting also his presumption of innocence under the law. He has confidence in the justice system that he worked in for several years, knowing that he will ultimately be vindicated by dismissal of the case or by a jurys acquittal, Hampton said. In May 2021, Gutierrez was named the Kansas Law Enforcement Officer of the Year through an awards program organized by The American Legion. He was presented with a plaque in Topeka recognizing him for outstanding and selfless service. In May 2021, the Dodge City Police Department shared a Facebook post announcing an award given to former Officer Guillermo Gutierrez by The American Legion as its Kansas Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. In October 2022, Gutierrez was indicted by a Ford County grand jury on charges of rape and sexual assault. Dodge City Police Department Gutierrez was issued a criminal summons in the case and ordered to appear for his arraignment Nov. 10. The United States has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution that will encourage the immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force to Haiti to address the nations worst security and health crisis in decades, according to a copy of the resolution obtained by McClatchy and the Miami Herald. The draft resolution, confirmed by multiple U.S. and U.N. officials, comes in response to a call by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week for the establishment of a rapid reaction force to assist the Haitian National Police. Over the past four weeks, powerful armed gangs have all but sent the country into anarchy, blockading the countrys largest fuel terminals and cutting off its critical roadways. It is the first public indication so far that the Biden administration is willing to participate in a military force in Haiti although the resolution does not specify what role various nations would play. A U.S. source familiar with the drafting of the resolution said the multilateral force would not be under the supervision of the U.N. or assembled under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, which endorses the use of force for the maintenance of peace. Last week, Guterres proposed that Haiti and other nations or transnational organizations deploy a rapid response-force, to be followed in the medium-term by a U.N.-led force. It remains unclear who would lead the rapid-action force, but the United States, Canada and France three countries with a long history of involvement in Haiti have all expressed skepticism in recent days. But the violence and lack of governance in Haiti have led to a shortage of potable water and a burgeoning cholera outbreak, alarming the international community and forcing the Biden administration long reluctant to intervene in Haiti militarily to acknowledge last week that the status quo has become untenable. If the draft resolution remains unchanged, and the Security Council adopts it, the U.N. would encourage the immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force to support the [Haiti National Police] as recommended in the Secretary-Generals letter, according to the draft. It is still unclear whether China or Russia, two permanent members of the Security Council, will support the resolution. China has been critical in recent months of the international communitys approach to Haiti and has called for a stronger arms embargo on the Caribbean nation. The United States is also seeking a U.N. mechanism that will levy international sanctions against Haitis gang leaders. This week, the U.S sent an elite disaster assistance response team to Port-au-Prince, deployed a major Coast Guard vessel to patrol the Haitian coast and issued visa restrictions on prominent Haitians involved in the violence. On Saturday, flights from both Canada and the U.S. are expected to land at the Port-au-Prince airport carrying critical security assistance, including armed vehicles ordered by the Haitian police, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The first week of testimony and cross-examination in the seditious conspiracy trial of Oath Keepers militia leader Stewart Rhodes and four associates who joined him at the Jan. 6, 2021, rally hours before the riot at the U.S. Capitol included vastly different depictions of the threat the defendants posed that day. Prosecutors have presented public declarations by Rhodes and a close adviser as well as dozens of text messages, some sent via encrypted websites, to justify the charge of seditious conspiracy, which the criminal code defines as two or more people conspiring to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the government of the United States, or levy war against them. Lawyers for the defendants have sought to raise questions about how aggressive the Oath Keepers' plans and actions on Jan. 6 really turned out to be, and have elicited testimony from at least one Oath Keeper who described his lack of interest in partaking in violence at the Capitol. An artist sketch depicts the trial of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and four others charged with seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) Prosecutors called jurors attention to a lengthy diatribe posted by Rhodes and his close associate Kelly SoRelle on the Oath Keepers website in December 2020. In it, the defendants encouraged supporters to take up arms to keep then-President Donald Trump in office and to block the certification of the Electoral College vote confirming Joe Bidens victory over him. Show the world who the traitors are and then use the Insurrection Act to drop the hammer on them, Rhodes told a Dec. 12 pro-Trump rally in Washington. Trump needs to know from now you are with him. If he does not do it now while he is commander in chief, we are going to have to do it for him, in a much more desperate, much more bloody war. Lets get it on now. In a Dec. 18, 2020, internet posting, Rhodes and SoRelle wrote, We now face a moment of peril as great, or greater, as what General Washington and his men faced in 1776, words that prosecutors depicted as an incitement to their followers. This is your moment of destiny. Will you take your place in history as the savior of our Republic, right up there with President Washington and Lincoln? Or will you fail to act, while you still can, and leave office on January 20, 2021, leaving We the People to fight a desperate revolution/civil war against an illegitimate usurper and his Chicom [Chinese Communist Party] puppet regime, the letter continued. Oath Keepers militia founder Stewart Rhodes in 2019. (Jim Urquhart/Reuters) Private, and sometimes encoded, pre-riot message traffic exchanged among Rhodes and his supporters was less formal and more openly aggressive, the prosecution told the jury. As early as Nov. 5, 2020, two days after the election, Rhodes texted an Oath Keepers group, "We aren't getting through this without a civil war. Too late for that. Prepare your mind, body, spirit." On Dec. 14, Rhodes told a Georgia Oath Keepers online chat group, If [Trump} doesnt use the Insurrection Act to keep a Chicom puppet out of the White House, then we will have to fight a bloody revolution/civil war to defeat the traitors. Rhodes then went on to cite the case of Samuel Whittemore, a Massachusetts resident who started fighting the American Revolution at age 78. He was an example of a Dangerous old man ... May there be a thousand Samuel Whittemores, and a Thousand Bunker Hills. The next day Rhodes declared to the chat group, Defy. Nullify. Interpose and defend others and each other. I am sure with all the firepower in our group we have enough to overthrow a small third world country, one of his followers wrote in response. The interim president of the Oath Keepers, Kelly SoRelle, speaks to the media after Rhodes was brought to federal court to face seditious conspiracy charges. (Shelby Tauber/Reuters) In opening arguments, Rhodess lawyer Phillip Linder told the jury that while they might not like some of the things you see defendants did, by the same token, defendants did nothing illegal that day. ... What the government is trying to tell us is completely wrong. In late December 2020, according to evidence cited by prosecutors, Oath Keepers representatives were in contact with representatives of the Proud Boys, two of whose leaders have pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy charges, and the Three Percenters, another far-right militia group whose members participated in the Jan. 6 riot. In a Dec. 22 message, defendant Kelly Meggs said the Oath Keepers planned to have "at least 50-100" members in Washington for Jan. 5 and 6, adding that his group had made contact with representatives of the Proud Boys, who always have a big group and could be a force multiplier. On Dec. 29, Brian Ulrich, an Oath Keeper who pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy charges (as did two other members of the group) and is now cooperating with prosecutors, sent a message advising that some Proud Boys heading for D.C. would be dressed in their colors but will look like Antifa. That same day, according to prosecutors, defendant Thomas Caldwell sent a message to a member of the Three Percenters expressing an interest in meeting group members. Proud Boys member Jeremy Bertino, second from left, at a rally in support of President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., December 2020. (Luis M. Alvarez/AP) In the days before the riot, Caldwell messaged others that the Oath Keepers had organized a well-armed Quick Reaction Force, but would need one or more boats to ferry them and their weapons, which jurors were told were stored at a Comfort Inn in Arlington, Va., across the Potomac River. In a Jan. 1 Facebook post, Caldwell wrote, It begins for real January 5 and 6 in Washington DC when we mobilize in the streets Let them try to certify on Capitol Hill with a million or more patriots on the street. This kettle is set to boil. Several thousand Trump supporters attended the presidents speech at the Capitol Ellipse on Jan. 6, and a smaller subset headed for the Capitol and engaged in violence there, among them an Oath Keepers group that an FBI witness testified was smaller than two dozen. Lawyers for the defendants highlighted that number, saying it showed the government was exaggerating the threat posed by the Oath Keepers. Terry Cummings, a retired Portland, Ore., public transit worker and Oath Keepers member, was called as a prosecution witness and told the jury he learned in late December that the group was planning to travel to Washington for the Jan. 6 rally. Members of the Oath Keepers march down the East Front steps of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jim Bourg/Reuters) Cummings testified that he brought an AR-15 rifle with him to Washington and a case containing ammunition. Once in the D.C. area, though, he said, he stashed his weapon and ammunition in an Arlington hotel where he was told a Quick Reaction Force would be based. At the hotel, he testified, he had not seen that many weapons in a location since serving in the military himself. After stashing his weapon and ammo, Cummings testified that he moved to a different hotel in Washington itself where he overnighted in a room booked by a fellow Oath Keepers member. Cummings testified that he attended the Jan. 6 rally at the Ellipse and was admitted to a VIP section near the White House. He left the rally early, he said, to escort an African American woman VIP, who he could not otherwise identify, to the Capitol. Cummings said that when he got to the Capitol, it seemed to him that the Oath Keepers were not playing a leadership role in the clashes between Trump supporters and police. After dropping off the VIP he and others were escorting, he went to the east side of the Capitol, where at one point Oath Keepers and others set up stack formations to breach the building. Cummings testified that he didnt believe it would be a good idea to enter the Capitol because Vice President Mike Pence was there, and he broke away from his group to find a toilet. After he returned to the Capitol, he could not immediately find fellow Oath Keepers but eventually ran across Rhodes, who commented on what he said were fumes of CS riot gas. Suck it up. A little tear gas isnt any big deal, Cummings said Rhodes told him. Trump supporters climb the west wall of the the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo) Caldwell's lawyer David Fischer has argued that inflammatory social media messages posted by defendants were selectively edited to appear incriminating. He told the jury that the Oath Keepers had organized Quick Reaction Forces on multiple occasions before Jan. 6, including during civil disorders in Ferguson, Mo., and Louisville, Ky. He insisted that those forces, which defendants were involved in organizing for Jan. 6, were not in any way designed to attack the U.S. Capitol building. Cummings said his group returned to their hotel in time to comply with a 6 p.m. curfew imposed by local authorities, and the next morning he headed home. After Jan. 6, he said, he did not participate in any Oath Keepers activities. He testified that during events including his walk to the Capitol, he never heard discussions of any plan to forcefully stop Biden from taking office. Under defense cross-examination, he said he had joined the Oath Keepers after becoming disturbed by riots in Portland staged by the antifa movement and came to believe that local government had practically encouraged the rioters. Cummings also testified that as he initially made his way to Washington, he heard nothing about a plan to storm the Capitol. I would not have continued to D.C. Had I heard of such a plan, I probably would have reported it, he added. The trial is expected to continue into mid-November, and Rhodes is expected to testify in his own defense. Callers who dialed 911 during a fatal North Carolina shooting rampage described encountering bodies on the streets or front yards of their neighborhood and along a trail popular with runners and bikers, according to newly released recordings. The 911 calls released late Friday by the Raleigh Police Department illustrate the chaos of the scene on Thursday in which authorities said a 15-year-old boy began firing in a residential neighborhood and then on the walking trail, killing five and wounding two others. The recordings also provide new details about the teen, with multiple callers saying he was wearing camouflage and one caller saying he was carrying a shotgun. In one of the first calls, around 5:12 p.m. Thursday, a man describes seeing the shooter kill off-duty police officer Gabriel Torres in the Hedingham neighborhood northeast of downtown. The caller frantically asks for help. He just walked right through and shot him. He walked by and shot him for no reason, the caller says, adding, in reference to Torres: "It looks like hes bleeding from his chest. The caller says the shooter was wearing camouflage and was moving toward the Neuse River Greenway Trail that runs behind the neighborhood. In a separate call around the same time, a neighbor reports hearing multiple shots and people screaming, then looking out her window and seeing two gunshot victims. Theres somebody thats laying by the bush and somebody thats laying on the porch, she says. Minutes later, another caller says the suspect was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun. Theres a white kid running out here with a shotgun, he shot somebody. ... He ran back into the woods, the caller said. A few minutes later, a man tells the dispatcher he was on the trail when he encountered a woman unconscious. Illustrating the confusion over what was happening, the dispatcher tells the man there are reports of an active shooter, and he screams: What?! As he gets closer to the woman and tries to relay details about the location, he interjects: Oh my god! Sir, what's going on there? the dispatcher asks. Um, um, um. She's bleeding, he says. He then realizes there's another shooting victim on the trail. Oh my god, there's another person, the caller says. He can then be heard telling other people at the scene, Guys, we got to get out of the area. She said there might be an active shooter around here. The shooting drew officers from numerous agencies to the neighborhood as the suspect eluded capture for several hours. The victims were different races and ranged in age from 16 to their late 50s and were felled going about their daily routines, police and loved ones said. Torres, the off-duty police officer, was killed while on his way to work, while one of the women who died was on her porch talking to a neighbor, and another woman who died was out walking her dog. Another was out exercising. The suspect was hospitalized in critical condition following his arrest, but authorities have not said how he was injured. His identity has not been released, nor has a motive for the attack been disclosed. Prosecutors will seek to charge the suspect as an adult, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Friday. She declined to say what charges he will face. Top aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis played key roles in planning and executing Floridas controversial migrant flight program, according to public records released late Friday. While the program was carried out by a private contractor, the new records show the deep involvement of Larry Keefe, DeSantis public safety czar, and James Uthmeier, his chief of staff, in an operation that has led to at least one criminal investigation, a separate U.S. Treasury Department probe and several lawsuits potentially heightening their exposure to the various inquiries underway. Current plan is for event to occur next Wednesday ... Will be more precise about ETA there as event approaches, Keefe wrote to Uthmeier in a Sept. 8 text message. No news from me between now and then is good news. Will let you know if otherwise. The two men were discussing charter flights paid for with Florida taxpayer money that would bring a group of roughly 50 migrants, mainly Venezuelans, from San Antonio, Texas, to the Massachusetts island of Marthas Vineyard on Sept. 14. The records suggest Keefe traveled to Texas to oversee the program, denounced by the governors detractors as a political stunt to boost DeSantis stature in advance of an anticipated run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Operatives working for the state recruited migrants in San Antonio, offering them free flights to Marthas Vineyard and saying jobs and aid would be waiting for them. Larry Keefe, from his former law firms website. Im back out here, Keefe wrote in a Sept. 5 text message. Conditions are quite favorable. Very good, Uthmeier replied. You have my full support. Call anytime. According to a text message obtained by the nonpartisan watchdog organization American Oversight, Keefe also appears to have been in contact with Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts office. Sometime between Sept. 1 and Sept. 19, Uthmeier sent a text to Abbotts chief of staff, Luis Saenz, introducing him to Keefe. Luis, Ive asked a guy on my team, Larry Keefe, to be POC [point of contact] here, and he can loop in others as needed, Uthmeier wrote. He serves as one of the bosss senior advisors for public safety. Hes a former US Atty under Trump, trustworthy and effective. Neither DeSantis nor Abbotts offices responded to requests for comment Saturday. Migrants, their faces obscured, outside the plane that ferried them from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts. Florida taxpayers paid for the charter. The records were released at 9:23 p.m. Friday, in response to requests from the Florida Center for Government Accountability, a watchdog group that has sued the governors office over delays in producing records. Michael Barfield, director of public access for the FLCGA, said the existing records indicate there are clearly other documents that have not yet been turned over. It took 25 days to produce 12 pages of texts, some photos and the forms they had the immigrants sign, Barfield said. It took more time to produce the records than it did for DeSantis aides to plan this political stunt. Through lawyers who have come to their aid, the migrants have blasted the relocation program, alleging in media interviews and a federal civil rights lawsuit that they were tricked into getting on the planes and thought they were going to Boston. No one in Marthas Vineyard was expecting them, although community members regrouped to provide food, clothes and other support. But at least one migrant expressed gratitude in screenshotted text messages that Keefe sent to Uthmeier. You threw us into a cradle of gold, the person wrote in Spanish to someone they referred to as Perla likely Perla Huerta, a former U.S. Army counterintelligence agent whom migrants have identified as the top recruiter for the program in San Antonio. The migrant, whose name is not visible in the records, noted the group was provided food and clothes. Im glad they have taken such good care of you, I knew it would be like that, Huerta wrote back. She acknowledged that some of the migrants might hate her, but she wrote, this opportunity nobody else would have given. As public safety czar, Keefes portfolio includes immigration. Before joining the administration, he worked as an outside lawyer for Vertol Systems Company, the Destin, Florida-based company hired by the Florida Department of Transportation to arrange the flights. Keefe led Vertols litigation strategy and was later appointed by then-President Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. attorney for Floridas Northern District. Informed of the latest revelations, Rachel Self, a Boston immigration attorney representing the migrants, likened DeSantis to a schoolyard bully, adding: [T]he governor of Florida proudly took credit for this callous act and certain cable news personalities joined him in pointing and laughing at the prank. Apparently, unlawful restraint of vulnerable people, including children as young as only two years old, was the hysterical equivalent joke on the playground. But sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants. The Democratic sheriff of Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, is running the criminal investigation into whether Vertol recruiters broke laws against unlawful restraint by allegedly deceiving the migrants and then moving them around the country. Bexar County (Texas) Sheriff Javier Salazar is leading a criminal investigation into Gov. Ron DeSantis taxpayer-funded program to fly migrants from San Antonio to Democratic strongholds. Sheriff Javier Salazar referred the Herald to a previous statement, in which he said his Organized Crime Division had identified suspects, cited the unlawful restraint statute as applicable and said only those who had been in his jurisdiction could be charged. Keefes apparent presence on the ground in Texas could open him up to potential criminal liability. Vertol has so far received more than $1.56 million in Florida taxpayer funds, and the relocation program may be continuing, with flights potentially planned for other Democratic states, including Delaware and Illinois, additional records released late Friday indicated. The text messages between Keefe and Uthmeier suggest that the two men had several conference calls with Vertol employees. While the migrants flown to Marthas Vineyard were previously believed to all be from Venezuela, new records show that two of them listed their country of origin as Peru. McClatchy D.C. staff writer Michael Wilner contributed to this report. A man was fatally shot on Friday night in Kansas Citys Marlborough Heights neighborhood, according to police. Kansas City police officers were called just after 7:30 p.m. to the 8000 block of Wayne Avenue on a reported shooting, Officer Donna Drake, a department spokeswoman, said at the scene. A gunshot victim was discovered in a yard, just off the roadway, who was pronounced dead after emergency medical personnel arrived. Several streets were blocked off and were expected to remain that way for hours. Drake said police had established a large perimeter for the purpose of collecting evidence. This investigation is just beginning, Drake said, adding: We just want to make sure we dont miss anything valuable to this victims case. Police did not have a suspect in custody as of Friday night and were asking the public for help to identify the shooter. Detectives were looking to speak with any potential witnesses, including people who had called 911. The events that led up to the shooting were not immediately known. Regardless, Drake said, whatever transpired should not have resulted in someone shooting and killing another person in our community. The killing marks the 131st homicide in Kansas City so far in 2022, according to data maintained by The Star. Last year, the city saw a total of 157 homicides, representing the second-deadliest year in its history. Kansas City police were asking anyone with information about Fridays fatal shooting to call homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or through the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. Former President Barack Obama is heading to Wisconsin later this month to help boost Senate candidate Mandela Barnes, a Democrat challenging GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, as well Gov. Tony Evers' re-election bid. The joint event, set for Oct. 29 in Milwaukee, will also promote other Democrats on the November ballot, including Attorney General Josh Kaul and Rep. Gwen Moore. NBC News was first to report the news that Obama would campaign in Wisconsin. From restoring access to reproductive health care to defending democracy and Wisconsinites right to vote, the stakes couldnt be higher, the Wisconsin Democratic Party said in a statement on Friday. The visit from Obama comes as both Barnes and Evers face tough battles against their Republican opponents. According to the latest polling averages from Real Clear Politics, Barnes trails Johnson by around 3 points while Evers is locked in a dead heat with challenger Tim Michels. Democratic Senate candidate Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (Sara Stathas / The Washington Post via Getty Images file) Barnes' campaign has been struggling of late, with some fellow Democrats expressing disappointment over the candidate's campaign messaging, particularly on crime. "Its been frustrating, one of Barnes' primary opponents, Tom Nelson, said last week. Barnes has faced an onslaught of ads from Republicans, attacking him on his crime message and painting him as too far to the left. Obama's headlining a rally could inject some much-needed energy to the campaign. Obama broke the pattern of close elections in Wisconsin, decisively claiming the state in his 2008 and 2012 presidential runs. A source told NBC News that Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is also heading to Wisconsin to take part in a pair of events to help boost Barnes. Representatives for Evers and Obama did not immediately return requests for comment. A Barnes spokeswoman had no comment. Russias invasion of Ukraine earlier this year caused a massive flight from both countries. Russians fled to the West, not wanting to be associated with a war President Vladimir Putin seemed to launch for no credible reason. Ukrainians fled too, because bombs and rockets were falling on their towns and villages, killing the very people Russia was supposedly eager to liberate. More than 30,000 refugees ended up in Israel, where an organization called Early Starters International offered their children early education classes. Hundreds of Ukrainian families accepted the offer, not realizing that in some cases, their children would be taught by Russians who had fled the same war they had escaped. Its not easy for me, says Sophia Kurtik, one of four Russian teachers who now work for Early Starters nurseries in Israel or Eastern Europe. Sometimes Im meeting with some parents, and with them I feel its a big problem. People look at the exterior of a damaged residential block hit by an early morning missile strike on Feb. 25 in Kyiv. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images) Once, an irate father demanded to know why she was giving the children Russian flags. She wasnt: The flags were French, distributed as part of an activity unrelated to war. But mistrust runs so deep that the fathers anger cannot be chalked up to confusion between the two somewhat similar tricolors. Of course, some of the parents, upon arriving to our centers, are apprehensive of having a Russian teacher but we quickly see that we are all on the same side, says Early Starters co-founder Sarah Wilner. No one wants this war. Although Ukrainians and Russians do share deep religious, cultural and ethnic ties, the rupture caused by Putins invasion may take generations to heal. I will never forgive Russia, a Ukrainian poet wrote in spring, expressing a sentiment shared by many of his compatriots, many of whom do not make a distinction between the good Russians who oppose the war and the millions who endorse it. That means that for Kurtik, every encounter with Ukrainian parents has the potential to become fraught, as she confessed to Yahoo News in a recent conversation. Most dont, however. Incomprehensible geopolitical forces have led her to Israel, a country locked in its own existential struggle. As for the Ukrainian refugees, they went from one of the worlds two nations with a Jewish president (Volodymyr Zelensky is the first Jewish person to lead Ukraine) to the other. Russian newspapers in a building previously used by the head of Russian occupying forces on Friday in Vyshneve, Ukraine. (Carl Court/Getty Images) Like them, Kurtik is outraged by the aggressive war Russia launched in February. She buys none of the reasoning Putin has offered about Kyivs fascistic tendencies, which only begs the question of why she and so many other sophisticated, savvy Russians didnt denounce the procession of falsehoods earlier. After all, Putins initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 was launched under similarly fictional pretenses, as was the 2008 invasion of Georgia. And dont tell me these Russians didnt have a choice, Ukrainian journalist Veronika Melkozerova wrote in the Atlantic over the summer. Were the ones who didnt have a choice. All they had to do was disobey orders, and refuse to take part in Putins special military operation. Myriad fictions and deceptions have sustained Putins power for two decades, with complicity from millions of Russian citizens who had been enervated by decades of Soviet rule. Desperate for better lives, they gave Putin free rein. Only with the current invasion of Ukraine did Russians like Kurtik come to fully grasp what Russia had become under his leadership. Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, with Ukrainian separatist regional leaders during the annexation ceremony for four Ukrainian regions on Sept. 30 in Moscow. (Contributor/Getty Images) Its heartbreaking, Kurtik says of the war, noting that her own ancestry like that of many other Russians can be traced back to Ukraine. I was hoping it would end immediately, she recalls, imagining that Putin might be assassinated by a political rival. But his grip on the Kremlin remained as firm as ever, with internal Kremlin dissent let alone the possibility of a coup virtually nonexistent. Nor did he appear to be rattled by the protests that broke out across Russia. About two weeks into the invasion, which was already showing serious signs of faltering, Russia passed a new law criminalizing false information that is, honest reporting and open discussion about what the Kremlin insisted on calling a special military operation. Kurtik had not joined the protests, fearing repercussions from rough police tactics. But the new law proved too much. I feel like it was the end of free speech in our country, she told Yahoo News. And I cant live without free speech; I cant raise my son without free speech. Which is why she gave up her psychology practice in Moscow and fled with her husband and son to Egypt and then to Israel, where she now teaches the children of Ukrainian refugees in a kindergarten run by Early Starters International. She sees the work as a kind of duty and also, perhaps, a kind of penance. They were pulled from their homes, from their families. Their fathers are still in Ukraine, Kurtik says of her young charges, of their desperate need for normalcy in a deeply abnormal world. Its very meaningful for me to be there with the kids, to hear their stories, to listen to them, to play with them, to help them to process, somehow, this trauma. Wilner, the Early Starters co-founder, says that because Ukrainian men have mostly stayed behind, it is mothers who have had to manage the difficulties of life abroad, from housing to education. The resilience I see in women is one that always amazes me, no matter where in the world, she told Yahoo News. Helena, a teacher, outside a hospital after the bombing of the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on Feb. 24. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images) Early Starters International had experience in offering early childhood education in the developing world; as soon as the scope of the conflict in Eastern Europe became apparent, the organization started early childhood education programs in Moldova and Israel. As the war started, we felt the need to do something, says Early Starters co-founder Ran Cohen Harounoff. At the time, Israel was attempting a delicate diplomatic dance of showing support for Ukraine while not alienating Russia. Many felt that was not enough. I think at the beginning, we were compensating a little bit, Cohen Harounoff acknowledges. As a second-generation Holocaust survivor my mother was hidden by a Christian family in Holland I felt obligated to do that, he says of starting early childhood programs for Ukrainian refugees. Of the many needs Ukrainians face, restoring a sense of normalcy for children is among the foremost. Their schooling had been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, then the war with Russia. Schools in Ukraine are desperate for resources to build bomb shelters instead of playgrounds, with children being taught about unexploded ordnances instead of road safety. This is the stark reality for Ukrainian students, parents and teachers, UNICEF head Catherine Russell recently said. UNICEF also estimates that some 1.5 million Ukrainian children have been displaced by the war, meaning that many of them must begin school in another country, one to which they may have no genuine connection, whose language and culture may be utterly foreign. Newly arrived refugees from Ukraine proceed to be registered at the main shelter and relocation center in Przemysl, Poland, on March 16. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images) What we do comes from a very strong belief that children have a right to access an education, says Wilner. And its our responsibility as adults to provide it for them. Today, Early Starters runs seven early education centers in Moldova and six in Israel, with two now opening in Prague. Since the start of the war, some 3,500 children have received schooling and child care there, according to Wilner. The centers are nurseries, utterly ordinary in every way except that the children who learn there are refugees. Kurtik says that the trauma of war is obvious, especially in the aggressive behavior of some boys, who have clearly internalized the military mood of early 2022, when the war began. But there are also lighter moments. Wilner described how in early September she witnessed three girls returning to Early Starters after summer vacation, crashing into each other for a mirthful hug. They just hung on to each other, she says. It was the most touching thing Id seen in a long time. Last month, St. Louis Realtors the St. Louis areas largest real estate trade group issued a formal apology for past discriminatory practices. When Abdul-Kaba Abdullah decided to sell his home two years ago, he listed the neatly-kept, four-bedroom house at $175,000 based on presale evaluations. But once a buyer made an offer, an appraiser valued the home at only $150,000, and the bank wouldnt give a loan for the original asking price. Curious, Abdullah looked at the appraisal report and found the photos werent even of his home in the predominantly Black area of north St. Louis. The photos had been pulled off the internet, and were not new photos showing updates he had made. I immediately knew, well, we have an issue here, Abdullah said. Abdul-Kaba Abdullah stands in front of his former home in St. Louis on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Abdullah sold the home two years ago for less than he thought it was worth after an appraisal came in lower than expected. He believes the appraisal was low because the home is in north St. Louis, a predominantly Black area of the city. St. Louis is among several U.S. cities where realtors have recently apologized for past housing discrimination and announced new efforts to protect housing rights. (AP Photo/ Jim Salter) Its a struggle Black Americans have lived with for decades. Now, some leaders in the real estate industry are apologizing for past discrimination while promising to address problems that still remain. Last month, St. Louis Realtors the St. Louis areas largest real estate trade group issued a formal apology for past discriminatory practices. The National Association of Realtors issued an apology in 2020. Realtor groups in cities like Atlanta and Chicago have shown similar remorse. The discrimination to which the Black community was subjected to was part of a system designed to cause residential racial segregation, led by the federal government, supported by the banking system and the real estate industry, and driven by practices like redlining and the use of restrictive covenants, the apology from St. Louis Realtors states. St. Louis was notorious for housing discrimination in the mid-20th century, when Black applicants were frequently denied mortgages, white homeowners were encouraged by real estate agents to move once a neighborhood began to integrate, and certain areas of the region were redlined, meaning loans to buy homes in those areas were nearly impossible to get. Will Jordan, executive director of the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing and Opportunity Council, said change is happening far too slowly. Redlining and those types of issues are still playing out in the St. Louis metropolitan area, Jordan said. Ive seen notes on appraisals that are written by banks saying, nothing north of Delmar can possibly be that much. Lets rewrite this. Delmar Boulevard is infamously known as the dividing line between predominantly white and Black areas of St. Louis. North of Delmar, its still very difficult to get any bank to finance something, Jordan said. Aerial view of a residential neighborhood in the fall. (Adobe Stock Image) Its part of the reason the citys once vibrant north side has struggled in recent decades with rampant crime, high vacancy rates and a dilapidated housing stock. Katie Berry, president of St. Louis Realtors, said past discrimination was no accident. Federal lending program maps used green lines to indicate places where loans would be approved predominantly white areas. Red lines indicated high risk, and those areas were Black communities or integrated communities because the theory was that once you integrated a community, the home values are going to drop, she said. Making matters worse, once integration began in a neighborhood, real estate agents would participate in what was known as blockbusting. An agent would help a Black family move into a white neighborhood, then start knocking on doors of the neighbors saying, Hey, did you know this Black familys moved in? Home values are going to plummet. You should go ahead and list your house with me. Hurry up and get out of here, Berry said. Meanwhile, a provision of the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics from 1924 to 1950 instructed realtors to avoid introducing into a neighborhood a character of property or occupancy, members of any race or nationality, or any individuals whose presence will clearly be detrimental to property values in that neighborhood. A report released earlier this year by the National Association of Realtors showed that while 72.1% of white Americans own their homes, the rate for Black Americans is just 43.4%. The report also found that Black and Hispanic applicants for mortgage loans were far more likely to be rejected than white and Asian applicants. Bryan Greene, vice president of policy advocacy for the NAR, said apologies are important because realtors need to atone for our failures. The Atlanta Realtors Association apologized in 2021 for past discriminatory practices. We cant change our history but we can choose to learn from our past, make current powerful decisions, and act with intention to write future chapters that leave a positive legacy, then-President Cynthia Lippert wrote in a letter of apology. In 2019, Chicago Association of Realtors President Tommy Choi issued an apology on behalf of the organization for being on the wrong side of history. Lydia Pope, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, which promotes Black homeownership, said the apologies are good starting points. Now show us that you want to do better, that you are willing to do more to help create an environment where everyone is treated equally, Pope said in a statement. Greene said the NAR has taken several steps, including creation of a Fair Housing Policy Committee. The national group also adopted an action plan in 2020 that emphasizes accountability, culture change and training local realtors in fair housing practices. As part of the effort to change, realtors in Atlanta have undergone unconscious bias training and are seeking relationships with diverse real estate associations such as the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals and the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, the group said. In St. Louis, the realtors association hired a director of diversity, equity and inclusion, is working with lawmakers to reduce barriers to homeownership for minorities, is seeking to address housing vacancies, and is pushing to bring in more Black real estate agents. Berry knows change wont happen quickly. People have been harmed for generations, she said. Abdullah, 44, is executive director of Park Central Development, a company that works to attract investment and keep people in their homes in St. Louis. So hes familiar with fair housing laws. From the outset, he questioned the appraisal of his home by an appraiser from a mostly-white neighboring county. When Abdullah filed a complaint with Jordans office, the bank eventually agreed to increase the loan value to $160,000, and Abdullah sold. Still, he asked the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to investigate. The case remains unresolved. Just because Im in this line of work, I didnt think I was exempt from these things happening to me, Abdullah said. People have a right to the American dream. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Realtors apologizing for past discrimination, urging change appeared first on TheGrio. The 15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting five people in Raleigh, North Carolina will be charged as an adult in connection with the deadly spree, prosecutors said. The suspect was taken into custody with critical injuries after an hours-long manhunt on Thursday. His name was not released by police, but local outlets identified him as the brother of the youngest victim in the mass shooting. A police officer remains in front of the house where the suspected shooter lived on Sahalee Way following a shooting in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Several people were shot and killed by a gunman in the neighborhood Thursday night, Oct. 13. A police officer remains in front of the house where the suspected shooter lived on Sahalee Way following a shooting in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Several people were shot and killed by a gunman in the neighborhood Thursday night, Oct. 13. (Chris Seward/) Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said that she will prosecute the teen as an adult should he recover from his injuries. She has already begun the process of moving the case from juvenile court to superior court, which includes petitions for a probable cause hearing, In this situation, theres no question the mass loss of life, in my opinion, this case should be transferred and tried in superior court, Freeman told the News & Observer. Neighbors talk at the Hedingham neighborhood on October 14, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Neighbors talk at the Hedingham neighborhood on October 14, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/) Theres still little known about the suspect, but several of his neighbors recalled him acting strangely in the past. They said he lived with his father, who worked as a handyman in the area. I used to see him at 4:30, 5 in the morning with a bookbag on, neighbor Lavarius Thompson told the Observer. Buses dont run till 7 in the morning. Memorial flowers for 5 victims of a mass shooting lay on an entrance to Hedingham neighborhood on October 14, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Memorial flowers for 5 victims of a mass shooting lay on an entrance to Hedingham neighborhood on October 14, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/) The violent rampage began around 5 p.m. on Thursday in the Hedingham neighborhood, where the first two victims were shot, police said. The suspect then fled toward the the Neuse River Greenway, opening fire on people walking their dogs or out for an evening jog. Police said the crime scene stretched for more than two miles. Seven people were shot, five of them fatally. The victims were identified on Friday as 29-year-old Gabriel Torres, an off-duty police officer on his way to work, Nicole Conners, 53, Susan Karnatz, 49, Mary Marshall, 35, and James Thompson, 16. A second police officer was also wounded, but has since been released from the hospital. The seventh victim, Marcille Lynn Gardner, 59, remains in critical condition, police said. Once a vital commercial center along the ancient Silk Road, Chengdu is now writing a new chapter of prosperity through building a multimodal transport system, boosting its export-oriented economy and opening-up to the outside world. On Sept 15, the first China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan road-rail combined transport international train loaded with 20 containers of Chinese tea departed from the Chengdu (Shuangliu) Air-Railway International Intermodal Port. It recently arrived at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The train, adopting the multimodal transport system, went through Lanzhou in Gansu province to Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, it then transferred to the highway from the Xinjiang Irkeshtam and reached Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. Compared with the traditional line, this multimodal train shortens the route by nearly 500 kilometers and saves three to five days of transport time, said Zheng Shuangli, chairman of Chengdu Airport Modern Service Industry Development. Zheng added that the transportation mileage of the entire line is about 5,000 km and shipping time is 15 to 20 days. The train is the latest in Chengdus construction of an international channel system from a global perspective. Since the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt in September 2013, Chengdu has built a fast and smooth Eurasian Continental Bridge Economic Corridor and boosted the export-oriented economy. The China-Europe (Chengdu) Railway Express was launched at Chengdu International Railway Port in 2013. After more than nine years of operation, the number of China-Europe (Chengdu) freight trains has been a priority of the country for many consecutive years. The number of trains launched is increasing year by year, and the operations are busier every year, said Wang Weikun, deputy-general manager of Chengdu International Railway Express. Wang said that the number of trains opened in Chengdu in 2013 was 30, and the number is now more than 2,000 a year. We have witnessed Chengdus continuous expansion of opening-up and deep integration into the Belt and Road Initiative. A China-Europe freight train departs from Chengdu International Railway Port for Europe. The trains continue to ship out Made in China and Made in Sichuan goods such as electronic products, automobiles and machinery items. The trains have also brought in German cars, French wine, Russian wood, Polish beef and Italian furniture. It has changed the pattern of foreign trade in Chengdu and the western China. For more than nine years, the China-Europe (Chengdu) freight trains have effectively guaranteed transportation of electronics, automobiles, smart home appliances, biomedicine and advanced materials. Chengdu currently helps to provide more than 300 key enterprises such as TCL, Dell, Lenovo and Geely with stable international logistics solutions. Since the opening of the China-Europe freight trains, trade exchanges under the BRI have risen rapidly. Statistics show that Chengdus import and export to countries and regions involved in the BRI have maintained rapid double-digit growth. In the first half of this year, the foreign trade volume with countries and regions involved in the BRI reached 127.74 billion yuan ($17.95 billion), a year-on-year increase of 13.8 percent. International trains services departing from Chengdu are still expanding and a coordinated operation pattern of multi-dimensional trains such as the China-Europe (Asia) trains, the Western Land-Sea New Corridor trains, and the China-Laos (Vietnam) trains have been formed. The international cargo trains starting from Chengdu link more than 100 cities, forming a land-sea freight distribution system with the city as the main hub, westbound to Europe, northbound to Mongolia and Russia, eastbound to Japan and South Korea, and southbound to ASEAN countries. While the expansion of international freight trains is accelerating, Chengdus aviation logistics system is also improving. On Sept 15, a B747F all-cargo plane took off from Chengdus Shuangliu International Airport, loaded with 110,000 orders weighing nearly 100 metric tons from Chinas leading cross-border e-commerce platform Shein to New York, the United States. In the same month, an all-cargo direct flight from Chengdu to Chicago also made its maiden flight. The inaugural flight carried imported goods such as e-commerce retail items with a value of about 12 million yuan, and the outbound flight shipped Chinese-made electronic products and clothing goods with a value of nearly 150 million yuan to North America. The opening of the direct flight to Chicago will provide the Chengdu branches of multinationals such as Intel, Dell and Apple with greater and more efficient international aviation logistics and transportation capabilities, while further promoting the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain, said an official in charge of the Chengdu Port Logistics Office. In the first half of this year, Chengdu opened four new international freight routes to Tel Aviv in Israel, Liege in Belgium, Mumbai in India and Kathmandu in Nepal. The number of regular international freight routes increased to 19. The passenger throughput of the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and the Tianfu International Airport was 15.84 million, ranking first among Chinese cities. The international (regional) cargo and mail throughput was 116,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 64.3 percent. With the continuous expansion of the air plus land channel, Chengdu is striving to build a strong open cooperation carrier and create a first-class business environment. Chengdu International Railway Port focuses on the three leading industries of international supply chain, international trade and intelligent manufacturing. It has introduced nearly 200 major industrialization projects with a total investment of more than 100 billion yuan. TCL Optoelectronics Technology (Chengdu), located in the Comprehensive Bonded Zone of Chengdu International Railway Port, utilizes the bonded function of the comprehensive bonded zone to produce key components such as TV modules in the form of processing trade. It then transports them to Poland via the China-Europe freight train. The company has transferred 80 percent of its European orders to Chengdu, hoping to respond more quickly to the needs of European customers through the China-Europe freight train, said Sun Xiuhong, head of TCLs Chengdu branch. More than 90 percent of the components required by TCLs six production lines in Polands assembly base pass through the China-Europe freight train in Chengdu. Relying on the Chengdu International Railway Port, the Asia-European Countries (Commodities) Pavilion has set up 34 characteristic country venues for Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania and other places, of which 32 venues of Italy, Germany and France have been put into operation. A total of 14 major categories and more than 30,000 products from across the world such as food and wine, maternal and child healthcare, special beauty makeup and imported cars are displayed and sold in one stop. The Chengdu High-Tech Comprehensive Bonded Zone, which has been in operation for more than 10 years, has formed a relatively complete integrated circuit industry chain consisting of IC design, wafer manufacturing, packaging, testing and supporting projects. It has attracted Fortune Global 500 companies such as Intel, Texas Instruments, Foxconn, Dell and Molex. This open area has also become the main force driving the growth of foreign trade in Sichuan. Data from Chengdu Customs shows the total import and export volume of the Chengdu High-Tech Comprehensive Bonded Zone was 581.9 billion yuan in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 6 percent. The trade volume has ranked first among all national comprehensive bonded zones since 2018. Through deep participation in the international division of labor, Chengdus position in the global industrial and value chains has been continuously improved. The city has become a hot spot for multinational companies. By the end of 2021, 312 Fortune Global 500 companies had settled in Chengdu and the citys foreign direct investment ranks first in midwest China. The number of foreign consulates approved to be established in Chengdu has reached 21, also ranking first in the midwest. To date, Chengdu has established friendships or cooperative relations with 104 cities from 58 countries around the world. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Cold snap prompts China's northern cities to activate heating early Xinhua) 10:52, October 15, 2022 BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A cold wave has driven down the temperature to minus 7 degrees Celsius these days in Mohe, China's northernmost city. However, local people don't mind the chill since the local authority started to activate the heating system a week ahead of the scheduled heating season. With a new cold snap, sleet and light snow were forecast to hit Mohe on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The daily low temperature would dip to minus 9 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Xin Haiqi, workshop director of Mohe Huapeng Heating Co., Ltd., said the company has prepared sufficient coal reserves and can timely increase its heating supply in response to extreme weather to ensure residents a warm and comfortable indoor temperature in the upcoming winter. The border city in Heilongjiang Province is one of China's coldest places in winter, where the heating period lasts up to eight months. Passengers to the Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, would not feel the cold snap at the terminal building, where indoor heating started on Oct. 10, ten days in advance. The city officially switched on urban heating on Wednesday. In addition to Heilongjiang, many places in Inner Mongolia, including the regional capital of Hohhot, have also started heating supply, several days earlier than the regular heating season. Since Oct. 7, heating suppliers in Hohhot have started testing the heating system so that many residents can feel the rise in indoor temperature at home. Luo Lin, a 68-year-old Saihan District resident, Hohhot, said the heating arrived just as the temperature plummeted. The temperature at home is now above 20 degrees Celsius, making him feel comfortable. The local authority in Hohhot has assured residents that there would be no fee rise, despite the heating being turned on early. Local heating enterprises have secured coal and gas reserves to ensure winter heating. The urban heating system in Hohhot for about 1.2 million households is fueled with coal and gas. The heating price stands at 3.68 yuan (about 58 U.S. cents) per square meter of house floor area per month for residents. The city's biggest heating supplier, Hohhot City Gas &Heat Group Co., Ltd., has more than 659,000 users. The company has signed a contract of 210 million cubic meters of natural gas with its supplier, which can ensure the demand for the company's 106 gas boiler rooms during the heating period. Liu Hongjun, an official with the Hohhot municipal housing and urban-rural development bureau, said that coal-fired heating enterprises have signed purchase agreements with suppliers, and coal-carrying vehicles are given prioritized passages on roads. At present, the city's coal storage is sufficient. According to Hohhot City Gas &Heat Group Co., Ltd., it maintained heating pipe networks and equipment and overhauled boilers and thermal stations with an investment of 95 million yuan prior to this year's heating period. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu) YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. On October 15, at around 01:20, the units of Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire from various caliber firearms at Armenian military positions located in the eastern section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said in a statement. At the moment the situation is relatively stable, the Ministry added. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Kristinne Grigoryan visited on October 14 Nerkin Hand community in Syunik province which is currently facing a difficult security situation as a result of the latest Azerbaijani attack on Armenia, the Ombudspersons Office said. The Ombudsperson met with the locals and listened to the facts on the use of vital infrastructures and communication routes by the locals, the violations of the village residents' right to property. Ms. Grigoryan said that the residents of the community, particularly women and children are facing a more difficult situation, as a result of the aggressive and ongoing encroachments of the Azerbaijani armed forces against Armenias sovereign territory, for exercising their right to property, normal living, education and other fundamental rights. She told the locals that the results of the fact-finding mission will be presented to the international community, as well as concrete proposals will be submitted to the government aimed at solving these problems. Human Rights Defender Kristinne Grigoryan was accompanied by Deputy Governor of Syunik Nare Ghazaryan. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia proposed Azerbaijan a specific date to hold a meeting of the delimitation and border security commissions, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on social media. Armenia has proposed to Azerbaijan to hold a meeting of the Commissions on delimitation and border with security on 31 October in Brussels, the PM tweeted. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. French foreign minister Catherine Colonna expressed condolences to Turkish authorities and people over the explosion in a coal mine in Bartin province as a result of which 41 people have died. My sincere condolences to Turkish people over the tragic accident in a mine in Bartin, the French minister said on Twitter, offering condolences also to her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. In his words: "I am just a professional writer, which means I don't do blogs and try and get money for whatever I write." Mr Putin has retaliated by cutting off gas supplies and even sabotaging with leaks his own undersea gas pipeline Most European countries, and in the main Germany, were/are reliant on Russian gas supplies to keep the lights and heating on and to fuel their industry. Russias invasion of Ukraine has led to crippling sanctions from Western businesses and banks on Vladimir Putins country not to mention the sanctioning and freezing of the vast assets of the Russian mafia oligarchs who have bank accounts and own yachts and property in the West. Mr Putin has retaliated by cutting off gas supplies and even sabotaging with leaks his own undersea gas pipeline. There is no doubt that this has caused a severe crisis in Europe. The governments of every nation in the European Union and that of the UK are scrambling, with variable success, to fill the gap that Russias withdrawal of gas and oil has left. The UK lost five per cent of its energy supply through Mr Putins reaction. Other nations lost 40 per cent or more of the fuel that they use. The reaction to this shortage, especially as winter looms, has been to reactivate some coal burning, to start projects to expand solar and wind-power, to restart old and plan new nuclear plants, to suspend the ban on fracking in Britain and, very obviously, to debate ways of saving energy. The energy-saving suggestions from the media in the UK have not extended to the manufacturing sector. They have concentrated on domestic heating and lighting and the use of energy in shops and offices. Publications sport photographs of High Street shops at night before the shortage with lights blazing and escalators still active behind locked doors in contrast with the darkened interiors photographed from the street after implementing the energy saving measures. The media commentariat and politicians have taken to dispensing advice some good, some vastly crackpot on energy-saving tactics. Boris Johnson, in one of his final speeches, said he would legislate to build new nuclear plants. He said this might seem expensive at 700 billion, but it would in the end rescue the country from the energy shortage and save billions in the long run. He then, in typical style, inserted an analogy, saying replacing a furred-up, energy-slurping electric kettle with a new one may cost you 20, but would save you 10 a year on electricity bills. The social media took this to be BoJos energy-saving advice to households and he was pilloried and made to seem more ridiculous than the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Others recommended wearing sweaters when the heating was switched off, something we perhaps could have alighted on ourselves? There are eccentric bits of advice invoked from the past. In 1974, in a similar crisis, the Tory energy minister urged people to brush their teeth in the dark. No records exist of the populace following the advice or indeed of how much energy was thus saved. My father wasnt on this ministers side, but was a keen believer in not leaving the lights on in an unoccupied room. He would shout at us children, the regular offenders, saying: Its not Diwali yet! Perhaps it helped with the electricity bills, but its more likely that it made him proud of demanding an end to waste. Another piece of unnecessary exhortation appeared in a right-wing weekly called the Spectator, in a column by Charles Moore, a sort of Little Lord Fauntleroy type. In last weeks column he urged the male workers of the nation to emulate Victorians by wearing jackets, ties and vests. He didnt venture to prescribe dress paraphernalia for women but resorted to euphemism: and female workers (should) manage the equivalent. This observation was preceded by the confession that he himself wears a silk vest and long johns while composing his columns. Reading this brought to mind the abbreviation TMI, which the younger generation use to indicate that thats perhaps too much information. It was, I felt, akin to Wordsworth painting a picture of daffodils dancing in the breeze and then interrupting the mood by imposing the image of a prostrate old man: oft when on my couch I lie/ In vacant or in pensive mood which, for me, has always seemed an incongruous image in the poem. TMI? There has been talk of blackouts for periods this winter, though the National Grid-wallahs have said that these wont be necessary. The serious side to the power shortages is that the prices of petrol, gas and hence electricity have been subject to a Himalayan hike. The providers, petrol companies such as BP and Shell, have made billions of pounds in increased profits a phenomenon termed by the government as a windfall. The Labour Party first proposed a windfall tax on these companies, the revenue gathered to be used to help households with soaring energy bills. Kamikwazi Kwarteng, the UKs former chancellor of the exchequer (who was sacked on Friday), had rejected a windfall tax but promised to cap each households energy bills at 2,500 a year. Even so, for some, it would pose the choice between eating and heating this in one of the most developed countries in the world. And so, gentle reader, to my personal energy-saving advice: # Watch TV in the dark just like in the cinema! # Eat salads and cold food instead of cooking err Will I? # Is the Pope a Muslim? The Chinese are not participating in multilateral talks on debt relief for the poorest nations. China also wants the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to agree to a cut. This year developing states have to repay foreign debts amounting to billion, 40% of which is owed to Beijing. Beijing (AsiaNews) - G7 advanced economies say China is the main obstacle in multilateral efforts to restructure the foreign debt of developing countries, burdened by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the related energy crisis. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said this yesterday during a meeting with some of her African counterparts. Yellen explained that she discussed the need to bring Beijing to the negotiating table. The German Finance Minister and his Spanish colleague expressed the same disappointment. The Chinese responded that they will not participate in debt relief schemes if the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) do not agree to cuts in what they are owed. In 2020, the G20 launched a mechanism to involve China and India in restructuring the debts of poorer nations, which was immediately joined by the Paris Club, which brings together Western economies, the IMF and several private creditors. This year alone, developing countries have to repay billion in foreign debts: 40% is owed to China, reports the World Bank. Beijing is the world's leading lender to low-income states, especially in Africa, Central Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific. Most of these are nations that have received funds under the banner of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi Jinping's mega-project to increase China's geopolitical clout with infrastructure investments around the world. In absolute terms, by the end of 2020 the countries most indebted to Beijing were Pakistan (77.3 billion dollars), Angola (36.3 billion), Ethiopia (7.9 billion), Kenya (7.4 billion) and Sri Lanka (6.8 billion). In terms of the percentage of GDP they are Djibouti (43%), Angola (41%), Maldives (38%), Laos (30%) and Democratic Republic of Congo (29%). Today'so headlines: International Monetary Fund forecasts Taiwan will surpass South Korea and Japan in GDP per capita; Coal mine explosion in Turkey leaves at least 25 dead; from Nov. 1 seat belts mandatory in India; Kerc bridge between Crimea and Russia, will remain unusable until July 2023. IRAN In Iran massive new protests in the wave that began with the killing of Mahsa Amini have been called for today, on a day that activists have called "the beginning of the end." For his part, the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a harsh new warning to the protesters in an address on state television: "The seedling [of the Islamic Republic] is now a mighty tree and no one should think they can uproot it," he said. TURKEY An explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey killed at least 25 people. The explosion occurred yesterday at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Rescuers are still trying to bring dozens of other people trapped in the mine to the surface. TAIWAN The International Monetary Fund estimates that Taiwan could record the highest GDP per capita in East Asia by the end of 2022, surpassing both South Korea and Japan. It would be the first overtaking South Korea since 2003 and the first ever over Japan. Supporting Taiwan's growth is semiconductor production. JAPAN The Japanese government has approved the cancellation of a law stating that pregnant women upon divorce must wait 100 days before remarrying. The law, which has been in place for more than a century, does not apply to men and was originally intended as a way to help identify the father. Critics have argued for the withdrawal of the 1896 law-which until the 2016 revision prevented remarriage for six months-calling it outdated and discriminatory. INDIA Police in Mumbai have announced that starting Nov. 1 it will be mandatory for all car passengers to wear seat belts. According to data from the National Criminal Records Bureau, about 150,000 people die on Indian roads each year. The move comes a month after former Tata chairman Cyrus Mistry and a passenger traveling with him died in an accident in which their car slammed into a divider. RUSSIA-UKRAINE Despite proclamations of rapid reconstruction, the Kerc bridge between Crimea and Russia, damaged in the Oct. 8 attack, will not be restored until July 2023, according to Russian authorities who approved the project and contracted companies for the work. Until then, the bridge will be almost totally unusable for transportation. ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN According to Armenia's Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, "there is an agreement to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan by the end of the year, including border demarcation." He said this on television and was also confirmed by his U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan, who participated in the negotiations. Email Newsletters Get the best of The Aspen Daily News in your inbox. Our newsletters are free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. kW PHEV kWh AWD 48-volt M Hybrid Boost mild-hybrid technology is also featured, and the U.S. market will receive this powerplant in the CX-70. Think of it as the wide-bodied sibling of the CX-60. Further still, the Japanese automaker will premiere the CX-80 and CX-90 three-row SUVs. All four are based on the Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture, previously known as the Large Architecture, a platform developed for rear- and all-wheel-drive vehicles.The press release below further confirms a six-cylinder turbo diesel with a similar displacement and similar mild-hybrid assistance, rated at 187and 550 Nm (make that 251 horsepower and 406 pound-foot of torque). CX-60 customers are further presented with the 2.5L SkyActiv-G, the 2.5L e-Skyactiv, and 3.0L e-Skyactiv X mild hybrid. Thus far, the 2.5-liter PHEV is the most powerful of the bunch. As a matter of fact, the plug-in hybrid Mazda CX-60 is the most powerful Mazda series-production vehicle ever.Thanks to a 100-kW electric motor and a 17.8-, 355-volt battery, the 2.5L e-Skyactiv PHEV cranks out a combined 241 kW and 500 Nm ( 323 horsepower and 369 pound-foot of torque). Mazda promises up to 63 kilometers (39 miles) of all-electric range at speeds of up to 140 kph (87 mph), along with a plug-in hybrid top speed of 200 kph (124 mph). Carbon-dioxide emissions are estimated at 33 grams per every kilometer driven.At press time, every available powertrain comes with i-Activ. Over in Germany, which is the largest market for new cars in Europe, the Prime-Line trim level is listed at 47,390 (make that $46,100 at current exchange rates) sans optional extras for the plug-in powertrain described earlier. And that moniker seems to be well deserved since it has a top speed that makes it seem like its gliding on ice instead of sailing through the water. It can reach a top speed of 28 knots (32 mph/52 kph) and cruising speed of 25 knots (29 mph/46 kph), courtesy of twin 2,200hp MTU engines (no, Miata owners, you cannot put them in your car). And this yacht can use that speed almost everywhere, from marinas to gulfs, thanks to a shallow draft of just 5 feet (1.5m).Delivered in 1999, Blue Ices interior design is a mix between contemporary and classic, using the 27 feet (8.2m) beam to the fullest extent. The vision of Milan-based studio Cerri & Associati was executed to perfection and brings an air of effortless, relaxing luxury.The exterior design utilizes an aluminum hull and is the work of Aldo Cichero, and it is polarizing. While some might say this is real Italian style, it also looks similar to a military hovercraft. However, with its top speed, not many people will get a good enough glimpse to make up their minds about it.But the design does bring something good to the table. The upper deck takes up a good portion of the yacht's length. This means it gives the owner and guests plenty of space to sunbathe and a large al fresco living and dining area. The main deck also offers a similar arrangement, just shaded from the sun by the upper deck overhang.Moreover, there are also other facilities for the 10 guests this vessel can hold in its four staterooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. One is reserved for the owner and offers a space for an office, lounge, and generous ensuite. The rest of the cabins are two doubles and a twin with a Pullman.A spacious open-plan saloon greets the guests, who can find plenty of seating and great views thanks to numerous windows. A circular dining room is separated from the rest of the saloon and surrounded by slat walls that let plenty of natural light in. Thanks to a generous 365 GT volume, a gym is also featured on the Blue Ice for the more active guests.The ship built by Baglietto is listed for sale with an asking price of $5,950,000 (6,119,277 euros). This looks like a good deal, considering Blue Ice has seen two refits, one in 2016 and another in 2021. It is in turn-key condition awaiting a new owner. EFI This 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE was recently imported from a private collection over in Japan, and it reads approximately 11,000 kilometers (6,800 miles) on the odo. We find a pair of forged Marchesini wheels replacing the laced items that came from the factory, while the OEM exhaust got swapped with an aftermarket two-into-one unit from Termignoni.STM supplied a premium slave cylinder and an open cover for the motorcycles clutch, but what completes the list of mods is a new carbon fiber front fender. Despite showing some imperfections here and there, this PS1000LE is actually in great overall shape by what we can tell from the photos showcased above.The bike is one of only 2,000 such specimens assembled by Ducati to commemorate Paul Smarts first-place finish at the Imola 200 race of 1972. Its power source comes in the form of an air-cooled 992cc desmodromic L-twin featuring Marellitechnology, 10:1 compression, and four valves operated through a single overhead cam.In the region of 8,000 revs per minute, the engine is good for up to 92 hp at the crankshaft, while a peak torque output numbering 67 pound-feet (91 Nm) will be spawned lower down the rpm range. Making its way to the rear hoop via a six-speed transmission, this power lets the 1000 LE sprint from zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in 3.1 seconds, before topping out at 135 mph (217 kph).Right then, its time for us to get to the point and wrap this up. The Italian rarity weve just examined is going under the hammer on Iconic Motorbike Auctions , and theres no predetermined reserve price to be met! Four days are currently separating us from the bidding deadline of October 19, so feel free to make an offer if youre willing to outdo the leading bid of $8,200. ABS Some of his earliest works, from when Horacio was 12 years old, are preserved in a display case at Paganis headquarters in Modena. The Argentine-Italian engineer and businessman would gain a plethora of valuable knowledge during his eight-year stint at Automobili Lamborghini.Directly involved in the P140 project that would have been the Raging Bulls first V10 supercar had it made it to production, this gentleman and his team were also responsible for the Countach Evoluzione, the first car manufactured entirely out of composite materials to come out of SantAgata Bolognese.The story goes that Horacio bought an autoclave at his own expense, a decision that laid the groundwork for the Zonda. His best-known work from the Lamborghini era, however, is the Countach 25th Anniversary that was made famous by that infamous scene in the Wolf of Wall Street.Due to Lambos financial issues, a Chrysler group that wasnt doing too well, and early 1990s recession that affected much of the Western world, Horacio made the bold move to steer his passion and purpose somewhere else. Although those were troubled times, Mr. Pagani decided to give life to his lifelong dream of developing a supercar that would bear his name.To finance this extremely ambitious project, he founded a consultancy firm by the name of Modena Design in 1991, specializing in carbon-fiber composites for the automotive industry, Formula 1, and the aerospace industry. One year later, in 1992, Pagani Automobili Modena was founded for the sole purpose of taking the Zonda project from the drawing board to the road.Originally called the C8, Horacio intended to rename this project Fangio F1 in honor of the five-time Formula 1 champion from his native country. None other than Juan Manuel Fangio suggested Mercedes power for what would be presented as the Pagani Zonda C12 at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.Inspired by Group C Silver Arrows such as the Sauber C9 and Mercedes-Benz C291, the sinuosity of a curvy woman, and the menacing look of a fighter bomber, the Zonda makes liberal use of advanced composite materials. The carbon-fiber tub measures 2,730 millimeters between the front and rear axles, offering more than enough space for the driver and passenger while providing exceptional protection in the event of a crash.Chrome molybdenum steel is used for the subframes, with the front unit designed to deform in the event of a crash. Double wishbones on every corner, manufactured from lightweight aluminum alloy, are joined by helicoidal springs, hydraulic dampers, anti-roll bars, and trick geometry.Brembo-supplied brakes, nowhatsoever, and OZ Racing 18-inch wheels that measure 13 inches in width out back also need to be mentioned, along with Michelin rather than Pirelli tires. Right behind the drivers ears, a naturally-aspirated V12 supplied by the Three-Pointed Star of Stuttgart sings the song of its people through a uniquely styled quad-tip exhaust.Codenamed M120, the 60-degree V12 that powered the Mercedes-Benz S 600 from the W140 generation uses lightweight aluminum alloy for the block and both cylinder heads. Displacing 5,987 cubic centimeters from an 89-millimeter bore and 80.2-millimeter stroke, the Pagani -specific M120 lump is fed by a fuel tank with a capacity of 85 liters (22.4 U.S. gallons).444 horsepower at 5,200 revolutions per minute and 435 pound-foot (590 Nm) of torque at 3,900 revolutions per minute allowed the Zonda C12 to accelerate to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 4.2 seconds. Top speed? 298 kilometers per hour (185 miles per hour), thank you! The dry weight was quoted at 1,250 kilograms (2,756 pounds), which is far off the McLaren F1 but noticeably lighter than the Lamborghini Diablo Only five cars were completed, with the first chassis restored by Mr. Pagani to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Zonda. Presented one year after the C12, the C12 S leveled up to 7.0 liters of V12 magic. The extra displacement obviously lifted the output ratings to 542 ponies at 5,550 revolutions per minute and 553 pound-foot (750 Nm) at 4,100 revolutions per minute.Visually differentiated by the updated aero, the Zonda C12 S would be produced in merely 15 examples. Not designated C12 like its predecessors, the Zonda S 7.3 marked the final increase in displacement for the Italian supercar from San Cesario sul Panaro. Merely a year after it was introduced, the Zonda S 7.3 was joined by a roadster at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.It may weigh 30 kilograms (66 pounds) more than the coupe, yet both of them boast similar top speed and acceleration figures. The roadsters introduction also marked the introduction of 19-inch wheels. Prior to the introduction of the Zonda F at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, the Italian company delivered 18 units of the Zonda S 7.3 coupe and 12 roadsters. But this particular Sea Fury hasn't fired cannons or engaged in a dogfight for decades. It spends its days competing in air races across the globe. In racing run by sanctioning bodies like the Reno Air Racing Association, this number 99 Sea Fury is pitted against some of the fastest piston-powered airplanes ever constructed. Many of its rivals are also ex-warplanes.Powering this sleek beast is a Wright R-3350 Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder radial engine similar to the one found with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress strategic bomber. At 3,350 cubic inches (54.9 L), later variants like the ones used in modern Reno Air Raving cranked out as much as 3,500 horsepower. Though many Sea Furies came from the factory sporting British Bristol Centaurus engines, the conversion to the American Duplex Cyclone is especially popular for the type.This airplane spent time based in the United States before it was flown over the Atlantic Ocean for semi-permanent storage at its current location in the Czech Republic in 2012. While this plane's been stationed in Europe, it has received a new communication, navigation, and avionics suite with tech from reputable companies like Garmin, Nav King, and Collins.As it stands, there's not much stopping prospective buyers of this airplane from entering it in a sanctioned air race. The price for it all? Let's say Boschung Global Ltd in the Czech Republic doesn't hand out that information to anyone. You have to be a legitimate prospective buyer. One can only imagine that involves a thorough credit check. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz reacts to the verdict in his trial at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Cruz will be sentenced to life without parole for the 2018 massacre of 17 people at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. That sentence comes after the jury announced Thursday that it could not unanimously agree that Cruz should be executed. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. 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. 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. A man passes past a rocket crater Tuesday at playground in city park in center Kyiv, Ukraine. On Friday, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming Ukrainian media is reporting that President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office was destroyed by a missile strike. PITTSFIELD Kevin O'Hara didn't originally set out to become a writer. You might say that writing found him. His mother believed he had a knack for writing based on the stories he told about his buddies in the letters that he wrote to her while serving in Vietnam. O'Hara decided to pursue the craft further after he returned to Pittsfield, and an author was born. He's written three books "The Last of the Donkey Pilgrims," "A Lucky Irish Lad," and "Ins and Outs of a Locked Psychiatric Ward" all based on personal experiences. The first two titles were recently optioned to become either feature films or television series. A longtime columnist for The Berkshire Eagle, O'Hara served as writer-in-residence at Arrowhead, author Herman Melville's historic home, in Pittsfield, in 2020. And in 2012, he received the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Award, which is presented to an outstanding American of Irish descent who has distinguished him or herself in their chosen profession. We talked with O'Hara about why he became an author, how he performs his craft, and where the experiences he's written about come from. This is what he told us. Q: What led you to become a writer, and why did you decide to write books? A: My mother was a nervous wreck when I was sent to Vietnam in 1969-70. There were no available phones on our airbase, just a MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio Station), so Id write to her two or three times a week to help ease her anxiety. In time, I started telling her lighthearted stories about my buddies, giving her the sense that we were all having a grand old time over there. She enjoyed these letters and told me I had a knack for it. When I returned home, I took writing classes at Berkshire Community College with the late Emily Jahn, Sheldon Rothberg, Richard Nunley and Genie Zust, who further encouraged me. Q: Ive read that some authors have said they write because they have to write. Would you say that youre one of them? A: At times, yes, but usually I need a boot in the pants to get going unless a story really pulls at my heartstrings. In truth, Id rather be gallivanting with friends and family than sitting in front of a blank page. Q: Once you come up with an idea, how do you turn it into a book? A: Im probably the wrong guy to answer this question. After all, it took me 25 years of on-and-off effort to finish Last of the Donkey Pilgrims," six years to complete A Lucky Irish Lad, and another 10 years to wrap up Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward. The word prolific will never be included in my biography. However, once I commit to a project, I divide the manuscript into small sections to make the task seem less daunting. During these multiyear writing projects, Ive had the good fortune of having three great friends edit and critique my work. They were Steve Satullo of Lanesborough, and Marc and Vivienne Jaffe of Williamstown. Without their able assistance, Id still have a stack of unpublished pages littering my floor. Q: Do you write a little every day, or at a specific time? A: No, I dont write every day. In fact, I can happily go for weeks without hitting the keyboard. Then, just as quickly, I find myself scribbling again. When I do write, Ill go at it with a cup of tea in the mornings, followed by something a little stronger in the evenings. Q: Youve written books about some interesting subjects. Where did your ideas come from? A: Ive been fortunate to have known many colorful characters over the years. Between my large and animated family, my hopping the globe in the Air Force, my 30-plus years working as an RN on the Jones Wing at Berkshire Medical Center, and many numerous moonlighting stints including being a bartender at the former LaCocina Restaurant in Pittsfield I can honestly say Ive met a wonderful stew of interesting folks. Q: Have you ever thought of writing a novel? A: No. My attention span would never allow it. Q: Why did you decide to walk a donkey along the entire Irish coastline? Why did you decide to turn it into a book? I walked my donkey, Missie, around the coast of Ireland in 1979 in order to know the country as well as I could in a year's time. But it was pure luck that I chose a donkey as my traveling mate. Little did I know that the Irish people had a special fondness for donkeys. Their affection, in turn, opened the gates (and pantries) of 188 farmhouses, North and South. Yes, Missie was both my calling card and meal ticket. The journey itself never fades from my memory, as I met nothing but kindness along the roads. I also learned many life lessons during my roundabout: the inherent goodness of people, the importance of trust, and the health benefits of a brisk daily stroll. I had little choice but to write this book. If I hadnt, Id feel as though I let myself down. It was too stupendous of a journey not to chronicle it in some way. Above all, it is a tribute to the Irish people. Q: How did you become a psychiatric nurse? Why did you decide to write about that experience? A: The thought of becoming a nurse came to me during my tour in Vietnam. While there, I read the book, The Night they Burned the Mountain, by Dr. Tom Dooley. His indefatigable work in Southeast Asia was my inspiration to take up the noble profession when I returned home. Following my discharge, I shortly entered the BCC nursing program on the G.I. Bill. After I graduated in 1974, Jones Two the psychiatric wing opened up at BMC, and I was quick to volunteer. Curiously, both my mother and my two aunts were psych nurses back in England during World War II. Author Description: An author is the creator of a written piece of content, such as a book, short story, article, screenplay, poem or play. It can also pertain to journalists, essayists and bloggers. Terms: The terms author and writer are often used interchangeably but there are subtle differences between them. Authors typically have written an original work that was published. Writers, on the other hand, are those who participate in the writing process. In other words, an author is usually a writer but a writer isn't necessarily considered an author. Types: Fiction authors write novels and short stories with invented people and events. Nonfiction writers research and write books or stories based on factual evidence or events. Financial compensation: Authors can be paid in several ways but most commonly they are paid through book advancements and royalty fees. How much an author makes depends on factors such as the number of books published, the publishing method, genre/topic and success of the book. The national average salary for an author is $41,837 per year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for writers and authors to grow 9 percent by 2030. Educational requirements: A college degree is not required to become an author, but a higher education can help develop the fundamentals of writing. Consider applying for colleges and universities with writing majors or disciplines related to your career interests. The experience provides you with samples that you can use to get an internship. Consider an associate's or a bachelor's degree in creative writing, English, literature, history, communications, liberal arts or journalism if you're pursuing a formal degree. Source: Indeed.com. Patients and colleagues alike encouraged me to write Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward. After working three decades on the Jones Wing, I had a bounty of stories to tell; some happy, some sad. When I finally sat down to write the memoir following my retirement in 2010, a number of past patients popped up vividly in my mind, as if saying, Tell my story, Kev, just the way it happened. Sadly, the majority of those patients are now deceased. Q: Your Irish heritage comes up a lot in your writing. What does it mean to you? A: My parents were both Irish-born, and no one could spin a tale quite like my dad with his rich brogue. Nor did the pair ever turn their backs on the Ould Sod, but would always remind us of their cherished days there. Over the years, Ive learned about the rich, oral tradition of the Irish storytellers, or seanchies, as theyre called. Being a diehard romantic, I like to imagine myself as being one of those storied tale-tellers. Q: What was your reaction to winning the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Award? A: I was thrilled to bits, although I initially thought the organizers had made a terrible mistake. Imagine, to be included with the likes of Jimmy Breslin, David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin! Winning the JFK award also gave me a tremendous boost of confidence, and made me feel, at last, like a genuine writer. Q: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to do what you do? A: Read! Read! Read! Regrettably, I didnt read enough in my early years which has hindered my writing in many ways. For instance, Id rather build a stone wall than tackle a transitional paragraph. For those interested in pursuing a writing career, I suggest you start by submitting short stories and essays to newspapers and small magazines, and put your grand opus aside until you gain some footing. For me, a letter to the editor in the early '80s paved my way onto The Berkshire Eagles op-ed page. Thankfully, Ive been there ever since. News Reporter Matt Martinez is a news reporter at The Berkshire Eagle. He worked at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, graduated Marquette University. He is a former Report for America corps member. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 BOZEMAN - If one thing was clear during a panel through Montana State University about the rental crisis, it was that Bozeman is not alone. Representatives from Missoula, Bend, Oregon and Boise, Idaho, all said that the rental crisis is a result of two things: a lack of supply and high prices. Sound familiar? Even though the cities are larger than Bozeman, all four have experienced recent growth. They also share a similar formula for a housing crisis, Bozeman City Commissioner Christopher Coburn said, referencing the amenity trap. It's this reality that when you have somewhere that is desirable to live that offers a lot of amenities that people want that that in itself can be a trap because more people come and are competing to use those amenities Coburn said. Every community on this call experiences that. The panel was held by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at MSU and featured Coburn, Nicki Olivier Hellenkamp with the city of Boise, Lynne McConnell from Bend and Emily Harris-Shears with the city of Missoula. Several of the speakers emphasized the importance of using partnerships to address the housing crisis. McConnell said a large part of her job in Bend is to work with developers, nonprofit, for-profit, to try to encourage the development of affordable housing and Olivier Hellenkamp pointed to a recent housing project in Boise that only came to fruition through partnerships between the city, county and other funding sources. Coburn noted he and other Bozeman officials often lobby developers about including affordable units in their buildings and that the city depends heavily on social services agencies like Family Promise or the Human Resources Development Council to support people experiencing homelessness. Several speakers noted the main solution theyre working on is to just help more housing get out of the ground. Olivier Hellenkamp said Boise has a density incentive to encourage developers to provide affordable units in exchange for being allowed to build denser. Building housing, as it turns out, takes a long time and it's really expensive, Olivier Hellenkamp said. That really is our area of focus is keeping an eye on that long game in terms of the supply of subsidized affordable housing. The speakers also touched on short-term rentals like AirBNBs and VRBOs. McConnell and Harris-Shears said the city is tracking the rentals but not finding they are a large part of the housing stock. Speakers also encouraged listeners to get involved in the overarching conversations around housing policies and growth. This problem was created by us over many, many years, and it is a problem of political will, McConnell said. This is a solvable problem. Its going to take us a while to get there but these are the discussions we need to keep happening. KAMIAH - The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will continue to offer free personal use firewood cutting permits in 2022. Existing permits expire December 31, 2022. Those wishing to cut firewood in 2023 need to acquire a permit from a Forest Service office on or after January 1. Permits are valid for one calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. Each permit is good for a maximum of 12 cords of firewood. In 2022, personal use firewood permits are available free of charge. To collect your firewood cutting permit, please call your local Forest Service office. Permits are available inperson by appointment or can be delivered via email or postal mail. Personal use firewood permits allow for the removal of downed timber or the cutting of standing dead trees for firewood on most areas of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The permits are also valid on other National Forest System lands in the Forest Services Northern Region, which includes north Idaho, Montana, and parts of the Dakotas. These permits do not allow for the collection of posts, poles, and rails, the cutting of green trees, or any commercial harvesting. They also do not apply to collecting products on public lands outside of the National Forest System. Firewood cutting permits arent necessary for small amounts of campfire kindling. Firewood taken from National Forests is for personal use only and cannot be sold. Remember to keep your permit with you at all times when harvesting and transporting firewood. Be prepared for your visit to the forest by being aware of weather and travel conditions in the area you are visiting and by bringing with you appropriate equipment and gear for your trip, including emergency preparedness gear. National Forest Visitor Maps ($14) and Motor Vehicle Use Maps (free of charge) are also available at Forest Service offices for your use. Please contact your local Forest Service office for more information about the personal use firewood program and to acquire your permit. Locations, phone numbers, and hours of operation for each office are available online on the forest website; please click here for contact information. Answering critical questions related to the use of AI to address health problems KnowDis, a New Delhi-based deeptech startup developing cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and applications, virtually hosted the fourth edition of KnowDis Machine Learning Day in collaboration with Yardi School of AI, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, on 14th October 2022. Renowned subject matter experts from IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, Harvard University and Google took part in this event. The conference explored the potential of AI/ML in improving human health and life, including industrial applications. For instance, Professor Milind Tambe of Harvard University and Director "AI for Social Good" at Google Research India, with Dr Aparna Taneja from Google Research India demonstrated the efficacy of AI tools in delivering maternal and child health programmes. On the other hand, Saurabh Singal, IIT Delhi & Carnegie Mellon alumnus, and Founder of KnowDis, revealed the research and application potential of AI for developing highly accurate and effective antibodies. The challenge in finding a cure resides in the nature of the disease causing antigens. The antigens causing neurodegenerative disorders are one of the most notorious since the proteins that make up these antigens are yet to be definitively mapped. Research so far shows us that these antigens are also shape shifters! This makes the synthesis of any potential antibody even more laborious, especially with the current set of tools and processes that exist in the world today. says Saurabh Singal. With the use of AI and advanced computational models, KnowDis hopes to be able to simulate potential antibodies which would have a high probability of success in combating the target antigens. However, such models do not yet exist. With this AI platform, drug discovery and drug design processes would advance a hundred years! The same processes that today take up to 3 years, would be possible in the span of a single day! concludes Singal. The award was given on 15 Oct 2022 at an event in Delhi in the presence of the Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal Pune-based Venture Center, a leading science-based business incubator hosted by CSIR-NCL, has been declared the winner of the National Intellectual Property Awards 2021 & 2022 under the category of "Best Incubator for Nurturing IP". This award is given by the Office of Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks. This award helps cement Venture Center's positioning as the top inventive enterprise incubator in the country. Soma Chattopadhyay, Head - Incubation & Mentoring, at Venture Center received the award at the hands of Piyush Goyal at the event in Delhi. The National Intellectual Property (IP) Awards are conferred every year to recognize and reward top achievers for their IP creations and commercialization, which have contributed towards strengthening the IP eco-system in the country and in encouraging creativity and innovation. Winners were chosen by a selection committee against comprehensive criteria, including but not limited to assistance in promotion, assistance in marketing, Licensing support, Assistance in fund raising, and Assistance in providing office space Venture Center operates a Regional Technology Transfer Office under the National Biopharma Mission and an IP Facilitation Center. In the last 15 years, Venture Center has supported 750+ startups in the fields of health, rehabilitation, agriculture, energy, environment, mobility, automation etc., In the last 4 years, Venture Center innovators filed 86 patent families and Venture Center facilitated 21 tech transfer arrangements. In the last 7 years, IP created by these startups have helped raise investments of about Rs 600 Crore and generate revenue exceeding Rs 1300 Crore. Catalysing more research and development of biopharmaceuticals in compliance with global regulatory framework in India Bengaluru-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platform (C-CAMP) has signed an agreement with Agilent Technologies to pave the way for research and technology development in the sector of biosimilars and biopharmaceuticals, a core strength of both the organizations. This agreement will primarily focus on mass spectrometry-based biotherapeutics/biosimilar characterization, a platform C-CAMP champions with its existing state-of-the art mass spectrometry facilities across proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, glycomics, and biologics research. Through this partnership, both organizations will leverage each others capabilities to hold joint training sessions and seminars for researchers across biopharma/ biosimilars startups and established companies. C-CAMP and Agilent will collaborate on product development and services for the biopharmaceutical industry, using the high-end scientific infrastructures and skill sets that both Agilent and C-CAMP share. Upon signing the agreement, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, C-CAMP CEO & Director commented, C-CAMP is steadily growing in the area of biopharmaceuticals and this partnership will greatly benefit the delivery of deep-science technologies to the biopharma sector. With this MoU, the startups associated with C-CAMP can easily access their high-end mass spectrometry solutions and technologies. Industry Interaction with Karnataka Govt for Bengaluru Tech Summit 2022 Department of Electronics, IT, Bt and S&T, Govt of Karnataka along with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is organising an Industry Interaction with Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Minister for IT, Bt, Science & Technology, Higher Education and Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood on Tuesday, 18th October at Leela Palace, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 7.00 PM onwards. This programme is a run up to the Asias largest and longest running Tech event Bengaluru Tech Summit organised by the Govt of Karnataka from 16th to 18th November at iconic Bangalore Palace. BTS 2022 is a grand showcase of IT, Deep Tech, Electronics, Telecom and Life Technologies and its impact on diverse industries. With delegations from 30 countries, 5000 registered industry delegates. including 2000 Startups, 350 domain experts from across the globe addressing over 70 sessions and over 600 exhibitors attracting 50000 visitors along with many networking programmes, awards functions, quiz competitions and workshops, hackathons and so on, this event is going to be the most fascinating Tech festival ever. We are pleased to invite you for the Industry Meet scheduled on 18th October to interact, network and know more about the Tech Summit. Date : Tuesday, 18th October, 2022 Venue: The Leela Palace, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110 023 Time : 7.00 pm to 8.30 followed by networking dinner. Register Now: https://bit.ly/bts2022crnd For any queries contact: Santosh, santosh.jagtap@mmactiv.com, +91 9686656016 To perform cell-based blood tests for personalized management of transplant rejection Plexision, a US-based biotechnology company, has initiated overseas operations with the establishment of a reference laboratory in Hyderabad, India. This laboratory will offer a comprehensive range of tests for transplant patients. These tests include the companys exclusive personalised transplant diagnostic tests to predict rejection and viral infections, as well as drug level monitoring, pharmacogenomics, and genetic testing. The companys products were showcased at the Annual meeting of the Indian Society for Organ Transplantation in Nagpur, India, this week, and will become available later this year. The success of anti-rejection medications depends on the unique metabolic, immunological and genetic makeup of each individual, said Ravi Mohanka, MD, President of the Indian Society of Transplantation, and Director of Liver Transplantation at the Sir H.N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Center in Mumbai, India. Plexisions test systems can define this complex makeup to personalise care and improve outcomes in the rapidly growing transplant recipient population in India said Rajeev Sindhi, CEO of Plexision. Former Malagasy Prime Minister Norbert Ratsirahonana speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Antananarivo, Madagascar, Oct. 7, 2022. (Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua) ANTANANARIVO, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) always adheres to the principle of "serving the people" and "strives to find all means to bring a better life for the Chinese people," former Malagasy Prime Minister Norbert Ratsirahonana has said. There is a "total symbiosis" between the CPC and the Chinese people, he told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview. Having made four visits to China, 83-year-old Ratsirahonana noted during his last trip in December 2019 that "the advances have been even greater," not least the increase in real estate infrastructure, the improvement of road networks and the beautification of cities. "China's growth rate has had an impact on the daily lives of the Chinese," he said. Thanks to the firm "political will" of the CPC, absolute poverty was eradicated in China, he said. The CPC, he said, not only listens to the interests of the Chinese people, but also promotes the common interests of all humanity. In today's turbulent world, China's proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind shows that it shoulders responsibilities not only at the national level, but also at the international level. By advancing this idea, China has shown its determination to contribute to world peace, he explained. "China is willing to share the benefits of its growth with other countries, with other populations that are still in poverty," he said. Ratsirahonana said China's help to Madagascar speaks to that truth. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, there have been relations of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation between Madagascar and China, he said, citing tangible aid provided by China in such fields as health, agriculture and infrastructure. Highlighting the technological cooperation between Madagascar and China in the field of hybrid rice, Ratsirahonana said, "such cooperation really touches the daily life of every Malagasy." He voiced his hope that China will continue to provide support, assistance and cooperation to help Madagascar achieve food self-sufficiency in the near future. Regarding the upcoming 20th National Congress of the CPC, Ratsirahonana said the decisions that will be taken during the meeting will affect not only the lives of the Chinese people but also the lives of other countries in the world. BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences Thursday to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari over a boat capsizing incident in Nigeria. In his message, Xi said he was shocked to hear about the boat capsizing incident in Nigeria's southern state of Anambra that caused heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended deep condolences over the victims and sincere sympathy to their families. Australian bus manufacturers, workers and energy experts have called on state governments to provide the industry with firmer guarantees about how many electric buses they will buy as Australias eastern states seek to replace thousands of diesel vehicles before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Victoria, Queensland and the ACT have committed to buying only zero-emission buses from 2025, while NSW plans for all buses in the greater Sydney region to be electric by 2035. Bus manufacturers say they can build hundreds of buses a year from tomorrow, but need more certainty from state governments who purchase and own most of Australias public bus fleet. The first of eight electric buses to be rolled out as part of the Victorian governments zero emission bus trial from November. Were ready to go now, said Mitch Peden, general manager at Volvo Buses Australia. Hopefully, government will give body builders assurance of supply to enable them to invest in renewable energy [and new technology] on their sites. Volvos all-electric bus chassis will be put to the test in Melbournes eastern suburbs from next month as part of the Victorian governments zero emission bus trial. The Victorian government said the trial would inform the transition of about 4000 diesel buses in the states public fleet, including about 2200 in regional Victoria, to zero emissions. In 2010, on the publication of his second work of popular art history, The Finger: A Handbook, he was asked to complete a lighthearted questionnaire for The Age. If you wrote a novel/your life story, what would the first line be? he was asked. His response: I am bad at making choices, but the first and evidently the shrewdest was my choice of parents. He died on October 8, at the age of 58, leaving a void in his family and a huge number of bereaved friends and former colleagues across three continents. Angus Trumble was a man of great talent as an art curator, a gallery director, a writer and a speaker, he combined extraordinary erudition with a rapier wit and an appetite for absurdity. He was born in Melbourne in 1964, the youngest of the four sons of Helen and Peter Trumble. He was proud of his pioneering Scots and Irish forebears and very close to his brothers, Nick, Simon and Hamish. Their upbringing combined affluence with a frugal outlook, full of games and holidays at Metung where the extended family gathered every year. Trumble loved his family deeply. His career in letters could be said to have started in 1981, when he won the Barry Humphries Prize for the Liberal Arts as a schoolboy at Melbourne Grammar. At the University of Melbourne, he transformed from a shy, awkward teenager into a debonair young scholar, famous for his wit and natty dressing. He formed a close friendship circle that he nurtured and who nurtured him throughout his life. After university came Rome and then Venice, where he was an intern at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and where he developed the expensive habit of getting his favourite paperbacks rebound in leather. The friends he made at the time, including myself, were in awe of his vast knowledge of art and history, which included bizarre anecdotes about obscure aristocrats, defunct religious orders and a connoisseurs appreciation of Italian aperitivi. Angus Trumble in 2014, while he was director of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen This polish and scholarship stood him in good stead when he returned to Melbourne and took up the position of aide-de-camp to the governor of Victoria, Dr J. Davis McCaughey, between 1987 and 1991, a position he relished. London: Robbie Coltrane, the baby-faced comedian and character actor whose hundreds of roles included a crime-solving psychologist on the TV series Cracker and the gentle half-giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, has died. He was 72. Coltranes agent Belinda Wright said he died on Friday at a hospital in his native Scotland, and did not immediately offer other details. She called him forensically intelligent and brilliantly witty in just one of many tributes made to him. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who decades ago had said Coltrane was her first choice to play Hagrid, tweeted Friday that he was an incredible talent, a complete one off. I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him, she wrote. AW: My colleagues and I agreed that we had no choice but to resort to what amounted to civil disobedience. A colleague went out, bought 1000 needles and syringes, and we started the exchange in Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. The Department of Health called me in and ordered me to stop. And I said to them that if I was going to get into trouble, I would go on television to explain why I was doing this and I was certain that the community would back me and wouldnt support the Department of Health. Police interviewed me, and at the end of the meeting, the lead detective said they had decided they would not press charges. Fitz: A decade later, against similar resistance, you started the supervised injecting room. AW: That was in the late 90s and the pastor of the Wayside Chapel, Reverend Ray Richmond, came to see me and described his own experience of the appalling epidemic of drug overdose deaths, particularly concentrated in the area around Kings Cross. The answer was obviously a medically supervised injecting centre as recommended by the 1997 Wood Royal Commission into Police Corruption. Again, there was heavy resistance, and again, I and some friends and colleagues agreed we had to resort to civil disobedience, and so we started operating a primitive medically supervised injecting centre in the basement of the Wayside Chapel which got it back onto the political agenda. It ended up with a conscience vote at the 1999 NSW Drug Summit, and the motion was carried. That centre operated by the Uniting Church has been open for just over 20 years and there hasnt been a single death from drug overdose in the facility, and the number of deaths and the number of ambulance call-outs for fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses in the area has substantially subsided. Fitz: In the course of putting forward these two counterintuitive proposals giving out clean needles and supervising injections to lawbreakers you must have been vilified on talkback, by letters to the editor and in personal confrontations? AW: Yes, but thats changed over time. Often, now, people are very generous to me. Fitz: These days you are still taking a little heat because of your advocacy of vaping. AW: Its all about harm reduction. Two-thirds of long-term smokers will die from smoking-related conditions, and each person who dies loses an average of 10 years of their lives. Smoking is the most important cause of preventable death and disease in Australia and worldwide. The 21,000 deaths from smoking in Australia every year are more than the combined deaths from alcohol, prescription and illicit drugs, road crashes, HIV and suicide. And along comes this invention by a Chinese pharmacist in 2003 that says right here, you can have all the nicotine you crave without the tar and carbon monoxide and other highly dangerous toxins. And though it is not without harm, it minimises over time the cancer, heart and lung deaths from smoking. President Biden will pardon those who, in the federal domain, have ever been convicted of possessing cannabis. Credit:AP Fitz: Which brings us to your long-time campaign to end the War on Drugs because it simply cant be won. You had a great breakthrough this week, with US President Joe Biden himself issuing a pardon for those who, in the federal domain, have ever been convicted of possessing cannabis. AW: Its very, very significant. Joe Biden, in the Senate for over 40 years, wrote more War on Drugs legislation than anyone else. He was a drug war warrior. So for him to be saying this is an acknowledgment that prohibition of drugs doesnt work; hes started a process which is irreversible. And for him to be saying this just before the midterm congressional elections also means he realises the politics of this is powerful the people agree with him and that will follow in Australia. Fitz: If I, however, may take on the persona of a rambunctious late-night talkback caller ... How dare Wodak be soft on drugs? Hes leading our kids to soft drugs and then theyll get to harder drugs! Loading AW: Well, that argument has been made for over half a century and now people realise its fallacious. Weve been searching for evidence for that for 40 years, and its clearly not true. These are standard arguments that transcend from one area of harm-reduction controversy to the next. So just think of the children is the other thing that people like me always have to face and ... Fitz: ... And wont you just think of the children, you bastard?! Seriously, whats your answer? AW: The answer is that we are much better off protecting young people if the government actually controls and regulates the whole drugs market. Fitz: Im mostly with you, but I have struggled in the past with your line that even things like ice and heroin should be legalised and regulated. Loading AW: Yes, but its a drug-by-drug argument. And the arrangements that youd make for heroin would be different from the arrangements that you make for, say, MDMA or mushrooms. Legalising heroin doesnt mean that you or I could go to the checkout counter in the supermarket and buy a kilogram of 100 per cent pure heroin or cocaine. Nobodys in favour of that. But users of drugs like heroin and ice would be identified, and they would be treated as having a health problem, not a criminal problem. Its coming up with an arrangement that is as safe as it can be, because there are very powerful market forces at work, and if you deny legal supply, then other sources of much more dangerous supply inevitably emerge. But the arrangements also have to be realistic and accepted by the community. Fitz: So, if you had your way, you would put the government in the ice business, manufacturing ice and selling ice to registered users? AW: Well, we started a program at St Vincents Hospital in 2006, lawfully prescribing a form of amphetamine, not ice itself but something similar. It wasnt easy to meet the criteria at all, but we did it very carefully, and each dose was supervised. We didnt hand it out in big boxes of amphetamine, but that careful program continues and has been improved. Fitz: Do you feel like youve lived long enough and worked long enough to see your lifes work being vindicated before your eyes? AW: Yes. Seven countries have now started regulating recreational cannabis, including a G7 country Canada as have 19 of the 50 states in the United States. The number of countries regulating cannabis is increasing all the time. In the Gallup poll in the United States conducted every year, they ask people if they support the legalisation of marijuana. In 1968, 12 per cent of people said yes. And in 2021 that number was up to 68 per cent. Yes, it is counterintuitive, but like all of these harm-minimisation programs, it is the best way, or really the least-worst way. The other ways demonstrably dont work. Fitz: Dr Wodak, on behalf of a mostly grateful population, if few others will say it, let me: thank you. Youre a national treasure and there must be tens of thousands of your fellow Australians walking around now who are either alive or with less damaged lives than they otherwise would have had, if not for the fearless and tireless work of you and your colleagues. AW: I really appreciate that. Youve no idea how difficult it has been to get our arguments out through mainstream media or, for that matter, through medical media. We have been completely blocked time and time again. And its monstrous. In public health, as in other areas, you have to be able to have polite, respectful debates between people with different views. And weve often not had that in the field of harm reduction. Ive had a privileged life and I believe if you accept the privileges you must accept the responsibilities. I think what Ive been doing is what most people would do if theyve seen what Ive seen. Joke of the week A philosopher and a theologian, both blind, are challenged to go into a pitch-black room and find a black cat that isnt there. The theologian finds him. Quote of the week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants to take away the backyard BBQ. We know Australians love their sausages, steaks, rissoles and lamb meals all of that will become out of reach for many. We do not want to see the Aussie BBQ available to only the rich we urge Labor to reject the methane madness idea and embrace the Aussie BBQ spirit instead of destroy it. - Nationals leader David Littleproud. First they came for our utes, and I said nothing. Then they came for our BBQs Tweet of the week Elon et al: We must give Putin an off-ramp. Ukrainians: Hold my beer. What they said Soften the blow. Joe Biden is too timid. Its time to legalise cocaine. The cost of prohibition outweighs the benefits. - The Economist on Thursday. The BBC has not come to me and said, Would you like to have some one-hour shows? And if they did, I would say, Not on your nelly because I wouldnt get five minutes into the first show before Id been cancelled or censored. - John Cleese, on joining GB News, Britains new right-wing TV network. I think the word should be accountability. John Cleese has been very public recently about complaining about what you cant say. It must be very hard to be a man of a certain age whos been able to say whatever he likes for years, and now suddenly theres some accountability. Its free speech, but not consequence-free. - Graham Norton in reply. Contrary to false and misleading reports, this meeting was not solely between myself and Warren Mundine, but with Senate crossbenchers and staff. The meeting was taken at the request of Mundine. We did not discuss support for a No campaign on Voice and I will not be campaigning No. - Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe. The unity that this community has shown, and the strength that its shown, is quite extraordinary. I pay tribute to you. Twenty years ago, the shockwaves from Bali reached our shores. Twenty years ago, an act of malice and calculated depravity robbed the world of 202 lives, including 88 Australians. Twenty years on, the ache does not dim. - Anthony Albanese in Coogee commemorating the Bali bombings. Registering a positive RAT through Service NSW allows us to connect people to medical care, particularly older people and the immunocompromised, and it also helps inform our ongoing public health response. - NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant, asking people to continue to report COVID positive results, despite the fact that the NSW government has scrapped mandatory reporting of positive rapid antigen tests (RATs). This mission shows that NASA is trying to be ready for whatever the universe throws at us. - NASA administrator Bill Nelson with the good news that a spacecraft which ploughed into a small, harmless asteroid millions of kilometres away succeeded in shifting its orbit. The space agency attempted the first test of its kind two weeks ago to see if in the future a killer rock could be nudged out of Earths way. My main piece of advice is to practise practice makes perfect. In the lead-up to the HSC exams, just do those past papers. Do one either Paper 1 or Paper 2 every two days. They are all available on the NESA website. Make sure you read your texts at least twice and try to identify any techniques or quotes in them. - How to come top in HSC English, by Michelle Ung, who took equal first in English Advanced in the 2021 HSC. Its a lumpy, pragmatic solution which does not consider its iconic location. What is offensive is that they dont think about this. Nobody is saying, Hey guys, this is a major gateway to the city. It is all business as usual without any thought of impact on the design of the bridge. - Stephen Pearse, an architect who has designed infrastructure for Sydneys Roads and Maritime Services, saying that five giant gantries and speed signs spanning all eight lanes proposed for the Anzac Bridge would ruin the simple elegance of the gateway structure which now allows for largely unimpeded views of the CBD and Harbour Bridge. The way that our gas industry regulation is set up has not been delivering the kinds of outcomes that we want to see. If you recognise that, and I do, then you recognise that if more can be done, it should be done. - Treasurer Jim Chalmers on the price of power. He is known as a pretty ruthless commander who is short with subordinates and is known for his temper. - Michael Kofman, director of Russia studies at CNA, a defence research institute based in Virginia, about General Sergei Surovikin, 55, the Russian commanding officer of Southern Military District, whose troops have been facing a fierce Ukrainian counteroffensive. Its pretty cool cause every other school doesnt get to see fire trucks with their teachers in them. - Noah Brown, of Bedgerabong, near Forbes, where the roads have been flooded for two months and the teachers are being taken to work by fire truck. George Streets transformation from a traffic-clogged arterial route to a destination in its own right is nothing short of remarkable. In a post-COVID world, the role of public space in the heart of our city is vital as we strive to ensure a thriving, liveable and accessible city for all. - Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore about plans to shut George Street to cars north of Wynyard. We have a three-month backlog on our more complex mechanical work as we cant find staff with the in-depth knowledge required to complete these jobs, he said. Virtue said the skills shortage was exacerbated by TAFE and private colleges not preparing apprentices for what the real life of a mechanic entails. Apprentice mechanic Xanthe Ba-Pe at CMR Automotive in Marrickville. Credit:Flavio Brancaleone Master Electricians Australia advocacy and policy manager Jason ODwyer said the national shortage of electricians is expected to worsen following the transition to renewables. Some employers wont allow their apprentices to pick up orders from warehouses to prevent them from being poached by rival businesses, he said. ODwyer predicted a shortfall of 25,000 electricians by 2030, with electricians, solar electricians, air con and refrigeration the hardest positions to fill. Loading Weve seen employers offer some surprising incentives, such as eight-day and nine-day fortnights, gym memberships, haircuts, nights out with their partner, as well as referral and sign on bonuses, which range from $1,000 to $10,000, he said. Pubs and restaurants are also luring workers with cash and other incentives. The Sydney Restaurant Group is offering $5000 sign-on bonuses and free wine courses for managers, waiters, bartenders, baristas, chefs and kitchen staff at venues including Ormeggio at The Spit, Aqua Dining in Milsons Point and Cafe Bondi. The Australian Venue Co., which operates venues such as The Winery, Bungalow 8 and Cargo, is offering paid training, a $100 pub voucher, free lunch and gift bag to successful applicants at casting calls in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Loading Solotel last year began offering sign-on bonuses up to $1000 and half-price food and drinks at venues such as the Opera Bar, Golden Sheaf Hotel and The Bank Newtown to new employees. Solotel chief executive Elliot Solomon said the incentives program had contributed enormously to recruiting staff. The hospitality group also brought forward the minimum wage increase for eligible staff to July rather than October 1 as the government required. Rockpool Bar & Grills executive chef Corey Costelloe last year told The Sun-Herald the restaurant was struggling to recruit staff despite paying dishwashers $90 an hour on Friday and Saturday nights. Loading Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive Belinda Clarke said hospitality workers were being paid well above normal award rates, with junior chefs attracting more than $100,000 a year. One kitchen hand in WA was poached by the mines for $150,000 a year as well, she said. For baristas, its now normal for them to make around $60 an hour on weekends. Clarke said employers were providing more training to people with less experience to get them up to scratch if they havent worked in the industry before. But United Workers Union executive director Dario Mujkic said hospitality remains an industry where workers are low-paid and poorly treated despite some venues offering sign-on bonuses and other inducements. Hospitality employers cant fill jobs because the industry expects workers to work unsociable hours on low wages with no job security, he said. Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said employers in the retail sector are offering sign-on bonuses, product discounts or paying for courses as job vacancies hit a record high of more than 46,000 in August, an increase of 14 per cent on the previous three months. Fashion brand Nude Lucy is offering a $1,500 sign-on bonus and $1000 gift voucher as part of its pitch to hire an area manager, while The Body Shop last year became one of the first major Australian retailers to adopt an open hiring process and not ask for a resume or reference. The editorial (West pleads for bigger slice of tourism pie, October 9) is justified in directing attention to Western Sydney. The need for planning has never been greater than at this time of record flooding and population growth. While flooding has taken centre stage, the extraordinary population growth of 27 per cent in five years between 2016 and 2021 barely rates a mention, despite many cautionary known-knowns. These include the fact that population simply cannot grow forever or the effect of growth on house prices, traffic congestion and numerous other population-driven infrastructure deficiencies that are expensive to fix. The human ecological footprint has been measured at over 170 per cent of renewable biocapacity. It is unsustainable at every spatial scale from global to local. Planning that is responsible to future generations and our life-supporting ecosystems must constrain this footprint. Stabilising our population size in growth areas such as Western Sydney must be a part of this. Alan Jones, Narraweena For a taste of greater Sydney, come out west in October for the Hindu festival of Diwali, celebrating the victory of light over darkness, the triumph of good over evil, and living together in harmony and joy. See streets, parks and shopping strips festooned with lights, lamps and bunting. Enjoy colour, costume, music, dance and fantastic food. Feast your senses and lift your hearts. Meredith Williams, Northmead Money wont future-proof wildlife With our appalling extinction statistics, I question whether any Australian government has a better than woeful track record on threatened species (States track record divides opinion, October 9). It seems positive that Labors Tanya Plibersek released a Threatened Species Action Plan, but without an immediate ban on native forest logging and reduction of land clearing, this offers little more than lip-service. Fortunately, a 20,000 signature-strong petition has forced native forest logging onto the NSW parliamentary table. No number of rewilding programs or amounts of funding support will give our sacrosanct wildlife the future they deserve if we cannot halt habitat destruction and climate change. Amy Hiller, Kew (Vic) Map shop loses its way A new round of increases to Queensland government fines, this time targeting e-scooters, will see riders charged up to $575 for speeding, and more than $1000 for holding a mobile phone. The reforms include speed-limit reductions, mandated warning bells, and a tiered system of fines for offences that didnt previously exist or were lumped into general categories of non-compliance. A sample of the ubiquitous e-scooters used to zip people around Brisbane footpaths. Credit:Toby Crockford From November 1, anyone caught travelling up to 13 kilometres above the new 12km/h speed limit on shared footpaths will face a $143 fine, Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced on Saturday. That rises to $215 for speeding up to 20km/h above the limit and continues to scale up to $575 for people daring to ride more than 30km/h over the limit. Women must perform at least 3 per cent of trade roles such as bricklayers and carpenters, 7 per cent of non-trade positions such as concreters and forklift operators, and 35 per cent of management and specialist labour roles on construction sites, the building equality policy mandates. But there are fears the construction industry will fail to meet the quotas which will be enforced from 2024 given the difficulties attracting and retaining women to the notoriously macho sector. The Building Equality Policy is important and transformational, says the incoming chair of Tradeswomen Australia, Kit McMahon. But if you just add up the numbers of all the projects that have got women going through them at the moment, there is no way its going to meet the target, she says. A sexist culture, unsafe work practices, long hours and lack of encouragement at secondary schools for girls to become tradies needs to be addressed before anything changes, she says. You can have all the programs in the world about attracting women to trades and I call it another pink boots campaign but thats actually not the challenge. The challenge is getting women to stay. According to census data released this week, in August last year just 13.9 per cent of Victorian construction industry workers were women, up from 12 per cent in 2016. But the industry-wide figures mask a huge disparity in the types of construction jobs undertaken by women. While women were far more likely to be employed in construction industry desk jobs, trades and technical roles remain heavily male-dominated. Just 4329 Victorian women in the industry were classified as technicians and trades workers, accounting for 3 per cent of the total (up from 2.2 per cent in 2016). There were only 509 female machinery operators and drivers, 1.3 per cent of the total. Yet women accounted for 78.4 per cent of clerical and administrative roles in construction and 38.3 per cent of sales roles. Bernie Nolan, the team leader at Hutchinsons Builders, which builds government schools, says two of five apprentices at Hutchinsons are female including Stephanie Castaldo, whom Nolan says has one of the best attitudes of any apprentice he has come across in 35 years and the company also has female project managers, design managers and contract administrators. With more females coming into the industry, our industry is far less aggressive. And I think it brings a balance to our construction sites that weve lacked, he says. Nolan says the skills shortage makes it even more critical to attract women to the industry. But he warns Hutchinsons will struggle to meet the female quotas, especially the 35 per cent in management and supervision roles, in the two-year timeframe. Joe Barr, the chief executive at John Holland, which is building stations and tunnels for the Metro Tunnel Project, says that 23 per cent of its team are women, above the national average. Our industry faces an enormous challenge to embed a culture where people feel safe, included and can develop rewarding careers, Barr says. The success of the Building Equality Policy is dependent on our industry and other stakeholders working collaboratively, enhancing education pathways for young people, and disrupting the usual approach to recruitment. John Holland CEO Joe Barr. Credit:Louise Kennerley A recent report by Apprenticeships Victoria suggests that progress finding 300 suitable trainees and apprentices in the construction industry, 60 per cent of whom must be women, had been slow. The government report, which was released in August but then was mysteriously removed from the internet, said out of 68 candidates who had applied for a traineeship, only one was hired, while out of 107 who applied for an apprenticeship, none were hired. More than 100 had now been hired, a state government spokesperson told The Age. Gary Workman is the executive director of the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN), the industry body contracted by the state government to find the 300 construction industry apprentices and trainees by May next year. Weve got to break down a lot of those stereotype barriers that some employers have around employing women, he says. The governments own women in construction strategy is blunt when explaining why female participation rates in the construction industry have not changed since the 1980s. Rigid work practices, a traditionally masculine or sexist culture, exclusion, gendered violence, inadequate work facilities and equipment and informal recruitment processes have all contributed to the low numbers of women working in construction, it said. Long work hours, little support to return to work after having children and even basic things, such as a lack of womens toilets on constructions sites and ill-fitting PPE, are also a turn-off. Anna Wright, 22, who comes from a farming family, is a first-year electrical apprentice working with Stowe Australia at the Domain site for the metro rail tunnel. Anna Wright is a first-year apprentice working on the metro rail tunnel project. My old man is a sparky and he suggested it to me, she says. I hadnt even thought of it as an option, but it combined all the things that I really loved about the work I was doing at the farm, and my interests, and I started an apprenticeship in January of this year and I would not look back. I absolutely love it. Wright says the men she works with are really supportive. But she says being a female construction worker can be challenging for some women. Ive experienced it a lot less coming from a country town and a farming background and working in shearing sheds, she says. You seem a bit tougher, so they dont give you as much crap. Some of the women have struggled a lot more than me, but were very lucky to have quite a lot of support. The women in construction strategy says trades must be promoted as a viable career option to girls in schools. Weve got to say to young women: If you choose to do a trade and you want to train as a carpenter or as a brick layer, you will have a meaningful career and probably own your own house and car by your early 20s while your counterparts may have HECS debts, says Rebecca Casson, the chairperson of the Building Industry Consultative Council, which oversaw development of the strategy. The strategy says industry must also attract more women and retain them by changing the culture and introducing more flexible work arrangements and child care. The BJPs ascendancy coincides with rapidly improving ties between India and Australia. The rejuvenated Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, involving India, Australia Japan and US, has become a key pillar in Australias foreign policy. Earlier this year India and Australia signed a landmark trade agreement which promises to boost trade. And yet, the BJP is not well known in Australia, especially in comparison with the Chinese Communist Party. So how did the BJP become such a political hit? The BJPs imposing HQ in downtown Delhi is a sign of its success. Credit:Matt Wade Modis popularity and the BJPs aggressive pro-Hindu politics have been crucial electoral assets. But political scientist and journalist Nalin Mehta argues in his new book The New BJP that the partys electoral success goes much deeper. The BJP was once seen as a party for city-based upper-caste voters but has now managed to broaden its appeal to lower-caste and other social groups at the village level. The BJP has become the most socially representative party in north India, bar Muslims, says Mehta. The BJPs election wins have also notably been in seats reserved for Dalits (formerly known as untouchables) and tribal (or indigenous) populations. Through a strategy of mergers and acquisitions, the BJP has further expanded politically into newer catchment areas geographically like Indias north-east, where Christian voters are significant and, in some states, constitute the majority. To achieve this the BJP enlisted party officials and local candidates from a range of social backgrounds, including women. It has also used welfare programs, focused on housing, sanitation and domestic gas supply, to create a new voting class of beneficiaries called labharthis and to target women voters. They have really changed the playing field and that is one reason more women, particularly in rural areas, are voting for them, says Mehta. Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, a former national vice-president of the BJP, claims all members have the opportunity to rise through the party ranks. BJP comes across as a party of dedicated and credible leaders and perhaps the only party that talks of politics of performance through good governance and development, he says. In BJP any of our volunteers can reach at the highest position in the party, unlike most other parties. Besides, BJP is a nation-first party with nationalism as its core value. Naturally, joining BJP becomes a hugely attractive proposition. Sahasrabuddhe, who has been personally involved in BJP membership drives, says a hallmark of the party is that members are active, not just limited to tokenism. India has undergone a digital revolution during the past decade, facilitated by very cheap mobile phone data. The BJP has skilfully harnessed this tool to recruit new party members, monitor party operations, mobilise voter support and attack political opponents. Mehta argues the BJPs sophisticated use of digital technology, especially social media, is at the heart of what helped turn it into the worlds biggest political party. Leveraging digital technology gave party leaders the ability to organise a large-scale campaign and verify the expansion in a way that was simply not feasible earlier, he writes. Sydney University political sociologist Salvatore Babones, who researches Indian democracy, says the BJP has been able to combine deep cultural connections to the Indian community with contemporary scientific political strategies. It is successful because it is, at the same time, organic and modern, he says. The surge in BJP membership was the outcome of two massive membership drives in 2014 and 2019. The second was combined with a village-level campaign to plant trees. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers celebrate in Lucknow, India, ahead of election results in March 2022 Credit:AP There are claims the BJPs membership data is exaggerated, but Mehta points out that even if one-third of the partys members are transient, the party would still be larger than the Chinese Communist Party by 20 per cent. The BJP has achieved its impressive membership despite a plethora of alternative political parties India is the worlds largest democracy, with more than 900 million registered voters at the last general election. The big difference between CCP and BJP is that the Chinese partys cadres are enlisted within a one-party state they dont have the option of joining any rival party, says Mehta. BJPs expansion in India, on the other hand, is within a multi-party democratic system. This is why BJPs cadre expansion on this scale, within an India where several states are not in its control and where it can often also suffer electoral reverses like it did most recently in West Bengal and in Punjab is staggering. Enthusiasm for the BJP extends well beyond the borders of India. Melbourne IT consultant Jay Shah is president of the Overseas Friends of BJP Australia, part of an international network which supports and sympathises with the party. We are all volunteers, he says. We are doing this as a passion. Shah even travelled to India before the past two general elections, in 2014 and 2019, to help campaign for the BJP. There are so many like me who went and campaigned for the party, he says, I didnt go to the big cities but to the villages it was an eye-opening experience. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the partys first prime minister. Credit:AP The BJP was founded in 1980 and gained electoral strength during the 1990s. The partys first prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, led a series of coalition governments between 1996 and 2004. With Modis electoral triumph in 2014 the BJP became the first party to win a national parliamentary majority in 30 years. The Modi government has introduced several significant economic changes including a Goods and Services Tax (GST), which simplified Indias fragmented network of indirect taxes, although some have been disappointed at the slow pace of major reforms. Amid vexed relations with China, Modi has sought to deepen relations with the US and other Indo-Pacific nations, including Australia. But international indicators show the health of Indian democracy has been declining since the BJP took office in 2014. The 2022 Freedom in the world report by American government-funded think tank Freedom House claims freedom in India has declined over the past decade. While India is a multi-party democracy, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has presided over discriminatory policies and a rise in persecution affecting the Muslim population, it says. India has more than 100,000 newspapers (including 36,000 weeklies) and over 350 TV news channels but the latest World Press Freedom Index, prepared by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, found Indias press freedom ranking fell in 2022. The report cited widespread violence against journalists, growing media partisanship and concentration of media ownership as reasons for the decline. Indias Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur rejected the reports findings, saying the methodology was questionable and non-transparent. He said the government was committed to ensuring the right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Indias constitution. Even so, the Economist Intelligence Units annual Democracy Index shows Indias ranking has waned markedly since peaking in 2014, the year the BJP won office. Loading The units latest report says there has been a serious deterioration in the quality of democracy under leader Narendra Modi, whose Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has presided over increased intolerance and sectarianism towards Muslims and other religious minorities and that a failure to crack down on the persecution of religious and other minorities by Hindu nationalists continues to weigh on Indias democracy score. To rise from the fringes of Indian politics to become the worlds biggest party has been a stunning achievement. But can Indian democracy flourish with a political behemoth like the BJP? Matt Wade visited India and attended the Australia India Leadership Dialogue as the guest of the Australia India Institute. ACCRA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Theodora Adomako-Adjei, the national coordinator of Ghana's handwashing campaign, urged sustained hand hygiene among the public to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases on Saturday. She made the remarks in Kumasi in southern Ghana on the occasion of observing the Global Handwashing Day, which falls on Saturday. The global campaign had been there long before the advent of COVID-19 and should be sustained, she said, urging the society not to take the practice solely as a COVID-19 prevention measure. She stressed that human hands attract germs, bacteria and viruses in daily activities. "This is the fundamental reason hand hygiene should be a daily practice for everybody. Whether there is COVID-19 or not, every individual must adopt it," she said. Also as the extension services coordinator at the state-run Community Water and Sanitation Agency, she expressed her regret that many Ghanaians had relaxed in their observation of hand hygiene. Moreover, she said handwashing facilities that used to be in place at public institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic had been removed, with some becoming part of obsolete equipment to be discarded. "If we stop practicing good hand hygiene, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, and all the other public health infectious diseases, would return, and that will be disastrous," she added. Russian media reports said some of those who were mobilised were sent to combat without receiving proper training and were quickly killed. Authorities have acknowledged the mobilisation was often poorly organised and promised to improve the situation. Russias defence ministry said two men fired at troops at a Russian military firing range near Ukraine. Credit:AP During a firearms training session with individuals who voluntarily expressed a desire to participate in the special military operation (against Ukraine), the terrorists opened fire with small arms on the personnel of the unit, Russian news agency RIA cited a defence ministry statement as saying. Oleksiy Arestovych, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in a YouTube interview that the attackers were from the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan and had opened fire on the others after an argument over religion. Tajikistan is a predominantly Muslim nation, while around half of Russians follow various branches of Christianity. The Russian ministry had said the attackers were from a nation in the Commonwealth of Independent States, which groups nine ex-Soviet republics, including Tajikistan. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the comments by Arestovych, a prominent commentator on the war who appears in the media on an almost daily basis. The attack took place a week after a blast damaged a bridge in Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. Earlier in the war, Russias flagship in the Black Sea blew up and sank. Russia has lost ground in the nearly seven weeks since Ukraines armed forces opened their southern counteroffensive. This week, the Kremlin launched what is believed to be its largest coordinated air and missile raids on Ukraines key infrastructure since Russias invasion of Ukraine on February 24. In the continuation of those attacks, a missile strike Saturday seriously damaged a key energy facility in Ukraines capital region, the countrys grid operator said. Following mounting setbacks, the Russian military has worked to cut off power and water in far-flung populated areas while also fending off Ukrainian counterattacks in occupied areas. In the Zaporizhzhia region, Governor Oleksandr Starukh said the Russian military carried out strikes with suicide drones from Iran and long-range S-300 missiles. Some experts said the Russian militarys use of the surface-to-air missiles may reflect shortages of dedicated precision weapons for hitting ground targets. Dmytro Pocishchuk, a hospital medic in the Zaporizhzhia regions capital who has treated dozens of people wounded during Russian attacks in recent weeks, said people sought safety outdoors or in his buildings basement when the familiar blasts started at 5.15am on Saturday (Ukraine time). Loading If Ukraine stops, these bombings and killings will continue. We cant give up to the Russian Federation, Pocishchuk said several hours later. He put a small Ukrainian flag on the broken windshield of his heavily damaged car. Kyiv region Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said the missile that hit a power facility on Saturday morning didnt kill or wound anyone. Citing security, Ukrainian officials didnt identify the site, one of many infrastructure targets the Russian military tried to destroy after an Oct. 8 truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Ukrainian electricity transmission company Ukrenergo said repair crews were working to restore electricity service, but warned residents about further possible outages. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidents office, urged residents of the capital and three neighbouring regions to conserve energy. Putin may hope that by increasing the misery of the Ukrainian people, President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy may be more inclined to negotiate a settlement that allows Russia to retain some stolen territory in the east or Crimea, said Ian Williams, a fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a policy organisation based in Washington. A quick look at history shows that the strategic bombing of civilians is an ineffective way to achieve a political aim. This weeks wide-ranging retaliatory attacks, which included the use of self-destructing explosive drones from Iran, killed dozens of people. The strikes hit residential buildings as well as infrastructure such as power stations in Kyiv, Lviv in western Ukraine, and other cities that had seen comparatively few strikes in recent months. Putin said Friday that Moscow didnt see a need for additional massive strikes but his military would continue selective ones. He said that of 29 targets the Russian military planned to knock out in this weeks attacks, seven werent damaged and would be taken out gradually. The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, interpreted Putins remarks as intended to counter criticism from pro-war Russian bloggers who largely praised the resumption of strikes against Ukrainian cities, but warned that a short campaign would be ineffective. In the southern Kherson region, one of the first areas of Ukraine to fall to Russia after the invasion and which Putin also illegally designated as Russian territory last month, Ukrainian forces pressed their counteroffensive on Saturday. Loading Kyivs army has reported recapturing 75 villages and towns there in the last month, but said the momentum had slowed, with the fighting settling into the sort of gruelling back-and-forth that characterised Russias months-long offensive to conquer Ukraines eastern Donbas region. On Saturday, Ukrainian troops attempted to advance south along the banks of the Dnieper River toward the regional capital, also named Kherson, but didnt gain any ground, according to Kirill Stremousov, a deputy head of the occupied regions Moscow-installed administration. The defence lines worked, and the situation has remained under the full control of the Russian army, he wrote on his messaging app channel. Washington: US President Joe Biden on Friday called on leaders in Iran to end the violence against its own citizens. Women should be able to wear in Gods name what they want to wear, he said, during a speech at Irvine Valley Community College in California. US President Joe Biden has expressed support for Irans women. Credit:AP Iran has to end the violence against its own citizens simply exercising their fundamental rights, Biden said. The protests mark one of the boldest challenges to Irans clerical rule since the 1979 revolution, even if the unrest does not seem close to toppling the system. In Iran, the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that no one should dare think they can uproot the Islamic Republic, in his toughest warning to protesters since Mahsa Aminis death in police custody ignited nationwide unrest now in its fourth week. Washington: Elon Musk said on Friday his rocket company SpaceX cannot indefinitely fund its Starlink internet service in Ukraine, which has helped the countrys civilians and military stay online during the war with Russia. Musks comment on Twitter came after a media report that SpaceX had asked the Pentagon to pay for the donations of Starlink. The billionaire has been in online fights with Ukrainian officials over a peace plan he put forward which Ukraine says is too generous to Russia. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink internet satellites lifts off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in September. Credit:AP A senior defence official told reporters on Friday that the US Department of Defence would not confirm that ongoing talks with the company were related to payment, but said the Pentagon was continuing to talk to SpaceX and other companies about SATCOM capabilities. The Starlink communications platform has been very exceptionally effective on the battlefield allowing Ukrainians to support multiple device connections in the combat environment, a senior US military official said. Leading milk suppliers and have increased prices of full cream milk by Rs 2 per litre citing a rise in input costs. Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets milk under the brand, has hiked the prices of Gold (full cream) and buffalo milk by Rs 2 per litre each across all markets except for Gujarat. Following Amul's decision, also announced an increase in prices of full-cream milk and cow milk by Rs 2 per litre in Delhi-NCR and some other markets in North India with effect from October 16. Mother Dairy's full-cream price has been revised to Rs 63 per litre from Rs 61 per litre while cow milk rate has been hiked to Rs 55 per litre from Rs 53 per litre. This is the third hike by both the leading players this year -- a move that will impact household budget. Rates were raised by Rs 2 per litre for all variants in March and August as well. Dairy firms have attributed the rise in to an increase in their procurement cost of raw milk. Milk producers/farmers have raised rates of raw milk as fodder and cattle feed have become dearer. "Prices have been increased by Rs 2 per litre for Amul Gold and buffalo milk due to increase in fat prices," Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) managing director R S Sodhi told PTI. The prices have been raised for all markets except Gujarat, he added. Gujarat will soon go to state assembly elections. Apart from Gujarat, GCMMF mainly sells milk in Delhi-NCR, West Bengal and Mumbai. The cooperative sells more than 150 lakh litres of milk per day and out of the total quantity, Delhi-NCR accounts for nearly 40 lakh litres per day. is a leading milk supplier in the Delhi-NCR market and sells more than 30 lakh litres per day in poly packs and through vending machines. "The dairy industry has been experiencing a consistent surge in raw milk prices, which has increased by about Rs 3 per kg in the last two months alone, owing to a multi-fold increase in varied input costs," a Mother Dairy spokesperson said. Increased fodder prices and low rainfall in some northern states have aggravated the situation, the company said. "We are therefore compelled to revise prices to support farmers and ensure the availability of quality milk for consumers. In our endeavour to limit this impact on consumers, we are only revising the prices of full cream and cow milk variants by Rs 2 per litre. The revision in these two variants is effective from October 16, 2022," the spokesperson said. GCMMF and Mother Dairy pass on about 75-80 per cent of prices paid by consumers for milk and milk products to the milk producers. (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.) Recently, Kaivalya Vohra, the 19-year-old co-founder and CTO of grocery delivery startup Zepto, was in the for making it to the richest Indians list released by the research firm Hurun India in partnership with the wealth management firm IIFL Wealth. In an interview with Business Standard's Anjana Kumari, Vohra talks about dropping out from Stanford and starting his venture, the current startup scenario and the future of quick commerce in India. Read the edited excerpts: How did you conceive the idea of 10 minutes of groceries? Our journey started during the Covid-19 pandemic. The interest in groceries as a space came from the first wave of the pandemic, where the online platforms had slots six-seven days away, and the people working at the local stores had gone back to their villages. We experienced that getting groceries on time was not easy. It started as a curiosity as to why things are like this and then evolved into asking ourselves if there is anything we can do about it. From mid-2020 onwards, we tried to find a solution to this problem. This led to the launch of Zepto. What motivated you to start your own business after dropping out of Stanford University? Initially, we were taking some time off and knew that the university would be online, so we decided to take a gap year. By the time our gap year ended, we had already raised quite a lot of capital and were scaling beyond Mumbai. It was a no-brainer at that point if we would like to pursue our studies or scale up Zepto. How did your family react to you dropping out of Stanford? Convincing our parents was the most challenging part, but I was clear that this was the right call. Initially, they were sceptical of me not getting a degree. But they gave in as they witnessed the business growing well. What do you think about the current startup ecosystem in India? It's a very exciting time in India. We are the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. The change has been commendable over the last 1015 years. We are moving forward from providing services to building products. With the increasing middle-class population, we have started consuming much more. I am very sure that the next decade will be India's decade of rapid innovation. How do you plan to combat competition from Blinkit, which Zomato recently acquired? The quick commerce space is at a very early stage in India. Many players have tried to enter the space and have already left the market. The market leader in this space will be the player that can execute the best at multiple levels, be it quality, availability, an internal supply chain, or a good customer support system. In the last couple of months, we have rapidly expanded our assortments and the number of categories. For example, Zepto Cafe is one segment we are scaling up. You started Zepto in the middle of the pandemic when people were not so eager to go out, but now the situation is changing with everything opening up. How do you plan to continue with the momentum? One thing is for sure, people's behaviour has fundamentally changed since Covid. When we started this out, nobody thought that 10-minute delivery would be a thing, and now we have reached a point where this is the fastest-growing space. There are multiple players, and millions of customers have started using the service. The consumer shift that happened during Covid in terms of ordering online is here to stay with the convenience that quick commerce brings in. The safety of delivery executives has been a concern across quick-commerce delivery apps. How do you tackle the issue? The safety concern of delivery executives is generally a misconception. People believe that quick commerce is faster because the delivery executives are asked to drive fast. More than anything else, quick commerce is built on the model of short distances. Our average distance from one of our delivery hubs to any customer is around 1.7 km, which is much lower than any hyper-local delivery player in the country. Most accidents happen mainly on highways and main roads. Given that our network of delivery hubs is set up in individual neighbourhoods and the people ordering are from the same neighbourhoods, the roads that our delivery partner drives on are mostly internal roads, which reduces the probability of accidents. What's next for Zepto? Are you planning to enter India's tier 2 and tier 3 cities? Our growth can be split into two parts: geographical expansion, like discovering more people and launching in more cities. Today, we are primarily in metro cities, and in the coming months, we will get deeper and deeper into the country. There is a lot of scope for quick commerce in India. The second part would be more on the customer experience side in terms of launching new categories adjacent to groceries, be it kids' toys, cosmetics, or stationery, and expanding our assortments by leveraging our existing delivery network. Hundreds of protesting displaced Kashmiri Pandit employees, who are seeking their relocation from the valley, on Saturday blocked Jammu-Akhnoor road to protest the latest targeted killing of their community member by terrorists in the valley. Puran Krishan Bhat was fired upon by terrorists near his residence in the Chowdhary Gund area of south Kashmir's Shopian district this afternoon, resulting in his death. The Pandits, employed under Prime Minister's employment package, are on protest at relief commissioners office in Jammu over the past five months following the killing of their colleague Rahul Bhat in Kashmir last May. As the news of the latest killing of Kashmiri Pandit broke out, they came out of the protest site and marched towards the main road and blocked the highway, amid high pitch sloganeering to denounce the target killings by terrorists and the alleged failure of the government to deal with the situation. Our worst fears have once again come true with the latest killing. We have already fled the valley otherwise we feel many of us have been done to death, one of the protesters, Nikhil Kaul said. He said they have been saying that the situation in the valley is not safe for them but this government remained unmoved and paid no heed to their pleas for relocation. Yogesh Pandit, another protester, said the administration is trying to pressure them to rejoin their duties by issuing death warrants in the form of making biometric attendance mandatory and stopping their salaries. The killing of Bhat exposed the government claims about the improved security situation in the valley. We will not return till the situation becomes normal in true sense, he said. Pandit said they have tried to reach the government through memorandums and protests for their relocation from the valley following the series of targeted killings over the past one year. This government is deaf, dumb and blind, the agitated Pandit said, asking what was their fault for which they are being brutally killed by terrorists. Rashtriya Bajrang Dal activist also joined the protesters and set ablaze an effigy of Pakistan to condemn the frequent target killings by terrorists in the valley. (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.) Shenzhou-14 crew gives first lecture from Wentian lab module 11:05, October 15, 2022 By Yu Jianbin, Wu Ya'nan ( People's Daily Taikonauts of the Shenzhou-14 crew Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe delivered their first live class from China's space station on Oct. 12 to students on Earth. Liu Yang, a taikonaut of the Shenzhou-14 crew, performs an experiment in China's space station during the third lecture of the Tiangong Classroom lecture series, Oct. 12, 2022. (Screenshot of the Tiangong Classroom) It is the first space lecture from the Wentian lab module, the first lab module of China's under-construction space station launched in July. The "Tiangong Classroom" series is a well-known national brand for science popularization jointly held by multiple departments of China. It presents to students the mystery of the universe and brings to them the pleasure of exploration, so as to inspire their passion for space and science. The previous two lectures of the series delivered by the Shenzhou-13 crew were widely applauded. The third lecture continues the interactive way between the Wentian lab module and the Earth. The three taikonauts "swam" into the lab module and showed the magical microgravity environment in space. Chen and Liu introduced scientific cabins in the module as Cai filmed. Chen introduced the scientific glove cabin, which could provide an airtight and clean operation space in the lab module, making experiments easier and more controllable. Students of a primary school in Danzhai county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou province, watch the live class of the Tiangong Classroom lecture series in a classroom, Oct. 12, 2022. (People's Daily Online/Huang Xiaohai) The life and ecology experiment cabin presented by Liu in the module is like a "space hotel" for species. It is used to study the influence of microgravity and radiation on life in space. "The results of the experiments in this cabin will help mankind make the Moon and even Mars a long-term habitat," Liu said. Chen also presented a biological technology experiment cabin, noting that it is a fully automated mini biological lab in space. It could perform experiments such as cell proliferation and differentiation, and display the process of cell sample changes in real-time. After the introduction, the "space teachers" began to demonstrate experiments and collect plant samples in space. In a capillary effect experiment presented by Chen, the liquid level in a thin tube rose at a speed that was much faster without gravity than that on Earth. Liu sipped mango juice with a two-meter straw to show the students the motion and vibration of liquid in a microgravity environment. "I had grown lettuce in Tiangong-2 space lab and recently ate some planted by Cai," said Chen, while sampling thale cress plants and performing cryopreservation of the samples in their growing state in space. He said all the collected samples would be preserved in a storage area with a temperature of minus 80 degrees Celsius. When the crew returns to the Earth, the samples will be handed to scientists for further research. Students of a primary school in Jin'an district, Lu'an, east China's Anhui province, watch the live class of the Tiangong Classroom lecture series in a classroom, Oct. 12, 2022. (People's Daily Online/Tian Kaiping) Chen was wearing a pair of mixed reality goggles when performing experiments. The goggles could enable him to work more efficiently and present students with a better view to observe the experiments. During the question and answer section, the three taikonauts answered a number of questions raised by the students in biology and astronomy. At the end of the class, the trio expressed their expectations for the students on Earth. "The Mengtian lab module will be launched into orbit soon, and we will witness the historical moment when China's space station is fully completed," Chen said. "We expect you guys to build our space home better in the future." (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) ISLAMABAD, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has continued to witness an increase in dengue fever cases and two more related deaths were most recently reported in the South Asian country. The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and the southern Sindh province each reported one new death, the provincial health authorities said on Friday. In the KP province, 382 more people were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne disease, the provincial health department said on Friday night. The number of active cases in the province currently stood at 2,326, while the total number of cases this year reached 13,603. Sindh reported 376 new infections, the provincial health department said on Friday night. The worst-hit area was Karachi, the provincial capital, which reported 242 new cases. With the newly-reported dengue cases, the October figure to date for the province has risen to 4,593, bringing the total local tally to 14,747 this year. The eastern Punjab province reported 302 new cases, the provincial health authorities said on Friday. Punjab's capital Lahore reported 150 new cases, followed by Rawalpindi city with 61 cases. The total number of dengue cases in Punjab this year has now gone up to 10,427. The national capital Islamabad reported 106 new dengue cases, the health authorities said on Friday night. The city's total tally has risen to 3,621 this year. In severe cases, dengue can cause joint pain, nausea, vomiting, rashes, breathing problems, hemorrhaging and organ failure. A Bangalore-bound from here returned to the city airport due to a burning smell in the cabin, which later turned out to be due to a bird strike, a DGCA official said on Saturday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is looking into the incident, the official said. "The aircraft VT-YAE, operating AKJ1103 from Mumbai for Bangalore was involved in air turnback due to the burning smell felt in the cabin. The smell increased as the thrust was increased, said the official, adding that no other abnormality including in engine parameters was observed. " QP 1103 flying from Mumbai to Bengaluru on October 14 diverted back to Mumbai due to odour in the cabin resulting from a bird hit. The aircraft landed safely in Mumbai and all passengers were deboarded," said Akasa Air spokesperson. "The aircraft was positioned for a detailed inspection and has now returned to service," he added. Akasa Air started its operations on August 7 this year. Union Home Minister said Non Resident Gujaratis (NRGs) have played a big role in the repeated victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in and appealed to them to become messengers to spread the message of the party and Prime Minister in the state's villages. Virtually addressing a gathering of NRGs at the launch of the three-day 'Pravasi Gujarati Parv 2022', Shah said wherever Gujaratis have settled they have made those nations proud and have contributed to the development of not just the country but the entire world. "From 1990, whenever elections were held, the people of have made win. NRGs have played a big role in this victory. I know your message is of great importance in your village," Shah said in his video message. "The government has worked to develop Gujarat, and Narendrabhai has given global identity to . Let us all continue this journey. In the 2022 election, I appeal to you to spread the message of and Narendrabhai and the development of the country to the villages by becoming the ambassadors of the BJP," Shah said. Shah said Modi as Gujarat chief minister gave a new direction to development and worked to raise the trust that electoral politics was possible without the evils of dynasty, casteism and appeasement. Modi showed how to convert crisis into opportunity, how to improve law and order and make the state curfew-free with zero tolerance towards terrorism and showcase our cultural heritage before the world without reluctance. "When Modi became chief minister of Gujarat, a large part of the country had lost trust in the democratic system. Many areas remained underdeveloped, and many felt the democratic system was not for them. Modi realised the dream of the welfare state of the makers of our Constitution," he said. Shah said Modi understood the state should be for the welfare of everyone, especially the poorest of the poor and worked towards it, adding that the PM's achievements included ensuring vaccination for all and provision of free grains to the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic. "He introduced the politics of performance. Those who will perform will be elected by the public. Today all dynastic parties are getting defeated by the BJP. Casteism was also removed and it was evident from the victory of BJP for the second time in Uttar Pradesh," Shah claimed. Hailing Gujarat as the biggest example of zero tolerance towards terrorism, Shah also attacked the Congress and other "so-called secular parties" for not showcasing the state's cultural heritage. "Modi gifted the Gita to world leaders who came to meet him. He also ensured the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute was resolved peacefully, constitutionally and without any violence. Before 2024, we will all see a towering Ram Mandir," the Union minister asserted. He hailed the PM for India becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, in the process "becoming a bigger economy than those who ruled us (United Kingdom)". Under the prime minister, the country was doing robustly in foreign direct investment (FDI), exports, start-ups, opening bank accounts for direct benefit transfer to the poor, which had made India the favourite spot for investors. India was now moving ahead to become the manufacturing hub of the world, whereas the United Progressive Alliance government of Congress' Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh was afflicted with policy paralysis, Shah claimed. While terrorists struck routinely under Congress rule, violation of India's borders was not possible today as it would be met with punishing air and surgical strikes, Shah said. "As a Gujarati I am also proud Gujarat has launched a change in the country. Gujarat has worked to lay the plinth of holistic development in the country, which is moving ahead under Modi's leadership," he said. The three-day 'Pravasi Gujarati Parv 2022' has been organised by TV9 Network and AIANA. (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.) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday welcomed the decision of the to suspend the Bombay High Court's order of acquitting former Delhi University professor G N and others in a Maoist links case. The top court on Saturday rejected Saibaba's request to order his release from jail due to his disability and health conditions and put him under house arrest after the Maharashtra government opposed the prayer, saying that nowadays, there is a new tendency of "urban naxals" to seek house arrest. The high court had acquitted and others in the case on Friday. Speaking to reporters at the Nagpur airport, Fadnavis said, "I am satisfied with the apex court's decision to suspend the high court order on professor G N . Yesterday, I had said that the high court decision was surprising and shocking for us, because releasing a person on technical grounds, against whom there was ample evidence of directly helping Maoists, was wrong. Hence, we approached the SC yesterday itself." The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former chief minister said he was thankful to the top court for forming a bench on Friday and suspended the high court order. "We will fight the legal battle ahead," he said, adding that the SC decision would provide a relief to the families of the policemen that were martyred in attacks by Naxalites. More than eight years after his arrest, the Nagpur bench of the had on Friday acquitted Saibaba in a Maoist links case for want of valid sanction for prosecution under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The HC also allowed the appeals filed by five other convicts, acquitting them of all charges. Following the HC order, the prosecution had moved the apex court against the acquittal. Saibaba, 52, is lodged at the Nagpur central jail following his arrest in May 2014. (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 Saturday dismissed five employees for activities. An official statement said, "Government has ordered dismissal of five employees under Article 311 of the Constitution of India for their involvement in activities." "Article 311 of the Constitution of India, provides for dismissal of a person employed in civil capacities under union or a state". "The activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they have been found involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the security of the state," the statement read. Tanveer Saleem Dar, constable in Auxiliary Wing of J&K police, Syed Iftikhar Andrabi, VLW, Rural Development Department (Panchayat Secretary), Irshad Ahmad Khan, Orderly cum Chowkidar in Jal Shakti Department, Baramulla, Afaq Ahmad wani, Manager Baramulla Central Cooperative Bank Ltd, and Abdul Momin Peer, Assistant lineman, PHE Sub Division Handwara, are the employees against whom action has been taken. "Government has adopted a Zero tolerance policy towards elements who have been taking refuge as being associated with the Government machinery. Prior to these five dismissals, 39 government officials have been dismissed invoking provisions of Article 311 of constitution of India. In future also the Government will not hesitate in taking stern action against these anti national elements," it said. --IANS sq/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.) LIVE news updates: Lok Sabha MP on Friday said if elected president, he will take everyone along and maintained the Gandhi family can not be kept away from party affairs. Addressing a press conference here, Tharoor said he was gladdened by the reception he has received from party workers in Madhya Pradesh and admitted he did not get such a welcome in other states which he toured as part of his election campaign for the top party post. Russian President on Friday said that any direct contact or direct clash of NATO troops with the Russian army would lead to a "global catastrophe". Addressing the news conference in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, Putin said, "In any case, direct contact, direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who are saying this are smart enough not to take such a step." India is emerging as a powerful country and under the leadership of Prime Minister it will certainly become a superpower in the future, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Friday. India and China agreed on Friday to hold the next round of military-level talks at an early date to resolve the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh and create conditions for the restoration of normalcy in the bilateral ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The Excise department of Delhi government on Saturday destroyed 5,516 litres of smuggled illicit liquor seized by its enforcement teams in recent months, officials said. According to the Excise department, 3,267 litres of illicit liquor was destroyed in Mayur Vihar, 1,285 litres in Sarita Vihar and 964 litres in Tilak Nagar. A large number of liquor bottles were spread on concrete stretches and a road roller was used to crush them, they said. "Seizure of liquor smuggled into Delhi and its destruction is a routine exercise," said a senior Excise department official. The enforcement activity by the department will pick up further once Delhi Police personnel are deputed at its Excise Intelligence Bureau (EIB), officials said. Thirty nine police personnel deployed at EIB were repatriated to Delhi Police in August. The move came on the heels of a CBI probe recommended by the LG VK Saxena into alleged irregularities in implementation of now scrapped Excise Policy 2021-22. Among the repatriated officials were seven sub inspectors, 16 head constables and remaining were constables. Those police personnel were working at EIB even after completing their deputation period. It is hoped that the Delhi Police will send fresh personnel in coming days so that enforcement activity picks up, they said. Delhi shares a highly porous border with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana with multiple entry points. (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.) Over 60 of Government Middle School in Tamil Nadu's Hosur were admitted to the hospital after they complained of vomiting. District Commissioner of Krishnagiri said a probe is being held into the matter. "More than 60 of Government Middle School were rushed to hospital after they complained of vomiting. Earlier today 67 received treatment at the hospital, none of them is in serious condition. Hosur Corporation and Pollution Control Board are probing the reason for the incident," the Deputy Commissioner 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.) Prime Minister will launch subsidised bags under a single brand 'Bharat' as part of the 'One Nation, One Fertiliser' scheme and inaugurate 600 PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras at a two-day event starting October 17 in the national capital. At the event to be held at Mela ground in Pusa complex, Modi will also electronically transfer Rs 16,000 crores to the bank accounts of over 8.5 crore farmers as part of the scheme, aimed at providing direct support of Rs 6,000 annually to them. The PM will also unveil an international weekly fertiliser e-magazine called 'Indian Edge' and inaugurate an agri-startup conclave and exhibition at the event 'PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022' organised jointly by Agriculture and Fertilser Ministries. Briefing reporters, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said in a biggest move in fertiliser sector, all subsidised soil nutrients -- urea, Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MoP) and NPK -- will be marketed under a single brand 'Bharat' across the nation. The PM will be launching 'Bharat bags' during the event, he said and added the government is making it mandatory for companies to market subsidised fertilisers under 'Bharat' brand. This is being done as part of the 'One Nation, One Fertiliser' (ONOF) scheme of the Fertiliser and Chemicals Ministry with an aim to prevent criss-cross movement of fertilisers and reduce high frieght subsidy, he added. During the event, the PM will also inaugurate 600 PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK) that will act as a one-stop-shop providing multiple services to the farmers. At present, fertiliser retail shops in the country are company managed, cooperative shops or retailed to private dealers. These retail shops will now be converted into PM-KSK. Tomar said the government plans to convert at least one retail shop at each district level to a model shop. The plan to is covert 3,30,449 retail fertiliser shops into PM-KSK. PM-KSK will not only supply agri-inputs like seeds, fertilisers and farm implements, but also provide testing facilities for soil, seeds and fertilisers, besides information about government schemes, he said. On the occasion, Tomar said, the PM will also release 12th installment amount of Rs 16,000 crore to over 8.5 crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme of the agriculture ministry. With this, the total amount transferred to the beneficiaries is expected to cross well over Rs 2.16 crore, he said. Under the PM-KISAN, launched in February 2019, eligible farmers are provided a benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each, every four months. Further, the PM will also inaugurate the 'Agri Startup Conclave and Exhibition' during the event, in which 1,500 agri-startups are expected to participate and hold technical sessions. About 300 startups will showcase their innovation related to precision farming, post-harvest and value addition solutions, mechanisation for small farmers, agri-logistics on the first day. The platform would facilitate startups to interact with farmers, farmer producer organisations, agri experts and corporates. The agriculture ministry is promoting startups providing seed funds under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-Renumeration Approaches for Agricutlure and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR). Over 2,500 startups have been trained under this so far. More than one crore farmers are expected to join the event virtually from across the country. Besides Tomar, Union Fertiliser and Chemicals Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Fertilisers and Chemicals Bhagwanth Khuba, and Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary and Shobha Karandhlaje and other senior officials will participate in the event. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a special hearing on Saturday, the suspended the October 14 order of the which discharged former Delhi University professor GN and others in an alleged Naxal links case. A bench of Justices MR Shah and Bela M Trivedi also stayed the release of and others from jail. The apex court issued notice to the accused persons while hearing the Maharashtra government's plea challenging the High Court order and listed the matter for hearing on December 8. "We are of the firm opinion that the impugned judgment of the High Court is required to be suspended," said the bench. The top court, however, said that the accused would be at liberty to move for bail. The apex court said that the accused were convicted by the trial court after a detailed appreciation of the evidence. "Offences are very serious and if the State succeeds on merits, offences are very serious against the interest of the society, sovereignty and integrity of India. High Court order is based on no sanction," noted the bench.It opined that the High Court did not consider the case on merits but acquitted the accused due to lack of sanction of the Central government required under Section 45 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The High Court has discharged the accused only on the ground that the sanction was invalid and some material which was placed before the appropriate authority and sanction was granted on the same day, said the bench. In its order, the bench said, "This court is of prima facie opinion that a detailed scrutiny is required with regard to the impugned judgment since the High Court has not considered the merits of the case including the gravity of the offence alleged against him." During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Maharashtra government said that the failure to grant sanction cannot lead to acquittal. Submitting his arguments, Solicitor General told the court that the "facts are very very distrubing, supporting call for arms in Jammu and Kashmir, supporting overthrowing Parliament, arranging meetings with Naxalites, attacking our security forces etc." Senior advocate R Basant, appearing for Saibaba, urged the top court to not suspend the discharge order and that he is in prison for seven years. He said that can be ordered to stay at home and conditions can be imposed. The advocate said that Saibaba is disabled to 90 per cent and is having multiple other ailments which are judicially accepted and confined to his wheel chair. "His health is deteriorating, let him preserve his health," Basant added. "There is no criminal antecedents whatsoever for him. He is leading a respectable life, may be ideologically inclined. There is nothing to show his involvement," told the senior counsel to the court. Solicitor General said he was the brain, but there is nothing to show his involvement, said senior advocate. To this Justice Shah replied that so far as terrorist or Maoist activities are concerned, the brain is more dangerous, direct involvement is not necessary. The Solicitor General objected to the request of Saibaba to be placed under house arrest instead of jail because of his health condition, saying there is a recent tendency among "urban naxals" to seek house arrest instead of being lodged in jail. Yesterday, hours after the High Court acquitted Saibaba and others in the case, Maharashtra government approached the challenging the decision. The appeal was mentioned before a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli by the Solicitor General seeking urgent listing of the case and later the matter was listed for hearing on Saturday. The High Court has allowed an appeal filed by Saibaba and five others challenging a 2017 decision of the trial court convicting and sentencing him to life imprisonment under the anti-terror law UAPA. They were arrested in 2014. The High Court has ordered the immediate release of Saibaba and the other accused, including a journalist and a JNU student. It had noted that the sanction was accorded for Saibaba's prosecution only after the trial commenced. For the other accused, the High Court had noted that the sanction order issued to prosecute them in the case under the UAPA was "bad in law and invalid". Apart from Saibaba, the High Court acquitted Mahesh Kariman Tirki, Pandu Pora Narote, Hem Keshavdatta Mishra and Prashant Sanglikar, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, and Vijay Tirki who was awarded 10 years in jail. Narote died during the appeal process. They were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sessions Court at Gadchiroli, Maharashtra in March 2017 for offences under various sections of UAPA and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code for alleged association with Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), which was alleged to be an affiliate of outlawed Maoist organisation. They were convicted for indulging in activities "amounting to waging war against the country". (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.) Union Home Minister will be on a day-long visit to on Sunday during which he will launch the state government's ambitious project to impart medical education in Hindi. The senior BJP leader will also lay the foundation stone of a new airport terminal in Gwalior, according to official information. He will unveil Hindi medical textbooks at a programme at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground around 12 noon. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will preside over the program. Around 3.15 pm, Shah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the new terminal building and expansion at Gwalior's Vijayaraje Scindia Airport. He will later participate in a programme at Mela Ground. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will also be present. The union minister will also inaugurate a gallery on Maratha history at the Scindias' Jai Vilas Palace before leaving for Delhi around 7.15 pm, officials 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 Special Investigating Team has been constituted to probe allegations of a 21-year-old woman in that she was gang-raped by officials there including a former chief secretary. The police registered a case earlier this month on the complaint filed by the woman alleging that she was sexually abused by Narain, a 1990 batch IAS officer, and Labour commissioner R L Rishi at the latter's official residence on two occasions. The Aberdeen police station registered the case and a Special Investigating Team headed by a Senior Superintendent of Police was formed to probe the serious allegation against Narain, who is at present posted as the chairman and managing director of the Delhi Financial Corporation. When contacted, Narain told PTI that he can not comment on the issue as the matter is sub judice. The woman lodged the complaint with the police on August 21 in which she gave a detailed account of the alleged sexual attack on her twice - in April and May - and requested for preserving the CCTV footage of the then chief secretary's residence for evidence. She has also requested a Test Identification Parade of the employees present at the residence of the official. The complainant has also recorded her statement under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before the chief metropolitan magistrate detailing the allegation. Anyone giving a statement under this clause of the CrPC will face perjury charges in case it turns out to be false. The woman claimed that she was in search of a job and was introduced to Rishi through a hotel owner who allegedly took her to the residence of Narain. At Narain's residence, the woman claimed, she was offered liquor which she refused. She claimed that they assured her of a government job but, subsequently, she was brutally sexually abused by the two men. Two weeks later, the woman alleged, she was called to the chief secretary's residence again and the assault was repeated. She said that instead of giving the promised government job, she was threatened with dire consequences if she revealed the matter to anyone. She has also filed a separate complaint with the police against a local journalist, who allegedly gave hints about her identity, and a police officer for leaking information about the case, officials said. According to sources close to Narain, he joined as chief secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Island in March 2021. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister has expressed happiness that people are visiting Smriti Van in Bhuj to pay tribute to those tragically lost in the of 2001. "Happy to see this. Smriti Van is a tribute to those we tragically lost in the of 2001. It also chronicles Gujarat's resilience," PM Modi tweeted on Friday in a reply to a tweet by Information "The coming months will be a great time to visit Kutch. There's the Rann Utsav and now there's Smriti Van also," the Prime Minister added. More than 5000 people have visited Smriti Van since it was inaugurated. PM Modi had inaugurated the Smritivan memorial earlier in August which is built in memory of those who lost their lives in the of 2001. (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 world's largest passenger plane operated by Emirates' arrived at the Kempe Gowda International Airport in on Saturday. became the first southern city in the country where services of world's largest passenger aircraft is launched. Minister for Co-Operation, S.T. Somashekar and International Airport (BIAL) Managing Director and CEO Hari Marar described the moment as historical and thanked Emirates for reposing faith in government. Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Strategy and Development officer at BIAL, said that Bengaluru has become the first city in southern India to be served by Emirates flagship A380 services. The arrival of this wide-body aircraft shows the operation capability and rising passenger demand at Bengaluru airport. The enhanced premium experience that the new A380 service brings to the Dubai-Bengaluru route will not only meet the strong travel demand but also help to stimulate traffic between the two markets, Raghunath added. Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates, said, "The special relationship that we share with Bengaluru and the state of is one of mutual growth and prosperity." "We are delighted to introduce A380 services to this vital gateway for travellers in south India. Today's flight is testament to the fruitful relationship that we share with the city and we look forward to providing the flagship experiences across all cabins for travellers travelling to and from Bengaluru when we begin our scheduled daily A380 services later this month," he added. Emirates' flight took off from Dubai at 10 a.m. and landed in Bengaluru at 3.40 p.m. The occassion was marked by celebrations. The special flight operating as EK562 was greeted with a procession of follow-me vehicles, arrived ahead of the launch of scheduled A380 services, which will begin on October 30, an official statement said. Starting on October 30, Emirates' A380 flights between Dubai and Bengaluru will operate as EK568 and EK569. The daily flight leaves the airline hub at 21:25 hour, arriving in Bengaluru at 2:30 local time the next day. The return flight departs Bengaluru at 4:30 hour and arrives in Dubai at 7:10 hour. Currently, Emirates operates A380 to more than 30 destinations across the globe. The airbus is loved for its extra legroom. The flight has premium economy. The other features include shower spa and onboard lounge. Business class cabins provide superior levels of comfort and privacy and spacious seats in economy class. --IANS mka/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has allowed export-oriented units and the firms set up in Special Economic Zones to export flour made from imported wheat, a government order said on Friday, conceding to the demands of food processors to allow shipments of value-added products. India will allow food processors to import duty-free against a commitment to export flour, the order said. After a sudden rise in temperatures in mid-March shrivelled the crop, India, the world's second-biggest producer of the grain, banned overseas sales of the staple to secure supplies for its 1.4 billion people. exports from India, also the world's second biggest consumer of the staple, surged after Russia's invasion of Ukraine hit supplies from the Black Sea region, resulting in a jump in global prices. After banning wheat exports in May, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi restricted wheat flour exports in August to keep a lid on local prices. The ban on wheat exports boosted demand for Indian wheat flour and the country's flour exports jumped 200% during April-July 2022 from a year earlier, lifting prices in the local market. Close on the heels of the ban on overseas sales of wheat, India restricted rice exports as scant rains in the east affected planting of the most water-thirsty crop. India's protectionist measures have stoked fears of food shortages in some of the world's most needy and vulnerable countries in Asia and Africa. (Reporting by Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Chris Reese) (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian petroleum industry is at the cusp of opportunity and will be able to produce 25 per cent of its crude oil demand by 2030, Union Petroleum and Urban Affairs Minister said. At present, five million barrels of petroleum is being consumed in our country every day and it is also increasing by three per cent, which is higher than the global average of nearly one per cent, Puri added. The Union Minister shared this with the media at the three-day South Asian Geoscience Conference, GeoIndia 2022, which began at JECC, Sitapura in Rajasthan's Jaipur on Friday. Veteran Geologist Shyam Vyas Rao, former Director (Exploration), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), was also presented with the lifetime achievement award by the Minister in the inaugural session. Ethanol-blending percentage in petrol increased to 10 per cent in nine years. In the inaugural session, the Minister said that the ethanol-blend percentage in petrol has increased from 0.67 per cent in 2013 to 10 per cent in May 2022, i.e., five months ahead of schedule. It is reducing 2.7 million tonne of CO2 emissions which is good for the environment. As per the International Energy Agency estimates, India will contribute a quarter (25 per cent) of the growth in global energy consumption in the coming two decades. Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain said the geology experts should utilise this opportunity to elevate their contribution in the context of increasing demand and scarcity of energy sources. He asked geoscientific fraternity to develop tailored knowledge for deep water, ultra-deep water and onshore to enhance oil and gas production while doing it in environmental sustainable manner. Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries and participant, Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, CMD, ONGC, and Chief Patron of APG, said, "GeoIndia has been a major leader in the last 14 years under the aegis of Association of Petroleum Geologists (APG) India. The biennial South Asian Geology Conference and Exhibition has evolved in terms of size and international participation. The global market value of automation technology in the oil and gas sector is projected to nearly double and reach nearly $42 billion by 2030. It is high time that the oil and gas sector take advantage of the digital transformation." On the first day of the conference, the plenary session was witnessed intensely by experts and policymakers, including Pankaj Jain, Secretary, MoPNG, SCL Das, DGH Director General, ExxonMobil MD Justin Murphy, Equinor MD Desikan Sundararajan, Md. El-Toukhy, Invest India's Ravneet Mann moderated by Energy affairs expert Narendra Taneja. The Minister also inaugurated the GeoIndia 2022 exhibition, where a number of Indian and global petroleum companies and service providers showcased their cutting edge services and tools for exploration and production of oil and gas. --IANS arc/khz/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister will inaugurate " Samman Sammelan 2022" on October 17 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute in the national capital. During the event, the PM will release the 12th installment amount of Rs 16,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer. More than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1500 agri startups will assemble to witness the event. Officials said that more than one crore farmers, from various institutions are expected to attend the event virtually. The sammelan will also witness participation of researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders. The Prime Minister will inaugurate 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Under the scheme, the fertilizer retail shops in the country will be converted into PMKSK in a phased manner. PMKSK will cater to a wide variety of needs of the farmers and provide agri-inputs (fertilizers, seeds, implements); testing facilities for soil, seeds, fertilizers; generate awareness among farmers; provide information regarding various government schemes and ensure regular capacity building of retailers at block/ district level outlets. More than 3.3 lakh retail fertilizer shops are planned to be converted into PMKSK. During the event, the Prime Minister will launch Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana - One Nation One Fertilizer. Under the scheme, the PM will launch Bharat Urea Bags, which will help companies market fertilizers under the single brand name "Bharat". Under the scheme, eligible farmer families are provided a benefit of Rs 6000 per year in three equal installments of Rs 2000 each. So far, eligible farmer families have received benefits of more than Rs 2 lakh crore under PM-KISAN. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Agri Startup Conclave and Exhibition. About 300 startups will showcase their innovation related to Precision Farming, Post-Harvest & Value Add Solutions, Allied Agriculture, Waste to Wealth, Mechanisation for Small Farmers, Supply Chain Management, Argi-Logistic, among others. The platform would facilitate startups to interact with farmers, FPOs, agri-experts, corporates etc. Startups will also share their experience and interact with other stakeholders in technical sessions. --IANS kvm/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.) Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary has written to the (CEC) Rajiv Kumar saying that EC's move regarding the amendment to the Model Code of Conduct on promises made in election manifestos was unwarranted and the proposal should be withdrawn. Yechury said CPI-M is of the considered opinion that the proposed amendment is uncalled for and should not be proceeded with. He said Article 324 of the Constitution mandates the Election Commission with the superintendence, direction and control of and does not provide for the panel to regulate or evaluate the policy pronouncements and promises of welfare measures of political parties to the people at the time of an election. "The proposed amendment to the Model Code of Conduct and the proforma for disclosure of the details of poll promises and their financial implications will get the Commission involved in political and policy matters which do not fall under its purview," the letter said. It said the proforma enters into areas such as quantification of the financial implications of the promises made and the fiscal sustainability of the additional resource-raising plan for fulfilling the promises. "These are political and policy issues and there can be divergent views of what constitutes "fiscal sustainability,"' the letter noted. Yechury said the Election Commission had submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court in April this year in a case being heard for reconsideration of the Subramaniam Balaji judgment and submitted that it cannot regulate State policies and decisions which may be taken by the winning party when they form the government. "This was a correct and valid stand taken by the Commission. It is, therefore, surprising that the Commission seems to have had a change of mind and proposes to be more intrusive into a sphere which pertains to political parties and the people," the letter said. It said the Supreme Court bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India, N V Ramana, which heard the petition asking for a reconsideration of the judgment given in the Subramaniam Balaji case, decided on August 26, 2022 that the matter be heard by a three-member bench to be decided by the new CJI. "So, the matter of election promises and the issue of 'freebies' etc. are still pending before the Supreme Court. In such a situation, the Commission's initiative to amend the Model Code of Conduct by introducing a proforma, which infringes on the rights of political parties to address people's concerns and offer them policy and welfare measures, is unwarranted. "The CPI(M), therefore, wants the Commission to withdraw the proposal to amend the Model Code of Conduct," the letter 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.) Russian President on Friday said that any direct contact or direct clash of troops with the Russian army would lead to a "global catastrophe". Addressing the news conference in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, Putin said, "In any case, direct contact, direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who are saying this are smart enough not to take such a step." Earlier, Putin had warned that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory after annexing four regions of Ukraine last month, a move which the UN this week condemned. On Tuesday, Group of Seven (G7) nations warned that the use of nuclear weapons on Ukraine will have severe consequences, according to a statement released by the White House. Leaders of G7 states (the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, France, and Japan) said, "We deplore deliberate Russian escalator steps, including the partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which is putting global peace and security at risk. We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences." Earlier, US President Joe Biden spoke of nuclear "Armageddon" in a warning about the escalation in Russia's war in Ukraine during a speech on Thursday. Biden warned of the "assault" on American institutions and talked of the threat of Russian President using nuclear weapons, at the New York home of James Murdoch, the son of media baron Rupert Murdoch. "We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis," Biden said in New York City. At a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Putin is "not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons." This is because, Biden said, "his military is -- you might say -- significantly underperforming," "I'm trying to figure out, what is Putin's off-ramp?" Biden said. "Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not only lose face but lose significant power within Russia?" According to a pool report, Biden told attendees at the event, "I don't think there is any such thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon." Putin has renewed his nuclear threats as he announced the annexation of Ukrainian territory, some of which Russia doesn't control, and with the call-up of 300,000 reservists to reinforce his flagging invasion. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President on Friday expressed his anguish over the recent gun violence in Raleigh, North Carolina that left five people dead and two wounded. "Enough. We've grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings," Biden said in a statement. Condemning the latest mass shooting in America, he said that there is so much gun violence that many killings do not even make the news anymore. The suspect in the shooting incident in Raleigh city was arrested in Georgia by police officials, media reports said. The suspect detained in the case is only 15 years old. "The suspect is contained, but please stay tuned to Raleigh Police Department, as they are the investigating agency for this incident," the city of Knightdale tweeted. "This is a sad and tragic day for the city of Raleigh," city Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin was quoted as saying by CNN. "We must stop this mindless violence in America," Baldwin said during a press conference as she announced the toll of the shooting incident. US media reports said two people were taken to a hospital, one of whom was a police officer. Meanwhile, a US federal judge temporarily struck down key parts of a new law in New York that governs gun licensing earlier. Judge Glenn T Suddaby of the US District Court for the Northern District of New York said the state has "further reduced a first-class constitutional right to bear arms in public for self-defence" into a mere "request." He said that several law provisions had no historical justification, a controversial requirement put forward by the high court last spring, reported CNN. The law was enacted in the wake of a Supreme Court decision earlier this summer striking down certain protections. Among the provisions of the New York law that the state cannot enforce is one that defines Times Square as a "gun-free zone." The law is aimed at placing restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside the home, reported CNN. Back then, Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for a 6-3 court, said that a state had to justify regulation by demonstrating that the law is "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation." Regarding Times Square, Suddaby cited the Supreme Court decision and said that it "might be argued" that historical statutes banning the carrying of guns in "fairs or markets" are analogous to the current law. But, he said, he had only found two such laws. "Two statutes do not make a tradition," he wrote. Critics correctly predicted that the Supreme Court decision - the most comprehensive expansion of gun rights in a decade - would trigger new challenges to gun regulations across the country, reported CNN. The plaintiffs, including at least one individual who wants to carry his firearm in church, argue the state is violating their Second and 14th Amendment rights by denying them the right to self-defence. They have already filed for a preliminary injunction with Suddaby in order to eventually prohibit the state from enforcing its new set of laws. The judge's decision nods to the fact that carrying a handgun in public is generally protected by the Constitution, reported CNN. The law, which went into effect in September, was signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, as a swift response to the Supreme Court striking down New York's gun law that required a resident to obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver in public and demonstrate that "proper cause" existed for the permit. The law enacts a strict permitting process for concealed-carry licenses and requires background checks for ammunition sales. It also restricts the concealed carry of firearms in locations such as government buildings. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Covid strains are gaining ground across the world and in the US, new variant BQ.1 now makes up one in 10 cases nationwide, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated. The CDC had previously bundled BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 with their shared parent BA.5 in its weekly "Nowcast" estimates. BQ.1 was first named by scientists in early September, based on sequences spotted across the US and several other countries, reports CBS News. "When you get variants like that, you look at what their rate of increase is as a relative proportion of the variants, and this has a pretty troublesome doubling time," Dr Anthony Fauci, the US president's chief medical adviser, told CBS News. BQ.1 variants have already outpaced many rival strains in European nations from England to Germany, which have already seen renewed waves begin. According to the CDC, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 each currently make up an estimated 5.7 per cent of infections around the country. "While BQ.1 and BQ.1.1. represent a small but fast-growing subset of the Omicron variant, BA.5 remains the dominant lineage in the US," said a CDC spokesperson. Experts have cited the "sizable number of unique mutations" in variants like BQ.1 in speculating that it could evade immunity from prior infections or vaccination. "However, so far little is known about what impact these mutations might have in affecting the severity of the disease, which would require further studies in animals and humans," said the report. As China imposes fresh lockdowns and travel restrictions amid Covid surge, the country has detected new Omicron sub-variants BF.7 and BA.5.1.7, which are highly infectious with greater transmissibility. Canada also confirmed 20,002 new Covid-19 cases for the week ending October 8, raising concerns over a resurgence, health authorities said. --IANS na/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.) US President has said is one of the most dangerous nations in the world as it has nuclear weapons without cohesion. He made the remarks while addressing a Democratic Party congressional campaign committee reception on Thursday. And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: . Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," Biden said. The US president's remarks at the reception of the governing party were made in the context of the changing geopolitical situation globally. The West has expressed concern over the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Many in the West are worried that Pakistan's nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists or jihadi elements. "Ever since May 1998, when first began testing nuclear weapons, claiming its national security demanded it, American presidents have been haunted by the fear that Pakistan's stockpile of nukes would fall into the wrong hands. That fear now includes the possibility that jihadis in Pakistan, freshly inspired by the Taliban victory in Afghanistan, might try to seize power at home," Marvin Kalb, a nonresident senior fellow with the Foreign Policy programme at Brookings wrote last year. The top US general Mark Milley had warned that a rapid withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan would pose an increased risk to the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. In his speech, Biden said the world was changing rapidly and countries were rethinking their alliances. And the truth of the matter is I genuinely believe this that the world is looking to us. Not a joke. Even our enemies are looking to us to figure out how we figure this out, what we do. There was a lot at stake, Biden said, emphasising that the US had the capacity to lead the world to a place it had never been before. "Did any of you ever think you'd have a Russian leader, since the Cuban Missile Crisis, threatening the use of tactical nuclear weapons that would could only kill three, four thousand people and be limited to make a point?. In a televised speech in September, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. He added that he was not bluffing. Did anybody think we'd be in a situation where China is trying to figure out its role relative to Russia and relative to India and relative to Pakistan? Talking about his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the US president termed him as a man who knew what he wanted but had an enormous array of problems. Earlier this month, the US urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan, especially its restive provinces, due to terrorism and sectarian violence. Earlier this week, it emerged that Pakistan, once a key US ally, was not even mentioned in the US National Security Strategy 2022, which identified China as America's most consequential geopolitical challenge. The 48-page document does mention terrorism and other geo-strategic threats in the South and Central Asian region, but unlike in the recent past, it does not name Pakistan as an ally needed to tackle those threats. Pakistan was also absent from the 2021 strategy paper. A formerly warm relationship between the US and Pakistan frayed due to Pakistan's support for the Taliban in Afghanistan and the presence of large numbers of Jihadi militants on its soil. Americans have been particularly upset with Pakistan since 2011, after al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden was found and killed there. After a hiatus of a few years, Pakistan and the United States have started to re-engage. Over the past few weeks, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa met with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. (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.) Under-pressure Prime Minister appointed Jeremy Hunt as her new Chancellor of the Exchequer, replacing Kwasi Kwarteng after just 38 days in office, in a last-ditch bid to reassure the financial markets she was taking a new economic path. The prime minister is betting that having 55-year-old Hunt by her side will help to convince investors that her fiscal plans can work. She is also hoping that bringing a rival into the heart of her government may help to appease the many Tory lawmakers who were alarmed by her decision to surround herself with ideological loyalists after she took office last month. They have also been angered by chaos she has unleashed for the markets and the party. So it will be a tricky task to pull off. Truss, 47, expects Hunt to put the public finances on a sustainable path without sacrificing any more of the controversial package of tax cuts that tipped the administration into crisis three weeks ago, according to a person familiar with her thinking. While Truss has already ditched plans to reduce taxes for the highest earners and on Friday announced an increase in corporate levies to wipe out almost half of her 45 billion ($50 billion) giveaway, she still needs to find another 24 billion to get debt falling relative to GDP, according to Bloomberg Economics. When he ran for the leadership this summer, Hunt said he would stick with a rise in national insurance -- rather than reverse it as Truss has since done -- and he has been an advocate for increasing spending on health care and defense. He was eliminated from the contest in the first round of voting. I would love to see income tax cut, but it has to be done in a way that is sustainable, he told the Telegraph newspaper in July. It cant be an electoral bribe and it depends on growth. But whether on not Hunt can meet the economic challenge that he has taken on, Truss has given a platform to a potentially dangerous competitor who is being openly talked about as a potential successor to the wounded prime minister. Even if she can cling on in office for a period, shes already handed a significant amount of power to the new chancellor, who is lending his own credibility to help shore up an administration wrecked by the financial damage of the past three weeks. You should see as the chairman and Jeremy Hunt as the chief executive -- hell be a very effective chief executive, Steve Brine, a Tory lawmaker and an ally of Hunt, said in an interview on BBC radio. But hes obviously made no secret of the fact he wanted the top job. Hunt was a high-profile supporter of Trusss opponent Rishi Sunak during this summers leadership campaign, praising his formidable ability as chancellor. Hunt was a long-serving cabinet minister under David Cameron and Theresa May, running the health department for almost six years before becoming foreign secretary for a year. In 2019, he made the final two candidates to become party leader and prime minister, before being soundly beaten by Boris Johnson. He has since rebranded himself as a crusading backbencher, chairing the health and social care select committee since 2020. Most recently hes won headlines by grilling ministers and officials over the governments much-criticized response to the Covid pandemic. While Hunt has no Treasury experience, he has pointed to his time creating and running his education business Hotcourses as evidence of his business acumen, a company that sold for millions of pounds. The Biden administration will send a new USD 725 million package of weapons and other military assistance, the White House said, as the US added to a flurry of aid announcements from European allies this week. The announcement made on Friday comes on the heels of meetings at NATO, where defence leaders from Europe and around the world pledged weapons and air defence systems to as Russia heightened its bombardment of Kyiv and other regions. Officials said there are no major new weapons in the US package. Instead, the US aid is largely aimed at restocking thousands of rounds of ammunition for the weapons systems has been successfully using in its counteroffensive against Russia, as the war stretches into its eighth month. The new package includes rounds for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS, a critical weapon that has improved Ukraine's ability to strike ammunition depots, bridges and other key targets that erode Russia's ability to resupply troops. The US has already sent 20 HIMARS to Ukraine, and has promised 18 more that would be delivered in the coming years. The aid announcement caps a string of commitments from allies this week. One after another in the last two days, countries large and small detailed new contributions to Ukraine's fight, underscoring the persistent fears among European nations that they could be Moscow's next target. "Russia's latest assaults have only deepened the determination of the Ukrainian people and further united countries of goodwill from every region on Earth," said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at a meeting of defence leaders this week. "Our resolve and steadiness of purpose have only been strengthened." A senior defence official told reporters at the Pentagon that Ukraine's immediate needs continue to be additional air defences. The official said that, for example, Russia fired more than 80 missiles at Ukrainian targets during one recent 24-hour period, and Ukrainian air defences were able to intercept about half of them. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the US assessment of the war, said that the intercepts use a lot of ammunition because it's likely Ukrainians fired more than one round at each incoming missile. The British government said last week it would provide missiles for advanced NASAM anti-aircraft systems that the Pentagon plans to send to Ukraine. Britain also is sending hundreds of drones and 18 howitzer artillery guns. Germany has sent the first of four promised IRIS-T air defence systems, France pledged more artillery, anti-aircraft systems and missiles, the Netherlands said it would send missiles, and Canada is planning to send winter equipment, drone cameras and satellite communications. Russia has intensified its attacks, hitting the Kyiv region with kamikaze drones and firing missiles elsewhere at civilian targets, including a hospital, a kindergarten and other buildings in the town of Nikopol, across the river from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The strikes have been described as Russian payback for the bombing of a strategic bridge linking Russia with annexed Crimea. Kremlin war hawks have urged Putin to escalate the bombing campaign even more to punish Ukraine for Saturday's truck bomb attack on the landmark Kerch Bridge. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack. The surge in Russian attacks also represents an urgent effort by Moscow to regain its footing as Ukraine's fierce counteroffensive has taken back towns and territory that Russia had overrun in the earlier days of the war. Since the war began on February 24, the US has committed more than USD 17.5 billion in weapons and other equipment. (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 become the largest political party of the world because of its leaders like former Delhi chief minister who never wavered from their ideology and commitment towards people, party chief JP Nadda said on Saturday. Nadda asked party leaders and workers to learn from Khurana's life, and said he was involved in political struggles and also provided solutions to different issues. " which is now the world's largest political party was founded by such stalwarts such as Khurana who never wavered from their ideology and showed a deep commitment towards people," he said delivering the first Memorial Lecture. The chief added that a true tribute to Khurana would be to seek inspiration from him as he was never associated with gaining power, and was committed to ideology and serving people. "Leaders like Khurana of our party were struggling for ideology at a time when they had nothing to lose," Nadda said while citing Khurana's months long jail term during the Emergency. He claimed that more than one lakh political activists were jailed during the Emergency imposed by the Congress and among them, around 70,000 were affiliated to the saffron ideology. Khurana was called the "lion of Delhi" because he never shied away from putting across his views and also because of his unflinching commitment to go to any extent to serve people, Nadda said. "During the 1984 riots, the then president Zail Singh had approached Khurana for the safety of Sikhs," he said and added that Khurana after becoming the chief minister of Delhi came up with the Justice Narula Committee that tried to provide justice to the riot victims. The BJP president described Khurana as a leader whose heart lied in Delhi and who worked tirelessly for the city's people, providing them with educational institutions, universities and conceiving the Metro rail service in the capital. Recalling the stabbing of an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad candidate during a Delhi University Students Union election, Nadda said Khurana not only ensured action but also reached early in the morning at the hospital to enquire about the candidate's health. (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 Saturday accused the government of failing to provide security to Kashmir Pandits in Jammu and Kashmir after another youth was murdered in Shopian. "Very sad! Another Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishna Bhat was murdered in Jammu and Kashmir. The killing of is not stopping and the Modi government has failed to provide them security. "There is information that the administration is pressuring the family to perform the last rites early. Shameful," the said in a tweet in Hindi. Deputy Inspector General of Police Sujit Kumar said the Kashmir Freedom Fighter (KFF) group, the proxy name of a militant outfit, has claimed responsibility for Bhat's killing. Bhat was attacked near his residence in the south Kashmir district. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him dead, they said. Less than a couple of months ago, another another Kashmiri Pandit named Sunil Kumar Bhat was shot dead by terrorists at an apple orchard in Shopian. His brother Pintu Kumar was injured in the firing. (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.) PDP president on Saturday said the has failed to provide security to the living in the valley, but would "sell" their blood for securing votes. Mufti's remarks came after Puran Krishan Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit, was shot dead by terrorists in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Saturday. "They (Kashmiri Pandits) decided not to leave Kashmir and stay with the people, with Muslims, here. Today, he (Bhat) was targeted after 30-35 years (since insurgency broke out in the valley), even as there is so much security, so many forces. "People are jailed in the name of hybrid terrorists, sacked from services on doubt, but even then, the has failed to provide security to the Kashmiri Pandits," Mufti told reporters in Bandipora. She visited Dar-ul-Uloom Raheemiyah, an Islamic seminary. The residence of the rector of the seminary, Rehmatullah Qasmi, was raided by the Investigation Agency (NIA) recently. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister alleged that not only has the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to provide security to Kashmiri Pandits, it will "go out and sell their blood to secure votes in elections". "The (Union) Home Minister (Amit Shah) came to Kashmir, but did not even have 10 minutes for the Kashmiri Pandit employees who are protesting in Jammu for the last six months," she said. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief appealed to imams and maulvis to make people understand the need to stay united and maintain brotherhood. "Jammu and Kashmir will suffer because of such killings and these incidents only benefit the that sells the blood of or security forces when they get killed to get votes," she said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The party on Saturday slammed the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state and the ruling party's parent outfit the and alleged that the nation is facing challenges from fascist forces. Addressing the Bharat Jodo Yatra here, leader Rajasthan Chief Minister said the nation is facing challenges from "fascist" forces. Condemning what he called the "communal forces," Gehlot claimed that people are suffering due to unemployment and price rise. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah blamed the and for "disturbing peace" in the country by indulging in "communal" . (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.) Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil on Saturday said not a single MLA is unhappy and the state government is taking decisions that will benefit people. Speaking to reporters here, Patil said the Eknath Shinde- government had completed 100 days and no legislator was unhappy. The minister of higher and technical education was the chief guest at 'Mukt Sanvad' programme conducted by Savitribai Phule Pune University. "From day one, NCP leaders Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and Congress' Nana Patole had claimed that this government will fail, but that has not happened. The state government is taking new decisions every other day for the betterment of people," Patil said. Patil, who is also the guardian minister of Pune, said heavy rains that lashed the city in a short spell on Friday caused water logging in some places and an inquiry will be conducted into this, he said. "Pune district has suffered damages due to heavy rains. I will hold talks with the district collector and ask him to take stock of the damages," he said. Asked about the rise in cases of sextortion in the city, Patil said, "As a guardian minister, I will review every other subject related to the district. I will be conducting nine review meetings on different subjects. I will bring up this issue during a meeting with police officials." Measures to curb such crimes along with some mass awareness programmes will be discussed in the review meeting, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister on Friday vowed that he would never ally with the again, and said that he will work for the progress of the country along with . The Chief Minister hit out at the BJP for targeting him since the split of the BJP-JD(U) alliance in August this year, and alleged that the former ally is trying to create a conflict in the Mahagathbandan. Nitish's remarks came while inaugurating an engineering college built at a cost of Rs 75 crore in Samastipur. "BJP people keep talking nonsense. I had left Mahagathbandhan and joined the NDA (in 2017), but now I have returned. The BJP wants that the conflict among us should rise to such an extent that we become frustrated. The BJP is attacking me nowadays," he said. Recalling his relations with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other veteran leaders of the BJP, Kumar said, "They (BJP) have forgotten that Atal Bihari Vajpayee had become the Prime Minister in 1998. He had made me a Union Minister then. I was assigned three ministries. Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi worked for the development of the country. Those sitting at the Centre today have nothing to do with development," Kumar said. He alleged that the BJP is working to create conflict in society. "The BJP is working to create conflict in society. It has got nothing to do with the country's progress. I will never ally with the BJP ever in my life. I will stay with the Samajwadis (socialists) and take the country forward along with Bihar," the Chief Minister said. Earlier on October 11, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while apparently targetting drew a parallel with the current in Bihar, saying JP never did anything for power and worked for principles all his life while "people who switched sides for power is Chief Minister of Bihar". "I ask people of - leaders who achieved heights through the JP movement are sitting in Congress' lap for power; are you with them?" the Home Minister said. The Home Minister lauded JP Narayan and said he never did anything for power and worked for principles all his life. "Today, people who switch sides for power are the Chief Minister of Bihar", he added. Amit Shah further added, "This is not the path shown by him (Jayparakash Narayan). He never did anything for power and worked for principles all his life. Today, people who switch sides 5 times for power are the CM of Bihar". (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.) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): On October 14, 2022, HDFC Life, one of India's leading life insurers, announced the merger with its wholly owned subsidiary Exide Life, pursuant to the receipt of the final approval from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This event marks the completion of the first-ever merger and acquisition (M & A) transaction in the Indian life insurance sector. HDFC Life completed the acquisition of Exide Life in January 2022. The entire transaction - from announcement of the deal in September 2021 followed by the acquisition in January 2022 and the eventual merger - was completed in less than 14 months. Pursuant to the merger, customers across both entities will have access to a wider bouquet of products and service touchpoints. Employees and distributors will benefit from a larger, stronger organisation that has complementary business models, wider geographical presence and strong ethos. This merger will accelerate the scale-up of HDFC Life's agency channel and enhance its geographical presence in tier II and tier III markets. Speaking on the merger Vibha Padalkar, MD and CEO, HDFC Life, said, "We are delighted to have completed the entire transaction in a short span of time. This merger has been made possible due to the encouragement, timely approvals and support from our regulator - IRDAI and all other authorities involved in the process. We would also like to thank our passionate and committed employees, loyal customers and distribution partners. All policyholders of Exide Life will continue to receive best-in-class service from us. All Exide Life distribution partners will now have access to HDFC Life's market-leading products, services and digital capability. We strongly believe that this amalgamation can result in value creation for our customers, employees, shareholders and distribution partners. As one united team, our vision continues to be the most obvious choice for life insurance solutions and we do our part to insure India." For digital purchasing and policy servicing, all prospects and policyholders can visit (www.hdfclife.com) and initiate transactions or servicing requests. HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited ('HDFC Life' / 'Company') is a joint venture between HDFC Ltd., India's leading housing finance institution and abrdn (Mauritius Holdings) 2006 Limited, a global investment company. Established in 2000, HDFC Life is a leading, listed, long-term life insurance solutions provider in India, offering a range of individual and group insurance solutions that meet various customer needs such as Protection, Pension, Savings, Investment, Annuity and Health. The Company has more than 60 products (including individual and group products) and optional riders in its portfolio, catering to a diverse range of customer needs. HDFC Life continues to benefit from its increased presence across the country, having a wide reach with branches and additional distribution touch-points through several new tie-ups and partnerships. The count of distribution partnerships is over 300, comprising banks, NBFCs, MFIs, SFBs, brokers, new ecosystem partners amongst others. The Company has a strong base of financial consultants. For more information, please visit (www.hdfclife.com). You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) New Delhi [India], October 15 (ANI/PNN): Next Education, a fastest-growing, technology-driven company revolutionizing the K-12 education sector in India, is celebrating its 15th anniversary, having achieved several milestones, and accolades over the years. The company has been providing innovative new-age teaching and learning solutions to 18,000+ schools pan-India and in UAE. Incorporated in 2007 by the IIT-duo Raveendranath Kamath and Beas Dev Ralhan, Next Education has successfully established itself as India's most comprehensive B2B SaaS-based end-to-end solutions provider for the K-12 sector. The company's mission to democratize education and drive change through technology has empowered them to launch disruptive solutions over the years. In the last one-and-a-half-decade, they have introduced a range of tailored solutions for teachers and students, including NextCurriculum, NextLabs, TeachNext, Next OS, TeachNext, and Next School Recently, they rolled out Next 360, a comprehensive school suite that provides everything from learning management solutions, administrative aid tools, digital content, virtual labs, integrated curriculum, and technical support. Their innovative products and solutions have transformed the lives of around 10 per cent of India's private-school-going children daily. Next Education has partnered with schools based in India as well as abroad. Beas Dev Ralhan, CEO, Next Education, said, "Since inception, we have envisioned building solutions that make students future-ready by instilling in them 21st-century skills. Our focus has always been on equipping students, academic institutions, and other stakeholders with best-in-class solutions. Since our inception, we have successfully scaled our offerings and provided technology-driven solutions to our partner schools, making education affordable and accessible. We plan to continue our growth momentum in the upcoming years. As of now, we are working towards further bolstering the education sector with new-age technologies." Throughout his journey, Next Education has added multiple feathers to its cap through numerous accolades and milestones. In 2013, they were awarded the title Excellent Human Resource Management in Education Industry by National HRD Network. Again, they were honored with Best School Books Solution by the Global Learn Tech Conference and Awards in 2014 and Innovation Excellence Award in Education by ASSOCHAM in 2015. Again, they were recognized for providing tech-enabled innovative teaching-learning methods under the Best Classroom Tech Solution of 2020 by the Education Innovation Awards. Additionally, they were conferred by World Education Summit with Best Multimedia Content for K-12 Education in 2013, Innovation in teaching Pedagogy Award in 2015, and Innovation in Pre-School Pedagogy in 2016. Next Education allows students to interact well with their lessons while providing individualized learning experiences through their AI-based academic platform with cutting-edge technological solutions like Virtual Reality, Machine Learning, and gamification. Its recently launched solution, Next 360, will grow by a staggering 400 per cent this year and is expected to grow 2X in two years. In the next few years, Next Education projects a five-fold growth. Next Education India Pvt Ltd is the country's leading comprehensive edtech solutions provider for the K-12 segment. They have a plethora of innovative products and solutions, including award-winning digital content and optimal platform solutions that drive their school partnership programs to perfection. Next Education also caters to all the academic and administrative needs of the K-12 stakeholders and provides complete academic and administrative consultancy to schools through a variety of products and services. This story has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PNN) This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions 1867: The Urbana, Ohio, board of health passes a law requiring citizens to get available vaccines in the event of future epidemics Recently, there was a Chattanooga tribute to Memphis native Eliza Fletcher, wife of Richard and mother of two boys, Richard (IV) and Harry. Liza, a 34-year old kindergarten teacher at St. Mary's School, was an avid runner and would often run early before her family and work day started. On Sept. 2 she did not return home from her morning run. Liza was found three days later after she had been kidnapped, brutally assaulted and murdered. Some Chattanoogans gathered at GPS to "Finish Liza's Run," which helped provide closure for the grief and anger of many who identified with the young wife and mom. Hundreds of runners gathered in Memphis for the 8.5 mile run. The circumstances of Liza's life matter. The circumstances of Liza's death also matter. She was the latest of a record number of Memphis murders, and to fully honor her, the latter should not be ignored. Her sociopathic assailant had just been early-released after a previous conviction for aggravated kidnapping. He had six other assault and rape charges. His race should not matter -- but it does. For the record, I consider all murders "hate crimes" regardless of the race of the assailant and victim. But Democrats have reserved a political carveout classifying only a thin slice of murders as "hate crimes" -- those that fit their "white-on-black" narrative. That is a political smokescreen. There is an "inconvenient truth" about interracial assaults and murders: According to the latest Department of Justice data, the vast majority of violent interracial crimes are black-on-white. The age demographic of most of those assailants comprises only 3 percent of our population, but they commit more than 85 percent of interracial felonies. Further, the majority of violent crimes committed against our black brothers and sisters, are also perpetrated by other black people. Those stats should alarm you, and raise some obvious questions. One would be, why have you not heard those stats? The obvious answer, they don't fit the Left's "hate crime" political narrative. A second question: Why are murder and violent crime rates in Democrat-controlled cities across the nation, breaking records? The answer: Ahead of the 2020 election, Democrats intentionally fomented a "summer of rage" led primarily by their so-called "Black Lives Matter" constituents, who unleashed a historic surge in violence that has not abated. That surge was exacerbated by Demos' "defund police" movement, and is responsible for the increasing number of lawless sociopaths empowered to commit violent crimes -- including those who are murdering a record number of police officers. (This week alone, six officers were murdered.) The politically-motivated violence they fomented two years ago spilled into 2021 and 2022 with a vengeance. Now, because crime is high on the list of voter concerns ahead of the upcoming midterm elections -- Demos are ducking and covering. As the corrupt BLM movement implodes, Joe Biden is trying to recast himself a superhero crime fighter and his congressional enablers are doing the same. A related question on surging crime would be, why is this epidemic of violence primarily in Democrat-controlled cities? The answer: Mayors of those cities refuse to admit, much less alter the statist social policies, which have virtually enslaved generations of poor mostly black and brown people on their urban poverty plantations, where the culture of violence thrives. While Liza Fletcher fit a demographic that most women in our suburbs can relate to, there are on average, 65 other murders every day, few of which make the news. It is time for all of us to speak up about the inconvenient truth underlying surging violence, and declared every murder a "hate crime." Mark Caldwell * * * The murder of Liza Fletcher was an evil, despicable and cowardly act. Even more so for anyone who attempts to use and exploit it in an effort to stir up more racial animosity than exists already towards an entire racial/ethnic group is a greater despicable and cowardly act. I agreed with President Bush when he was in office and was hesitant in signing the Hate Crime bill for the very reasons Mr. Caldwell is attempting to exploit and mock it in his opinion piece. I agreed with the president then that all crimes are crimes of hate. It didn't even take long after the Bill was signed for some to attempt to insist the Hate Crime Bill be used in any crime that crossed racial lines. Not all cross racial crimes are motivated by race. Many are crimes of opportunity that take place no matter what race, ethnicity the victims are and the suspects they cross paths with. As for always beating the drums about Republican states vs Democratic states claiming Democratic states are more riddled with crime, none of that is relevant. The state of Missouri has a Republican governor. Recently a woman escaped after being held in captivity by her alleged abductor for several weeks or months. The suspect is from a city in the state of Missouri that's over 90 percent white. Just because he's white and the victim who escaped captivity is black doesn't make the crime a racially motivated crime. Claims are the abductor is also alleged to have killed other black women held in captivity, even two of the escaped victim's friends. He's believed to possible be a serial killer, as there might be other victims besides the black woman who escaped and the two other friends, she claims he'd held captive and told authority he killed her two friends. That "they didn't make it." Citizens from the nearby town where the woman said she was abducted, not the same town where she is alleged to have been held, attempted to raise alarm about several women and girls who had gone missing but allegedly weren't taken seriously.. Point: Evil has no class or racial preference. It doesn't come in blue states vs red ones, nor Republican or Democrat. No matter the state, city, county, Parish or even country, evil exist. Attempting to turn such a horrific crime into a racial, political football is in itself a wicked kind of evil. Brenda Washington The Lee University volleyball team dropped a pair of matches on Friday at the Gulf South Conference/Sunshine State Conference crossover tournament at the Finley Center.The Lady Flames lost their first match of the day, 3-0, to Embry-Riddle before falling in the nightcap, 3-0, to Nova Southeastern.In their first match, Lee kept it close with the Eagles, until a, 7-1, run pushed Embry-Riddle out to an, 18-12, lead before claiming the set, 25-21.The Florida club then rolled in the second set to a, 25-10, victory.The two teams were tied at 10 before the Lady Flames claimed four straight points to jump out with an advantage. The Eagles answered by scoring the next seven out of eight and held on for the, 25-20, set to claim the match.Allie Whittinghill paced Lee with six kills and Abby Stroh and Macy Petty had four kills each. Ashton Middleton recorded eight assists and Clarissa Soza pitched in with seven. Grace Mazzocca posted six blocks and Middleton recorded nine digs to pace the defense.Cameron Gilleland led the Eagles with 12 kills and recorded eight digs. Jaden McBride led all players with 11 digs.Lee kept it close in the day's final match with Nova Southeastern falling, 25-22, 25-17, and 25-20.It was all knotted up at 20 in the opening set before the Sharks went on a, 5-2, run to claim the set. The Sharks then jumped out to an early lead in the second frame and never looked back, taking a, 2-0, lead. The Lady Flames answered by winning the first six of nine points and stretched it to a, 12-7, edge. Nova responded tying it up at 16 before going on an, 8-4, spurt to wrap up the sweep.Hannah Upton put down eight attacks for points and Stroh had seven kills of her own. Middleton was given 16 assists and Soza recorded 11. Upton made herself known on both sides of the ball pacing all players with 11 digs and Kamryn Halpin finished with nine of her own for Lee.Bruna Aliva had a double-double for the Sharks posting 24 assists and 10 digs. Jordan Chessar and Kate Mihacevich had 10 kills each.The Lady Flames will wrap up the crossover tournament in Hoover on Saturday against Eckerd College. First serve is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. eastern. Veterans Tori Deal and Jordan Wiseley became the first couple to get engaged on the show when he proposed during 2019s The Challenge: War of the Worlds 2. Although the pair didnt last, unseen footage captured their special moment, which was shared in the docuseries The Challenge: Untold. Tori Deal documented her relationship with Jordan Wiseley in The Challenge: Untold The Challenge: Untold episode 5, which explored the various romances throughout the franchise history, kicked off with Jordan Wiseleys proposal to Tori Deal. She shared how they began their relationship, noting she entered her rookie season, Dirty 30, alongside then-boyfriend Derrick Henry. However, he got eliminated early, and she remained in the competition, where Jordan also made it pretty far. Relationships often crack under pressure in this game but, the pressure is just making Tori and Jordan's relationship stronger! Don't miss The Challenge: War of The Worlds 2 at 9/8c on @mtv! #TheChallenge34 pic.twitter.com/rpkDSxaTbd The Challenge (@TheChallenge) November 6, 2019 RELATED: The Challenge: Tori Deal Admits She Handled Breakup Poorly but Denies Cheating on Jordan Wiseley According to Tori, she developed an attraction toward Jordan and broke up with Derrick when she received her phone after filming. The veteran claimed the two kissed at a Los Angeles-based pool party and then began dating. They returned as mercenaries in season 31, which she credits for strengthening their relationship, and the couple moved in together. When they returned for War of the Worlds 2, castmate Leroy Garrett described them as inseparable. Behind-the-scenes footage of Tori and Jordans engagement revealed Co-executive producer Joe Guidry explained he received a notice that someone planned to propose shortly before the elimination where it happened. Therefore, he orchestrated a plan with the camera operators, although they didnt know when to expect the moment. Ultimately, it happened after Jordan defeated Theo Campbell in an elimination and before he revealed his choice to turncoat to Team UK. Tori and Jordan met on The Challenge, fell in love on The Challenge, and now they just hit another relationship milestone on The Challenge! ? #TheChallenge34 pic.twitter.com/wUvfcrZ3oW The Challenge (@TheChallenge) November 10, 2019 The docuseries featured behind-the-scenes footage from the first-ever proposal during the show, including the camera operators setting up for it and the cast reactions afterward. Additionally, it included a never-before-seen clip of Tori and Jordan hugging and telling each other they loved one another. She admitted she didnt want to spend that night with the rest of the cast, and he joked that they had the remainder of their lives together. Tori and Jordan have since broken up Following the 2019 proposal, Jordan and Tori returned as a power couple for season 35s Total Madness. While he stayed home for season 36s Double Agents, she came back but was eliminated relatively early. The couple then announced their separation in December 2020 after she finished filming. An episode of Double Agents featured castmate Fessy Shafaats attraction toward Tori, leading many fans to believe a relationship with the two might have resulted in the breakup. They added fuel to the fire by going on vacation to Turks and Caicos together. Tori and Jordan's engagement brought the entire house together. Well, almost the entire house. ? See what happens at the explosive, two-hour long The Challenge: War of The Worlds 2 reunion at 9/8c on @mtv. ???? #TheChallenge34 pic.twitter.com/kDi2k99udR The Challenge (@TheChallenge) December 17, 2019 In December 2021, alum Jemmye Carroll posted a video divulging details about Tori and Jordans relationship that she claimed he told her. The Real World star claimed Tori vacationed with Fessy while engaged and said Jordan found out about it through social media. According to Tori, she and Jordan broke up in October, and she went on vacation with Fessy a week after they announced the split in December. He admitted to sharing information about his breakup with Jemmye but confirmed that Tori didnt cheat on him. However, he did imply that her trip with Fessy ruined their chances of reconciliation. Tori and Jordan are competing in the current season of The Challenge, which marks the first season theyve appeared in together since their split. The Challenge Season 38: Ride or Dies airs Wednesdays on MTV. RELATED: The Challenge: Jordan Wiseley Says Tori Deal Didnt Cheat but Was Definitely a Traitor MTVs The Challenge returns soon with The Challenge: Ride or Dies. This season, competitors team up with their best friend, spouse, or greatest ally to hopefully win the grand prize. While The Challenge Season 38 cast is stacked with well-known rookies, two notable players were cut right before filming. Heres what happened to Theo Campbell and Georgia Harrison. Theo Campbell and Georgia Harrison were set to join The Challenge Season 38 cast The Challenge Season 38 | Paramount The Challenge Season 38 cast has plenty of veteran players returning, many of which are paired together, creating unbelievably strong teams. The men returning to the series are Nam Vo, Devin Walker, Fessy Shafaat, Turbo, Nelson Thomas, Jay Starrett, Johnny Bananas Devenanzio, Jordan Wiseley, and Darrell Taylor. The women joining are Amber Borzotra, Tori Deal, Laurel Stucky, Kailah Casillas, Michele Fitzgerald, Nany Gonzalez, Aneesa Ferreira, Veronica Portillo, and Kaycee Clark. The cast nearly had two more notable veteran players join Theo Campbell and Georgia Harrison. Theo was a finalist in War of the Worlds and competed in War of the Worlds 2. He lost his eye in an accident outside the show and hasnt returned since. But hes made it known hes interested in coming back to compete. Georgia also competed on the same two seasons as Theo and got her start on the same show Love Island UK 3. They were dropped 2 weeks before filming TheRSMS : The Challenge Star Theo Campbell Left Blind In One Eye After Champagne Cork Accident [PHOTO] https://t.co/d1Pt6GzUIR https://t.co/iLLC0E7nLE pic.twitter.com/wC0e1z1hD4 HOT 107.1 Memphis (@HOT1071) August 31, 2019 Fans would love to see the British contestants join The Challenge Season 38 cast. But Georgia Harrison and Theo Campbell were allegedly dropped from filming just two weeks before it began. A Reddit user posted the information about the team, and Georgia also commented on it on Twitter. Two weeks before, too, she Tweeted with a laughing-crying emoji. [Everything] happens for a reason though guys, Im very happy now, she added with heart emojis. Its unclear why Georgia and Theo were cut. But theres no doubt fans wish theyd return. Its still odd that both of them were really popular and did two seasons and then, boom, not cast anymore, a fan on Reddit noted. It was believed Theos eye injury was preventing him, but I guess who knows. Another Reddit user claimed another two notable players were cast and then dropped. Emy and Emanuel were apparently also dropped at the last second, they wrote. I know a lot of Challenge viewers werent crazy about them, but they definitely had personality, were good competitors, and I felt were good TV. Emy Alupei and Emanuel Neagu competed on The Challenge: Spies, Lies, and Allies. The Challenge Season 38 cast member Jordan Wiseley talks highly of the new cast Egg Pajamas and Scrunchies! The Challenge's Georgia Harrison Takes Us Through Her Suitcase https://t.co/vajY9LTcYs Georgia Harrison (@georgiaharisonx) August 29, 2019 While fans wouldve loved to see Theo Campbell and Georgia Harrison join The Challenge Season 38 cast, contestant Jordan Wiseley thinks production did well with the casting this season. Historically, what does the best for us is simple concepts where we can pick our winners and pick our horses and watch it unfold, he told the Reality Rundown podcast. Casting-wise, we went back to our roots. You have to cast outside of the pool to expand the show. I understand what were doing. Were the best competition show globally, we have to bring in those new people. But we have a diehard fan base. We have the best fans in the world, so youve got to honor that and I think we did that with Season 38. The Challenge Season 38 premieres Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022, at 8 p.m. ET on MTV. For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheets YouTube channel. RELATED: The Challenge 38: Aneesa Ferreira Might Take a Break After Ride or Dies New data shows students gaining ground, but still below pre-pandemic in core subjects Cherokee Nation citizen and journalist Nancy Marie Spears holds the three awards she accepted at the recent Native American Journalists Association conference. After graduating from Oklahoma University, she is now working for The Imprint News covering youth-related issues. Man charged with reckless homicide in crash that killed pastor A 22-year-old man has been charged with second-degree reckless homicide after he drove through a red light and crashed into Wisconsin Pastor Aaron Strong who was driving to work. The suspect, identified as Jose Silva, plowed into the vehicle of the 40-year-old pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Milwaukee Wednesday morning, prosecutors said Friday, according to Fox 6. The pastor later died at a local hospital, and an autopsy suggested he died from multiple blunt-force injuries. Authorities estimate Silva was speeding at 74 mph just before the accident, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said. He told police he was running late for jury duty at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Surveillance from Marquette University showed Silvas car speeding prior to the crash, according to the complaint, which also said he didnt apply the brakes until two seconds before the crash. The video also showed the car running a red light while driving the wrong way, it says. Grace Evangelical Lutheran announced Strongs death on the churchs Facebook page that evening, asking people to keep Abbie Strong and their children, Hannah and Elijah, in your prayers. Like Job, the question Why? troubles all of us regarding this tragedy. Like Job, we are reminded that our majestic God does not always provide an answer to that question. But what brings us everlasting comfort is that Gods mercy shines as bright as his majesty, stated the church. The Rev. Brian Hackmann, an outreach pastor at Grace, remembered Pastor Strong as a person that was full of joy. He was full of life, Hackman was quoted as saying. He had a smile on his face, an infectious laugh. He was a person that was pretty easy to get along with. He had the love of Jesus in his heart in a big way. Strong preached his final sermon last Sunday, titling it The Gift That Keeps on Giving and focused his remarks on 2 Corinthians 9:10-15. We are less than 80 days away from Christmas, he preached at the time. Thirty percent of Americans will start their Christmas shopping during this month. Whenever you start, maybe youll want to start thinking about a gift that maybe is long-lasting, something that is a gift that keeps on giving. The Apostle Paul gives us a far greater gift in our reading today from 2nd Corinthians Chapter 9. A gift that truly is one that keeps on giving, he added. 77% of voters say education is important midterm election issue: poll Education remains a big issue for voters as the midterm elections draw nearer, according to a new poll, alluding to how similar concerns led Republicans to victory in Virginias gubernatorial race last year. Rasmussen Reports released the results of a national survey Wednesday that found 77% of likely voters believe education will be an important issue during the Nov. 8 midterm elections, and 45% anticipate it will be Very Important. Only 18% of participants doubt that education will be an important issue this November. The report also noted that 68% of voters worry that public schools are promoting controversial beliefs and attitudes, with 49% stating that they are Very Concerned. Another 30% of voters say that they are not concerned about the content promoted in schools, with 14% of participants stating that they are Not At All Concerned. Supporters of President Joe Biden were among the least concerned about the material being taught in schools, with only 22% of participants who approve of the presidents job performance saying theyre Very Concerned. Eighty-five percent of voters who disapprove of Bidens job performance, however, expressed the opposite opinion. The survey also found that majorities in every political category (87% of Republicans, 51% of Democrats, and 67% unaffiliated voters) have at least some concerns about the beliefs schools might be teaching students. Republicans (72%) were more likely to say they are Very Concerned about schools teaching controversial material, compared to 27% of Democrats and 49% of unaffiliated voters. Majorities of every racial category 79% of whites, 74% of black voters and 75% of other minorities expect the issue to at least be somewhat important for this years elections, according to the report. White voters (50%) were more likely to say theyre Very Concerned about the types of material promoted in public schools, compared to 38% of black voters and 51% of other minorities. Age appears to play a factor in whether participants saw controversial teachings in school as an important issue, with voters under 40 being less likely to say theyre Very Concerned about it compared to older ones. Income levels also appeared to have an impact on how concerned voters are that schools may be teaching inappropriate material. Those with an annual income below $50,000 were more likely to say they were Very Concerned about the issue. In addition, the report found that college graduates are less worried about the material schools are teaching children. Democrats (37%) were less likely to see education as a Very Important issue in the upcoming congressional elections, compared to 57% of Republicans who believe it will be. Forty-two percent of unaffiliated voters expect education will be Very Important during midterms. Forty-two percent of private sector workers and 45% of government workers said that they think education be will a Very Important issue this year, and 51% of retirees answered the same. The report surveyed 1,000 likely voters in the U.S. online and by phone from Oct. 4-5, with a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% confidence level. Last October, Rasmussen Reports found that 76% of American voters were concerned about the content taught in schools, including 58% who stated that they were Very Concerned. Twenty-one percent of participants said that they were not worried about schools promoting controversial topics. As the report noted, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin defeated his Democratic challenger Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia gubernatorial race due to ongoing debates at the time surrounding parental involvement. According to The Associated Press, Biden won the state by 10 points over former President Donald Trump. Last year, two schools in Loudon County, Virginia, attracted controversy amid reports of two sexual assaults committed at two separate high schools by the same male student. The boy reportedly wore a skirt in one incident and entered the girls bathroom. The incidents reportedly occurred before Loudoun County officials implemented a policy allowing trans-identifying students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms and other single-sex spaces. Last month, Virginia's Department of Education under Youngkin released a directive ordering all 133 public school districts to no longer allow students to enter opposite-sex bathrooms and other private spaces. Students seeking to be addressed by their chosen pronoun must file legal documents. The directive also says that schools must "keep parents fully informed about all matters" related to a child's health and social and psychological development," and they must not conceal information related to the child's gender dysphoria from parents. According to the FiveThirtyEight Deluxe Model, updated on Friday, the odds are 71 in 100 that Republicans will win the House, compared to 29 in 100 for Democrats. The model predicts that the odds are slightly more in favor of Democrats winning the Senate at 66 in 100 compared to 34 in 100 for Republicans. The caste struggle for human equality has come to America As if the centuries-old problem of racism were not enough, the United States is now contending with the discriminatory caste system that is generally relegated in our thoughts to a problem found only in South Asia. Caste is a pernicious system built on an ideology that states that humans are created or born unequal. India has fiercely contended with systemic caste discrimination since its independence. And yet, even banning the practice of untouchability has not made any dent in the caste mindset of privileged Indians. Oprah Winfrey helped spread the conversation about caste across America through her book club when she sent Isabel Wilkinsons groundbreaking book entitled, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents to corporate heads across the country. She followed it with a well-publicized interview with the author. The interview explored how the caste system and racism together form the civilizational albatross of human discrimination. The book shows how deep-seated racism is, and how thousands of years of caste ideology give it such a firm foundation. Oprah has been at the forefront of the attack against racism in America and beyond. Yet it is unclear how comfortable she is in addressing the caste issue because of her strong friendships with many elitist upper-caste Indian friends in business, media, and religious circles. It is equally unclear how the book went over at Google headquarters where Sunder Pachali, a high-caste Indian, presides. An uproar occurred at Google last April when Google News senior manager Tanuja Gupta invited a Dalit woman speaker to discuss caste discrimination with Google employees as the company hires many employees of Indian descent. Gupta knows the subject well. Her parents immigrated from India decades ago and she herself is an upper-caste woman. Gupta said the talk was planned due to complaints within the company by employees who claimed they were victims of caste discrimination. However, it had to be canceled when other employees complained that any talk about caste discrimination was offensive to them as Hindus. In the conflict that followed, Gupta resigned. The familiar refrain from upper caste workers at Google is that there is no such thing as caste discrimination is simply a denial of the reality within India, and now around the world. The official position Google took, and presumably Pachali agreed, is that such a talk would have created division within the staff rather than helping with diversity, equity, and inclusion. This line of thinking is shortsighted. It is as if to say that a discussion about racism would not help improve diversity and inclusion. Dealing with justice issues related to the caste system is the need of the hour, for sustainable economic development in India and elsewhere. The Google fiasco does not bode well for Dalits in the U.S. who already struggle as the lowest caste in India. New Indian immigrants in the U.S. who are educated and professionally qualified largely come from the upper caste elite of India. As in India, most of them carry caste prejudice wherever they go. As they continue to move into the upper echelons of American society, the threat is that they bring caste discrimination with them. Whereas in the U.S. they may rightly protest against any racial or religious discrimination as Indians, the case at Google shows they mostly fall silent when it comes to caste discrimination. The executives of Microsoft, Google, Starbucks, and other companies in the U.S. are from upper-caste communities in India, and yet they do not speak out on caste discrimination within their new homeland. If the caste crisis is not addressed by the so-called champions of diversity in America like Google and Cisco, or even in Hollywood, it would appear this is only because economic gain is more important than human equality. There doesnt seem to be any other reason to attack the U.S. on the issue of racism but be loath to touch the issue of casteism. Googles silence on the resignation of Gupta does not bode well for the U.S. Today, two cases of caste discrimination involving the Dalits are creating an unfolding drama on caste denial that needs to be addressed on a national level. Organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and others that employ Indians in large numbers need to take a serious look at the issue of casteism just as much as they battle against racism. Trip Lee warns Christians that serving only to show off is poison that 'robs God of His glory' Christian rapper Trip Lee warned against the dangers of only serving God to please people and to earn applause or reality show righteousness. One of the reasons it's not good to do everything to be seen by others is because we're robbing God of His glory, Lee said at the Awaken conference held at Watermark Community Church's young adult ministry The Porch in Dallas, Texas. The 34-year-old, whose real name is William Lee Barefield III, explained that if someone is focused on glorifying God when they're giving to the needy, serving and praying, they will be less likely to worry about how the eyes of other people are perceiving their actions. A lot of us just like to have eyes on us. We all get to star in our own poorly produced reality shows. Part of the danger is that desire to be seen by other people [or] to have the eyes of other people on us, that can make it into our spiritual lives too, warned Lee, who formerly worked as a youth pastor at Concord Church in Dallas, Texas. When we are obsessed with the eyes of other people on us, when someone is watching you, doesn't that change how you act when you know someones watching? It changes what youre thinking. Lee said its not wrong to serve others in public, but when the sole purpose that a Christian has for serving is to look holier in front of others, that is when a person crosses into dangerous territory. When we begin to do something for other people watching us, it can poison what we're doing," Lee said. "It's very difficult to be worried about the eyes of other people and worried about the actual goal in hand at the same time. Pointing the audience to Matthew 6, Lee explained that Jesus is not just concerned with what a Christian does, but Jesus also values the motives that come from a persons heart. Jesus wants more from us than just doing the right stuff. Jesus also wants us to do it from the right heart. He's not just interested in us going down a checklist. And when something doesn't come from the right heart, He's going to tell us it also doesn't produce the right result, he said. And when we do good things for bad reasons, we rob ourselves of good rewards. Lee believed that many Christians are more concerned with how the public eye views them at all times, rather than with how God views them all the time. God sees what is done in secret and that should be enough. That's the main thing. No, you won't get that praise, but God sees. Sometimes we feel like: I've been laboring. Nobody appreciates me. Nobody sees. What Scripture reminds us about is that God sees, Lee said. I want you to know God sees. Your labor is not in vain. God sees. Lee believes it's vital for Christians to honor God even when nobody's watching because He never stops watching. "There can be something scary about the fact that God sees." "God sees what is done in secret. What does your life look like in secret? Usually, when we see a secret, we think of scandalous things. Wouldn't it be amazing if what happens in your life in secret is not scandalous, but it's praiseworthy? Lee said. Its important for Christians to avoid hypocrisy, he added, which includes working to look righteous in front of other people to impress them and get attention. Don't be like the hypocrites today who love to pray standing in synagogues. Here's a reminder: you can love prayer and still not love God. Some of us pray because we love ourselves so much and we want other people to love us as much as we do, Lee said. This says something about the human heart that we can be so self-centered that we can even make service about ourselves. We can even make praying to God, which is supposed to be an acknowledgment that we need Him, that we're weak, we need Him. We can turn that into something about ourselves as well. Lee's comments were part of the 2022 AWAKEN: The Rehearsal Christian Conference, held Sept. 3-5 in Dallas, Texas, and hosted by Watermark Community Church and shared on YouTube Tuesday. Notre Dame professor denies sign on office door signals help for students seeking abortion A Notre Dame professor claims that reports about her offering to help students obtain abortions and contraceptives are false, leaving unanswered questions about a sign on her door that reportedly designates faculty who help students seeking to terminate a pregnancy. The Irish Rover, an independent student newspaper at the Catholic University, reported Monday that sociology professor Tamara Kay advertised on her office door that she would offer information on all healthcare issues and access confidentially with care and compassion. The private university is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, which is opposed to abortion. Also on the door of Kays office is the letter J, which, according to the Rover report, signifies faculty members who are willing to help students access Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill, and Plan C abortion pills. The latter induces abortions up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Plan B is a form of emergency contraception that comes in the form of two levonorgestrel pills, according to the Food and Drug Administration. It prevents ovulation by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary and might also stop fertilization by blocking the union of sperm and egg. While Plan B is not the same as the abortion pill, some claim that it can act as an abortifacient by preventing implantation to stop the egg from attaching to the womb. Kay, who publicly advocates for abortion, wrote in a Friday tweet that the note on her office door was not related to abortion, and neither she nor the university could comment on the reason for it. The note on my door was not about abortion. And the university knows this, but neither they, nor I can comment on what happened to prompt it. I'll say no more about that. But I do, of course, fully support abortion rights and the policy implications of abortion bans are horrific. Dr. Tamara Kay: Abortion Rights & Policy Scholar (@BuildSolidarity) October 14, 2022 Ill say no more about that, Kay wrote. But I do, of course, fully support abortion rights and the policy implications of abortion bans are horrific. And so the rag thats not part of ND, not a student pub, has no journalistic standards AND the few faculty who are likely manipulating the puppet strings behind the scenes got it ALL wrong & should ALL be ashamed & need to take some time to get that egg off their faces, she continued. In May, Kay co-wrote an op-ed piece for the left-leaning website Salon where she wrote, "Forced pregnancy and childbirth is violence," in response to a leak from the U.S. Supreme Court on the overturning of the legalization of abortion nationwide. She argued that returning abortion laws to the states could lead to women being "prosecuted for murder" due to miscarriages and stillbirths. "This violence will happen regularly in the U.S. if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade." Notre Dame is a Catholic institution, and while the professor acknowledged in a statement to the Rover that her views on abortion runs afoul of Church teaching, she claims that her positions are perfectly aligned with the Church in other areas. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense and anyone who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication. According to Pope Paul VIs Humanae vitae in 1968, the church views artificial forms of contraception as intrinsically evil but permits methods that dont actively interfere with the creation of a new life, such as natural family planning. Kay told the Rover that she is acting as a private citizen when offering students help with obtaining abortions and that the university has granted her permission. The professor added that she had spoken to the dean and have also spoken to ND Media about policies. The University of Notre Dame did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. Kay also could not be reached for comment, as her school email address has been changed, and she did not respond to an inquiry through her social media. Last month, the sociology professor attended and served as a panelist for an event at the university titled, Post-Roe America: Making Intersectional Feminist Sense of Abortion Bans. The event featured local experts on law and reproductive health for a discussion about the U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade this summer, allowing states such as Indiana to prohibit abortion before the point of viability or outlaw it altogether. Indianas Republican Governor Eric Holcomb signed a bill in August banning abortions while making exceptions for rape and incest in some cases, and if the pregnancy threatens the mothers life or if the unborn has a fetal anomaly. The law is on hold while the Indiana Supreme Court considers its constitutionality. During the panel, Kay said she planned to spend her time debunking some of those myths about abortion and that she wanted people to think about the disproportionality of abortion bans. The professor went on to claim that such policies disproportionately affect people in minority groups: black, indigenous, Latinx, LGBTQIA, those with few resources, those who are incarcerated, those in the military, those who are on campus, those who are immigrants, those who have disabilities and physical and mental health challenges, including substance use disorder. India delays affirmative action case affecting millions of Dalit Christians Christians in India believe the federal government is attempting to further prolong an important case concerning affirmative action for millions of Christians who converted from Dalit Hindu backgrounds by forming a panel with an initial two-year deadline to review their demands for equal rights. Considered contagiously impure in Hindu societies for over 2,000 years, Dalits remain the poorest of the poor, are discriminated against and face atrocities at the hands of higher caste Hindus. They account for 16.6% of the countrys population, or 201.4 million. For their uplift, the Indian Constitution provides for reservation in government jobs, parliament, state assemblies and educational institutions, as well as other benefits. However, the Presidential Order of 1950 assumes that non-Hindu religions do not have a caste hierarchy, and therefore do not need special protection. The Order was later amended to include Dalit Sikhs and Dalit Buddhists although neither of the two religions has a caste hierarchy. An estimated 70% of Indias 32 million Christians are Dalit, and about 20% are tribal, according to estimates. A petition filed 18 years ago by the Center for Public Interest Litigation seeks to challenge the 1950 Order which grants special rights to Dalit (low caste) Hindus but does not cover the Dalits who converted to Christianity and Islam to escape the age-old caste oppression. As the case lingers on, the federal government had been asked to respond to the demands of Dalit Christians this week, but the government formed a three-member Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, to examine the issue, giving it two years, The Hindu newspaper reported. Franklin Caesar Thomas, coordinator of the National Council of Dalit Christians, and John Dayal, a veteran journalist and activist, believe the government is delaying the case. Speaking to the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Dayal called it a British-era tactic to defer a decision indefinitely, and said that caste barriers dont break with time, as the killings of Hindu Dalits by upper caste Hindus has shown. Thomas told Matter India that affidavits of the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes filed in the Supreme Court had endorsed the socio-educational backwardness arising out of the practice of untouchability concerning the plight of Christians and Muslims of Dalit origin. Thomas agreed with Dayal that the proposed commission was formed to prolong the issue. Several commissions and committees set up by previous governments have endorsed the same, added Dayal. In its report in May 2007, a government-appointed inquiry commission led by Justice Ranganath Misra recommended that the government repeal the 1950 Order and make reservation of Dalits completely neutral with respect to religion. Later, the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes also backed the demand for Dalit Christian rights. While Christians comprise only 2.3% of Indias population and Hindus account for about 80%, nearly a dozen states in the country have enacted controversial anti-conversion laws, claiming that Christians force or give money to Hindus to persuade them to convert to Christianity. Anti-conversion laws typically state that no one can use the threat of divine displeasure, which means Christians cant talk about Heaven or Hell since it would be seen as luring someone to convert. Some of these laws have been in place for decades in some states. Radical Hindu nationalist groups frequently use these anti-conversion laws to make false accusations against Christians and launch attacks under the pretext of an alleged forced conversion. The persecution of Christians in India is intensifying as Hindu extremists aim to cleanse the country of their presence and influence, a fact sheet from watchdog group Open Doors USA states. The driving force behind this is Hindutva, an ideology that disregards Indian Christians and other religious minorities as true Indians because they have allegiances that lie outside India, and asserts the country should be purified of their presence. This is leading to a systemic, and often violent and carefully orchestrated, targeting of Christians and other religious minorities, including use of social media to spread disinformation and stir up hatred. The United Christian Forum reported at least 486 violent incidents of Christian persecution in 2021, calling it the most violent year in the countrys history. India: Radical Hindus demand gov't deny benefits to Christian converts Radical Hindu groups in India have launched a campaign to stop the countrys tribal, or indigenous, people from converting to Christianity by demanding that the government ban those who convert from receiving education and employment opportunities, according to reports. A group called Janajati Suraksha Manch (Tribal Security Forum) in eastern Odisha state wrote to Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind this month, urging on them to exclude converted tribal people from availing reservations in educational institutions and government and public-sector jobs as well as other protections that the countrys constitution provides for. Similar demands have also been made in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. According to Census 2011, more than 104 million people or 8.6% of the population are from the various tribes that are listed in the Indian constitution for affirmative action, which was provided for on the basis of their seclusion at the time of Indias independence from British rule in 1947. Being tribal is by birth but religion is choice, Ratan Tirkey, a Catholic member of the Tribes Advisory Committee of Jharkhand state, told UCA News. It is quite surprising that right-wing groups are not ready to follow what has been written in the Constitution and bills passed in parliament on the scheme to help tribal people. Tirkey warned that stopping benefits meant for tribal Christians would amount to challenging the constitution and Supreme Court, which clearly state that the scheme is meant for poor people and it was not given in the name of any religion. Indias untouchable Dalit people, as per the caste hierarchy in the Hindu society, who account for 16.6% of the countrys population, or 201.4 million, were also given affirmative action rights in the Constitution. However, a 1950 Presidential Order denied the benefits and protections to Dalits who convert to Christianity or Islam. Hindu nationalists are now seeking the same for the tribal who have converted or might convert to Christianity. Maintain your religion, culture and traditions, Megha Oraon, an official of the Janajati Suraksha Manch, was quoted as saying. Those who are taking benefits reserved for scheduled tribes from other religions should be stopped and a law should be enacted to stop people taking advantage. Nishikant Dubey, a member of parliament from the governing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, or the BJP, made the same demand in September, according to a local media. Most tribals do not identify as Hindus; they have diverse religious practices, and many worship nature. However, the governments Census deems them to be Hindu. An estimated 70% of Indias 32 million Christians are Dalit, and about 20% are tribal. However, Christian persecution is prevalent mostly in districts where tribal people are in the majority, as most Dalits do not support the BJP while the tribals are seen as undecided voters. India is ranked No. 10 on Open Doors 2020 World Watch List of the countries where it's most difficult to be a Christian. Open Doors notes that converts to Christianity from a Hindu background are especially vulnerable to persecution and are constantly under pressure to return to Hinduism. John Prabhudoss, chairman of the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations of North America, previously told The Christian Post that the victory of the BJP in the national election in 2014 and its reelection in 2019 brought about a sense of confidence among the Hindu radical party cadre that now they can attack Christians and other religious minorities with impunity and they do not have to worry about the law enforcement. Third CVS nurse practitioner claims she was fired for her religious beliefs: lawsuit A major pharmacy chain denies allegations of wrongdoing as it faces another lawsuit for terminating an employee who refused to provide abortion-inducing drugs in violation of her deeply held religious beliefs. In a lawsuit obtained by The Christian Post, former CVS nurse practitioner Suzanne Schuler maintains that her former employer terminated her because of her religious beliefs. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas on Wednesday, noted that Schuler worked as a nurse practitioner at CVS MinuteClinics in and around Olathe, Kansas, from 2009 to 2021. Operated by CVS, MinuteClinics provide non-emergent medical treatment to patients on an appointment and walk-in basis. According to the lawsuit, Schulers Christian faith prohibits her from providing, prescribing, or facilitating the use of any drug, device, or surgical procedure that can cause abortion including drugs like certain hormonal contraceptives, Plan B and Ella. Schuler successfully obtained religious exemptions to a 2011 requirement that nurse practitioners refill birth control prescriptions and a 2015 amendment to her job description requiring her to prescribe contraceptives, including abortion-inducing drugs. The complaint contends that Nothing changed in terms of the job description of a nurse practitioner according to the position summary of CVS for that position in 2021 and nothing in the 2021 job description added different obligations that did not exist under the prior published job description. It asserts that MinuteClinic abruptly stopped respecting Ms. Schulers religious beliefs in September 2021 and fired her October 31, 2021, for refusing to prescribe abortion-causing drugs. The complaint clarified that the only thing that changed in 2021 was that CVS labeled providing counseling and advice about contraceptives, abortifacients, and other birth control options as essential functions. The lawsuit asks a federal court to grant Schulers request for damages, including lost wages and benefits and wages due to her termination, unpaid lost wages due to wrongful discharge or constructive discharge, back pay, reinstatement or front pay, prejudgment and post-judgment interest, punitive damages, and compensatory damages, including, but not limited to, damages for pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, suffering and anxiety, reductions in wages, expenses costs and other damages. Prior to filing the lawsuit, Schuler had submitted a Charge of Discrimination to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. MinuteClinic responded to the EEOC complaint in a Mar. 4 position statement, writing, MinuteClinic terminated Complainants employment after determining it could no longer excuse her from performing these essential job duties without imposing an undue hardship on its business operations. MinuteClinics business model has transitioned from a retail or acute care model to a more holistic health services model. The new holistic health care model is geared toward creating consistent relationships with patients similar to a community health center. As such, it was imperative that Nurse Practitioners, such as Complainant, be prepared and able to treat any number of conditions, including counseling and advice about contraceptives, abortifacients, and other birth control options, and prescribing such medications. Insisting that Schuler would often, if not always, have been the only Nurse Practitioner available to provide such patient care, including writing prescriptions for contraceptives, the position statement declared that the only way to accommodate her religious beliefs would therefore have been to turn away patients seeking such services, refer them to a different business entirely, and/or to inform patients that they needed to return to a different practitioner at the same clinic on a different day. The response to the EEOC complaint repeatedly cited the new business model as the justification for its decision to cease accommodating Schulers religious beliefs, stressing that her assertion that MinuteClinic had allowed her to turn away patients in prior years is of no import where its business needs had changed. The document called on the EEOC to dismiss Schulers claims for lack of probable cause, suggesting that Complainant will be unable to establish that MinuteClinic engaged in discriminatory conduct. The complaint filed in federal court Wednesday pushes back on the idea that Schulers failure to provide contraception constituted an undue hardship on her employers business model: There were no complaints from co-workers, patients, or supervisors while her accommodation was in place or at any time during her employment with Defendants. Ms. Schulers work was outstanding, and she had no performance issues throughout her employment with Defendants. Additionally, the lawsuit said that the MinuteClinic Schuler primarily worked at was not staffed on a daily basis to provide every service to a customer (beyond those that Ms. Schuler could not provide and that there were services that required both a nurse practitioner and a [registered nurse/licensed practical nurse.] The complaint elaborated on the staffing of MinuteClinics in the Olathe area. Historically, staffing of CVS clinics to have an RN/LPN on simultaneous duty with a nurse practitioner did not occur. There were not enough RN/LPN applicants. For the Kansas metropolitan area, CVS generally only had an RN/LPN assigned to three of ten or eleven CVS clinics which did not cover the entire operational day or to cover all of the seven days in the week. The case involving Schuler is not the first time CVS has faced legal action for firing a Christian nurse practitioner for refusing to dispense birth control. Paige Casey, a Catholic nurse practitioner in Virginia, and Robyn Strader, a nurse practitioner in Texas, made similar allegations in a lawsuit and EEOC complaint, respectively. Wednesdays lawsuit contains references to the other two nurse practitioners. Jury rejects death penalty for Parkland mass shooter; recommends life in prison A jury has rejected a request to give the death penalty to Nikolas Cruz, the now 24-year-old man who entered a high school in Parkland, Florida, in 2018 and murdered 17 people in a mass shooting. On Feb. 14, 2018, Cruz entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where he was a former student, and opened fire, killing 14 students and three staff members before he was stopped. A 12-person jury recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole for Cruz on Thursday, citing factors like Cruzs documented history of mental health issues. The sentencing date for Cruz is scheduled for Nov. 1, and will involve a judge issuing a formal sentence. According to Florida law, the judge cannot depart from the jurys recommendation of life, reported CNN. Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa Alhadeff, was murdered in the 2018 shooting, expressed disappointment at the jurys recommendation of life in prison. We are beyond disappointed with the outcome today. This should have been the death penalty, one hundred percent. Seventeen people were brutally murdered, said Aladeff, as quoted by Axios. "I'm stunned. I'm devastated. There are 17 victims that did not receive justice today," said Fred Guttenberg, the father of 14-year-old shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, reported Axios. In 2018, a then 19-year-old Cruz went to the Parkland high school and massacred 17 people, being apprehended by police shortly after and confessing to the mass shooting. After the mass shooting occurred, claims surfaced that Cruz belonged to a white nationalist militia group known as the Republic of Florida, however, authorities later refuted these claims. "We are still doing some work but we have no known ties between the ROF, Jordan Jereb or the Broward shooter," said Leon County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Grady Jordan to the Tallahassee Democrat at the time. Cruz told authorities that demons had told him to do the shooting, with evidence indicating that he suffered from Autism and grief over the then-recent death of his adoptive mother. Later in 2018, a cell phone video was released that Cruz took of himself planning to massacre at least 20 people with an AR-15 and a couple tracer rounds. Location is Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida. It's going to be a big event. When you see me on the news you'll all know who I am, said Cruz in the video. You're all going to die. The mass shooting spurred several large-scale demonstrations calling for increased firearms regulations, especially restrictions on rifles that some label as assault weapons. A few Parkland students have since actively campaigned for these initiatives. The debate over what could be done about violence in schools following the Parkland tragedy also led to the creation of a seven-part article series by The Christian Post titled Youth, Schools and Violence, which analyzed the issue from multiple angles. 8 key myths about abortion The Dobbs Supreme Court decision in June which overturned Roe v. Wade, notes Ob-gyn, Ingrid Skop, has sent abortion advocates and their allies in the media scurrying to strike fear into the hearts of women. Just last Tuesday, the White House held a meeting to see how they could further promote abortion in America. But much of the abortion debate essentially centers around eight key myths about the abortion procedure: Myth # 1: The Dobbs case will cause women to die for lack of abortions. I spoke with the above-mentioned Dr. Skop on a radio segment. She has delivered more than 5,000 babies and serves as a senior fellow and director of medical affairs at Charlotte Lozier Institute, a pro-life organization. She wrote an op-ed exploding this myth. Says Dr. Skop: An ectopic pregnancy happens when an embryo implants outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube, and the fetus has no chance of survival to a live birth ... As soon as its diagnosed, physicians will treat an ectopic pregnancy because the mothers life is at risk, a routine obstetric procedure that is not jeopardized by Dobbs. This is lifesaving medical care. It is not an elective abortion. Myth # 2: Abortion does not kill a human being. Recently, Whoopi Goldberg said that abortion is needed to remove that toxic thing inside women. But we were all once that toxic thing. How dehumanizing. Similarly, one abortion clinic nurse said that the unborn babies are just pieces of goo. But Carol Everett disagrees. Shes a former abortion worker (and part owner of some abortion facilities). She once told me, In the front counseling room, the young woman is asking, Is it a baby? And shes being told, No. But in the back, every single baby, as early as it can be done, has to be put back together the arms, legs, hands, feet, the head, and the spine to be sure its all there. It is a baby. (Anything left inside can cause an infection.) Myth # 3: Life begins when a baby is born. Danielle DSouza Gill, the daughter of Dinesh DSouza, wrote a book in 2020, entitled, The Choice: The Abortion Divide in America. She addresses this and other myths in a radio segment she did with me: They always act as if poof the baby has exited the womb. Now its a person. And that really makes no sense because moments before its born versus moments after its born, really make no difference. Were really just talking about a matter of location. Myth # 4: Even if its technically a human life, the fetus doesnt feel anything or know whats happening anyway. Gill explodes this canard: The baby in the womb actually has more consciousness, more brain waves than a comatose person It does feel pain and releases cortisone and the same stress hormones we release, even in the first trimester, when its under duress, when were trying to abort it. Myth # 5: Abortion is a safe and simple procedure. Gill answers: First of all, we have to ask: For whom? Obviously, its not safe for the child ... They like to act as if its an everyday nothing like removing a polyp. But in reality, your body is going to fight back against that because the womans body is designed to protect that life and protect that fetus. Myth # 6: Abortion is necessary in order for women to fully control their own bodies. Gill responds: They like to say, My body, my choice. And I would say to them, Sure, you can do whatever you want with your body, but were talking about another humans body. Its another humans body that youre trying to mutilate. And its another persons heartbeat youre stopping. Myth # 7: We must have legal abortions because of rape and incest (leaving people with the impression they comprise most abortions). Dr. Chuck Donovan, president of the above-mentioned Charlotte Lozier Institute, says the data shows that abortions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother comprise less than 1% of all abortions. Myth # 8: The mother has no option but to give birth and keep her baby. Donovan told me in a radio interview that safe harbor/safe haven laws exist in one form or another in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia. Within 30 days of delivering a baby, that baby can be brought over in a box or basket to a local fire department or police department and be dropped off, no questions asked, no charges filed. The Declaration of Independence says our rights come from the Creator and the first of these is the right to life. After a half-century of the abortion ethic, we have a lot of lost ground cherishing that right. Exploding myths that promote abortion is a step in the right direction. Sexually explicit books in schools provoke new adversary: Muslim parents The Parents versus School Boards franchise got a reboot on Monday, as a Michigan school board meeting was prematurely shut down just before the public comment period because so many parents attended that it was breaking the fire code. The school board in question wasnt in ruby-red farm country, nor was it in well-off suburbs. No, the school board was in Dearborn, Michigan, home to the largest Muslim population of any American city per capita and reliably progressive voting trends (after this redistricting election, it will likely be represented in January by Democrat Rashida Tlaib of the far-left Squad). The tightly-packed, rambunctious crowd was reminiscent of free-wheeling, 19th century American political meetings, when citizens cared far more about exercising their rights than their comfort. Nothing like a fire code to suppress democracy. The crowd was largely there to protest sexually explicit, pro-LGBT books available to schoolkids in the school library. Protestors held signs with messages like, Keep your dirty books in the closet, and Protect the children. When the public comment period was abruptly forestalled, they chanted vote them out. The meeting got rowdy until police arrived. The Dearborn protest is noteworthy because the parents who attended defied the medias pigeonholing narrative. Most of the attendees were Muslims or of Arab descent. If democracy matters, were the majority, read the sign of Wadeea Yassir Alzabah, dressed in a turban and knee-length tunic. Claiming this protest was based in racism or Christian nationalism is not even possible. You see this frustration growing all across the country, and in Dearborn were not tied to the left or the right on this issue, said Muslim parent Hassan Chami. Media over-simplifications aside, the fact is that conservative Christians arent the only Americans who care about public morality. Chami continued, The media is trying to change the narrative that this is about LGBT. It is not. Whether this is a homosexual book or heterosexual book, sexually explicit material is immoral and does not belong in schools. Alzabah complained, They are proponents of democracy, but only if it supports liberal values. The moment it goes against liberal values, they are authoritarian, and they want to impose their own values on people. Another parent, Faye Nemer, agreed, If its sexually graphic, if its violent, if its age-inappropriate and has no literary value, it should not belong in a school library. The school board last week adopted a policy for a panel of experts to review books that parents flag as inappropriate; currently six books are under review. But Chami added, Its not just about the books. The sexually explicit material in these books was just a catalyst that brought forward broader concerns about the state of public education today and where its at, and that the traditional partnership between parents and public education has been compromised. What youre seeing now is a grassroots movement of concerned parents try[ing] to reassert their right to direct education for the children. Its not just conservative Christians who care about parental rights, or who are willing to stand up to leftist authoritarianism in the classroom. Other communities also care deeply about these issues and are just as offended by the scandalous immorality and sexual anarchy paraded by the LGBT lobby. Last month, it was a male Muslim inmate objecting to full-body searches by a transgender (biological female) guard. This week, Muslim parents are objecting to school library books promoting gay sex. When the grassroots uprising against immorality crosses religious lines, it turns the Lefts standard victim narrative on its head. Originally published at The Washington Stand. David Hockney, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and Beauford Delaney lead Christies 20th/21st Century Frieze Week season in London Records tumbled and funds were raised for multiple charities across three auctions led by Christies Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale, which was 100 per cent sold by lot and value including a Hockney landscape that fetched 20.9 million Uniting major post-war artists with some of todays leading international contemporary painters, the auction was led by David Hockneys luminous 1968-69 landscape Early Morning, Sainte-Maxime. The canvas was the result of an idyllic stay at the French Riviera home of film director Tony Richardson, and it was exhibited in Hockneys 1970 retrospective at the Whitechapel Art Gallery. Unseen at auction since its 1988 appearance at Christies in New York, on its re-entry to the market after six intense minutes of phone bidding it realised 20,899,500, close to three times its low estimate of 7,000,000. Another highlight of the evening was Tracey Emins Like A Cloud of Blood. A visceral acrylic on canvas measuring almost two metres wide, it was among the first paintings Emin made following her six-month recovery from cancer treatment. Proceeds raised from the sale will fund her new TKE Studios project offering subsidised studios for professional artists, as well as a residency programme of free lectures, tutorials and studio space for 15-20 students in her home town of Margate. If my art can make something happen for the future, then I am doing the right thing, Emin said an in interview with Christies prior to the sale. A round of applause erupted in the salesroom when it sold for 2,322,000 a new record price for a painting by the artist. Elsewhere, coinciding with a major Lucian Freud retrospective at the nearby National Gallery, two early works on paper by the artist both surpassed their high estimates to realise 252,000 and 138,600. The sale, presided over by Christies global president Jussi Pylkkanen, saw spirited bidding for the work of young female painters. Shattering their high estimates, notable prices were secured for Christina Quarless Even in tha Evenin at 856,800, Caroline Walkers Catered, which sold for 239,400, and Loie Hollowells Lick Lick (Boob Skwirt), which realised 378,000. Marking her debut in a Christies evening sale, Sarah Balls Untitled (AC16) sold for 94,500, setting a new record price for the artist. Scott Khans painting Croquet, which had 12 telephone bidders vying to win it, sold for 793,000 against a low estimate of 100,000. Blue may have been the colour of the day, with Gerhard Richters important cloudscape Wolkenstudie (grun-blau) (Study for Clouds (Green-blue)), which had never been seen in public before, achieving 11,167,000, and Francis Bacons portrait on a cyan background, Painting 1990, realising 7,102,250. The Evening Sale was followed by A Place With No Name: Works from the Sina Jina Collection, the largest collection of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora ever offered at auction. It totalled 2,960,484 / $3,277,256 / 3,371,991. A minimum of 20 per cent of the proceeds of the sale will be donated to The African Arts Trust, which will use the funds to support the work of Gasworks, The Africa Centre, Lamu Environment Fund and Bet Bi. The groundbreaking collection was created by Robert Devereux, who began buying contemporary African art 20 years ago following an inspiring journey from Mozambique to Kenya. Open a larger version of this image El Anatsui (b. 1944), Drying Line, 2002. Acrylic on carved wood, in 24 parts. Overall: 34 x 78 in (86.4 x 198.1 cm). Sold for 126,000 on 13 October 2022 at Christies in London With Christies associate director Veronica Scarpati at the rostrum, the top lot of the auction was Lynette Yiadom-Boakyes Highpower, which soared past its 600,000 low estimate to achieve 1,482,000. Strong results were also seen for Aboudias Untitled (302,400), El Anatsuis Drying Line (126,000) and Elias Simes Untitled (119,700) all achieving multiples of their low estimates. Open a larger version of this image Aboudia (b. 1983), Untitled, 2011. Acrylic, oilstick and paper collage on canvas, in two parts. (i) 70 x 94 in (180 x 239.5 cm). (ii) 70 x 94 in (179.8 x 238.5 cm). Overall: 70 x 188 in (180 x 478 cm). Sold for 302,400 on 13 October 2022 at Christies in London Of the 73 works on offer, eight broke artists record prices. Among them were ruby onyinyechi amanzes hybrids, aliens and ghosts, which sold for 21,420, Sanaa Gatejas Big Mama, at 15,120, and 13,860 for Amadou Sanogos Cest ce que je voix. Open a larger version of this image ruby onyinyechi amanze (b. 1982), hybrids, aliens and ghosts, 2013. Graphite, ink, enamel, glitter and dye transfer on paper. 30 x 43 in (77.8 x 111 cm). Sold for 21,420 on 13 October 2022 at Christies in London Sign up today Christies Online Magazine delivers our best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe Ten artworks, including three artist-designed surfboards, were also offered to benefit the environmental charity Parley. The money raised will fund its Global Cleanup Network, which helps protect marine environments from plastic pollution. The group was led by Ed Ruschas Dot (#4) and Untitled, a surfboard spray painted by Kenny Scharf. Both sold for 63,000, alongside works by Katharina Grosse, Rosemarie Trockel and Flora Yukhnovich. Open a larger version of this image Kenny Scharf (b. 1958), Untitled, 2021. Number eight from an edition of 12 unique versions. 75 x 20 x 2 in (192.6 x 50.8 x 6.4 cm). Sold for 63,000 on 14 October 2022 at Christies in London The top price of the afternoon, however, was achieved by Beauford Delaneys James Baldwin. One of 14 works from Istanbul Calling, sold to benefit the Young Artists Fund of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), the portrait of the American writer was painted in Turkey in 1966 and has been in the same private collection ever since. It flew past its 180,000 estimate to sell for 1,026,000. 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. China's COVID response measures most cost-effective: spokesperson Xinhua) 18:40, October 15, 2022 Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), holds a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's measures to tackle the COVID-19 epidemic are the most cost-effective and have worked the best for the country, a spokesperson said Saturday. "Since the onset of the epidemic, China has put people and people's lives front and center," said Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. "We give top priority to people's health and safety. This is part and parcel of our epidemic response efforts." Dynamic zero-COVID policy has been adopted in light of China's national realities and it is a science-based policy, Sun added. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Du Mingming) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. An apartment building for resettlers By Our Representative In August 2022, those residing in the Dinhata Permanent Rehabilitation Centre submitted a mass deputation before the Cooch Behar district administration, but till date no positive action has been taken by the concerned authorities, complained Roy. Claimed to have been brought from Bangladesh under the 2015 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, currently residing in two room apartments at Dinhata village-1 under Fakirtari Gram Panchayat, Cooch Behar district, a complaint filed by a senior human rights leader with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman has said even seven years later the livelihood issues of some 58 families remains resolved.The 58 families, consisting of 246 people, were brought to India as part of the exchange of erstwhile enclaves between both the countries. On November 24, 2015, these people were taken by bus and kept in temporary settlement camps at Dinhata Krishimela, Kirity Roy, who heads two NGOs, Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) and Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), said.The temporary settlement camp was not fit for human habitation in dearth of jobs, foods, cloths and other basic necessities of life. Though each family was granted one 10/10 feet tin-roofed house with one electric bulb and drinking water facilities, several people from the camp were forced to leave the camp to different states as migrated labour, said Roy.This happened even though, said Roy, it was mentioned in the Land Boundary Agreement that the livelihood issues of these people will be taken care of by the Indian government. The situation got worse, as the ration given to them was not sufficient for a family, and these people had no way to earn an income, one reason why most of them started work as land labour and some of them migrated to other states.The situation became so bad in the temporary settlement camp that several people -- Puti Burman, Samsul Haque, Binod Chandra Roy, Dhirendra Chandra Burman and Anila Burman -- died without proper medical treatment.On September 13, 2020, these persons were provided with apartments at Dinhata village-1 under Dinhata Sub-Division and Police Station where they were finally settled. However, some families having more members failed to get accommodation.Only some of the members of the family were given apartments, whereas others have to live outside, in shack-like structures made with plastic in the open field, said Roy, adding, these families are provided with flat residence despite the fact that they traditionally used to keep cows, goats, and ducks, catch fish, and grow vegetables.Worse, the flats provided to them are in bad condition. Cracks in the walls of the flats are open. The district administration of Cooch Behar has not issued any documents to these persons so that they could substantiate their ownership rights.A Parliamentary standing committee report led by Sashi Tharoor, MP, recommended in that an Indian citizen who return from Indian enclave situated in Bangladesh should be provided compensation and rehabilitation by the Central government, yet, no compensation has provided to these people. \ Release of 11 rapists of Bilkis and murderers of her family members, and their felicitation did not stir the nation's conscience So, right now weve to support the Iranian women in rejecting hijab and the Indian Muslim women in being able to wear the hijab. In Turkey, Irans neighbourhood, too wearing the hijab is seen as a revolutionary act where women had given up the practice due to Mustafa Kemal Ataturks insistence on secularization. Well have to wait for an opportune time when Indian Muslim women understand that hijab is a patriarchal tool and has to be ultimately rejected. When men do not have any religiously prescribed dress code why should women have to follow one? However, we must comprehend that in Iran the movement is not merely limited to hijab. Hijab is merely a symbol of oppression, of violation of human rights. The larger struggle is for democracy, gender equality, and human rights. Women have to be treated as equals, with respect, and should have equal participation in democracy. It is only democracy that will not only ensure equal status for women but also honour basic human rights for everybody. From being able to move out alone, choose a career of their choice, or to be able to contest the top executive position of the country, the socio-political system of the country needs an overhaul. The basic point is when women in most places around the world have won freedom and gained equal status in society, with so many governments in various countries being headed by them, why should the women in Iran be relegated to an inferior status? It is high time that Iran changes. The women and young aspire for the fruits of modern democracy and they have every right to get those. Let us stand in solidarity with them. India based Iranian scholar Ramin Jahanbegloo thinks that Indians are not doing enough to support the women in Iran in their struggle. A possible reason could be that were getting normalized to violence against marginalized sections of the population in this country. Just imagine the release of 11 rapists of Bilkis Bano and murderers of her 14 family members, their garlanding and offering of sweets to them did not stir the conscience of this nation. Our senses have been numbed by the state patronized violence and institutional injustice perpetrated against the innocent. The spirit of Iranian women, much similar to the spirit of Indian women fighting against Citizenship Amendment Act /National Register of Citizens or the struggle of farmers against the three draconian laws, must inspire us to fight to make this world more democratic and humane. --- *Harleen Sandhu is a PhD scholar at Louisiana State University, USA; Magsaysay award winning academic and social activist, Sandeep Pandey is general secretary of Socialist Party (India) After Mahsa Amini, 22 years old woman, was held by morality police in Iran for violating the Islamic Hijab code and she died within a few hours in police custody, Iran, mostly young women, has erupted in revolt. They are not afraid of giving up their lives like Sarina Esmaeilzadeh and Nika Shakarami, both 16 years old, who were struck with batons on their head and succumbed to the injuries.Iranian women know no fear now. For them, the stakes are very high. Since 1979 when the theocratic state was established through an Islamic revolution, by law, Iran does not give women the same rights as men compromising a womans right to freedom and choice. For example, women cannot move about in public without a male company, they need consent of husband in any matters relating to their children, they cannot sing, etc.Among these was also the oppressive compulsory hijab regime. But now the women have decided to overthrow what is clearly a patriarchal tool for control over their bodies. In the past from time-to-time voices have been raised against hijab. Few brave women used to move about without hijab.But lately, the Islamic regime became more orthodox and that is when things took an ugly turn. Repression is bound to have a reaction and that is what were witnessing in Iran. The Ebrahim Raisi regime or supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei probably were not prepared for this kind of backlash. As they struggle to contain the outrage, it is unlikely that women will give up easily this time.With already close to couple of hundreds of deaths, they realize that if they do not succeed this time then they dont know how long will they have to wait for the next time. And they are on their own. A section of men, who even if may be against the theocratic state may not necessarily be against patriarchy, of which they are effortless beneficiaries, are painting the current turmoil as a regime change movement in the guise of anti-hijab uproar.In India, in the state of Karnataka, weve witnessed a movement for quite the opposite objective. The right-wing Hindutva forces, supported by the government and court, want the Muslim girls to come to educational institutions without hijab and the women are fighting for their right to choose to wear hijab.Of course, the Muslim clergy and Islamic right-wing organizations have supported the movement in this case but among the progressive section of country a debate has gone on whether hijab as an instrument of patriarchy should be supported. In any case, democratic polity requires that the right to choice of women takes precedence over everything else.Religion holds a lot of power in our daily lives even today and is sadly seen in recent times to be used as a tool to exercise power by a few in a socially sanctioned manner using various culturally acceptable rituals, traditions, authority, and beliefs to rule over peoples lives and specify how one should live.Gender is used as a power tool by the oppressors to facilitate and establish patriarchal hegemony over women in society. The political and legal systems also seem to facilitate these cultural and religious commands to exercise control over everything but this pseudo-ownership of womens bodies needs to stop right now.This curbing of freedom on choices on what to wear, to go to public spaces, to eat, to drink, procreate, to study, to sing, to dance, choose a life partner, choose a career, being independent and the literal devaluation of ones life just on the basis of one being born as a woman is not only unfair but inhumane. As the wider world appears to have unravelled into chaos, what better time could there be to sort out one's freezer? We might not have much agency when it comes to who's running the Government, any new horrors Putin will inflict on Ukraine, or the current cost-of- living escalation. But, there's a degree of sanity available in domestic organisation. Which is what's brought me to excavating the freezer, something I haven't attempted for a good decade. When you're looking for distraction from the problems of the world, a freezer is as good a place as any to start. I was inspired to dive into the depths of my cold store by the seemingly endless list of chefs extolling the virtues of batch cooking as a way to help counteract the fuel crisis. Why cook just one meal's worth of meatballs when you can knock up enough for several and save money on the fuel involved in the process? I also have a confession to make: I love nothing more than to pore over Instagram posts that show me how to make my freezer look like Gwyneth Paltrow's larder, or at least how I imagine hers looks, with perfect ranks of clean, labelled storage. Alexandra Shulman: 'I love nothing more than to pore over Instagram posts that show me how to make my freezer look like Gwyneth Paltrow's larder, or at least how I imagine hers looks, with perfect ranks of clean, labelled storage' But what treasures there were to be found deep in the icy bowels of my freezer! The packets of mini croque-monsieurs I'd bought for my last book-launch party which was scuppered by the Covid pandemic; the frozen beetroot ravioli with a date stamp from the last decade; the many plastic containers labelled 'Turkey stock' with no date attributed, and a huge number of sausages from who knows where and from which century. Then there were the endless portions of lockdown soups, all an indeterminate orangey brown. Oh, and a lonely lamb chop. The only way I could reach the nirvana I sought of a beautifully organised freezer was to chuck the whole lot out. Well, everything but the chicken stock I made last week and the remains of slightly unsatisfactory mushroom casserole from the other night in an attempt to be economical and which I hope will live to see another meal, but this time with a much-needed addition of some tasty beef. The sight of a near-empty freezer is giving me the kind of calm that endless attempts at mindfulness rarely achieve. It's the same feeling you get when you move into a new home so spacious and beautiful and full of possibility that it feels criminal to put in the furniture. Now, going into this winter of austerity, my freezer is ready to serve. It will be the kind of place where it is possible to find a meal that you just defrost when unexpected guests come over (have you ever managed that? I haven't). It will be the depositary of all kinds of leftovers, stored beautifully with handwritten labels ready to be turned into magical new dishes. It will never again see a clutch of one quarter-filled packets of frozen peas. I have a plan and there will be no U-turns. Will Camilla's hair be her crowning glory? At the other end of the style spectrum, the debate over whether Camilla, the Queen Consort, will wear the crown mounted with the Koh-i-Noor diamond at the Coronation is just the kind of diversion we all need. I very much doubt she much cares about which crown she wears (they are all heavy and deeply uncomfortable). Far more pressing will be the issue of her hair and what to do with it on the day. Crowns and women's hair are difficult companions. As the first woman to be crowned since the late Queen in 1953, there's not much guidance around this particular dilemma. Alexandra Shulman question's what Camilla, the Queen Consort (pictured), will do with her hair for the Coronation of her husband King Charles III Cool Frieze is just another village fete Freize Art Fair has become one of the great London events, drawing in buyers, artists and gallerists from across the world, filling up Central London hotels and restaurants. It's a massive enterprise, but visiting the huge tents in Regent's Park the other day I realised that it resembles little so much as a local village fete. This year Freize even has an outsize vegetable display, courtesy of artist Anthea Hamilton's giant pumpkin sculptures lying on the floor among the more conventional paintings. There's the same fight for prime positioning, whether it be among the cluster of global mega-galleries like White Cube or Hauser and Wirth or among those who want to pitch their home-made marmalade stall in a central spot. Nobody wants to be stuck in the corner. Earth Play by Sueng-Taek Lee at The Sculpture Park during Frieze Art Fair in London Putin can't crush our stoic guests As we wring our hands over Putin's latest attacks on Ukraine, our two lodgers (or guests, as they are more often called) who came from Dnipro (which was bombed last week) maintain an incredible stoicism. Every evening, we have greeted them with solemn Sunday faces, not wishing to seem insensitive about the hard times their family back home are having. But they greet us with brisk and practical chatter. We've learnt a lesson in how to behave in the face of grim circumstances. They are dealing with what we can't really imagine. 'Don't let the bastards get you down' just about sums them up. Young boys seen on the rubble of former communications building in Dnipro, Ukraine, following a shelling Vanessa grabs her second chance Lovely to see pictures of Vanessa Redgrave with her family after receiving her damehood. She turned down the honour in 1999, and it would be interesting to learn why she changed her mind. Or indeed what made the honours committee offer this accolade to her again, having once been rejected. Dame Vanessa Redgrave from London is made a Dame Commander of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace on Thursday There's still life in the printed word We're always reading about the death of print, but in recent years there's been a resurgence of really good small publications. I draw your attention to Noble Rot, a quarterly that has some of the most entertaining food and drink writing; the magazine Delayed Gratification, with its excellent long-form investigations and infographics; and The Fence, a kind of younger-generation Private Eye. It's certainly premature to bring out the hearse. A couple who lost sight of their children at a Christmas market have revealed how they launched a new safety device which uses contactless technology to share information with parents if their kids get lost. British parents Alex Stedman, 38, and Milly, 35, who live in , Kent were at a busy Christmas market last year when they lost sight of their two young children. Milly told FEMAIL her 'heart stopped' at that moment and even though it didn't take long to locate the youngsters, the mother couldn't shake the horrible feeling of having lost them. The couple trawled the internet looking for a device that would fit their needs but found there was a gap in the market - so they decided to create company Adiona, and now sell SmartBands to parents of children aged one to eight. British parents Alex Stedman, 38, and Milly, 35, who live in Kent were at a busy Christmas market last year when they lost sight of their two young children The couple launched a new safety device which uses contactless technology to share information with parents if their kids get lost Using the same technology that is found in debit and credit cards to enable contactless payments, the SmartBand is designed with an NFC(Near Field Communication) chip to help parents find children who have wandered off in a crowd, or got themselves lost while trick or treating. If another adult finds your child, they can hold their own smart phone to the silicone wristband, and it will display the parents' contact information on their phone screen. Milly told FEMAIL: 'When I lost my children I panicked, I did the things any parent would do - call out their names and hope they would hear me. 'The whole incident left a lasting impression. The SmartBands are waterproof and made of silicone - they use the same technology as your credit or debit card 'If my children had a SmartBand, I would have been alerted to their whereabouts that evening. 'We came up with the name 'Adiona' as it originates from ancient times and is the name of the Roman goddess of the safe return journey home. 'We thought it was a fitting name for a product that would help ease a common fear for most parents and guardians.' 'There were also some made for adults participating in sporting events, which might have been able to work if they weren't only in adult size.' Milly described the moment she lost her children as 'horrible' and said it left a 'lasting impression on her' A young model shows off his blue Adiona SmartBand, created by his resourceful parents The SmartBand is waterproof, doesn't require charging and the NFC chip is then embedded with a unique profile URL which is pre-loaded with the parent or guardian's relevant information and contact details. By holding a phone against the band, as you would a contactless payment, your child's information - which would include details such as allergies and phobias. This would enable the adult to call the parents and look after the lost child. Milly and Alex do not recommend you use your own name, or your child's name on their SmartBand profile for safety reasons. Mill said: 'Can a child be tricked into walking away with a stranger wearing the SmartBand? This information screen will cone up on your phone when it comes into contact with the SmartBand - which enables you to share your location with the parents 'Well we wanted to make the design as safe as possible - for this reason, we encourage the parents to ensure that they do not include their child's name or their own names in the profile.' Instead, children can be saved as 'eldest child' or 'youngest child'. The Smart band is available exclusively at Adiona.shop and costs 19.99, it comes in several different colors. The couple are looking to branch out it the coming months, hopeful of a line that can help owners find lost pets and larger sizes to fit people with special needs. Jessica started mirroring her character by waking up at 3.33am - the devil's hour Making the creepy new supernatural thriller The Devils Hour proved to be as spooky an experience for Jessica Raine as the series is for her character. The former Call The Midwife star plays Lucy Chambers, a frazzled mother haunted by premonitions of terrible events who wakes every night at the same time 3.33am, the so-called devils hour for reasons she cant fathom. And as if that werent taxing enough, Lucy is a newly single mother juggling a demanding job in social services with bringing up her strangely emotionless eight-year-old son Isaac (Benjamin Chivers) and coping with her mothers (Barbara Marten) apparent dementia. And just like Lucy, Jessica was spooked during filming by waking up in the middle of the night, albeit for other reasons. I have a three-year-old wholl pad into my room, gently stroke my face and in a very sinister way whisper, Its only me, laughs Jessica, 40. But Benji was terrifying. He just clicks in to being Isaac, incredibly still and emotionless and focused. Hes off the scale. Call The Midwife star Jessica Raine is staring in a new supernatural thriller with Peter Capaldi (both pictured) And to add to the chilling experience, she found herself living alone in a huge house in Surrey for a while. Production got me a big house because I said my family would come and stay explains Jessica. In the end they didnt because I was very busy, so I was rattling around in this four bedroom house on my own and I definitely found it difficult to sleep. And there were two moments when I actually did wake up at 3.33 on my own... in this huge house! Writer Tom Moran says the concept of the Devils Hour dates back to the 16th century, when the church prohibited activities between 3am and 4am due to fears of witchcraft. The time of 3.33am is associated with the number of the beast, 666, and its also been suggested that Jesus died at 3pm at the age of 33, he says. So at 3.33, the threshold between the domains of the living and the dead was said to be at its thinnest. Its not surprising the role had such a profound effect on Jessica. The supernatural element in the show seems to be channelled through Lucy, whos haunted by violent and terrifying visions. At the same time her mental health is unravelling, her marriage has broken down, and her sons lack of emotion is baffling even his psychologist. Barbara Marten (pictured) plays Lucys mother in the The Devil's Hour. The six-part Amazon drama unfolds mostly in flashback, but in the present day we see Lucy, bruised and battered, locked in a windowless room Even more frighteningly, shes locked in a battle of wills with a suspected killer called Gideon (former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi), whose identity and motives remain a mystery for much of the series. The six-part Amazon drama unfolds mostly in flashback, but in the present day we see Lucy, bruised and battered, locked in a windowless room with Gideon and trying to figure out what he wants from her. Shes been drawn into the police pursuit of him, a murder investigation run by DI Ravi Dhillon (Starstrucks Nikesh Patel), after he threatened Lucy and her son. Finally she starts to listen to what these visions mean, says Jessica. Peter portrays Gideon as an evil presence with a Hannibal Lecter vibe. Gideons smart and elusive, he says. But when the police finally catch him, hes not quite what we thought. At 3.33am, the threshold between the domains of the living and dead was said to be at its thinnest Playing such a dangerous character makes a change for Peter, 64, best known for his avuncular Time Lord and potty-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It. It was fun to do, he says. Gideon was as elusive to me as he is when we try to explain him to people who havent seen the series. The idea of playing this character who appears to be one thing but is another thing completely was attractive. The biggest challenge for an expressive actor like Peter was being handcuffed all day. I tend to use my hands all the time, so I suppose it was good discipline for me, to be chained to the table unable to move. Since her breakout role in Call The Midwife ten years ago, Jessica has landed numerous highprofile jobs, from Wolf Hall to Patrick Melrose and Baptiste. But in 2019 she put the brakes on her career to savour the joys of motherhood. I took the decision to stop, says Jessica. And when I was ready to work again the pandemic hit, so the gap became two years. 'Then incredible jobs seemed to just plop into my lap. But its been a year of solid working while being a first-time mother, which is tough. So how did she unwind while filming The Devils Hour? I went for a walk in a graveyard, she laughs. My husband called me and was like, What are you doing? Youre in a graveyard? And I said, Yes, its really chilled out. It sounds like the eerie vibe of The Devils Hour really did get under her skin. Countess of Wessex arrived in Ethiopia last night as she continues Africa tour Sophie Wessex showcased her fashion credentials last night when arriving in Ethiopia for the next leg of her Africa tour. In her first appearance in the country, the Countess, 57, met President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa. The mother-of-two looked typically stylish in a white blazer teamed with a pink patterned skirt as she chatted with Sahle-Work. She had spent the last few days in Malawi, where she gave a speech saying how 'proud' her late mother-in-law the Queen was of the Commonwealth. Sophie Wessex showcased her fashion credentials last night when arriving in Ethiopia for the next leg of her Africa tour In her first appearance in the country, the Countess, 57, met President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa During her final appearance in Malawi, Sophie looked pensive as she visited a neonatal unit at a hospital to meet premature babies. Staff gathered to greet the royal as she wandered the wards of Kamuzu Hospital, stopping to say hello to small children who are patients and chatting with doctors about the facility. She was seen clasping her hands together as she met young patients on the pediatric unit, and also took a trip to the Kangaroo maternity department to speak with expectant mothers. Elsewhere, she told how her 'dear mother-in-law' the late Queen was 'so happy' for the people of Malawi at the country's elimination of the eye disease trachoma. The mother-of-two looked typically stylish in a white blazer teamed with a pink patterned skirt as she chatted with Sahle-Work Sophie, who is currently on a lengthy solo tour of Africa and has visited a number of countries in the past two weeks, appeared in good spirits Sophie, in a speech in Malawi to mark World Sight Day, said the Queen knew the summer before she died that the countess would be returning to the southern African nation soon to celebrate its success in battling the condition, which can cause blindness. The countess, global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), said: 'We owe a dept of thanks to Her late Majesty for this incredible legacy and we say 'zikomo' (thank you).' The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Fund focused - on the instruction of the Queen - on offering financial support to help combat avoidable blindness across the Commonwealth including in Malawi. Sophie travelled to Malawi five years ago as vice patron of the Trust, and said the Queen had been 'so moved' to hear of the work being carried out. Sophie opted for a smart white blazer with a floral pink skirt as she sat down for the meeting with the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia The countess said: 'The success we celebrate today means that future generations of Malawians will not have to face the high risk of blindness caused by trachoma - the irritation, the terrible pain, the scarring and the darkness, nor the prospect of not being able to learn, work or cook without help and support. 'Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, my dear mother-in-law, was so proud of the Commonwealth and all that it stood for. 'Last time I returned from Malawi, when I had travelled on her behalf, as vice patron of her Trust, I told her all about my visit and she was so moved by the amazing work taking place here. 'This summer, before she passed away, she also knew that I was returning to Malawi and why. 'She knew of Malawi's achievement and was so pleased that this was made possible by the fund, with eyesight being its principle objective. She was so happy for Malawians.' The royal mother-of-two appeared in good spirits during the discussion in Ethiopia yesterday (pictured) Sophie said she had a 'heart full of joy' to be back in Malawi again to witness the formalisation of the achievement, saying: 'Today is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life.' She brought with her a personal letter from the King to the country's president, Lazarus Chakwera, expressing his congratulations. Charles wrote: 'This is a remarkable success, and a true testament to all those whose hard work, dedication and commitment has led to Malawi becoming the first country in Southern Africa to eliminate this devastating, neglected tropical disease as a public health issue.' Malawi is the first country supported by the Trust to reach the milestone of trachoma elimination. During her trip, Sophie visited Mgawi Village where she met eye surgery patient Litens Dalali at her home following her treatment for chronic trachoma. She was joined by surgeon Gladys Ntwana. The countess sat on a mat on the ground as she chatted to the woman and met her family, stroking the head of one youngster as the child lay cuddled against a female relative. She also travelled to the Maganga Clinic in Salima to meet others who have benefitted from medical treatment. Earlier this week, the royal was in Ethiopia, and was pictured looking pensive as she flipped through a book of condolence for the beloved Queen while in the country. In one photo she appeared to be reading a message from an ambassador, Victor Adeleke, seemingly penned on September 12 - just a few days after the Queen's passing. In his note, he penned: 'The world will surely miss you! Mama to His Majesty King Charles. 'On behalf of all members of the Embassy of Nigeria, here in Addis, we say journey well to your Lord. Rest in perfect peace.' Mother-of-two snuggled up with corgis on the morning of her 63rd birthday Duchess of York now cares for the two dogs with her ex-husband Prince Andrew Sarah Ferguson has marked her 63rd birthday by posting heartwarming pictures of her snuggling up with The Queen's corgis - calling Muick and Sandy the 'present that keeps on giving'. The Duchess of York adopted the animals with her ex-husband Prince Andrew, 62, after the monarch's death last month, and now cares for the two dogs at their Royal Lodge home near Windsor Castle. This morning, the mother-of-two posted a series of photos with her 392,000 Instagram followers from one of their recent walks around the royal estate. In her first post, Sarah was pictured lying down on the grass as the Queen's two beloved dogs stood side-by-side next to her. 'The presents that keeps giving...': Sarah Ferguson (pictured) posted a series of heartwarming photos with the Queen's corgis on the morning of her 63rd birthday The two corgis, Sandy and Muick (pictured) touched people's hearts when they were spotted outside Windsor Castle waiting for the processional of the Queen's coffin following her Westminster Abbey funeral Her Majesty's love of corgis was well-known, and after she was gifted one of the dogs for her 18th birthday, she kept the breed for the rest of her life She captioned the image: 'The presents that keep giving...' The Duchess then went on to share a carousel of five more pictures - showing the dogs enjoying a cuddle with their new owner. As well as sending Sarah well wishes on her birthday, followers were thrilled to see the dogs being so well looked after. 'How heartbreakingly beautiful,' one fan commented. 'They are in safe, gentle hands with Sarah.' Royal fans were thrilled to see the dogs being so well looked after. Muick and Sandy now live with Sarah and Andrew at Royal Lodge in Windsor In the snaps, which are thought to have been taken at her home of the Royal Lodge in Windsor, the Duchess of York could be seen frolicking on the grass with the dogs (pictured) 'Im so glad they both are with you now, Sarah,' another added. 'Poor babies.' 'Please keep us updated about them,' a third wrote. 'Good to see they are doing fine.' Earlier this month, the Duchess said that being asked to take care of Sandy and Muick has been a 'big honour', according to the Telegraph. Speaking at the Henley Literary Festival, Sarah said that she's well aware that the two new additions to her household are 'national treasures' who have been 'trained well'. As Sarah and Andrew already shared five Norfolk terriers, the two corgis have had to integrate with them. Muick and Sandy have been settling into their new home at Royal Lodge (pictured) in Windsor with the Duke and Duchess of York She said: 'They all balance out, the carpet moves as I move but Ive got used to it now.' The dogs had been a gift to the Queen from Andrew and his daughters Princess Beatrice and Eugenie following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. It was believed Andrew and Sarah had been walking the dogs in the months leading to the Queen's death. The Queen owned more than 30 of the sandy, short-legged dogs throughout her reign after her father gave her her first corgi for her 18th birthday. Her dogs were given the Royal treatment having their own rooms with elevated wicker baskets and meals of beef, chick, rabbit, liver, cabbage and rice being prepared by a chef each evening. The Queen owned over 30 corgis over the course of her life. Pictured in 2020 with Fergus - who was a cross between a corgi and a dachshund Her Majesty was given her first corgi at the age of 18 by her father King George VI. Pictured left in 1952 with one of her beloved dogs. Pictured right in 1959 with Duke of Edinburgh at the entrance of Windsor Castle Sometimes the Queen herself made the dog's meals. But her late husband was said to have 'loathed' the dogs' yapping. Muick, pronounced Mick, joined the royal family at the start of 2021 along with a so-called 'dorgi', a cross between a corgi and a dachshund, called Fergus. Muick had been named after Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate, where the Queen died on Thursday. Fergus had been named after the Monarch's uncle who was killed during battle in the First World War. Fergus died after just five months and was later replaced with a new corgi called Sandy, as a 95th birthday present from Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Speaking at the time of the new corgi arrivals, the Queen's dresser Angela Kelly, said: 'I was worried they would get under the Queens feet, but they have turned out to be a godsend. 'They are beautiful and great fun and the Queen often takes long walks with them in Home Park.' The two corgis now live with Prince Andrew (pictured) as well as his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at Royal Lodge in Windsor Behaviour expert Dr Roger Mugford, who helped the Queen manage her pack of corgis over the years, said that the animals were 'psychologically so important' for the Queen's happiness. Palace sources speaking to the Daily Mail previously revealed the beloved corgis were 'with [the Queen] in the room' at her deathbed when she died on September 8 at Balmoral. They then touched people's hearts when they made a poignant appearance at Her Majesty's funeral on September 19. As the late monarch's coffin made its way from London to its final resting place in Windsor, Muick and Sandy waited for the processional to pass, to see the Queen for one last time. The dogs were seen waiting in the quadrangle with two aides before the late monarch was laid to rest in St George's Chapel. The future Queen is expected to become Royal figurehead of horse-racing Camilla, 75, finished her look with a four-strand pearl choker and suede heels Queen Consort wore a matching black-and-white coat and dress for the races The Queen Consort indulged her love of horseracing as she attended Ascot, but her husband's runner King's Lynn failed to secure victory at the famous ground. Camilla smiled as she arrived for the QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday, wearing a navy blue and white dress and coat by Bruce Oldfield, with a Philip Treacy hat. The King's horse - named King's Lynn - finished 10th in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes in the early afternoon. Ahead of the race, Camilla was seen speaking to trainer Andrew Balding and jockey David Probert. The Queen Consort indulged her love of horseracing as she attended Ascot, but her husband's runner King's Lynn failed to secure victory at the famous ground Camilla, 75, chose a chic black-and-white midi dress for the special occasion in Berkshire this afternoon The Queen Consort wore a matching black-and-white coat and dress for British Champions Day at Ascot The royal made winning trophy presentations, and also presented the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame medal to retired jockey Willie Carson. Carson threw his hands in the air in celebration and grinned widely. Camilla, 75, chose a chic black-and-white midi dress for the special occasion in Berkshire this afternoon. The A-Line garment featured a V-neck cut and white bodice that perfectly matched her coat's pristine collar. Braving the temperamental British weather, the future Queen finished off her look with a linen-blend matching hat, opaque tights and black suede heels. The royal made winning trophy presentations, and also presented the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame medal to retired jockey Willie Carson During the presentation event, the Queen Consort was beaming with joy and clutched onto the hand of Willie (pictured) Finishing off her look, Camilla styled her blonde hair in her signature waves and wore her four-stand pearl choker with a round diamond clasp. A hugely passionate racing fan, Camilla is attending the last events in the sporting calendar year this afternoon. Last month, the Mail on Sunday reported that Camilla is set take over the reins from the late Queen as the Royal figurehead of horse-racing - a passion she shared with her mother-in-law. A senior racing source said: I think now it will be Camilla she will be the figurehead. The plan has always been that Charles and Camilla would take on the legacy. The Queen Consort spoke with John Warren (left) and Sir Francis Brooke (right) before the races began this afternoon Camilla appeared in good spirits as she chatted with the two men during the day out earlier this afternoon Umbrellas at the ready! Camilla came prepared for rain with her matching umbrella The Queen Consort (pictured arriving at Ascot this afternoon) is expected to become the Royal Family's royal racing figurehead Camilla obviously adores horses and is hugely passionate about racing. 'She really loves it, particularly Cheltenham the jumps. I think theres a pretty clear plan, given the Queens passion and love for racehorses. Camilla has long had a passion for horses, being a keen rider. She is president of the Ebony Horse Club - a riding charity. Back in January 2021, during a chat with Charlie Mackesy - author of best-selling book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse - Camilla revealed how she spent her childhood doodling horses. Charles and Camilla are committed to ensuring the continued success of Royal Ascot in Berkshire. The King has inherited about 24 racehorses and some 80 brood mares plus the Sovereigns racing colours: purple body with gold braid, scarlet sleeves and black velvet cap with gold trim. Ascot chic! Glamorous racegoers opted for statement headbands as they braved the temperamental British weather Bringing the glamour! Ascot racegoers pulled out all the stops for the final event in the sporting 2022 calendar The Princess Royal and Zara Tindall may wish to have first pickings of the mares but their main interest is eventing horses not racehorses. Glamorous Ascot attendees pulled out all the stops this afternoon for the final engagement in the racing calendar this year. Statement headbands were all the rage among fashion fans - with organza bows being the most popular style. Meanwhile, other guests braved the cloudy weather by wrapping up in fur gilets and blazers before bidding goodbye to the races for another year. Bold prints: This glamorous trio rocked stunning paisley prints with their designer handbags Braving the cold: fashionable Ascot didn't let the changeable weather stand in the way of their stunning ensembles Although King Charles was a keen amateur jockey in the 1980s, his involvement has been nominal - leaving space for his wife to become the Royal Family's racing figurehead. Today's appearance from Camilla comes after it emerged royal palace aides are reportedly hoping to quietly drop 'Consort' from Queen Consort Camilla's title ahead of King Charles' coronation in May 2023. The decision will ultimately be dependent on how warmly the public accepts Camilla as she steps into her new role over the coming months. Queen Elizabeth II publicly announced at her Platinum Jubilee in February Camilla would receive the title of Queen Consort when Charles acceded the throne. Finishing off her look, Camilla styled her blonde hair in her signature waves and wore her four-stand pearl choker with a round diamond clasp The Queen Consort appeared in high spirits as she arrived at the racecourse this afternoon (pictured) Today's appearance from Camilla comes after it emerged royal palace aides are reportedly hoping to quietly drop 'Consort' from Queen Consort Camilla's title ahead of King Charles' coronation in May 2023 The future Queen finished off her ensemble with black suede heels and a four-strand pearl choker And speaking after his mother's death last month, the new Monarch referred to his wife as such, stating: 'I count on the loving help of my darling wife, Camilla. In recognition of her own loyal public service since our marriage seventeen years ago, she becomes my Queen Consort.' But a new report from The Telegraph suggests aides would be more than happy to drop 'Consort' from the title if there is public appetite to do so. A source told the publication there is hope of a natural transition in which the public and the press begin adopting the simpler, shortened 'Queen Camilla' title. The Duchess of Gloucester was in high spirits today as she attended the Freedom of Winchester Parade - despite the pouring rain. Birgitte van Deurs, 76, who is married to the late Queen's cousin Prince Richard of Gloucester, was beaming with joy as she watched the parade take place in the city today. During the event, the Duchess wore a smart white coat, and could be seen carrying her own umbrella. She opted for minimal makeup, with a sweep of light eyeshadow and pale pink lipstick to complete her look. Local people and visitors were invited to enjoy the spectacle of a 'freedom parade' by the Adjutant General's Corps in Winchester. The right of 'Freedom of Entry' to the city is an ancient privilege and allows a Regiment to parade through Winchester with 'bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying'. The Duchess of Gloucester was in high spirits today as she attended the Freedom of Winchester Parade - despite the pouring rain Birgitte van Deurs, 76, who is married to the late Queen's cousin Prince Richard of Gloucester, was beaming with joy as she watched the parade take place in the city today Military took part in the Freedom of Winchester Parade earlier today, while members of the public watched on It comes from a period in history when only trusted units would be allowed to carry arms within city boundaries. The City Council awarded Freedom of Entry to the former Royal Army Pay Corps on 27 October 1970. The Pay Corps was amalgamated when the Adjutant General's Corps was formed and the City Council formally transferred the honour to the new Corps on 11 April 1996. The event is in the morning with the troops and band 'stepping off' from Peninsula Barracks, marching down the High Street, forming up in the Broadway, moving off around the King Alfred statue, marching to the Cathedral for a service and finally returning to the Guildhall for a civic reception. Crowds gathered to watch the Freedom of Winchester parade earlier this afternoon, despite the rain Her husband was born Prince Richard of Gloucester and met his Danish future wife, Birgitte van Deurs, who was studying at the Bell School of Languages, at Cambridge University in 1965. He was working as an architect but cut his career short when his older brother Prince William of Gloucester tragically died in a plane crash seven weeks after their marriage. Richard then became the heir to his father, Henry, Duke of Gloucester- one of George VI's brothers. Lord Lieutenants inspected the troops in the rain at the Freedom of Winchester Parade (pictured) The event is in the morning with the troops and band 'stepping off' from Peninsula Barracks, marching down the High Street, forming up in the Broadway, moving off around the King Alfred statue, marching to the Cathedral for a service and finally returning to the Guildhall for a civic reception. Prince Richard and Birgitte had not expected to embark on a life of duty but did so after their marriage when he became the heir. They have spent 50 years as working royals and visited charities and organisations carrying out hundreds of engagements together for sectors such as humanitarian issues, the environment and veterans. These are listed in the daily Court Circular but rarely reported on in the media. Second to Princess Anne, the Duke of Gloucester was named as one of the hardest-working royals, with 13 engagements booked in for July. The Duchess appeared in good spirits despite the poor weather, and was pictured chatting with fellow attendees Alongside his wife, they were named the hardest-working royal couple, with a total of 22 events combined for July. The duke reportedly had a close relationship with his first cousin the Queen and saw his role as supporting her and helping to share the responsibility of regional visits. He also represented her at events over the last decade and appeared at several occasions for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations including Trooping the Colour and Party at the Palace. The Duke and Duchess were photographed on the balcony at the Trooping the Colour RAF flypast this year. They appeared as part of a slimmed-down Royal Family line-up for the event, alongside other royals. Other royals who appeared were: The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children, The Princess Royal and Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra. The Gloucesters have three children - the Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Windsor and Lady Rose Gilman. The late royal served in Spanish army and boosted Portugal's fishing industry King Felipe of Spain welcomed Monaco's Prince Albert for lunch at La Zarzuela Palace this afternoon to mark 100 years since the Prince's great-grandfather passed away. The two royals shook hands outside the royal residence in Madrid before enjoying a meal in private in honour of the late Prince Albert I. Prince Albert, 64, is currently touring Portugal and Spain to celebrate his great-grandfather's life and reign, which lasted 33 years. Before inheriting the throne when he was 41, the late royal served in the Spanish Navy as a navigator and was awarded the French Legion Order of Honour for his service in the Franco-Prussian War. King Felipe of Spain (right) shook hands with Prince Albert II of Monaco (right) outside of Zarzuela Palace in Madrid this afternoon Following his military career, Albert I grew increasingly passionate about oceanography and went on to complete 28 expeditions around the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. In Portugal, the Prince is remembered for discovering a small shelf around the Azores archipelago, which boosted the country's fishing industry. To this day, it is still known as 'Princess Alices shelf' in honour of the ship Albert was travelling on. Thanks to his pioneering oceanography studies, Albert and his team of biologists, zoologists and geographers developed the first maps of the worlds ocean depths. Prince Albert II, 64, is touring Spain and Portugal to celebrate great-grandfather's life and reign - 100 years on from his death. Pictured before having lunch with the King of Spain, 54 The Prince passed away at the age of 73 on June 26, 1922 - leaving his son Louis II, whose son Rainier III went on to marry American actress Grace Kelly, to inherit his position The Prince passed away at the age of 73 on June 26, 1922- leaving his son Louis II, whose son Rainier III went on to marry American actress Grace Kelly, to inherit his position. Today's engagement with Albert II falls on an already busy week for King Felipe following Spain's National Day celebrations on Wednesday. The King was joined by his wife Queen Letizia and their daughter Princess Sofia to watch for the annual military parade in Madrid. Letizia was elegant as ever in a matching polka dot mint green frock for the outing as the family soaked up the pomp and pageantry of National Day. The holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. Sofia wore her hair down, styled in loose ringlets with minimal make-up, while Leitiza kept her locks in a sleek up-do, paired with pear drop earrings and a smoky eye. King Felipe, who ascended the throne in 2014, looked dapper in full military uniform as he oversaw a military display. They were joined by Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Roble in the capital. A woman who couldn't carry a child after battling cervical cancer has become a mother - after her friend was her surrogate. Cassie Bush, 32, from Somerset, first noticed bleeding after sex in 2016 and was diagnosed with stage 2B cervical cancer- this is when the cancer has started to spread outside of the womb. In November 2017 she chose to freeze her eggs on the NHS and after months of gruelling chemo and radiotherapy at Royal Unit Hospital, Bath, Cassie got the all-clear in March 2018. She quickly began searching for a surrogate to carry a baby for her and her boyfriend- before her best friend Becky Siddell, 31, offered to help. Becky had a fertilised embryo transferred into her uterus and she went on to welcome Cassie's son Barnaby in May 2022. Cassie said she 'never expected' to have a baby in 'this way', adding: 'We couldn't believe it when Becky offered to carry our baby for us. We thought it was just something said over a few drinks and not a genuine offer.' Cassie Bush, 32, from Somerset, who couldn't carry a child after battling cervical cancer has become a mother - after her friend was her surrogate (pictured, having chemotherapy) Becky gave birth to Barnaby, at the Royal Unit Hospital, Bath, in May 2022- weighing 6lb 15.5oz (pictured left to right, Jamie, Becky, Cassie and Jack with Barnaby) Cassie was initially diagnosed with cervical ectropion - a condition where the cells from inside the cervix grow outside. Cassie, who was 'in no pain at all', didn't think much of the condition when she was diagnosed with cervical ectropion. But as the bleeding worsened, Cassie's boyfriend Jack Clail, 31, insisted she go back to the doctor. After seeking a second opinion, was sent for an internal ultrasound and a biopsy on her cervix at Royal Unit Hospital, Bath, to find the cause of the bleeding. Becky had a fertilised embryo transferred into her uterus and she went on to welcome Cassie's son Barnaby in May 2022 (pictured, Cassie with Becky and Jack) Cassie was shocked to discover she had Stage 2B cervical cancer around a year later on October 4 2017. An MRI scan revealed the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and she needed chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cassie, a beautician who owns her own company, from Keynsham, Somerset, said: 'Two weeks before my diagnosis, my life was normal. Then suddenly I was focusing on cancer and thinking about my future.' She said: 'I thought it was going to be about my fertility - I never thought it was cancer. 'Jack was amazing at firing all the questions - I just sat there in complete disbelief.' Cassie was dealt another blow when she found out the radiotherapy would trigger early menopause and make it impossible for her to carry her own baby. Her only option for having her own baby in the future was to freeze her eggs and use a surrogate carrier. She had 26 eggs collected - 20 of which were combined with Jack's sperm to make an embryo. WHAT ARE THE LAWS ON SURROGACY? The laws of surogacy differ from country to country. In the US the laws suffer from state to state; some states have written legislation while others have common laws stemming from court decisions. For example, California is accepting of surrogacy agreements and upholds agreements that include LGBT people. However, others are stricter, like Michigan, which forbids absolutely all surrogacy agreements, and fines people $500,000 for entering into agreements. In the UK surrogates are the legal mother of any child they carry, unless they sign a parental order transferring their rights to the intended parents when they give birth. The birth mother always has the right to keep her child, even if they are not genetically related. Its illegal to pay a surrogate in the UK, except for medical expenses. Advertisement Cassie underwent five weeks of chemotherapy alongside five weeks of daily radiotherapy at the Royal Unit Hospital, Bath, in November 2017. It was followed by four session of brachytherapy - internal radiotherapy - over two weeks in January 2018, to zap any remaining cancer cells. 'Only two of my eggs were very high grade so not the best odds,' she said. 'But I focused on the treatment, which was tough, but I didn't let it get me down. 'I always did my makeup and tried to feel my best, I went to out celebrate New Year's Eve and made sure I still did normal things. 'My family were amazing - my dad, Kelvin, took me out for lots of fry-ups to help me gain weight after I lost a lot during chemotherapy. 'It was a difficult time, but I had lots of support around me.' In March 2018, Cassie went for a final MRI scan which showed no more signs of the disease. Despite being cancer-free, Cassie's body entered menopause and she had to start hormone replacement therapy. 'It finally all hit me, and my body was going through a lot of changes,' she said. 'But when I started HRT, it was like a cloud had lifted and I felt like myself again.' After settling back into normal life, Cassie and Jack joined Surrogacy UK and started looking for a potentially carrier. Despite going to a few events, the couple struggled to find anyone they bonded with and left feeling deflated. While out for drinks in 2019 with their best friends Becky, a family support worker, and her husband Jamie, 31, a lorry driver, they got chatting about their search. That's when Becky proposed an idea that 'blew' the couple away. Cassie said: 'Jack went to school with Jamie, so we were all really good friends. 'Out of the blue, Becky said she would be our surrogate - I couldn't believe it. Becky gave birth to Barnaby, at the Royal Unit Hospital, Bath, in May 2022- weighing 6lb 15.5oz (pictured, Cassie with her son) 'We text her the next morning asking: 'are you sure?' 'But she was deadly serious the next day, and we were so overwhelmed.' Becky, who already has two children, Max, nine, and Evie, five, was able to sign-up to surrogacy UK because she has already carried children of her own. After all the legal documentation was signed, Becky had a fertilised embryo - made up of Cassie's egg and Jack's sperm - transferred into her uterus in September 2021- at Bath Fertility Clinic, Bath. A few weeks later, on September 15 2021, she invited Cassie over to take a pregnancy test and they were delighted to discover she had fallen pregnant on the first try. Cassie said she and her husband Jack didn't want to know their baby's gender before he was born - and instead just hoped he was healthy The expectant mother then surprised Jack with the news that they were going to be parents. Cassie said: 'I swore everyone to secrecy so I could tell him myself. 'I always dreamed giving him a box with a baby grow and positive pregnancy test inside. 'I pretended they were paint samples when he opened it - he was so happy. 'Becky was a dream throughout the pregnancy, we managed to come along to all the appointments. 'She really made us feel part of the whole journey.' The group are now closer than ever, with Cassie saying Becky has been 'so relaxed and reassuring' during the process At 38 weeks, doctors found Becky's blood pressure was high, so doctors induced her the week of her due date, at the Royal Unit Hospital, Bath. Her waters were broken at 12pm on May 24 2022 and two hours later, the baby arrived. Becky gave birth to Barnaby, at the Royal Unit Hospital, Bath, in May 2022- weighing 6lb 15.5oz. 'We didn't know the gender - we just wanted him to be healthy,' Cassie said. 'Becky was an absolute star during labour, it was the most incredible moment of my life.' Cassie said she 'never thought' she'd have a baby in 'this way' but is over-the-moon to be a mother (pictured) The couple are now in the process of filing a parental order to become Barnaby's legal parents and are enjoying time together as a new family The couple are now in the process of filing a parental order to become Barnaby's legal parents and are enjoying time together as a new family. Cassie said: 'We're currently in the process of filling out a parental order Barnaby because legally, he's not ours. 'That's the hardest thing for us - we didn't realise that was something we'd have to do. 'But Becky and Jamie have been so relaxed and reassuring. 'Becky has been an incredible friend - she went above and beyond for us. I honestly cannot thank her enough for everything she's done. 'Barnaby just the best baby - so chilled and happy. I never thought I'd have a baby this way, and now our little boy has this amazing, extended family. 'We all feel very lucky.' She offers fat freezing, which I tried, and the results speak for themselves She says despite hardships she has no regrets quitting her corporate life She opened her clinic in March 2020, three weeks before Australia's lockdown Sydney mum-of-three Anne Grobler (pictured) quit her high-flying corporate career to open an aesthetics clinic A mum-of-three has revealed how she ditched her high-flying corporate job to pursue a career in the cosmetic industry - and she's never looked back. Sydney's Anne Grobler was at the top of her game at some of the world's biggest insurance companies, but for years she pined for another life. Speaking to FEMAIL the 55-year-old revealed she has often felt a calling 'to help others', to feel good about themselves in particular. She now runs North Shore Aesthetics and is proud to have been able to 'build something of her own'. And she is on the right track with one client claiming her services are 'better than liposuction' and have helped them get over major body hang ups. It hasn't been easy, however, and it took her years to build the confidence to 'give it a go'. The timing was never right, first she was building her career, then her family, so for over 20 years she continued to put her ideas on the back burner. Anne says she loved being a working mum, and her career in marketing, then one day she decided she needed to build something of her own These photos, taken six weeks apart, show how one application of her fat freezing machine got rid of most of the stubborn fat making leading to my double chin 'I was a working mum my whole life, and I loved it. It was my passion but then at a certain point I decided it wasn't. I had had enough and wanted a change, something of my own I could grow,' she said. Then in late 2018 something snapped. Her kids had moved out, her family home was paid for and her husband was secure in his job. 'I realised that my time had come, I could take a risk and it wouldn't be catastrophic if it didn't work out,' she said. She looked into different beauty sector and kept coming back to aesthetics, particularly the fat freezing and body sculpting products. Anne wants people to be able to feel happy and confident in their own skin - and says she is proud of the incredible results she is able to achieve By February 2019 Anne had quit her job and was researching different machines, often putting herself up as a test subject. 'I wanted to make sure I was only investing in machines that would deliver the results, and I have tried many that don't,' she said. She settled on the Tesla Former, Cooltech machine and Ultraformer, devices that can do everything from non-surgical face lifts to radical fat loss and muscle strengthening. The machines are expensive and Anne poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into her clinic, initially teaming up with a business partner. By March 2020 Anne had done the training and testing needed to set up shop - and had decked out her clinic, North Shore Aesthetics. 'Three weeks after we opened we had to close our doors, because Covid hit,' she said. 'Then my business partner pulled out and I was on my own wondering how I was going to get this business off the ground,' she said. When she was allowed to open again business was good - because people had spent months staring at themselves on camera and were invested in making changes. Anne says the machine works on men and women of all shapes and sizes - here she shows off another patient's transformation But then the retail space was hit again, with another round of lockdowns and restrictions. 'It takes two years to build a business, which I was ready for, but I didn't realise I would have a business partner walk out and a pandemic to add to the mix,' she said. For the first time in her life Anne didn't know when her next paycheck would come. 'In my corporate job I knew I would have a paycheck deposited every month - when I opened my own business I had no idea what I was in for,' she said. But business is going well, and while it has quiet moments Anne remains hopeful. 'I am so proud to have built a functioning business,' she said. She had even been able to put on a staff member and offer an injector one-day a week to do in-demand work. Anne revealed she has struggled with appearance-related anxiety for a long time - and wanted to help others in her shoes 'Initially I didn't want to go down that path, and wont myself, but I understand thre is a demand for it,' she said. Anne says life is tougher than it used to be but she wouldn't change it for the world. 'I have always struggled with my weight and I know so many women do and now I can help them,' she said. 'I help people feel good about themselves.' 'And it isn't just the treatments, people want to have a chat, oldies will come in and share a cuppa - I love knowing I am making an impact.' Anne has also introduced cosmetic tattooing, after realising there was a strong market for it. Anne says fat freezing is the most popular service, with many people using it to target the most stubborn areas including 'The V' for men, and love handles and chins for women. It is lunchtime on Tuesday afternoon and the doors to the GP surgery in the market town of Thorne, South Yorkshire, are wide open. But some patients arent happy. One young man talks into his mobile, complaining that his appointment has been cancelled, while an elderly woman has been told there are no more slots available so shell have to try again on the phone at 8am the following morning. But I can never get through on the phone, she tells her companion. Ive travelled to this practice in a bid to understand the problems at the heart of the crisis facing GP clinics across the UK. Since the start of the pandemic, The Mail on Sunday has exposed the difficulties patients have faced accessing GP surgeries, and in May last year we launched a campaign to get doctors to see all patients in person again. This wasnt done lightly. It was prompted by readers who wrote to tell us of missed cancer symptoms and untreated infections that developed into life-threatening sepsis or pneumonia. The situation has undoubtedly improved since then. Today, 66 per cent of all appointments are face-to-face, compared with fewer than half at the peak of the pandemic. But as many will know, problems remain. Mail on Sunday writer Jo McFarlane visits lead GP Dr Emeka Njoku at Northfield Surgery, The Vermuyden Centre, Thorne, Doncaster. Before the pandemic, patients had on average three appointments a year now its just under seven, says Dr Njoku The latest GP patient survey a poll of 700,000 UK adults shows only three-quarters say they are happy with their doctors service, compared with 83 per cent in 2021. Only half said it was easy to get through on the phone, and 26.5 per cent put off making an appointment because it was too hard. When our resident GP, Dr Ellie Cannon, asked readers last month about their latest experiences with GP surgeries, the letters flooded in. Some said they hadnt seen their GP in three years, while others were waiting months for telephone appointments or couldnt get through on the phone at all. Of course it isnt like that at every practice many readers wrote in to praise their excellent GPs. But the crisis isnt over. When Health Secretary Therese Coffey announced plans last month to ensure every patient is seen within two weeks, GPs were horrified, pointing out that they were already overstretched. So why is the situation so dire, as one GP put it to me last week, and why are some practices coping better than others? To try to understand the mounting pressures facing GPs, The Mail on Sunday visited several practices in different parts of the country. First we trawled through readers letters to identify GP surgeries that seemed to be struggling to provide easy access to patients. None would allow us to visit most failed to respond. But one GP recommended we try South Yorkshire, where the problems were particularly acute. We are aware that practices in this area are really struggling to deliver good-quality care and see patients face-to-face, says local GP Dr Dean Eggitt. One particular clinic Northfield Surgery in Thorne, near Doncaster was happy to let us in. It has a plethora of one-star reviews online, most of them referring to the diabolical appointments system. One mother of a six-week-old girl told how she attempted 191 times to get through on the phone. We also visited two practices in South London run by Dr Clare Gerada, the president of the Royal College of GPs, which have introduced methods to cope with the excess pressure. Since the start of the pandemic, The Mail on Sunday has exposed the difficulties patients have faced accessing GP surgeries, and in May last year we launched a campaign to get doctors to see all patients in person again Its important to say that the hard-working doctors we shadowed care deeply about the job and their patients. Any criticism that they are not working is untrue, but they are struggling under a perfect storm of higher demand for appointments, sicker patients, fewer full-time GPs and a growing burden of work behind the scenes. At Northfield, I had a frank conversation with the GP who runs it, Dr Emeka Njoku, who was acutely aware of patients concerns. We know patients are frustrated, he says. Its something we need to work on, and we are trying. The first challenge for Dr Njokus patients is to get through on the clogged-up phone lines, which open at 8am. The practices five GPs each have 30 appointments available every day, ten of which can be booked in advance. When theyre gone, theyre gone which means patients left on hold, or who cant ring at 8am, miss out. That scramble is what makes patients angriest, research found last week. Northfields practice manager Natasha Moore admits the phone technology needs to improve. Before the pandemic we had eight telephone lines for both incoming and outgoing calls, she says. We paid 18,000 to double that during Covid, but it still isnt enough. Like many practices, Northfield introduced online forms at the height of the pandemic, allowing patients to submit queries via its website. This was designed to take pressure off the phone lines. But no one wants to use them. Just four or five are submitted most days, Moore tells me. Many of our patients are elderly and just dont like it, she says. These issues wouldnt be so disastrous if it wasnt for the main problem: soaring demand. The latest GP patient survey a poll of 700,000 UK adults shows only three-quarters say they are happy with their doctors service, compared with 83 per cent in 2021 (stock image) Before the pandemic, patients had on average three appointments a year now its just under seven, says Dr Njoku. Their needs are more complex because of problems stored up during the pandemic. All of this takes up time. It is a similar situation up and down the country. Seven million people awaiting routine operations a record high means patients inevitably deteriorate and seek help from their GP. Nationally the demand for appointments is up 18.5 per cent since 2019. But patients regularly dont turn up about 40,000 per day across the UK, according to recent data. And not all appointments are necessary. One patient tells Dr Njoku about a sore elbow, while another wants to tell him their constipation has improved after taking laxatives. We have patients who are lonely and just ring to chat for half an hour, he says. One asked me if I could recommend a new fridge. There are appointments available. The day before my visit, several patients were invited in to fill slots for that afternoon. If we cant book patients in precisely when they want to be seen, they say they cant get an appointment, says Moore. Clearly, though, a system that allocates same-day appointments on a first-come, first-served basis at 8am isnt benefiting a large proportion of patients. Weve tried to ease the 8am congestion by saying those requesting prescriptions or test results should ring later in the day, says Dr Njoku, but they still call at 8am. They can speak to a pharmacist instantly if they press a button, or could see a nurse. But they mostly want a GP. Some of the pressure facing Northfield and other GP surgeries cant be helped. Many of Northfields 10,000 registered patients are from more deprived areas where rates of chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease are higher. But not all want to be helped. Some have no interest in engaging with us, improving their blood pressure or lowering their blood sugar, says Dr Njoku. Mum has hallucinations after a fall, but didnt see a GP for three months In March, 87-year-old Jean James fell and banged her head. Shortly afterwards she began experiencing disturbing hallucinations, so her daughter tried to book an appointment with her mothers GP. My sister Lynn and I would get calls from Mum asking us why we were asleep on her sofa, says Carol Wall, 62. She was distressed that we were in her house asleep and she couldnt wake us up. Wed have to say, Mum, were at work. Yet despite endless requests, a GP didnt see Jean, from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, for three months. Id call the surgery and was told I was number 40 or something in the queue, says Carol, a council worker. And once youve been waiting for a certain amount of time, the phone line cuts you off. Eventually Carol took a day off work to accompany her mother to the surgery in an effort to book an appointment in person. After queuing for half an hour, we were told we had to book a telephone appointment, says Carol. I explained that Mum was very confused and upset and wanted to see a doctor, but the receptionist refused. The receptionist booked Jean a telephone appointment for six weeks later. However, the GP later asked Jean to go into the practice for a face-to-face check-up, but there still wasnt an appointment available for another month. Jean finally saw a GP in June three months after her fall who referred her to a neurologist for brain scans, but she is still waiting for her appointment. When I called the hospital, they told me she hadnt been seen yet because the GP said she was a non-urgent case, says Carol. Meanwhile, shes still extremely confused. I get at least two frightened calls from her a week. I worry that so much time has passed that weve lost the opportunity to do something about any potential damage. Advertisement And this leads to another problem this one financial. The amount of cash GP practices earn from the NHS is partly dependent on them meeting certain targets. These relate to helping people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, to better manage their health. If practices fail to hit targets, they may be financially penalised. It means that it is harder to stay afloat in areas with greater deprivation a disincentive for GPs who may look to set up a practice or join one. And it risks creating so-called GP deserts in areas of real need. Burnt-out GPs are already leaving the profession in their droves about 22,000 are set to leave or retire over the next five years. South Yorkshire is one of the areas of England where numbers of full-time GPs have fallen the most. And this causes problems with recruitment. Dr Njoku recently interviewed a young GP who wanted 110 per hour to work only between 9.30am and 3pm. She only wanted to see four patients per shift in person, the rest on the telephone, and didnt want to do home visits because she didnt enjoy that during training, says Dr Njoku. Another trimmed her nails during the interview. She assumed wed have to take her on anyway as there are so few GPs we didnt, he adds. Both will be working elsewhere now, as practices are so desperate. The GP clinics I visited in South London are also struggling to recruit new doctors. Many younger GPs dont want to be full time, says Dr Satinder Kumar, a partner at Hurley and Riverside GP practices in Kennington and Vauxhall. It was a vocation when I started 36 years ago. Now they dont want to log on at 7am to start going through hundreds of electronic prescription requests, go to meetings or worry about targets. But thats what we desperately need. Many become locum GPs self-employed doctors who work shifts when needed. Most are excellent, says Dr Kumar, but some cancel at the last minute, so their appointments have to be rearranged. Patient reviews for the clinics, part of The Hurley Group, praise them as excellent and efficient, although some criticise terrible access problems over the phone and being number 30 in the queue. Most patients I encounter seem satisfied, however. Those most in need will always be seen in person. About ten to 15 per cent are earmarked to always get a face-to-face appointment, including all over-75s, those with serious mental health issues and anyone at risk of domestic violence. In total, 40 per cent of their appointments are face-to-face the staff say most inner-city young professionals prefer the convenience of seeing their GP online. The practice manager also says a new phone system, installed last year, has helped to reduce waiting times by 20 per cent. Shadowing one of the GP partners, Dr Gavin McColl, for his afternoon clinic last week lays bare the amount of hard work going on behind the scenes. He starts his day at 9am with a meeting and wont leave the clinic until 9pm, after seeing 20 patients over seven hours. There are also about 400 documents to deal with hospital letters, sick note requests, test results and medication requests. One woman with HIV, who wants to join the police, needs an official form filled out, which takes at least 30 minutes. He wont get a break, or see his young children before bedtime. It is more intense now, he says. As Dr Kumar says: Theres a lot of I want, and that cant always be delivered. To try to understand the mounting pressures facing GPs, The Mail on Sunday visited several practices in different parts of the country Patients see it as their right to see a doctor, and thats an impossible ask we cant deliver a five-star service and see patients when they want to be seen, not with the resources we have. As well as the paperwork, Dr McColls afternoon clinic involves a mixture of responding to eConsult forms (2,500 are submitted every week across The Hurley Group), telephone consultations and face-to-face appointments. Dr McColls first face-to-face patient is what he calls a classic post-pandemic case. The man in his 50s has nausea when he eats. A hospital clinic was supposed to refer him for more tests in April 2020, but they never happened. His condition has got much worse. Dr McColl will refer him again. Then there are the eConsult forms. One is from a man with a new mole. He has attached a photograph, concerned it could be cancer. Dr McColl can see its nothing to worry about and rings him several times, but the calls go unanswered. He says: We need to work out what GP services are supposed to be. Are we a same-day access service, are we old-school GPs managing long-term conditions and risk, or is it about urgent care? At the moment its all of those things. And some places are coping better than others. And will anyone be able to deliver on Therese Coffeys pledge that no patient will wait longer than two weeks? Its not achievable, says Moore. Youll just get quantity of appointments over quality. You might be seen, but it will be for only five minutes, and youll be told to come back in three weeks time. Additional reporting: Moira Petty Pregnant women should avoid any food, drink, face cream or even toothpaste that comes in plastic packaging. That was the alarming advice issued by Italian researchers last week after they found traces of plastic in human breast milk. So-called microplastics, minuscule shreds of the man-made material, were identified in the milk of three-quarters of the mothers studied. In the latest shocking finding concerning microplastics in the human body, the scientists said the women had unknowingly consumed them. Scientists have previously discovered microplastics in the lungs, brains and blood of both living and deceased people. They have been linked to the development of cancer, heart disease and dementia, as well as fertility problems. And there are fears they cause babies to be born dangerously underweight. In December 2020, a report by the Endocrine Society, a group of international experts specialising in hormone health, concluded that widespread contamination from plastics had alarming health effects, potentially contributing to diabetes, reproductive disorders and neurological impairments of developing fetuses. But speaking to The Mail on Sunday, the UKs top toxicology experts have poured cold water on this panic. Much of the current research into the harms caused by microplastics, they say, is wildly unreliable. Many researchers are guilty of using scare tactics, says Professor Richard Lampitt, a microplastics expert at the National Oceanography Centre. Pregnant women should avoid any food, drink, face cream or even toothpaste that comes in plastic packaging. That was the alarming advice issued by Italian researchers last week after they found traces of plastic in human breast milk (stock image) Microplastics are pieces of plastic smaller than five millimetres in length. Most come from single-use plastics such as bottles and food packaging, which degrade slowly. Studies show that microplastics have been found everywhere even in the snow at the top of Mount Everest but scientists are most concerned with microplastics in food, water and the air around us. One Canadian study, published in 2019, suggested that the average person consumes at least 100,000 microplastic particles every year. Its possible that the immune system could try to fight back against these foreign particles, but since plastic is hard to break down, the immune system could go into overdrive and inflame organs, says Dr Heather Leslie, a microplastics researcher previously at the University of Amsterdam. This sort of inflammation in the body is the leading cause behind chronic diseases such as cancer, so microplastic could be a silent trigger behind some of these conditions. But how much plastic is getting into our bodies is still debated. In May, University of Amsterdam researchers looked at 22 people and found each had roughly a tenth of a gram of plastic in their blood. But other scientists claim that this is likely to be an over-estimation, due to flaws in the research. Microplastics are in the air all around us, says Professor Frank Kelly, a community health expert at Imperial College London who specialises in pollution. Unless these studies took place in a completely sterile room, we cant rule out that these samples were contaminated inside the lab. It remains to be seen whether plastic particles are small enough to make it into the bloodstream or travel towards our organs. If we do swallow plastic, however small, the likelihood is it will come out in the toilet. Ive yet to see evidence that plastic particles can make it past the lungs without being coughed or sneezed out. Last year two studies seemed to offer proof that exposure to microplastics could damage human cells. One was an analysis of 17 studies looking at how the material interacted with human cells in a petri dish. The other found that feeding microplastics to male mice reduced their sperm count. But Prof Kelly says: These lab and animal studies use high doses of microplastics to replicate exposure in humans over many years, even decades. Microplastics are pieces of plastic smaller than five millimetres in length. Most come from single-use plastics such as bottles and food packaging, which degrade slowly (stock image) But there is no clear evidence that the level of microplastics we come into contact with in daily life would trigger cell damage. We need human studies. As for claims that microplastics threaten fertility, Prof Lampitt is sceptical. I think many researchers touting these claims dramatise their findings to secure funding, he says. The more the public is interested in their attention-grabbing conclusions, the more research bodies will pay them to investigate. Crucially, experts say plastic itself does not appear to present any danger. Plastic doesnt react badly when we come into contact with it, says Prof Lampitt. We dont have to wash our mouths out after we drink from a plastic cup. Prof Kelly says plastic is as unreactive with human cells as titanium, which is used in joint replacements. In 2019, the World Health Organisation concluded that it could find no evidence that plastics accumulate in the body or pose a risk to humans, so consumers shouldnt be too worried. But what is worrying are the chemicals on the surface of the tiny particles. Plastic is often coated in pretty nasty chemicals, whether thats preservatives used to keep food fresh or flame-retardants to limit the risk of fire, says Prof Kelly. These are what we call forever chemicals, meaning they can stay in the body for a long time. Most worrying of these chemicals is Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to harden plastic. BPA can mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen, fuelling fears that excessive exposure could affect fertility. In January, a Chinese study found that a build-up of BPA during pregnancy can enter the placenta, increasing the risk of the baby being born underweight. Many companies are now taking action to remove BPA. Nestle recently fulfilled its pledge to stop putting it in its products, and Heinz has removed the chemical from all of its UK products. Prof Lampitt says: Trying to get rid of plastic is futile. If we want to calm fears, its worth reducing the number of potentially hazardous chemicals we use in plastic. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. C.O. writes: I was given a penalty ticket for overstaying the parking time in Greenwich Royal Park. I thought it unfair as the pay and display ticket is printed in a most confusing way. Also, I consider it blackmail to tell me that by paying the 40 penalty I had no recourse to appeal, while if I took time to appeal, the penalty would become 80. Conflict: Sam Younger is also chair of the consumer group Which?. Above: the confusing pay and display ticket, with the 'fee' circled Tony Hetherington replies: Let's start with the basic issue, the layout of the pay and display ticket. And I have to admit that when you sent me a copy, I fell into exactly the same trap as you. The ticket has two rows of details, with the top row in large type. The first bit of information is the date, under which is the word 'DATE' in capitals. The eye reads from left to right, and the next bit of information says 12:34, beneath which is the word 'FEE', also in capitals. But this is not the fee. It is the expiry time. The real fee is lower down on the ticket, diagonally opposite the date and with no caption at all. Once this is explained, everything falls into place and you can see what the ticket should say. But I'll bet that you are not the first person to glance at the ticket, be seriously misled, and then get a penalty demand. And the misleading information does not stop there. Tickets and demands are decorated with a large crown, representing the Royal Parks Organisation. But the address, phone number and email all go to a private company, NSL Limited. Not surprisingly then, I was told: 'The Royal Parks has had no previous complaints on this issue.' Of course not, when everything goes to NSL. NSL itself told me: 'We will of course consider the customer's feedback and seek to improve the layout when the next batch of tickets is produced.' But it rejected the idea that the penalty doubles if you appeal. Rather, it said, the penalty is halved if you pay up and do not appeal. And this is big business for NSL, so I took a closer look at it. NSL is owned by yet another company, Marston (Holdings) Limited, which in turn is owned by another company, and so on and so on, through an amazing ten layers of companies until you get to the top of the tree, which is Free Flow Topco Limited. It has contracts with local councils and government agencies that include enforcing warrants, issuing warning notices, clamping, impounding, and disposing of vehicles. And last year its turnover was 255million. It claims that its Marston offshoot operates within an 'ethical framework' headed by an advisory group run by Sam Younger CBE. Who's he? Astonishingly, he is the chairman of consumer organisation Which? No, you have not misread this. Which? the organisation that provides page after page of website advice about how to fight parking tickets is headed by a man who works for a company that makes millions out of issuing parking tickets. So, I contacted Which? and invited a comment from Sam Younger. Did he believe the confusing layout of Marston's pay and display tickets met ethical standards? And does he believe it is fair that the time taken to consider an appeal would mean the penalty would double? Well, the consumer champion refused to answer. His spokesperson told me to ask for a comment from Marston, the very company that issued the ticket in the first place. She added: 'Any other positions held by Sam Younger outside of Which? are independent from and not linked to his role at the Consumers' Association.' Frustration: The reader was given a ticket after a visit to Greenwich Royal Park This is close to outright hypocrisy. Sam Younger is at Marston so Marston's owners can boast that they must be ethically run because they have a top consumer champion on board. If Younger disagrees, why did he refuse to say so? Last February, the Government unveiled a private parking code of practice, announcing: 'Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a labyrinthine system of misleading and confusing signage, opaque appeals services, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists. 'Apart from their inherent unfairness, these practices damage our high streets, our towns and our city centres. We are determined to bring them to an end.' Fine words, which lasted until June when the whole scheme was withdrawn, leaving motorists open to exactly the same abuses the Government listed in February. Perhaps Which? should campaign to revive the code of practice. Or is it too close for comfort? If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Elusive: Neil Woodford leaves his office in July 2019, evading Jeff Prestridge's efforts to speak to him Hargreaves Lansdown, one of the 100 largest firms listed on the UK stock market, faces a potentially costly High Court battle over its controversial involvement in the Woodford investment debacle, The Mail on Sunday can today exclusively reveal. The dramatic development in the Woodford saga unfolded late on Friday. This is when a claim was issued in the court on behalf of thousands of investors who lost money as a result of the closing and subsequent dismemberment of multi-billion pound investment fund Woodford Equity Income, run by high profile manager Neil Woodford. Dealings in the 3.8billion fund were suspended in June 2019 as a result of it being unable to meet a 238million redemption request from Kent County Council. Woodford, for many years considered one of the country's top stock pickers, was subsequently removed as the fund's manager (three years ago yesterday), the fund closed and most of the assets were sold off in a fire sale, crystallising losses for 300,000 investors. Since the fund's closure, some 2.5billion has been returned to investors. The claim on Friday was issued by litigation specialist RGL Management on behalf of 3,200 investors caught up in the scandal. It represents the 'first stage' of a group action which could result in financial redress for Woodford fund victims. What makes RGL's claim so sensational is its targeting of wealth platform Hargreaves Lansdown. Other Woodford related claims already lodged in the High Court by rival firms Harcus Parker and Leigh Day have been against Link Fund Solutions, a subsidiary of Australian based Link Group. Link Fund Solutions is the company that as 'authorised corporate director' oversaw the Woodford fund on behalf of investors and was meant to ensure Neil Woodford stuck to the fund's investment mandate of investing primarily in a portfolio of income-producing UK equities. It failed to do so, resulting in Woodford being allowed to assemble a portfolio skewed towards illiquid and hard to sell investments, culminating in its suspension three and a half years ago. Many of these illiquid investments assets proved to be disastrous investments. RGL's decision to target Hargreaves Lansdown as well as Link represents a significant development in the quest to get financial justice for many of the 300,000 investors who had their investments frozen in June 2019. This is because there are concerns over Link Group's ability to meet any successful claim in the court or pay redress demanded by City regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority. Last month, the FCA issued a 'warning notice' to Link Fund Solutions after it concluded (but did not publish) its long drawn out investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of Woodford Equity Income. The regulator said it was minded to impose a 50million fine on Link, plus require it to pay redress to Woodford investors of up to 306million (around 1,000 per investor). The warning prompted Canadian company Dye and Durham to pull out of a takeover of seven firms belonging to Link Group Link Fund Solutions among them because it had been told it potentially would have to bankroll any redress if it went ahead with the takeover. In contrast, Hargreaves Lansdown is very much in rude financial health. Although its profits tumbled in the first half of this year by 26 per cent, they were still a healthy 269.2million. Unlike Link, it has the financial wherewithal to pay any compensation if RGL's claim goes to trial and is successful. RGL expects its claim against both Link and Hargreaves Lansdown to be in 'excess of 100million'. Of the 3,200 investors included in the first stage of RGL's claim, 2,800 were Hargreaves Lansdown customers at the time the Woodford fund was suspended. On Friday, James Hayward, chief executive of RGL, told the MoS: 'We are pleased to be filing this first tranche of claims, providing a route for those affected to secure redress from both Link Fund Solutions and Hargreaves Lansdown, whose respective unlawful conduct resulted in significant losses for Woodford Equity Income investors.' Alexander Weinberg of Wallace LLP, RGL's law firm, said: 'This group action has a critical role in providing a route for Woodford Equity Income investors to secure redress. Toast: Neil Woodford's empire teetered on the brink in 2019 'Both institutions, Link Fund Solutions and Hargreaves Lansdown, failed investors and each has a compelling case to answer. 'RGL is resolute that both should be held accountable for their respective failings. The claim against both defendants will be pursued vigorously to that end.' Hargreaves Lansdown aggressively promoted the Woodford fund as a 'best buy' on its website from the day it was launched in June 2014 through to the day that dealings in the fund were suspended. In the early days, justification for the fund's best buy label was based on Neil Woodford previous's stellar investment record at asset manager Invesco. His early track record on the Woodford Equity Income fund was also impressive, resulting in the fund ballooning in size to 10billion in no small way down to the investment platform's hyping of the fund. Yet when concerns were expressed by its own analysts in late November 2017 that the fund was increasing its exposure to 'small and unquoted assets', Hargreaves Lansdown kept on promoting the fund. In March last year, RGL's law firm Wallace issued a 'letter before action' to both Hargreaves Lansdown and Link spelling out why it was intending to take them to court. This development was also exclusively revealed in the MoS. The letter sent to Hargreaves Lansdown claimed that the wealth manager had failed to 'provide accurate, adequate and up-to-date information' to customers about the risky nature of the fund's portfolio in the run-up to its suspension. This, Wallace claimed, was despite the wealth manager's 'persistent and increasing concerns' about the fund's mounting exposure to illiquid investments in smaller and unquoted companies. When the Woodford fund was suspended, 134,000 clients of Hargreaves Lansdown had direct holdings in the fund worth just over 1billion. A further 160,000 had indirect exposure through funds with holdings in Equity Income, many run by the wealth manager as part of its multimanager fund offerings. Wallace believes Hargreaves Lansdown failed clients in three 'key legal areas' its duty of care towards them (required under tort law) as well as statutory and contractual obligations. Louisa Spice, from Kent, invested 20,000 in the fund between 2014 and 2018 on the back of Hargreaves Lansdown's glowing recommendation. Louisa, who runs a hot air balloon business with her husband, says she would have transferred her holding to another fund if she had been told by the wealth manager that it had concerns over the riskiness of the holdings lurking under the bonnet of Equity Income. 'I feel strongly that justice should be done,' she added. 'Investors like me who have lost out through no fault of their own should be properly compensated.' On Friday, another Woodford Equity Income investor a pharmaceutical consultant from Glasgow said Hargreaves Lansdown was the 'biggest culprit in this whole fiasco as they recommended the fund right up until the day of its suspension'. He added: 'Judgment day is in sight.' Yet, like all investors caught up in this scandal, he may have to wait a while longer. Link has yet to confirm whether it will appeal against the FCA's fine and demand for redress. RGL's claim could also drag on if Link and Hargreaves Lansdown refuse to settle out of court and opt instead to go to trial. That would mean a court ruling not happening until 2025 at the earliest. The next key date is in December when a judge will decide how the claim will proceed. The three claims issued by Harcus Parker, Leigh Day and RGL are likely to be combined into a 'group litigation order' and heard as one (Harcus Parker and Leigh Day have already joined forces). On Friday, the MoS invited both Hargreaves Lansdown and Link to comment on RGL's lodging of a claim against them in the High Court. They chose not to comment. Woodford Equity Income Investors can register to join the RGL claim via website woodfordlitigation.com. Investors will only pay a fee if the claim is successful. RGL will take 25 per cent of any compensation in fees. This compares with 30 per cent (Leigh Day) and around 42 per cent (Harcus Parker). Meanwhile, it is still not yet known whether the FCA will punish Woodford for his role in the debacle. Troubled bank Credit Suisse faces a funding shortfall of as much as 7billion, according to a report by Goldman Sachs. The Swiss lender will face a widening gap between now and 2024, the Wall Street giant's analysts said. Financial experts are sizing up the bank's funding requirements as they wait for the announcement of a restructuring plan on October 27. Troubled times: Investors are pressing Credit Suisse to sell assets and reduce its reliance on risky investment banking Investors are pressing Credit Suisse to sell assets and reduce its reliance on risky investment banking, which has long been a core part of the 166-year-old group. The bank's share price has halved this year. The Mail on Sunday reported last month that chief executive Ulrich Koerner sent a memo to staff reassuring them of Credit Suisse's stability after the stock price slide worsened in September. He said the bank had a 'strong capital base and liquidity position' and he planned 'a more focused, agile group'. But he admitted the bank was at a 'critical moment'. Some analysts have called for the bank to reveal its turnaround plan sooner. Broker Keefe, Bruyette & Woods said asset sales would help raise cash but the group also needed a 'decisive' plan to raise cash from shareholders, adding that failure to do so would mean this would 'not be the last restructuring the bank needs'. Credit Suisse wants to draw a line under a string of affairs. It was embroiled in the collapses of lender Greensill Capital and US hedge fund Archegos Capital, and admitted last year it had defrauded investors in the historical Mozambique 'tuna bonds' loan scandal. Inheritance tax planning should remain a priority for many households, despite a recent call from one Government Minister to scrap the tax. Law firm Kingsley Napley says furore over the Government's mini-budget last month means abolition of inheritance tax is now no more than a political pipe dream. Earlier this month, Treasury Minister Andrew Griffith called on the Government to be 'politically brave' and eliminate the tax altogether. James Ward, head of private clients at Kingsley Napley, says a move to abolish inheritance tax (IHT) 'would surely be as unpopular as the 45p income tax fiasco'. As a result, he says 'planning to mitigate future IHT liabilities makes great sense for many households'. Inheritance tax is currently charged at 40 per cent on the value of estates above 325,000. But if everything is left to a spouse, civil partner or charity, it is not levied. Plan ahead: Abolition of inheritance tax is now no more than a political pipe dream There is also an additional allowance for those who gift the family home to children and grandchildren. An array of steps, says Ward, can be taken to mitigate IHT most involve gifting money. For example, someone can make small gifts of up to 250 per tax year to as many individuals as they choose. Analysis of the latest data on IHT from Revenue & Customs indicates that it is estates in London and the South East that pay the most tax. This is a reflection primarily of house prices. For the tax year ending April 2020, Kingsley Napley says it was the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Barnet, Camden and Westminster that yielded the highest amount of IHT. In the last tax year, IHT raised 6.1billion in receipts, up from 5.2billion in the tax year ending April 2020. But the annual take could fall if there is a correction in house prices in the coming months. Store owner Anny Liu said she would not pay her bitter fast food rival a cent But Woodbridge Emily's Fish and Chips has vowed to challenge the trademark Two fish and chip shops in Western Australia are at war over one word Two fast food shops are engaged in a bitter dispute in what some locals are calling 'the fish and chip wars' as the businesses clash over a single word in their names. The two shops, located in the outer Perth suburb of Cooloongup, both have the word Woodbridge in their name - with Woodbridge Deli filing an application on July 19 this year to trademark Woodbridge Deli Fish and Chips. Four years ago, the almost identically named Woodbridge Fish and Chips was taken over by local mum Anny Liu and since then, the shop has become a hit with locals. Due to the name similarity to Woodbridge Deli's fish and chip shop next door, Ms Liu said she decided to slightly alter the name of her restaurant to Woodbridge Emily's Fish and Chips, after her daughter. Woodbridge Deli Fish and Chips has been around for more than 15 years and is located next to Emily's, with both at the front of the Woodbridge shopping complex. Woodbridge Super Deli Fish N Chips are attempting to trademark 'Woodbridge Deli fish and chips' despite their neighbour's business name being Woodbridge Emily's Fish and Chips What locals are calling the fish and chip wars are currently taking place in the small Western Australian town of Cooloongup However in a twist that has now forced Ms Liu to involve lawyers, Woodbridge Deli Fish and Chips announced in July it was moving to trademark its name. The similarities of the two names has left Ms Liu in legal limbo with lawyers for the neighbouring business sending a cease and desist letter to her on September 15. Anny Liu (pictured) says the deli's decision to try and trademark its shop's name led to her Liu trying to raise funds for a legal challenge The deli's application to trademark its shop name led to Ms Liu starting a GoFundMe to raise funds for a legal challenge. Ms Liu told Daily Mail Australia she was hoping to fight the trademark application. 'I only found out (about the trademark) when their lawyer sent me a letter of infringement,' Ms Liu said. 'They purposely registered "Woodbridge Fish and Chips" in July as their trading name. 'If they believe having the name Woodbridge will increase their trade, we are happy to remove the location name in front of our business name. But we will not compensate on their loss of trades or loss of goodwill.' While both Woodbridge Deli and Emily's are popular spots for locals to get their fried food fix, Emily's appears to be slightly more popular with 276 reviewers giving the restaurant an average 4.7 stars on Google. Woodbridge Deli's fish and chip shop has an average 4-star review from 113 Google users. Ms Liu has been given a letter of demand from her rival's lawyers On their Woodbridge Deli Fish and Chips website, the business claims to be the 'original Woodbridge fish and chips'. 'Were a family-owned restaurant and have been established for over 15 years. Think about your grandmas best recipe that she says she spent years perfecting. These are the kinds of flavours you can expect from our food.' According to a Western Australian patent and trade mark attorney, there are two ways to get trademark rights. One is through registration and the other is through unregistered trademark rights, which relates to reputation and goodwill. However, a letter, any legal claim or a cease and desist letter is not legal for an unregistered trade mark and therefore would only be allowed in the case of a legally registered trademark. 'Their reputation would be very localised in the case of the fish and chip shop so you would think they would have very localised trademark rights which would be hard to enforce,' the patent and trademark attorney said. 'What is clear is if they only have a pending application they dont have any registered trademark, and therefore an unjustified threat could actually be turned against them. 'There are provisions in place where unjust threats of a trademark infringement can cause legal proceedings against them and if there is a pending trademark they have no grounds and they cannot threaten the other business.' The trademark lawyer suggested Mountains Lawyers filing a legal letter could land itself in some hot water. The 1995 trademark act under 'groundless threats of legal proceedings' states, 'If a person threatens to bring an action against another person (threatened person) on the ground that the threatened person has infringed: a registered trade mark; or a trade mark alleged by the person to be registered; any person aggrieved by the threat (plaintiff) may bring an action (either in a prescribed court or in any other court having jurisdiction) against the person making the threat (defendant).' Ms Liu said she hoped the matter would be settled soon. 'We are happy to remove Woodbridge from Google and Facebook once this matter is settled,' she said. 'Woodbridge is the name of the complex where our shop is located. Even though our shop had a similar name before we changed to Emily's Fish and Chips, I don't see any reason why we have to fight for what my neighbour is so eager to have. 'If the deli wants to do fish and chips they can have it, and they want the name, they can have that too.' Emily's Fish and Chips owner Anny Liu said she was fighting the trademark The GoFundMe page has raised more than $1,000 so far. Tony Sandy, one of the GoFundMe's donors, said: 'Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win. Sun Tzu. You won first through excellent food, hard work and great customer service, you've got this!!!' On July 19, 2022, owner of Woodbridge Super Deli June Lacey engaged the legal services of Mountains Lawyers Legal Solutions to attempt to trademark the words, 'Woodbridge Deli and Fish and Chips' The trademark application has been filed and is being reviewed with a decision yet to be made. Once a trademark application is filed, it takes at least seven months to become registered, allowing time for opposition and for all the checks and balances to be met. Woodbridge Super Deli and Mountains Lawyers Legal Solutions have been contacted for comment. An Oregon woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday after she shot at police officers, injuring one, who had arrested her for theft and then went out of their way to help her. Yvette Lares Garcia, 37, was sentenced by a Clackamas County, Oregon, judge after the court heard emotional testimony from Gladstone Police Department officers regarding the shooting. 'We treated you with the utmost dignity and respect,' said Sgt. Travis Hill in court. The sergeant, a 20-year-veteran of the force, had to resign from his position due to injuries he sustained from being shot by Garcia. 'My kids don't understand how or why you would do something that causes me so much pain. They have watched as I've fought through the physical pain and discomfort every single day.' Yvette Lares Garcia, 37, was sentenced to 10 years for shooting at police officers, injuring one who later had to retire from the force due to permanent nerve damage sustained The shooting happened on November 22, 2021, when Officer Clement Lau stopped Garcia for an outstanding first-degree theft warrant in Texas. Garcia had just left the gym when the officer pulled her over. The woman was taken into custody by Officer Lau and Sgt. Travis Hill without incident and brought into the Gladstone Police Department for booking. While handcuffed inside of the police station, the woman repeatedly complained and expressed worry over her dogs who were at her home alone. The two officers, believing the woman to be truthful and harmless, told Garcia that they would accompany her to her home where she could make sure her dogs were alright. Bodycam video shows the horrific moments in which one of the officers inside of the home is shot by the woman who was still handcuffed. Police arrested the woman after realizing she had an outstanding theft warrant in Texas After she repeatedly mentioned to officers that she was worried about her dogs who were alone in her home, police accompanied her to her house to check on her pets While inside, the woman tells officers that she is going to go upstairs to grab a leash The group entered the house through the garage and were met by Garcia's dogs. Lau and Hill attempt to calm the dogs down while the woman slips away, telling the officers she was going to grab a leash upstairs. Hands still behind her back, Garcia heads up to her room where she grabs a loaded 9mm handgun. As she makes her way back downstairs to where Hill, Lau, and her dogs are located, the woman begins firing at Hill. 'Hit, I'm hit,' Hill yells out while inside a hallway in the home. Video of the incident shows the sergeant screaming in pain, having been struck once in the arm and once in the leg. One of the bullets entered just below the law enforcement official's knee and caused permanent damage, according to reporting from Oregon Live. Lau, whose body cam footage was released, fires back up at Garcia before she can be heard crying, also having been hit. 'Drop the gun or you'll be shot again,' Lau yells at the woman. She responds by saying 'no' and once again begins firing. The lawyer for Garcia claimed the woman didn't know she was wanted in Texas and that she was hoping police would shoot her because she was suicidal. 'Her plan was to die at home, having law enforcement shoot her, that's why she didn't put the gun down in the stairwell,' the lawyer claimed. 'She wanted law enforcement, with all due respect, to finish the job. Her plan was to commit suicide by cop. It's not a justification, certainly not an excuse, but it is an explanation.' Hill, inside the home, yells out 'gun' to warn his fellow officer and begins exchanging gunfire. Lau calls for backup and also exchanges fire with the woman at the top of the stairs Blood can be seen underneath Sgt. Hill's leg where he was shot by the woman. The bullet caused severe nerve damage which has permanently sidelined him from policework The officer then reloads and continues to exchange gunfire. Lau calls for immediate back up while Hill tells his fellow officer 'I need a tourniquet.' When other officers arrive, Lau races in and begins applying a tourniquet to Hill's leg. 'I might have been in the arm too,' the sergeant tells Lau as other officers say that they have 'got her.' Blood can be seen on the floor underneath the officer's injury. Garcia sustained multiple gunshot wounds, as well. The woman suffered injuries to her spine, leg, abdomen and arm, Oregon Live reported. The local news agency was in the courtroom Wednesday for final proceedings. The gunshot to Hill's leg caused permanent nerve damage to his foot and leg. He can no longer 'go on bike rides or play on the trampoline' with his young kids, Hill said during a victim impact statement made before the court. The sergeant also testified that the wound forced him to resign from his job with the police department, his career of 20-years. Officer Lau helps apply a tourniquet to Sgt. Hill's leg after he had been shot by Garcia. In footage captured on bodycam, Hill also says that he believes he was shot in the arm Garcia pleaded 'no contest' to the aggravated attempted murder charge brought against her and guilty to the first-degree assault and attempt to commit a Class B felony. She will be required to serve three years on parole and pay $50,000 in restitution. Garcia apologized in court Wednesday for her actions, specifically speaking to Hill and Lau who are forever impacted. 'I turned a great act of kindness and humanity into something horrific. You were able to see my anguish over my fur babies and went out of your way to help me. I remember you relating to me with your love of your dogs,' she said. 'That stays with me and I think about that all the time.' A prosecutor on the case said that her legal woes won't end in Oregon, however. Texas officials are hoping to extradite Garcia where she will face charges related to embezzling. The woman allegedly stole $1.4 million from an oil company that she worked for. Garcia's defense attorney, Michael Romano, said at the time of the shooting, his client was depressed and that's what caused her actions. Romano said that the woman had escaped her family in Odessa, Texas, to get away from a violent ex and that it caused her 'downward spiral.' 'The only things she had going for her were her dogs and her physical fitness,' Romano said. Clackamas County Circuit Judge Cody Weston acknowledged the woman's suicide by cop defense but did not take it as justification. 'But it doesn't excuse or justify what happened,' Weston said. 'For what it's worth, I hope that prison can serve a rehabilitative role for you.' Advertisement It was Rambo-mania in the town of Hope, British Columbia, as stars from the film, their family members and fans gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the most iconic action movies of all time last weekend. The district of Hope, a town with a population of less than 7,000 situated amid the Cascade Mountains around two hours east of Vancouver, doubled as the fictional town of Hope in Washington State for the 1982 movie. Filming of the Sylvester Stallone classic began all the way back in November 1981 and lasted until the following April. The movie spawned four sequels, the most recent of which, Rambo: Last Blood, was released in 2019, to mediocre reviews. One of the organizers of the event, Brian McKinney, told DailyMail.com: 'The First Blood concept really has evolved into this cult like thing. Apparently, there are close to a billion fans of the 'Rambo' franchise.' The festival ran from October 7th until 10th. Among those who visited were Patrick Stack, who played Lt. Clinton Morgan, Stephen Chang who played the Viet Cong commander who causes much of Rambo's trauma, as well as the family of Brian Dennehy, who played the notorious Sheriff Will Teasle. During the celebrations, a statue of Dennehy in character as Sheriff Teasle was unveiled. Stars from the film, their family members and fans gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the most iconic action movies of all time last weekend Filming of the Sylvester Stallone classic began all the way back in November 1981 and lasted until the following April Without going into specifics, organizers said that visitors spend 'a lot of money on souvenirs and First Blood keepsakes One of the organizers of the event, Brian McKinney, told DailyMail.com: 'The First Blood concept really has evolved into this cult like thing. Apparently, there are close to a billion fans of the 'Rambo' franchise' A highlight of the weekend saw a tank drive over a car, smashing and flattening it. Other highlights included Rambo paintball and Rambo karaoke The festival ran from October 7th until 10th Stephen Chang, pictured here, one of the sources of Rambo's trauma in the movie, is Kung-Fu grandmaster and has been since 1977 Many fans came in costume as John James Rambo for the celebrations In total, around 3,000 people showed up for the anniversary celebrations Sylvester Stallone pictured in one of his most iconic roles, the movie spawned four sequels, the most recent of which, Rambo: Last Blood, was released in 2019, to mediocre reviews Dennehy's grandson, William Lancaster, who flew up from Los Angeles with his family for the event, told CTV News: 'We felt that was just too good an opportunity to pass up. There was something so moving, endearing and sincere and also whacky and crazy about it that we were like, let's go.' Lancaster even documented his experiences in a short movie, he told the station. Dennehy passed away in April 2020 at the age of 81. His daughters, Elizabeth and Kathleen, were also present. Elizabeth told the Abbotsford News: 'How lucky are we that even though he's gone, and that is heartbreaking, that through his work he'll never be forgotten. That is so great, and to be with people who care so much and appreciate him so much, I think it's going to be a beautiful weekend.' In total, around 3,000 people showed up for the anniversary celebrations. It was always unlikely that Stallone himself would should up to the event as he fights to rebuild his marriage wife Jennifer Flavin Brian McKinney, who is the lead at the Hope, Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre, said: 'Here at the Visitor Centre, we have 15,000 fans a year that come to our community specifically because this is where their favorite Sylvester Stallone movie was shot' McKinney added: 'Our approach to this phenomenon is that we basically just let the community do its own thing in terms of the filming locations. We just add the behind-the-scenes stories to them' McKinney went on to speak about the area saying: 'The beauty of most of these locations is that geographically not a lot has changed in all those years by this we mean the view through the lens is pretty well the same view today as it was in November and December of 1981' Among those who visited were Patrick Stack, who played Lt. Clinton Morgan and Stephen Chang, pictured above, who played the Viet Cong commander who causes much of Rambo's trauma McKinney also spoke about the demographics of the visitors saying that they range from five to 95 years of age and that it's 'not just primarily the 30 - 40-year-old testosterone fueled, steroid gym monkey male. There are a LOT of females of all ages who are fans of this franchise as well' McKinney concluded: 'Fans come into town dressed as John Rambo, yes have First Blood or John Rambo tattooed somewhere on their body, fans walk around town with the soundtrack blasting through their ear buds while taking selfies and they come from all four corners of the planet' One of the attendees of the festival, Jacob Kalashmikoff, told CTV News: 'It's a great film. I drive through Hope all the time and instantly what I think about is Rambo' Dennehy's grandson, William Lancaster, pictured here in a similar pose to his grandfather's from the movie, flew up from Los Angeles with his family for the event, told CTV News: 'We felt that was just too good an opportunity to pass up' The festival is testament to one of the most scenes in the movie in which Rambo's former commander Col. Sam Trautman, played by Richard Crenna, tells his former charge to surrender before it's too late. Trautman said: 'It's over Johnny. It's over.' Rambo passionately replies: 'Nothing is over! Nothing!' Brian Dennehy's grandson said of the event: 'There was something so moving, endearing and sincere and also whacky and crazy about it that we were like, let's go' Veteran stuntman Jacob Rupp, recreating the scene where Sylvester Stallone dragged him off his motorcycle Dennehy passed away in April 2020 at the age of 81. His daughters, Elizabeth and Kathleen, were also present Elizabeth Dennehy told the Abbotsford News: 'How lucky are we that even though he's gone, and that is heartbreaking, that through his work he'll never be forgotten' It was always unlikely that Stallone himself would should up to the event as he fights to rebuild his marriage to wife Jennifer Flavin. Former model Flavin, who shares a third daughter Scarlet, 20 with Stallone - filed for divorce on Aug. 19 after 25 years of marriage. The news sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with many expecting a bitter divorce battle to rival Brad and Angelina. Yet just a month later, the divorce was called off and the couple were then seen smiling and reuniting as they were pictured out and about in Los Angeles. The pair have now faced accusations of staging the split for an upcoming reality show starring their family. McKinney, who is the lead at the Hope, Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre, said: 'Here at the Visitor Centre, we have 15,000 fans a year that come to our community specifically because this is where their favorite Sylvester Stallone movie was shot.' 'Our approach to this phenomenon is that we basically just let the community do its own thing in terms of the filming locations. We just add the behind-the-scenes stories to them,' he continued. Elizabeth Dennehy added: 'That is so great, and to be with people who care so much and appreciate him so much, I think it's going to be a beautiful weekend' The unveiling of the statue of acting great Brian Dennehy Recently, Sylvester Stallone's wife Jennifer Flavin, who shares a third daughter Scarlet, 20 with Stallone - filed for divorce on Aug. 19 after 25 years of marriage The news sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with many expecting a bitter divorce battle to rival Brad and Angelina Yet just a month later, the divorce was called off and the couple were then seen smiling and reuniting as they were pictured out and about in Los Angeles Famously after the TWA hostage crisis in June 1985, President Ronald Reagan joked that after seeing 'Rambo' last night, I know what to do the next time this happens Another of the highlights of the weekend, visitors participated Rambo themed paintball In 2017, Chris Pratt credited 'Rambo' for making him 'who I am today.' Pratt told Seth Meyers in a 2019 interview: 'Stallone from 'Tango & Cash' and of course 'Rocky' but 'Rambo'. 'Rambo', for me, that made me who I am today. He is so good.' Pictured is Hope resident and movie extra Mary Kirksey, who played the mother of child in trouble at the police Dept, for graffiti at the beginning of Rambo During the celebrations, Hope Mayor Peter Robb christened a street in the town after the movie calling it Rambo Lane McKinney went on to speak about the area saying: 'The beauty of most of these locations is that geographically not a lot has changed in all those years by this we mean the view through the lens is pretty well the same view today as it was in November and December of 1981.' During the celebrations, Hope Mayor Peter Robb christened a street in the town after the movie calling it Rambo Lane. The street is where the climax of the movie occurred in which Rambo shoots his gun across the street at a local bank. Another highlight saw a tank drive over a car, smashing and flattening it. Other highlights included Rambo paintball and Rambo karaoke. McKinney added: 'The die-hard fan knows where they are at all times as they make their way around town reliving their favorite movie making moments and trust me, we have talked to some of the most intense fans on the planet.' He also spoke about the demographics of the visitors saying that they range from five to 95 years of age and that it's 'not just primarily the 30 - 40-year-old testosterone fueled, steroid gym monkey male. There are a LOT of females of all ages who are fans of this franchise as well.' Without going into specifics, McKinney said that visitors spend 'a lot of money on souvenirs and First Blood keepsakes.' He concluded: 'Fans come into town dressed as John Rambo, yes have First Blood or John Rambo tattooed somewhere on their body, fans walk around town with the soundtrack blasting through their ear buds while taking selfies and they come from all four corners of the planet.' The street is where the climax of the movie occurred in which Rambo shoots his gun across the street at a local bank Other highlights included Rambo paintball and Rambo karaoke Pictured is Karl Hasketh, with his wife Ann and son Steven. The Hasketh's from Walsall, England haven't travelled in their 32 years of marriage, calling their trip to the Rambo festival their honeymoon In 2019, a headband worn by Stallone in the movie was auctioned off for $10,000 Steven Hasketh from Walsall, England, who won best dressed Rambo Rambo themed beer, locally brewed in Hope, is pictured for sale The iconic Rambo mugshot has become a popular t-shirt design and has even been sported by Stallone himself Patrick Stack who plays everyone's favorite character Lt Clinton Morgan was at the festival for three full days A Rambo knife, similar to the one used by the iconic character, is pictured for sale Rambo socks were among the most popular items that were on sale over the weekend One of the attendees of the festival, Jacob Kalashmikoff, told CTV News: 'It's a great film. I drive through Hope all the time and instantly what I think about is Rambo.' Kalashmikoff showed up the event dressed as Stallone's character. A resident of the town, Nick Tyler, told Global News: 'It's a special occasion in our community and we thought we'd come down to show our support. It's a blast. Not every day you get to see a tank crush a car on our main street.' In a testament to the enduring popularity of the movie, Chris Pratt credited 'Rambo' for making him 'who I am today'. The 37-year-old actor has revealed Sylvester Stallone, who portrayed as the lead role as John Rambo in the movie franchise, was his biggest influence growing up, and the the 1980 movies he featured in encouraged him to embark on a career in the acting industry. Speaking about his career and his 70-year-old idol on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' on Wednesday (03.05.17), the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' star - who plays the role of Peter Quill and his alter-ego Star-Lord in the Marvel Comics production - said: 'That was my childhood growing up, and coincidentally the childhood of Peter Quill. His whole ideology is based on his pop icons from that 80s era. And Syl Stallone and Kurt Russell has such an influence on my childhood.' 'Stallone from 'Tango & Cash' and of course 'Rocky' but 'Rambo'. 'Rambo', for me, that made me who I am today. He is so good.' And the dark-haired hunk - who has four-year-old son Jack with his wife Anna Faris - has revealed he even had his own survival knife because he felt so inspired by the Vietnam war veteran, who now joins him for a cameo appearance in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2'. He explained: 'I had a survival knife. You unscrewed the top so you could navigate your way to safety, some waterproof matches, a little fishhook and some line just in case you are going to get stuck in the woods for a long time, you are going to catch some dinner. And a sewing kit should you fall off a cliff and cut your arm, the way he did in 'First Blood', you can sew that together, and that won't get infected.' The festival is testament to one of the most scenes in the movie in which Rambo's former commander Col. Sam Trautman, played by Richard Crenna, tells his former charge to surrender before it's too late. Trautman said: 'It's over Johnny. It's over.' Rambo passionately replies: 'Nothing is over! Nothing!' Pennsylvania Democratic Senate hopeful John Fetterman led with stroke jokes at a Friday night Pennsylvania rally, as his fitness for office was questioned this week after an interview showed him using closed captioning. Speaking to a crowd of around 300 at The Johnstown Convention Center, Fetterman referenced how his opponent, television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, peddled 'miracle cures.' 'I couldn't pronounce it,' he said. 'I couldn't even pronounce it before the stroke.' And then there was the 'crudite' video where Oz, the Trump-backed Republican hopeful, walked through a grocery store and complained about high prices - a dig at President Joe Biden - using the French phrase for a veggie tray. 'I remember when my team sent me the video. And they said, "You've got to look at this video." And I said what the hell are you talking about. And they said it's a crudite video,' Fetterman told the Western Pennsylvania crowd. 'I never heard the world.' 'And I honestly thought it was a stroke thing,' he said to laughs. Fetterman suffered a stroke in May, but since Tuesday has been playing defense over his health, after an NBC News interview showed the closed captioning technology he utilizes in order to understand speech. Pennsylvania Democratic Senate hopeful John Fetterman led with stroke jokes at a Friday night rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania after his fitness for office was called into question when an NBC News interview highlighted how he had to use closed captioning after his May stroke While it had been previously reported that Fetterman is using closed captioning for interviews, NBC's interview with the candidate on Tuesday garnered great attention because it showed viewers how the system worked On top of that, the reporter, Dasha Burns, said 'it wasn't clear he understood what I was saying' when she and Fetterman were making small talk before they started. The comments allowed Oz and his allies to pounce and question whether Fetterman, Pennsylvania's current lieutenant governor, was fit to serve as a U.S. senator. Fetterman's wife Gisele, in a podcast interview with Molly Jong-Fast, said she hoped there were 'consequences' for Burns. 'But what a disservice she did to not only my husband but to anyone facing a disability and working through it, and I don't know how there were not consequences,' Gisele said. On Friday, she referenced what a tough 72 hours it had been for the campaign, at the top of the introduction of her husband. 'What a month this week has been,' Gisele said. She then played up how her husband was a 'stroke survivor' when she welcomed him onstage. Fetterman told the crowd he wanted to address the 'elephant in the room.' 'I had a stroke. I had a stroke back in May. And that stroke could have ended my life. Gisele saved my life,' the Democratic hopeful said. That elicited a response from the audience: 'She's the one we really like,' a female supporter said of Gisele. 'I was on my way to a campaign event and I was walking out of a Sheetz bathroom,' Fetterman continued. He was interrupted again. 'That'll do it!' a male member of the crowd piped up. Fetterman linked his brush with death to wanting to improve Americans' healthcare. 'What kind of a doctor roots for a guy who's sick to stay sick?' he said of Dr. Oz. 'You're gonna have that kind of doctor for the next six years now,' he warned the crowd, if they don't vote. Fetterman peppered stroke jokes throughout his 22 minute stump speech - and continued to go after Oz for being a carpetbagger from New Jersey. Oz lived in New Jersey during the years his television show aired. He established residency in Pennsylvania ahead of his Senate run. Fetterman pointed to the crudite video for a second time - reminding the audience that Oz had said he was shopping at a 'Wegners' - a combination of Wegman's and Redner's. 'Even with a stroke or not, I know where the hell I'm shopping,' Fetterman said. He also asked the crowd, 'Are you munching on crudites when you're watching the Steelers?' Fetterman has gone after Oz for liking the Yankees and Cowboys - instead of Pennsylvania teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles. 'Do you honestly think Dr. Oz would raise his family in Johnstown?' Fetterman also asked. 'I live in a place just like this,' Fetterman offered. 'I picked Braddock, Pennsylvania, he picked New Jersey,' the lieutenant governor said. Fetterman linked Johnstown, which has its own set of rusted-out industrial buildings, to Braddock, the steel town near Pittsburgh where Fetterman served as mayor. For years, Johnstown was associated with its powerful Democratic congressman, the late Rep. Jack Murtha. In 2008, when Murtha was still alive, Cambria County went to the Obama-Biden ticket 50 percent, compared to 48 percent for the late Sen. John McCain. Four years later, there was a 10-point swing in the county with Mitt Romney getting 58 percent of the vote and Obama earning 40.2 percent. And Trump nearly got the county to swing another full 10 points in Republicans' direction. In 2016 he won Cambria Country with 67.3 per cent of the vote, compared to the 29.6 per cent won by Hillary Clinton. Despite Biden flipping Pennsylvania back to the blue column, in Cambria County he only improved upon Clinton's performance by one point - earning 30.7 percent of the vote, compared to 68 percent for Trump. Fetterman - and several speakers opening for him - acknowledged the challenge Democrats had in the area. But Fetterman said he showed up because every vote counted. 'If you don't live in Pennsylvania, how can you fight for Pennsylvania?' Fetterman concluded. 'My last favor to you is send Dr. Oz back to New Jersey and send me to D.C.' Victoria's flood disaster has claimed its first fatality with emergency workers making the grisly find of a body floating in a flooded yard in the state's north. Police confirmed a man was found dead in floodwaters in the backyard of a High Street, Rochester home at 9:30am on Saturday. 'It is my sad duty to have to confirm that a 71-year-old man has been found deceased in the backyard of his property in Rochester,' Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said at a press conference on Saturday morning. 'We will stand with that family and all families affected by this but it just brings home for all of us that this is serious, this is potentially very, very dangerous... Victoria's flood disaster turned fatal with police confirming the body of a man was found dead in floodwaters in the backyard of a Rochester home. Pictured SES personnel search floodwaters at Maribyrnong, Melbourne 'Hopefully that sends a broader message of just how serious this is and that is why we are all working as hard as we possibly can to make sure people are safe.' Mr Andrews said 466 properties are flooded with water above the floorboards and a further 500 are currently isolated. More than 350 rescues had been carried out in the past 24 hours. Hundreds of homes in Rochester were overwhelmed by the flooded Campaspe River, one of dozens of waterways to burst their banks and send northern Victorian towns underwater. The River at reached a peak of 115.7 AHD on Friday night, which is 300mm above the previous record set in January 2011. Victoria State Emergency Service chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said it had been a busy night of rescues on Friday. 'Sadly last night... we had 160 rescues in and around Rochester for people that had chosen to stay and not leave, despite the evacuation warnings,' Mr Wiebusch said. The tragedy comes as the list of Victorian towns facing evacuation grows after major flooding across the state which is expected to last up to six weeks. Police confirmed a man was found dead in floodwaters in the backyard of a High Street, Rochester home at 9:30am on Saturday. Hundreds of homes in the central Victorian town were overwhelmed from Friday (pictured, a car in Bendigo) Swollen rivers across Victoria are expected to bring flooding to the state for up to six weeks. Pictured, Beechworth Woolshed Falls near Wangaratta But time available for the massive clean-up and recovery efforts across the state look set to be hampered as another 100mm of rainfall is predicted for the beleaguered eastern states in coming days. The weather office said rain and thunderstorms developing in South Australia and inland Queensland would bring 'much more widespread' rainfall and 'renewed flooding' back to the south-east from Wednesday. Early on Saturday morning thousands of people at Charlton and Wangaratta, north of Melbourne, were ordered to evacuate immediately amid fears rivers are yet to peak with more much water coming downstream. Victoria's northern towns were worst hit, but the flooding hit the centre of Melbourne too. Rescue workers use an inflatable dinghy to rescue people from floodwaters in Maribyrnong Dozens of horses had to be rescued from floodwaters at Mangalore on Friday (pictured) A further warning was issued for residents along Melbourne's Maribyrnong River for anyone to evacuate who hasn't already and that 'returning to your home ... may still be unsafe'. Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten said it was the worst the river has flooded in 50 years. The Ovens river at Wangaratta has already reached 12.8 metres and could rise further. At Charlton major flooding of the Avoca River is expected to affect the town for up to five days. A peak of 7.8 metres is expected there on Saturday evening. The weather office said rain and thunderstorms developing in South Australia and inland Queensland would bring 'much more widespread' rainfall and 'renewed flooding' back to the south-east from Wednesday Floodwaters inundate the suburb of Maribyrnong after the Maribyrnong River burst its banks following two days of heavy rain The warning for Wangaratta applied to people living around the Parfitt Road levee system because of the major flooding occurring on the Ovens River. Emergency evacuation orders were in force for several communities, including Rochester along the Campaspe River, low-lying parts of Benalla on the Broken River gateway, Murchison along the Goulburn River, and south-west of Shepparton. Victoria's SES fielded almost 3,600 calls for help in the 48 hours to 6pm Friday and rescued more than 230 people across the state in two days. Hundreds of homes in Rochester were overwhelmed by the flooded Campaspe River, one of dozens of waterways to burst their banks and send northern Victorian towns underwater The aftermath of flooding across Victoria left many towns underwater, and the weather office says more heavy rain is headed back to eastern Australia in coming days 'There is major flooding occurring in multiple catchments right across the state, (and) some communities will move more towards relief and recovery sooner as waters start to recede,' SES spokesman Jamie Devenish told AAP. 'A lot of those northern catchments ultimately flow into the Murray, so (for) the Murray River we're probably looking at a protracted flood event for the next four to six weeks. Thousands of residents in towns across the state remained on high alert as Vic Emergency warned them to move to higher ground immediately. Victoria SES's Tim Wiebusch said on Saturday that evacuation warnings remain for Maroopna, Shepparton, Kialla and Murchison. 'Now is the time to leave, Mr Wiebusch said. 'We are going to see flood levels on the Goulburn where it meets at Shepparton with the Brown and Seven Creeks that is equivalent to 1974. 'These are record flood levels and over the coming days, all of this water will continue to move towards the Murray River.' He warned residents of Echuca on the NSW-Victoria border that further peaks of the Murray River must be expected. 'The first peak is later today into Sunday, from the Campaspe River and then the Murray River midweek to the end of the week, he said. Heavy rainfall across Victoria saw dozens of rivers burst their banks leading to 3,600 calls for help from the SES Debris is left on a road in northern Tasmania after floodwaters subsided The worst hit areas were north of Melbourne, but swollen rivers from heavy rainfall on Thursday meant also meant flooding for northern Tasmania and inland New South Wales. Across the state thousands of residents were already bracing for enormous clean-ups as governments bolstered crisis accommodation. The federal and state governments agreed to use the recently retired $580million Mickleham quarantine facility as emergency accommodation. The facility will reopen early next week for 250 people with crisis accommodation available for six to eight weeks, but its actual use will depend on demand, the Victorian government confirmed. Mr Andrews said on Saturday that 3,000 applications had been made by Victorians for emergency payments. The Premier said 344 roads were out of action in the state. 'Major roads are assessed twice per day. There is a number of urgent repair works that have already started.' At the inland NSW town of Forbes, 2,200 residents and 250 homes were affected, the SES said. The Lachlan River reached major flood level in the central-west town on Friday, with access to its business centre cut off. NSW SES southern zone commander Benjamin Pickup said the flood focus was on the Lachlan River and the Murrumbidgee River near Wagga Wagga, with residents told to get ready to evacuate at nearby Narrandera and other low-lying areas. The Victorian town of Seymour was underwater on Friday with Shepparton set to be hit with major floods on Saturday (pictured) Thousands of homes have been inundated by floods after rain on Thursday (pictured, flooding in regional Victoria) Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jonathan How told Daily Mail Australia Tasmania, Victoria and NSW would only get 'a few days of reprieve'. He said a weather system developing 'will start to produce showers and thunderstorms across South Australia and inland Queensland from Tuesday and then extend to the rest of the east coast from Wednesday to Saturday.' 'This will be much more widespread,' he warned. 'So we will see showers all the way from central northern Queensland, down to Tasmania and particularly with this, we will see thunderstorms as well. 'So expecting widespread falls which could produce renewed flooding for some parts of the south-east and the east.' Mr How said heaviest rainfall is predicted for south-east Queensland and northern NSW. He said that region will see between 50 and 100mm of rainfall though further south is still vulnerable to heavy local rainfall likely to come with thunderstorms. A homeless woman who pickpocketed a dead man crushed beneath a tractor-trailer in midtown Manhattan has been charged and freed without bail - and claimed that she was only retrieving cash that had been stolen from her. Genience Draper, 40, appeared before a judge on Thursday night charged with grand and petit larcenies, and walked free after a hearing on Friday, thanks to the 2019 bail reform. Draper was filmed climbing beneath the truck and taking money from the body of Jerome Smith, 62, as he lay dead on the ground on October 6. Horrified onlookers looked on in shock as Draper then ran away with his wallet and cash, forcing police to rely on dental records to identify Smith, who was also homeless. She did not speak during Friday's hearing but as she left court, she said she was reclaiming $40 cash that Smith had stolen from her. 'He robbed me first,' she said. 'He got killed after.' Genience Draper, 40, is seen on Friday leaving Manhattan Criminal Court Draper, who is homeless and has been arrested more than 50 times, was charged with grand larceny and petit larceny Draper was freed without bail thanks to a 2019 reform, which forbids cash bail being required for non-violent crimes Draper was reportedly found with a crack pipe in her possession when she was arrested Draper, in jeans and a black leather jacket, is seen taking approaching the body, and taking the wallet from Smith beneath the truck Draper was arrested on Thursday morning by NYPD Transit officers, who spotted her at the 42nd Street and 8th Avenue subway station and recognized her, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a Tweet. At the time of her arrest Draper had what appeared to be a crack pipe in her jacket, The New York Post reported. She had over 50 prior arrests. Draper on Friday was accused of trying to use the dead man's cash, only to have it rejected because it was covered in blood. Jerome Smith, 62, had his wallet stolen from him before the NYPD arrived on October 6 The scene was later secured with crime scene tape before the body could be removed Draper told police that she vaguely knew Smith, according to a Manhattan criminal complaint obtained by The Post. 'It was only $40. I knew him from the area but I didn't know him personally,' she said. Onlookers said the theft was horrific. 'It's like the Gladiators. Nobody came in to stop? That's even more disturbing,' said Elma Kanefield, 83, speaking to the New York Post. Another eyewitness, Marco Nieves, 51, said: 'To see somebody dead under a truck and actually do that that's horrible.' Sanitation worker Jake Sean added: 'That's crazy. 'How can you steal from a body on the street? That's f**ked up. You've got to be at your lowest to do that.' Jerome Smith was wrapped up in several rags while still underneath the truck that crushed him to death Seconds after the incident, Draper robbed Smith as he lay dead on the street Draper's release without bail was due to the 2019 law, which stipulated that those charged with misdemeanors and some non-violent felonies could not be held on cash bail, in a bid to ensure that a person's wealth should not determine their liberty. When deciding whether to release a person or set bail, the law requires judges to focus solely on the conditions that will ensure that the person returns to court. That means that, unlike in most other states, New York judges cannot consider their view of a person's 'dangerousness' when deciding what release conditions to set. Critics say the reform has made New York City more dangerous. Supporters of the law say it ends the routine practice of someone poor being jailed for months awaiting their hearing for jumping a turnstile, while a wealthy accused rapist can remain free pending trial. A special fixture hearing will start in December and should go for three weeks But the pastor is fighting the charges he allegedly hid his father's abuse Hillsong pastor Brian Houston has come back to Australia ahead of his court date, after a whirlwind tour preaching across the US midwest with wife Bobbie. The controversial church minister will front court in December to defend criminal charges he failed to report his paedophile dad, Frank Houston, to authorities. Brian Houston took to the pulpit during his US trip to open up over the 'inheritance of baggage' he carried being Frank's son. Brian Houston (pictured) took to the pulpit during his US trip to open up over the 'inheritance of baggage' he carried being Frank Houston's son The pastor (pictured, with wife Bobbie) has asked for his followers to pray for him as he prepares to face court for the special fixture hearing, set to go for three weeks Frank Houston (pictured) abused nine boys between 1965-1977 across Australia and New Zealand, when he lead the Assemblies of God church 'Inheritance on Earth may sound like a good idea... My parents, financially, what I inherited was small but the reality is it also came through my father with baggage,' he said in a sermon at the James River Church in South West Missouri. 'Because, when I was 45 years of age ... I found out that my father, many years before that, in the '60s and '70s, was a paedophile.' The headliner at the event told the packed crowds it was the most 'crushing' news he had ever received. 'The sad thing is all these years on, I'm 68, and I'm still dealing with things, which I inherited, not through any doing of my own, and so inheritance can come with it all sorts of baggage.' Frank Houston abused nine boys between 1965-1977 across Australia and New Zealand, when he lead the Assemblies of God church. Brian Houston pleaded not guilty in March to accusations he tried to cover up his father's sexual abuse. His father's misdeeds had been revealed to him in 1999, according to a Christmas letter to church members in 2020. The claims involved his father sexually abusing a seven-year-old boy in 1970. The pastor has asked his followers to pray for him as he prepares to face court for the special fixture hearing, set to go for three weeks. Brian Houston (pictured, with Scott and Jenny Morrison at a Hillsong event) pleaded not guilty in March to accusations he allegedly tried to cover up his father's sexual abuse Meanwhile, Mr Houston and his wife Bobbie (pictured together, at the Park Hyatt in Sydney last year) have set up an event on November 2 at an unknown location in Sydney's Hills District Meanwhile, the pastor's own behaviour has also been in the spotlight. In March the Mr Houston resigned from the Pentecostal megachurch over allegations of 'indiscretions' toward two women. The church said it had been investigating 'two complaints made against Pastor Brian' over the past 10 years. One complaint was made after a church employee claimed to have been sent 'inappropriate' texts. Long-time friend of Mr Houston, Pastor Phil Dooley, said the texts were 'along the line of 'if I was with you, Id like to kiss and cuddle you', words of that nature,' as reported by Sydney Morning Herald. The Hillsong Global Board said at the time Mr Houston was 'under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence' when he sent the messages. The second incident was when Mr Houston knocked on the hotel door of a female guest following the 2019 Hillsong Conference and came inside. The board defended the pastor over the allegations. In March the Mr Houston (pictured) resigned from the Pentecostal megachurch over allegations of 'indiscretions' toward two women 'An in-depth investigation found that Pastor Brian became disoriented... following the consumption of anti-anxiety medication beyond the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol.' Meanwhile, Mr Houston and his wife Bobbie have set up an event on November 2 at an unknown location in Sydney's Hills District. The pastor tweeted this month he was excited about the 'Evening With Brian and Bobbie'. The pair founded the Hillsong megachurch in 1983 and the organisation has rapidly grown to include more than 300 churches in 25 countries and 150,000 weekly attendees. It originated in the Hills district of Sydney, where the couple owned a lavish, gated home they bought for $165,000 in 1993. It was put up for sale last month for $4.5million. Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent Forensic biologist was asked to look for semen, but her tests came back negative Her accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann's interview with cops was played to court The trial that gripped Australia this week threw up a series of dramatic revelations as ex-parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins' allegation that a former colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, raped her at Parliament House was tested in court. Lehrmann, 26, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent after he and Ms Higgins returned from a night out to the office of minister Linda Reynolds' office in Parliament House in March 2019. In a week of high drama, Ms Higgins was unavailable to give testimony for four days until Friday. The court also heard from the security guard who found Ms Higgins in the parliamentary office on the night of the alleged assault, an AFP forensic biologist and Ms Higgins' mother. Here are five of the major moments from the week: Ms Higgins (pictured) returned to the witness stand in the ACT Supreme Court on Friday Bruce Lehrmann (pictured left) arrives at the ACT Supreme Court on Friday - his evidence about the night of the alleged rape was heard for the first time on Monday 1. Brittany Higgins unavailable to attend rape trial for four days The details of the trial of Lehrmann in the ACT Supreme Court were under suppression until Friday because Mr Higgins was unable to attend for four days. In her absence, the court heard from 22 witnesses, including the security guard who allegedly found Ms Higgins naked after the alleged rape, Nikola Anderson. It also heard from departmental official Christopher Payne, who gave key testimony about a conversation he had with Ms Higgins days after the alleged incident. Lerhrmann firmly denied having sex with Ms Higgins - consensually or otherwise - when questioned by police in a recorded interview aired to the court on Monday. Over the following days, the court heard from a range of witnesses including Ms Reynolds' former chief-of-staff, who burst into tears and fled the witness box when asked about texts Ms Higgins sent her thanking her for all her 'support and advice'. But it was the return of Ms Higgins herself that gripped the courtroom. Ms Higgins (centre) was declared 'unavailable' to attend court on Monday and was absent for four days of the trial Ms Higgins made a sensational return to the trial, telling the jury she was being 'embarrassed in front of a court' when she was grilled about telling Lisa Wilkinson her accused rapist took her underwear off. She also faced questions over text messages she exchanged with her boss in the days after the alleged sexual assault. Under questioning by defence lawyer Stephen Whybrow Ms Higgins admitted she was 'scared' for her career after revealing the rape claim but had been pretending everything was 'fine'. She pointed at Lehrmann in the courtroom and almost shouted: 'Nothing was fine after what you did to me. Nothing.' 2. Shocking moment a security guard found Ms Higgins undressed Parliament House security guard Nikola Anderson told the court she found Ms Higgins naked and laying on her back on Reynolds' grey leather couch about 4.15am on March 23, 2019 - the morning she was allegedly raped. Parliament House security guard Nikola Anderson had escorted Lehrmann and Ms Higgins to the defence department suite in Parliament House in Canberra on the night of the alleged rape Ms Anderson (pictured right) told the court she found Ms Higgins naked and laying on her back Earlier that evening, she had escorted Lehrmann and Ms Higgins to the defence department suite and stayed with them until she had to relieve her colleague, who was still working at the security desk at the entrance to Parliament House. 'When I went down to give Mark his break, Mark had told me that something strange was happening... Mr Lehrmann had left... approximately 20 minutes after I had let him into the suite,' Ms Anderson told the court. 'He seemed to be in a hurry to get out, sort of threw the pass at my colleague.' Ms Anderson was asked to do a welfare check on Ms Higgins some time later, because she didn't leave the suite with Lehrmann. She went up to the defence suite, opened the door, and saw Ms Higgins 'lying on her back completely naked on the lounge'. 'I think the air from the door has made noise or whatnot. She's opened her eyes, she's looked at me, and then she's proceeded to roll over into the foetal position, facing the desk.' Ms Anderson told the court that the white dress Ms Higgins was wearing earlier in the night was on the floor. The court has heard Brittany Higgins (pictured) centre stored the dress under her bed before she washed it in what she described as a symbolic act Bruce Lehrmann (pictured) told his former chief-of-staff he went to Parliament House to drink whiskey but later told police he went there to do some work and collect documents 3. Ms Higgins brutal response to being asked if she was raped The court heard confronting allegations during testimony about what happened during the alleged rape around 1.40am on March 23, 2019 - not least why there was no consent. When asked by a defence liaIson officer if she had been raped after she became 'visibly upset' during a discussion about the alleged incident, Ms Higgins said she could not have agreed. I could not have consented. It would have been like f***ing a log, Ms Higgins told Christopher Payne, the court heard. Mr Payne worked with the former Liberal staffers as a department liaison officer in the office of then defence industry Minister Linda Reynolds. He told the court what Ms Higgins said when they spoke days after the alleged incident. Brittany Higgins sent texts about the alleged rape to former lover Ben Dillaway (pictured) Forensics expert Jennifer Stone said the tests 'are inconclusive, in a way' when asked if it was possible that semen was on the dress before it was washed by Ms Higgins (pictured centre) 'She recalls, I believe, that she was near the window sill in the office and then effectively blacked out and did not recall anything further until such time as she woke up on the couch in the office with Mr Lehrmann on top of her. 'She indicated that he was having sex with her at that time.' Ms Higgins also told the court she became conscious 'mid rape' to find Lehrmann penetrating her without consent on the couch in the ministerial office. She alleged her legs were pinned open by his knees on the couch. Her testimony included that she woke up naked and by herself on the couch of Senator Reynolds. Defence lawyers Katrina Musgrove and Steven Whybrow (both pictured) are representing Lehrmann in the the ACT Supreme Court trial The heard that two news stories about the rape allegations were revealed on February 15, 2021 - one an online article by News Corp journalist Samantha Maiden, and the other a TV interview with The Project host Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) Ms Higgins remembered breaking down in tears after she woke, vomiting in the ministerial toilet and eventually gathering herself to leave at about 10am. 4. Expert's finding on white Kookai cocktail dress Ms Higgins wore A forensic biologist who worked for the Australian Federal Police examined the cocktail dress Ms Higgins wore on the night of the alleged rape, the court heard. Jennifer Stone - a senior forensic biologist who works for the AFP - told the court she was given Ms Higgins' white Kookai cocktail dress on February 6, 2021, and asked to look for semen. 'I was told there a dress that had been washed and it had been quite a delay since the time of the alleged incident - [it had been] washed once and put away,' she said. The court previously heard Ms Higgins stored the dress under her bed, before she washed it in early 2019 - after the alleged assault. Ms Stone said there were a 'couple' of areas that required further testing, but they produced negative results for semen. 'I then just screened the entire inside dress, the skirt area of the dress, just to see, just to be thorough,' she told the court. '[The screening] gave a negative result.' 5. Ms Higgins' mother's testimony on the impact on her daughter Ms Higgins' mother Kelly Higgins then took to the witness stand and told the court that working as a media advisor for the Liberal party was her daughter's 'dream', but said she appeared 'broken' in March and April, 2019. 'Brittany became very distant. Brittany became very quiet... She'd lost a lot of weight. She got quite thin. She just looked quite broken,' she said. Mrs Higgins told the court her daughter confided in her over dinner on November 21, 2019 - explaining she had been drinking before deciding to 'split a taxi' with a colleague. 'She then said she remembers going to Parliament House... She went in, walked in one of the suites... Sat down on the lounge in Senator Reynolds' office,' Mrs Higgins told the court. Her voice quivered while telling the court how her daughter recalled looking over the parliament courthouse from a windowsill in the defence suite and felt proud of her achievements - 'this was her dream', her mother added. '[Ms Higgins] said she woke up with a pain in her leg and that a gentleman was on top of her having intercourse with her. 'He was looking coldly at her. He was non-responsive to her. She was telling him "no". He then finished and left and she said she just lay there for a while.' The testimony of Ms Higgins' former boyfriend, Ben Dillaway, echoed her mother. He told the court it was 'like a light had turned off in her', describing her as 'a broken, shattered person' after the alleged assault. The trial continues. US warships have been bombarded by suspected Chinese espionage via drones over the past five years, according to newly released Navy records. Following a Freedom of Information Act request from The War Zone, the unsealed documents show US fleets were plagued by unidentified drones that appeared to be documenting America's forces in the Pacific. Among the incidents included a drone landing on a US ship in Hong Kong, the arrest of a Chinese national flying a drone in Pearl Harbor, and another set of drones snooping around a nuclear stockpile. In all, there were about 35 reports of incidents stretching back to 2017, with the Navy withholding information on 116 more reports because they contained classified information. The WarZone, which has long documented such incidents, warned that the reports 'underscore that drone encounters have become commonplace and that some of them may in fact be efforts by adversaries or potential adversaries to spy on, surveil, or otherwise harass American forces at home and abroad.' The US Navy documented 35 reports of drones suspected of surveilling America's Pacific fleet between 2017 and 2021. One incident involved a swarm of drones surrounding the USS Paul Hamilton (above) in 2019, which was stationed in San Diego The drones appeared overnight at the end of July, with reports saying they were flashing lights, suspected camera flashes, at the destroyer-class ship Among the most concerning incidents detailed in the Navy's records involved the USS Paul Hamilton, which was stationed in San Diego in July 2019. According to the report, a series of drones swarmed the ship's crew on July 30 and 31, with the aircrafts flashing 'a searchlight or photographic device' at the vessel. Camera's from the ship were able to capture one of the drones flying overhead during the first night. Just two weeks before the incident, the destroyer-class ship was harrassed by another set of drones, which The War Zone previously linked to the Hong Kong-based Bass Strait's vessel. There were four more incidents linked to Hong Kong, notably one where the destroyer-class USS Chafee caught two drones flying over the ship in October 2017. According to the Navy's reports, one of the drones landed on the US ship, where the crew managed to secure it and hand it over to the Naval Criminal Investigative Team. The report does not disclose what came out from the investigation other than the fact that the incident was documented as alleged 'surveillance' of the USS Chafee. Not much was disclosed about the other three Hong Kong incidents, only that the USS Makin Island assault ship reported multiple drones near it over three days in April 2017. The USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitiz class aircraft carrier, also reported multiple drones around it while it was based in Hong Kong in October 2017. The USS Chafee, which was stationed in Hong Kong in 2017, had two drones flying around it, with one captured by the crew members after it landed successfully on the ship The USS Ronald Reagan (pictured), an aircraft carrier, also saw multiple drones fly around it while it was stationed in Hong Kong in October 2017 Back in the US, more incidents of alleged Beijing espionage were reported when a Chinese national was arrested in Pearl Harbor. Officials took the man into custody for flying a small drone in Rainbow Bay Marina on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. 'The drone operator... stated that he had just finished visit[ing] the [USS] Arizona Memorial and decided to test out his new drone... [by taking] a view of the sailboats in Rainbow Bay Marina,' the report reads. Although the report notes that officials concluded there were no signs of espionage in the incident, it also revealed that multiple Chinese tourists were arrested between 2018 and 2020 for trespassing on Navy installations and taking pictures of them. There were at least three other reports of such incidents in Pearl Harbor that opened FBI investigations. The Navy reported the arrest of a Chinese Nation in Pearl Harbor after he was caught flying a drone around the USS Arizona battleship (above) Although the case was deemed not an act of espionage, officials noted several arrests of Chinese tourists around Navy installations, including three FBI investigations in Pearl Harbor There were several drone surveillance incidents reported at the US Naval Base Kitsap (above) and the neighboring Bangor base, in Washington, where some of the nation's most powerful nuclear warheads are stored Another incident outlined in the reports includes drone sightings by the Navy base in Bangor, Washington, which houses some of the nation's most powerful nuclear warheads. According to the documents, service members were conducting explosive-handling operations when a drone was spotted flying around the base in January 2017. A gunner aboard the Bangor spotted the drone with night vision goggles and documented the incident as a surveillance attempt. There were several other surveillance incidents reported in the nearby Naval Base Kitsap, with at least one prompting an investigation from the FBI. Representatives for the US Navy and Department of Defense did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. The Navy released a video last month about another incident. The drones, captured on April 24th, 2019, were outfitted with four multicolored lights as they flew in circles around the USS Zumwalt off the Coast of Southern California The USS Zumwalt is unique as it is the most technologically capable stealth warship the US Navy has at its disposal The newest set of reports come just a month after the Navy released a new video showing the moment a sailor filmed six mysterious drones swarming around its most advanced warship in April 2019. In this incident, drones were captured floating around the USS Zumlwalt, though six other vessels were involved, and all incidents happened between March and July of 2019. It happened 19 miles off the coast of California, in international waters, while the Zumwalt was stationed at Camp Pendleton. In the video, a sailor can be heard narrating the strange event and says the aircraft are operating at an altitude of 300 to 1000 feet and made multiple flyovers and circle patterns around the ship. While the video obtained via an investigation by The Drive is unclear, it shows a drone with multicolored lights buzzing above the ship flying in 'consistent patterns,' and the sailor also says they appear to be unarmed. At one point, one of the drones passed over the deck of the ship, and no contact with the vessel itself was made. Drone swarm events have become more common in recent years, and in some incidents less capable drones are even used as 'canaries' to distract security systems or probe defenses. In a bitter parting shot to PM Liz Truss, former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has told close allies he believes she has only bought herself 'a few weeks' and that mutinous Tory MPs' 'wagons are circling'. Ms Truss launched a desperate effort to save herself yesterday as she sacked Mr Kwarteng and made another major U-turn on her fiscal policy, before conducting a press conference where she presented herself to the media for just eight minutes. She reportedly told the Chancellor he had to go to avoid further market turmoil - but he only discovered he was about to be sacked after it was reported in the media on the way to see the PM. A source close to the former Chancellor told The Times last night: 'Kwasi thinks it only buys her a few more weeks. 'His view is that the wagons are still going to circle.' It follows the press conference on Friday at which Liz Truss refused to apologise for the impacts of the mini-budget or take media questions - answering just four in an almost identical fashion before abruptly leaving the room. Dozens of Tory MPs are said to be openly discussing ways to get rid of the new PM. Kwasi Kwarteng smiled as he arrived home after being sacked by the PM - before delivering his parting shot Liz Truss held a press conference in Downing Street on Friday in which she announced a second major U-turn on the mini-budget: this time on corporation tax Liz Truss has appointed Jeremy Hunt (pictured) as Mr Kwarteng's replacement, who was unwilling to talk to reporters on Friday Mr Kwarteng's swipe at Ms Truss comes after she thanked him for his 'decision' to leave the Cabinet - but he was quick to publicly confirm he had, in fact, been fired. It appears to many as a desperate sign that Ms Truss knows her premiership is in peril after a shambolic first 39 days in power. Even senior Downing Street officials are reportedly talking about Truss' departure. And it has now been revealed that a group of around 20 MPs met on Monday over curry to plot a possible removal. Despite media briefings as early as 8am on Friday that the Chancellor had the PM's full support, Mr Kwarteng cut his trip to the US a day short to fly back to the UK, and was sacked by Ms Truss almost as soon as he arrived back in London yesterday. Pressure had been mounting for days for Liz Truss to take action after the markets went into turmoil over the Chancellor's unfunded mini-budget announcement. Runners and riders: Who could replace Liz Truss as PM? Rishi Sunak Current odds: 17/10 Rishi Sunak is the clear favourite to take over as PM if Liz Truss is forced out by MPs. He came second in the Conservative leadership contest and led from the start in the number of MPs who supported him. Penny Mordaunt Current odds: 5/1 She may have lost out in the final round of MPs' votes, but Penny Mordaunt was hugely popular during early stages of the leadership race, with more supporters than Truss until the final round. She has since had a prominent role as Leader of the House. Kemi Badenoch Current odds: 22/1 Another defeated contender in the recent leadership election, Kemi Badenoch proved hugely popular among the party membership - but has little experience in major Cabinet roles. Jeremy Hunt Current odds: 7/1 He may have only been welcomed back into the fold yesterady, but as a two-time contender in previous leadership elections Mr Hunt's name is being thrown into the ring. Ben Wallace Current odds: 12/1 The current Defence Secretary did not stand in this year's election contest despite expectations he would. In part due to this, he is now a possible unity figurehead. Boris Johnson Current odds: 12/1 Many critics of Boris Johnson were calling for him to go for months before he was finally forced out earlier this year. But even some of those who supported his leaving are now wondering if Liz Truss is even worse, and a return to Johnson might be a smart move. Theresa May Current odds: 90/1 As a former PM, Theresa May is extremely unlikely to lead the country again. But some Conservatives think she could make a good caretaker PM as someone who has prior experience of the job. Advertisement Critics have said she has scapegoated Mr Kwarteng for policies which she based her campaign to become the next PM on. The government was already forced to make one highly damaging climb down after it announced it would abolish the 45p income tax rate for those earning more than 150,000. Many MPs, even Conservatives, said this was a poor choice given the cost of living crisis rocking the country. In a press conference on Friday, she told the nation that she was scrapping her plan to freeze corporation tax - and that it will rise from 19 percent to 25 percent as previously planned. The measure will give the government an extra 18 billion per year - but is not an end to the problem, as OBR forecasts delivered to No.10 today show an imminent 60 billion black whole in the UK's finances, according to reports. It was unclear late on Friday whether such drastic actions could be enough to keep her in Downing Street, with the markets remaining jittery and reports of Tory MPs plotting intensely to replace her. After three weeks of turmoil on the financial markets in the wake of Kwasi Kwarteng's 43 billion mini-budget tax giveaway, Ms Truss ended days of frenzied speculation by forcing her friend out of office and U-turning on her commitment to drop the planned rise in corporation, a central plank of her leadership campaign. The U-turn will particularly hurt Ms Truss as it means Rishi Sunak's, her leadership rival, plan will go ahead. At the brief news conference in Downing Street on Friday, she had dismissed calls for her resignation, saying she is 'absolutely determined to see through what I have promised'. It came as she also signalled a new squeeze on public spending which would 'grow less rapidly than previously planned', ahead of the medium-term fiscal plan on October 31 - when Mr Hunt will now set out how he intends to get the public finances back on track. 'It is clear that parts of our mini-budget went further and faster than markets were expecting, so the way we are delivering our mission right now has to change,' she said. 'We will do whatever is necessary to ensure debt is falling as a share of the economy in the medium term.' Mr Kwarteng released a letter to Liz Truss to the public after being forced out, saying he had been 'asked to resign.' The letter pointed out that he has always supported 'your vision' for the UK, a thinly-veiled jab at the decision to replace him for policies he made directly with the PM. Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt now steps into the role, which some Tory MPs say is a 'safe' choice, but the public remain unconvinced. In a snap poll on Friday evening, YouGov found that two in five Britons believe Mr Hunt will do a bad job, with just 14 percent expecting him to do a good one. Potential runners and riders to replace Liz Truss: (L-R, top line first) Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Jeremy Hunt, Boris Johnson, Ben Wallace, Kemi Badenoch and Theresa May Britons won't have long to wait to judge, as the new Chancellor is expected to give a round of interviews on Saturday to set out the government's new plans. Some MPs, including Cabinet Ministers, are already holding informal talks about the possibility of installing a new leader by 'consensus'. One said: 'If this is going to work we need to make it less about the leader whether it is Rishi [Sunak] or Penny [Mordaunt] or whoever and more about the team. 'We have to try to present a united front and put together a team of all the talents. And we have to avoid a contest.' Miss Truss's actions yesterday, coupled with her awkward manner at a perfunctory press conference, appeared to harden opposition. A former Cabinet minister told the Daily Mail: 'You can't sack your Chancellor for implementing your own policies and then try to pretend the mess you've made has got nothing to do with you.' Another veteran MP said: 'I haven't found a single colleague that now thinks Liz Truss should remain.' Former leader William Hague claimed the PM's premiership 'hangs by a thread' following a 'catastrophic episode'. A Savanta ComRes poll last night found 52 per cent thought the PM was right to sack her Chancellor, but 71 per cent thought she would be unable to win back public trust. Loyal MPs on Friday night were urging party colleagues to think again about any bid to oust Ms Truss, who is theoretically safe from a leadership vote for another year under the rules of the backbench 1922 Committee. But there is speculation that plotters could promote a unity candidate and avoid a contest or even persuade the head of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady to tell Ms Truss it is time for her to go. Welsh Secretary Sir Robert Buckland, appearing on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme, warned: "I think if we start with gay abandon, throwing another prime minister to the wolves, we're going to be faced with more delay, more debate, more instability." But even the staunchly loyal MP Sir Christopher Chope had some harsh words for his party leader, after defending her on Thursday and ruling out any reversal. "I feel let down, very badly let down. And I expressed disbelief at what I heard today because it's totally inconsistent with everything that the Prime Minister stood for when she was elected," he told BBC Newsnight. A disabled woman is too afraid to leave her home after being taunted by them The youths are said to be 'out of control' and that they smash up property Terrified families have told how they are living in fear of a gang of young thugs running riot whose ringleaders include a boy of 11. The youths are said to be out of control, with locals saying they are responsible for smashing up property, vandalising vehicles and assaults. A business owner has been threatened with an imitation firearm, a disabled woman is too afraid to leave her home after being taunted and a police officer has been attacked. The havoc in terraced streets close to the centre of Blackpool was revealed in Parliament this week by one of the seaside towns Conservative MPs, Scott Benton. He said the gang had committed hundreds of offences over the past two years in the Talbot and Brunswick area. The havoc in terraced streets close to the centre of Blackpool was revealed in Parliament this week by one of the seaside towns Conservative MPs, Scott Benton One middle-aged woman, who did not want to be named, said: They are a nightmare. There are fires all the time and all you hear is the sound of breaking glass. It used to be a nice place to live but not any more. Another woman blamed one family for most of the carnage, saying: Shes the mother of the 11-year-old but she has god only knows how many other children living with her maybe 13 or 14 but not all of them are hers. I believe the council are trying to evict her but she is refusing to go. The kids are running riot as if they own the neighbourhood. On Thursday, Mr Benton raised the issue with Penny Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons. He said: The ringleader is an 11-year-old boy who has been responsible for over 80 different offences, including assaulting a female police officer. Sadly, the efforts of Lancashire Police to bring him to justice have been compromised by Blackpool Councils childrens directorate, who refuse to criminalise teenagers. On Thursday, Mr Benton raised the issue with Penny Mordaunt, leader of the House of Commons Can we have a debate in this House regarding anti-social behaviour and whether police have the appropriate powers to tackle these problems? He described the 11-year-old as completely out of control, adding: Every time he commits a crime, he is taken to the police station but he gets released because of his age and ends up laughing at the officers. A Blackpool Council spokesman said: It is completely untrue to suggest that there has been any interference from Childrens Social Care in the work of police to address criminal acts or youth anti-social behaviour. The Youth Justice Partnership in Blackpool rightly takes a child first approach to anti-social behaviour among children, but this does not mean that offending is taken lightly. A Lancashire Police spokesman said: We are aware of the issues. We have been working proactively with increased neighbourhood officers, plain-clothed officers and mounted officers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. Ukraine seeks to expand product range for exports via seaports Xinhua) 14:04, October 15, 2022 KIEV, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine has considered expanding the range of goods for exports via its seaports and stands ready to discuss the issue with Turkiye, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Thursday. "We are raising a question about the possibility of expanding the range of export of goods from Ukraine in the future," Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkiye Vasyl Bodnar was cited by the media outlet as saying. Currently, the "green corridor" from the Ukrainian ports is working smoothly under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Bodnar said. Soon Ukraine and Turkiye are due to hold talks over the extension of the deal, Bodnar said. 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. Since the deal came into effect, a total of 331 vessels carrying 7.38 million tons of agricultural products have departed from the Ukrainian ports to the countries in Asia, Europe and Africa, according to Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry. The agreement is due to expire on Nov. 19. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) The mayor of New York City was facing questions on Friday night about whether he had declared any income from his vegan cookbook - after he said publishers gave him an advance of up to $50,000. Eric Adams on Friday released his long-awaited tax returns, after receiving an extension from the IRS due to his contracting COVID around the filing deadline. The returns are his first as mayor, and the first since he fired his accountant, who was not licensed, made multiple errors, and registered his business to a non-existent office. The returns, filed by the new accountant, make no mention of any income from the October 2020 book, Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses. Yet in his Conflict of Interest statement, filed for the same year, Adams said he had been given an advance for the book of up to $49,999. Eric Adams published his vegan cookbook in October 2020, and said he was given an advance of up to $50,000 for the book. His spokesman says the money went to his ghostwriters Adams's Conflict of Interest disclosure shows, in the 'income 2' section of 'other non-City income', that he was paid up to $50,000 for the book The book has been well-received, with over 1,000 reviews on Amazon - mainly positive. It is ranked 314 in vegan cookbooks, and 108th in general diabetic health. Adams' spokesman, Fabien Levy, told Politico and New York Daily News that the mayor was not paid for the book, and that the proceeds from the book went to his ghostwriters, Gene Stone and Nicholas Bromley. The ghostwriters have not responded to questions from DailyMail.com about the controversy. When asked why Adams would declare on his Conflict of Interest forms money which he did not receive, Levy said that the mayor listed it out of an abundance of caution. Levy is yet to respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Mayors are not legally required to release their tax returns, but generally do so by tradition. The last five mayors in New York City released at least portions of their returns. That includes Adams's predecessor Bill de Blasio, as well as Ed Koch, David Dinkins, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. Adams is seen on Friday at a press conference announcing plans for the creation of a job and education hub for health and life sciences Adams's Brooklyn home, through which he reported making $24,600 in rent on the four-unit house a drop from the $36,000 he collected in 2019, as a tenant moved out The New Jersey property where Adams's girlfriend lives, and where some suspected the then-candidate was resident Adams's return for 2021 shows that he bought cryptocurrency, which he publicly backs and in which he took his first three paychecks, but did not make any money. He rented out his Brooklyn home, and said that New York City was his main residence. On the campaign trail, Adams faced questions as to whether he lived in the city or across the Hudson in New Jersey, where his long-term girlfriend lives. His tax returns now list the income from renting out part of the brownstone Brooklyn home in the Bedford Stuyvesant district which he continues to call his official residence. In past years, he left any mention of rental earnings off his IRS returns, saying that his previous accountant told him not to, because he invested all the money back in maintaining the home and actually made a loss. On last year's returns he reported making $24,600 in rent on the four-unit house a drop from the $36,000 he collected in 2019 though that sum was largely offset by expenses. Adams paid $56,074 in taxes on $245,324 in his salary, pension and rental income last year. His total income was offset by $13,347 in deductions, making for an effective tax rate of 24 percent. He slightly underpaid his taxes last year on estimated quarterly payments, forcing him to pay an extra $93 in penalties and interest. Adams claimed zero charitable gifts in his 2021 taxes. A City Hall spokesperson said that the mayor gave about $5,000 to charity last year but didn't claim the donations because of a lack of receipts. The mayor also gave to individuals who were victims of crime, the spokesperson said. Nadhim Zahawi and Sajid Javid were seen as more obvious replacements But after Liz Truss's U-turn, one of his first acts as Chancellor will be to raise it Ran for leadership himself and pledged to reduce corporation tax to 15 per cent Jeremy Hunt was appointed Chancellor yesterday despite previously backing Rishi Sunak in the Tory leadership contest and calling for cuts to corporation tax. The Tory big beast, who was culture, health and foreign secretaries over ten years before returning to the backbenches in 2019, was parachuted in by Prime Minister Liz Truss after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng over the mini-Budget shambles. Miss Truss telephoned Mr Hunt at 9.30am after concluding that Mr Kwarteng could not credibly continue in office. An ally of the PM said: 'She picked him because she likes him and thinks he's incredibly capable. He's a straight shooter and they agree on a lot he's a low-tax Conservative and he agrees with her on a lot of things, such as foreign policy and the need to invest in defence.' Mr Hunt has himself run in two failed Tory leadership bids. The latest was this summer, when he pledged to scrap Mr Sunak's planned rise in corporation tax and instead reduce the 25 per cent rate to 15 per cent on day one. At the time he said: 'It's not the most sexy of cuts but it just matters in terms of getting our economy moving.' During his 2019 leadership bid against Boris Johnson, he proposed to slash the levy on businesses even further to 12.5 per cent. Jeremy Hunt was parachuted in by Liz Truss after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng over the mini-Budget shambles. Pictured with the Prime Minister in the empty Cabinet Room at No10 after his appointment yesterday But Miss Truss performed a U-turn on her plans to scrap the planned rise in corporation tax yesterday, meaning one of Mr Hunt's first acts as Chancellor will be to increase it to 25 per cent. His suitability for the role was questioned by some Tory MPs yesterday because he was one of the most prominent backers of Mr Sunak who was chancellor under Mr Johnson during the leadership contest against Miss Truss. By contrast, Nadhim Zahawi and Sajid Javid backed the PM, have served in the Treasury and were seen as more obvious choices. Despite serving in the Cabinet, Mr Hunt, 55, has no Treasury experience, which raises questions about whether the markets will react in a positive way. Miss Truss telephoned Mr Hunt at 9.30am after concluding that Mr Kwarteng could not credibly continue in office. Pictured arriving at No10 yesterday His backing of Mr Sunak is controversial among Mr Johnson loyalists, who believe the former stabbed the latter in the back by resigning from Cabinet and bringing the Government crashing down. They also take issue with Mr Hunt for running against Mr Johnson for leadership in 2019. Like Miss Truss, Mr Hunt voted Remain in the 2016 EU referendum, but has since said he would vote Leave in any second poll. His appointment will be seen as an attempt by Miss Truss to reach across the party after her decision to appoint only loyalists like Mr Kwarteng landed badly. Mr Hunt backs raising defence spending a key pledge by Miss Truss which commands majority support in the party and broadly shares her vision of a low-tax, high-growth economy. During the summer leadership contest, he criticised Mr Johnson's levelling-up agenda for being 'far too New Labour' and overly focused on high-spend infrastructure rather than 'wealth creation'. He served as health secretary from September 2012 to July 2018. During this time, he faced criticism over his handling of the battle with junior doctors in which the Government proposed changing contracts so that evenings and Saturdays would be considered 'normal' rather than 'unsocial' hours in a bid to deliver a seven-day NHS. Despite the criticism, Mr Hunt went on to secure a funding increase for the NHS, totalling 20.5billion in real terms by 2023. Nadhim Zahawi and Sajid Javid (pictured), who unlike Mr Hunt backed the PM, have served in the Treasury and were seen as more obvious choices As foreign secretary under Theresa May between July 2018 and July 2019, he raised eyebrows with a gaffe during a meeting on an official visit to China. He told Chinese officials that his wife Lucia Guo with whom he has three children was Japanese although she was born in Xian in central China, before correcting himself. He has been chairman of the Commons health committee since January 2020 and was frequently critical of Government policy during the Covid pandemic. Elected as MP for South West Surrey in 2005, Mr Hunt loves dancing and even has his own sprung dancefloor at home, with party colleague Michael Gove once describing his moves as 'something amazing'. Almost half of young adults in the UK now identify as naturists, according to a new poll, which also discovered one in seven Britons participate in naturism each year. The figure is up significantly from the last major survey in 2011, which found six percent of Brits enjoyed stripping off in their spare time, less than half this year's figure. Experts say it is a hopeful sign for the future that younger people are tearing up 'taboos' over nudity. The biggest survey on nudism to ever take place in the UK, completed by Ipsos Mori, estimated that 6.75 million people engage in naturist activities such as sunbathing naked and swimming without a costume. Half of young adults in the UK now identify as naturists, according to a new Ipsos Mori poll Experts say the poll is a hopeful sign for the future that younger people are tearing up 'taboos' over nudity Almost half of young British adults have taken part in naturalist activities such as skinny-dipping The survey collated 2,500 responses from those aged 16 to 75 Around 2,500 people were surveyed in total, from age 16 to 75. President of British Naturism Dr Mark Bass told the Guardian: 'It turns out there's a huge, hidden enthusiasm for nude recreation. Attitudes to nudity are changing with the taboos and stigma being eroded. 'Modern society is weighed down by a body confidence crisis and more and more people are discovering the benefits that nudity brings to mental, emotional and physical health by allowing us to reclaim ownership of our identities.' One possible reason for the huge jump in enthusiasm is the nature of this year's survey: the first one taken online and anonymously by participants. Previous polling has taken place face to face on the doorstep, which could lead to lower reporting figures. Although naturism is often construed as 'something old retirees do' to quote Dr Bass, these new figures show by far the most comfortable with nudity are those aged 16-24. This is compared to just six percent of those between the ages of 45 and 75. Dr Bass said: 'Younger people are diving into it far more than their elders have done. That gives us a lot of confidence in the future.' Those who took part in the survey were asked whether they engage in various activities while naked with anyone besides their partner or family. These included swimming and sunbathing, as well as going to a naturist beach or visited a clothes-optional club or resort. Skinny-dipping was the most popular activity, with 21 percent of respondents saying they have done it. Some young people are said to have taken up the trend after lockdown, after craving the freedom of the open air. British Naturism's membership rose by 2.5 percent during the pandemic. It has since seen more than 15,000 people attend its events across the country. Hundreds of patients with metallic implants narrowly avoided death or serious injury after being wrongly referred for MRI scans, an investigation revealed yesterday. The powerful magnets used in the machines can displace and damage metallic items such as pacemakers, ear implants and aneurysm clips. Doctors should question patients and check medical records before requesting a scan because of the risk of injury. But hospitals in England recorded 315 near-misses from April 2020 to March 2022 involving patients sent for an MRI. MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. They can be used to diagnose conditions, plan care and assess how effective previous treatment has been. Patients receiving an MRI scan lie inside a huge tube containing strong magnets for between 15 and 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned. Hospitals in England recorded 315 near-misses from April 2020 to March 2022 involving patients sent for an MRI. (File image) Powerful magnets used in the machines can displace and damage metallic items such as pacemakers, ear implants and aneurysm clips. (File image) The NHS website warns: MRI scans may not be recommended in certain situations. For example, if you have a metal implant fitted, such as a pacemaker or artificial joint, you may not be able to have an MRI scan. An MRI scan at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust was ditched after staff confirmed the skin over the patients pacemaker had begun heating up. Another patient at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Trust told staff about a metal plug implanted in their nose only after the scan had begun. Many of the incidents involved forms being filled out incorrectly on behalf of elderly and disoriented patients. At East Kent Hospitals University Trust, a patient described as not compos mentis was given the all-clear by a care home nurse and again by a clinician for MRI only for staff to realise at the last moment that metal clips were implanted in their chest. Information about the incidents was obtained using freedom of information requests. Helen Hughes of Patient Safety Learning, a health charity, said: It is vital that near-misses are regularly reported, their causes understood, and that this learning is acted on to prevent future avoidable harm. An NHS spokesman said: Hundreds of thousands of MRI scans are carried out each year and given our rigorous safety protocols in place, instances where metallic objects are not picked up during the pre-screening process are extremely rare. Shoppers will also find that the squash is up to 30 per cent smaller this year Summer heatwave has reduced crops from around 15 million to ten million Families face Halloween with smaller pumpkins than usual after a frightening harvest for UK farmers. The summer heatwave and drought have reduced crops from around 15 million to as few as ten million, experts say. Shoppers will also find that the squash is up to 30 per cent smaller this year. Pumpkins are seeded mid-May and need plenty of water to have a ripe harvest for October. But 40C temperatures in July and dry weather stunted the growth of many. The summer heatwave and drought have reduced pumpkin crops from around 15 million to as few as ten million, experts say. (Stock image) The British Growers Association is warning of lower overall yields this Halloween and of pumpkins that are 'smaller in size'. (Stock image) Pumpkin growers have also been hit by labour shortages and rising production costs. Due to this, the British Growers Association is warning of lower overall yields this Halloween and of pumpkins that are 'smaller in size'. Neil Cairns, head of production at Barfoot Farms, that typically produces a million of the fruit, said: 'The pumpkins are smaller than we would have liked 30 per cent smaller is probably not far away.' But Tesco said it has enough pumpkins to meet 'record demand' at stores and that their quality is 'as good as ever'. Dr Freeling will stay in his temporary vice-chancellor role for nine months He said he couldn't see discussions about decolonisation at governance level He told a student newspaper this was because the word had been 'misused' Dr Anthony Freeling said he could not given a definition of decolonisation The interim head of Cambridge University has suggested he will not continue plans to decolonise the curriculum. Dr Anthony Freeling, a management consultant who is acting vice-chancellor of the university until July, said he did not know what decolonisation meant. He told a student newspaper that the word has been misused to such an extent that I dont think, if Im honest, I can give an accurate definition. He also said that he could not imagine discussions about decolonisation making sense at governance level as the university was managed from the bottom up. The interim head of Cambridge University has suggested he will not continue plans to decolonise the curriculum Dr Freeling started the temporary role two weeks ago and will stay until Professor Deborah Prentice, provost of Princeton University, takes over in nine months. I want to hand over a slightly better university than the one I took over on October 1, Freeling said. There are some programmes coming forward on mental health, on cost of living, initiatives in climate, all of those things that are happening. I want to make sure we dont suffer a slowdown that could naturally happen if there was a nine-month break. Professor Stephen Toope, who resigned as vice-chancellor last month, previously said decolonising the curriculum to make it more inclusive held a lot of value. Professor Stephen Toope (pictured), who resigned as vice-chancellor last month, previously said decolonising the curriculum to make it more inclusive held a lot of value' The university also investigated whether it had benefitted from slavery and created a Legacies of Enslavement Fund under Professor Toopes leadership. Dr Freeling also dismissed the idea that programmes providing better access to Cambridge for marginalised students would cause a brain drain of privately educated students to leading American universities. Dr Freeling, a former president of the Cambridge graduate college Hughes Hall, said of his times as a student at the university: Most of us wouldnt get in because the quality is so much higher nowadays. A teen alleged to have stabbed a boy to death has been rushed to hospital The son of a former TV star, alleged to have fatally stabbed a 17-year-old boy in a botched drug deal, has been brutally bashed in prison and rushed to hospital with grave injuries. Jaden Martinovich, 18, was beaten by an inmate at Perth's maximum security Hakea Prison, reported Nine News. It's understood he was rushed to Perth's Fiona Stanley Hospital in serious condition at 3.30pm on Friday. Martinovich allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old through the heart during the bungled deal at a car park in North Perth at 9.30pm, August 27. It's alleged he had pretended a ziplock bag full of salt was methamphetamine during the late night deal. Police allege dashcam footage gathered from Martinovich's own car captured him saying: 'I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight knowing I've plunged a knife into some c***'s vital organs'. 'That's awesome, love doing that.' Jaden Martinovich, 18, has been injured after a prison bashing and hospitalised. It's alleged he fatally stabbed a 17-year-old boy during a drug deal gone wrong Martinovich (above with his mother, former TV star Kelly Martinovich) claimed he was acting in self-defence during an alleged botched drug deal in which a 17-year-old was killed Martinovich was reportedly seriously injured in Western Australia's Hakea maximum security prison (above) Martinovich, whose mother is former Aerobics Oz Style star Kelly Martinovich, was charged with grievous bodily harm two days after the alleged incident, but the charge was upgraded to murder following the death of his alleged victim. Martinovich faced the upgraded charge in Northbridge Magistrates Court during the brief hearing the day after the 17-year-old died, but didn't enter a plea. Through his lawyer, he instead insisted he had been acting in self-defence during an attempted carjacking. Martinovich had allegedly arranged a drug deal with the victim on social media before driving to a car park near Bourke St along with two teen associates. Police prosecutors will allege after a short conversation the 17-year-old got in Martinovich's car and attempted to drive away while his two associates were still inside. Prosecutors allege that police have dashcam audio from Martinovich's car on the night of the alleged incident were he is accused of buying a bag of sea salt under the pretense it was the drug meth (pictured, left, with his mother Kelly) Martinovich then allegedly chased down the car, opened the driver's door and told the 17-year-old 'get out, I have a knife'. He then allegedly stabbed the victim through the heart with a knife. Parents Mrs Martinovich and Levi Martinovich refused to speak with the press when they left the court to a waiting SUV in September. Mr Martinovich had been granted bail, before his grievous bodily harm charge was upgraded to murder, after paying a $25,000 bond and his parents paid $100,000 surety. Mrs Martinovich was in Perth Magistrates Court last month to support her son with the teen's father Levi Martinovich, 18, had previously been charged with causing grievous bodily harm to the 17-year-old boy after an incident on Bourke St in North Perth about 9.30pm on August 27 but the charge has since been upgraded to murder Heartbroken family friends of the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, paid tribute to him after his death. 'My little brother you've grown wings today and showed us nothing is forever we will all miss you till the end of time you was and still is such an important person in everyone's life,' one wrote on social media. 'God has chosen you to be (an) angel to look after all your brothers and sisters and I'm sorry it happened this way but you will be missed by everyone you left such (an) impact on everyone you met.' Mr Martinovich's mother is a 1980s and '90s aerobics star who featured on the popular television show Aerobics Oz Style which ran for more than 6,000 episodes on Channel 10 for 23 years until 2005. It is not suggested Mrs Martinovich is in any way connected to the alleged crime. California Governor Gavin Newsom has blocked the parole of Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel, more than five decades after she scrawled 'Helter Skelter' on a wall using the blood of one of their victims. Krenwinkel, now 74, and other followers of the cult leader terrorized the state in the late 1960s, committing crimes that Newsom said 'were among the most fear-inducing in California's history.' Newsom agreed that Krenwinkel has been well-behaved in prison and has shown remorse, but said she still too much of a public safety risk to be freed. Krenwinkel was convicted in the slayings of pregnant actor Sharon Tate and four other people in 1969. The next night, she killed Leno LaBianca by stabbing him in the stomach with a carving fork they used at Thanksgiving and wrote 'Death to Pigs' on the wall with his blood. She also helped kill his wife Rosemary in a double murder prosecutors say was an attempt by Manson to start a race war. A two-member parole panel for the first time in May recommended that Krenwinkel be released, after she previously had been denied parole 14 times. Newsom has previously rejected parole recommendations for other followers of Manson, who died in prison in 2017. Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel (pictured in 2020) was previously denied parole 14 times for the slayings of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four other people in 1969. The next night, Krenwinkel helped kill grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary Charles Manson followers, from left: Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, shown walking to court to appear for their roles in the 1969 cult killings of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate, in Los Angeles on August 20, 1970 California Governor Gavin Newsom blocked the parole of Patricia Krenwinkel on Friday, more than five decades after she scrawled 'Helter Skelter' on a wall using her victim's blood Newsom also said Friday that Krenwinkel had completed many rehabilitation and education programs and has 'demonstrated effusive remorse.' But he concluded that 'her efforts have not sufficiently reduced her risk for future dangerousness.' 'Ms. Krenwinkel fully accepted Mr. Manson's racist, apocalyptical ideologies,' Newsom added. 'Ms. Krenwinkel was not only a victim of Mr. Manson's abuse. She was also a significant contributor to the violence and tragedy that became the Manson Family's legacy.' Krenwinkel and other followers were initially sentenced to death. But they were resentenced to life with the possibility of parole after the death penalty in California was briefly ruled unconstitutional in 1972. Krenwinkel was 19 and living with her older sister when she met Manson, then age 33, at a party during a time when she said she was feeling lost and alone. 'He seemed a bit bigger than life,' she testified in May, and she started feeling 'that somehow his take on the world was the right, was the right one.' She said she left with him for what she thought would be a relationship with 'the new man in my life' who unlike others told her he loved her and that she was beautiful. Manson 'had answers that I wanted to hear ... that I might be loved, that I might have the kind of affection that I was looking forward to in my life,' she said. Instead, she said Manson abused her and others physically and emotionally while requiring that they trust him without question, testimony that led the parole panel to conclude that Krenwinkel was a victim of intimate partner battery at the time. Charles Manson pictured in 1969 is escorted to his arraignment on conspiracy-murder charges in connection with the Sharon Tate murder case. He died in prison in 2017 Charles Manson was the leader of a group of cultists who engaged in a frenzy of killing in the summer of 1969, culminating in the murder of the actress Sharon Tate and her unborn child. He died of natural causes not long after this photo was taken Sharon Tate's sister, Debra Tate, the last surviving member of her immediate family, was among victims who dismissed Krenwinkel's explanation that she was led to Manson by alcohol use and a non-supportive family while growing up. Pictured is Sharon Tate in 1965 It took about two years of traveling and drug use until he began emerging as 'the Christ-like figure who was leading the cult' who began talking about sparking a race war and asking his followers, 'would you kill for me? And I said yes.' Krenwinkel talked about during her 2016 parole hearing how she repeatedly stabbed Abigail Folger, 26, heiress to a coffee fortune, at Tate's home on August 9, 1969. The next night, she said Manson and his right-hand man, Charles 'Tex' Watson, told her to 'do something witchy,' so she stabbed La Bianca in the stomach with a fork, then took a rag and wrote 'Helter Skelter,' Rise' and 'Death to Pigs' on the walls with his blood. The bone-handled fork 'was part of a set that we used at holidays ... to carve our turkeys,' the couple's nephew Louis Smaldino, told parole officials, calling Krenwinkel 'a vicious and uncaring killer.' Victims Leno LaBianca was a grocery store owner, and Rosemary was also a successful business woman living in Los Feliz when they were brutally stabbed to death by the cult Krenwinkel, 74, was 19 years old when she and other cult members stabbed to death wealthy Los Angeles grocer Leno LaBianca, left, and his wife, Rosemary, right, in 1969 Sharon Tate's sister, Debra Tate, the last surviving member of her immediate family, was among victims who dismissed Krenwinkel's explanation that she was led to Manson by alcohol use and a non-supportive family while growing up. 'We all come from homes with problems and didn't decide to go out and brutally kill seven strangers,' Tate told parole officials. She still doesn't have sufficient insight into what caused her to commit the crimes or her 'triggers for antisocial thinking and conduct' during bad relationships, Newsom said. 'Beyond the brutal murders she committed, she played a leadership role in the cult, and an enforcer of Mr. Manson's tyranny. She forced the other women in the cult to obey Mr. Manson, and prevented them from escaping when they tried to leave,' he said. Krenwinkel became the state's longest-serving female inmate when fellow Manson follower Susan Atkins died of cancer in prison in 2009. Her attorney, Keith Wattley, said he understands Krenwinkel is the longest-serving woman in the United States. Former Manson family member and convicted murderer Patricia Krenwinkel pictured in 2011. California Gov. Gavin Newsom blocked Krenwinkel's parole on Friday October 14, 2022, saying that she is still too much of a public safety risk Anthony DiMaria, nephew of Jay Sebring, one of Krenwinkel's victims, had urged Newsom to block her release 'due to the rare, severe, egregious nature of her crimes.' He said her actions incited 'the entire Helter Skelter legacy that has caused permanent historical scars' and inspired at least two ritualized killings years later. New laws since Krenwinkel was last denied parole in 2017 required the parole panel to consider that she committed the murders at a young age and is now elderly. Also, for the first time, Los Angeles County prosecutors weren't at the parole hearing to object, under District Attorney George Gascon's policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release. She and her daughter then found an unconscious Kelley and strangled him to death with his favorite tie and bashed his head against the floor Littlefield planned the murder for a while and attempted to poison Frances Kelley multiple times before being successful on January 15, 2021 Littlefield enlisted the help of her daughter, Logan Marie Runyon and her boyfriend Robert James Walker, who are now also both in prison An Indiana woman has been sentenced to 115 years in prison after she was found guilty of poisoning her ex-boyfriend's oatmeal and strangling him to death in a murderous conspiracy during a custody battle. Heidi Marie Littlefield, 42, was found guilty of murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder following a seven-day trial in August. Littlefield killed her ex-boyfriend, Francis Kelley, by strangling him after poisoning him with fentanyl and was aided by her daughter and her daughter's then-boyfriend. Littlefield's daughter Logan Marie Runyon, 23, who is now serving time for conspiracy to commit murder along with ex-boyfriend Robert James Walker, 30, reportedly testified the 'chilling details' of the conspiracy. Heidi Marie Littlefield, 42, was sentenced to 115 years behind bars for orchestrating the ruthless death of her ex-boyfriend, who she poisoned with fentanyl before strangling Logan Marie Runyon, 23, is serving a 26-year prison sentence for helping her mom kill Frances Kelley by strangling him with his favorite tie and bashing his head against the floor Robert James Walker, 30, said Littlefield gave him $2,500 to hire a hitman to kill Kelley, but he spent the money on drugs instead Runyon is serving a 26-year prison sentence, while Walker was sentenced to 10 years. Both signed a plea deal in the case. Littlefield had been planning the murder for sometime following a custody dispute over their two-year-old child. Walker told police that Littlefield had given him $2,500 last year to kill Kelley but he ended up using it to buy drugs. Investigators say Littlefield previously tried to kill Kelley last year by sneaking into his house and lacing his soup with fentanyl in 2020 before poisoning his oatmeal. A text message exchange between Littlefield and the victim in January last year showed that she was inside his home the days before he died. Frances Kelley was killed during a custody battle over his 2-year-old child with Littlefield. She poisoned his oatmeal and denied it when he told her the oatmeal 'tasted funny' The pair had been talking about a custody hearing when Kelley texted: 'Did you do something to the oatmeal that was in my fridge?' Littlefield responded: 'What the actual (expletive) are you talking about????' Kelley replied: 'You were in my fridge last night and it tasted funny after a couple bites and now I am light headed.' Kelley ate the oatmeal on the afternoon of January 15, 2021, and Littlefield and her daughter then found him on the floor. They proceeded to use his favorite tie to strangle him, and also bashed his head into the floor, causing blunt force trauma to the head, left hand, elbow and knees. Prosecutors say Kelley had been killed by asphyxiation last year due to manual strangulation or neck compression, with acute fentanyl intoxication listed as a contributing factor in his death. The murder was put on the police's radar when Kelley did not pick his daughter up from a birthday party, and his body was found three days after he initially ate the oatmeal, along with a bag of cocaine under the couch. Littlefield became a suspect after relatives told police she had allegedly previously talked about killing Kelley for the sake of their child. She had previously alleged that Kelley was abusive. During police interviews, Walker went on to tell authorities that Littlefield had drugged Kelley by putting the fentanyl in his oatmeal. Littlefield had allegedly planned to blame her daughter for the killing. PM said policy is good for workforce participation and will support families The paid parental leave period will become 26 weeks, up from 18 weeks Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Saturday that the government would boost paid parental leave from 18 to 26 weeks in a staged plan to be rolled out by July 2026. Eventually, all families with a new baby will be able to access six months of leave shared between two parents and paid at the rate of the national minimum wage. Single parents will be able to access the full 26 weeks, while the leave will be made more flexible with parents able to take it in blocks between periods of paid work. Mr Albanese said the policy change would support families and provide them with greater choice. 'We know that investing in parental leave benefits our economy,' he said. 'It is good for productivity and participation, it's good for families and it's good for our country as a whole.' 'We know that investing in parental leave benefits our economy,' Anthony Albanese said as he announced on Saturday his Labor government would grant parents a full six months 26 weeks of paid parental leave (above) Economic and business leaders say the plan will allow more women to remain in the workforce after having children (above, a stock of a mother) Anthony Albanese confirmed rumours he would extend the length of paid parental leave shortly after arriving at the NSW Labor conference (above) Further details of the parental leave plan will be announced in the budget later this month. Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said the extended scheme would help boost the economy by making it easier for parents to stay in the workforce. 'We've long called for reform to the paid parental leave system because providing adequate time off to new parents and encouraging equal sharing of care is good for the economy and good for families,' she said. ACTU president Michele O'Neil said the more generous leave scheme was a great step forward for parents. 'Paid parental leave should be flexible and available to all parents, and this new scheme is a big improvement in this regard,' she said. But Ms O'Neil said the union body would continue its campaign for parental leave to be paid at workers' full replacement wage including superannuation. The ACTU noted Australia currently had one of the lowest-paid parental leave schemes in the world and poor levels of shared parenting, leaving women unfairly carrying the burden of caring for children. PM Albanese (above) said the plan will improve workforce participation rates and gender equity in workplaces, 'more families take up this leave, share in that precious time, and share the caring responsibilities more equally' Mr Albanese previously said he wanted superannuation to be attached to paid parental leave but it wouldn't happen during Labor's first term in government due to budget constraints. The Prime Minister announced the plan at the NSW Labor conference. 'Our Labor Government will deliver the biggest boost to paid parental leave since it was created by the former Labor government in 2011,' he said. 'By 2026, every family with a new baby will be access a total of six months paid leave shared between the two parents. And single parents will be able to access all 26 weeks. 'Our plan will mean more families take up this leave, share in that precious time, and share the caring responsibilities more equally. This plan will support dads who want to take time off work to be more involved in those early months. It's a modern policy for modern families.' The judge also said he cannot be cross-examined over his past antisemetic remarks, but can be asked if he has antisemetic motivation against Weinstein A judge ruled actor and director Mel Gibson can testify in Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault trial in Los Angeles Mel Gibson can testify about what he learned from one of Harvey Weinstein's accusers, a judge ruled Friday, though he can't be questioned about his previous antisemetic comments after a lawyer requested to. Weinstein attorney Mark Werksman argued that if Gibson does take the stand, he should be cross-examined over past antisemetic comments and racist remarks. Judge Lisa B. Lench denied the request but said the defense may ask whether Gibson had a motivation against Weinstein because he is Jewish. 66-year-old actor and director Gibson was one of many witnesses, and by far the best known, whose identities were revealed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Lench ruled that Gibson can testify in support of his masseuse and friend, who will be known as Jane Doe #3 at the trial. Weinstein is accused of committing sexual battery by restraint against the woman, one of 11 rape and sexual assault counts in the trial against the 70-year-old. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty, and denied any non-consensual sexual activity. Mel Gibson will testify as a witness in the LA trial of Harvey Weinstein after a friend of his was allegedly assaulted, but a judge said the defense cannot ask Gibson about past racist remarks Weinstein is accused of committing sexual battery by restraint against the masseuse that Gibson is friends with Prosecutors said that when Gibson brought up Weinstein's name by chance, the woman had a traumatic response and Gibson realized she had been sexually assaulted Gibson's testimony raises the prospect of two of Hollywood's once most powerful men, who have undergone public downfalls, facing each other in court Prosecutors said that after getting a massage from the woman at a California hotel in Beverly Hills in May of 2010, a naked Weinstein followed her into the bathroom and masturbated. Weinstein's attorneys argued against allowing Gibson to testify, saying that what he learned from the woman while getting a massage from her does not constitute a 'fresh complaint' by the woman under the law by which Gibson would take the stand. A 'fresh complaint' under California law allows the introduction of evidence of sexual assault or another crime if the victim reported it to someone else voluntarily and relatively promptly after it happened. Prosecutors said that when Gibson brought up Weinstein's name by chance, the woman had a traumatic response and Gibson understood from her that she had been sexually assaulted. Gibson did not remember the timing of the exchange, but the prosecution will use another witness, Allison Weiner, who remembers speaking to both Gibson and the woman in 2015. Judge Lench said Gibson's testimony will depend on how the accuser describes the exchange with him when she takes the stand, and she may choose to rule against it at that time. Werksman argued that Gibson had such a bias both because Weinstein is Jewish, and because Weinstein published a book that criticized the depiction of Jews in the Gibson-directed 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ. 'Any evidence of Mr. Gibson's racism or anti-Semitism would give rise to a bias against my client, who challenged him,' Werksman said. The lawyer briefly, and mistakenly, said he thought the movie won a best picture Academy Award, but Weinstein, whose films once dominated the Oscars, shook his head as he sat at the defense table. 'Sorry, my client would know better than I would, Werksman said. 'But it was an award-winning movie.' The defense also argued that Gibson was trying to whitewash his image by focusing on Weinstein's wrongdoing and asserting himself as a champion of the #MeToo movement. The prosecution argued that Gibson had made no such suggestions about himself, and that at the time of the conversation with his masseuse he said he was discussing getting into a business deal with Weinstein, showing there was no such bias. Deputy District Attorney Marlene Martinez called Gibson's past comments 'despicable,' but said they had no relevance for the narrow purposes he would be called to the stand for. Gibson's testimony raises the prospect of two of Hollywood's once most powerful men, who have undergone public downfalls, facing each other in court. An email seeking comment from a representative for Gibson was not immediately returned. In one of several similar rulings Friday, Lench also found that Melrose Place actor Daphne Zuniga could testify in a similar capacity for a woman known at the trial as Jane Doe #4, whom Weinstein is accused of raping in 2004 or 2005. Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence for a 2020 conviction for rape and sexual assault in New York Weinstein's defense also argued that Gibson was trying to whitewash his image by focusing on Weinstein's wrongdoing The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused. Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence for a 2020 conviction for rape and sexual assault in New York. The state's highest court has agreed to hear his appeal in that case. He was subsequently brought to Los Angeles for a trial that began Monday, five years after women's stories about him gave massive momentum to the #MeToo movement. Friday's arguments came a day after the premiere of the film She Said, which tells the story of the work of the two New York Times reporters whose stories brought Weinstein down. Weinstein's attorneys previously sought to have the Los Angeles trial delayed because publicity from the film might taint the jury pool, but the judge denied their motion. The trial is expected to last eight weeks. The judge and attorneys will return to the jury selection process on Monday morning, and opening statements are expected to begin on Oct. 24. Thousands of punters are packing racecourses in Sydney and Melbourne for two of Australia's biggest races. At Sydney's Royal Randwick Racecourse thousands began arriving for The Everest, one of the biggest days on Australia's horse racing calendar. But drama unfolded on Saturday after the race's second-favourite Lost And Running was scratched, after he was found not physically suitable for the event. In Melbourne, despite days of rain and suburban flooding, race-goers rocked up for the $5million Caulfield Cup, the preview race for the Melbourne Cup on November 1. In an array of colours and styles, patrons raced through the turnstiles when gates opened to secure the best spot in the viewing yard. Short skirts and sky-high heels were the outfit for the ladies, while the men attempted various forms of suiting. In an array of colours and styles, patrons raced through the turnstiles when gates opened at Royal Randwick to secure the best spot in the viewing yard Short skirts and sky-high heels were the outfit for the ladies, while the men attempted various forms of suiting (pictured, ladies at the Everest in Randwick, Sydney) In recent years The Everest has come to rival the Melbourne Cup Carnival as the must-attend day on the racing calendar A patron arrives at Caulfield racecourse for Caulfield Cup day in Melbourne The Caulfield Cup (punters, at the event on Saturday) has held Group 1 status ever since it was introduced in 1879 and is considered a form guide to the 'race that stops a nation' on the first Tuesday in November In recent years The Everest has come to rival the Melbourne Cup Carnival as the must-attend day on the racing calendar. The richest race in the country pits 12 of the best sprinters against each other over 1500m for a prize money purse of $15 million. A major blow to punters' hopes came when second-favourite Lost And Running was scratched from the hotly anticipated race on Saturday morning. Racing NSW said: 'A vet inspection of Lost And Running this morning has found Lost And Running to be lame in the off hind leg and unsuitable to start in The Everest. Lost And Running has been scratched from The Everest. TAB has selected Kementari as the replacement which will start from barrier 7.' It comes after trainer John O'Shea reported the horse had a skin infection on Friday night. But the buzz around the event continues to build year-on-year, and the sixth running of the race is all about the Chris Waller-trained Nature Strip who is chasing back-to-back wins in sprinting showcase. The ace sprinter is punted to get hearts racing being an odds-on favourite at Royal Randwick. If all goes well for the horse he has a $6.2 million first-prize cheque to collect in Saturday's running of The Everest. In a bit of luck for the expected 40,000 punters who will flock to the track, the storm clouds have parted and a day filled with sunshine looks likely. The Caulfield Cup is the annual lead-in to the Melbourne Cup, first run in 1879 Punters frocking it up at the Caulfield Cup Races on Saturday (pictured) An expected 40,000 punters will flock to the track, the storm clouds have parted and a day filled with sunshine looks likely (pictured, a racegoer gets into the mood) Patrons pose for photos on a sunny Saturday at The Everest at Royal Randwick, Sydney Race-goers pose for photos at a Sydney Spring Racing display during Everest Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse The $5million Caulfield Cup is the annual lead-in race to the Melbourne Cup, first introduced in 1879. It has held Group 1 status ever since and is considered a form guide to the 'race that stops a nation' on the first Tuesday in November. Benaud is tipped to take home the first-prize glory on Saturday, according to Racenet. But trainer John O'Shea said no matter what the result the horse won't be competing in November's meeting. 'I didn't want to overtax him and go to the Melbourne Cup,' O'Shea told RS Newswire. 'He can run Saturday, go away, have a nice autumn and come back next year.' Duais, Numerian and Smokin' Romans are set to get hearts fluttering in second, third and fourth places respectively, according to Racenet selections. Two women decide on ankle-length floral looks for The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney A North Carolina father-of-one spent 24 hours in jail for refusing to wear a mask as ordered by a judge despite no state or county mandates in place. Gregory Hahn, 47, a US Navy veteran, was among several of 98 jury duty candidates called to Harnett County court who showed up not wearing a mask because there were no such rules or warnings in place, WRAL reports. Despite the fact that masks aren't required in the building, Judge Winston Charles Gilchrist mandated that everyone in his courtroom wear a mask. When Hahn refused, the judge warned him that he would be held in contempt of court and could spend a month in jail, but the man refused to back down. 'I said, 'I'm not going to wear a mask,' and he goes, '24 hours in the Harnett County jail,'' Hahn recalled Friday on Tucker Carlson Tonight. Gregory Hahn, 47, of Harnett County, North Carolina, was ordered to stay 24 hours in jail for refusing Judge Winston Charles Gilchrist's order to wear a mask inside his courtroom Hahn was held in contempt of court, but said there was never any prior warnings to wear a mask in the courtroom Gilchrist (above) is the only superior court judge in the county with a mask mandate, and nowhere else in the building is such a rule enforced MUST WATCH: The story of Gregory Hahn---a NC man who was thrown in jail by a far-left judge for refusing to wear a mask in a place where there's no mask mandate. God bless him & #Tucker for giving him a platform to tell his story. We need to support people like Mr. Hahn. pic.twitter.com/aL5NrBVE9I Vadim @ Truth Caviar Podcast (@Stat4Real) October 15, 2022 Harnett County's Clerk of Superior Court Renee Whittenton noted that Gilchrists is the only superior court judge in the county with a mask mandate. 'You can go in any district courtroom without a mask, you can come into superior clerk court without a mask and the [district attorney's] office without a mask, but with Judge Gilchrist he has a mandate that you must wear a mask,' she told WRAL. Despite the judge's orders, Hahn said there was never a notice in the jury summons he received, nor were there any signs around the courthouse. 'The irony of all this is the judge was talking to me without a mask,' Hahn told the local outlet. 'If safety was such a concern, I go to jail no mask requirements with inmates.' Hahn said that he 'felt there was some bias' in the judge's decision to jail him, saying he was clearly 'bullied' for standing up for what he believed in. Recalling his day in jail, Hahn told Carlson: 'It was the worst 24 hours of my life. I had to make a phone call to my minor child who was home. 'I got motioned in. I got changed into an orange uniform. Got a roll of toilet paper, toothpaste, towel, grabbed a mat. And I'm walking with inmates to a cell.' 'I never thought this could happen in this country,' Hahn added. Hahn works as the CEO of Construction Optimize, a local marketing and leadership consulting firm. Hahn slammed the judge for the 'biased' ruling and said his time in jail was 'the worst 24 hours' of his life. He said he is considering filing a lawsuit against the judge He also lamented that none of the other 97 jurors joined him in standing up to the judge. Hahn has said he might consider filing a lawsuit against the judge over the incident. 'I'm jailed for doing my civic duty and not doing anything,' Hahn told WRAL. 'It's mind-boggling.' Gilchrist's office did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Gilchrist, a Democrat, is a judge for North Carolina's Third Superior Court Division, having first run for office in 2012, winning with 65 percent of the vote. The University of North Carolina graduate ran unopposed for re-election in 2020, according to Ballotpedia, and is set to remain in his position until 2028. Gilchrist's most notable case was surrounding an appeal attempted from convicted murderer Daniel Green, who was charged in 1996 for the killing of Michael Jordan's father, James Jordan. Gilchrist blocked Green's attempt to revisit the case in court as the convict has long-maintained that he is innocent of the murder. A woman has died after a fall inside one of Australia's busiest shopping centres, horrifying distressed shoppers. The incident happened inside Parramatta Westfield on Friday and is believed to have involved a woman falling from either a fourth or fifth level onto the ground below. The incident was confirmed anonymously to Daily Mail Mail Australia by an emergency services worker. The incident happened inside Parramatta Westfield on Friday and is believed to have involved a woman falling from either a fourth or fifth level onto the ground below The age of the victim is not known, with some reports saying she was middle aged, while others have suggested a teenager fell. The woman is believe to have died on the scene, upsetting shoppers and workers who witnessed the fall. Several shops are believed to have closed and counsellors were made available to workers. Social media went into overdrive on Friday and Saturday speculating over the identity and circumstances around the fall. Images shared online showed yellow tape sectioning off parts of the mall around one block of escalators. Westfield Parramatta is one of Australia's busiest shopping centres Disturbingly it is not the first time someone has fallen to their death inside the same centre. A woman died from a fall inside Parramatta Westfield in May 2019. Westfield Parramatta is Australia's fourth largest shopping centre and is the busiest Westfield in the country, with 498 stores. For confidential support in Australia LIFELINE: 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au . Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 The woke New York Times continued its anti-British crusade on Friday, accusing the beloved and vibrantly multicultural Great British Baking Show of being 'casually racist'. Tejal Rao, restaurant critic for the paper, said on Friday the series was offensive and had lost its charm, saying the show was 'tired' and condemning their celebration of Mexican food as 'rock bottom'. She sneered at episode four of the current season, with its aim of bringing imaginative new flavors and experiences to the show. For the 'signature' challenge they had to make the sweet bread pan dulce, and tacos for the 'technical'. To close the episode with the 'show stopper', they were asked to make a tres leches cake. Rao, heaping scorn on the family-friendly series, accused the producers of resorting to 'countries as themes, cuisines as costumes, identities as performances.' Hosts Noel Fielding (left) and Matt Lucas dressed up in fun costumes, but Rao said they were culturally inappropriate New York Times restaurant critic Tejal Rao heaped scorn on the show Fielding and Lucas are seen with the judges Prue Leith (right) and Paul Hollywood She noted that the hosts Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding dressed up in sombreros and waved maracas, and was angered by their comedy routine and 'Mexican jokes'. 'To British audiences, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Fielding appearing in a casually racist bit might not have come as a surprise, but American audiences aren't as familiar with their previous work,' Rao wrote. 'In part, that's because 'The Mighty Boosh' and 'Little Britain,' their shows which aired in the early 2000s in Britain, were both pulled by Netflix a few years ago over their performances in blackface, brownface and yellowface.' The Los Angeles-based author and critic said that she believed the 'problem' was attempting to move the show away from its foundations as a high-end amateur baking contest. 'To me, it felt more like the episode had betrayed its own contestants, as well as its audience, with a lack of expertise among judges, and a lack of curiosity among hosts,' she wrote. 'Paul Hollywood explaining steak tacos with pico de gallo and refried beans to Prue Leith would be howlingly funny, if he weren't positioned as an expert.' Contestants in this year's Great British Baking Show are seen at the site One of the contestants was mocked online for the way she cut an avocado Rao, in her self-righteous take on the show, said it was stereotypical and ignorant - failing to realize that few people have her level of culinary expertise, and would relish the show's new themes. 'It was even worse than the clips implied - an hour of incompetent exposition, farcical bumbling and maracas-shaking,' she wrote. 'A distraction for an increasingly insular, self-referential show that's run out of energy and expertise, and refuses to find it elsewhere. 'The show has slowly moved away from regional specialties and technique-centered challenges, from focusing on, say, the beauty of lamination, hot-water crusts and steamed puddings.' The article is just the latest in the paper's anti-British attacks. On August 1, under the headline: 'The Fantasy of Brexit Britain Is Over', the UK was described as 'economically stagnant, socially fragmented, politically adrift'. The country was described as 'corroded' and 'unravelling'. British people were condemned as 'flag-bedraggled, drunk and delirious', and 'nourished by nationalism roaming empty commercial streets'. When Queen Elizabeth died the following month, the paper published an article claiming: 'the queen helped obscure a bloody history of decolonization whose proportions and legacies have yet to be adequately acknowledged.' The author, Harvard history professor Maya Jasanoff, wrote: 'the Commonwealth had its origins in a racist and paternalistic conception of British rule as a form of tutelage, educating colonies in the mature responsibilities of self-government.' Having poured scorn on the late Queen, The New York Times then decided the time was right to go on the offensive against Britain's new King, and published an article about Charles's finances that called the monarch 'disconnected' for enjoying tax privileges while the British public is 'reliant on food banks'. Residents of the major regional centre of Shepparton have been ordered to evacuate immediately by emergency services. The warning was issued early Saturday afternoon by Victorian Emergency Services as the Goulburn River beside the town was expected to rise to nearly 11m on Saturday afternoon. Greater Shepparton's population numbers nearly 77,000 residents. 'If you live, work or are holidaying in this area, you should Evacuate Immediately,' Vic Emergency tweeted. 'The Goulburn River at Shepparton is currently at 10.22 metres and rising, with minor flooding. The warning was issued early Saturday afternoon by Victorian Emergency Services as the Goulburn River beside the town was expected to rise to nearly 11m on Saturday afternoon Flood waters from the swollen Goulburn River are seen encroaching on the city of Shepparton as residents were ordered to evacuate on Saturday afternoon Evacuation warnings remain for Maroopna, Shepparton, Kialla and Murchison (pictured, residents preparing sandbags in Shepparton) '[It] is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (10.70 m) Saturday afternoon. The river level is likely to exceed the major flood level (11.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday and may reach around 12.00 metres during Tuesday, slightly below the 1974 flood event level of 12.09 metres. The warning listed street boundaries within which people with properties are advised to leave immediately. Parts of Echuca and Echuca Village were also told to evacuate. The town of about 15,000 people on the NSW-Victoria border is vulnerable to the flooding Murray River. 'Flooding is expected to impact residents with properties near the Campaspe River from this afternoon onwards,' Vic Emergency warned. Shepparton - areas ordered to evacuate If you are located in properties listed in the areas below, it is recommended you Evacuate Immediately. From the river along Daldy Rd east to the Barmah-Shepparton Rd then south to the transmission lines crossing the highway then west and south to Wanganui Rd; across to Mercury Ct then south on the Numurkah Rd to Halpin Cres; then west up to Furze Ave, along Newton Cres, up to Hicken Cres to Fehey St down to Balaclava Rd across to Cowrie St, up to Alambie St then down to The Blvd; follow The Blvd down to Quinan Pde to the Midland Hwy. down Welsford St to the railway line. North up the railway line to Swallow St then down to Haves St then down Hare St, Sanderson St, Wilmot Rd, Bradford Rd, Palmer Rd to Broken River Drive. Across to the GV Hwy across to forest Rd, down to Settlers Dr and across to the Goulburn River. There is also an area bounded by Kitties Rd, the river, Wanganui Rd and west of Kingfisher Dve, Pelican Crt and Curlew Pl that should remain unaffected however they will be isolated by waters to the east and north. There are properties within these areas that may not be directly impacted with street flooding only. Advertisement Victoria's flood disaster turned fatal with police confirming the body of a man was found dead in floodwaters in the backyard of a Rochester home. Pictured SES personnel search floodwaters at Maribyrnong, Melbourne Police confirmed a man was found dead in floodwaters in the backyard of a High Street, Rochester home at 9:30am on Saturday. Hundreds of homes in the central Victorian town were overwhelmed from Friday (pictured, a car in Bendigo) Swollen rivers across Victoria are expected to bring flooding to the state for up to six weeks. Pictured, Beechworth Woolshed Falls near Wangaratta Meanwhile, Victoria's flood disaster has claimed its first fatality with emergency workers making the grisly find of a body floating in a flooded yard in the state's north. Police confirmed a man was found dead in floodwaters in the backyard of a High Street, Rochester home at 9:30am on Saturday. 'It is my sad duty to have to confirm that a 71-year-old man has been found deceased in the backyard of his property in Rochester,' Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said at a press conference on Saturday morning. 'We will stand with that family and all families affected by this but it just brings home for all of us that this is serious, this is potentially very, very dangerous... 'Hopefully that sends a broader message of just how serious this is and that is why we are all working as hard as we possibly can to make sure people are safe.' Mr Andrews said 466 properties are flooded with water above the floorboards and a further 500 are currently isolated. More than 350 rescues had been carried out in the past 24 hours. Hundreds of homes in Rochester were overwhelmed by the flooded Campaspe River, one of dozens of waterways to burst their banks and send northern Victorian towns underwater. The tragedy comes as the list of Victorian towns facing evacuation grows after major flooding across the state which is expected to last up to six weeks. But time available for the massive clean-up and recovery efforts across the state look set to be hampered as another 100mm of rainfall is predicted for the beleaguered eastern states in coming days. The weather office said rain and thunderstorms developing in South Australia and inland Queensland would bring 'much more widespread' rainfall and 'renewed flooding' back to the south-east from Wednesday. Early on Saturday morning thousands of people at Charlton and Wangaratta, north of Melbourne, were ordered to evacuate immediately amid fears rivers are yet to peak with more much water coming downstream. Victoria's northern towns were worst hit, but the flooding hit the centre of Melbourne too. Rescue workers use an inflatable dinghy to rescue people from floodwaters in Maribyrnong Dozens of horses had to be rescued from floodwaters at Mangalore on Friday (pictured) A further warning was issued for residents along Melbourne's Maribyrnong River for anyone to evacuate who hasn't already and that 'returning to your home ... may still be unsafe'. Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten said it was the worst the river has flooded in 50 years. The Ovens river at Wangaratta has already reached 12.8 metres and could rise further. At Charlton major flooding of the Avoca River is expected to affect the town for up to five days. A peak of 7.8 metres is expected there on Saturday evening. The weather office said rain and thunderstorms developing in South Australia and inland Queensland would bring 'much more widespread' rainfall and 'renewed flooding' back to the south-east from Wednesday Floodwaters inundate the suburb of Maribyrnong after the Maribyrnong River burst its banks following two days of heavy rain The warning for Wangaratta applied to people living around the Parfitt Road levee system because of the major flooding occurring on the Ovens River. Emergency evacuation orders were in force for several communities, including Rochester along the Campaspe River, low-lying parts of Benalla on the Broken River gateway, Murchison along the Goulburn River, and south-west of Shepparton. Victoria's SES fielded almost 3,600 calls for help in the 48 hours to 6pm Friday and rescued more than 230 people across the state in two days. Hundreds of homes in Rochester were overwhelmed by the flooded Campaspe River, one of dozens of waterways to burst their banks and send northern Victorian towns underwater The aftermath of flooding across Victoria left many towns underwater, and the weather office says more heavy rain is headed back to eastern Australia in coming days "There is major flooding occurring in multiple catchments right across the state, (and) some communities will move more towards relief and recovery sooner as waters start to recede," SES spokesman Jamie Devenish told AAP. "A lot of those northern catchments ultimately flow into the Murray, so (for) the Murray River we're probably looking at a protracted flood event for the next four to six weeks. Thousands of residents in towns across the state remained on high alert as Vic Emergency warned them to move to higher ground immediately. Victoria SES's Tim Wiebusch said on Saturday that evacuation warnings remain for Maroopna, Shepparton, Kialla and Murchison. 'Now is the time to leave, Mr Wiebusch said. 'We are going to see flood levels on the Goulburn where it meets at Shepparton with the Brown and Seven Creeks that is equivalent to 1974. 'These are record flood levels and over the coming days, all of this water will continue to move towards the Murray River.' He warned residents of Echuca on the NSW-Victoria border that further peaks of the Murray River must be expected. 'The first peak is later today into Sunday, from the Campaspe River and then the Murray River midweek to the end of the week, he said. Heavy rainfall across Victoria saw dozens of rivers burst their banks leading to 3,600 calls for help from the SES Debris is left on a road in northern Tasmania after floodwaters subsided The worst hit areas were north of Melbourne, but swollen rivers from heavy rainfall on Thursday meant also meant flooding for northern Tasmania and inland New South Wales. Across the state thousands of residents were already bracing for enormous clean-ups as governments bolstered crisis accommodation. The federal and state governments agreed to use the recently retired $580million Mickleham quarantine facility as emergency accommodation. The facility will reopen early next week for 250 people with crisis accommodation available for six to eight weeks, but its actual use will depend on demand, the Victorian government confirmed. Mr Andrews said on Saturday that 3,000 applications had been made by Victorians for emergency payments. The Premier said 344 roads were out of action in the state. 'Major roads are assessed twice per day. There is a number of urgent repair works that have already started.' At the inland NSW town of Forbes, 2,200 residents and 250 homes were affected, the SES said. The Lachlan River reached major flood level in the central-west town on Friday, with access to its business centre cut off. NSW SES southern zone commander Benjamin Pickup said the flood focus was on the Lachlan River and the Murrumbidgee River near Wagga Wagga, with residents told to get ready to evacuate at nearby Narrandera and other low-lying areas. The Victorian town of Seymour was underwater on Friday with Shepparton set to be hit with major floods on Saturday (pictured) Thousands of homes have been inundated by floods after rain on Thursday (pictured, flooding in regional Victoria) Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jonathan How told Daily Mail Australia Tasmania, Victoria and NSW would only get 'a few days of reprieve'. He said a weather system developing 'will start to produce showers and thunderstorms across South Australia and inland Queensland from Tuesday and then extend to the rest of the east coast from Wednesday to Saturday.' 'This will be much more widespread,' he warned. 'So we will see showers all the way from central northern Queensland, down to Tasmania and particularly with this, we will see thunderstorms as well. 'So expecting widespread falls which could produce renewed flooding for some parts of the south-east and the east.' Mr How said heaviest rainfall is predicted for south-east Queensland and northern NSW. He said that region will see between 50 and 100mm of rainfall though further south is still vulnerable to heavy local rainfall likely to come with thunderstorms. A man who described himself as a 'bogan' has rubbished the 'un-Australian' decision to ban him from every licensed venue in his state, after he allegedly tried to fight a bouncer who didn't like his country clothes. Kyle Ferguson, 20, from Western Australia shared online the moment he found out he was banned from every taproom and bottle store in the state, racking up hundreds of thousands of views. In the TikTok video, Ferguson can be heard saying: 'Hey boys, I've just got a notice saying I'm banned from every alcohol-serving establishment here in WA.' The camera pans over the notice, which prohibits Ferguson from entering any type of WA pub, casino, bottle-o and bar for 12 months. 'What the f***,' he says in the video. The young stockman has since taken the notice to court and is in the middle of a battle to have his prohibition overturned. Twenty-year-old cattle farmer Kyle Ferguson (above) has been barred from every alcohol-selling venue in Australia's biggest state Ferguson was served a notice by the Western Australian police who have ordered him to stay clear of all licensed venues in the state (above) The cattle farmer appeared on the steps of Perth's Central Law Courts on Friday to plead his case with local reporters. 'I think it's a disgrace to the Australian culture, especially me being a country boy and a bogan and a lover of Bundaberg rum,' he told Nine and Seven news reporters while adjusting his brown hat. 'Normally I have a fun time on the p***. We go out on the property, we shoot s***, we do burnouts, you know, typical 20-year-old stuff.' 'I think it's kind of un-Australian, if I'm honest,' said Kyle Ferguson, who posted some of his antics on video-sharing app TikTok (above) 'I think it's kind of un-Australian, if I'm honest.' He thumbed at his belt buckle gold and embossed with a jackaroo atop a bull while talking to the press. When asked whether he'd make it a full year without drinking, Ferguson replied: 'God no.' 'I love the square bear (Bundaberg Rum), the old sugarcane champagne, a little too much to give that up. Ferguson (above) said the ban was unfair and joked someone on the WA police force didn't like him Ferguson has been banned from all hotels, all small bars, all nightclubs, casinos, liquor stores, clubs and restaurants holding licences (pictured) He was served the notice with charges for failure to leave a premises and fighting in public after an alleged incident at Perth's Paramount nightclub a month ago. 'I was out drinking with a bunch of Irish fellows, really good friends of mine and we went out to Paramount cause we'd never been there before.' Ferguson claimed he was kicked out of the line for entry to the nightclub on account of his rural attire and his ID which was missing a corner after a motorbike crash. '(The bouncer) said 'look mate, you can't come in here, not just because of the ID because you're dressed like a f***ing redneck',' Ferguson claimed. The bouncer then threw Ferguson's wallet across the street and asked him what he would do about it, he said. 'The only reasonable thought going through my head was to hit him.' Ferguson (above) said he liked getting 'on the p***' and says many of his activities take place while he's been drinking, including shooting and doing burnouts Ferguson (pictured) told reporters all his mates thought he was a 'legend' for receiving the notice On the night of the alleged security guard stoush, Ferguson (pictured) said he threw the first punch 'I threw the first punch. Being honest I did muck up and it was my own mistake. But, I don't think a ban for a year in every pub in WA is fair,' he said, before continuing to call the notice an abuse of power. Ferguson went on to say he wasn't opposed to crossing state borders for a fresh drink. 'My mum's disappointed in me, dad's disappointed, oh well, that happens. But, all my mates say I'm a bloody legend and that I need to get (the notice) framed.' 'There's certainly six other states I can go to to drink.' Barring notices aren't uncommon in the state, with 143 such notices handed down to West Australians this year, reported 7News. The president announced the program in August and it will cost roughly $400 billion over the next 30 years DOE says it is expecting big numbers of applicants to respond to Biden's forgiveness program The website will be monitored by the technical team at the Department of Education, which will make changes and fix bugs as needed Borrowers who meet the criteria for forgiveness under the new program can begin submitting requests that will be processed after the official launch Biden's student loan forgiveness program will officially launch sometime in October but the beta launch for the request website occurred Friday night The Biden administration announced late Friday that it will begin testing the student loan debt relief website. According to CNN, the White House said the website for the $400 billion program would launch tonight and remain in a beta testing phase until later this month when the site formally launches. A Department of Education spokesperson told the outlet, 'Tonight, the Department of Education will begin beta testing the student debt relief website. 'During the beta testing period borrowers will be able to submit applications for the Biden-Harris Administrations student debt relief program.' In August, the president announced that he had decided to cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt for people making less than $125,000 annually, or as much as $20,000 for individuals in the same income bracket who were also Pell Grant recipients. The endeavor, however, could be held up in court as it is currently being challenged by a number of lawsuits. A US district judge may soon make a decision about whether to temporarily block the program from taking effect. But for now, the live website is live and accepting applications. After months of speculation, President Joe Biden announced the student loan forgiveness program in August. Last month the Congressional Budget Office said the plan will cost $400 billion over thirty years The US Department of Education announced Friday that a beta mode website for the student loan forgiveness program will go live and that qualifying individuals can begin submitting their information for loan forgiveness Images of the beta mode website where users will be prompted for personal identifying and contact information ahead of loan forgiveness The DOE's technical team will observe how the site performs and place temporary pauses on its service in order to fix the glitches Individuals may begin submitting information for student loan relief, however, applications will not be processed until the site formally launches at a to-be-announced date later this month. Once the site launches, the White House will leverage its social channels to promote its services. There is also a plan to brief various sorts of influencers on the site and how it works in the coming weeks. Most eligible people are expected to receive debt relief within weeks of their submission. 'Borrowers will not need to reapply if they submit their application during the beta test,' said the spokesperson. 'This testing period will allow the Department to monitor site performance through real-world use, test the site ahead of the official application launch, refine processes, and uncover any possible bugs prior to official launch.' To qualify, borrowers must have federally held student loans. Federal PLUS loans borrowed by students in graduate school and parents to pay for school will also be eligible for forgiveness if the borrower falls within the income requirements. Individuals who earned less than $125,000 in 2020 or 2021, or heads of households who earned less than $250,000 are eligible for up to $10,000 of federal student loan forgiveness. Borrowers will have until December 31, 2023 to request relief. President Joe Biden has been touting his plan to provide up to $20,000 in student loan debt relief. The plan now faces a pair of lawsuits, and a new congressional cost estimate puts the tab at $400 billion over three decades The administration is facing a number of lawsuits that contest the constitutionality of the controversial program that Republicans argue, among other things, will further add to the soaring US deficit Government officials said the goal of the program currently is to get a significant portion of the debt relief processed ahead of January, when student loan payments will begin following a multi-year freeze that began at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Standing in the way of possible loan forgiveness are the several lawsuits facing the Department of Education that challenge the policy. A US district judge may soon decide whether to temporarily block the program from going into effect. A motion for a preliminary injunction was heard Wednesday. A block could put loan cancellation on hold until the judge issues a final ruling on the case. As the site remains in the beta testing phase, the Department of Education's technical team will observe how the site performs and will schedule operational pauses as the team figures out what changes need to be made. One administration official told CNN that they are expecting 'high spikes of demand.' Site users will be provided with information about debt relief, how it works and who qualifies for it. The site will also prompt users for information including names, Social Security numbers, birth dates and contact information. In addition to arguing that the relief plan is unconstitutional, Republicans have seized onto the massive price tag and its impact on the nations budget deficit. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said several weeks ago that the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades. The White House responded by saying that the CBO's estimate of how much the plan will cost just in its first year - $21 billion - is lower than what the administration initially predicted. Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Kanye West for his anti-Semitic tweets and declaration of war on the Jewish community. Speaking with Bill Maher on Friday night's Real Time, Israel's leader scoffed when the talk show host asked him if he would 'retaliate' against West for his tweets. West's Twitter account was suspended last week after he tweeted: 'I'm a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I'm going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.' Netanyahu dismissed the tweets and said they were just a part of a long history of hate that the Jewish community has had to endure. 'Anti-Semitism is the longest hatred in history,' he said. 'It goes back thousands of years. We've dealt with bigger problems than these stupidities.' Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed Kanye West for his anti-Semitic rant on social media, noting the Jewish state has more important concerns than 'these stupidities' West (left, with Candace Owens on Wednesday) posted several anti-Semitic statements on Twitter and Instagram last week, causing him to be suspended on both platforms The most alarming tweet declared war on the Jewish community, which the former Israeli prime minister scoffed at, calling it yet another example of someone blaming Jewish people The ex-prime minister noted that West, 45, was simply blaming his problems on Jewish people, which he said was emblematic of anti-Semitism around the world. 'You know, the communists blame the Jews for being capitalists, the capitalists blame the Jews for being communists. You have a problem, blame the Jews,' he told Maher. 'It's old stuff. It shouldn't have any place in civilized discourse. 'That's the reason we established the Jewish Stateso the Jewish people would have defense against these absurdities, and sometimes they're coupled with violence. We don't let that happen again.' It was the latest rebuke against West, who along with his 'death con' message tweeted: 'The funny thing is I actually can't be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also. You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.' His renewed attack on Jewish people came just a day after sharing screenshots on Instagram revealing messages sent to Diddy in which West accused the fellow rapper of being controlled by Jewish people trying to silence his 'White Lives Matter' message. The post resulted in his Instagram account being suspended. West reportedly told Diddy that 'Jewish people told you to call me' and that they were not going to 'threaten or influence me.' He shared his spat with the fellow rapper on Instagram, which quickly got West suspended from the platform In the text exchange, Sean 'Didddy' Combs tries to get West to stop sporting shirts emblazoned with White Lives Matter. 'I'm trying to talk to you as a black man. And I'm talking to you because this is hurting our people. Stop.' West replied: 'Anything you text I will post.' The rapper and fashion mogul kept his word, posting the entire exchange to his 18 million followers. The series of texts ended with West accusing Combs of being controlled by Jewish people - an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory. 'This ain't a game. Ima use you as an example to show the Jewish people that told you to call me that no one can threaten or influence me,' West wrote his friend. He reportedly captioned the post of the text exchange 'Jesus is Jew.' The American Jewish Committee has since condemned West, saying his post was 'dangerous.' Netanyahu also went on to criticize allegations that the Jewish state was 'massacring Palestinians,' and conducting an 'ethnic cleansing' Along with rebuking Kanye, Netanyahu also slammed allegations Maher read of Israel, claiming the Jewish state was 'massacring Palestinians,' and conducting an 'ethnic cleansing.' 'I mean, these are ridiculous charges against the one democracy in the Middle East,' the former Israeli prime minister said. 'The one democracy that upholds human rights, that defends freedom, and is America's best ally. 'So, I think these people should wake up to reality, but I think that's far too great a hope. It's not gonna happen. 'This is fake old news. It goes back thousands of years. We're not impressed by it.' New CNN boss Chris Licht has reportedly made moves to shift the network away from opinions and more towards hard news Smerconish sat with Zucker and former MSNBC boss Phil Griffin at the Un-Convention in Philadelphia for a conversation about the state of media CNN host Michael Smerconish confronted former CNN boss Jeff Zucker and said the lack of coverage around Hunter Biden's laptop was 'partisan' Former CNN boss Jeff Zucker was confronted by CNN host Michael Smerconish in a conversation about media, telling him it was 'partisan' to not give much air time to the scandal surrounding Hunter Biden's laptop. Zucker and Smerconish were joined by former MSNBC boss Phil Griffin for a talk on the state of media at the Un-Convention in Philadelphia. The convention was billed as 'an exploration of political reforms to improve our election systems and policy ideas to govern a divided country.' Smerconish grilled the two former bosses at one point over the Hunter Biden controversy and asked if they 'regret' the coverage - or lack thereof - they gave the story. CNN host Michael Smerconish grilled former CNN boss Jeff Zucker over a lack of airtime for the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden's laptop, and said it looked 'partisan Zucker, left, said he does not disagree with Smerconish's assessment, but also argued the network did not have enough facts to accurately cover the scandal The laptop Hunter Biden reportedly left at a Delaware repair shop contained masses of incriminating pictures, videos and texts, including extensive dealings with prostitutes Biden, who has continuously struggled with drug addiction, is often seen naked in the videos and pictures found on the laptop 'I think that the Hunter laptop was worthy of more airing than it received right before the election,' said Smerconish. Zucker firstly claimed the network 'did not know enough about it' and also said they 'did deal with it... to the degree that you would have thought was appropriate.' He continued that he did not think it was a 'legitimate criticism,' before asking Smerconish if he covered the story. Smerconish said he 'talked about it extensively' but also said Zucker was right that he himself did not give the issue much air time. 'I think I look bad by not talking about it at all. I should have said something about the damn issue,' he said. Smerconish then said that regardless of not knowing all the facts, 'I think that we looked partisan by not giving it some air,' to which Zucker replied 'I don't disagree with that.' He also asked Griffin about the scandal, to which Griffin responded 'he was never arrested. The Justice Department was looking into it, never reported it until he is the son of a candidate. I dont think its a main story until that happens.' The conversation then moved on to the topic of former President Donald Trump, and Smerconish again grilled Zucker on coverage. Smerconish asked Zucker if he regrets 'giving Trump as much air as you gave him in 2016?' 'Of course I do. Ive admitted this publicly,' Zucker replied. Phil Griffin, former President of MSNBC, was also asked about the Hunter Biden controversy but responded he doesn't think it's a 'main story' until Biden is arrested Zucker had been president of CNN worldwide since 2013 before leaving his $6million-a-year post due to not disclosing a consensual relationship with another CNN employee Republicans have raised questions about Hunters dealings in Ukraine while his father was Barack Obamas Vice President as well as his business in China, which is detailed in the trove of emails found on a hard drive from a laptop he purportedly left at a Delaware repair shop. Zucker, who stepped down from the network after his affair with staffer Allison Gollust was revealed, has seen a change in personnel at his former network by new boss Chris Licht. Licht has reportedly aimed to shift the network away from opinions and more towards hard news. Zucker had been president of CNN worldwide since 2013 before leaving his $6million-a-year post on February 2. He admitted to employees that he violated the company's Standards of Business Conduct when he failed to disclose a 'consensual relationship.' Chris Licht has taken over at the network and is trying to shake its reputation for bias Zucker and Gollust, 49, had worked together for 20 years. They claim their relationship turned romantic during the pandemic but others say it far predates COVID. Media sources have said the affair was an 'open secret' for more than 10 years - claiming even the doormen at their Manhattan apartment building tried to keep Allison and Zucker's now ex-wife from interacting. Both Zucker and Gollust are divorced. Zucker and his wife, Caryn, split in 2018 and Gollust is understood to have separated from her husband, Billy, around the same time, if not earlier. Zucker and Gollust lived in the same apartment building on the Upper East Side with their respective families until Jeff sold his in 2020, after he and his ex-wife Caryn Nathanson split. A Francis Bacon series of paintings of legendary Soho 50s beauty Henrietta Moraes sells for 24.3million. The paintings were the highest value work sold in a Frieze season auction in the last 10 years. The three portraits come from the collection of American media executive William S Paley, who acquired the work from Malborough Gallery months after it was finished in 1963. Moraes was a key figure in Londons post-war artistic landscape and acted as a muse for both Bacon and Lucian Freud The triptych made its auction debut at Sothebys in London during a contemporary evening sale on Monday. The Three Studies for Portrait of Henrietta Moraes by Francis Bacon sold for 24.3 million Until recently the work was kept under the stewardship of the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) in New York, where it stayed for more than 30 years following Mr Paleys death in 1990. Bacon, known for his bold and shocking figurative style, died aged 82 in 1992. His work focused on the human form in an often brutal manner and included a number of triptychs, religious images of crucifixions and popes, and self-portraits. Sothebys said proceeds from the sale will support various charitable organisations, including The Paley Museum, the Greenpark Foundation, and a new endowment at the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). The half-Indian model, who died in 1999, was brought to England as a small girl by her mother, after her father, who was in the Indian Air Force, walked out of the family home in the foothills of the Himalayas after a marital row Further works will be sold at Sothebys to benefit charitable causes on Saturday. Born in India in 1931, Henrietta was one of the stars of the demi-monde that drank in London's Soho and bedded each other in the Fifties. The half-Indian model was brought to England as a small girl by her mother, after her father, who was in the Indian Air Force, walked out of the family home in the foothills of the Himalayas after a marital row. The two of them went to live in Northamptonshire, with Henrietta sent to boarding school at the age of three. Her mother abandoned her after running away to South Africa and leaving her with her grandma who badly mistreated her. Bohemian: Henrietta Moraes with Patrick Procktor, a friend of late artist Francis Bacon She was shipped off to a convent in Reading and developed a crush on a girl called Valerie who slept with T.S. Eliot's poems under her pillow. Henrietta Moraes drunk regularly in her teenage years and wined and dined at the Colony Room, the Gargoyle Club, the French House . During this point she met Francis Bacon who was one of the few admirers she did not sleep with. But the famous artists did paint her at least 16 times over a period of some 20 years the portrait sold for 21million was painted in 1963 and he drank with her every night in the Soho clubs. Henrietta, perhaps realising the potential profit to be made, continued to complain about this until the end of her life. The new Chancellor said the mini-budget 'didn't add up' and admitted the government had been 'flying blind' Advertisement New Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has denied he has ambitions to become Prime Minister as he trashed Kwasi Kwarteng's record on his first day in the job, admitting the government 'made mistakes' and was 'flying blind' with its economic plan. Mr Hunt was appointed by Liz Truss yesterday afternoon after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor following weeks of economic turmoil after he unveiled his mini-budget in September. The former Foreign Secretary ran to be leader of the Conservative Party twice, in 2019 and earlier this year, but has now said his leadership ambitions have been 'clinically excised'. However, he is now widely seen as the most powerful figure in the government as Liz Truss's authority has rapidly eroded since she took office in September. In a bitter parting shot to the Prime Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng told close allies he believes the Prime Minister has only bought herself 'a few weeks' and that mutinous Tory MPs' 'wagons are circling'. Following the Prime Minister's latest U-turn yesterday, Mr Hunt suggested he would scrap even more of her agenda, including going back on Liz Truss's commitment on Wednesday that there would 'absolutely' be no public spending cuts. Speaking to several TV and radio stations this morning, the Chancellor said some taxes would rise and 'efficiencies' would be needed in spending - a huge reversal from Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng's low-tax, high-borrowing mini-budget. Mr Hunt's first job will be to deliver the government's financial plans by October 31. The new Chancellor has admitted the medium-term fiscal plan will now effectively amount to a full budget, as he signalled a major shift away from the economic policies that brought Liz Truss to power. In his first interview as Chancellor, Mr Hunt told Sky News: 'I want to do the right thing for the British people. It's a big honour to do the job that I've been asked to do by the Prime Minister. But I want to be honest with people - we have some very difficult decisions ahead. 'The last few weeks have been very tough, but the context of course is coming out of a pandemic and a cost of living crisis, and the thing that people want, markets want, the country needs now is stability. 'No Chancellor can control the markets, but what I can do is show that we can control our tax and spending plans and that is going to need some very difficult decisions, both spending and tax. 'That is what I must do now so that people who are worried about their mortgage costs going up, that are worried about how they're going to get through winter [with] the cost of living crisis, people in the NHS who are worried about the pressures they're facing, can be reassured that the fundamental stability that they need from the government, and that they expect the government to provide is there. 'There were mistakes. It was a mistake when we're going to be asking for difficult decisions across the board in tax and spending to cut the rate of tax paid by the very wealthiest. New Chancellor Jeremy Hunt signalled a change of direction today and warned there would be 'tough decisions' ahead In a clean break with Kwasi Kwarteng's volatile economics, Mr Hunt said some taxes would go up and 'spending efficiencies' would be needed The new Chancellor, pictured at the BBC this morning, took to the airwaves as he sought to reassure markets after a chaotic few weeks for the economy Mr Hunt meets with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey from his offices in the Treasury yesterday as he looks to stablise Britain's economy Jeremy Hunt speaks to ITV's Robert Peston on his first day as Chancellor after saying there would be tax rises and spending cuts Kwasi Kwarteng smiled as he arrived home yesterday after being sacked by the PM - before delivering a parting shot Liz Truss held a press conference in Downing Street on Friday in which she announced a second major U-turn on the mini-budget: this time on corporation tax Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy blamed the PM for the political and economic chaos, saying: 'This was a crisis made in No 10 by Liz Truss' 'It was a mistake to fly blind and to do these forecasts without giving people the confidence of the Office For Budget Responsibility saying that the sums add up. 'Spending will not rise by as much as people would like and all Government departments are going to have to find more efficiencies than they were planning to.' Mr Hunt signalled a clear change of direction from Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng's radical tax-cutting mini-budget which sparked chaos in the markets. He told Radio 4: 'The way we went about it clearly wasn't right. 'We have some very difficult decisions ahead, difficult decisions on spending which is not going to rise as much as people hope, and I'll be asking all government departments to find more efficiency savings. 'We're also going to have pressure on the tax side - taxes are not going to come down as much as people hoped, and some taxes will have to go up. 'This is not an easy time, and we're not going to be able to do everything that we would want to do but we will be thinking about some of the poorest people in society when we take these decisions.' The new Chancellor also too a swipe at his predecessor as he criticised Kwasi Kwarteng's plans for unfunded tax cuts during a financial crisis. Mr Hunt sought to reassure the public and markets by insisting that he would balance the books and introduce more stable economic policies at the Treasury. Runners and riders: Who could replace Liz Truss as PM? Rishi Sunak Current odds: 17/10 Rishi Sunak is the clear favourite to take over as PM if Liz Truss is forced out by MPs. He came second in the Conservative leadership contest and led from the start in the number of MPs who supported him. Penny Mordaunt Current odds: 5/1 She may have lost out in the final round of MPs' votes, but Penny Mordaunt was hugely popular during early stages of the leadership race, with more supporters than Truss until the final round. She has since had a prominent role as Leader of the House. Kemi Badenoch Current odds: 22/1 Another defeated contender in the recent leadership election, Kemi Badenoch proved hugely popular among the party membership - but has little experience in major Cabinet roles. Jeremy Hunt Current odds: 7/1 He may have only been welcomed back into the fold yesterady, but as a two-time contender in previous leadership elections Mr Hunt's name is being thrown into the ring. Ben Wallace Current odds: 12/1 The current Defence Secretary did not stand in this year's election contest despite expectations he would. In part due to this, he is now a possible unity figurehead. Boris Johnson Current odds: 12/1 Many critics of Boris Johnson were calling for him to go for months before he was finally forced out earlier this year. But even some of those who supported his leaving are now wondering if Liz Truss is even worse, and a return to Johnson might be a smart move. Theresa May Current odds: 90/1 As a former PM, Theresa May is extremely unlikely to lead the country again. But some Conservatives think she could make a good caretaker PM as someone who has prior experience of the job. Advertisement He said: 'They have to be funded tax cuts, they have to be sustainable, they have to be tax cuts that people can see that you can afford to keep funding year in, year out. 'What doesn't work is to fund tax cuts by increasing borrowing and debt. We already have debts a 97 per cent of GDP - the highest level of debt since the 1960s. 'As a Conservative who wants to reduce taxes, we need to find a path to do so sustainably and that will be one of my biggest jobs.' Asked if getting borrowing under control would mean a return to austerity, Mr Hunt said spending cuts would not be on the level of those introduced by the coalition government but said there would be 'difficult decisions'. He said: 'I was in the Cabinet in 2010 when we had austerity, I don't think we're talking about anything like that. But I do want to be straight - we've got some difficult decisions. 'If we take those difficult decisions, the future is very encouraging for this country but we never succeed as a country when we duck difficult challenges.' Jeremy Hunt was also pressed on his future leadership ambitions, having been tipped as a possible future PM during the end of Boris Johnson's premiership and in recent weeks. However, he told LBC: 'I think that Conservative MPs know that we've had a very long and not a very easy leadership contest and the last thing the country needs wants is another prolonged period of uncertainty.' Asked if he became Chancellor to help him become Prime Minister he said: 'I've done two leadership campaigns, I think the desire to be leader has been clinically excised from me. 'I'm doing this job because we're in a very difficult situation and I'm in public service and I want to do my duty.' The government has come under fire from Labour, with Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy saying Liz Truss had not 'stabilised the ship.' Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Lammy blamed the Prime Minister for crashing the economy by unveiling her unfunded tax cuts. He said: 'Everyone knows this was her mini-budget. 'She ran for months on cutting taxes for the wealthiest in our country,' he says. 'This was a crisis made in No 10 by Liz Truss. It's unprecedented for a G7 nation to have a run on its currency, to have yields up, to have changes in fiscal policy overnight and to have four chancellors of the exchequer over the last four months.' In a speech in Barnsley, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the current situation facing Liz Truss and her Government was unheard of. He said: 'There are no historical precedents for what they have done to our economy. Britain has faced financial crises before but the Prime Ministers and Chancellors who wrestled with them all acted fast. 'When their policies ran against the rocks of reality, they took decisive action. 'But this lot, they didn't just tank the British economy, they also clung on as they made the pound sink. Clung on as they took our pensions to the brink of collapse. 'Clung on as they pushed the mortgages and bills of the British public through the roof. 'They did all of this - all the pain our country faces now is down to them.' Liz Truss launched a desperate effort to save herself yesterday as she sacked Mr Kwarteng and made another major U-turn on her fiscal policy, before conducting a press conference where she presented herself to the media for just eight minutes. She reportedly told the Chancellor he had to go to avoid further market turmoil - but he only discovered he was about to be sacked after it was reported in the media on the way to see the PM. A source close to the former Chancellor told The Times last night: 'Kwasi thinks it only buys her a few more weeks. 'His view is that the wagons are still going to circle.' It follows the press conference on Friday at which Liz Truss refused to apologise for the impacts of the mini-budget or take media questions - answering just four in an almost identical fashion before abruptly leaving the room. Dozens of Tory MPs are said to be openly discussing ways to get rid of the new PM. Mr Kwarteng's swipe at Ms Truss comes after she thanked him for his 'decision' to leave the Cabinet - but he was quick to publicly confirm he had, in fact, been fired. It appears to many as a desperate sign that Ms Truss knows her premiership is in peril after a shambolic first 39 days in power. Even senior Downing Street officials are reportedly talking about Truss' departure. And it has now been revealed that a group of around 20 MPs met on Monday over curry to plot a possible removal. Despite media briefings as early as 8am on Friday that the Chancellor had the PM's full support, Mr Kwarteng cut his trip to the US a day short to fly back to the UK, and was sacked by Ms Truss almost as soon as he arrived back in London yesterday. Pressure had been mounting for days for Liz Truss to take action after the markets went into turmoil over the Chancellor's unfunded mini-budget announcement. Critics have said she has scapegoated Mr Kwarteng for policies which she based her campaign to become the next PM on. The government was already forced to make one highly damaging climb down after it announced it would abolish the 45p income tax rate for those earning more than 150,000. Many MPs, even Conservatives, said this was a poor choice given the cost of living crisis rocking the country. In a press conference on Friday, she told the nation that she was scrapping her plan to freeze corporation tax - and that it will rise from 19 percent to 25 percent as previously planned. The measure will give the government an extra 18 billion per year - but is not an end to the problem, as OBR forecasts delivered to No.10 today show an imminent 60 billion black whole in the UK's finances, according to reports. It was unclear late on Friday whether such drastic actions could be enough to keep her in Downing Street, with the markets remaining jittery and reports of Tory MPs plotting intensely to replace her. After three weeks of turmoil on the financial markets in the wake of Kwasi Kwarteng's 43 billion mini-budget tax giveaway, Ms Truss ended days of frenzied speculation by forcing her friend out of office and U-turning on her commitment to drop the planned rise in corporation, a central plank of her leadership campaign. The U-turn will particularly hurt Ms Truss as it means Rishi Sunak's, her leadership rival, plan will go ahead. At the brief news conference in Downing Street on Friday, she had dismissed calls for her resignation, saying she is 'absolutely determined to see through what I have promised'. It came as she also signalled a new squeeze on public spending which would 'grow less rapidly than previously planned', ahead of the medium-term fiscal plan on October 31 - when Mr Hunt will now set out how he intends to get the public finances back on track. 'It is clear that parts of our mini-budget went further and faster than markets were expecting, so the way we are delivering our mission right now has to change,' she said. 'We will do whatever is necessary to ensure debt is falling as a share of the economy in the medium term.' Mr Kwarteng released a letter to Liz Truss to the public after being forced out, saying he had been 'asked to resign.' The letter pointed out that he has always supported 'your vision' for the UK, a thinly-veiled jab at the decision to replace him for policies he made directly with the PM. Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt now steps into the role, which some Tory MPs say is a 'safe' choice, but the public remain unconvinced. In a snap poll on Friday evening, YouGov found that two in five Britons believe Mr Hunt will do a bad job, with just 14 percent expecting him to do a good one. Potential runners and riders to replace Liz Truss: (L-R, top line first) Rishi Sunak, Penny Mordaunt, Jeremy Hunt, Boris Johnson, Ben Wallace, Kemi Badenoch and Theresa May Britons won't have long to wait to judge, as the new Chancellor is expected to give a round of interviews on Saturday to set out the government's new plans. Some MPs, including Cabinet Ministers, are already holding informal talks about the possibility of installing a new leader by 'consensus'. One said: 'If this is going to work we need to make it less about the leader whether it is Rishi [Sunak] or Penny [Mordaunt] or whoever and more about the team. 'We have to try to present a united front and put together a team of all the talents. And we have to avoid a contest.' Miss Truss's actions yesterday, coupled with her awkward manner at a perfunctory press conference, appeared to harden opposition. A former Cabinet minister told the Daily Mail: 'You can't sack your Chancellor for implementing your own policies and then try to pretend the mess you've made has got nothing to do with you.' Another veteran MP said: 'I haven't found a single colleague that now thinks Liz Truss should remain.' Will Walden, Boris Johnson's director of communications when he was mayor of London, called Mr Hunt an effective 'caretaker prime minister'. while former Conservative leader Lord Hague warned Ms Truss's premiership 'hangs by a thread' following a 'catastrophic episode'. A Savanta ComRes poll last night found 52 per cent thought the PM was right to sack her Chancellor, but 71 per cent thought she would be unable to win back public trust. Loyal MPs on Friday night were urging party colleagues to think again about any bid to oust Ms Truss, who is theoretically safe from a leadership vote for another year under the rules of the backbench 1922 Committee. But there is speculation that plotters could promote a unity candidate and avoid a contest or even persuade the head of the 1922 Committee Sir Graham Brady to tell Ms Truss it is time for her to go. Welsh Secretary Sir Robert Buckland, appearing on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme, warned: 'I think if we start with gay abandon, throwing another prime minister to the wolves, we're going to be faced with more delay, more debate, more instability.' But even the staunchly loyal MP Sir Christopher Chope had some harsh words for his party leader, after defending her on Thursday and ruling out any reversal. 'I feel let down, very badly let down. And I expressed disbelief at what I heard today because it's totally inconsistent with everything that the Prime Minister stood for when she was elected,' he told BBC Newsnight. Advertisement A former girlfriend of Neil Maxwell revealed he had a 'sinister character' as he was named by police as the man they believe was responsible for killing 19-year-old Leah Croucher, who vanished in February 2019. There are now fears that Croucher could have been held captive by the convicted rapist, who was the only person with keys to the property, for some time before her death. The woman, who does not want to be named, dated Maxwell as an underage schoolgirl while he was in his mid-20s and said he had an 'unhealthy interest he had in children'. She described Maxwell as controlling and said he groomed her and took advantage of her, as she told the Mirror: 'I always knew he was a wrong 'un. 'He was well known in the area for trying to pin down girls and force himself on them... Eventually everyone kept away from him. 'He was a deeply sinister character. It's horrible that he did this to Leah but, to be honest, I'm not surprised in the slightest,' she said. The convicted sex offender killed himself two months after Leah's, sparking fears that he may have held her captive for weeks while police and relatives made heart-wrenching appeals for the teenager's safe return. Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, has asked the force's chief constable to conduct an investigation into the handling of Leah's disappearance to determine if an inquiry is needed. 'Given the time that has passed questions have inevitably been raised about the earlier investigation and there is an understandable desire for more information,' he said. 'None of the information I have received so far leads me to conclude that there were shortcomings in the earlier missing persons investigation. Nevertheless I have requested that the Chief Constable presents me with a review of the case in order to determine if any further inquiry is required. 'If mistakes have been made I will ensure a thorough review of the missing persons investigation, but I must stress that this will be evidence-led and so far I have seen nothing to suggest any reasonable lines of enquiry were missed.' Maxwell had previously been in prison for raping a teenage girl in 2009, for which he was handed a four-and-a-half year sentence. Maxwell, then aged 48, admitted committing a sexual assault on a woman in Milton Keynes in February 2018 and was sentenced to 200-hours of unpaid work and made to pay 85 court costs and 1,000 compensation. He was also placed on the sex offender's register for five years. The pervert went on to strike again just nine months later. He was on the run for that offence at the time of Leah's disappearance but had managed to evade arrest on 18 occasions. Pictured: Neil Maxwell, the convicted sex offender suspected of killing Leah Croucher Leah Croucher was 19 when she disappeared on her way to work in February 2019. Police have now discovered human remains at a house in Milton Keynes, along with some of Leah's possessions The forensic investigation is ongoing at the house at Loxbeare Drive, where human remains were found alongside Leah Croucher's rucksack this week This morning, a long line of floral tributes lined the police cordon outside the property, where Leah Croucher is believed to have been killed Members of the public left flowers at the site, delicately laid out in a neat line, alongside candles and teddy bears in memory of the 19-year-old Heartfelt letters from Leah Crouchers parents (right) and family friend Lauren (left) were left among the floral tributes Candles and small toys were left among the floral tributes (right) by devastated friends and relatives of Leah Croucher, while a flower in jar (left) was placed along with a photograph dating from July 2016 A police guard remains at the house in the Furzton area of Milton Keynes, where Leah Croucher is tragically believed to have died three years ago Thames Valley Police told MailOnline earlier that Maxwell was aware officers were searching for him and he 'made concerted efforts to evade arrest' by using false names and changing his mobile phone and car often, fleeing as far as Scotland. His image was circulated as a wanted person on the national database and police issued a 'wanted appeal' on April 4, 2019, a spokesman said. Maxwell's reign of terror only came to an end when he ended his life on April 20, 16 days after the police issued the public appeal. The convicted sex attacker was the only person with keys to the house in Milton Keynes where human remains were found next to Leah's backpack earlier this week. A former employer has also come forward to reveal he raised his concerns about Maxwell to police and warned: 'He is one evil f***er, he can't control his urges for sex and he's going to kill someone.' 'I was fuming with the police. He liked young girls, he was a rapist, a dangerous man. They have let the system down - that man should have been locked up for life.' The business owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, told The Daily Mirror he was unaware Maxwell had only recently finished a stint in prison when he was hired. Maxwell went out of his way to do a good job and appeared helpful and attentive, but the employer happened across a probation report which described him as a 'dangerous man'. 'He's sick in the head with his hunger for young girls. It's disgusting what's gone on,' he told The Daily Mail. 'They could have saved that girl. If they had listened to me that girl wouldn't be dead. The whole system has completely failed her... My eldest daughter used to play with him, she was about 11.' Notes for 'our darling Leah' from her parents and sister are left outside the house where police found a body in the search for the missing teenager. The remains were removed last night Leah's sister Jade, father John Croucher and mother Claire Croucher look at flowers outside a property in Loxbeare Drive, Furzton, Milton Keynes, where police identified human remains during forensic examinations The family of Leah Croucher bring floral tributes to the property last night. Her relatives have said their 'darkest fears had come true' after human remains were found on Monday Members of the Croucher family are let under a cordon by police after arriving at the property How convicted rapist Neil Maxwell avoided 18 arrest attempts Describing the hunt for Leah's alleged murderer, DCS Ian Hunter said: 'A significant amount of enquiries were made nationally to locate Maxwell and these included 18 attempts to arrest him. 'In April 2019, when we published our wanted appeal regarding Maxwell in connection with the sexual assault in Newport Pagnell, and during our entire investigation to find Leah, there has been no direct link between Maxwell and Leah until Monday this week when we were called about the property in Loxbeare Drive. 'Maxwell has previous convictions for sexual offences against females and was wanted in connection with a sexual assault in Newport Pagnell in November 2018. 'The sexual assault was reported to Bedfordshire Police on November 29, 2018 and the case was transferred to Thames Valley Police the same day.' DCS Hunter said Thames Valley Police first tried to arrest Maxwell in Milton Keynes the following day - November 30 - but were unable to find him. He continued: 'We established that Maxwell was at an unknown location in Scotland at one stage, but further arrest attempts were continually made throughout the UK at various different addresses.' He is likely to have known that he would be returning to prison if he was arrested and convicted, DCS Hunter said. 'If Maxwell were alive today, we would be seeking his arrest in connection with this investigation, so he could be interviewed under caution to provide his account.' Advertisement The convicted sex pest remained at the company for a few years before he was jailed for four-and-a-half years in 2009 for raping a woman in her late teens. Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter said formal identification of the body has not yet taken place, but they do believe it is Leah. He said police were unaware of any potential links between Maxwell and Leah until a maintenance worker alerted police on Monday to a suspicious object in a loft of the property. Today, Thames Valley faced questions about how they failed to catch the convict despite saying officers had tried to arrest him 18 times. At a press conference this afternoon, a senior officer said police were looking into the possibility Leah was held captive as an 'active part of our investigation'. Maxwell took his own life aged 49 in April 2019 - two months after Leah went missing. Local resident Jill Davey, who lives on the same road as the house where the human remains were found, told MailOnline the teenager would still be alive if officers had 'done their job properly'. She added: 'It's all very well for them to say they tried to arrest him, but 18 times and to keep missing him is nonsense.' Following the press conference, senior Tory MP Bob Blackman called on the Independent Office for Police Conduct, to look at the case. He called on the police watchdog to examine any contact Thames Valley Police had with Maxwell and the force's claims he evaded arrest 18 times. Mr Blackman told MailOnline: 'This tragedy is just the sort of case the IOPC should review. It is heart-breaking for the family of Leah Croucher's family'. He added: 'This case is clearly not cut and dried and it also shows the kind of sexual predators police have to deal with. They are often very clever at evading arrest'. It previously emerged the house where human remains were found had been occupied by Alex Johnston, a 30-year-old paedophile who once appeared on 24 Hours in Police Custody. But he was in prison at the time Leah disappeared after being sentenced to four-and-a-half years in June 2017 for five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15. Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter told a news conference today: 'Today, I am able to confirm that we have nominated a suspect in this case. His name is Neil Maxwell. It is unusual to name a suspect, but we have also learned this week that during the time when Leah went missing, and whilst the owner of the property was not in the UK, Maxwell was the only person to have keys to the property. 'Maxwell had been employed by the homeowner to carry out some property maintenance at the house. We now know that Maxwell had keys to this property from November 2018. Whilst Maxwell has been nominated as a suspect, this does not mean he is guilty of any offence. We will keep an open mind, and our detailed investigation will seek to gather sufficient evidence to establish the truth. 'If Maxwell were alive today, we would be seeking his arrest in connection with this investigation, so he could be interviewed under caution to provide his account.' Various flowers, candles and teddy bears have all been left at the scene, many addressed directly to Leah A bouquet and wreath laid on behalf of Leah's parents were accompanied by a handwritten note, which promised to 'fight ahead' for justice Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Hunter told a news conference today: 'Today, I am able to confirm that we have nominated a suspect in this case. His name is Neil Maxwell' Bombshell press conference at a glance At yesterday's bombshell press conference, it emerged: Police named the prime suspect in the murder of Leah Croucher as convicted sex offender Neil Maxwell; He was the only person with keys to the house where human remains were found next to Leah's backpack; Maxwell was known to police due to his previous convictions for sexual assaults against women; On November 29, 2018, he was reported to Bedfordshire Police for a sexual assault in Newport Pagnell; Passed to Thames Valley Police who first tried to arrest him at a house in Milton Keynes the following day; Maxwell's name was put on the Police National Computer in December 2018 in relation to the sex assault; Thames Valley Police also issued a public wanted appeal to find Maxwell on April 4, 2019; 18 attempts were made to arrest Maxwell evaded police by using an alias and changing his phone and car; One attempt was made to arrest the sex offender in Scotland; Convicted criminal was found dead on April 20, 2019, having taken his own life at the age of 49; Police are now trying to establish whether Maxwell saw Croucher when she walked past the house; Officers examining whether Leah was hold hostage; but would not say if she killed at house or elsewhere; Formal identification of the human remains has not yet taken place but will do so 'as soon as possible; Police would not say if any weapons had been found by officers searching the property Advertisement DCS Hunter told today's press conference in Milton Keynes: 'I cannot even begin to imagine what it is like for Leah's parents and family, for three years and eight months not knowing what has happened to their daughter and loved one. 'All of the investigation team who are working on this case are dedicated to finding the truth for Leah's family.' The human remains were found in the loft of the property at Loxbeare Drive in Furzton, Milton Keynes, DCS Hunter, Thames Valley Police's head of crime, said. Asked how long the human remains had been in the house and where they were found, he said: 'Of course, we have got an ongoing investigation so we will need to establish some of those facts. 'I will reveal today that the rucksack containing Leah's possessions and the human remains were found in the loft - that is what is making this so complex and challenging for us to be able to work through.' Thames Valley Police were asked if it was possible that Maxwell had targeted Ms Croucher after seeing her as she was walking to work on a route that took her close to the property. DCS Hunter said: 'This inquiry was always extremely challenging. If we go back to Buzzacott Lane and the CCTV at 8.16am on February 15 2019 - there were no further lines of inquiry that helped us from there. 'Of course, Leah's route to work has always been subject to intense scrutiny throughout our investigation. (There were) 4,000 properties visited and CCTV that we were able to obtain has been viewed. 'At this stage, it is of course an active line of our inquiry - did Leah walk past that house and some sort of action took place? That is exactly what the investigation team are going to try and establish.' The police would not say if Leah had been killed at the house or elsewhere or if she had been held hostage. A Home Office pathologist is carrying out a post-mortem examination to try and determine a cause of death. DCS Hunter said the Croucher family had been fully briefed on the latest developments and their 'nominated' suspect. In a statement read out at a press conference, the family said: 'We would like to take this opportunity to thank Thames Valley Police for all their efforts over the past three years and eight months. 'We believe that they could not have done anything differently, they have always approached every conversation with dignity and compassion. 'As a family, we ask that everyone respects our privacy as well as our immediate family, at what is one of the most difficult times of our lives.' Leah Croucher, 19, was last seen making her way into work in Milton Keynes in February 2019 House was just a 20-minute walk from Leah's home The detached home where human remains were found is owned by a Kuwaiti based family who have rented it out for over two decades. Local residents missing teenager Leah Croucher would walk past the home every day on her way to work as an admin assistant. The 19-year-old lived less than half a mile away from the 490,000 home where human remains along with her rucksack and other possessions were found. Forensic teams continued to work at the property which has a rusting truck parked in the driveway. Jill Davey, who lives close to the house, said: 'Leah used to walk past the house every day. I would see her walking to work. 'It just sickens me... The police were meant to have searched all the houses around here, but they obviously didn't do their job properly. I just hope they can find whoever did this.' Records show the four-bedroom detached home was rented to a number of tenants. One neighbour said:' It has been empty for quite a few months. I never knew the people who owned the house, but like a lot of properties it was a family from Kuwait.' Murder squad detectives were talking to close neighbours to find out as much detail as possible about the tenants who rented the house. A small group of neighbours stood opposite the police blue tape that had sealed off the house. A blue tent had been erected adjacent to the front door. One resident said: 'Anyone who lives on the estate remembers Leah going missing and the police search. 'I would never have thought that she would be found in a house on the estate. She was so close to home.' A missing poster for Leah Croucher is still pinned to a tree less than 15 yards from the property. Advertisement After dark last night Leah's family arrived to tearfully lay tributes to a beloved daughter and sister. An undertaker carried a bouquet of flowers as he then accompanied the parents to a makeshift memorial at the front of the house which is at the centre of the police investigation. A note left with the flowers read: 'To our darling Leah. Our darkest fears have come true, we only need to be apart a little longer now. 'We have so missed you for so long already. The future looks so bleak now. We know we will never see hour smile or hear your laughter again. We will cherish your memories forever. We love you, Mum and dad'. Another note, by Leah's elder sister Jade, read: 'To my beautiful sister Leah, My heart has broken, my mind racing with thoughts and my body numb. How can a life as beautiful as yours come to an end in such a tragic way. 'I have loved you from your very first breath and I will love you until my last. There has never been a moment when you were not in my thoughts and there never will be. 'My only comfort is that you and Hayden are together in heaven. All my love forever your big sister Jade and nephew Reggie.' The remains of the body were taken away in a three-car convoy. Police had sealed off Loxbeare Drive to traffic while the family were at the scene. Leah was last captured on CCTV on her way to her job on February 15, 2019, but never made it to work. Well-wishers have laid flowers, candles, teddy bears and tea-lights in the shape of the letter L at the edge of the police tape cordoning off the two-storey brick house and its neighbouring detached property. Flowers left at the scene by friends of Mr and Mrs Croucher on their behalf had a heart-wrenching handwritten note which promised to 'never give up fighting' for their daughter. It comes as metal fencing covered with black screens was erected in the driveway of the empty 490,000 house, just a 20-minute walk from Leah's home and less than half a mile from where the teenager was last seen. Another small bouquet was signed 'Nan and Grandad.' It read: 'We will never stop seeking answers. With love and miss you always.' Tragically, nine months after she went missing, Leah's half-brother Haydon Croucher, 24, was discovered by his mother Tracey Furness hanged at his flat and later died in hospital landing the family a further blow. An inquest heard he struggled to cope following her disappearance. Leah's mother previously said her disappearance had 'destroyed' their family, adding that if she had been abducted or killed they would hold the culprit responsible for Haydon's death as well. Home CCTV captured Leah Croucher as she walked to work on the morning of February 15, 2019 An aerial view of the house in Furzton, Milton Keynes where police have found human remains Flowers are laid earlier this morning outside the home where a body was found in the hunt for missing Leah Croucher Various posters were released to try and find the teenager after she went missing in February 2019 Police have launched a murder investigation after finding human remains in their search for missing teenager Leah Croucher It has emerged that the 490,000 house, which the teenager is thought to have regularly walked past on her way to work, was once occupied by a convicted paedophile. Pictured: Floral tributes are left outside the property Timeline of missing Leah Croucher's disappearance November 29, 2018 Prime suspect Neil Maxwell is reported to Bedfordshire Police for a sexual assault in Newport Pagnell. 2019 February 14 8am: Leah, 19, sets off for work as normal to her admin job with finance company in Milton Keynes. 5.45pm: Leah walks home from work. The location settings on her Samsung phone were switched off in the Furzton Lake area. 6pm: Leah arrives home from work. She changes into tracksuit bottoms and a long-sleeved top. She tells her mum she is going to visit a friend. 7.15pm: Leah arrives home again. Her behaviour that night was totally normal, say her parents. February 15 8am: Leah gets up and leaves for work. She sets off on her normal route, wearing a black coat, skinny black jeans, black Converse high top shoes and carrying a small black rucksack. Underneath her coat she wears a distinctive grey hoodie. 8.13am: CCTV footage shows her walking along Buzzacott Lane in Furzton. That was the last confirmed sighting of Leah. 8.34am: Leah's mobile phone is switched off. 9am: Leah fails to arrive at work. 9.30am - 11.15am: Three different witnesses report seeing a girl matching Leah's description walking by Furzton Lake. She was looking 'visibly upset' and crying while talking on the phone. Police have never been able to say definitely that this was Leah. 6pm: Leah fails to return home. She is reported missing. February 17 Police issue a press release saying Leah is missing. February 19 Police release the CCTV footage of Leah. They are becoming 'increasingly concerned' for her welfare. Her phone is switched off and cannot be traced and her bank account has not been touched. In the following weeks divers scour Furzton Lake and fingertip searches are carried out. Leah's family and friends put posters up appealing for information. April 4 A public appeal is issued to find Maxwell. April 20 The convicted sex offender is found dead. September 25 BBC's Crimewatch Roadshow re-enacts Leah's disappearance and appeals for information. It shows the clothing Leah was wearing on the day she vanished. Viewer contacts the show saying she and remembers walking at the Blue Lagoon lake in Bletchley, Milton Keynes in February and seeing a grey hoodie just near the water, like the one Leah was wearing. October 9 Police launch a major search at the Blue Lagoon. Nothing of any significance is found. November 14-16 Leah's brother Haydon Croucher killed himself in his flat in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, and was found by his mother and sister. February 14, 2020 Leah's parents Claire and John Croucher issue a fresh appeal at a media conference at Milton Keynes Police Station a year after her disappearance. February 15, 2021 Her family issue a statement appealing for help to find her on the second anniversary of her disappearance. In an emotional statement they said: 'It's now been two years since our beautiful, wonderful daughter Leah, left for work and vanished without a trace. Missing. Gone. 'To say they have been a hard two years is an understatement. They have been the longest and toughest two years of our lives.' February 15, 2022 Police release a new image of a person dressed in black seen at Furzton Lake to mark the third year of her disappearance. In a written statement Leah's family said each day 'feels like an eternity of pain and despair', but said they remained hopeful she would one day be found. 'It is harder each day to tell ourselves that today will be the day that we get answers, today we find out what happened three years ago,' her parents said. Monday October 10, 2022 Remains, believed to be Leah, are found in a house in Loxbeare Drive, Milton Keynes, which she passed every day on her way to work. Her belongings were found inside. Friday October 14 At a press conference, police name Neil Maxwell as the prime suspect in Leah's murder. Advertisement People view flowers and messages left at the scene after police identified human remains in Furzton, Milton Keynes Personal items including Leah Croucher's rucksack have been recovered from the address Leah is seen on CCTV shortly before she went missing. The teenager was last spotted walking down Buzzacott Lane in Furzton, Buckinghamshire, while on her way to work on the morning of February 15, 2019 before she 'vanished into thin air' One image from Furzton Lake, shows a figure of a person dressed in black, who may or may not have been Leah, on the day she disappeared The Home Secretary is set to restrict the total number of foreign students who can remain living in the UK after graduating from university to slash immigration numbers. Suella Braverman, who was appointed to the role by Prime Minister Liz Truss, has committed to cut immigration and 'substantially reduce' the number of unskilled foreign workers coming to Britain, from 239,000 to the 'tens of thousands'. But she also wants to reduce the numbers of international students who can apply for a graduate post-study work visa, which allows any student who has passed their degree to remain and work in the UK for at least two years. The Home Office are considering restricting visa applications only to those who have completed studied in high-demand subject areas, such as engineering, the Times reports. But university bosses have slammed the Home Secretary's plan, saying it sent a message 'that the UK is unwelcoming and hostile to international students' who make bring 25.9 billion per year to the UK economy through fees and spending. Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) is set to restrict the total number of foreign students who can remain living in the UK after graduating from university to slash immigration numbers Graduate visas were reintroduced in July last year after then-Home Secretary Theresa May scrapped them in 2012, reducing the length of time recent graduates can stay in the country to just four months. Since the the new scheme was introduced, 66,211 international students have been granted the right to remain in the UK - 99 per cent of a total 66,787 applications. Nearly half of all granted visas were given to Indian nationals, at a total of 28,331 (43 per cent), 7,771 (12 per cent) were granted to Nigerian students, and 6,599 (10 per cent) were granted to Chinese graduates. Indian students are also the largest group of migrants to overstay their visas. Ms Braverman has said she wants to reduce the number of foreign students studying at British universities after a record high of 486,000 visas were granted last year. An open letter to Ms Braverman signed by the chief executives of four groups which represent over 150 British universities - Universities UK , GuildHE, MillionPlus and University Alliance - have been heavily criticised her proposals. They said that international students are the source of nearly 70 per cent of the UK's education export earnings and bring an average financial benefits of 390 per person across the country - saying that increased international student numbers were a 'resounding success for the government and something to be celebrated'. An open letter to Ms Braverman signed by the chief executives of four groups which represent over 150 British universities - Universities UK , GuildHE, MillionPlus and University Alliance - have been heavily criticised Suella Braverman's proposals 'The negative rhetoric suggesting a need to reduce international student numbers is unhelpful and counterproductive,' the letter to the Home Secretary said. 'It stands to directly impact on the continued success of one of the UKs premier export industries and restrict economic growth. 'Such rhetoric is also quickly reported on around the world, sending a message overseas that the UK is unwelcoming and hostile to international students. 'That is why we would urge the government to restate its commitment to the ambitions set out in the International Education Strategy and to avoid language that suggests international students and their dependants may be unwelcome in the UK.' The last picture of Robbie Coltrane, shot months before his death at age 72, shows an intimate moment with his Harry Potter co-star Emma Watson. Pictured at an event to mark the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts special, the stars can be seen engaged in conversation, looking tenderly into each other's eyes. The Scottish star, who died aged 72 yesterday, was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid and starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald in the 90s ITV drama. The last picture of Robbie Coltrane, shot months before his death at age 72, shows an intimate moment with his Harry Potter co-star Emma Watson While his death was largely unexpected, Coltrane, whose real name was Anthony Robert McMilan, had previously spoken about his health issues, saying that in his latter years he was 'fighting pain 24 hours a day'. The actor openly addressed that he suffered from osteoarthritis - the most common type of arthritis in the UK. He said previously about a particularly painful period when working in National Treasure and Great Expectations: 'I had no cartilage in my knee. It was bone on bone.' 'I wouldn't wish such pain on my worst enemy. It was just horrible.' Coltrane also addressed his life-changing knee replacement operation amid a weight loss journey back in 2016. He explained that doctors discovered he had 'no cartilage left in one of my knees' which contributed to the pain. Coltrane, whose real name was Anthony Robert McMilan, had previously spoken about his health issues, saying that in his latter years he was 'fighting pain 24 hours a day' The actor openly addressed that he suffered from osteoarthritis - the most common type of arthritis in the UK 'It's completely disintegrated. And they told me it's osteoarthritis,' he added to the Daily Star newspaper. 'People are probably wondering why I'm hobbling about in the way I am and that is why,' he added. Osteoarthritis is one of more than 100 different forms of arthritis. According to the NHS website, the main symptoms of the condition are joint pain and stiffness as well as problems moving the joint. Symptoms can also include; swelling, tenderness and hearing a grating or crackling sound when moving the affected joints. In 2019, he was pictured using a wheelchair for the first time at a Harry Potter event, where he told fans he was waiting to have his knee replacement done. Emma Watson, who played alongside Coltrane as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series took to Instagram to share a tribute to her late co-star. Emma Watson, who played alongside Coltrane as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series took to Instagram to share a tribute to her late co-star Sharing their last picture together - notably now Coltrane's last public photo - she said: 'Rest in peace, Robbie Coltrane. 'Robbie was like the most fun uncle I've ever had but most of all he was deeply caring, and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult. 'His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant - he could fill ANY space with his brilliance. 'Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I'll do it in your name and memory. 'Know how much I adore and admire you. I'll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs and your hugs. 'You made us a family. Know you were that to us. 'Robbie was like the most fun uncle I've ever had but most of all he was deeply caring, and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult', Watson said 'There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione.' Harry Potter co-star Miriam Margolyes also paid tribute to Coltrane today - although she criticised his love of drinking and weight as potential lifestyle choices that could've cut his life short. Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today Programme this morning, she admitted: 'I didn't know he was ill. He just put on too much weight, stupid boy!' 'That's the problem, he loved to drink. I used to wag my finger at him. 'It's such a waste to think of all that talent, that fire, he acted with passion. He was really wonderful.' Despite her disapproval of the late actor's lifestyle choices, the comedian praised his character, noting 'he had a heart of gold'. She added: 'Huge in stature, in personality, in heart. He was exceptional.' Just the latest humiliation he has had to endure at hands of his Asian 'friends' Vladimir Putin was given a stern dressing down by the president of Tajikistan in another indicator that the Russian dictator has lost respect and influence in his own backyard. Fellow longstanding dictator Emomali Rahmon, ruler of the Central Asian state of 9 million since 1994, seized upon Putin's woes back home and in Ukraine to give him a piece of his mind and tell him how he really feels during a summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana. A glum and awkward looking Putin slouched back in his chair and took the seven minute tirade as a host of Central Asian leaders and officials at the Commonwealth Of Independent States Summit (CIS) watched on. 'Yes, we are small nations, we are not 100-200 million, but we have history, culture, we love, we want to be respected.' Rahmon said in a fiery outburst. 'We do not need anything; just to be respected.' The humiliation was witnessed by the rulers of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. 'Why do we have to beg (Russia to attend) some miserable forum in Tajikistan?' Rahmon demanded of Putin, jabbing his finger and making expansive gestures. Emomali Rahmon, ruler of the Central Asian state of 9 million since 1994, seized upon Putin's woes back home and in Ukraine to give him a piece of his mind and tell him how he really feels A glum and awkward looking Putin slouched back in his chair and took the seven minute tirade Central Asian leaders and officials of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at the Commonwealth Of Independent States Summit (CIS) watched on Tajikistan is one of the smallest Central Asian republics that gained its independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 Putin was nodding along and looking extremely glum and bored as one of his formerly loyal allies gave him an earful The Tajik dictator cajoled and berated Putin for a full seven minutes in an animated and at times emotional haranguing 'I gave instructions to the Foreign Ministry, I even talked to you to ask (Russia) to attend at least at the ministerial level. No, at the level of deputy ministers. Is this what Tajikistan deserves, a strategic partner?' It is not the first time that Putin's so-called friends and partners in Asia have turned on him publicly since his debacle in Ukraine now that they sense weakness and smell blood. At a summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan last month, Chinese premier Xi Xinping snubbed dinner with Putin, while Indian prime minister Narendra Modi told Putin in front of the media that 'now is not the time for war'. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also humiliated the Russian warmonger by making him wait in front of rolling cameras for half a minute before coming out to greet him ahead of talks. In the rambling and unscripted tirade, the Tajik dictator almost predicted Putin's demise, accusing his Russian counterpart of making the same mistakes that led to the downfall of the Soviet Union last century. He also complained that Russian businessmen came into the country and enriched themselves by extracting Tajikistan's natural resources while refusing to invest in the country. 'We do not want your money, we want to be respected as we deserve. We host your military bases, we do everything you ask for, we really try to be what you pretend to be to us ''strategic partners.'' Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping before an extended-format meeting of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit - before Xi snubbed Putin by skipping dinner with him Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo shaking hands prior to their talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit before telling Putin off over his war in Ukraine But we are never being treated like strategic partners! No offence, but we want to be respected!' While Putin has continued to try to project a strong image of everything going to plan externally, that his erstwhile clients and vassals of small, impoverished dictatorships are turning on him - as well as big, important countries like India and China - tells its own story. Putin has been severely weakened by the disastrous course his senseless war in Ukraine has taken since last month, when Ukraine started autumn offensives to liberate occupied territory. His announcement of a partial mobilisations and rushed through annexations of the Ukrainian territory his army has managed to occupy have been seen as desperate signs of weakness rather than strength. His prestige was dealt another blow when Ukraine managed to hit the Kerch bridge that joins Crimea to the Russian mainland with what is currently thought to have been a truck bomb. And his callous bombardment of Ukrainian cities with long range missiles - which has done nothing to impact the strategic position - have similarly been seen as symptoms of his impotence. Putin recently announced that Russia does not need to unleash massive new strikes on Ukraine at the moment, amid speculation that Moscow's supplies of precision weapons may be depleted. A fragment of a destroyed Russian tank is seen in the village of Pisky-Radkivski liberated from the Russian occupiers, Kharkiv region. Putin's battlefield reversals are what have emboldened his supposed friends in Asia to turn on him as they smell blood And he also said that the 'partial mobilisation' he announced last month, which the defence minister said aimed to recruit 300,000 soldiers, was finishing and would be over within two weeks. 'Nothing additional is planned. No proposals have been received from the defence ministry and I don't see any additional need in the foreseeable future,' Putin said of his on-going mobilisation. 'Now 222,000 people have been mobilised out of 300,000. Within about two weeks, all mobilisation activities will be completed.' But the battlefield outlook for Putin remains grim, with Ukraine holding the initiative amid expectations that they will push on to retake the Kherson region and venture further into occupied Donbas. Expectations are also low for Putin's new conscript army, as reports come out that he is unable to feed them, clothe them or arm them, and they are being thrown onto the front lines with zero or close to zero training. And the Russian autocrat will be disheartened to hear that the United States will send fresh munitions and military vehicles to Ukraine as part of a new $725 million assistance package aimed at bolstering the country's defence against the Russian invasion, the Defense Department said. Keir Starmer has accused Liz Truss of 'grotesque chaos' after she sacked Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor - the latest twist a week of political and economic upheaval. The Labour leader echoed Neil Kinnock's famous 1985 party conference speech at an event in Barnsley after a day which saw Kwarteng sacked as Chancellor and Conservative MPs plotting to oust the Prime Minister. Starmer pointed to the 'grotesque chaos of a Tory Prime Minister handing out redundancy notices to her own Chancellor' - quoting Kinnock's attack on the far-left Militant faction in Liverpool. Speaking at the Yorkshire and Humber Labour conference, he blamed Liz Truss for damaging the economy with the government's mini-budget last month and hinted there should be a general election. At a speech in Barnsley, Keir Starmer attacked Liz Truss over the economic fallout from the government's mini-budget Starmer quoted Neil Kinnock's famous 1985 speech to the Labour conference where he attacked far-left party members Labour have surged ahead in the polls following Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget last month, with many suggesting they would win a landslide majority if an election was held soon Polls have put Labour further ahead of the Conservatives than the party has been for 20 years following Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget in September. Starmer also said there was 'no historical precedent' for the current situation facing the Conservative government. The Labour leader said: 'There are no historical precedents for what they have done to our economy. Britain has faced financial crises before but the prime ministers and chancellors who wrestled with them all acted fast. 'When their policies ran against the rocks of reality, they took decisive action. 'But this lot, they didn't just tank the British economy, they also clung on as they made the pound sink. Clung on as they took our pensions to the brink of collapse. 'Clung on as they pushed the mortgages and bills of the British public through the roof. Kinnock was heckled and jeered at by left-wing activists as he made the speech in 1985 'They did all of this - all the pain our country faces now is down to them.' Starmer also accused Liz Truss of clinging to power as rumours swarm that Tory MPs could remove her from office within weeks after a disastrous first month as Prime Mnister. 'There is still one person clinging on', he said. 'The Prime Minister.' 'No doubt we will hear plenty of laughable excuses in the coming days. 'After 12 years of stagnation, that's all her party has left but even they know she can't fix the mess she has created. 'And deep down, her MPs know something else. They no longer have a mandate from the British people.' The Labour leader added: 'It won't be easy. I would love to stand here and say to you that Labour will fix everything. 'But the damage that they've done to our finances and public services means things are going to be really tough. 'We can't take irresponsible risks with the country's finances. We must be the party of sound money. You can't build a fairer, greener Britain without first restoring economic stability.' The government has also come under fire from businesses - ASDA Chairman Lord Rose told the Today programme that new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt were unlikely to fix the economic turmoil. He said the: 'current situation is completely untenable and cannot be sustained. 'In my view the Prime Minister is now a busted flush.' Asked how Labour would tackle knife crime and teenage violence, Sir Keir Starmer told reporters in Barnsley: 'I spent five years as director of public prosecutions in charge of criminal prosecutions, so I know the impact on this community, on these communities. 'There is no doubting that the Tories have failed us when it comes to law and order, and by ripping out lots and lots of police officers, they've left our communities exposed. 'Now they're desperately trying to backfill, but what we need is community policing, working in their community, and that's what we're committed to as a Labour Party, because I know the importance of community policing and the difference it makes, not just to knife crime but to many, many other sorts of crimes.' The speech Starmer referenced in his speech today was made by Neil Kinnock in 1985 - an attack on the far-left Militant faction in the Labour party. The then-leader criticised the in-fighting and disorganisation caused by left-wing activists while the party was in the political wilderness during the Thatcher government. Kinnock told the conference: 'I'll tell you what happens with impossible promises. 'You start with far-fetched resolutions. They are then pickled into a rigid dogma, a code, and you go through the years sticking to that. 'Outdated, misplaced, irrelevant to the real needs, and you end in the grotesque chaos of a Labour council a Labour council hiring taxis to scuttle round a city handing out redundancy notices to its own workers.' Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves was also among the speakers at the party's regional conference for Yorkshire and the Humber Following Keir Starmer's speech today, Labour members said their party has 'a real chance' of winning the next election as they accused the Conservatives of 'snatching ideas out of the air'. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves was also among the speakers at the party's regional conference for Yorkshire and the Humber. Following Sir Keir's speech, Bradford councillor Shakeela Lal said: 'We've got to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis. 'It's not going to be an easy solution. The country's in turmoil, the Tories are in crisis. 'From a Labour point of view (the mood is) positive, we've got a real chance so we can start repairing the damage.' On the speeches from the senior Labour politicians, Ms Lal said: 'I think they have got a really clear plan and idea of how they are going to pay for it, which is not something the Tories have got - they're just snatching ideas out of the air.' Jo Gogarty, 60, from Wakefield, who joined the Labour Party six months ago, said: '[The Tories] have got no mandate for what they're doing 'We've got a chance of winning an election. I think we have got the right direction - it's a more strategic direction.' Kevin Shutt, who has been a councillor in Grimsby for five months, said the situation in the country was 'depressing'. 'I feel so sad we've reached this position where they just don't leave, they're just hanging on - that's what they do. 'The knock-on effects on people are going to be felt months and years from now.' He added: 'I think Keir Starmer has built a new identity for Labour on the old values which we all recognise, but in a different way.' Matt Patrick, leader of North East Lincolnshire Labour group, said the mood was 'very positive,' adding: 'There's a growing sense of confidence that we really haven't had for some time. Right now I want to knock on a few doors.' Mr Patrick added: 'The Tories just seem very wrapped up in ideological dogma. 'Liz Truss came into Downing Street with a clear idea about what she wanted to do but it's not based in any form of reality, she's so blinded by ideology.' Greta Thunberg has opened up about her everyday teenage life, confessing that she has never been drunk and worries about romance for fears of being vulnerable. The 19-year-old Swedish climate campaigner also shared how she is extremely conscious of everything she does - living solely on her student grant. While she aims to walk everywhere she can, rather than take taxis, she has made one exception during a period that she had to have security guards after Donald Trump's public attack on her. When Thunberg was named Time's Person of the Year in 2019, then president Trump tweeted, following her speech to the UN General Assembly: 'She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!' Greta Thunberg has opened up about her everyday teenage life, confessing that she has never been drunk and worries about romance for fears of being vulnerable Thunberg was forced to have security guards after Donald Trump's public attack on her Unsurprisingly, Thunberg, then 17, was met with an overwhelming flurry of death threats and media attention - forcing her to recruit security. Thunberg got her payback however, when Trump was kicked out of the White House, tweeting: 'He seems like a very happy old man, looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!' Speaking to Times Magazine, Thunberg admitted that she will opt to walk home late at night rather than take a taxi. She said: 'I always walk. Maybe I should be more cautious... Probably I should be more careful. People tell me I should.' 'There was one period I had security guards, but it only lasted a few days.' Far from being a normal teenager, the three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee also said she doesn't drink and has never been drunk. She said: 'I would never go out drinking... I would never do anything... stupid, and I don't know if that's because I'm that kind of person or if it is because I don't want to be "seen". I guess it could be both.' Far from being a normal teenager, the three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee also said she doesn't drink and has never been drunk One of the reasons for this, she says, is because she doesn't want anyone to boast about being the first person to be able to get her drunk. She told the Times that she had the same concern when it came to romantic relationships. 'If I come up to them, you're more vulnerable. So you have people looking up to you, but you're also much more vulnerable', she said. Although not every teenager has addressed the UN, most do have a go-to music playlist, and Thunberg's include the classic hits Queen's Somebody to Love; KC and the Sunshine Band; Billie Jean; Blame It on the Boogie and Should I Stay or Should I Go. Responding to the Times interviewer as to whether she's ever reached out to other celebrities who became famous when they were teenagers - like Billie Eilish or Lily Allen, she said no. One of the reasons for this, she says, is because she doesn't want anyone to boast about being the first person to be able to get her drunk The activist is due to release her first book 'The Climate Book' on October 27 and is intended to be the manual for understanding what is happening to the world, why, and how to change it 'It's difficult because, in one way, I feel like I'm just an activist we know how to organise a strike, how to talk to politicians. 'But on the other hand, my position is very different [from other activists]. There are very few who have the experience of being a grassroots campaigner and also being followed by the paparazzi. 'Someone recently told me I am an influencer, but I don't like that.' Thunberg, who is still studying, said her least favourite subject in school was economics , because it is 'this thing that we humans have made up and we now worship it'. The activist is due to release her first book 'The Climate Book' on October 27 and it is intended to be the manual for understanding what is happening to the world, why, and how to change it. The book includes input from a host of experts including Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organisation; Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development; Silpa Kaza from the World Bank; economist Thomas Piketty to write on their specialist subject. Thunberg, who is still studying, said her least favourite subject in school was economics , because it is 'this thing that we humans have made up and we now worship it' All proceeds from the book are set to go to charity, she says, and although it 'would be nice to have money', she hopes to instead start a debate. Living off her student finance, Thunberg said people would be 'mad' if she got money from her position. She said: 'I think we are more or less morally obliged to be activists, but you can't really earn a living on that.' 'When it comes to artists or influencers, they can earn money without people being mad at them, but I can't.' The activist admitted that her money situation is 'not sustainable' and said that she lives in a friend's apartment as all addresses are public in Sweden. On her future prospects, she said: 'Sometimes I find myself thinking, "What do I do with my life?" And it ends up with, "I can't predict anything. Let's vibe!"', she said. MPs loyal to Liz Truss have labelled those plotting against her 'a bunch of hyenas' who refuse to accept the outcome of the Tory leadership election, despite their own growing unease. The PM's backers have suggested her removal would be 'suicide', amid reports that MPs are backing a joint ticket of her former leadership rivals, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, to take over in running the country. In a speech yesterday, which came shortly after she sacked Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, the Prime Minister made a humiliating U-turn on her flagship economic policy on plans to keep corporation tax at 19p. The Daily Mail later reported that a group of around 20 senior rebel MPs, largely Sunak supporters, met over a curry to plan a coup against the PM. MPs loyal to Liz Truss have labelled those plotting against her 'a bunch of hyenas' who refuse to accept the outcome of the Tory leadership election Truss loyalists have since rallied around her, despite their own growing fears regarding the state of the Tory Party. Supporter of the PM, Sir Christopher Chope, said it would be 'suicide' if the party removed her and brought in another leader. 'If that's the way my colleagues behave then I can't stop them, but I think they're like a bunch of hyenas, frankly,' he told The Telegraph. 'I think it's going to be suicide for the Conservative Party if we force out another prime minister who is trying to do her best in very difficult circumstances.' Supporter of the PM, Sir Christopher Chope, said it would be 'suicide' if the party removed her and brought in another leader He went on to say that he is 'in despair' at how Miss Truss has been 'pushed off course by the markets' as well as by some of his fellow MPs. Chope also complained last night that the party has become a 'laughing stock'. The Christchurch MP previously said that his colleagues criticising the PM should 'shut up'. Berkshire MP Sir John Redwood, another prominent supporter of the Prime Minister during her leadership campaign, urged MPs last night not to forget the result of the vote, which she won with 57.4 per cent. But uncertainty among loyal supporters seemed to be on the rise last night after the PM replaced Kwarteng with Jeremy Hunt and executed yet another policy U-turn. It comes amid reports that MPs are backing a joint ticket of her former leadership rivals, Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt, to take over in running the country Truss supporter, Chris Loder, expressed his hope that she could continue but admitted: 'I get the feeling from the parliamentary party and a number of her supporters that is actually quite difficult at the moment.' Meanwhile, anger rose among detractors, with one former Cabinet minister telling MailOnline 'she has got to go'. 'She has burned the house down and she is the chief firefighter. She is now going to be running the country on policies that she trashed completely in the leadership contest... why isn't she joining Kwasi under the bus?' they said. After the speech MPs loyal to Miss Truss shared their support on social media. Home Secretary Suella Braverman was among Cabinet members to retweet a graphic from the speech, in which she told the country she would 'always work in the national interest'. Former minister Crispin Blunt told colleagues in a group of Conservatives: 'Emergency repair needed for our country. Step forward Rishi and Penny (pictured), with our support and encouragement in the interests of us all.' It comes after an explosive WhatsApp exchange, leaked yesterday, showed ex-culture secretary Nadine Dorries suggesting any attempt to oust and replace Truss could be undemocratic. Former minister Crispin Blunt told colleagues in a group of Conservatives: 'Emergency repair needed for our country. Step forward Rishi and Penny, with our support and encouragement in the interests of us all.' Ms Dorries replied: 'Followed by a general election? I love you Crispin but if you seriously think we can impose another leader without one, that the media and the people would allow that, you need a lie down!' This morning, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a general election regardless of whether Truss is ousted by her own party. Poppadom plot to out the PM: Rebel MPs gather around takeaway curries as they seek new leader to avert Tory 'wipeout' and discuss tactics By Jason Groves, Political Editor for The Daily Mail It was after 9pm on Monday when a large takeaway curry order was delivered to the MPs' office block at Portcullis House, a stone's throw from Big Ben. Plotting is hungry work and the 20 or so senior MPs gathered in the offices of a former minister had been hard at it for some time. Most of those present were supporters of the former chancellor Rishi Sunak, many had served in government, including several in the Cabinet. As they cracked open the poppadoms, the mood was grim but determined. It was after 9pm on Monday when a large takeaway curry order was delivered to the MPs' office block at Portcullis House, a stone's throw from Big Ben 'It's not just about the survival of the Government or even the Conservative Party,' said one source later. 'People are suffering real world pain from the incompetence we have seen I've got friends who cannot get a new mortgage. We have a duty to stop this and restore a basic level of competence'. Another said: 'We are going down, but there is still a chance to salvage something from the wreckage. 'If we let things carry on as they are we will be wiped out it will take a decade to rebuild. We cannot let that happen.' Plotting is hungry work and the 20 or so senior MPs gathered in the offices of a former minister had been hard at it for some time Most of those present were supporters of the former chancellor Rishi Sunak, many had served in government, including several in the Cabinet The discussion at the late-night meeting was more about tactics than personalities. 'If this is going to work we need to make it less about the leader whether it is Rishi or Penny [Mordaunt] or whoever and more about the team,' said one of those present. 'We have to try to present a united front and put together a team of all the talents.' Tory party rules preclude a formal challenge against a new leader for at least 12 months, regardless of how many letters of no confidence are submitted by MPs. Discussion centred around whether the Cabinet or Tory shop steward Sir Graham Brady could be persuaded to tell Liz Truss it was time to go. But other ideas were floated, including approaching David Cameron, Theresa May, Sir John Major and other former leaders to make an unprecedented joint intervention. 'None of them are happy apart from Iain [Duncan Smith],' said one source. 'In fact most of them are aghast at what they have seen.' There was no agreement on the exact way forward, apart from an absolute determination that the new leader should be stitched up by MPs without giving party members a vote. 'There is no way we are leaving this to the members,' said one former Cabinet minister. 'They have just given us Liz. As they cracked open the poppadoms, the mood was grim but determined. Pictured: Grant Shapps The discussion at the late-night meeting was more about tactics than personalities. Pictured: Suella Braverman 'We are not asking them again.' Last night there was speculation that the PM's decision to sack Kwasi Kwarteng could be the trigger for a major intervention against her by senior figures. Nadine Dorries has savaged the 'absurd' plotters, claiming they were 'all Sunak supporters'. 'They agitated to remove Boris Johnson and now they will continue plotting until they get their way,' she said. 'It's a plot not to remove a PM but to overturn democracy.' But the 'Poppadom Plot' is far from the only threat faced by Miss Truss. She tried to pick a Cabinet of loyalists but, after a fractious party conference, some already appear to be peeling off. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has publicly criticised the U-turn over the 45p top tax rate and has clashed with the PM over immigration and drugs. 'It is incredible,' said one minister. 'She has not stopped campaigning and doesn't seem to care who knows it.' Senior MPs claim Miss Mordaunt is 'openly' canvassing MPs for their support despite being in the Cabinet. Discussion centred around whether the Cabinet or Tory shop steward Sir Graham Brady (pictured) could be persuaded to tell Liz Truss it was time to go. Sources say the Commons leader, who has publicly criticised Miss Truss's plan for a squeeze on benefits, looked away during a meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday when the PM attempted to lay down the law on collective responsibility. Former transport secretary Grant Shapps, who was brutally sacked by the PM last month, has been a fixture in Portcullis House, chatting to jittery Tories as he compiles a spreadsheet of potential rebels on his Samsung smartphone. And then there is Michael Gove. The arch plotter, who twice helped bring down Boris Johnson, has kept a low profile since last week's Tory conference where he single-handedly torpedoed the PM's plan to axe the top rate of tax. Miss Truss attempted to rally the troops on Wednesday evening when she fielded questions from backbench MPs for an hour at a meeting of the 1922 Committee. But if anything it made matters worse. Respected ex-minister Robert Halfon accused her of 'trashing' more than a decade of work to strengthen Tory support among blue collar workers. Grim-faced MPs leaving the meeting described the atmosphere as 'funereal'. 'People are scared,' said an ex-minister. 'Almost everyone wanted her to make a success of it but it has been a disaster. 'The worst thing is that she gave us no hope that she can get us out of this, or even that she understands how bad it is almost as if she was on TV rather than talking openly with colleagues.' Matters may get worse yet. Miss Truss's decision to jettison much of her economic project now leaves her vulnerable to attacks from even those MPs who backed her. 'Her leadership authority is now shattered,' said one. 'Party discipline has totally broken down.' Miss Truss's fate is not sealed yet. Her opponents have no clear plan to remove her and are divided on who should come next. Philip Hammond, who is no friend of the PM's politics, said: 'I don't believe the country would allow another change of leader without an election and I don't think Conservative MPs want an election.' Advertisement US tourist Kent Carter fell instantly in love with the pristine white Caribbean sands and turquoise waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands, texting a friend: Best beach in the world, bro. Just hours later the Army veteran and racial justice leader from Northern Virginia lay dead in a hail of bullets, the latest victim of a spiralling epidemic of gang violence paralysing the British Overseas territory. Mr Carter and his girlfriend Alonia Williams were celebrating his 40th birthday earlier this month and returning to the 850 a night five-star Ritz Carlton hotel when they were caught in the crossfire of an ambush by drugs gangs. Ms Williams survived with minor injuries, while their driver the target of the attack was left riddled with bullets. The shocking death of Mr Carter, latterly a real estate agent, and vice president of Arlington NAACP, has highlighted the astonishing rise in violent murders which has left parts of the idyllic islands at the mercy of the drug lords. US tourist Kent Carter (pictured) fell instantly in love with the pristine white Caribbean sands and turquoise waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands, texting a friend: Best beach in the world, bro A three-way turf war between local gangs and criminals from nearby Haiti and Jamaica threatens the upmarket tourist industry whose previous visitors have included Bill Gates, the Kardashians, David and Victoria Beckham and rapper Drake. The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) welcome around a million tourists a year, 800,000 of them from the US, 150,000 from Canada, 50,000 from Europe, of which 10,000 from the UK. But over the last six weeks a sense of fear has filled these Death in Paradise islands as gang warfare more akin to 1920s Chicago has erupted for control of lucrative drug markets. Islanders and tourists are anxiously looking over their shoulders after 24 murders this year with no fewer than 15 since mid-September including Mr Carter and his driver on October 2. Mr Carter and his girlfriend Alonia Williams (pictured together) were celebrating his 40th birthday earlier this month and returning to the 850 a night five-star Ritz Carlton hotel when they were caught in the crossfire of an ambush by drugs gangs Just hours later the Army veteran and racial justice leader from Northern Virginia lay dead in a hail of bullets, the latest victim of a spiralling epidemic of gang violence paralysing the British Overseas territory A police car that was ambushed by gangs involved in a firefight on the island. One officer was injured after over 20 rounds were fired at the car Now, 24 British anti-gang detectives mainly retired officers are being despatched to TCI, along with a Royal Navy warship and a helicopter after a frantic plea for help from the governor Nigel Dakin to officials at the Foreign Office. Farcically, an initial detachment of police officers sent out last month from London were even warned to stay in their rooms, so serious was the situation deemed, as consecutive weekends saw bodies lying on the streets close to luxury 5,000-a-night hotels. Though Turks and Caicos is self-governing, the UK is responsible for law and order and protecting the 50,000 population the equivalent of Chippenham, Wilts and the local force numbers 400. Some locals are calling for the governor and the police chiefs head, while others have even suggested breaking away from the UK because of the poor police response. Twelve-mile-long Grace Bay beach where the majority of the upmarket hotels are based is said to be the most beautiful in the world The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) welcome around a million tourists a year, 800,000 of them from the US, 150,000 from Canada, 50,000 from Europe, of which 10,000 from the UK. Pictured: Grace Bay beach Business leaders fear the tourist dollars will move elsewhere if the gangsters are not tamed Former TCI Premier Galmo Williams stormed: If we think back over the last 15 years, every institution, governments come and governments go, has been destroyed by the British government. So, it makes me believe that it is their intention to keep us from being adults. He added ominously: It is up to the TCI to make up its mind how long it wants to put up with the one-sided relationship. Officers from the Bahamas have arrived already and will be joined by colleagues from Jamaica and Barbados to try and help bring an end to the bloodshed which is threatening to ruin the 500 million tourist economy with cancellations already beginning to hit. The incoming UK police unit, expected soon, will train local colleagues who have come under attack themselves and are poorly armed compared to the gangs who have high-grade military weapons including AK47s. There are turf wars as criminal gangs battle it out for Jamaica's lucrative drugs trade According to the latest figures the current TCI murder rate is 45.5 per 100,000 inhabitants compared to 37.3 for more traditionally violent Jamaica and worryingly for Mr Dakin and police chief Trevor Botting all bar two were gun deaths. The growing crime wave is put down to an influx of Haitian illegal immigrants living in shanty towns. They are vying with Jamaicans who have arrived to stamp their mark and of course there are local groups who reluctant to give up their turf which not only includes drugs but other contraband such as cigarettes. Gangs such as the chillingly-named Blood City are taking on the 318 crew, the Sub D boyz and the KKK (Kill, Kill, Kill) in a bloody spiral of shootings and tit-for-tat murders. The stakes could not be higher for this holiday destination which was nominated for three World Travel Awards only this month, including Leading Beach Destination, Leading Island Destination and Most Romantic Destination. Kent Carter, right, is pictured with fellow Arlington NAACP leadership members Julius D 'JD' Spain (centre) and Michael Hemminger Twelve-mile-long Grace Bay beach where the majority of the upmarket hotels are based is said to be the most beautiful in the world, but business leaders fear the tourist dollars will move elsewhere if the gangsters are not tamed. But the tourist brochure photos of stunning beaches are in stark contrast to terrifying video footage seen by MailOnline showing two masked men toting assault rifles as they brazenly stroll through a no-go area known as Dock Yard on the main island of Providenciales, just ten minutes drive from the police HQ. The murder of Mr Carter and his driver was followed by a Hollywood-style shootout with police chasing the culprits and one of the assailants was also killed. A video of the shooting, with the tell-tale sound of automatic gunfire providing a chilling soundtrack, prompts even the person filming to exclaim: Motherfxxxxx. Dock Yard shanty settlement, home of Haitian gangs accused of increasing illegal drug crime on the island, causing a surge in attacks on rival gangs The tourist brochure photos of stunning beaches are in stark contrast to terrifying video footage seen by MailOnline showing two masked men toting assault rifles as they brazenly stroll through a no-go area known as Dock Yard (pictured) on the main island of Providenciales, just ten minutes drive from the police HQ Certainly, the Haitian shanty towns of Dockyard, Blue Hills and Five Cays are best avoided One man who witnessed the attack told MailOnline: It was like a movie. This car pulled up along the truck which was carrying jet skis, hotel employees and a couple of American tourists who had been out for the day. They just sprayed it with bullets and the car crashed off the road it was a deliberate attack, but they didnt care who else was in the car. I heard the American died trying to protect his girlfriend and their driver owed money to one of the gangs. They finished him off by emptying a magazine into his face as a warning, no-one is going to talk to the police when you see levels of violence like that. Everyone is scared by what they are seeing, guns are everywhere, and people are afraid to go out. Its scary. The death Mr Carter prompted the US State Department to raise the security level for visitors to Turks and Caicos to level two, with holidaymakers warned to exercise increased caution. Certainly, the Haitian shanty towns of Dockyard, Blue Hills and Five Cays are best avoided. Even in daytime, the areas have an atmosphere of menace beneath the surface and the MailOnline team were only allowed to tour them with a trusted local for security. Earlier this month Nigel Dakin (pictured), governor of Turks and Caicos Islands, told the Turks and Caicos Assembly: The vacuum and confusion this created, allowed a predominantly Jamaican gang, with a relatively small footprint here, to reinforce from Jamaica' Crammed with illegal immigrants living sometimes twelve to a room, sharing facilities with chickens and goats and a sprawl of abandoned cannibalised for parts stolen cars clogging the potholed or sometimes non-existent roads its easy to see why the police avoid the area and why the gangsters have no trouble recruiting. The violence began to escalate in early April after the deaths of two gang bosses, a Haitian named Gari Charles known as Santi and local rival Randell Rigby Jr known as Trippy, left a gap in the power structure, which Jamaican rivals began to fill. Earlier this month Mr Dakin told the Turks and Caicos Assembly: The vacuum and confusion this created, allowed a predominantly Jamaican gang, with a relatively small footprint here, to reinforce from Jamaica. Using military grade high velocity weaponry, the vast majority of the murders in September have been targeted and linked to this enlarged and now emboldened gang trying to remove who they believe are the local drug and arms smuggling competition. Those local criminals, already established here, are fighting back. Blue Haven Resort Marina, a property developed with funds from Lord Ashcroft's British Caribbean Bank But its the level of violence that has left locals and police shocked with many victims in the feud being deliberately shot multiple times in the head and face, purely out of spite and as a chilling warning. Other gruesome photographs showing one victims blood covered face a gory pulp were seen by MailOnline and an official said: The actual cause of death was two bullets to the back but then his killers stood over him and fired continually into his face. When officers and paramedics arrived to pick him up his face and head just came away in their hands its the gangsters way of warning rivals and scaring them and sometimes they are targeting family and partners as well. In an update on the killings Commissioner Botting said: These armed gang members act without conscious and have no regard for life. They are hell bent on causing indiscriminate harm and misery across the Turks and Caicos Islands. This violence we know is linked to drugs supply and is fuelled by revenge, turf wars and retribution. Over the last six weeks a sense of fear has filled these Death in Paradise islands as gang warfare more akin to 1920s Chicago has erupted for control of lucrative drug markets. Pictured: Main island Providenciales' shopping resort Worried locals MailOnline spoke to also expressed their fears. British expat John Galleymore, who has lived on Turks and Caicos for more than 15 years, said: People are obviously getting nervous. The crime rate has taken off the last month with 15 murders in just a few weeks. Thats something we arent used to here and tourist officials are getting worried because one of the victims was a visitor who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Mr Galleymore, an ex-soldier with a successful property maintenance company, added: 'What the expat community wants is to see more police on the streets, the feeling is the more visible they are then the better the security and we can cut down on the crime. 'The tactical police consultants who have been sent out will be good to assist the local Turks and Caicos officers in ongoing operations, especially as some of these gangs are armed with heavy duty military weapons, which is something the police have rarely faced here. British expat John Galleymore, who has lived on Turks and Caicos for more than 15 years, said: People are obviously getting nervous' However, not everyone is happy with the response so far, mum of two Tina Wolfe, 61, who has lived in Turks and Caicos since 1972, told MailOnline: We need to see more police on the streets, and we need to see more CCTV being used. Everyone knows where the bad guys are, but the bad guys dont come out of Dockyard or Five Cays, they stay where they are and get others to do their jobs for them and you rarely see them out. They know they are safe and protected in there. More also needs to be done for the local population who live here, there are no opportunities for the kids here and wages are around $7 an hour so you have that option or a gangster offering you a stack of bills to sell their drugs for them. Its not difficult to see which one wins. Police loading weapons before going out on patrol in the gangland areas on the islands Though Turks and Caicos is self-governing, the UK is responsible for law and order and protecting the 50,000 population the equivalent of Chippenham, Wilts and the local force numbers 400. Pictured: Police officers going out on patrol Not everyone is happy with the response so far, mum of two Tina Wolfe, 61, who has lived in Turks and Caicos since 1972, told MailOnline: We need to see more police on the streets, and we need to see more CCTV being used' Holidaymaker Vanessa Walker, 32, from Chicago, told MailOnline: Ive been coming to the Turks and Caicos for the last five years and it is a beautiful place to go on vacation. But I am getting anxious with the increased violence, crime seems to be spiralling out of control and its all guns, guns and Im from Chicago which is bad enough but this place is so small. I know people back home are having second thoughts because about coming, especially with what happened to the American tourist but you just have to be careful and stay alert. Former GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan has said he believe Donald Trump will not secure the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, predicting the party's voters will realize he has little chance in the general election. Ryan, whose disdain of Trump is longstanding and well-documented, made the remarks on Thursday in an 'Insight Series' interview for Teneo, the consultancy where he is vice chairman. 'Whether he runs or not, I don't really know if it matters,' Ryan said of Trump, who has teased his likely presidential bid for months. 'He's not going to be the nominee, I don't think.' 'I think Trump's un-electability will be palpable by then,' Ryan said of the 2024 primary elections. 'We all know he will lose, or let me put it this way: we all know he's much more likely to lose the White House than anybody else running for president on our side of the aisle. So why would we want to go with that?' Former GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan has said he believe Donald Trump will not secure the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, saying his 'un-electability will be palpable' Trump has teased his likely presidential bid for months, but has not formally announced a run Ryan argued that Trump has only maintained his considerable influence in the Republican Party 'because everybody's afraid of him.' 'They're afraid of him going after them, hurting their own ambition. But as soon as you get the herd mentality going, it's unstoppable,' Ryan said. Ryan, who ran for vice president on Mitt Romney's unsuccessful 2012 ticket, has been a persistent critic of Trump, though he reluctantly endorsed Trump's 2016 candidacy after he received the Republican nomination. Trump slammed Ryan as 'disloyal' in the closing weeks of the 2016 election, after Ryan disavowed his candidacy after a video surfaced from 2005 depicting Trump bragging about groping women. However, for the first half of Trump's presidency, Ryan led the House GOP majority and had a tenuous working relationship with Trump, working with him to pass major tax cuts. Ryan declined to seek reelection to Congress in 2018, when Republicans lost their House majority. Trump and Ryan have a longstanding mutual distaste for each other, though Ryan led the GOP House majority for the first two years of Trump's term. They are seen above in November 2016 In the interview this week, Ryan predicted that the field for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination would be crowded -- but said that candidates will be reluctant to be the first to announce. 'I think people will delay their decisions, and they'll wait for somebody else to take the first plunge to take the ire of Trump, to have him go after that person and try and hurt them with MAGA voters, so then they can follow behind,' Ryan said. 'But the person who gets in the race earlier can organize earlier, can sign up supporters earlier, can sign up donors earlier, can get a better jump on it, so it really is a total prisoner's dilemma,' he added. 'There's a handful of people that are going to run, because it's the only cycle they can run in. They can't wait until 2028,' said Ryan. 'They've got to go now, if they're ever going to go. And they don't want to die without ever trying.' Aside from Trump, Republicans viewed as likely candidates in 2024 include governors Ron DeSantis of Florida, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and Larry Hogan of Maryland. Former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo are also seen as likely to pursue the nomination. Aside from Trump, Republicans viewed as likely candidates in 2024 include governors Ron DeSantis of Florida (center), Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and Larry Hogan of Maryland Ryan's remarks came in a conversation with Kevin Kajiwara (left), an executive at Teneo, the consultancy where Ryan is vice chairman After former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard publicly quit the Democratic Party this week, some oddsmakers placed her as the third likeliest GOP presidential nominee, after Trump and DeSantis. Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley is also thought to be eyeing a bid. In his remarks on Thursday, Ryan also predicted that Republicans will regain control of the House, saying the future of the Senate remains less clear. He also said that the size of the Republican House majority will depend on swing voters in the suburbs, who dislike Trump but are concerned about the direction of the economy under Democrats. Ryan predicted that if voters are focused more on the economy in the final weeks before the November 8 election, Republicans will make stronger gains. 'Right now, the polling is showing that it's more about economics, which is why the Democrats are going to do everything they can to make it about Trump,' he said. 'He is the Democrats' weapon against us, he's the cudgel against us, especially in our swing districts,' said Ryan. 'So the question is, is he in the news, in the know, in front of our faces on TV, ten, five, two days out, or not?' A huge rain dump is set to hit Australia from Sunday before moving to the east She spent 24 hours in the floods before her owners were able to come get her Missy the staffy was home alone when the Maribyrnong house became flooded A dog has miraculously survived 24 hours trapped in a flooded home in Victoria by seeking refuge on top of a table. Missy the staffy was left at home by her owners at 6am on Friday in Maribyrnong. They thought they would be able to come back before floods invaded their home but were blocked off, leaving Missy stranded and all alone. On Saturday, her owner Ali Ulfet returned home finding her safe and well, albeit shaken inside the flooded house. Missy the staffy (pictured) has miraculously survived 24 hours trapped in a flooded home in Maribyrnong, Victoria by seeking refuge on top of a table 'She's been here overnight so we've come back and grabbed her this morning. Luckily she's fine. She found a high place to rest and was safe,' Ulfet told Nine News. Mr Ulfet said the water was so high Missy would have felt it on her paws as she tried to stay dry on top of the table. He said while the house had suffered serious flood damage, he is just relived Missy is okay. Mr Ulfet and many other Maribyrnong locals are facing a giant clean up as floodwaters start to recede but the relief is set to be short lived with another rain dump on the horizon. From Sunday another low pressure system and trough is set to hit the country and cause widespread rain and storms - threatening more devastating floods. Another low pressure system and trough is set to hit the country causing widespread rain and storms and with it more widespread flooding Victoria's flood disaster turned fatal on Saturday as police confirmed a body of a man was found in floodwaters in the backyard of a Rochester home. Pictured SES personnel search floodwaters at Maribyrnong, Melbourne On Saturday morning, Kevin Willis, 71 (pictured) was named as the first person to die in Victoria's floods, which have also seen thousands of people evacuate On Saturday morning, Kevin Willis, 71, was named as the first person to die in Victoria's floods, which have also seen thousands of people evacuate. Now, another 100mm of rainfall is predicted for the eastern states of Australia in the coming days. The weather office says rain and thunderstorms are already developing in South Australia and inland Queensland and the weather system will bring 'much more widespread' rainfall and 'renewed flooding' back to the south-east from Wednesday. The news is particularly troublesome for Victoria with the list of towns facing evacuation orders continuing to grow as major flooding is felt across the state and is expected to last up to six weeks. Mr Willis, the first death from the floods, was found in the backyard of his High Street house. 'It is my sad duty to have to confirm that a 71-year-old man has been found deceased in the backyard of his property in Rochester,' Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said at a press conference on Saturday. 'We will stand with that family and all families affected by this but it just brings home for all of us that this is serious, this is potentially very, very dangerous... 'Hopefully that sends a broader message of just how serious this is and that is why we are all working as hard as we possibly can to make sure people are safe.' The weather office says rain and thunderstorms are already developing in South Australia and inland Queensland and the weather system will bring 'much more widespread' rainfall and 'renewed flooding' back to the south-east from Wednesday Another 100mm of rainfall is predicted for the eastern states of Australia in the coming days The list of towns facing evacuation orders in Victoria are continuing to grow as major flooding is felt across the state and is expected to last up to six weeks Victoria Police issued a statement on Saturday saying, 'Access to the scene was difficult given the surrounding floodwater, however, emergency services have been able to extract the deceased as well as a woman who was unharmed but trapped at the address.' The exact circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be determined. Hundreds of homes in Rochester were overwhelmed by the flooded Campaspe River, one of dozens of waterways to burst their banks and send northern Victorian towns underwater. The River at reached a peak of 115.7 AHD on Friday night, which is 300mm above the previous record set in January 2011. Mr Andrews said 466 properties have been flooded with water above the floorboards and a further 500 are currently isolated. He said 344 roads have also been shut due to flooding. More than 350 rescues had been carried out in the past 24 hours. Dan Andrews said 466 properties have been flooded with water above the floorboards and a further 500 are currently isolated Mr Andrews said on Saturday 3,000 applications had already been received from Victorians for emergency payments Mr Andrews said on Saturday 3,000 applications had already been received from Victorians for emergency payments. Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jonathan How told Daily Mail Australia Tasmania, Victoria and NSW would only get 'a few days of reprieve'. He said a weather system developing 'will start to produce showers and thunderstorms across South Australia and inland Queensland from Tuesday and then extend to the rest of the east coast from Wednesday to Saturday.' Swollen rivers across Victoria are expected to bring flooding to the state for up to six weeks. Pictured, Beechworth Woolshed Falls near Wangaratta Hundreds of homes in Rochester were overwhelmed by the flooded Campaspe River, one of dozens of waterways to burst their banks and send northern Victorian towns underwater 'This will be much more widespread,' he warned. 'So we will see showers all the way from central northern Queensland, down to Tasmania and particularly with this, we will see thunderstorms as well. 'So expecting widespread falls which could produce renewed flooding for some parts of the south-east and the east.' Mr How said heaviest rainfall is predicted for south-east Queensland and northern NSW. He said that region will see between 50 and 100mm of rainfall though further south is still vulnerable to heavy local rainfall likely to come with thunderstorms. Earlier this week, AOC was heckled over her support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia, and warned she could help trigger a nuclear war Boebert retorted: 'You have sold out your supporters. Just own it. You're the machine now' AOC responded: 'Hey Boebert, you seem to have us confused' 'On the rare occasions that @AOC actually spends times with her constituents, she is reminded that she has sold them out at every turn,' Boebert tweeted Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert, 35, started a Twitter feud with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after AOC was heckled at town hall Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert added on to the criticism of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was recently heckled at a town hall event, by saying the New York Democrat has 'sold out' her constituents. 'On the rare occasions that @AOC actually spends time with her constituents, she is reminded that she has sold them out at every turn,' Boebert tweeted on Thursday. 'She campaigned as an outsider and has now just morphed into Sandy Pelosi.' AOC responded to the tweet hours later: 'Hey Boebert, you seem to have us confused.' 'I have attended and hosted (hundreds) of community events, hold regular town halls (and) don't take a dime in corporate cash. 'You are bankrolled by (Political Action Committees), Big Ag, and Oil. (You) are too scared to hold regular town halls open to all.' Just over 12 hours later, Boebert returned to the online feud. 'I have governed as I campaigned,' Boebert wrote. 'You have sold out your supporters. 'Just own it. You're the machine now.' Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert (right) added on to criticism of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was recently heckled at a town hall event Boebert's original tweet that kicked off the Twitter feud with AOC Pictured: The back-and-forth Twitter conflict between Boebert and AOC Boebert started the Twitter conflict a day after AOC was interrupted by protesters at her Bronx town hall event over her vote to approve military aid to Ukraine. 'I believed in you, and you became the very thing you sought to fight against. That's what you've become,' one of the protesters yelled. 'You are the establishment.' Two men shouted down AOC during the question-and-answer period of the town hall. 'You originally ran as an outsider, yet you've been voting to start this war in Ukraine, you're voting to start a thermonuclear war with Russia and China. Why are you playing with the lives of American citizens?' One heckler identified himself by his Twitter handle, @Noggatone. A second protestor, Jose Vega, who circulated a video of the protest online, chimed in: 'You voted to mobilize and send money to Ukrainian Nazis.' 'You have done nothing. Tulsi Gabbard has shown guts, where you've shown cowardice.' Likening Ukrainian forces to Nazis is a key piece of propaganda deployed by Vladimir Putin to justify his invasion of Ukraine, although Ukrainian forces do include a far-right faction called the Azov regiment. Former Democratic presidential candidate and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard announced earlier this week her decision to leave the Democratic Party. In her announcement, Gabbard branded her ex-colleagues as an 'elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness.' My friend @Noggatone and I confronted Congresswoman @AOC on her support for Nuclear War and Ukrainian Nazis. I call her out for being a coward in the face of the party that will push us all into Nuclear war right now. Will she stand up like @TulsiGabbard and fight for peace? pic.twitter.com/aQiQvQSWIN Jose Vega - Vote Diane Sare! (@JosBtrigga) October 13, 2022 'I believed in you, and you became the very thing you sought to fight against. That's what you've become,' one of the protesters yelled One heckler identified himself by his Twitter handle, @Noggatone The other protester identified himself as Jose Vega The protesters applauded Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who announced earlier this week a decision to leave the Democratic Party 'Just own it. You're the machine now,' Boebert tweeted at AOC The interruption was met with a mix of shouts - and some applause - as the congresswoman asked the men to wait their turn, as there was apparently a line of constituents waiting to ask AOC questions. 'I will get to the issue,' she said. When asked why she wouldn't immediately explain her votes to send military assistance to Ukraine, she answered: 'Because you are being rude to everyone around you.' In February, as Russia started its invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Ocasio-Cortez called the move in a tweet 'indefensible.' At the time she called for targeted sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his oligarchs. She's since voted in favor of military aid funding. Vladimir Putin said (pictured during a press conference in Astana) that a direct clash between NATO and Russian troops would lead to a 'global catastrophe', adding that he saw no need to carry out massive strikes against Ukraine... 'for now' Vladimir Putin has again increased his strategic nuclear bombers at an airbase near the Finnish and Norwegian borders, say reports. Pictured: A satellite image taken on October 7, 2022 shows seven Tu-160 strategic bombers (marked in red) and four Tu-95 aircraft (marked in yellow) at the Olenya airbase, Russia Kola Peninsula Exclusive: Without detailing specifics, President Biden says contingencies have been gamed out should Russia use tactical nuclear weapons https://t.co/kIOeJ27ULY pic.twitter.com/9JJgNsaAJv CNN (@CNN) October 12, 2022 President Vladimir Putin has warned that direct clashes with Russia would spark 'global catastrophe'. NATO is set to start military drills practicing the use of Europe's nuclear bombs on Monday. The nuclear drills - which do not involve live bombs - are annual exercises that the alliance said are not 'linked to current world events'. President Biden suggested in a Tuesday evening interview that the United States military has a contingency plan in the event Russian President Vladimir launches a nuclear on Ukraine. 'He, in fact, cannot continue with impunity to talk about the use of a tactical nuclear weapon, as if thats a rational thing to do,' the president told CNN's Jake Tapper. 'The mistakes get made...and the miscalculation could occur. No one can be sure of what would happen. And it could end in Armageddon.' Furious woke tweeters have descended on comedienne Mindy Kaling for liking a tweet by JK Rowling. The Inside Out and Morning Show actress, 43, was blasted by hundreds over her approval of a reply Harry Potter author Rowling sent to another angry tweeter. The original tweet asked Rowling: 'How do you sleep at night knowing you've lost a whole audience from buying your books?' 'I read my most recent royalty cheques and find the pain goes away pretty quickly,' she responded.' And now Kaling has found herself embroiled in an online firestorm for liking the Edinburgh-based author's pithy answer. A shocked commenter tweeted: 'What!!?! ? Mindy Kaling - as the parent of a trans child and a non-binary child - and as an admirer or yours - I hope I'm misreading this.' Woke author Saira Rao was among those infuriated by Kaling's online activity. She raged: 'I think it's safe to assume Mindy Kaling knew exactly what she was doing when she liked JK Rowling's tweet.' Meanwhile, non-binary Canadian campaigner Amanda Jette Knox scolded: 'Um, Mindy Kaling? JKR has repeatedly and unapologetically spread blatant transphobia to the masses. Do you like all the money she continues to make in spite of it?' Rowling - who is worth close to a billion dollars - insists she is not transphobic, but believes that trans women should not be granted access to some female-only spaces, including women's changing rooms, and domestic abuse shelters. She has also taken exception to progressive language including 'people who menstruate,' and believes its usage erases women. Rowling's bold stance has infuriated many vocal Twitter users, with the social media network renowned as an angry echo chamber filled with ardently pro-transgender users. Comedian Mindy Kaling is getting ridiculed on social media for liking a tweet by author JK Rowling who fired back at someone who attacked her stance on transgender rights Another commenter wrote: 'I think it's safe to assume Mindy Kaling knew exactly what she was doing when she liked JK Rowling's tweet' Rowling has been criticized by some ever since her remarks back in 2020 Some pointed out that Kaling's apparent support of Rowling was disappointing, especially considering her popular shows like 'Never Have I Ever' and 'Sex Lives of College Girls' have included queer representation JK Rowling - the mastermind behind the Harry Potter books - believes transgender women should not be in changing rooms and other spaces dedicated to females, has come under intense scrutiny over her position on gender and women's rights, but insists she's not transphobic Some pointed out that Kaling's apparent support of Rowling was disappointing, especially considering after her popular shows like 'Never Have I Ever' and 'Sex Lives of College Girls' have included queer representation. And in 2018, Kaling lent her support to trans actress Josie Totah, who formerly went by the name JJ Totah, one of the stars of her TV drama Champions. Champions co-creator Kaling took to Twitter to praise her star, writing: 'I love you, Josie. I'm so glad you're able to speak your truth and live as your authentic self. You're also so damn talented - I can't wait to write for you again!' Kaling has since 'unliked' the tweet, although she hasn't commented on the saga. Amid the backlash, there were some who supported Kaling. 'Mindy Kaling. Liked a tweet. Of a joke. That JK Rowling made. About royalty checks. These responses are completely utterly deranged but so perfectly sum up their "activism." They might as well carry actual torches and pitchforks,' one person wrote. Another wrote: 'Oh please. Stop with all the hate of JK Rowling for daring to have an opinion. I applaud Mindy for having a brain as well.' And in 2018, Kaling lent her support to Josie Totah, who formerly went by the name JJ Totah, one of the stars of her TV drama Champions Champions co-creator Kaling took to Twitter to praise her star, writing: 'I love you, Josie. I'm so glad you're able to speak your truth and live as your authentic self. You're also so damn talented - I can't wait to write for you again!' Rowling has come under intense scrutiny over her position on women's rights and gender since she mocked a June 2020 article which used the words 'people who menstruate' instead of 'women.' She also shared a blistering op-ed on her website detailing a sexual assault she suffered when younger, which she says formed her views on women's safety. The author, 56, believes that in some circumstances that women and girls should have the right to single-sex spaces, which put her at the center of transphobic rows. She later defended herself against the claims but has been criticized intensely by some ever since. Earlier this month, Rowling threw her weight behind Scottish campaigners who marched in Scotland in a protest against controversial transgender plans. Demonstrators from For Women Scotland (FWS) gathered outside the Scottish Parliament for a rally in opposition to the proposals, claiming they are putting women's rights 'in crisis'. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has led the fight to introduce legislation which aims to make it easier for transgender people to be legally recognized as their preferred gender. Posting a picture of herself wearing a t-shirt with the message 'Nicola Sturgeon, destroyer of women's rights', Rowling lent the group her support. Supporters of the plans say it will make it easier for a vulnerable and persecuted minority - trans people - to go about their everyday lives more easily. Critics fear some people could exploit the legislation to gain access to spaces vulnerable women use. Top strategists in the Democratic Party fear Arizona Republican candidate for governor Kari Lake will be a rising star in national politics, including as a potential presidential candidate. Lake, a political novice and former television news anchor, is locked in a tight race with Arizona's Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs for the state's open governor's seat. Among the 'ultra MAGA' candidates who are close allies of Donald Trump and support his baseless claims that President Joe Biden lost the 2020 election, Lake is seen as among the likeliest to win in November. Democrats also warily view her as a potent force on the national stage, with former top Obama strategist David Plouffe telling Axios that Lake looks like a 'plausible presidential candidate.' Lake, 53, is a former TV news host who quit the business last year after several decades. She is skilled at creating viral moments through bombastic attacks on reporters and the mainstream media. Top strategists in the Democratic Party view Arizona Republican candidate for governor Kari Lake (above) as a future factor in national politics Among the 'ultra MAGA' gubernatorial candidates who are close allies of Donald Trump, Lake is seen as among the likeliest to win in November Lake, a political novice and former television news anchor, is locked in a tight race with Arizona's Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (above) Experts say Lake's lack of governing experience and telegenic personality are major positives in the current era of American politics, where outsider credentials and snappy soundbites can win the day. 'That's what's changed a lot in our politics. There's a performance aspect to it in both parties,' Plouffe said. 'Obama and Trump accelerated that change in many respects, which is that you don't have to sit around for 20 years building your case,' he said. 'If you've got something compelling to say and you can organize a campaign online, you're a plausible presidential candidate,' added Plouffe. David Axelrod, another former Obama strategist and advisor, also predicted that Lake would go far in politics. 'If you get a candidate who has the performance skills of a major market local TV anchor and the philosophy and thinking of Steve Bannon, that's a potent and dangerous combination,' Axelrod told Axios. 'Look at Italy,' he added, referring to the success of charismatic politician Giorgia Meloni, who is expected to become Italy's next prime minister after the victory of her right-wing Brothers of Italy party in recent elections. Former top Obama strategist David Plouffe told Axios that Lake looks like a 'plausible presidential candidate.' She is seen above at a rally with Trump last week The Democrat Hobbs (above) has refused to debate Lake, saying the Republican would turn the forum into a spectacle and embarrass the state The Arizona governor's race is currently extremely tight, with the RCP average of recent polls showing Lake with a razor-thin 0.9-point advantage over Hobbs, well below the margin of error. Hobbs, the Democrat, has refused to debate Lake, saying the Republican would turn the forum into a spectacle and embarrass the state. The refusal to debate has been a major liability for Hobbs, producing weeks of negative headlines and alarming some of her supporters. 'I'm not interested in being a part of Kari Lake's spectacle or shouting match, and I'm going to talk directly to the voters,' Hobbs told reporters during a campaign event Wednesday, while Lake supporters dressed as chickens danced outside the window. Among the GOP candidates who won primary races by allying with Trump and supporting his 2020 election denials, Lake is among the likeliest to succeed in winning over voters in the general. Polls show the Arizona governor's race as among the most competitive on the ballot this year In other races, Trump's picks would appear to have little chance, turning potentially competitive elections into likely wins for Democrats. In Pennsylvania, Republican gubernatorial candidate and election denier Doug Mastriano trails 10.3 points in the latest RCP polling average, and has failed to attract much support by top GOP establishment figures. In Massachusetts, which currently has a moderate Republican governor, Trump's pick Geoff Diehl defeated his centrist opponent in the GOP primary, but is believed to have little chance of winning the general. GOP primary voters in Connecticut and Maryland, liberal states where centrist Republicans have found some success in previous elections, also selected Trump-backed candidates to go up against a Democrat in the general election. Three jurors spared the life of convicted Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz as they recommended life imprisonment without parole over the death penalty. Cruz shot dead 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. In 2021, Cruz, 24, pleaded guilty to the murders. Since the trial ended, multiple jurors came forward to speak about their experiences. The day before the verdict was delivered, one member of the jury explained how pro-death penalty panelists showed graphic photos to the holdouts and even brought the actual AR-15 assault rifle that was used by Cruz into the deliberation room. The foreman said in an interview that there was one 'hard no' who could not be swayed among the jury. In the end, two others voted with that person to save Cruz's life. The three-month trial included graphic videos and photos from the massacre and its aftermath, heart-wrenching testimony from victims' family members and a tour of the still blood-spattered building. The jury rejected the death penalty 9-3 after deliberating for about seven hours over two days. Death sentences must be unanimous in the state of Florida. Jurors found mitigating factors leading to their decision to vote for life in prison, such as untreated childhood problems stemming from Cruz's birth mother's excessive drinking during pregnancy. Jury foreman Benjamin Thomas told CBS Miami this week: 'There was one with a hard no she couldn't do it and there was another two that ended up voting the same way' Last year, Nikolas Cruz pleaded guilty to murdering 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018 One of the holdout jurors was named as Denise Cunha of Pembroke Pines, Florida, by the Sun Sentinel One of the holdout jurors was named as Denise Cunha of Pembroke Pines, Florida, by the Sun Sentinel. In the end, the jury could not unanimously agree that the aggravating factors outweighed the mitigators. One of those jurors, Andrew Johnson, 39, said that he and other pro-death penalty members of the jury showed the holdout jurors graphic pictures of the teenage victims that day. When that didn't work, Johnson told the New York Times that he asked for the AR-15 used by Cruz to be brought into the jury room. Nothing could sway the three hold outs. Cruz will now be formally sentenced on November 1. At one point, the jury brought the actual AR-15 assault rifle that was used by Cruz into the deliberation room Cruz, 24, is seen embracing Chief Assistant Public Defender David Wheeler and smiling after it was revealed that the confessed killer would be getting life in prison - not the death penalty PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING VICTIMS: Top Row L-R: Jaime Guttenberg, Nicholas Dworet, Martin Duque, Meadow Pollack, Cara Loughran -- Second Row L-R: Alyssa Alhadeff, Luke Hoyer, Joaquin Oliver, Gina Montalto -- Third Row L-R: Alaina Petty, Carmen Schentrup, Peter Wang, Alex Schachter -- Fourth Row L-R: Helena Ramsey, Scott Beigel, Aaron Feis, Chris Hixon On Thursday morning, the gun was waiting for the jurors, it didn't change any minds and the group prepared to formalize their verdict. Johnson told the Times: 'You had a lot of tears, a lot of frustration on everyone's face. It became very silent.' Once inside the courtroom, a different juror named in the Times article, Jimmie Benbow, sought to make a formal complaint, stating that he felt the jury had not been given enough time to deliberate. As Judge Elizabeth Scherer asked the jurors one-by-one if this was their verdict, Johnson had to be asked twice. He said: 'I was going to say no.' The airport technician added it's his belief that it's a 'huge flaw' that death penalty cases have to be unanimous. Earlier, Johnson said that the early voting saw most voting for death, some for life in prison and four people were undecided. Nikolas Cruz is seen on security footage inside the school in 2018 when he carried out his rampage Johnson echoed the statements of foreman Benjamin Thomas, who told CBS Miami this week: 'There was one with a hard no she couldn't do it and there was another two that ended up voting the same way.' Thomas voted for the death penalty. He added: 'It didn't go the way I would've liked or the way I voted, but that's how the jury system works. Everybody gets their vote; everybody gets to decide. We went through all the evidence and some of the jurors just felt that was the appropriate sentence.' An unnamed juror told Local10: 'I voted for the death penalty. We did go back there and try to hash things out. There was one juror that was just very set in what she believed and that was the life (verdict).' A note given to Judge Scherer on Thursday from Denise Cunha saw her explain that she had not made up her mind about her verdict prior to the trial beginning, despite claims to the contrary from the jury pool. Cruz, pictured, was said to be 'gun obsessed'. He was armed with at least one AR-15 rifle and had 'multiple magazines' when he stormed the school She said in part: 'I maintained my oath to the court that I would be fair and unbiased.' Cunha added: 'The deliberations were very tense and some jurors became extremely unhappy once I mentioned that I would vote for life.' Thomas also said that the jurors had largely made up their minds on Wednesday evening and waited until Thursday morning to formalize the vote. He went on to say that one juror had made it clear early on that they could not sentence someone who was mentally ill to death. When one juror refused to budge, Thomas said: 'There's nothing else you can do, so we voted and moved on.' While Johnson said: 'I do respect the decision of everyone's vote, including the ones that made the life vote. But at the same time, I would have preferred more cooperation, more involvement. I'm not happy with the result.' The issues are not fully resolved despite the end of the trial. On Friday morning, prosecutors in the case called for an investigation Friday after a juror said another panelist threatened her during the deliberations. Judge Elizabeth Scherer who cannot overrule the jury's recommendation, will formally issue the life sentence on November 1 Prosecutor Carolyn McCann told Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer during a brief hearing that prosecutors are not trying to invalidate Thursday's jury vote and reported the threat only for safety reasons and so the Broward County Sheriff's Office can investigate. In their written motion asking for the hearing, prosecutors said the juror told them another juror did something during deliberations that 'she perceived to be a threat.' McCann said they did not ask any further questions because they didn't want to taint any investigation and said the Broward state attorney's office has no intention of getting involved further. 'We don't want to touch this with a 10-foot pole,' she said. Scherer agreed that if a possible crime was committed, deputies should investigate. The information has been turned over to sheriff's investigators, who will contact the juror. Scherer said two jurors tried to speak to her after Thursday's decision was announced, but she told them that wouldn't be appropriate. Scherer said a bailiff told her later that one juror wanted to speak to her during Thursday's reading of the decision. That juror sat slumped over during the 50-minute reading but did nothing obvious to indicate he wanted Scherer's attention. When the jurors were polled, he agreed the life sentence was the panel's decision. McCann said that the person who reported the threat was not Denise Cunha. The jury's decision left parents devastated. Ilan and Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter died in the slaying, comforted each other as the 17 verdicts were detailed in court Gena Hoyer, whose son Luke was killed in the shootings, closes her eyes during the verdict Among those expressing their unhappiness with the verdict was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. 'I think that if you have a death penalty at all, that this is a case where you're massacring those students with premeditation and utter disregard for basic humanity, that you deserve the death penalty,' the governor said. His Democratic rival in November's gubernatorial election Charlie Crist agreed tweeting: 'There are crimes for which the only just penalty is death. The Parkland families and community deserved that degree of justice.' 'We are beyond disappointed with the outcome,' said Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa, was killed. 'This should have been the death penalty, 100%. ... I sent my daughter to school and she was shot eight times. ... I cannot understand. I just don't understand.' Tony Montalto, father of 14-year-old Gina Montalto, expressed disbelief. He said the jury recognized that Cruz committed terrible acts, 'shooting, some victims more than once on a pass, pressing the barrel of his weapon to my daughter's chest. That doesn't outweigh that poor little what's-his-name had a tough upbringing?' 'Our justice system should have been used to punish this shooter to the fullest extent of the law,' he said. Michael Schulman, the stepfather of teacher Scott Beigel, said the decision gives anyone a license to kill, then claim mental illness as a defense. 'This animal deserves to die. He hunted all of these people,' Schulman said. 'He planned it for months.' As he spoke to the media, Schulman held up a laptop with an image of Cruz in the school hallway with a gun. 'The last thing my son saw was the gunman aiming at him,' he said. Three Just Stop Oil climate activists have appeared in court over protests two accused of throwing soup on a Van Gogh painting and another who went viral when she gave an interview while being carried away by police at a protest. Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle, and Phoebe Plummer, 21, from Lambeth, south-west London, both pleaded not guilty to criminal damage to the frame of Van Gogh's painting in a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning. Lora Johnson, 38, has been charged over paint sprayed on to the rotating New Scotland Yard sign both during protests in London on Friday. Johnson, from Southwold, Suffolk, pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal damage. It comes after Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion demonstrators descended on Westminster, central London, on Friday to protest against the Government's approach to the environment. Plummer and Holland went viral when they threw Heinz tomato soup on Vincent Van Gogh's 76 million masterpiece at the National Gallery this morning Appearing in the dock together, Holland and Plummer spoke only to confirm their name, date of birth, addresses and to enter pleas of not guilty to criminal damage to the value of less than 5,000. Prosecutor Ola Oyedepo said the pair threw the 'orange substance' knowing there was a 'protective case' over the actual painting, though damage was caused to the frame. Ms Oyedepo said it is unclear at this stage what the value of the damage is but said it is 'significantly below the 5,000 cost threshold'. She said the pair 'did not damage the picture because the picture is worth millions'. Katie McFadden, defending, said: 'The prosecution needs to prove that damage has been caused.' She said the 'extent of the damage would be relevant to the proportionality assessment' in weighing up their right to expression. District judge Tan Irkam released the pair on bail on the condition they do not enter galleries or museums and do not have paint or adhesive substances in a public place. He set their trial for December 13 at City of London Magistrates' Court. Lora Johnson, 38, went viral when she gave an interview about climate change while being carried off the ground by police One of the protesters, Phoebe Plummer, 21, is led away by police following the political stunt After throwing soup on the painting - which has a glass cover - protestor Phoebe Plummer, 21, yelled: 'What is worth more, art or life? Is it worth more than food? More than justice?' Newcastle University student Anna Holland, 20, appeared in the dock earlier today Meanwhile, Johnson, who appeared in the dock for a separate hearing, also spoke to confirm her name, address and enter a not guilty plea. Ms Oyepedo said Johnson was part of a protest group which gathered at the New Scotland Yard building on Friday afternoon. 'They glued themselves to the floor while she went up to spray the sign,' she said. The prosecutor said 4,750 has been spent trying to remove the paint from the sign and the ground under it. Mr Irkam released Johnson on bail on the condition she does not have paint or adhesive materials in a public place and set her trial for November 23 at City of London Magistrates' Court. 'The court will not prevent you from lawfully protesting,' Mr Irkam said. Some 28 arrests were made in relation to Friday's protests, the Metropolitan Police said, while 25 others have been bailed pending further enquiries. A barely-noticed comment by President Joe Biden at a fundraising event describing Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in the world triggered a diplomatic spat on Saturday, when the nation's foreign minister summoned the U.S. ambassador for a dressing down. Biden's description ruffled feathers in a country that considers itself a staunch ally of the U.S., giving tens of thousands of lives in the war on terror. 'Pakistan's disappointment and concern was conveyed to the US envoy on the unwarranted remarks, which were not based on ground reality or facts,' said the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a reminder of the fragile relations between Washington and a nuclear-armed nation that has been accused by successive administrations of harboring the Taliban. It began with comments made by Biden on Thursday evening. In front of a select group of donors in Brentwood, a well-heeled neighborhood of Los Angeles, Biden turned his focus to foreign policy. On Thursday, President Joe Biden said Pakistan was one of the most dangerous countries in the world. The comments were at a fundraiser and went largely unnoticed Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he was surprised by Biden's comments and defended the security of the country's nuclear arsenal As he discussed threats facing the U.S., Biden described Pakistan as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, adding that it had 'nuclear weapons without any cohesion.' The event was not public. And the mention was buried in a pool report sent to journalists who cover the White House. It initially made few waves outside the foreign policy world. But commentators said it was strange that Biden would bring up Pakistan like that when it had not even merited a mention in a new national security strategy unveiled during the week. Privately, White House officials said nothing had changed. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about it aboard Air Force One a day later as the president traveled from California to Oregon. She said he had announced nothing new. 'The president views a secure and prosperous Pakistan as critical to US interests,' she said. But by then Biden's original comments had reached news organizations in Pakistan. The country's prime minister said the remarks were 'factually incorrect and misleading.' 'Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system,' said Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif. The Pakistan Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in 2007, closing to almost 100 miles of the capital Islamabad. They were forced out two years later but remain a terrorist threat At a press conference on Saturday, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he was surprised by Biden and that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal was secure. 'As far as the question of the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear assets are concerned, we meet all - each and every - international standard in accordance with the IAEA,' he said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors safety. He instead pointed the finger at India, which he said had accidentally fired a missile into Pakistani territory. 'This is not only irresponsible and unsafe but raises genuine and serious concerns about the safety of nuclear-capable countries,' he said. He added that Biden's comments were exactly the sort of misunderstanding that could happen when the two countries were not communicating. 'I believe this is exactly the sort of misunderstanding that is created when there is a lack of engagement,' he said. Biden did not speak with Prime Minister Imran Khan, a populist leader with close ties to the military, before he was ousted from power earlier this year. Devastating monsoon floods have added to concerns about Pakistan's stability Pakistani men receive food, distributed by Pakistani Army troops in a flood-hit area in Rajanpur, district of Punjab And Pakistani leaders continue to chafe at what they say is an administration that ignores them. That reflects years of strained relations. Washington frequently accused Islamabad of playing both sides, allowing the Afghan Taliban to operate from safe havens inside its territory while soaking up billions in U.S. military aid. U.S. officials have in the past also expressed concern that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal could fall into terrorist hands because of the country's history of political instability. The country is thought to have a nuclear arsenal of about 165 warheads - making it the world's sixth biggest stockpile - according to the Center For Arms Control and Proliferation. The country has been hit this year by devastating floods. Heavy monsoon rains, exacerbated by climate change, have killed at least 1500 people and brought fresh strains. Advertisement Vegan extremists have struck again, this time targeting upmarket stores across the country as their activists grab milk from shelves and dump it over the floors and counters. Animal Rebellion have dubbed their protests against animal products as 'Milk Pours', and they posted videos of themselves at Harrods in west London, Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, and a Waitrose in Edinburgh. The young and well-dressed eco-hipsters made sure to spout out their shrill demands for the government to ensure farmers transition to a 'plant-based future' at midday on Saturday. The group co-ordinated the actions across multiple stores such as Waitrose, Whole Foods and Marks and Spencer throughout the country, including in London, Norwich, Manchester and Edinburgh, as horrified Saturday shoppers watched on. In a video of a 'milk pour' at a Marks and Spencers in Manchester, a man is heard telling the protesters: 'Plant-based future? Take your shoes off then, they're not plant-based.' A sharply-dressed eco-warrior grimly pours a bottle of milk all over the floor of Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly as they protest dairy products Supporters of Animal Rebellion dump litres of milk onto a Marks and Spencers floor as they demand a 'plant-based future' from the government The meat counter at Harrods was targeted by the zealots, who object to animal-based products such as meat and milk The eco-mob hit a Waitrose in Edinburgh, targeting upmarket stores as they call for a transition to a plant-based future Eco-protesters in Manchester poured milk all over the floor beside the meat aisle in Marks and Spencers Protesters strike at Harrods as bemused and nonplussed Saturday shoppers watch or try to get on with their shopping The meat counter at Harrods was targeted by the eco mob, while in Fortnum & Mason - two of London's poshest shops - the cheese counter was vandalised. Animal Rebellion said it is calling for a plant-based future and highlighting the need to support farmers in transitioning to a sustainable plant-based food system. Skylar Sharples, an international development University of Sussex graduate, from Bristol and one of the protesters at Harrods, said: 'Supporters of Animal Rebellion are back acting because (Prime Minister) Liz Truss and Ranil Jayawardena (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) are again deciding to ignore calls to start building a better future. 'A plant-based future would see a beautiful world for us all, thriving with nature and life. 'The steps to properly support farmers in this transition need to begin now.' Skylar Sharples (pictured), an international development graduate from Bristol and one of the protesters at Harrods, said: 'Supporters of Animal Rebellion are back acting because (Prime Minister) Liz Truss and Ranil Jayawardena (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) are again deciding to ignore calls to start building a better future Milk pours happened in Marks and Spencers in Manchester on Market Street, beside the steak section A pair of protesters march up to the milk aisle in a Waitrose in Edinbrugh and proceed to systematically pour out gallons of milk onto the floor One bystander approaches an eco-zealot to remonstrate with her while she was in the midst of a rant against the dairy industry Shoppers looked over as protesters poured out cartons of milk onto the floor of Marks and Spencers in Manchester Animal Rebellion said it is calling for a plant-based future and highlighting the need to support farmers in transitioning to a sustainable plant-based food system The meat counter at Harrods was targeted by the eco mob, while in Fortnum & Mason - two of London's poshest shops - the cheese counter was vandalised Lou Hadden, a charity worker from Herefordshire who joined the action at Fortnum and Mason, said: 'This is not how I imagined spending my weekend. 'Unfortunately, this disruption is necessary to get those in power to listen to the academics at Oxford, Harvard and the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). 'The world's best climate and land scientists are calling for the transition to a plant-based food system. 'We need bold and decisive politics at this time, not the horror show we currently see.' 'Milk Pours are currently happening across the UK. All are concerned individuals calling on the government to give us a livable future, a #PlantBasedFuture,' Animal Rebellion tweeted this afternoon. A shopper looks frustrated as protesters empty gallons of milk onto the floor of a Marks and Spencers Protesters raid the cheese section of upmarket Fortnum & Mason's in Piccadilly, grabbing milk and pouring it out onto the shop floor Protesters with baskets of milk moments before it was poured all over the floor 'Animal Rebellion supporters have just poured out milk across the floor and over other dairy products at Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly,' came another tweet. 'We are calling on the government to support farmers in a transition to a plant-based food system.' 'The dairy companies are responsible for the majority of methane emissions,' one protester shouted out as she busily poured milk onto the floor in the Waitrose milk aisle. She was interrupted by a bystander coming up to remonstrate with her. 'We're all about peaceful protests and non-violence, we're just calling out the injustice of the industry,' she says to the man, before continuing her rant. The same group struck Fortnum & Masons just two weeks ago when activists from the group sparked fury by pouring milk over two high-end London department stores in a protest against dairy products. Watson says the incident 'went against' airline policy and that she would like 'reparations' The airline said passengers can select the size seat that 'works best for them,' which could mean paying additional dollars for the guarantee of personal space American Airlines later responded to Watson by telling her that its passengers 'come in all different shapes and sizes' Sydney Watson shared her hours of discomfort with her followers, ranting that the passengers were too fat to be flying A conservative commentator with more than 300,000 Twitter followers was stuck on a long flight between two large passengers An American Airlines passenger says she would like reparations from the airline after she found herself 'sandwiched' between two overweight passengers. Sydney Watson, an Australian-American conservative political commentator, says she will 'stand by everything I said' after documenting her struggle for personal space and comfort on Twitter during a three-hour-long flight on October 11. She says she has 'come to find out what happened to me went against American Airlines' own policies regarding overweight passengers.' 'I'd like some reparations pls,' she tweeted Friday night, after her story was widely shared by news-outlets and became a popular talking point on social media. American Airlines, however, does not appear to have a public-facing policy regarding overweight passengers, which could explain the airline's response to Watson. American Airlines' official Twitter account responded Monday: 'Our passengers come in all different shapes and sizes. We're sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight.' Deeply unsatisfied with the corporation's response, Watson wrote, 'This is really their official reply to me being sandwiched between two obese humans.' Competitor Southwest Airlines' 'Customer of Size and extra seat policy' says 'customers who encroach upon any part of the neighboring seat(s)' are required to purchase additional seats. The Australian-American conservative political commentator, says she will 'stand by everything I said' after documenting her struggle for personal space and comfort during a three-hour flight On Saturday, Watson said she was 'totally fine with being in the news for fat shaming' and added the public response to her tweets has been 'unhinged.' 'I've been getting unhinged emails, messages and comments all evening and couldn't work out why,' she tweeted Watson received national media attention and backlash for her tweets - a response she appears to have taken to On Saturday, Watson said she was 'totally fine with being in the news for fat shaming' and added the public response to her tweets has been 'unhinged.' 'I've been getting unhinged emails, messages and comments all evening and couldn't work out why,' she tweeted. 'Now, I realize it's because I took issue with people putting their fat rolls on my body without my consent.' She shared grabs of an email and Instagram replies cursing at her, with one commenter vowing to squeeze up against her should they ever find themselves seated next to Watson on a flight. During the flight Watson tweeted that she was 'literally - WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight.' 'This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I'm stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours,' she wrote, accompanied by two pictures of the arm rolls in question. 'Holy sh*t. So, I'm expected to have only a quarter of a seat when I fly?' 'I just experienced getting sweat on, touched without my consent, smacked in the face and subjected to hours of no personal space. 'And your response is essentially 'too bad'? Is that what I'm getting here?' she wrote, tagging the airline. Sydney Watson documented the process of enduring a three-hour flight stuck between two obese siblings for her Twitter followers American Airlines told Watson it caters to passengers of all shapes and sizes Watson took issue with the dismissal, pointing to specific ways in which she was uncomfortable during the flight because of the limited space she was afforded Watson shared another picture of her skinny legs squeezed between the bodies that surrounded her The picture Watson mentioned here never materialized Watson is an Australian-American conservative commentator with more than 300,000 Twitter followers She previously documented many moments of her unpleasant flying experience to her 317,000 Twitter followers. 'I don't care if this is mean. My entire body is currently being touched against my wishes. I can't even put the arm rests down on either side because there's no f***ing room.' 'I'm sick of acting like fatness to this extent is normal. Let me assure you, it is not.' 'If you need a seat belt extender, you are TOO FAT TO BE ON A PLANE,' she wrote. 'Buy two seats or don't fly.' Watson wrote that she initially asked one of the obese passengers if he'd like to swap seats with her. He was apparently siblings with the woman who bordered Watson on her either side. 'He says, 'no. That's okay :),'' she wrote. '...and then I started shrieking internally.' Watson seemed in disbelief that American Airlines failed to acknowledge her gruesome experience American Airlines said passengers can select how much space they get on a flight by picking their seat ahead of time - and possibly paying more to ensure personal space She later wrote that 'Both the fats are sweating on me.' 'Have realized if I learn forward, I am less crushed. Only draw back is the man in front of me has his seat back and I keep getting smacked in the head when he adjusts in his chair.' 'Humiliating,' she wrote, followed by two crying emojis. 'This will begin my villain arc.' As the saga concluded, Watson wrote, 'I am off the plane!!' 'The ONLY saving grace was that EVERY flight attendant apologized to me. We had a laugh.' 'They said they'd have given me free booze if I'd asked.' Watson added that she had not personally booked her middle seat on American Airlines, rather it was booked for her by a company that paid to fly her to an event. One Twitter user responded to American Airlines: 'If your passengers come in all different shapes & sizes, why are your seats only wide enough for medium-sized people?' 'We offer a variety of seat sizes and styles, so our customers can select what works best for them,' replied the corporate account before linking to a page that shows the various classes (economy, business, first) passengers can sit in. American Airlines did not return Daily Mail's request for comment. Students in Hyderabad are seeking more practical knowledge than what they currently receive in schools. (DC file image) HYDERABAD: On World Students Day, which is observed on October 15, the birth anniversary of former President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, students from the city have sought more practical knowledge than what they currently receive in schools. This is especially so for students from government school, who are deprived of on-field and outdoor classes. According to Sunitha K., a government school teacher, because of shortage of books and teachers, students are usually put into group activities which not everyone can understand. At the end they are all marked the same grade. This may be beneficial for some students but it will not help them in the long run, she said. She added that although teachers can understand the limited learning capacity of students, they can hardly do much due to a lack of resources. In private schools, students are graded on individual projects but they struggle to understand the assignment and homework given to them. A Class 8 student, Kanan Patel, said that he was asked to write what he understood from a particular poem. I wrote what I understood but was graded less than the others even when my project was more colourful and was submitted on time. I got to know that the teacher wanted us to write what the poem meant in the textbooks rather than what stemmed from our imagination and understanding. Often, private school students feel that the activities they are given need more understanding and the grading system must be clearly explained. A Class IX student, Priya Singh, said that she was asked to conduct a science experiment related to fungus developing on bread. While it worked out for a few of her friends on time, it took a little longer for her and she lost marks for late submission. Another project required me to make a light bulb. It was prepared very well at home but did not work in school. Instead of giving me an additional day, my marks were cut. This is not fair, said Priya. On the other hand, government school students expect better behaviour from teachers, some of whom tend to hit the students. The government school teachers said that they do not hit students except in a few instances and came up with the excuse that students needed to be disciplined. Some students also said that earlier they were randomly given full marks for activities even on non-submission. They added that teachers cut marks only for late submission as some students are least bothered about the activity. Teachers clear doubts if asked, they said. A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a woman in Peru and remains in custody in Kent, it has been announced today. Investigators from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate arrested the man, who is in his 40s, on suspicion of murder. It is believed the arrest relates to the case of Karla Xiomara Zelaya Godoy, a Honduran-Spanish national living in London, who had been reported missing by her family in September. Karla, who had an eight-year-old daughter, had travelled to Peru last month to be with her partner Jorge Alfredo Minaya Garay, 46, where she visited tourist hotspots like Machu Picchu. On Monday Peruvian police found human remains in a blue bag after they received an audio recording claimed to be of a confession by Garay. In the clip, Garay was speaking on the phone to Erick Zelaya, the victim's brother. It is alleged that in the audio recording he said he had murdered Karla and buried her body in his grandmother's house, located in a remote area of Carabayllo, Lima, Peru. Karla Xiomara Zelaya Godoy, a Honduran-Spanish national living in London, was murdered on a romantic getaway to Peru Karla, who is believed to have an eight-year-old daughter, had travelled to Peru last month to be with her partner Jorge Alfredo Minaya Garay (pictured together in Peru), 46, where she visited tourist hotspots like Machu Picchu Pictured: Police are seen scouring a property in Peru where Karla Xiomara Zelaya Godoy's remains was discovered On Monday, police found human remains in a blue bag after receiving an audio recording of Garay speaking on the phone to Erick Zelaya, the victim's brother On October 1, Garay reportedly travelled to Chile before buying a ticket to London where he lived with his partner and, according to local media, is believed to have removed his possessions. Two days later, Peruvian police launched an investigation before discovering human remains on Monday. Karla reportedly last spoke with her mother on September 22, when she was riding in a taxi with Garay to visit his grandmother in the north of Lima. She told her mother that she planned to fly to Spain the next day, but was not heard from again. Speaking to local media at the time of her disappearance, her devastated brother Erick said: 'She has many who love and miss her. She also has an eight-year-old daughter who misses her terribly.' Officers were assisted in apprehending the man by the Metropolitan Police Service. Police forces are working closely with the Peruvian authorities as part of this investigation. Anyone with any information which they believe can assist is urged to contact Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting 09-0190. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Kent Police have been contacted for comment. Prince Andrew was last night dragged back into the Jeffrey Epstein sex-abuse scandal after the paedophile's conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell hailed the Duke of York as a 'dear friend'. Her bombshell comments in a world-exclusive prison interview with The Mail on Sunday contradict Andrew's denial to a US court that they had been close. The intervention by Maxwell, 60 a convicted sex-trafficker described in court as a 'sophisticated predator' is a devastating blow to the Duke's hopes of returning to public life after he was effectively cast out of the Royal Family this year. Maxwell, who was convicted of helping Epstein abuse teenage girls, failed to deny suggestions that she and Andrew had been a couple, and declared: 'I care about him.' Her remarks come as the MoS reveals a new photograph today of the disgraced former socialite taken at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in New York this year before she was moved to a prison in Florida to serve her 20-year sentence. Ghislaine Maxwell has dragged Prince Andrew back into the Jeffrey Epstein scandal after reffering to him as a 'dear friend' in an exclusive interview from behind prison walls. Pictured: The pair together at Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot in 2000 Maxwell, who was convicted of helping Epstein (pictured together) abuse teenage girls, failed to deny suggestions that she and Andrew had been a couple Maxwell was prepared to discuss her friendships with some of the rich and powerful men connected to her and Epstein, including former President Clinton (all pictured together) In a string of further revelations, she: Claimed a photo taken of the Prince and accuser Virginia Roberts 'is not real' and that there are 'over 50 problems' with it'; Told how a fellow inmate had plotted to murder her while she was sleeping; Described her 'special friendship' with President Bill Clinton, whom she claimed was 'another victim' of association with Epstein; Spoke of her gratitude to Donald Trump for wishing her well after her arrest, saying his comments gave her a 'big boost'; Complained she has been portrayed as a 'wicked witch' Disney character and accused the media of 'monstrous inaccuracies'; Disclosed that she is crammed into a tiny cell with three other inmates and told of the 'indignity' of being put on suicide watch. Prince Andrew, 62, was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages in January as he fought allegations that he abused Ms Roberts, one of Epstein's victims, as a teenager in London, Manhattan, and the US Virgin Islands. He has repeatedly and vehemently denied the claims. He settled out of court with Ms Roberts, who now uses her married name Giuffre, for an undisclosed sum but made no admission of guilt. A legal document submitted to a US court in January by the Duke's lawyers contained 41 separate denials of allegations made by Ms Roberts, including her claim that 'Prince Andrew was a close friend of Ghislaine Maxwell'. But in her MoS interview, Maxwell spoke in glowing terms of her friendship with the Duke. 'I feel so bad for him,' said the disgraced former socialite, who has known Andrew since she was a student at Oxford University in the 1980s. 'Yes, I follow what is happening to him. He is paying such a price for the association [with Jeffrey Epstein]. I consider him a dear friend I care about him.' Bombshell comments by Maxwell about their friendship contradict Andrew's denial to a US court that they had been close Prince Andrew has always denied claims that he abused Virginia Roberts, one of Epstein's victims, but settled out of court with her Quizzed on the denial by Andrew's lawyers that they were close friends, Maxwell said: 'I accept that this friendship could not survive my conviction.' She dismissed a photograph, first revealed by this newspaper, of the Prince with his arm around Ms Roberts at Maxwell's home in Belgravia, Central London, in March 2001, saying: 'I don't recognise that picture and I don't believe it is a real picture. There's so many things wrong with it. There is no original and there isn't a true picture and there are that many other things besides that I cannot hardly get into I don't know how many points there are, but there are over 50 problems with the picture.' Earlier this year, Euan Rellie, a former friend of Maxwell's, told ITV he believed she and Andrew 'had probably been girlfriend and boyfriend in the past'. Asked about press reports that they were 'like a couple, an item', Maxwell said she would not address such speculation until after the appeal against her conviction. 'I have read and seen and heard and had reported to me so many monstrous inaccuracies that I can't start to pick apart all of them. If I pick apart one and then don't address all the others, it's going to say, 'Well, she said no to this, what about all those others?' I'm not going to discuss anything of that nature until after the appeal.' She has been in jail since July 2020 when more than 20 armed FBI agents raided her 156-acre, 800,000 New Hampshire home. Maxwell, pictured with Epstein, complained she has been portrayed as a 'wicked witch' Disney character and accused the media of 'monstrous inaccuracies' The MoS interviewed her on June 22 this year at the MDC, six days before she was sentenced, and then weeks later after she was moved to the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, a low-security jail in Florida. She was prepared to discuss her friendships with some of the rich and powerful men connected to her and Epstein, including former President Clinton. 'It was a special friendship, which continued over the years,' she said of Clinton. 'We had lots in common. I feel bad that he is another victim, only because of his association [with Epstein].' She also spoke of her gratitude to former President Trump, who bestowed his good wishes on her after her arrest. 'I was very grateful when he wished me well. He got bad media for it, but he dared while others didn't. It gave me a big boost.' Maxwell believes the image taken of Prince Andrew with his arm around then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts (above) as she smiles in the background is a fake Maxwell said the food at the MDC was 'truly terrible' and she was once so hungry she ate Vaseline. She is now in a cell measuring 10ft by 8ft that is too small for her and her three cellmates to all stand up in. 'It's very far from a cushy country club,' she said. After Epstein killed himself as he awaited trial, prison bosses put her on suicide watch prior to her sentencing. Maxwell, who said she had never contemplated taking her own life, described wearing an anti-suicide smock a long tunic made of thick nylon adding: 'They strip you of any remaining shred of dignity that you have. They have you with no clothes, and they put you in a suicide smock, which has Velcro straps on it. So there's nothing to protect your modesty.' The MoS revealed in June that a fellow inmate at the MDC had bragged she was going to murder Maxwell, claiming that there was a $1 million bounty on her head. Maxwell this weekend confirmed that a woman had threatened to murder her as she slept. Maxwell now works in the prison's legal library, where she helps other inmates with their cases. Prince Andrew declined to comment last night. The whip has been restored to a senior Tory MP after he was suspended from the party for missing the vote of confidence in Boris Johnson's Government. Tobias Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East and chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, had the whip removed after failing to turn up to the confidence vote in July. At the time, the former minister argued he had been unable to make the crucial vote because travel issues getting back to the UK, following a meeting with the President of Moldova. He said he was 'very sorry' he did not make it back to Parliament in time. Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has had the whip restored, four months after he had it removed in July for missing a crucial confidence vote in Boris Johnson's Government Mr Johnson went on to win the confidence vote by 349 votes to 238. Today, the MP said he was glad 'to be off the (Odesa) naughty step and back in Pty as we enter this re-set'. Mr Ellwood added that Jeremy Hunt's appointment as Chancellor was a 'wise inclusion'. He said: 'We thrive when governing as 'One Nation' Tories harnessing a coalition of talent - solving economic crises via sound money & fiscal responsibility.' It comes amid a turbulent week for the Tories. Yesterday, Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng (left), replacing him with former health and foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt (right) A spokesman on behalf of the whips office confirmed that Mr Ellwood had the whip restored. The MP's return to the parliamentary party comes amid extraordinary turmoil within the Tories, after Prime Minister Liz Truss sacked Kwasi Kwarteng in favour of Mr Hunt. The decision was made in a bid to calm markets and restore order to her premiership. The announcement has sparked mixed reviews within the local community A police force has unveiled a fleet of tuk-tuks to help patrol parks, walkways and public spaces. Gwent Police in Wales revealed the four tiny vehicles will be used by officers 'day and night' in Newport and Abergavenny. The vehicles are funded by the Safer Streets programme, a Home Office grant fund which supports forces in tackling neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls. Most motorised rickshaws have a top speed of about 55km/h (34 mph). A police force has unveiled a fleet of tuk-tuks to help patrol parks, walkways and public spaces Chief inspector Damian Sowrey said: 'They were on show at our Behind the Badge day, giving local residents the opportunity to see them up close and to hear more about how they will be used. 'The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. 'Parents told officers that they would feel safer knowing that there was support for young people out at night, and from women who could think of an occasion when the tuk-tuk would have been a welcome sight.' The decision has sparked controversy online with locals questioning how effective tuk-tuks will be in crime fighting. 'If this isn't a joke , it's an absolute embarrassment,' one critic said online. Others questioned how much the fleet cost. While the force has not openly shared how much each cost, one unrelated tuk-tuk seller is currently advertising them online from 10,995. In a report commissioned by the Newport Council in partnership with Gwent Police, the tuk-tuks were described as a 'novelty' which will be used to deliver 'high visibility reassurance patrols to make residents and visitors feel safer walking around the city'. Advertisement Turkey's President Erdogan has today been comforting the families of the 41 people killed in a coal mine explosion in the north of the country last night, as he vowed to bring an end to mining disasters. After cancelling a planned visit to the south-eastern city of Diyarbakir, Mr Erdogan arrived at the incident site in the town of Amsara, where he announced that the search to find the last trapped worker was complete, bringing the rescue operation to an end and the death toll to 41. The explosion occurred at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin, just before sunset last night, with rescue teams working throughout the night to find those who were trapped. According to Energy Minister Fatih Donmez, initial findings indicate the blast was caused by firedamp, an explosive mixture of flammable gases in mines. Eleven were injured and hospitalised, with five in serious condition, while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. Mr Erdogan expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, many of whom had waited all night in the cold hoping for good news. Turkey's President Erdogan has today been comforting the families of the 41 people killed in a coal mine explosion in the north of the country last night. Pictured showing his condolences during the funeral of Gurdal Serenli The first funerals for those who lost their lives in the explosion took place today. Women cried at the funeral of miner Ridvan Acet, whose coffin was wrapped in the red and white Turkish flag (pictured) Emergency services rushed to the scene last night after one of the worst mine explosions in Turkey's history at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine The rescue effort continued into the night. Pictured: a miner was lifted into an ambulance and can be seen barefoot, and covered in mud from the horrific blast The president said an investigation into the incident is already underway and will reveal if anyone is responsible for the blast. He added: 'We don't want to see deficiencies or unnecessary risks.' He then joined funeral prayers for Rahman Ozcelik, 22, at a village where Turkish media said three other miners were also being mourned. Meanwhile, women cried at the funeral of miner Ridvan Acet, whose coffin was wrapped in the red and white Turkish flag. Another miner, 28-year-old Aziz Kose, held his newborn baby just days ago. They mostly came from working-class families and went underground to the coal mines to make a living. A miner who works the day shift said he saw the news and hurried to the site to help with the rescue. 'We saw a frightful scene, it cannot be described, it's very sad,' said Celal Kara, 40. 'They're all my friends ... they all had dreams,' Mr Kara, who has been a miner for 14 years, said after exiting the mine, his face covered in soot. Ambulances were on standby at the site. Rescue teams were dispatched to the area, including from neighbouring provinces, Turkey's disaster management agency, AFAD, said. President Erdogan sits alongside relatives of Selcuk Ayvaz during a condolence visit to his family in the village of Ugurlar Relatives attend the funeral ceremony of mine explosion victim Ridvan Acet, one of 41 people killed in the blast last night Mr Erdogan expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident, many of whom had waited all night in the cold hoping for good news. Pictured: women cry during the funeral of Ridvan Acet A mining technician from TTK told broadcaster NTV that his team of rescue and occupational safety personnel arrived at the site Friday night. Ismail Cetin said they went down into the mine and walked about a mile with their kit and stretchers. They recovered nine bodies, whom he called 'mine martyrs'. Countries across the world offered their condolences to Turkey. Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered rescue assistance even though relations between the two neighbours have recently been particularly tense. The UK's Foreign Minister James Cleverly said: 'My thoughts, and those of the UK, are with all those affected by this awful tragedy.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he 'learned with deep sadness' the news that a mining explosion occurred in the Amasra district of Bartn. 'I offer my condolences to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,' Zelenskyy said on Twitter in Turkish. Emergency services rushed to the scene and paramedics were pictured appearing to perform CPR on casualties as they rushed them into waiting ambulances Politicians and world leaders, including the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have expressed their condolences Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his 'deepest condolences' and wished for a speedy recovery for those who were injured, while Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said: 'I ask you to convey my sadness and support to the family and relatives of the deceased miners, and my wish for a speedy recovery for the injured.' Separately, Turkish police said in a statement that legal action would be taken against 12 people who allegedly shared provocative content about the mine explosion to incite hate on social media. Yesterday's blast is one of the deadliest industrial disasters in Turkey's recent history. Emergency services rushed to the scene and paramedics were pictured appearing to perform CPR on casualties as they rushed them into waiting ambulances. The country's worst ever mine disaster was in 2014, when 301 miners died after a fire erupted inside a coal mine in the town of Soma, in the west of the country. Five months later, 18 miners were killed in central Karaman province after a flood in a coal mine. The head of DISK, a left-wing trade union, said in a statement they were 'sad and angry' because deaths were preventable and the union's safety suggestions were overlooked. Even though more inspections were mandated after the Soma tragedy, DISK's leader Arzu Cerkezoglu claimed some precautions were ignored for profitability, calling Friday's explosion a 'massacre.' New York City is experiencing a crisis as a result of migrants being bused into the city, leading to thousands being distributed across its five boroughs There were 203,597 border encounters in the Southwest in August for a total of 2,150,639 in the last 12 months The cameraman asks one nearby man if the border is open, to which he replies 'abierta,' and 'no' to whether border patrol will do something about the group The migrants are seen wading to the midway point of the river before a boat drives in front of them, ultimately ignoring the group A group of Nicaraguan migrants were captured on video crossing the Rio Grande from Piedra Negras, Mexico, to Eagle Pass, Texas The ongoing migrant crisis was captured on film as a group of Nicaraguan migrants are seen crossing the Rio Grande into Texas unimpeded. A group of 10 migrants holding onto their belongings wade their way to the midway point of the river between Piedra Negras, Mexico, and Eagle Pass, Texas. One border patrol boat passes by the group, stops momentarily, and then continues driving away. 'The border is open, or closed?' the FOX News cameraman asks in Spanish to a man who helped the group cross. 'Open,' the man responds. 'Border patrol?' the cameraman follows. 'No,' the man says. The Southwest border experienced 203,597 border encounters in August, totaling just over 2.1 million for the last 12 months. In September, border patrol officials reported over 376,000 migrant encounters in Eagle Pass since October 2021, which doubled the number from the previous year. BREAKING: FOX News cameras capture smugglers sending a group of Nicaraguan migrants across the river in Piedras Negras - with the smuggler telling me that the border is abierta (open) @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/8Cn4mWm5JI Griff Jenkins (@GriffJenkins) October 15, 2022 A group of 10 Nicaraguan migrants are seen on video crossing the Rio Grande into Eagle Pass, Texas They waded their way to the middle section of the river after being assisted by one man who is seen with his shirt wrapped around his neck One border patrol boat is shown passing by the group, stopping momentarily, and then continuing on The cameraman asks whether the border is open, to which the man responds in Spanish: 'Open' The Southwest border experienced 203,597 border encounters in August, totaling just over 2.1 million for the last 12 months. In September, border patrol officials reported over 376,000 migrant encounters in Eagle Pass since October 2021, which doubled the number from the previous year The influx of migrants entering the Texas border town prompted some residents to buy weapons to defend themselves. One Eagle Pass resident said she taught her children to use tasers and other weapons to defend their family business. 'It's something that has had to be done because we don't know what can happen,' Laura Ramos told FOX News. 'We don't know these people or where they come from.' Another resident said his youngest sister heard a knock on her bedroom window late at night. 'It's pretty scary,' he said. 'We're getting used to it already because unfortunately, nothing is really being done.' The town has three official border crossings on its western edge, though locals say migrants continue to cross the nearby Rio Grande. According to Eagle Pass Fire Department Chief Manuel Mello, the town performs a body recovery from the river daily, an experience which he described as 'very traumatic.' 'There are so many bodies being recovered that the morticians are asking for assistance,' Mello said. 'I had never seen so many drownings like we're seeing right now.' Mello added that since he joined the fire department 25 years ago, the town would average 12 body recoveries a year. That average has risen to 30 a month. The Democrat-run city of El Paso in Texas has been bussing migrants north to cities such as Chicago and New York The federal government has been releasing hundreds of migrants onto the streets of El Paso Migrants wait to be bused out of El Paso in Texas on September 28, 2022, headed for cities like Chicago and New York With thousands of migrants being shipped from Texas to New York City by Gov. Greg Abbott, the city has since announced it will distribute 15,000 migrants across its five boroughs. Migrants have been sent to local hotels - including Times Square-adjacent, $700-a-night Row NYC - and housing shelters. Queens will house 4,782 of the 14,777 migrants, or 32 percent, according to the Department of Homeless Services. 'It's a powder keg in Queens at this point,' said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. Brooklyn will house the second-most, with 3,906 (26 percent), followed by Manhattan with 2,913 (20 percent), the Bronx with 2,587 (18 percent) and Staten Island with 589 (4 percent). 'There are several crises. You have a recession coming. We have a lack of affordable housing, rising rents. We have food insecurity. This is a recipe for a social and economic disaster,' Richards said. Earlier this week, Mayor Eric Adams warned each borough that 'every community is going to see asylum-seekers' and that the city 'can't give people a month heads-up' before migrants are moved into the communities. Gov. Kathy Hochul has urged the Biden administration to 'take ownership' of the migrant crisis For the first time ever, Customs and Border Patrol reported 2.15 million migrant encounters from October 2021 to August 2022 In speaking about the migrant crisis, Hochul added: ''We want the federal government to see that this is a humanitarian crisis' Adams declared a state of emergency over the crisis and has said the Big Apple needed $1 billion in federal funding to deal with the influx of people. Desperate for solutions to the crisis, a frantic Mayor Adams has even suggested renting out cruise ships for temporary housing of the city's newest residents until their immigration situations are sorted. The city is currently building a 'tent city' on Randall's Island, which is expected to house 500. This recent influx of migrants conflates with an ongoing homeless shelter crisis within the city. New York City reported a 31 percent increase in its homeless shelter population between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022, according to data released by the Office of the New York State Comptroller. 'The surge in the city's homeless shelter population is straining shelter capacity and is projected to surpass its previous peak of 61,415,' the data reads. An estimated 60,008 were counted living in city's homeless shelters as of September 30. 'A plan was developed to build new, purpose-built, nonprofit-operated shelters; however, many of these were put on hold during the pandemic and in the transition to the Adams administration,' reads the comptroller's most recent report. 'As the number of homeless people has surged in recent months, the city has utilized emergency procurement to open 42 new shelter locations, many of them hotels.' Mayor Eric Adams declared a state of emergency and said each borough will be bringing in migrants In response to the sudden surge of migrants, Adams said 'we can't give people a month heads-up' before migrants are moved into communities Nearly 2,000 asylum seekers from Latin America arrived in New York City over the weekend. It's estimated that over 700,000 undocumented immigrants live in the city. For the first time ever, Customs and Border Patrol reported 2.15 million migrant encounters from October 2021 to August 2022. That figure has never broken two million for an entire fiscal year. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul went after the Biden administration for 'failing to take ownership' of the migrant crisis that now has stretched all the way to New York City. 'We really are looking for a federal response to this to take ownership of a crisis and we'll be there to help, but this belongs to the federal government,' Hochul said. 'We want the federal government to see that this is a humanitarian crisis.' El Paso, which sits across the border from Juarez, Mexico, has bused roughly 7,000 migrants to New York City since late August and sent more than 1,800 to Chicago, a city-run effort that far exceeds the more ad-hoc transportation of the past. Abbott has bused more than 3,000 migrants to New York City and more than 900 to Chicago as part of a high-profile campaign to put a spotlight on the record crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. Texas and Arizona combined have also bused over 10,000 migrants to Washington, D.C. However, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser, a Democrat, said the city's program is 'completely different' than the other busing efforts and that they seek to 'treat people with respect.' The city's busing effort has received less attention than Abbott's program, who is seeking a third term in Nov. 8 midterm elections. A now-notorious Seattle restaurant garlanded with praise by critics has settled a $1.37m wage theft lawsuit with 137 ex-staffers after making them supply its kitchen's ingredients with their own cash. In 2021, The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, 80 miles north of Seattle, settled with employees for $600,000 over wage disputes. And this week, they have agreed to pay $1.37 million to another group of employees who had similar complaints. One of the plaintiffs, Julia Olmos, who worked at the restaurant between June 2018 and December 2019, said in the lawsuit that on multiple occasions she was forced to pick up kale while off the clock. She says that she ultimately paid for the grocery store-bought vegetables with her own money. Staff were also asked to 'forage' for wild ingredients, also on their own time. Olmos said that being asked to get ingredients was considered part of the job among the staff. In addition to buying food, she said that staff would clock 18-hour days foraging for ingredients with no pay. The Willows Inn is owned by award-winning chef Blaine Wetzel (pictured) and Tim McEvoy When she attempted to be reimbursed for the purchases and work, no payment was forthcoming. Other staff suffered with working unpaid shifts that were referred to as 'working interviews.' The exclusive restaurant requires a $50 deposit per person for dinner reservations and charges 'the menu price of $225 per guest for a no-show or late cancellation.' If patrons decide to partake in the wine pairing - at $120 per person - dinner at the Pacific Northwest eatery could easily set a couple back more than $600. The Willows Inn is owned by award-winning chef Blaine Wetzel and Tim McEvoy. In April 2021, the New York Times reported that despite advertising that their produce was locally sourced, much of it actually came from chain grocery stores. That article also alleged a litany of abuse allegedly perpetrated by Wetzel, including the use of racist, sexist and homophobic slurs against his employees. The embattled restaurant is situated on Lummi Island, 80 miles north of Seattle. According to former guests it costs $330 for one night in the Honeysuckle room at the inn One of the plaintiffs, Julia Olmos (front row second from left) who worked at the restaurant between June 2018 and December 2019, said in the lawsuit that on multiple occasions she was forced to pick up kale while off the clock Wetzel maintained innocence with regard to the 2021 lawsuit, saying that his lawyers advised him that it would be more expensive to go to court to fight the accusations. The earlier lawsuit covered employees who worked at the restaurant between July 2014 and December 2017. The most recent lawsuit covers employees who were at the Willows from June 2018 until February 2022. It was filed in March. When the initial money was paid to plaintiffs in 2021, attorney Greg Wolk said that he heard from then-current employees at the restaurant who said that similar practices were ongoing, reports the Seattle Times. Wolk told the newspaper: '[The Willows Inn] has the capacity to do great things, the food is fantastic. If they would just treat their employees fairly, none of this would be happening.' In the lawsuit, Olmos also claims that her first two months working at the restaurant went without pay under the impression that she was in an intern program. The suit reads: 'Although this was meant to be an educational internship, she was not provided with any educational instruction or training rather, she simply performed the same duties as other cooks.' Olmos said that being asked to get ingredients was considered part of the job among the staff. She said other staff 'went into it being like, "foraging is a part of our job."' The exclusive restaurant requires a $50 deposit per person for dinner reservations and 'charge the menu price of $225 per guest for a no-show or late cancellation.' If patrons decide to partake in the wine pairing - at $120 per person - dinner at the Pacific Northwest eatery could easily set a couple back more than $600 In the lawsuit, Olmos also claims that her first two months working at the restaurant went without pay under the impression that she was in an intern program Following the New York Times report detailing Wetzel's alleged abuse, protesters regularly descended on the restaurant, according to KGMI. Signs held by protesters included: 'Take Sexism off the Menu' and 'Racism is not a Local Ingredient.' Olmos told the New York Times in 2021 that she was forced to cut scallops in a way to make them appear more valuable. She said that women in the kitchens were regularly sexually harassed, and their work was ignored. The Times piece states that in the ten years that the restaurant had been open, no woman had been promoted. In total, 35 former staff members came forward to accuse Wetzel of creating a 'nightmarish' work environment. In April 2021, the New York Times reported that despite advertising that their produce was locally sourced, much of it actually came from chain grocery stores. That article also alleged a litany of abuse allegedly perpetrated by Wetzel (left) including the use of racist, sexist and homophobic slurs against his employees 'Lummi Island 16 meant that you were available for sex, and that any kind of creepy and predatory behavior was fine,' said 21-year-old Sarah Letchworth, who started working at the restaurant when she was 15 Female employees who grew up on Lummi Island described how kitchen workers would allegedly pressure teenage girls for sex, touch them inappropriately and provide them with drugs and alcohol so they would be compliant. The men, they said, would constantly harass teenage employees from the island with sexual overtures and innuendos and pressured them to stay after work to party, where they would encourage them to do drugs or drink alcohol. The workers alleged that Wetzel was to blame for the toxic atmosphere. Wetzel denied most of the allegations made in the New York Times article. 'Lummi Island 16 meant that you were available for sex, and that any kind of creepy and predatory behavior was fine,' said 21-year-old Sarah Letchworth, who started working at the restaurant when she was 15. Three years later, she said, Wetzel offered to drive her home from a party but instead took her to his house. He refused to take her home unless she did rounds of shots with him, she recounted, and she complied. Wetzel then drove her home when she was drunk. But the sexual harassment did not stop as the teenagers got older, the women claim. They said Wetzel and other managers would order them to lose weight and get manicures and eyelash extensions at their own expense, but then blocked them from promotions. The New York Times reported that none of the women who worked in the kitchen had been promoted to sous-chef or chef de cuisine, and the two that Wetzel identified to the Times as having been promoted to sous-chefs said they never held that job. Restaurant manager Reid Johnson told the newspaper at the time: 'We are deeply saddened to learn that some former employees shared concerns about our business.' According to former employees Wetzel and other managers would order them to lose weight and get manicures and eyelash extensions at their own expense, but then blocked them from promotions Olmos(right) told the New York Times in 2021 that she was forced to cut scallops in a way to make them appear more valuable. She said that women in the kitchens were regularly sexually harassed, and their work was ignored. The Times piece states that in the ten years that the restaurant had been open, no woman had been promoted Female employees have said men working at the restaurant would constantly harass teenage employees from the island with sexual overtures and innuendos and pressured them to stay after work to party, where they would encourage them to do drugs or drink alcohol 21-year-old Sarah Letchworth, who started working at the restaurant when she was 15, said Wetzel offered to drive her home from a party but instead took her to his house. He refused to take her home unless she did rounds of shots with him He went on: 'Our goal is for anyone who works at The Willows to think of us as the most kind, caring, generous and talented people that they have ever worked with and that The Willows was the best job they ever had.' Johnson also said: 'If we are missing that mark in any way, we must improve.' The US Department of Labor meanwhile fined the Willows Inn nearly $150,000 for requiring workers to work for free during a trial period and for paying as little as $50 per week. The restaurant defended the practice as being part of an entry-level program. They have since discontinued the program. There could be further trouble ahead with the Seattle Times reporting that there are other pending lawsuits being brought by former employees over work practices. In May, US Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su pledged in a meeting with the activist group Fight for $15 to crack down on wage theft in the food service industry. Earlier this year, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced the Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act in an attempt to more aggressively pursue lost wages for workers. In 2021, the Labor Department recovered nearly $35 million in lost wages in the food service industry. David was waiting for me at St Johns Wood Underground station in North London. There was exhilaration in his expression. He seemed oblivious to the whipping winter cold. Hurry up and come with me, he said. I want you to see my new pad. We raced along hand in hand and turned into a side road off the high street, then into a small courtyard. It might once have been an old mews or a merchants yard, but now it was new and shiny and residential. David unlocked an outer door and geed me up three flights of stairs to the apartment on the top floor. Here! he said, excitedly turning his latchkey and flinging the door wide. This is it! Inside was even colder than outside. The flat was small and neat but an unfinished shell, with nothing except painted walls and new carpet throughout. Davids new bolthole. Suleika Dawson in Lesvos, Greece in 1983 Youre the only one Im ever going to let in here, he declared, and kissed me to set the seal on it. Within minutes we were lying on the factory-fresh wool twist carpet, doing what we did best better than anybody ever, even fully clothed in the tomb-like cold, overcoats and all. Its hard to imagine it without you, he said as we left. The next time I saw the flat, the magic wand of money had been waved over it. In the weeks since our chilly but heated session on the carpet, the place had been plumbed in, wired up and fully furnished. As I arrived for lunch that day, David kept the front door to the flat open, smiling proudly. I was supposed to notice something, I realised. A thousand guesses wouldnt have got me close. Bulletproof! David declared happily and rapped his knuckles on the door, generating a hard metallic ring. Solid steel facing, a quarter-inch thick. There was a spyhole, too naturally and when he shut us inside, the door closed with a heavy jailhouse clunk, which seemed to please him tremendously. There was champagne along with caviar and other goodies chilling in the fridge, but it all had to wait while we christened the new rug. After that we had a picnic on the rug and after that we needed to launch the bed. Then I lay with my head on the crook of Davids arm while, for the first time, he read me the pages of his latest novel that hed written there that morning. It was thrilling astounding, in fact to be so close to the man and to his process as he created what he was determined should be his finest book yet. I asked whether he had a title. Yes, David answered contentedly. Its called A Perfect Spy. Its going to be wonderful. Im finally writing the book I want to be buried with. That evening, after wed anointed the new and I trusted newly Scotchgarded sofa, we ate at a nearby Chinese restaurant. As we sat with our menus, David said how wonderful it was to be free, to have finally escaped. No one knows us here, he said with a sigh of real relief. It feels like sanctuary at last. But hed been tempting fate. David had been doing his usual room-scanning over the top of his menu when he suddenly gave a whispered exclamation. Christ! Its Freddie! I looked up and, sure enough, there was Frederick Forsyth. He and his wife Carrie had just walked in. And hes just clocked me, David added. This should be interesting. I feel I should point out that if David hadnt been sitting so that he could scan the entrance, Freddie would probably never have noticed him. There was a self-perpetuating aspect to Davids paranoia. Good Lord! boomed the unmistakable phoney-colonel voice across the restaurant, as the author of The Day Of The Jackal made a beeline for our table. David, old man we meet at last! John Le Carre pictured in Zurich at the time of his affair with Suleika Dawson in 1984 Other diners were turning to stare. Somewhere in the midst of it all I wasnt quite introduced, but it didnt appear to matter. Freddie was all for David and Carrie was all for me, saying that she was so pleased to meet me and whatever brought us here to their local? Whats the betting they ask us over to their table for coffee and then back to their schloss for brandy and liqueurs afterwards? whispered David. Chez Forsyth was a Spanish-style villa in one of the lusher St Johns Wood avenues, and Freddie and Carrie were very proud of it. They hadnt had the house for very long and were thrilled to ribbons to be entertaining the Great Man. They seemed pretty thrilled to be entertaining me, too, which didnt make sense at first, but after a few minutes the reason became clear. Brandy, David? Freddie asked at the drinks trolley. Thanks, he said. What about you, Jane? This was the name of Davids wife. Just a small one, I replied. Freddie declared he wanted to pump David on his views regarding the state of the worlds secret services, though from the way their conversation progressed, it was apparent that what he actually wanted was to expatiate on his own views. Carrie, meanwhile, wanted me to tell her everything about your lovely house meaning David and Janes in Cornwall. It was all I could do to stop myself from inviting them down. This is our place, my darling, David told me on virtually every occasion we were at the flat. I wasnt going to commit the folly of believing there was any true substance to the claim. But I liked to hear him say it, all the same. I saw it as a sign he was still taking steps towards a freer, easier and less encumbered existence than the one in which he was currently, by his own phrase, banged up. Whether he managed to achieve it by staying married or getting divorced didnt matter to me. We would meet often, but almost never without one or two dates being cancelled or rearranged first. Sometimes, with no notice at all, flowers would arrive first thing with a card that read: Fancy caviar and a f*** at 12.30? This erratic on-off-on scheduling caused me a kind of semi-permanent background anxiety. But it was counterweighted by the wonderfully restorative order of events whenever we did meet. I loved and adored David completely and utterly. Yet somehow he was always able to find ways to make me love and adore him even more after he had previously let me down. If you remove the element of sex, this may also have been how a secret agent, a Joe, was run. Ensuring the continued acceptance of uncertain terms and conditions by offering treats and praise. In short, by turning the hazardous secret meetings into encounters of irresistible seduction. It became my lingering suspicion that David was running me. Even when I wasnt physically with him, I could still feel his control. He started testing me. If I arrived while hed stepped out to get something from the high street, he would leave his papers on his table arranged in such a way that he would know instantly if Id looked at them. I wonder now whether he left the flat deliberately to expose me to the temptation. He would have his protagonist Magnus Pym do the same thing in the new novel, to catch his wife out when theyre staying in their little house on Lesbos. But it wasnt any temptation, since I knew David would read me whatever he wrote. Hed already shown me the most interesting items he kept in the flat: his collection of current passports, two dark blue British ones and three or four others in different colours, all in his name. Being the secret mistress of the worlds foremost espionage novelist and a former MI5 and MI6 spy may naturally have coloured my vision in all this. Perhaps, back at my own flat, I was only imagining the strange new buzz on my telephone line whenever I picked up the receiver. A short time into my relationship with David, I understood the first rule of Spy Club: deny everything. Id once asked David what he would do if his wife Jane ever found out about us and hed replied with exactly the same formula hed used when she actually had challenged him about a previous lover: Id deny you Id deny you utterly. In the middle of May that year, David wanted me to go down to his place in Cornwall for a few days. He was waiting for me at Newquay airport and seemed really pleased that Id made the effort. For the rest of that day and night, things were good between us. We were talking easily over mid-morning coffee when the phone rang. David answered it where we were sitting. I soon gathered it was Jane. His voice acquired a tone of pained endurance and they seemed stuck in for a long exchange. I didnt like the thought of hearing what was going on between them, so I took myself out of earshot into the sitting room, getting comfortable on the big red sofa in front of the fire. The call ended and David came through to where I was sitting. I suppose I was anticipating a few words of appreciation for not hanging around to fag-end on their conversation. Or we might have started to make love on the sofa, as we had on every occasion Id been at the house. But instead of moving in like a lover, David suddenly sprang on to me like an assailant. He thrust me against the cushions, pinning me down with his whole body, his forearm pressing hard and rigid just underneath my throat. You did that deliberately, didnt you? he hissed in icy fury, his face close and savage, his eyes piercing. I had no idea what he thought Id done or what he thought he was doing. He had me so I couldnt move. I couldnt respond for shock. She heard you! he continued through bared teeth. She heard your footsteps across the floor. Youve got someone with you, she said. I can hear her heels on the flagstones. His breathing came fast and shallow as he snarled out his wifes accusation. You knew shed hear you if you walked away! I genuinely hadnt given the possibility a thought. Id been sure I was quiet. But in the insanity of the moment I was too stunned and fearful to be sure of anything. Had my heels made a noise? Or was it simply that after a generous decade of Davids infidelity and denials, Jane had developed bat-like sonar to detect frequency changes at her husbands end of a telephone line? I was out of my depth. I had no comprehension of the world he and his wife lived in. I still hadnt answered him, and in a quick expert shift of his body David inched his forearm up to my throat. I was just trying to give you some privacy, was all I managed to say. He continued to rake his eyes over mine. Your credibility hangs by a thread, he said at last, and let me go. I cant explain how we got through the rest of that day and the night that followed, or why I didnt call for a taxi to take me to the airport or station or all the way back to London. I dont know now why I stayed on and I absolutely didnt know then. If there is any explanation then, as Ive written before, it was that Davids hold over any situation was so absolute that it was as if he could bend reality, and ones own reactions, to his will. This never happened again, but it was telling that it happened at all. After spending much of the summer of 1984 with his family in Cornwall, David wanted to see me all the time. He managed to make things lovely again so lovely that I once turned up at the St Johns Wood flat wearing nothing but my Burberry raincoat and high heels, to make it as lovely back for him. And you really came all the way on the Tube like that? David repeated in awe after Id told him, as if it were the most wondrous erotic notion ever. We went together to Dawlish, the coastal town in Devon that David said he needed to get the feel of for the book. He met me off the train at Exeter St Davids and we drove the rest of the way, finding a room in one of the less jejune B&Bs. We fell straight on to the bed for an Olympian session, the intensity of which surprised even David. In the evening we had an early pub supper of scampi and chips and went back to the B&B for further acrobatics. If you ever take another lover, youd better not let me find out about it, David told me as we finally turned out the light. Id know, anyway. He slept peacefully, his ghosts for once slaked, and woke me at dawn for round three. When we checked out we may have been the only guests I was puzzled to see the proprietor look sheepish and red-faced behind the front desk. David saw it, too. Do you know what, my darling? he said as we walked to the car. I reckon that fellow had a spyhole in the wall and was watching us. Thats why he couldnt look me in the eye when I paid the bill. I think he rather felt he should be paying us. On the drive to Teignmouth station, where I was to catch the train back to London, David said how amazed he was by our sex life. Its just so different with you, my darling. Everything about the sex is so different, so much freer and truer. Everything in me is so much more willing. When you get a rotten little duty f***, you surrender very little. Id never thought about it till then, but now my latest worry was that he was still availing himself of these when he wasnt with me. I asked him later why he still shared a bed with his wife. He sounded puzzled by my question and his answer only made my worry worse. Then there really would be no point to the marriage, he said. FOR the rest of the year, David was extraordinarily attentive. We saw each other all the time, frequently spending nights together at the flat. David said it was a new beginning, a new way forward. Wait until the spring, he said. Thats all. Ill have done the book and then we can sort ourselves out. Its not long, is it? He bought a new item for the flat a cheval glass and put it in the bedroom, strategically positioned by the bed. It was just what we needed to be even more narcissistic in our lovemaking and for me finally to become his looking-glass whore. David wanted one last getaway together before resigning himself to the family Christmas holiday in the Swiss Alpine resort of Wengen. In the middle of December we went to Zurich for four nights, staying at our usual hotel, the Dolder Grand. After a wonderful evening in the city, we shared the most tender and truest lovemaking either of us had known in our lives. The next morning, I woke early. David was lying beside me on his back, completely still, and I knew instantly that something wasnt right. In the semi-darkness I could see his eyes were open and staring blankly at the ceiling. For one terrible moment, I thought he was dead. I reached out and laid my hand on his chest. But he gave no response to my touch. He didnt move. He was still staring at the ceiling. His voice was flat and empty, a terrible void. You have to go back, he said. I cant be this happy. I didn't go back, but I only know this because my diary entry gives the date of my return to London, alone, three days later. We must have done things together in that time, walked around together, had meals and drinks together. We must have had sex. But I have no recollection. I only know that for the first time in my life, I experienced a state of absolute despair. And yet we continued to see each other. Whenever he and I were together over the next few months, which was often, at his flat or mine, he was loving and caring and solicitous and kind. I still loved him as much as ever, still wanted to go on loving him and knew he still loved me, perhaps even more than ever. He was still the most wonderful lover. And he talked about himself more than ever, as if desperate for me to understand him not recognising that the problem was I already did. However hard he tried to present the best of himself, after Zurich he just couldnt revive the part of me hed just shot out of the sky. Turning the happiest time ever into the worst, simply because it WAS the happiest time ever, was a paradox too far. Hed hung a sword of Damocles over our being that happy again and I didnt think Id survive it, if it ever fell. We made it through to the following summer. The book was finished and who knows what David may have had in mind for us next. I never found out. I took no conscious decision to end things. But when we were at the flat one time, my body took the decision for me. I couldnt hack the sex. It had always been the most extraordinary union, right from the first night. Now it made me feel as if I were one of those unlucky addresses that keep getting burgled. Only there was nothing left to steal. That was when I knew I couldnt go on. It was over. I would not see David again for another 14 years A Brooklyn woman whose dog died following an attack by a homeless man has claimed that the NYPD closed its investigation into the case, which has bitterly divided opinion among neighbors. Jessica Chrustic, 40, said that NYPD cops told her on Monday that they were closing their investigation after she rode with them on a fruitless search for the attacker in Prospect Park, according to the New York Post. 'When they'd dropped me off, I thanked them for their time and that's when they informed me that they were closing the case,' Chrustic told the outlet. Chrustic, a professional beekeeper, was walking her golden retriever mix Moose in the park on the morning of August 3, when a homeless man attacked them swinging a large stick. The dog died days later from internal injuries. Online pleas for help bringing Moose's killer to justice sparked anger among some locals in the progressive enclave - who suggested the police should not be called in to solve the dispute involving a black suspect they deemed vulnerable. An NYPD spokesperson disputed Chrustic's claim that the case was closed, telling DailyMail.com in a statement: 'The investigation is active and ongoing.' Jessica Chrustic, 40, said that NYPD cops told her on Monday that they were closing their investigation into the homeless man who fatally attacked her dog in Prospect Park The alleged assailant is seen above. Chrustic said the assailant first splashed her and Moose with a bottle of what appeared to be urine, and then swung a long stick hitting them Moose had a shattered tooth, and later died of sepsis from a perforated intestine, an injury that vets had not initially discovered 'Since the incident the NYPD has continuously taken investigative measures to bring the individual responsible to justice,' the department said. 'The NYPD has conducted canvasses of the park with witnesses, posted images of the suspect and increased patrols in the area.' The attack unfolded in the early morning just before 6am, when Chrustic was walking Moose and came upon a man rifling through a trashcan next to the walking path. She said the assailant first splashed her and Moose with a bottle of what appeared to be urine, and then swung a long stick, hitting both her and the dog as it lunged to protect her. Chrustic was escaped significant injury, but Moose had a shattered tooth, and later died of sepsis from a perforated intestine, an injury that vets had not initially discovered. The case has divided opinion in the liberal enclave of Park Slope, which borders Prospect Park, with some neighbors calling for an all-out manhunt for the attacker, and others insisting that social justice concerns called for compassion. Police released this sketch of the suspect. Area residents say they frequently see the man in Prospect Park but claim the NYPD has done little to apprehend him Moose, a golden retriever mix who was killed by a homeless man in Prospect Park on August 3 The debate played out on neighborhood apps such as NextDoor, where some users were appalled at the calls to arrest the suspect, who is black, and appears to be emotionally unstable and homeless. One neighbor, Martin Lofsnes, posted urging neighbors to consider '400 yrs of systematic racism which has prevented black people from building generational wealth through homeownership resulting in the extreme disparity we see today.' 'It's easy to say that you're for prison reform and you're a liberal, until it happens to you,' Lofsnes, 52, told the New York Times. Kristian Nammack, 59, attempted to form a neighborhood watch, but the group fell apart in chaotic debate over social justice 'When it happens to you, you have to deal with it. You have to take a step back, even in that heated situation where her dog died, and say, 'What does this do in the larger scheme of things?'' he added. Other neighbors, outraged at the attack, made an ill-fated attempt to form a neighborhood watch patrol they dubbed the Park Slope Panthers. 'Do we want to organize a community safety patrol, and take our park back? Think what the Guardian Angels did to take back the subways in the 70s/early 80s,' wrote Panthers organizer Kristian Nammack, 59, in a social media post announcing the group. 'We may also get to wear cool berets. I'm being serious.' Nammack, a financial consultant who attended the 2008 Occupy Wall Street protests and describes his politics as 'left of Lenin', decided to organize the group to clean up the neighborhood. Modeled after the Guardian Angels, the Park Slope Panthers disbanded after a single chaotic meeting, which was disrupted by protesters 'The goal is to be eyes and ears and to take our neighborhood back,' read a call to action on MeetUp. However, the Panthers disbanded after a single chaotic meeting, which was disrupted by protesters. The protesters accused the mostly-white group of appropriating their name from the Black Panthers, and of supporting a racist police state. 'Using the Panthers as your group's name is kind of abhorrent to me. It feels antithetical to what the Black Panthers would stand for,' one dissenter said, according to Common Sense. Another person - a white woman named Sky - chimed in to debate the very definition of crime. 'Crime is an abstract term that means nothing in a lot of ways,' she said. 'The construct of crime has been so socially constructed to target black and poor people.' Anyone with information about the attack is urged to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Enough is enough. Getting in the way of ambulances, fire engines, and cars carrying babies to hospital isn't just illegal, it's monstrously selfish. Just Stop Oil is the latest campaign to engage in such guerrilla tactics, but they are part of an ignoble tradition that includes Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain. We have seen so-called protesters stick themselves to trains, glue themselves to roads, dig dangerously unstable tunnels, interfere with newspaper distribution, vandalise property and mess with the fuel supply. On Friday Just Stop Oil activists threw soup over Van Gogh's painting Sunflowers one of the most celebrated works of art in the world. Who do they think they are? This kind of behaviour is wrong no matter what the cause. There is widespread agreement that we need to protect our environment, but democracies reach decisions in a civilised manner. Suella Braverman: 'Enough is enough. Getting in the way of ambulances, fire engines, and cars carrying babies to hospital isn't just illegal, it's monstrously selfish' It's hard to name a bigger sense of entitlement than the imagined right to bully everybody else. I also expect the Metropolitan Police to do a better job of cracking down on these thugs and vandals as does the public. If they think they're above the law, they're sorely mistaken. We have given our police greater powers to tackle seriously disruptive protests through our Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, but that Act was watered down by the House of Lords. A sharply-dressed eco-warrior grimly pours a bottle of milk all over the floor of Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly as they protest dairy products The Government is taking further action because this cannot continue. The Public Order Bill, back in the Commons this week, will put the safety and interests of the law-abiding majority first. It empowers the police to take more proactive action to prevent the kind of disruption we've seen in the past couple of weeks. Time spent on that is time that the police could otherwise spend pursuing burglars, murderers, and rapists. Those who glue themselves to the road forcing the police to remove them are wildly irresponsible, idiotic, and risking lives. Supporters of Animal Rebellion dump litres of milk onto a Marks and Spencers floor as they demand a 'plant-based future' from the government It's not just dangerous for those who do it, but also for the police removal teams. So the Bill gives police the power to stop and search people for equipment used for such activities. Just two police operations to deal with Extinction Rebellion activity in London cost 37 million, twice the annual budget of the violent crime taskforce. Meanwhile, HS2 estimates that protester action has cost them more than 146 million. What a staggering waste of money. We need serious penalties in order to deter public disorder. Serious Disruption Prevention Orders will target selfish, repeat disruptors. There is a range of new offences and powers relating to the dangerous practice of tunnelling. The Bill will strengthen the security of our transport networks, oil terminals, and printing presses by creating new criminal offences of interfering with key national infrastructure or access to essential goods and services. A small number of people can bring gridlock and misery. New powers allowing Ministers to take out injunctions against the so-called protesters will scupper disruptive plans and prevent them from escalating into chaos. This Government will not hesitate to act and keep the law-abiding majority safe. BENGALURU: Poor career growth and not 'bad bosses' is the top reason for employees' job switch, according to a survey. Bosses who focus more on work-life balance are preferred by employees, it said. The survey was conducted by Naukri.com to understand the relationship between Indian employees and their managers, the job site said in a statement on Saturday. World Boss Day is celebrated on October 16. The job site said the survey was conducted with over 4,600 employees across the sectors and experience levels, wherein 37 per cent of the total respondents were professionals with over 12 years of work experience. The survey found that the opportunity to grow within an organisation is what makes professionals stay in their current organisations. The majority of respondents (41 per cent) mentioned poor career growth as the key reason for leaving their last organisations, followed by bad work culture and company policies (34 per cent). Interestingly, only 33 per cent mentioned that they left their last organisation due to bad bosses.Over 31 per cent of employees prefer managers who motivate them to perform better and give timely feedback. Indian managers usually follow one-way communication channels (from managers to subordinates), as mentioned by 36 per cent of employees who took the survey. A majority of employees prefer bosses who focus on maintaining a work-life balance. As per the employee survey, male leaders are considered to be adaptive in nature when employees were asked to vote for them on various attributes. Apart from this, being approachable and open-minded are the other key traits that make males ideal bosses, said the job site. In this context, when it enquired about what attributes make female employees good bosses, respondents said that they are better at promoting work-life balance and showing respectful behaviours to their subordinates. The NHS is spending 40million per year on diversity roles as it pays more than 800 staff per year, many of whom earn at least 47,000 each, new data has revealed. Diversity and Inclusion Officers are employed to promote equality within health care settings, and implement strategies to reduce inequality in health settings, both in treatments and medical expertise. Many of the roles are in administration or HR, but current roles being advertised by the NHS include positions in midwifery and other health specialisms too. The TaxPayers' Alliance has accused the NHS of 'picking the pockets' of working people - but the NHS responded saying it is currently reducing the number of roles. Current diversity roles available are being advertised for maximum salaries from 32,000 to almost 64,000 According to a series of FOI requests to every NHS trust in the UK as well as NHS England, the average trust has three diversity officers, The Sun reports. It calculated that for the same 40million, the NHS could employ 1,200 extra nurses. Current roles available are being advertised for maximum salaries from 32,000 to almost 64,000. Recently, one such role was up for grabs for as much as 70,000. By comparison, the average nurse salary in the NHS is around 33,000, according to The Royal College of Nursing. It typically takes five years to reach this salary level. The revelations have sparked anger on social media, as users question why such huge sums are being spent on the roles while many NHS workers are struggling to make ends meet amid the cost of living crisis. But others have pointed out that out of the total NHS budget passed on from the Department for Health and Social Care, this is a tiny amount. The department gave the NHS 136.1billion in the financial year 2021-2022, making the annual 40million just 0.03 percent of this. Campaigner John O'Connell, chief executive of campaign group The TaxPayers' Alliance, told The Sun: 'Taxpayers are losing patience with these right-on roles in the health service. 'Bossy bureaucrats are guilty of picking the pockets of working Brits to fund diversity demagogues instead of nurses and doctors. 'Health chiefs should focus precious resources on frontline services.' A spokesperson for NHS England told The Sun that it is currently trying to reduce the number of diversity and inclusion roles by up to 40 percent. They added: 'The NHS is also one of the most efficient health services in the world, spending a far lower proportion on administration costs than comparable countries.' Lawyers acting for White House Farm killer Jeremy Bamber have submitted what they claim is dramatic new evidence in a bid to overturn his conviction at the Court of Appeal, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The former public schoolboy was convicted of murdering five family members at their farmhouse on the night of August 6, 1985. In one of the most notorious cases in British criminal history, he was found guilty of shooting his adoptive parents, his sister and her six-year-old twins in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex. The defence dossier sent to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) contains ten new pieces of evidence, according to Bamber's lawyers, and raises questions over a gruesome key detail highlighted by the judge at Bamber's trial. According to the claims, burns to the father's back were caused not by the hot end of a rifle, as the jury was told in 1986, but by a hot kitchen AGA. Killer Jeremy Bamber claims sister Sheila Caffell (pictured) shot the family before shooting herself Bamber being driven to court after being found guilty of the murder of his family Jeremy Bamber pictured in 1986 before he was jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering his adoptive parents Nevill and June, both 61, his sister Sheila, 26, and her six-year-old twins Nicholas and Daniel at their family home This image of a man not just capable of shooting dead his family but torturing them too helped secure Bamber's conviction, say his legal team. They also claim Essex Police tampered with the crime scene before taking photographs. Bamber was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years, later changed to full life without parole. White House Farm at Tolleshunt D'Arcy, near Maldon, in Essex Jeremy Bamber with his girlfriend Julie Mugford at his family's funeral in St. Nicholas Church, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex Now 61 the same age as his parents Nevill and June when they were killed he is the only whole-life prisoner in the British prison system who maintains his innocence, and has previously launched four unsuccessful appeal bids. Bamber has always said his sister Sheila Caffell, 28, killed his family before shooting herself. Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday from HMP Wakefield, Bamber said: 'After 36 years it can now be proven with absolute certainty that I did not burn my dad with the rifle barrel or the rifle's sound moderator, as my trial jury were misled into believing.' In a statement last night, Essex Police said numerous appeals 'have never found anything other than Bamber is the person responsible' for his family's killings. The CCRC said: 'We have received Mr Bamber's application, and a review is ongoing.' A huge fire erupted at an infamous Iranian jail which houses political prisoners in the nation's capital tonight, as unrest in the country continues following the death of 22-year-old woman who was detained by police. Unrest erupted at the notorious Evin prison in northern Tehran on Saturday night, the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights reported, amid protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being arrested for wearing a hijab that was 'too loose'. Gunshots, explosions and chants of 'death to the dictator' were all heard in the capital, and witnesses told MailOnline they heard automatic guns being fired, thought to be by police. State media reported that some inmates set fire to a prison warehouse and that the incident was under control, but gunshots continued to be heard into the early hours of Sunday as protesters gathered outside and internet was cut off. Unconfirmed reports suggest chaotic scenes as protesters gathered in the capital and multiple social media posts appeared to show Iranian police opening fire on protesters and members of the public. There are allegations of torture, rape and horrific treatment of prisoners at Evin, which can hold up to 15,000 people. It was where Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe was held during her six years of imprisonment in Iran. The US-based Centre for Human Rights in Iran reported that an 'armed conflict' broke out within the prison walls. It said shots were first heard in Ward 7 of the prison, but this has not been confirmed. Chants of 'Death to Khamenei' - referencing Iran's leader and one of the main slogans of a month-long protest movement that has flared over the death of Amini - could be heard in the background of some videos. Sources from opposition groups in Iran told MailOnline that they heard multiple explosions, and saw prisoners sitting on top of one of the prison's buildings chanting anti-regime slogans. There was no immediate comment by officials or reports from state media, but around an hour after the unrest was reported, state media said the incident was 'completely under control'. But reports from those in Tehran suggest gunshots are continuing to be fired, and protesters gathered outside the jail along with friends and family of those inside. One woman was pictured standing on top of a car near the prison, waving her hijab above her head in an act of defiance. Online videos appear to show smoke rising from Evin prison in Tehran, with gunshots and an alarm being heard on Saturday Images on social media show a huge fire with large plumes of smoke visible in the sky Mahsa Amini, 22, died in police custody after being detained in Tehran by Iranian morality police who believed she was wearing her hijab too loosely Evin prison has seen multiple accusations of torture, rape and other inhumane treatment of prisoners Ms Zaghari Ratcliffe has spoken out about the unrest in Iran on multiple occasions Witnesses said that police blocked roads Evin Prison and at least three strong explosions were heard coming from the area. Traffic was heavy along major motorways near the prison, which is in the north of the capital, and many people honked their horns to show their solidarity with the protests. Riot police were seen riding on motorbikes toward the facility, as were ambulances and fire trucks. Sources from opposition groups to the regime told MailOnline there was an initial explosion, followed by two more around an hour later. This was followed by automatic gunfire and possible grenade explosions. They added guards sent 'attack dogs' into the prison and barking would be heard from outside the prison. 'Troubles and clashes took place on Saturday night' in the prison and inmates started a fire, the IRNA news agency said, citing a senior security official. 'The situation is currently completely under control,' the source added. IRNA went on to report there were clashes between prisoners in one ward and prison personnel, citing a senior security official. The official said prisoners set fire to a warehouse full of prison uniforms, which caused the blaze. He said the 'rioters' were separated from the other prisoners to de-escalate the conflict. But there are videos of members of the public continuing to take to the streets in the capital, with reports that internet has been cut off from some areas of the city. Multiple fire trucks have been pictured rushing to the scene to put out the flames, but have been caught up in heavy traffic as concerned friends, relatives and activists have rushed to the prison. Hundreds of those detained during the protests over Amini's death last month have reportedly been sent to Evin. The US-based HRANA human rights group says more than 5,500 people have been arrested in a recent crackdown following widespread protests against the country's leaders. 'Gunshots can be heard from Evin Prison and smoke can be seen,' said the activist website 1500tasvir, which also shared video footage it said showed special forces on motorbikes heading for the prison. 'Families of prisoners have gathered in front of the main door of Evin prison,' said a witness contacted by Reuters. 'I can see fire and smoke. Lots of special forces. Ambulances are here too.' Separate videos show dozens of police cars heading in the direction of the smoke. The prison, which mostly holds detainees facing security charges, has long been criticised by Western rights groups and it was blacklisted by the US government in 2018 for 'serious human rights abuses'. Human Rights Watch has accused authorities at the prison of using threats of torture and of indefinite imprisonment, as well as lengthy interrogations and denial of medical care for detainees. In other footage, shared by local journalists, it is claimed people around the prison can be heard shouting 'death to the dictator'. It comes amid fierce protests against the country's so-called morality police after a 22-year-old woman died in police custody. Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman from the country's Kurdish region, died on September 16 while being held for 'inappropriate attire'. 'Gunshots can be heard from Evin Prison and smoke can be seen,' the activist website 1500tasvir said. Footage from locals in Tehran show huge plumes of smoke and a considerable blaze The prison, which mostly holds detainees facing security charges, has long been criticised by Western rights groups and it was blacklisted by the US government in 2018 for 'serious human rights abuses' An Iranian security official later said unrest which led to the fire was over and firefighters were dealing with the blaze, according to state media. As the news of the scenes at Evin prison travelled around the world, protesters gathered outside western embassies, including in Germany and London, in solidarity with protesters in Iran. Evin jail is well-known as a prison specifically for political detainees, and was where Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held after being detained in Iran in 2016. She has recently spoken out on the unrest in Iran, saying 'the world cannot ignore [it].' The reports of gunfire within the prison come after a nearly month-long crackdown by government and police. There have been huge protests, chanting in the streets and in universities against the country's leaders in a sustained wave of anger at the death of Mahsa Amini. Other segments of society, including oil workers, have also joined the movement, which has spread to at least 19 cities, becoming one of the greatest challenges to Iran's theocracy since the country's 2009 Green Movement. Riots have also broken out in prisons, with clashes reported between inmates and guards in Lakan prison in the northern province of Gilan recently. The protests, which have seen violent reactions from police, have widened into strikes that have closed shops and businesses, touched the vital energy sector and inspired brazen acts of dissent against Iran's religious rule. Crowds of women have been pictured rebelling against the strict law and ripping off their headscarves. They have also been seen cutting their hair in the streets, a move that has been taken up by women around the world in a sign of solidarity. An Iranian coroner claimed Amini had died from illness, not police violence, and insisted two girls killed during anti-hijab protests 'fell off roofs' despite claims security forces beat the teenagers to death. Amini's cousin, Erfan Mortezaei, has said that on the day she was arrested, she was forced into a police van and taken to the station where she was 'tortured'. 'There is a report from Kasra hospital [in Tehran] that says effectively by the time she reached the hospital she was already dead from a medical point of view,' he told Sky News. 'She suffered a concussion from a blow to the head.' Footage emerged on Saturday which appeared to show a woman being seriously sexually assaulted by an officer during an arrest by police at a protest. In a surprising move, Iranian officials have said they are looking into the incident. A video posted by the Norway-based organisation Iran Human Rights purported to show protests in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Iran's second most populous city, with demonstrators chanting 'Clerics get lost' and drivers honking their horns. The Iranian activist news agency HRANA said on Saturday that 233 people had been killed in the unrest, including 32 minors and 26 members of the security forces. More than 7,000 had been arrested in protests in 112 cities and towns and some 70 universities, it said in a posting online. Among the casualties have been teenage girls whose deaths have become a rallying cry for more demonstrations demanding the downfall of the Islamic Republic. Protesters called on Saturday for demonstrations in the northwestern city of Ardabil over the death of Asra Panahi, a teenager from the Azeri ethnic minority who activists alleged was beaten to death by security forces. Officials denied the report and news agencies close to the Revolutionary Guards quoted her uncle as saying the high school student had died of a heart problem. Videos posted on social media by activist website 1500tasvir purported to show street protests in Ardabil, while another social media video showed riot police retreating from rock-throwing demonstrators. Iran has blamed the violence on enemies at home and abroad, including armed separatists and Western powers, accusing them of conspiring against the Islamic Republic and denying that security forces have killed protesters. Tonight's scenes come just months after British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe was released from the infamous Evin prison by Iran after being detained on false charges in the capital for six years. Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe landed back on British soil in March, along with fellow dual national Anoosheh Ashoori, after the UK finally agreed to settle a long-standing debt to Iran. The 44-year-old was detained on security charges in 2016 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard at Imam Khomeini airport after a holiday to Iran during which she introduced her daughter to her parents. She was accused of plotting to overthrow the Iranian government, and denied spying charges. Her release came after the UK agreed to settle a historic 400 million debt dating to the 1970s after five years in Iranian jail on propaganda charges. Both countries have said the fine and the release of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe are issues that should not be linked. In his toughest warning yet to protesters, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - whose downfall many demonstrators have demanded - said on Friday that no one should dare think they can uproot the Islamic Republic. Iran's foreign minister spoke on Friday with the European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell, who urged Tehran to stop the repression of protesters. In a phone call, Hossein Amirabdollahian told Borrell Iran allowed peaceful protests and its government enjoyed popular support, state media said. 'Therefore, we recommend that Europeans look at the issue with a realistic approach,' he said. New EU sanctions on some 15 Iranians are expected to be approved on Monday, diplomats said. Mike Rowe, host of 'Deadliest Catch' and 'Dirty Jobs,' called out Americans for their lack of appreciation of blue-collar workers who help keep the country running. Rowe joined host Sean Hannity on Friday's airing of Hannity to promote the new season of his other show 'How America Works.' He said Americans are becoming less outwardly appreciative of blue-collar and gray-collar jobs, including those in trades, agriculture, manufacturing and farming. 'There are two different things. Realization and appreciation,' Rowe told Hannity when asked if he thought Americans appreciate the blue-collar workforce. 'Most of us have never really realized it, but we've always intuitively appreciated it. We know that when we flip the switch and the light comes on, that that's the result of a miracle. And that miracle is made possible by men and women doing things out of sight and out of mind.' But Rowe said what he worries about is the 'overall lack of appreciation that has infected society over the last 30 or 40 years.' He then pointed out that his programs are an attempt to 'tap the country on the shoulder' to help it have a 'fundamental appreciation' for the kinds of jobs - which are often dangerous - that make 'civilized life possible for the rest of us.' Mike Rowe, host of 'Deadliest Catch' (pictured) and 'Dirty Jobs,' called out Americans for their lack of appreciation of blue-collar workers who help keep the country running Rowe went on to say that forgetting the importance of these trades and a continuing lack of appreciation, will lead to a list of unintended consequences 'longer than my arm.' Rowe's show Deadliest Catch features workers who put their lives in danger as dozens of boats set out to sea off the coast of Alaska every winter for crab fishery in one of the most dangerous lines of work in the country. On the program Friday, Rowe also admitted that remote work in a post-COVID America has sparked a new appreciation for telecom workers, who work round the clock to make sure fiberoptics and communication channels are sound. 'I think in a lot of ways, COVID gave us a wake-up call, but I'm afraid it did something else, too, honestly,' Rowe said. 'I'll tell you what nobody's talking about,' Rowe continued. 'No one is talking about the 7 million able-bodied men who are not only unemployed today, but who have affirmatively left the workforce.' Rowe joined host Sean Hannity on Friday's airing of Hannity to promote the new season of his show 'How America Works' Rowe told Hannity on Friday that Americans are becoming less outwardly appreciative of blue-collar and gray-collar jobs, including those in trades, agriculture, manufacturing and farming According to a press release, an upcoming episode of Rowe's How America Works will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the critical work performed by Watco, a leading transportation and logistics services company, to keep the supply chain moving. Five Watco team members will be featured in the program, which chronicles the work of Americans in essential trades. 'Mike Rowe shows the men and women who do the hard work people don't see,' said Ernie Farrand, vice president of Greens Port. 'Being featured on 'How America Works' is an exciting opportunity for Watco and our team members. When consumers pick a product off a shelf, hundreds of people have worked around the clock in all kinds of weather to make that simple act possible. We're very proud to show off what our Greens Port team does to keep products and supplies moving to the people who need them.' Rowe is also the founder of MikeRoweWORKS in Baltimore, Maryland - an organization that helps the next generation find blue collar jobs. Former President Donald Trump reportedly wants to testify live before the January 6 committee to convince investigators it was a witch hunt, sources claim. The January 6 committee unanimously voted to subpoena Trump, 76, to testify about his knowledge of the Stop the Steal raid on the Capitol. Sources familiar with Trump said the former president will only agree to testify live, and his driving force is to prove it has been nothing but a witch hunt. Trump has expressed that he wants to speak to 'get his pound of flesh,' close aides told the Guardian. It is unclear if the committee will allow Trump to testify live, as they have rejected conditional testimonies from all witnesses, except Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide during the Trump administration. If they do not allow him a live testimony, it is unclear what the committee will do to comply him to comply. Trump is also said to be considering keeping quiet, on the advice of lawyers who've warned he could potentially incriminate himself. The January 6 committee unanimously voted to subpoena Trump, 76, to testify about his knowledge of the Stop the Steal raid on the Capitol. Sources familiar with Trump said he will only agree to testify live His driving force is to convince the committee they entire job has been nothing but a witch hunt. If they don't allow him to testify live, they could have a hard time forcing him to testify as a former president, as he would have immunity of testifying before Congress However, prior to issuing the subpoena, committee chairman Bennie Thompson said they wanted Trump to testify in order to hold him accountable for his actions leading to the January 6 riot. 'He must be accountable. He is required to answer for his actions, Thompson said. Members of the committee also believe that his testimony will answer many questions surrounding the case, such as his contacts with political operatives at the Willard hotel, sources told the Guardian. However, the committee might meet roadblocks when trying to get the subpoena to pass through the courts, as former presidents are typically typically have immunity from testifying before Congress. Previous attempts to subpoena past Trump administration employees have ended in bitter legal battles over executive privilege. Some of Trump's staff, like former chief of staff Mark Meadows, was asked for partial cooperation. Even if the committee is able to pass the subpoena through the courts, immunity could be protected by the Justice Department, according to the Guardian, and legal sources worry the effort could be unsuccessful in the end. In a former testimony before New York state - which has a civil case against him - Trump invoked the Fifth Amendment 440 times before the Attorney's Office filed a fraud lawsuit against him. In a special counsel investigation into his connection with Russia, Trump only submitted written responses, despite initially saying he wanted to testify in-person. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi threatened to punch Donald Trump if he showed up with rioters at the Capitol, newly released footage revealed His lawyers have also reportedly warned him about the mounting legal pressures from the Justice Department and New York State cases against him. Also recently released is footage of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying she wanted to hit Trump if he showed up with rioters storming the Capitol. Footage obtained by CNN from Pelosi's daughter shows the Speaker of the House frustrated over Trump's speech asking his followers to march to the Capitol to protest the certification of the 2020 presidential election. When an aide tells Pelosi that the Secret Service warned Trump not to go to Capitol Hill, she said she would punch the former president if he ignored the warnings. 'If he comes, I'm going to punch him out,' Pelosi said with a straight face. I've been waiting for this. For trespassing on the Capitol grounds, I'm going to punch him out. 'And I'm going to go to jail, and I'm going to be happy.' Students at a Minnesota middle school were treated by paramedics Thursday after participating in the 'One Chip Challenge' made popular on TikTok. Several students at South View Middle School in Edina reported eye pain and difficulty breathing after being exposed to chip dust - which is comprised of powder from the Carolina reaper and scorpion pepper, some of the world's spiciest peppers. The challenge, launched in 2016 by Paqui, requires its participants to eat a single chip and wait as long as possible to drink or eat anything else. It has since gone viral on social media, as people continue to struggle with the spice. An ambulance was called to the school shortly after the chips were distributed by a student to their classmates, according to the Star Tribune. Shortly after an assessment by paramedics and school staff members, it was determined that no student needed to be taken to the hospital or a poison control center for treatment. Minnesota middle schoolers suffered burning eyes after attempting TikTok-inspired 'One Chip Challenge' that sees players eat chips spiced with searing peppers, then wait as long as possible before eating or drinking No student suffered any severe allergic reaction or injuries as a result of the chip. The school has since disciplined the student responsible for the incident and has warned all students of future discipline if the challenge is done again on school grounds. There have been 39 calls to the Minnesota Poison Control Center as a result of the challenge since the end of 2021, according to WCCO. Consuming the chip leads to several side effects, including vomiting, nausea, belly pain, throat pain and mouth pain. Emergency physician Dr. Travis Olives said 39 people have come into the emergency room after attempting the challenge. 'If you breathe in a very irritating powder, essentially, on these chips, then it would likely cause the same thing that you would expect with the inhalation of other noxious substances,' Olives said. There have been 39 calls to the Minnesota Poison Control Center as a result of the challenge since the end of 2021, according to WCCO. This most recent incident happened at South View Middle School in Edina, Minnesota (pictured) The 2022 edition of the Paqui 'One Chip Challenge' leaves a blue stain on the tongue and mouth and costs $8.99. A label is placed on Paqui's website warns those who eat it of its possible side effects. Those include 'difficulty breathing, fainting or extended nausea.' The label says the challenge should be kept 'out of reach of children,' though Olives said most of the cases he has seen were of children between the ages of 10 and 16. As a result of the incident, South View has urged parents to speak with children about the dangers of the challenge as it is 'unsafe and disruptive to student learning.' The Food and Drug Administration issued a statement last week warning teens and parents about he NyQuil chicken trend The disgusting NyQuil Chicken trend earned a warning from the FDA about appropriate usages of over the counter medication An earlier challenge this year that gained popularity is the 'sleepy chicken,' or cooking raw chicken with NyQuil. The trend gained enough popularity early this year that the FDA was prompted to put out a statement on the chicken specifically, and more broadly the way parents allow their children to interact with social media. According to a recent statement from the FDA, 'One social media trend relying on peer pressure is online video clips of people misusing nonprescription medications and encouraging viewers to do so too. 'These video challenges, which often target youths, can harm people and even cause death.' He is the mild-mannered bear who became such a reassuring symbol of comfort after the Queen's death that more than a thousand stuffed toys were left in tribute in Royal Parks and at Palace gates. Now just like the 'real' Paddington the mementos left by mourners are to find a very good home. Buckingham Palace has announced that the teddies are to be donated to vulnerable children supported by the Barnardo's charity. Given that Paddington was an orphan himself, the choice could not be more apt. The Queen Consort is patron of Barnardo's and posed with just some of the collection on Thursday, before meeting young carers from the charity at Clarence House the following day. Camilla, Queen Consort, pictured at Buckingham Palace surrounded with a collection of the cuddly Paddington Bear toys that were left around London after the Queen died in September The late Queen met Paddington Bear for a sketch for her jubilee celebrations which opened the BBC's Party in the Palace to mark her 70 years on the throne Paddington became a totem for the Queen in the days following her death because one of her last public appearances was in the delightful sketch she filmed with him for her Platinum Jubilee. Mourners left so many stuffed toys, as well as the character's beloved marmalade sandwiches, amid the floral tributes that Royal Parks bosses had to urge them to stop. Prince William later said he got 'choked up' seeing the Paddingtons, admitting: 'It is the things you don't expect that get to you.' Last night, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'The teddy bears are currently being well looked after at Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and in the Royal Parks nursery in Hyde Park.' They will be given a good bath or more accurately a professional steam clean before being donated to Barnado's. A Paddington Bear left outside Balmoral Castle, where the Queen died on September 8 2022 The Queen was patron of the charity from 1983 to 2016 before handing over to Camilla, who was already its president. And the Queen Consort posed with the toys in the Morning Room at Clarence House on Thursday 64 years to the day that author Michael Bond's first Paddington book was published. It told of how the bear from 'darkest Peru' was taken in by the Brown family who found him at the London station that shares his name, carrying a battered suitcase and wearing a duffel coat with a label saying: 'Please look after this bear.' The late Queen had charmed TV viewers with the Jubilee sketch depicting her taking tea with Paddington at Buckingham Palace, revealing that she kept a marmalade sandwich in her handbag. A man places a Paddington Bear plush on top of the flowers placed in honor of Queen Elisabeth II before the British Consulate General in Hong Kong The skit was actually filmed, amid great secrecy, at Windsor Castle, and led to the bears being left alongside flowers in London's Green Park and Hyde Park after the Queen's death. Almost 200 volunteers collected up all the tributes, loading them on to wagons drawn by two grey Shire horses. Barnardo's chief executive Lynn Perry said: 'Her Majesty was Barnardo's patron for more than 30 years, and we are honoured to be able to give homes to the teddies that people left in her memory. We promise to look after these bears who will be well loved and bring joy to the children we support. We are incredibly grateful to the Queen Consort for her support.' Tom Jarvis, at the Royal Parks, said: 'Over the last few weeks, we have been looking for a fitting and appropriate use for the hundreds of teddy bears left to honour the Queen. We are delighted they will now bring joy and comfort to children supported by Barnardo's.' At least 11 soldiers have been killed and a further 15 injured at a military training ground in Russia, in an incident local authorities have declared a 'terrorist attack'. Two assailants are reported to have opened fire on a group of volunteers preparing to fight in Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry revealed on Saturday. The attack is said to have occurred in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. The defence ministry said two volunteer soldiers fired at fellow troops before they themselves were shot dead. At least 11 people died at the scene with another 15 seriously wounded. The incident took place during target practice, when the two volunteers from an unnamed ex-Soviet nation opened fire on the training group. The ministry has labelled the incident a terrorist attack. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the incident. The attack is said to have occurred in the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine Ukrainian forces recently recaptured the city of Kupiansk, east of Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine. A man is seen carrying buckets to collect water in the region 'During a firearms training session with individuals who voluntarily expressed a desire to participate in the special military operation (against Ukraine), the terrorists opened fire with small arms on the personnel of the unit,' the ministry said in a statement provided to local media. 'As a result of the shooting, 11 people were fatally wounded. Another 15 people with wounds of varying severity were taken to a medical facility.' The shooting comes amid a hasty mobilisation ordered by President Vladimir Putin to beef up Russian forces in Ukraine - a move that triggered protests and caused hundreds of thousands to flee Russia. Putin said on Friday that more than 220,000 reservists already had been called up as part of an effort to recruit 300,000. Even though the Russian leader declared that only people who had recently served in the military will be subject to the call-up, activists and rights groups reported military conscription offices rounding up people without any army experience - some of whom were also unfit for service for medical reasons. Russian citizens drafted during the partial mobilization are seen being dispatched to combat he Ukrainian army pushed Russian troops from occupied territory in the northeast of the country in counterattacks this week Some of the freshly called-up reservists posted videos of them being forced to sleep on the floor or even outside and given rusty weapons before being sent to the front lines. Authorities have acknowledged that the mobilisation was often poorly organised and promised to improve the situation. Putin said earlier this week recent military mobilisation he ordered is coming to an end, and he has no plans for further conscriptions once it has finished. But it was revealed earlier this week Iranian troops have quietly joined the Ukrainian frontline to help train Moscow's forces in how to operate kamikaze drones. Up to 50 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) specialists have been sent to the southern and eastern front with hundreds of Shahed-136 drones, according to the Mirror. A strike using the Iranian-made 'suicide drones' hit near Makrariv, a small city located 31 miles west of Kyiv, on Thursday, destroying critical infrastructure. Despite denials from the Iranian regime that their forces are getting involved in the conflict, IRGC troops have reportedly been based in Dzankoi in Crimea and Kherson in the south, where one team has already been destroyed. The ministry has labelled the incident a terrorist attack. Pictured: Putin speaking at a Summit of leaders on Friday A Ukrainian source told the newspaper: 'At least one of the Iranian training teams has been hit recently and they are actively being hunted down. 'We have been concerned for some time that IRGC specialists are helping Russia in their terrible attacks on civilians and they are of course being targeted.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia earlier this week of using Iranian-made Shahed-136 UAVs - also known as suicide drones - against military and civilian targets. Tehran has denied selling the drones to Russia, but there is mounting evidence that Moscow is deploying the weapon. Between September 30 and October 6 alone, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said it had destroyed 24 of the weapons, which are designed to be flown directly into targets - overwhelming and evading air defences along the way. With a range of more than 600 miles, the explosive-laden drones can 'loiter' above potential targets for hours before being slammed directly into enemy soldiers, vehicles or buildings from above - causing an explosion. Rescuers work at the site of a residential building heavily damaged during a Russian attack in Mykolaiv on Thursday Russia has intensified its bombardment of civilian areas in recent weeks as its military lost ground in multiple occupied regions of Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin has illegally annexed. Kyiv said 83 missiles or drones were launched against the country on Monday morning, striking the capital and several other cities, killing civilians in the process. 'They want panic and chaos. They want to destroy our energy system,' Zelensky said in a video address on Telegram. He added: Russia is 'trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the earth.' There are mounting concerns about Putin's willingness to start nuclear war. The Russian leader has increased the number of strategic nuclear bombers stationed at an airbase near the Finnish and Norwegian borders, satellite images show. Putin warned of 'global catastrophe' if Nato troops clash directly with Russia, despite having now heightened that risk himself. The coming weeks will see a number of Russian nuclear drills, predicted to include the test-firing of ballistic missiles, at the same time as Nato tests its preparedness to respond to such attacks. Western officials said Russia was 'rapidly exhausting' its supply of missiles and because of sanctions was unable to import the parts required to manufacture replacements. One added: 'For these reasons Russia cannot sustain the aerial campaign indefinitely.' This is to ensure charity workers can be accommodated at the Coronation The Mail on Sunday understands that peers and members will ballot for seats The 'homage' where peers in ermine pay respects is likely to be overhauled The King is expected to give more prominence to charity workers at Coronation King Charles III is expected to put charity workers before members of the aristocracy in his Coronation service at Westminster Abbey, The Mail on Sunday understands. A lengthy section of the ceremony when hereditary peers in ermine line up to pay their respects to the new monarch, known as the homage, is likely to be overhauled, possibly even scrapped, to give greater prominence to charity representatives. It comes as a new book reveals how King Charles three years ago took his former aide, Michael Fawcett, with him to Japan to take notes on how the ancient ceremony of an emperors enthronement was given modern-day appeal. King Charles III is expected to put charity workers before members of the aristocracy in his Coronation service at Westminster Abbey, The Mail on Sunday understands The Mail on Sunday also understands that: To accommodate the charity workers in Westminster Abbey, peers and members of the aristocracy may be required to enter a ballot for a seat; The guest list and scale of the event will be more closely based on the late Queens recent state funeral than her 1953 Coronation; Prince William may play a key role in the organisation of his fathers Coronation. Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that the Coronation would take place on May 6 next year. A spokesman said: The Coronation will reflect the monarchs role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry. The Palace confirmed The Mail on Sundays revelation in February that the King wished for Camilla to be crowned alongside him. But while Charles is keen to uphold the religious sanctity of the event, changes will be introduced to bring the ancient ceremony up to date. It comes as a new book reveals how King Charles three years ago took his former aide, Michael Fawcett, with him to Japan to take notes on how the ancient ceremony of an emperors enthronement was given modern-day appeal As the MoS revealed last week, the guest list for the ceremony is likely to be slashed from 8,000 at Queen Elizabeths Coronation to 2,000. The length of the service is set to be about an hour compared with almost four hours in 1953, and there will be a much more relaxed dress code, with peers possibly allowed to wear lounge suits instead of ceremonial robes. Experts who have spent years researching how the modern-day Coronation of King Charles will be planned are poised to release a new report outlining what the nation can expect. The study, written by academics at the Constitution Unit at University College London and based on interviews with insiders over several decades, is expected to reveal a fascinating insight into the arduous planning involved. Dr Bob Morris, of UCLs Constitution Unit and author of Inaugurating A New Reign: Planning For Accession And Coronation, said: There will inevitably be many changes in the next Coronation, not least because there has been a great change in the status of the aristocracy over the past 70 years. There are no longer hereditary peers being created and, save for the 90 left in the Lords, the peerage has no legislative function. So, it would be very difficult to see how you could justify fitting anything like the numbers of the peerage attending Westminster Abbey in 1953. There would have to be a ballot for a limited number from the 90 peers to attend the Coronation instead. The King has made it clear that he is conscious that we live in straitened times, and that the Coronation will have to reflect that. As the MoS revealed last week, the guest list for the ceremony is likely to be slashed from 8,000 at Queen Elizabeths Coronation to 2,000 There could even be a role for Prince William, even though Kensington Palace last night pointed out that nothing had yet been decided. Professor Robert Hazell, of the Constitution Unit at UCL, said: It would be a suitable choice for Prince William to represent King Charles in the planning because it would get him thinking about what kind of Coronation he might like when he becomes King. In Catherine Pepinsters book, Defenders Of The Faith, she reveals how, in 2019, Charles travelled to Japan with aide Fawcett for the enthronement of the 126th Emperor Naruhito. Fawcett who was working as an executive for the Princes charitable foundation, but has since stepped down after offering to help acquire a Knighthood and British citizenship for a wealthy donor took notes on behalf of Charles. A source tells Pepinster: Fawcett was there finding out how the Japanese did an event like that. The Constitution Unit has put forward amendments to make the ceremony more inclusive towards other faiths. The important point will be to make the event uplifting and relevant to today. The author argues that the Latin words for Long Live The King! are likely to survive. Exxon Mobil is experiencing its highest employee attrition in decades, with disgruntled workers complaining of a strict, fear-based company culture, according to a new report. In the past two years, even as Exxon reaped record profits, it has lost 12,000 employees globally, less than half of whom were laid off, according to a lengthy report in Bloomberg Businessweek on Thursday. Citing interviews with more than 40 current and former Exxon employees, the report detailed how many bristled at a culture they describe as stagnant and overbearing. In one instance, at a virtual town hall last year, Exxon's global IT vice president Bill Keillor reportedly exploded when workers peppered him with tough questions about compensation and remote working policies in a rare show of defiance. Keillor snapped and said that anyone who wanted to be a 'hotshot' should go work for Amazon, adding 'good luck to you,' people in attendance recalled. Exxon disputed the article's characterization of its corporate culture as untrue, with a spokeswoman saying that isolated incidents had been blown out of proportion. Exxon Mobil is experiencing its highest employee attrition in decades, with disgruntled workers complaining of a strict, fear-based company culture Exxon's global IT vice president Bill Keillor reportedly exploded when workers peppered him with tough questions about compensation and remote working policies 'Like nearly every company, attrition increased in the last two years, but we don't see that as a long-term trend,' Exxon said in a statement. 'Importantly, we are seeing good results when hiring top talent for roles throughout the company, at entry-level and for senior executive positions,' the company said. A titan in the oil industry with a 140-year history, Exxon does have a reputation for old-school corporate management practices that can seem out of step with the time. Acronyms and jargon are ubiquitous, and to rise through the ranks, employees must operate under a strict hierarchy with stringent rules, according to Bloomberg. One such rule requires workers to hold the handrail at all times on staircases. While it was written primarily with oil rigs and refining plants in mind, the rule is strictly enforced, even in corporate offices. The exterior of the ExxonMobil Houston campus is seen above. Workers at the office are required to hold handrails on stairs, though the rule was intended primarily for oil rigs The sun sets on an ExxonMobil natural gas rig in the Gulf of Mexico in a file photo Dar-Lon Chang, a mechanical engineer who left the company in 2019 after nearly two decades, told the magazine: 'Upper management doesn't like to hear bad news, so to stay at Exxon long term, you have to drink the Kool-Aid.' 'This doesn't sit well with younger people and especially those concerned about the climate crisis,' said Chang, who said that when he joined Exxon in 2003, he believed it would play a key role in shifting the world away from fossil fuels. Instead, Chang said he was disappointed, alleging the company repeatedly rejected potential investments in renewables over profitability concerns. Another incident troubled some Exxon employees of color, when the company issued an edict in April 2020 banning 'external position flags' from its main corporate flagpoles, such as Gay Pride and Black Lives Matter. Former Exxon worker Dar-Lon Chang (above) said: 'Upper management doesn't like to hear bad news, so to stay at Exxon long term, you have to drink the Kool-Aid' Because the rainbow Pride flag had flown on the same poles a year earlier, some black employees were outraged, suspecting the policy targeted the BLM flag specifically. Exxon insisted in a statement that diversity is 'embedded in our core values.' 'The idea that ExxonMobil's culture is what these employees say it is doesn't hold water for two reasons: how many people join this company each year and how long people stay,' a company spokeswoman said. 'No culture is perfect and it's far too easy to take a few data points and paint with a broad brush, but that doesn't produce an accurate portrait.' MANGALURU: Unidentified persons allegedly waylaid the car of Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja and threatened him by flashing weapon, police officials said. According to the police, Harish Poonja had returned from Bengaluru on October 13. After picking him up at the airport, his driver Naven took him to the Circuit House where the MLA attended a meeting. Around 10.45 pm, the MLA left the Circuit House for Belthangady. While the MLA boarded his relatives car, his driver followed him in the official car. When the cars had reached Naguri Railway Over Bridge, the driver noted that a Scorpio Car had started following the MLA's car. The driver immediately called up the MLA and informed him. Poonja asked the driver to follow the car. Around 11.45 pm, the person on the Scorpio Car waylaid the car of MLA Poonja at Farangipet and used foul language and scolded those in the car. He also allegedly flashed a weapon and threatened the MLA and those in the car. The Scorpio vehicle later left the spot when Naveen stopped the car near the Farangipete police outpost. Based on a complaint from the MLAs driver Naveen, the Bantwal Rural police have registered an FIR under IPC Section 341 (Wrongful restraint), 504 (International insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 506 (criminal intimidation). State transport and ST Welfare Minister B. Sriramulu has condemned the incident. Shocked to know that some miscreants tried to attack by stopping the car of MLA Harish Poonja and trying to threaten him. We know that such anti-social elements should be controlled. Patience has its limit. Action has to be replied with reaction, Sriramulu tweeted. Mr Kwarteng has now been replaced by former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt Ms Truss had to execute U-turn on plan at Tory Party conference in Birmingham Former Chancellor wanted to delay the policy to avoid 'doing too much at once' Kwasi Kwarteng argued against the Government's plan to cut the top 45p rate of tax, but was overruled by Prime Minister Liz Truss, according to several sources Kwasi Kwarteng argued against the Governments disastrous plan to cut the top 45p rate of tax but was over-ruled by Liz Truss, sources have told The Mail on Sunday. The former Chancellor was sacked by the Prime Minister on Friday, after Ms Truss told him that he had to go in order to restore market confidence. They are coming for me, Ms Truss said to Mr Kwarteng, referring to the plotters who want to oust the Prime Minister in the wake of the turmoil caused by his mini-budget. Now sources have claimed that the most contentious policy, the proposed cut in the top rate to 40p, was effectively forced on Mr Kwarteng after he suggested to Ms Truss that it should be delayed until next year to avoid doing too much at once. Former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng (pictured) was sacked by the Prime Minister on Friday. He served for just 38 days. Sources claim the former Chancellor argued against the Governments disastrous plan to cut the top 45p rate of tax but was over-ruled by Liz Truss (pictured) Jeremy Hunt (pictured with Liz Truss) was quickly announced as Mr Kwarteng's successor as Chancellor The PM is understood to have said: No lets go for it. When this newspaper asked Mr Kwarteng after the mini-budget whether Ms Truss had bounced him into the cut, he paused before responding: I think we were agreed on that. Ms Truss had to execute a humiliating U-turn on the plan at the Tory Party conference in Birmingham, and then also had to reverse her pledge to freeze corporation tax on Friday to reassure the markets that the measures had been costed. Commentators have argued that if measures had been spaced out over a year the markets would not have been spooked in the way that they were. Mr Kwarteng was replaced by former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, a supporter of Rishi Sunak, who signalled that taxes would have to rise and public spending trimmed. Separate sources have also claimed that Mr Kwarteng had agonised before deciding whether to back Ms Truss in the leadership contest earlier this year. They say he confided that he was worried about her candidacy on the grounds that she was a bit crazy. Mr Kwarteng and Ms Truss have been close politically for over a decade, and live close to each other in Greenwich, South East London, where they have been seen plotting in local pubs. Some sources have also claimed that Mr Kwarteng had agonised before deciding whether to back Ms Truss in the leadership contest earlier this year Ms Truss delivered the news to Mr Kwarteng about his position at a meeting on Friday after he flew back earlier than planned from talks at the International Monetary Fund in Washington The sources say that Mr Kwarteng only endorsed Ms Truss after his preferred candidate, Ben Wallace, pulled out of the race and only once Mr Kwarteng had been tacitly promised the Chancellorship. No 10 disputes this version of events, saying that Mr Kwarteng was an enthusiastic early supporter of Ms Truss. An ally of Ms Truss said: This was an immensely difficult decision for the PM, who told aides several times how painful she had found it to be. Liz and Kwasi had a warm meeting in the Cabinet Room and the PM felt deep personal sadness. The ally added that the Prime Minister had little choice but to sack Mr Kwarteng because the whips office and senior party officials, including Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, all thought that the Chancellor had to lose his job in order to stabilise both the party and the economy. Ms Truss delivered the news to Mr Kwarteng at a meeting on Friday after he flew back earlier than planned from talks at the International Monetary Fund in Washington. He learnt from social media that he was being dismissed as he was being driven to Downing Street. He became the second shortest-serving Chancellor, having served for just 38 days. Despite this, Mr Kwarteng is understood to believe that Ms Truss has bought herself just a few weeks by sacking him and reversing the budget because the wagons are circling. Mr Kwarteng was not available for comment. When Ben Wallace pulled out of the Conservative leadership contest in July, he had already built a campaign team and secured the support of more than 25 MPs. But strains in his domestic life led him to conclude that the pressures of the job would have too great an impact on his family. But friends say the Defence Secretary has now become much less categoric about not running, after being approached by colleagues to stand in any possible contest. Mr Wallace, who regularly tops the rankings among Tory party members, is rethinking his position because he believes that Rishi Sunak, the favourite to succeed Liz Truss, cannot unite the party. 'Most of us now favour a coronation for Ben. He's the best we've got,' one plotter told the Sunday Mirror. 'But he might need some persuading to take the job. And getting Rishi back would calm the bond markets and strengthen the pound.' Mr Wallace's potential change of heart comes as leaders of mutinous backbenchers told The Mail on Sunday that more than 100 Tory MPs are prepared to write to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, submitting a motion of no confidence in Ms Truss. Sir Graham is under pressure to change the rule which stops a leader being challenged for a year after their election or risk being ousted as chairman. The rebels, led by former Ministers Gavin Williamson, Grant Shapps and Julian Smith, are aiming for 125 names. Any contest is likely to be restricted to MPs because another vote by party members would take too long. Ms Truss tried to save her faltering Premiership on Friday by sacking Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, following weeks of economic turmoil in the wake of the tax-cutting mini-budget he unveiled in September. But Mr Kwartengs replacement, Jeremy Hunt, was accused of mounting a silent coup yesterday after effectively ripping up Ms Trusss policy platform by saying taxes will have to rise and efficiencies would be needed in an effort to balance the books. Ben Wallace (pictured) pulled out the Tory leadership contest in July after he concluded that the pressures of the job would have too great an impact on his family Mr Hunt could also delay a penny cut in income tax for a year in a return to Mr Sunaks leadership pledge. The reversal of the flagship announcement would be the latest in a series of Government U-turns. No 10 has also been forced to deny claims that Mr Hunt was the second choice for the job after former Chancellor Sajid Javid. Mr Kwarteng is understood to have told friends that the PM has bought herself only a few weeks by sacking him and that MPs are circling the wagons to remove her. As Westminster prepares for another tumultuous week: The MoS learned that Mr Kwarteng argued against the disastrous plan to announce a cut to the top 45p rate of tax but was over-ruled by Ms Truss; Sources claimed that when she sacked Mr Kwarteng, Ms Truss said, They are coming for me referring to the plotters who want to oust her; Allies of the PM claimed the plotting was part of a vendetta by a group of former public schoolboys who cant get over the fact that they were beaten by a woman; A senior Tory MP predicted the party would split if Mr Sunak was forced on the public by MPs; Former leadership contender Penny Mordaunt was said to be stepping up her courting of colleagues ahead of another pitch at the job; One faction of MPs astonishingly argued for the return of Theresa May as a caretaker leader; Ms Truss tried to regain some political momentum by preparing to introduce new anti-strike laws. A friend of Mr Wallace said: Ben is concerned that the economic problems mean the PM could U-turn on her pledge to increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP by 2030. He is very concerned that we could be on the brink of a global war, and wants to make sure that the country is well protected. The friend added: Rishi is too divisive, and wasnt popular enough with the members. Ben is a tax-cutting deficit hawk and would help to reclaim the partys reputation for economic competence. Wallace is thinking about stepping in as he is concerned that Rishi Sunak (pictured), the favourite to succeed Liz Truss, cannot unite the party Mr Wallace has been praised for his handling of the Ukraine crisis, which boosted his popularity among MPs and across the wider party. The Sunday Express revealed that rebel Tories are planning to replace Ms Truss with a 'unity team'. One mutineer said: 'We want to do what is right for the party and the country, and we aren't hanging around.' A former ally of Ms Truss also said: 'There's nothing we can do now to save her now. She faces a slow, humiliating demise. 'I've come to the conclusion it would be more humane to put her out of her misery quickly.' Allies that remain with Ms Truss claim that Mr Sunak is helping to stir the plotting which is denied by his aides and are furious about the mauling she received at last weeks meeting of the 1922 Committee. Mr Sunak has told friends that before Liz Truss became PM, the Tories had one big asset, a reputation for competence, and one problem, that we were the nasty party. Now we just have the problem. One ally of Ms Truss said: This is a vendetta driven by former public schoolboys who cant get over the fact that they were beaten by a woman. Mr Sunak attended the prestigious Winchester College, although Mr Williamson, Mr Shapps and Mr Smith all attended state schools. The ally added: If they keep on plotting to install Rishi they will just end up with Boris again. Sources claimed that when she sacked Mr Kwarteng, Liz Truss said, They are coming for me referring to the plotters who want to oust her Upping the ante against the plotters, a Downing Street source said: The people who plotted against one PM are now trying to get rid of another. They do not care about our economic prosperity or the fate of the markets or the situation in Ukraine. They know who they are. They dont care about anything except their own jobs and careers. We owe it to the British people to focus on them and their needs. And that is what we are doing. The Prime Minister and the new Chancellor are helping people with the cost of energy. It is time the plotters thought about who they work for: it is the British people. One senior Tory MP predicted the party will split if anti-Truss colleagues try to force Mr Sunak on the party. He told the MoS: This could result in an irreversible split that would keep the Tories out of power for a generation. The former Minister angrily named Michael Gove and Grant Shapps as being at the heart of a clique agitating to replace Ms Truss with Mr Sunak. Meanwhile, No 10 has furiously denied claims that Mr Javid rejected Ms Trusss overtures for him to succeed Mr Kwarteng, with a source close to her saying she wanted to emulate the close working relationship between David Cameron and George Osborne. The PM settled on Jeremy quickly. There was no plan B, said the source. The PM and Jeremy have worked together closely for years and as Foreign Secretary Liz would often call him for advice. The source added: Jeremy is a details person and he understands that we face two choices: Liz or Starmer. Whats done is done and the PM has delivered an enormous energy package that has stopped people from freezing to death this winter as well as roundly applauded tax cuts for the lowest paid workers in society. Jeremy will help balance the ticket with the PM and help settle things with the markets and with the party. An ally of Ms Truss said the decision to sack Mr Kwarteng was immensely difficult. The ally said: The PM felt a deep personal sadness, but senior party figures had encouraged her to move the Chancellor on. She acted in the national interest to stave off a worsening market situation. She was boxed in. The Treasury had briefed that she should U-turn and the markets spiked. The pension funds were essentially playing roulette with the economy. Pension funds got themselves hooked on cheap cash and now its run out. Whats more, high street banks are overcharging customers way above the base rate. Wheres [money-saving expert] Martin Lewis now as millions of people are ripped off by greedy banks? Incoming Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) admitted on Saturday that the Government had made mistakes and had been flying blind with its economic plan A friend added: Weve borrowed too much for too long. The cost of servicing our debt is going up and up. A No 10 source added that Government plans to crack down on union strikes, being published this week, could be a game changer. In a press conference on Friday, Ms Truss said she was scrapping her plan to freeze corporation tax and it will rise from 19 per cent to 25 per cent as previously planned. Mr Hunt admitted on Saturday that the Government had made mistakes and had been flying blind with its economic plan. He said: No Chancellor can control the markets, but what I can do is show that we can control our tax and spending plans and that is going to need some very difficult decisions on both spending and tax. That is what I must do now so that people who are worried about their mortgage costs going up, that are worried about how theyre going to get through winter [with] the cost of living crisis, people in the NHS who are worried about the pressures theyre facing, can be reassured that the fundamental stability that they need from the Government, and that they expect the Government to provide, is there. There were mistakes. It was a mistake when were going to be asking for difficult decisions across the board to cut the rate of tax paid by the very wealthiest. He denied that he had ambitions to become Prime Minister himself, saying his leadership ambitions have been clinically excised. Advertisement Home Secretary Suella Braverman has slammed climate and vegan activists as 'thugs' in a blistering attack in which she also criticised the Metropolitan Police and told them to 'do a better job'. She lambasted protesters for their 'imagined right to bully' the rest of the public, adding: 'Who do they think they are?' It followed a 15th successive day of protests by Just Stop Oil, who blocked roads in central London again today, and more protests by vegan activists Animal Rebellion which included pouring milk on the floor and meat counters in luxury shops such as Fortnum and Mason. Ms Braverman labelled the climate activists 'so-called protesters' and added that 'democracies reach decisions in a civilised manner.' Her criticism wasn't just reserved for the activists themselves, she also issued a stark warning to the police: 'I also expect the Metropolitan Police to do a better job of cracking down on these thugs and vandals as does the public.' Referring to activists such as those from Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain, she said protesters who glue themselves to the road are 'wildy irresponsible, idiotic, and risking lives.' She threatened future 'serious penalties in order to deter public disorder' in her article in The Mail On Sunday. Her comments come ahead of the Public Order Bill returning to Parliament this week, which the government is hoping will strengthen officers' powers to deal with protesters more quickly. Proposed measures include more stop and search powers to enable police to look for items such as superglue. Suella Braverman fiercely attacked eco-protesters and the Metropolitan Police in an article for The Mail On Sunday last night - telling police to 'do a better job' A sharply-dressed eco-warrior grimly pours a bottle of milk all over the floor of Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly as they protest dairy products Supporters of Animal Rebellion dump litres of milk onto a Marks and Spencers floor as they demand a 'plant-based future' from the government The meat counter at Harrods was targeted by the zealots, who object to animal-based products such as meat and milk The eco-mob hit a Waitrose in Edinburgh, targeting upmarket stores as they call for a transition to a plant-based future Eco-protesters in Manchester poured milk all over the floor beside the meat aisle in Marks and Spencers Protesters strike at Harrods as bemused and nonplussed Saturday shoppers watch or try to get on with their shopping The Public Order Bill is a major piece of legislation which will introduce a raft of new measures aimed at curbing protests. Accusing protesters of draining police resources, Ms Braverman will use the bill to allow secretaries of state to apply for injunctions in the 'public interest' where protests are causing or threatening 'serious disruption or a serious adverse impact on public safety'. According to the Home Office, this will include protecting access to 'essential' goods, services and key infrastructure. Ms Braverman said: 'I will not bend to protestors attempting to hold the British public to ransom. 'Preventing our emergency services from reaching those who desperately need them is indefensible, hideously selfish and in no way in the public interest. 'This serious and dangerous disruption, let alone the vandalism, is not a freedom of expression, nor a human right. It must stop.' The Home Office said the proposed public order legislation would create a new criminal offence of interfering with infrastructure such as oil refineries, airports, railways and printing presses. Such an offence would carry a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. 'Locking on' or 'going equipped to lock-on' to other people, objects or buildings to cause 'serious disruption' could see people imprisoned for six months or hit with an unlimited fine. A new criminal office of tunnelling to cause serious disruption is also being created, which will carry a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment as well as the potential for an unlimited fine. An offence of going equipped to tunnel will also be created. The Public Order Bill will return to Parliament next week and Ms Braverman said it is 'high time' MPs back it. 'The police need strengthened and tougher powers to match the rise in self-defeating protest tactics and that's what the Public Order Bill will do. 'It's high time Parliament got behind it and put the law-abiding majority first.' The Home Office is also promising that stop-and-search measures and new serious disruption prevention orders will support the police, with the latter targeting those repeatedly convicted of protest-related offences. Animal Rebellion, an off shoot of Extinction Rebellion, today shocked Saturday shoppers as they organised a co-ordinated 'milk pour' targeting upmarket stores across the country. Activists grabbed milk from shelves at multiple stores such as Waitrose, Whole Foods and Marks and Spencer throughout the country, including in London, Norwich, Manchester and Edinburgh and dumped it over the floors and counters. The young climate activists held signs calling for a plant-based future, a reference to the high carbon footprint of animal products. The meat counter at Harrods was targeted by the organisation, while in Fortnum & Mason the cheese counter was vandalised. In a video of a 'milk pour' at a Marks and Spencers in Manchester, a man is heard telling the protesters: 'Plant-based future? Take your shoes off then, they're not plant-based.' Animal Rebellion said it is highlighting the need to support farmers in transitioning to a sustainable plant-based food system. Skylar Sharples, an international development University of Sussex graduate, from Bristol and one of the protesters at Harrods, said: 'Supporters of Animal Rebellion are back acting because (Prime Minister) Liz Truss and Ranil Jayawardena (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) are again deciding to ignore calls to start building a better future. 'A plant-based future would see a beautiful world for us all, thriving with nature and life. 'The steps to properly support farmers in this transition need to begin now.' Skylar Sharples (pictured), an international development graduate from Bristol and one of the protesters at Harrods, said: 'Supporters of Animal Rebellion are back acting because (Prime Minister) Liz Truss and Ranil Jayawardena (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) are again deciding to ignore calls to start building a better future Milk pours happened in Marks and Spencers in Manchester on Market Street, beside the steak section A pair of protesters march up to the milk aisle in a Waitrose in Edinbrugh and proceed to systematically pour out gallons of milk onto the floor One bystander approaches an eco-zealot to remonstrate with her while she was in the midst of a rant against the dairy industry Shoppers looked over as protesters poured out cartons of milk onto the floor of Marks and Spencers in Manchester Animal Rebellion said it is calling for a plant-based future and highlighting the need to support farmers in transitioning to a sustainable plant-based food system The meat counter at Harrods was targeted by the eco mob, while in Fortnum & Mason - two of London's poshest shops - the cheese counter was vandalised A shopper looks frustrated as protesters empty gallons of milk onto the floor of a Marks and Spencers Protesters raid the cheese section of upmarket Fortnum & Mason's in Piccadilly, grabbing milk and pouring it out onto the shop floor Protesters with baskets of milk moments before it was poured all over the floor Lou Hadden, a charity worker from Herefordshire who joined the action at Fortnum and Mason, said: 'This is not how I imagined spending my weekend. 'Unfortunately, this disruption is necessary to get those in power to listen to the academics at Oxford, Harvard and the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). 'The world's best climate and land scientists are calling for the transition to a plant-based food system. 'We need bold and decisive politics at this time, not the horror show we currently see.' 'Milk Pours are currently happening across the UK. All are concerned individuals calling on the government to give us a livable future, a #PlantBasedFuture,' Animal Rebellion tweeted this afternoon. 'Animal Rebellion supporters have just poured out milk across the floor and over other dairy products at Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly,' came another tweet. 'We are calling on the government to support farmers in a transition to a plant-based food system.' 'The dairy companies are responsible for the majority of methane emissions,' one protester shouted out as she busily poured milk onto the floor in the Waitrose milk aisle. She was interrupted by a bystander coming up to remonstrate with her. 'We're all about peaceful protests and non-violence, we're just calling out the injustice of the industry,' she says to the man, before continuing her rant. The same group struck Fortnum & Masons just two weeks ago when activists from the group sparked fury by pouring milk over two high-end London department stores in a protest against dairy products. Meanwhile Furious road users resorted to dragging eco protesters out of the road and begged them to move today as Just Stop Oil blocked busy Shoreditch High Street in East London. At least 26 people were arrested at the junction after the Met Police arrived to unglue and remove the dozens of protestors blocking up the streets on the 15th consecutive day of disruption by the eco-zealots. A man is hauled away by police officers on Shoreditch High Street after taking part in the latest eco-warrior protest in London Metropolitan Police arrested at least 26 people as they cleared Just Stop Oil protestors off the street this afternoon An enraged motorist tries to grab the eco-warriors banner as they sit in the middle of the East London road A member of the public drags away a Just Stop Oil protestor blocking the busy junction on Shoreditch High Street In one clip of the disruption, caused by 29 protesters who glued themselves to the road just after 12pm, a van driver claims he desperately needs to get his sick wife to hospital. Tensions between the driver and activists reached boiling point when he drove towards members of the group sitting in the middle of the road. Several protesters jump up as the van approaches while a woman is heard screaming 'No! Don't do it!' Members of the public film the driver as one asks him 'Where are you going to go?' before he explains: 'My Mrs is not well, she needs to get to a hospital.' 'Have some respect for other people,' he added during the intense exchange. 'There's other people who need to get to places.' Meanwhile, another driver pleaded with the activists to get out the road before physically trying to remove them. The fuming man can be seen snatching a banner off the Just Stop Oil protesters before yelling: 'You all use fuel in some way or another... this is ridiculous get out the way!' In a statement the group said: 'Just after 12pm, 29 supporters of Just Stop Oil disrupted traffic in Shoreditch on the fifteenth day of action during October. They are demanding that the government halts all new oil and gas licences and consents. 'Supporters established a roadblock on Shoreditch High Street at the junction of Great Eastern Street, by sitting in the road with banners and gluing themselves to the tarmac.' More than 350 Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested in London since the start of October, according to Home Office figures. The Home Secretary and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are set to attend a meeting chaired by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Nadhim Zahawi, where the recent protests are expected to be discussed. SUELLA BRAVERMAN: Enough is enough. Eco-zealots are not just causing mayhem they are risking lives Enough is enough. Getting in the way of ambulances, fire engines, and cars carrying babies to hospital isn't just illegal, it's monstrously selfish. Just Stop Oil is the latest campaign to engage in such guerrilla tactics, but they are part of an ignoble tradition that includes Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain. We have seen so-called protesters stick themselves to trains, glue themselves to roads, dig dangerously unstable tunnels, interfere with newspaper distribution, vandalise property and mess with the fuel supply. On Friday Just Stop Oil activists threw soup over Van Gogh's painting Sunflowers one of the most celebrated works of art in the world. Who do they think they are? This kind of behaviour is wrong no matter what the cause. There is widespread agreement that we need to protect our environment, but democracies reach decisions in a civilised manner. Suella Braverman: 'Enough is enough. Getting in the way of ambulances, fire engines, and cars carrying babies to hospital isn't just illegal, it's monstrously selfish' It's hard to name a bigger sense of entitlement than the imagined right to bully everybody else. I also expect the Metropolitan Police to do a better job of cracking down on these thugs and vandals as does the public. If they think they're above the law, they're sorely mistaken. We have given our police greater powers to tackle seriously disruptive protests through our Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, but that Act was watered down by the House of Lords. A sharply-dressed eco-warrior grimly pours a bottle of milk all over the floor of Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly as they protest dairy products The Government is taking further action because this cannot continue. The Public Order Bill, back in the Commons this week, will put the safety and interests of the law-abiding majority first. It empowers the police to take more proactive action to prevent the kind of disruption we've seen in the past couple of weeks. Time spent on that is time that the police could otherwise spend pursuing burglars, murderers, and rapists. Those who glue themselves to the road forcing the police to remove them are wildly irresponsible, idiotic, and risking lives. Supporters of Animal Rebellion dump litres of milk onto a Marks and Spencers floor as they demand a 'plant-based future' from the government It's not just dangerous for those who do it, but also for the police removal teams. So the Bill gives police the power to stop and search people for equipment used for such activities. Just two police operations to deal with Extinction Rebellion activity in London cost 37 million, twice the annual budget of the violent crime taskforce. Meanwhile, HS2 estimates that protester action has cost them more than 146 million. What a staggering waste of money. We need serious penalties in order to deter public disorder. Serious Disruption Prevention Orders will target selfish, repeat disruptors. There is a range of new offences and powers relating to the dangerous practice of tunnelling. The Bill will strengthen the security of our transport networks, oil terminals, and printing presses by creating new criminal offences of interfering with key national infrastructure or access to essential goods and services. A small number of people can bring gridlock and misery. New powers allowing Ministers to take out injunctions against the so-called protesters will scupper disruptive plans and prevent them from escalating into chaos. This Government will not hesitate to act and keep the law-abiding majority safe. How far have The Crowns storylines strayed from reality? Royal historian Ian Lloyd separates fiction from fact... THE CROWN VERSION In a private audience with Prime Minister John Major in 1991, Prince Charles argues for a change of monarch, saying it would be dangerous to ignore a newspaper poll showing the public prefers him to his mother. THE TRUTH This is utter nonsense. Charles would never have lobbied for the Queen to abdicate, as he knew very well that his mother had made a solemn oath to serve for the whole of her life. THE CROWN VERSION The Queen (played in the new series by Imelda Staunton, right) orders John Major to pay for repairs to the Royal Yacht Britannia out of public funds, even though he is worried that in a recession it might backfire on both of them. The new series, due to be screened next month, shows Charles lobbying Prime Minister John Major in a bizarre attempt to force his mothers abdication Summoning Mr Major, played by Trainspotting star Jonny Lee Miller, to a private meeting, he asks him to keep their discussions secret in the episode In their exchange, Charles hints that the monarchy should follow the lead of the Conservative Party which a year earlier had ousted Mrs Thatcher in favour of the younger Major (Pictured Johnny Lee Miller and Dominic West as John Major and the then Prince of Wales) THE TRUTH Pure drama. The Queen loved the Royal Yacht but was stoic about its future. In 1997 Defence Secretary Michael Portillo announced that Britannia would be replaced because we believe a Royal Yacht is an important national asset. THE CROWN VERSION In the Royal stables, Charles confronts the Queen about the failed marriages of her children. He tells her: If we were an ordinary family and social services came, theyd have thrown us into care and you into jail. THE TRUTH Any suggestion Charles would have been so vile to the Queen is malicious fiction. There was friction, but this is going too far. Charles confronts the Queen about the failed marriages of her children in the show but this never happened. Pictured: Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II and Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) THE CROWN VERSION The Queen Mother asks her daughter not to make her annus horribilis speech, in case people think that their Queen is depressed. THE TRUTH When the Queen spoke of her annus horribilis during a lunch on November 24, 1992, her voice was still croaky from the smoke inhalation she suffered during the fire at Windsor Castle. In fact, the Queen Mother was supportive. She wrote a warm note in February, telling her daughter: My Darling Lilibet I do hope that you feel rested and relaxed after all the ghastly happenings of last (& this) year. THE CROWN VERSION John Major tells his wife Norma: The senior royals seem deluded and out of touch, the junior royals feckless, entitled and lost. It cannot help but affect the stability of the country and it feels its all about to erupt on my watch. THE TRUTH John Major remained a staunch supporter of the Royal Family throughout his tenure and a close friend of the Queen. I very much doubt he ever believed the monarchy was about to crumble. Saint-Maximin is likely to remain sidelined for all three Premier League matches However, he has suffered a setback in his return from the hamstring lay-off Allan Saint-Maximin has suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring lay-off and is set to miss Newcastles crucial run of three matches in a week. The Frenchman will be absent when the Magpies travel to Old Trafford on Sunday and is likely to remain sidelined for Wednesdays visit of Everton and next weekends trip to Spurs. Saint-Maximin had only just returned from six weeks out when coming on as a substitute during last Saturdays 5-1 win over Brentford. Allan Saint-Maximin has suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring injury The Frenchman had been out for six weeks before returning last week against Brentford We understand his latest problem is linked to the same injury, although the irritation is not thought to be too serious. It is still a blow for Eddie Howe, whose side have climbed to sixth in the Premier League on the back of successive victories against Fulham and Brentford, with star players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Callum Wilson returning from injury in recent weeks. Saint-Maximin is another of those game-changers who make a difference when in the team, but he has a history of hamstring issues and has started only four of Newcastles 10 matches this season. Charlotte Crosby has given birth to her first child and the happy news was announced by her excited father on social media. The former Geordie Shore star, 32, welcomed a baby girl with with her boyfriend Jake Ankers via Caesarean-section on Friday. Charlotte's dad shared the news on Twitter on Saturday, writing: 'So, officially a grand father! Little girl, all is well. Excited for the new chapter in our little family. ' Exciting! Charlotte Crosby has given birth to her first child with her boyfriend Jake Ankers The star took to her Instagram Stories on Saturday to share a slew of snaps from her time in hospital, alongside supportive partner Jake. Charlotte revealed she was expecting her first child in May with beau Jake, who she has been dating for one year. The star previously told how she decided to start trying for a baby in December 2021, not long after the pair started their relationship. Sweet: Charlotte took to Instagram on Saturday to share a slew of snaps from her time in hospital, alongside supportive partner Jake Mother: The former Geordie Shore star, 32, welcomed her baby girl via Caesarean-section on Friday (pictured with Jake) Thrilled: Charlotte's dad Gary shared the exciting news on Twitter, writing: 'So, officially a grand father! Little girl, all is well. Excited for the new chapter in our little family' The couple then decided to stop trying, realising it was quite soon into their romance to welcome a child, and bought ovulation sticks to refrain from having sex on her fertile days. But then in February on Valentine's Day, Charlotte found it strange when she wasn't in the mood to drink or have sex during a surprise romantic getaway to a swanky London hotel. She then realised she was pregnant. Charlotte revealed the happy news on YouTube back in May as she shared a clip of the moment she found out while in a bathroom. Family: Gary - who broke the news of the birth - is pictured with his daughter Charlotte Incredible: Charlotte announced she was expecting her first child back in May with beau Jake who she has been dating for one year Big change: For her gender reveal party, Charlotte and Jake threw a lavish party at the Vermont Hotel's rooftop bar in Newcastle The reality star recorded herself as she looked at her test result for the first time which was positive in the emotional video. The new mum looked completely gobsmacked as she stood in her bathroom holding her hand to her mouth. In the clip, Charlotte could be seen pacing around before calling her boyfriend Jake to come into the room who looked completed surprised. Expecting: Charlotte later realised she was expecting in February and revealed the news on YouTube a few weeks later as she shared a clip of the moment she found out She captioned the post: 'A moment I wasn't sure would ever be mine is here, it's mine (and Jake's) and I couldn't be happier to be sharing it with you allI'm having a baby.' Following having a baby scan during a Dubai getaway the influencer said she had been 'nervous' following her ectopic pregnancy in 2016 - after falling pregnant by her ex-boyfriend Gaz Beadle. For her gender reveal party, Charlotte and Jake threw a lavish party at the Vermont Hotel's rooftop bar in Newcastle. Pregnancy: The influencer said she had been 'nervous' after her ectopic pregnancy in 2016 - following falling pregnant by her ex-boyfriend Gaz Beadle She spared no expense, with the location boasting a delicious looking doughnut wall and a board for gender predictions. Charlotte revealed her baby's gender by enlisting the help of a skywriter to draw a heart in the sky. It later flew back round to draw the letter 'G' in water vapour in the clear blue sky. As the letter became clear, pink confetti was launched from a cannon above Charlotte, Jake and their friends. The influencer has shared a number of stunning snaps throughout her pregnancy showcasing her growing bump including a number of bikini photos. Amazing: Charlotte has shared a number of stunning snaps throughout her pregnancy documenting her growing bump including a number of bikini photos In August, she revealed she's was planning to welcome her baby by C-section over a natural birth, since her ectopic pregnancy has left her with PTSD. The reality star told new! magazine: 'I've never really been keen to push a baby out of my vagina. I'm too scared to have a natural birth. 'There's always been something scary about it for me and when I had the ectopic pregnancy [in 2016] it scared me even more. 'Because I went through that horrendous time where I almost died, I know how things can go drastically wrong.' Natalie Portman arrived back in the United States after a long trip to France, which included attending events during Paris Fashion Week. The Oscar-winning actress touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Friday, and then was spotted making her way through the turnstiles with at least one gal pal. Portman had been hard at work shooting the upcoming Apple TV+ miniseries Lady In The Lake, which started in April, but over the summer the production was temporarily halted after receiving threats of violence. Back in the U.S. Natalie Portman, 41, was the picture of casual comfort when she arrived in New York on Friday after taking a trip to Paris France For the flight across the Atlantic, Portman, 41, kept thins casual and comfortable in the fashion department in dark blue jeans and a black sweatshirt over a white tee. She covered up with a light brown jacket that appeared to be a perfect fit for rainy weather Rounding out her overall look, the Black Swan star wore pointed black leather boots and her long brown tresses pulled back into a bun with a part in the middle. Opting on the side of caution, the mother of two wore a protective face mask over her mouth and nose, which at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic is optional. Sh appeared to be traveling with at least one female friend, who also decided to wear a face mask. Casual-cool: The Oscar-winning actress wore dark blue jeans, a black sweatshirt over a white tee, a light brown jacket and pointed leather boots for the flight Portman had been seen making the rounds during Paris Fashion Week, which included checking out the Dior Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Show a couple of weeks ago. At this point, there's no telling whether Portman is now headed back to the set of Lady In The Lake, which has been filming in Baltimore, Maryland. Production was paused in late August, due to that threat, which has since been attributed to local drug dealers who said they would shoot up the set unless they were paid $50,000. 'The leaders of the production decided to err on the side of caution and reschedule the shoot after they found another location,' the Baltimore Police Department told the Los Angeles Times. The miniseries, for which Portman plays a journalist investigating a murder while also serving as executive producer, is expected to continue filming through the fall, according to Variety. Her current gig: So far there's no word on whether Portman was heading back to the set of Lady In The Lake, which has been filming in Baltimore after having the production temporarily halted due to a threat of violence attributed to local drug dealers The cast also includes Moses Ingram, Y'lan Noel, Mikey Madison, Brett Gelman, MIke Epps, Noah Jupe, Byron Bowers, Josiah Cross, Pruitt Taylor Vince and onnie Gene Blevins. During her recent travels, Portman also made her way to Canada for the Toronto International Film Festival, where she supported her husband Benjamin Millepied's film Carmen. The musical drama, which is Millepied's directorial debut, had its world premiere at the prized festival. The couple actually met on the set of Black Swan in the fall of 2009. Portman, who starred alongside Mila Kunis, went on to win the Best Actress Oscar, while the ballet-trained Millepied was hired to choreograph the film. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kathy Hilton insists she has holds no bitterness towards the Kardashians. Rumours swirled the 63-year-old socialite was jealous of the famous clan after she was left furious that her co-star Lisa Rinna chose to drink Kendall Jenners 818 tequila over her Casa De Sol brand during that infamous trip to Aspen on season 12 of the show. The 63-year-old described the Kardashian/Jenners as family during an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia at BravoCon on Friday. EXCLUSIVE: Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Kathy Hilton addressed rumours she holds bitterness towards the Kardashians at BravoCon in New York on Friday after she was left furious that her co-star Lisa Rinna chose to drink Kendall Jenners 818 tequila over her Casa De Sol brand during that infamous trip to Aspen on season 12 of the show She explained the reason she was so angry about Rinna's actions was because she felt the fellow housewives were not supporting her after she has spent years supporting their own various brands and business ventures. They (the Kardashians) are our family for one,' she said. 'And number two, I have supported those girls on everything they do.' 'When I had the big party for the housewives in the first season I was in I did a gift bag for everyone and this lady sent me beautiful cosmetics and I said we are not putting it in the bag, call Lisa Rinna and see if she wants to give lipsticks or lip pencils or whatever", because you do the right thing,' she explained. The 63-year-old described Kris Jenner (pictured here) and the Kardashian/Jenner clan as family during an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia Kathy said she thought Lisa was trying to provoke and humiliate her by choosing to take a shot of Jenner's tipple instead of hers. 'I show up for everything for everybody and so it was just really hurtful that she would try and embarrass me in front of everybody. I could see what she was pulling. She was digging, she was trying to poke the bear,' she said. Kathy added she too also supports Jenners tequila and has a bottle of it in her own bar at her Bel Air mansion. Kathy said she thought Lisa was trying to provoke and humiliate her by choosing to take a shot of Jenner's tipple instead of hers As I said, at my house I have 818, I have four different tequilas. It is not the point, there is room for everybody. It was just heres my chance being on the show for two years to promote one little thing and then for everybody to be like no we dont want it,' she added. Kendall, 26, launched 818 in May 2021. Meanwhile, Kathy and daughter Nicky are investors in Eva Longoria's brand Casa Del Sol, which also launched in 2021. In the final episode of season 12, which aired in early October, Rinna revealed to the group that Kathy had an epic meltdown back at her sister Kyle Richards cabin following a night out with the housewives during their trip to Aspen. She claimed Kathy told her things off-camera about the other castmates that could 'ruin their lives forever' - and that holding them in was going to make her 'sick.' She said Kathy screamed at her, threw her glasses, jumped up and down while pounding the walls. The drama unfolded when Kathy, Lisa and the women were vacationing together in swanky Aspen, Colorado when the drama unfolded. In the final episode of season 12, which aired in early October, Rinna revealed to the group that Kathy had an epic meltdown back at her sister Kyle Richards cabin following a night out with the housewives during their trip to Aspen They were visiting a local hat shop with a full bar setup, which had both 818 and Casa Del Sol stocked and ready to serve. Speaking to the bartender, Rinna asked for 'a little shot of that 818 Tequila' because she wanted 'to see what that tastes like.' 'I just want to try it because it's my friend Kendall Jenner's tequila. I just haven't tried it,' she explained. The drama unfolded when Kathy, Lisa and their castmates were vacationing together in swanky Aspen, Colorado when the drama unfolded. They were visiting a local hat shop with a full bar setup, which had both 818 and Casa Del Sol stocked and ready to serve Speaking to the bartender, Rinna asked for 'a little shot of that 818 Tequila' because she wanted 'to see what that tastes like In a confessional, Rinna admitted that she'd seen Kathy's tequila on the shelf but suspected that the mother-of-three had supplied it. 'Of course they have Kathy's tequila and I have a sneaking suspicion that Kathy put it there herself,' she told the camera. 'Kathy made sure that tequila was there and good for her.' After trying Kendall's tequila for herself, Rinna raved about its 'sweet' taste in front of a visibly irked Hilton. 'I cannot fking believe what she just said,' Kathy muttered. 'I just want to try it because it's my friend Kendall Jenner's tequila. I just haven't tried it,' she explained Rubbing it in? After trying Kendall's tequila for herself, Rinna raved about its 'sweet' taste in front of a visibly irked Hilton 'I cannot fking believe what she just said,' Kathy muttered Rinna later revealed to Kathy that she'd only chosen 818 because she was 'curious' about it. This prompted Kathy to sarcastically 'thank' Rinna for her unprovoked explanation. Although the wife of Harry Hamlin insisted to her pal that she also '[loves]' Casa Del Sol, that did little to comfort an enraged Hilton. Turning to her sister Kyle Richards, Kathy declared that she was 'ready to just go home.' Suspicious: In a confessional, Rinna admitted that she'd seen Hilton's tequila on the shelf and suspected that the mother-of-three had made sure it was stocked 'Of course they have Kathy's tequila and I have a sneaking suspicion that Kathy put it there herself,' she told the camera. 'Kathy made sure that tequila was there and good for her' Explanation: Rinna later revealed to Kathy that she'd only chosen 818 because she was 'curious' about it. This prompted her to sarcastically 'thank' Rinna for her unprovoked explanation 'I know. Your whole mood, you have to shake it. Don't let this ruin your whole mood,' said Richards, attempting to calm her older sister. Filling castmates Sutton Stracke and Garcelle Beauvais in on the drama, Kathy reiterated that she was 'leaving' Aspen and didn't want them to 'say anything' to Rinna. 'Because if she brings that up, that's too f***ing disgusting.' She later told Stracke and Beauvais that despite being upset with Rinna, she didn't 'want to make it an issue or anything. You know?' Business venture: Kendall, 26, launched 818 in May 2021 Investors: . Meanwhile, Kathy and daughter Nicky are investors in Eva Longoria's brand Casa Del Sol, which also launched in 2021; Eva seen in 2021 She was also annoyed by Richards' response to Rinna gushing over 818 tequila in front of her. 'Kyle doesn't do a f***ing thing. C'mon, she doesn't say anything and I'm pissed off.' Kathy also had bone to pick the hat shop's bartender for not serving up Casa Del Sol to her friends. 'That is my tequila, so I would really appreciate it if you'd, like, pour it here so people can see,' expressed a frustrated Hilton. 'I don't like to have to do that myself, but I guess if I don't, nobody else does.' Kathy was once brushed off by her RHOBH co-stars after she suggested they all 'bottoms up' a shot of Casa Del Sol. Her sister Richards shutdown the notion by sounding off a buzzing noise before resuming her conversation with Rinna and castmate Erika Jayne at their Aspen cabin. Kathy's daughter Paris Hilton called her aunt 'so unkind' after getting wind of her antics in the episode. Brand new The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is streaming on Hayu in Australia and the UK, plus relive every episode ever - only on Hayu Ready to go: Filling castmates Sutton Stracke and Garcelle Beauvais in on the drama, Kathy reiterated that she was 'leaving' Aspen and didn't want them to 'say anything' to Rinna Russell Crowe vehemently denied a claim made by director P.J. Hogan that he had a terrible table read with Julia Roberts for the film My Best Friend's Wedding. The movie star, 58, insisted on Friday he never even auditioned for the role of Roberts' best friend in the cult classic romantic comedy. Hogan, an award winning director, said in his book From Hollywood With Love that Crowe allegedly wouldn't look at Roberts, 54, during the audition and 'read every line in a monotone'. Russell Crowe (left), 58, vehemently denied a claim made by director P.J. Hogan that he had a terrible table read with Julia Roberts (right), 54, for the film My Best Friend's Wedding 'It was one of the worst table reads Ive ever experienced. Russell was seated opposite Julia. 'He gripped that script, and he stared at that script, and he didnt look at her once,' Hogan wrote in the book which was published in February. 'He read every line in a monotone. At one point, Julia was literally leaning over the table, staring, like, inches from Russells face, trying to make eye contact. And he wouldnt look at her.' The movie star vehemently denied the claim made by director P.J. Hogan, 59, (pictured) in his book From Hollywood With Love, that Crowe had a terrible table read for the movie Hogan went on to say Crowe approached him at the end of the audition and said he thought it 'went pretty well'. The director knew in that moment he would not be casting the award-winning actor in the movie. Eight months later, Crowe has slammed the claims, insisting he never auditioned for the movie in the first place. An award winning director, Hogan revealed the actor allegedly wouldn't look at Roberts during the audition and 'read every line in a monotone'. (Pictured: Julia Roberts and Rupert Everett during a scene in My Best Friend's Wedding) 'Pure imagination on behalf of this director,' he tweeted. 'I did not audition for this film. I have never done a table read with the actress mentioned. Would be funny if it wasnt so pointless.' Ultimately, the role of Julia Roberts' best friend in the movie went to Dermot Mulroney. The film opened on June 20, 1997, to $21 million and ended up with a domestic gross of $127 million. Hogan went on to say Crowe approached him at the end of the audition and said he thought it 'went pretty well'. The director knew in that moment he would not be casting the award-winning actor in the movie. (Pictured: Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, left, and Dermot Mulroney, centre) The classic film tells the story of two friends, Roberts and Dermot, who made a pact to be married if either was single by the time they were 28-years-old. When Roberts, who portrayed food critic Julianne Potter, found out Dermot was engaged to a 20-year-old college student, she devised a plan to stop the wedding and marry the man of her dreams. Cameron Diaz played the role of the college student, Kimberly Wallace, and it was her first major movie. Australian reality stars turned out in full force for the Justin Cassin fashion show in Melbourne on Friday night. The Block villains Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra lead the celebrity arrivals, with the couple embracing each other as they posed for photographers. Sharon looked stylish in a baby blue coloured dress that featured silky long sleeves. The Block stars Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra lead the celebrity arrivals at the Justin Cassin fashion show in Melbourne on Friday night She styled her look with matching coloured heels and a white clutch. The brunette beauty wore her long tresses out and relaxed. Meanwhile, Ankur looked stylish in an all-black ensemble which consisted of a button-up shirt, leather jacket and shoes. Sharon looked stylish in a baby blue coloured dress that featured silky long sleeves. She styled her look with matching coloured heels and a white clutch Ankur meanwhile looked stylish in an all-black ensemble Also in attendance were Tanya and Vito Guccione, who were seen chatting to former MAFS bride Sarah Roza. Tanya looked cool in a long-sleeved graphic print dress, while Sarah opted for an always fashionable black dress. The Bachelorette's Konrad Bien-Stephen was spotted looking cheery following his split from ex Abbie Chatfield. Also in attendance were Tanya and Vito Guccione who were seen chatting to former MAFS bride Sarah Roza (left) Tanya looked cool in a long-sleeved graphic print dress, while Sarah opted for an always fashionable black dress He completed his look with black and white painted nail polish and a black bucket hat. At one point Konrad was seen chatting to former Bachelor Matt Agnew, Masterchef star Khanh Ong and Jessica Brody, who is also set to appear on The Challenge. X Factor hunk Omar Dean was also in attendance. As were My Kitchen Rules winners Janelle Halil and Monzir Hamdin. The Bachelorette's Konrad Bien-Stephen was spotted looking cheery following his split from ex Abbie Chatfield He completed his look with black and white painted nail polish and a black bucket hat At one point Konrad was seen chatting to former Bachelor Matt Agnew, Masterchef star Khanh Ong and Jessica Brody, who is also set to appear on The Challenge X Factor hunk Omar Dean (pictured) was also in attendance As were My Kitchen Rules winners Janelle Halil and Monzir Hamdin The Block's Josh and Luke Packham were among the reality stars recruited by the in-demand designer to walk his fashion show. The Sydney-based twins admitted they were feeling nervous backstage before sending crowds into a frenzy as they made their debut. Past cast members were seen cheering as they pulled out their iPhones to capture the moment. The Block's Josh and Luke Packham were among the reality stars recruited by the in-demand designer to walk his fashion show The Sydney-based twins admitted they were feeling nervous backstage before sending crowds into a frenzy as they made their debut Former Channel Seven presenter-turned-influencer Kristian Gaupset also made his runway debut. The genetically blessed model turned heads as he paraded down the runway. His glamorous girlfriend, Steph Harper, who starred on Locky Gilbert's season of The Bachelor was spotted sitting in the front row on hand to support her man. Former Channel Seven presenter-turned-influencer Kristian Gaupset made his runway debut The genetically blessed model turned heads as he paraded down the runway His glamorous girlfriend, Steph Harper, who starred on Locky Gilbert's season of The Bachelor was spotted sitting in the front row on hand to support her man Big Brother's Joel Notley, Love Island's Mitchell Hibberd and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here's David Subritzky also made appearances on the runway. The star-studded runway attracted a bevy of Melbourne's elite out for the viewing. Event stylist Jamie Azzopardi stood out in a sequenced purple and pink ensemble that featured an over the top tail. Big Brother's Joel Notley (left) and Love Island's Mitchell Hibberd (right) also made appearances on the runway The star-studded runway attracted a bevy of Melbourne's elite out for the viewing including newly engaged Anna McEvoy and her partner Michael Staples Event stylist Jamie Azzopardi stood out in a sequenced purple and pink ensemble that featured an over the top tail Jamie accessorised his dramatic look with a designer hand-bag and a pair of sunglasses Bachelor star Chelsie McLeod and MAFS NZ star Samuel Levi were also in attendance HYDERABAD: The Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Munugode by-election, Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy, is set to face off against another Komatireddy, Sai Teja Reddy, also trying his luck in the November 3 by-poll. Meanwhile, Congress candidate Palvai Sravanthi already facing a tough challenge from Rajgopal Reddy and Kusukuntla Prabhakar Reddy behind whom the Telangana Rashtra Samithi has thrown considerable weight could well find herself as one among three Palvais on the ballot. It is only Prabhakar Reddy of the TRS who does not appear to be facing his namesake in what is turning out to be a high-stakes election in Telangana with the three major parties pulling out all stops. Yes, we are distantly related, Komatireddy Sai Teja Reddy, a doctor by profession, told Deccan Chronicle, asked if he had any family connections to Rajgopal Reddy. But thats about it. I am in this to give people some hope that there are educated individuals who are interested in public service, he said. Rajgopal Reddy would have nothing much to worry about the junior Komatireddy, who is contesting as an independent candidate. Sai Teja has no illusions about his winnability either. This is not for winning, but to make our voice heard that KCR must lose, Sai Teja, said, adding that in his efforts, he has been joined by a team of friends, all of who are in their 20s or early 30s. Meanwhile, Congress candidate Palvai Sravanthi has two other Palvais to contend with. The first is Palvai Venu, who listed himself as a social worker in his nomination papers and a resident of Suryapet district. He says he has been nominated by the Social Justice Party of India as its candidate for the Munugode by-poll. The second Palvai among those who filed their nominations is Palvai Laxmi Narayana, of Mulugu district, who filed his nomination as a candidate of the Aam Aadmi Party. Sheridan Smith is reportedly set to return to the West End in the role of Shirley Valentine. The actress, 41, will take the lead role in the play written by Willy Russell, 37 years after it first toured, according to The Sun. The one-character production takes the form of a monologue by a middle-aged, working class housewife from Liverpool which focuses on her dissatisfaction with life before a transformative foreign holiday. Born to perform: Sheridan Smith, 41, is reportedly set to return to the West End in the role of Shirley Valentine (pictured in July) A source told the publication: 'Sheridan is perfectly cast. Everyone involved with the production is hugely excited. This is a total coup.' They added: 'Its a script that will make audiences laugh and cry. 'It will have an empowering feminist twist but it wont be shoving woke down peoples throats.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Sheridan for comment. Looking back: The role of Shirley Valentine was made famous by actress Pauline Collins, 82, when it was made into a film in 1989 Telling the tale: The one-character production takes the form of a monologue by a middle-aged, working class housewife from Liverpool which focuses on her dissatisfaction with life (pictured in July) The role of Shirley Valentine was made famous by actress Pauline Collins, 82, when it was made into a film in 1989. It comes after Sheridan and David Walliams gave fans a behind the scenes glimpse as they posed on the set of the television adaptation of David's book Gangsta Granny Strikes Again this week. Comedian David, 51, and Sheridan were in good spirits as they posed for a picture wearing festive attire which they both shared on social media on Thursday. Famous friends: David Walliams, 51, and Sheridan Smith, 31, cosied-up on the set of the TV adaptation of David's book Gangsta Granny Strikes Again on Thursday Sheridan could be seen wearing reindeer antlers while David wore a paper party hat fresh from a Christmas cracker as they cosied up to one another. In another photo, they were seen sitting with actor Archie Yates, 13, as he held a black and white clapperboard during a break from filming the BBC production. Archie plays Ben in the TV version of Walliams' 2021 children's book about a grandmother operating secretly as an international jewel thief known as the Black Cat. Earlier in the day, BBC bosses unveiled a first-look image of the trio as they sat in their chairs on set. Acting out: They were seen sitting with actor Archie Yates, 13, as he held a black and white clapperboard during a break from filming the BBC production In the image taken on location in north London, Britain's Got Talent judge David is seen as Mike, the father, wearing a velvet jacket and open pink shirt. Bafta-winner Sheridan, meanwhile, plays Linda, the mother, and is seen wearing a pink dress and fur-lined coat. A sequel to 2013's Gangsta Granny, the one-hour special will begin a year on as Ben is getting used to life without his beloved grandmother. Players: Earlier in the day, BBC bosses unveiled a first-look image of the trio as they sat in their chairs on set With the memory of their daring heist still fresh in his mind, Ben will be surprised to hear another spate of thefts has begun with all the clues pointing to the Black Cat. Gangsta Granny Strikes Again! is written by David and Kevin Cecil and produced by King Bert Productions. It also stars Inside No 9 actor Kevin Bishop as Italian dancer Flavio, Paddington 2's Maggie Steed as Queen and Griff Rhys Jones as Mr Parker. Sheridan took to Instagram last month to tell her fans she was looking forward to starring alongside David in the project. Friends: It comes after Sheridan revealed last month that she would be taking on the role of David's wife in the project Hilarious: She captioned an Instagram post: 'So looking forward to this job, gonna be too many giggles. Playing @dwalliams wife this time' Sharing a selfie on her Stories, she wrote: 'Reuniting with @dwalliams. Gonna be a fun one.' She added: 'So looking forward to this job, gonna be too many giggles. Playing @dwalliams wife this time.' David hilariously commented on the post, writing: 'And as everyone knows I am a method actor so we have to get married in real life'. The good friends have played husband and wife before in Hansel & Gretel: After Ever After for Sky One. The pair looked unrecognisable as they transformed into a wicked witch and troll for the project in 2021. Gigi Hadid and Gabriella KarefaJohnson looked as if they were both trying to put their recent spats with a spiraling Kanye West behind them as they headed out to Vogues Forces of Fashion conference on Friday. Gigi, 27, opted for a chic business-ready ensemble built around a stylish tan overcoat after a busy day of meetings. Gabriella, who had a conversation with the catwalk star for the conference attendees, opted for a lovely multi-patterned ensemble that added a splash of color to the proceedings. Meeting of the fashion stars: Gigi Hadid, 27, and Gabriella KarefaJohnson were both spotted on Friday as they headed to Vogue's Forces of Fashion conference in NYC. They two were set for a conversation on stage together Gigi looked supremely comfortable in her thick cashmere coat, which reached down to her thighs. She wore it unbuttoned to show off her beige patterned button-up shirt, which had a contrasting white collar and a white striped tie. She stuck to earth tones with a set of dark olive-colored pants, and she stayed comfortable in a set of two-toned cream and burgundycolored loafers. The runway star wore her long blond hair in delicate waves that were pulled in a ponytail, and she blocked out the sun with green-tinted chunky black sunglasses. Suited up: Gigi looked supremely comfortable in her thick cashmere coat, which reached down to her thighs On point: She wore it unbuttoned to show off her beige patterned button-up shirt, which had a contrasting white collar and a white striped tie Gabriella was staying warm with a powder blue cardigan with jagged orange trim. She wore it atop a short sweater with fanned-out designs in gray, blue, white and green. The Global Contributing Fashion Editor-at-Large for Vogue was unmissable in a playful dress decorated with irregularly shaped patches in shades of blue, purple green and white. She contrasted the rest of her clothing with eye-catching orange-and-yellow patterned open-backed pumps with buckles over the toes. The fashion journalist completed her outfit with solid black sunglasses. Colorful style: Gabriella was staying warm with a powder blue cardigan with jagged orange trim. She wore it atop a short sweater with fanned-out designs in gray, blue, white and green Striking: The Global Contributing Fashion Editor-at-Large for Vogue was unmissable in a playful dress decorated with irregularly shaped patches in shades of blue, purple green and white Gigi and Gabriella were a fitting pair to have a conversation at the conference, as the two friends were recently drawn together as subjects of rapper Kanye West's ire. The rapper and the supermodel were caught up in a war of words last week after she leapt to the defense of Gabriella, who West had been accused of 'bullying' online. In the latest exchange, West lashed out as he shared a screenshot of a comment made by Gigi on Instagram in which she claimed the rapper did not treat 'V' like a friend. While no further context was provided it appeared she was referencing late designer Virgil Abloh after West had been criticized for referencing the designer in his rants. Lashing out: Gigi and Gabriella were a fitting pair to have a conversation at the conference, as the two friends were recently drawn together as subjects of rapper Kanye West's ire Not a fan: Kanye first lashed out at Gabriella after she criticized the White Lives Matter shirts from his Paris Fashion Week show. She called them 'deeply offensive, violent and dangerous' Gigi penned: 'Finally.... Thank u! Even people who knew him for a percentage of the time knew kanye did not treat V like a friend ++ V LOVED GKJ.... He's watching. [sic]' In response Kanye shared in all caps: 'Im not finna get ran over by Hollywood again. Gigi you a privileged Karen. 'You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Youre a zombie. You speak up here but didnt speak up when my child was kidnapped on her birthday. [sic]' West caused an uproar with with his Yeezy show for Paris Fashion Week, which saw models striding down the catwalk in 'White Lives Matter' shirts, which seen as a repudiation of the Black Lives Matter movement. His spokesman Jason Lee quit in protest at the provocative show, writing on Instagram that West was 'gaslighting black people and empowering white supremacy.' 'Very humble and thankful to Ye for the opportunity to work with him but that part of our relationship has come to an end,' he later wrote on his Instagram Story. Firing back: West later attacked Gigi after she said he was not a true friend to Virgil Abloh, whom she claimed loved Gabriella's work Ouch: Kanye insulted her in return: 'You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Youre a zombie. You speak up here but didnt speak up when my child was kidnapped on her birthday [sic]' Gabriella complained said the T-shirts were 'deeply offensive, violent and dangerous'. West reacted with scorn, ridiculing her outfits online and saying she had no understanding of fashion. Yet a day later, he insisted KarefaJohnson was his 'sister' and said they had had a two-hour discussion about the issues raised. Later on Friday, Vogue's Instagram account posted a short video of Gigi and Gabriella just before their conversation. Gigi carried a microphone and was bursting with energy as she introduced her pal. The two shared the origin of their friendship, revealing that they met at a previous Vogue event early in the careers, which Gabriella thought might have been at Michael Kors' house. 'We were little babies in the industry,' she recalled, adding, 'We just fell in love.' Getting ready: Later on Friday, Vogue's Instagram account posted a short video of Gigi and Gabriella just before their conversation. Gigi carried a microphone and was bursting with energy as she introduced her pal Memories: The two shared the origin of their friendship, revealing that they met at a previous Vogue event early in the careers, which Gabriella thought might have been at Michael Kors' house Like falling in love: 'We were little babies in the industry,' she recalled, adding, 'We just fell in love' During their chat at the conference, Gigi revealed that her jacket was from her own cashmere label Guest in Residence, according to Vogue. The two chatted about how Gigi had expanded from just modeling to also being a businesswoman. She added that it was her pregnancy that got her started on her cashmere label. 'You cant model forever. I was creative and that is where I saw my life going,' she said. 'I already had been thinking about cashmere, but I think it [pregnancy] just made me think about how much more settled I would feel to have an office space job. I can take my daughter there with me.' The sister of Bella Hadid also shared that it was important to her not to just put her name on flash-in-the-pan fast fashion collections, but to focus on more sustainable items. To exemplify that, she noted that her clothing brand gets its fabric from a mill that reseeds. Bono was in good spirits as he mixed with the stars during a surprise appearance at The Banshees of Inisherin film premiere in Dublin on Friday. The U2 frontman, 62, wore all black as he donned a dinner jacket with satin lapels over a matching T-shirt and a pair of smart trousers. Bono was joined by his wife Ali Hewson, 61, who wore a black jacket and matching skirt, with the couple posing arm-in-arm. Glitterati: Bono, 62, was in good spirits as he mixed with the stars at The Banshees of Inisherin film premiere in Dublin on Friday They joined cast members Colin Farrell, 46, who plays Padraic Suilleabhain, and director Martin McDonagh, 52. Colin looked dapper in a black suit which he wore with a crisp white shirt which the actor left unbuttoned at the collar. Martin also wore a smart black suit which he teamed with a matching shirt, with the pair being joined by actor Brendan Gleeson, 67, who portrays the character of Colm Doherty. In style: The U2 frontman wore all black as he donned a dinner jacket with satin lapels over a matching T-shirt and a pair of smart trousers Star-studded: Bono was joined by his wife Ali Hewson, 61 (centre), who wore a black jacket and matching skirt, with the couple posing arm-in-arm (L-R: Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Ali, Bono and director Martin McDonagh) Telling the tale: The Banshees of Inisherin follows two lifelong friends (Farrell and Gleeson) who, 'find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship (Bono, centre, and his wife Ali, second left, mingle at the premiere) The screen star wore a navy blue suit which he teamed with a black T-shirt, with the star casually posing with his hand in his pocket. The Banshees of Inisherin follows two lifelong friends (Farrell and Gleeson) who, 'find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them,' according to the synopsis. The film also stars Kerry Condon, Pat Shortt and David Pearse, with Martin McDonagh directing from his own original screenplay. On screen: The film also stars Kerry Condon, Pat Shortt and David Pearse, with Martin McDonagh directing from his own original screenplay (Bono and wife Ali pictured) High spirits: Bono put on an animated display as he laughed and chatted to other guests at the event Cinema: The Banshees of Inisherin is set for release in the UK on Friday 21 October (Brendan and Colin seen in the film) Both Farrell and Gleeson starred in McDonagh's first feature film, 2008's In Bruges, with Farrell also starring in his second film, 2012's Seven Psychopaths. Farrell has already starred in The Batman and Thirteen Lives this year, and he's getting ready to return as The Penguin in a new Batman prequel TV series. He's also filming Sugar and is attached to star in writer-director Todd Solondz's new film Love Child alongside Rachel Weisz. Gleeson is currently filming A Greyhound of a Girl and is attached to star in Joker: Folie a Deux. The Banshees of Inisherin is set for release in the UK on Friday 21 October. Iris Law was sure to turn heads on Friday night as she stepped out to attend a Marc Jacobs party, of which she was hosting. The model, 21, showcased her physique in a racy grey mini dress and towering black platform boots as she rocked up to the bash at Langan's Brasserie in London. Iris, who is the daughter of actor Jude Law and fashion designer Sadie Frost, made quite the entrance as she stepped out of a black and white taxi emblazoned with the designer's name. Here she comes: Iris Law was sure to turn heads on Friday night as she stepped out to attend a Marc Jacobs party, of which she was hosting Her skimpy dress featured diamante detailing and a pleated skirt which showed off a white broderie anglaise lining underneath. Iris oozed confidence as she showed off plenty of leg in the thigh skimming ensemble, matching this with sheer calf-high socks and her chunky boots. Her cropped blonde locks were swept into a vintage Hollywood style, while she upped the glam with a sleek palette of make-up. Ooh I say! The model, 21, showcased her physique in a racy grey mini dress and towering black platform boots as she rocked up to the bash at Langan's Brasserie in London It comes after the stunner showed off her trim pins in a gold vintage Miu Miu minidress at an intimate designer dinner in Paris earlier this month. The images are from an event she attended in the French capital city in September, celebrating Wardrobe NYC's Hailey Bieber's collaboration. Iris looked incredible in her frock, that sells for approximately 315. Arrival: Iris, who is the daughter of actor Jude Law and fashion designer Sadie Frost, made quite the entrance as she stepped out of a black and white taxi emblazoned with the designer's name Outfit: Her skimpy dress featured diamante detailing and a pleated skirt which showed off a white broderie anglaise lining underneath Look who's here: The beauty ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived at the bash She teamed the look with a beige belt and a black knitted bonnet, with beige boots and a black handbag. Her look was complete with makeup including lashings of mascara and a glossy lip. 'Sweet as salt,' her post was captioned. She also said in an Instagram story that she got her stylist to track down her vintage designer dress. 'I asked My Runway Archive to source me some vintage Miu Miu and she outdid herself,' Iris wrote. Leggy: Iris oozed confidence as she showed off plenty of leg in the thigh skimming ensemble, matching this with sheer calf-high socks and her chunky boots Hugh Jackman cut a casual figure as he headed out to walk the streets of New York City on Friday alongside his wife Deborra-Lee Furness. The Wolverine star, 54, showed off his incredibly toned legs in a pair of khaki shorts beneath a grey East Hampton Gym sweater with the sleeves pushed up. He accessorised with a pair of shades and black sneakers as he carried his beloved's black handbag and a pink shopping bag with a facemask strapped under his chin. Hugh Jackman, 54, (pictured) cut a casual figure as he headed out to walk the streets of New York City on Friday alongside his wife Deborra-Lee Furness Hugh's beautiful wife, 66, donned her own brown knit sweater over a black shirt and tights as she climbed out of their car with a driver close by. She carried her own blue mask in hand as she slipped on a pair of black sneakers and stuck her shades on top of her head. The producer let her natural beauty shine through as she went completely make-up free and piled her blonde tresses up into a high bun. The Wolverine showed off his incredibly toned legs in a pair of khaki shorts beneath a grey East Hampton Gym sweater with the sleeves pushed up The long-time couple appeared to be caught in a serious conversation as they put shoes to pavement. On Wednesday, as he stepped out to celebrate his 54th birthday, Hugh was greeted by paparazzi who wished him well on his big day. The movie star accepted it gracefully with a peace sign and fist bump before flashing a Wolverine claw. Hugh's beautiful wife, 66, (pictured) donned her own brown knit sweater over a black shirt and tights as she climbed out of their car with a driver close by. The long-time couple appeared to be caught in a serious conversation as they put shoes to pavement The flashing of the hand claw comes just a couple of weeks after he and Ryan Reynolds set social media ablaze when they confirmed he would reprise his role as Wolverine in Marvel Studios' Deadpool 3. Late last month, Hugh teamed up with Ryan for a funny teaser video to make the announcement that he would be back as Wolverine in the third installment of Deadpool. The social media clip begins with Ryan at home struggling to come up with ideas for the third movie. Late last month, Hugh teamed up with Ryan Reynolds (left) for a funny teaser video to make the announcement that he would be back as Wolverine in the third installment of Deadpool By the end of it, he admits he has one great idea that fans will love. Hugh then nonchalantly enters the scene in the background and walks up a staircase. 'Hey, Hugh. You want to play Wolverine one more time?' Ryan asks, for which he shoots back casually, 'Yeah, sure, Ryan.' Marvel fans on social media erupted over the announcement. Sonia Kruger was flaunting her ageless beauty and incredible figure on Saturday. The 57-year-old turned heads at the Australian Turf Club on Everest Day, held at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. The Big Brother Australia host stunned in an all-white ensemble consisting of a one-shoulder wrap dress. Sonia Kruger (pictured) was flaunting her ageless beauty and incredible figure on Saturday It featured long skirting and a ruffled layer starting at the waist, with a fitted top portion before it gently flared. Sonia had her muscular arm on show thanks to the one-shoulder design, and her waist was cinched with a dainty Christian Dior skinny belt. The television host added a pair of high fashion heels with clear straps and a towering height. The 57-year-old turned heads at the Australian Turf Club on Everest Day, held at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney The Big Brother Australia host stunned in an all-white ensemble consisting of a one-shoulder wrap dress It featured long skirting and a ruffled layer starting at the waist, with a fitted top portion before it gently flared Sonia had her muscular arm on show thanks to the one-shoulder design, and her waist was cinched with a dainty Christian Dior skinny belt She added silver accessories including a watch as well as glittering rings and a bangle. For makeup, Sonia chose a warm palette with a pink lipstick and wore her blonde hair down in waves under a chic hat. It comes after the mother of one shared her health and fitness secrets, telling the Healthy-ish podcast in May that dancing keeps her looking trim. The television host added a pair of high fashion heels with clear straps and a towering height Sonia donned sunglasses at one point and also had on hoop earrings She added silver accessories including a watch as well as glittering rings and a bangle 'You're working out but you don't realise how much you're working out because you're genuinely having a good time,' she said. 'It's just the kind of activity that makes everybody feel happy,' she added. Sonia, who is a former dancer herself, praised dancing for its fitness benefits, which include cardio, strength and resistance. For makeup, Sonia chose a warm palette with a pink lipstick and wore her blonde hair down in waves under a chic hat It comes after the mother of one shared her health and fitness secrets, telling the Healthy-ish podcast in May that dancing keeps her looking trim 'You're working out but you don't realise how much you're working out because you're genuinely having a good time,' she said 'It's just the kind of activity that makes everybody feel happy,' she added Sonia, who is a former dancer herself, praised dancing for its fitness benefits, which include cardio, strength and resistance 'Even your own body weight is a form of strength training and resistance training,' she said. 'And then you've got the mental health aspects of it, too, so we know that learning to dance is great for our brain. 'Learning choreography keeps the cogs ticking over. We know that these things ward off dementia and Alzheimer's in the future.' One of Nick Cannon's baby mamas Lanisha Cole has accused 'disgusting' trolls of sending 'death threats' to their newborn daughter. On September 14 the former The Price Is Right model gave birth to Nick's ninth child, a little girl called Onyx Ice Cannon. 'Making death threats against a baby is a new low,' Lanisha, 40, wrote on her Insta Stories this Friday. 'Some of you guys are disgusting. Regardless of how you feel about my life it's never that deep to threaten my baby.' 'A new low': One of Nick Cannon's baby mamas Lanisha Cole has accused 'disgusting' trolls of sending 'death threats' to their newborn daughter She treated her more than 200,000 Instagram followers to a few heart-melting snaps of the newborn to celebrate a month since Onyx was born. Lanisha gushed that Onyx, who was wearing a pink floral dress with a little bow, 'had to get dolled up for her doctors appointment.' Nick has had a grand total of 10 children by six women, including his ex-wife Mariah Carey with whom he shares 11-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan. When Lanisha gave birth to little Onyx last month, Nick already had his 10th and 11th children on the way by two separate women. Firing back: Lanisha wrote on her social media: 'Regardless of how you feel about my life it's never that deep to threaten my baby' Baby mine: On September 14 the former The Price Is Right model gave birth to Nick's ninth child, a little girl called Onyx Ice Cannon Bundle of joy: LaNisha gushed that Onyx, who was wearing a pink floral dress with a little bow, 'had to get dolled up for her doctors appointment' 'My little chocolate drop is a month old': She treated her more than 200,000 Instagram followers to a few heart-melting snaps of the newborn to celebrate Less than two weeks after Onyx arrived, Nick welcomed his 10th child, a son called Rise Messiah Cannon, with Brittany Bell. When he proudly announced Onyx' birth in September, Nick anticipated the flak about his rapidly expanding family and begged the trolls to target only him. 'I pray and ask others to please project all criticism and cynicism towards ME and not the loving and precious Mothers of my children,' he said. Nick pleaded with online commentators to refrain from 'shaming or ridiculing' Lanisha, whom he called 'peaceful and non-confrontational.' Father of 10: When he proudly announced Onyx' birth in September, Nick anticipated the flak about his rapidly expanding family and begged the trolls to target only him After the dashing funnyman's 10th child was born, an Us Weekly source dished: 'Mariah doesnt keep up with Nicks babies and baby mamas. Theres too many to keep up with! Shes happy for him and wishes him the best.' By the time the year is out he is expected to have had another baby with Abby De La Rosa, with whom he already shares one-year-old twin sons Zillion and Zion. In June of last year, Nick welcomed a baby boy called Zen with Alyssa Scott, whom he had met years earlier on his show Wild 'N Out. Superstar: Nick has had a grand total of 10 children by six women, including his ex-wife Mariah Carey with whom he shares 11-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan; they are pictured in 2018 However Zen suffered health problems and tragically died at just five months old after spending his last moments by the sea with his parents. Nick revealed this summer that he became so 'depressed with the loss of my son' that his plans to be celibate for the last few months of 2021 went by the wayside. In December, everyone saw I was so down, everybody's like: "I'm just going to give him a little vagina, that's going to cure it all,"' he said on the Lip Service podcast. Kim Kardashian reposted her best friend La La Anthony's Instagram post detailing her experience visiting Riker's Island to help and give advice to incarcerated men in prison. The reality star, 41, who has had past involvement with assisting both men and women who have been imprisoned, thanked her close friend for 'fighting this fight' and being an 'inspiration.' The day prior, the star claimed that rapper, Gunna, was being held in jail on gang-related charges with 'no evidence' after he was charged in May along with fellow musician, Young Thug. Support: Kim Kardashian, 41, sent her support to her best friend, La La Anthony, as she spent time with incarcerated men at Rikers Island The mother of four shared La La's post capturing a moment when she visited Rikers Island along with rapper, Lil Baby, where they spent time giving help and inspiration to young prisoners. 'I have to highlight my best friend! @lala has spent hours and hours inside Rikers Island over the last few months spending time when young men are incarcerated and helping to give them advice and not only teaching them but come home with a heavy heart and learning so much herself,' Kim typed out. The star added, 'I love you for fighting this fight and being such an inspiration to me and so many others!' She also reposted another snap of her best friend posing with her 15-year-old son, Kiyan, who also accompanied her along with Lil Baby. Similar to La La, the SKIMS founder has been involved in criminal justice reform while also being an advocate for those she believes to have been wrongfully imprisoned over the years. 'Inspiration': The reality star, who has been an advocate of prison reform for many years, thanked her friend for 'fighting the fight' Working together: Lala, her 15-year-old son, Kiyan, and rapper, Lil Baby, traveled to Rikers Island to give help and advice to young men in prison On Instagram earlier Thursday, Kim voiced her claims that rapper, Gunna, whose real name is Sergio Kitchens, was being held in prison with little to 'no evidence' on gang-related charges, that also included both armed robbery and murder. 'Imagine sitting in a jail cell for 155 days with no bond when the only evidence against you is a ticket for an unrelated window tint and someone saying you weren't in a gang,' Kim began her text post. 'That's where my friend Sergio finds himself today after having his bond denied for the third time despite there being zero evidence that he committed a crime.' The two stars both were in attendance at the 2022 MET Gala in New York City in May, shortly before his arrest. 'He appreciated my interest in criminal justice reform and asked me to take a look at his cousin's case,' she said, presumably referring to their first meeting earlier this year. Defending: Earlier on Thursday, Kim went onto her Instagram and claimed that rapper, Gunna, was being held in jail with little to 'no evidence'; pictured at the 2022 MET Gala in NYC Voicing support: The reality star took to her Instagram to voice her defense for Gunna after his bond was denied for the 'third' time Law: Kim, whos is currently pursuing a law degree, expressed that she has ben working with Gunna's legal team Kim added that she had lately been working with the musicians legal team, adding that, 'the facts of his case are yet another example of why the 'justice system' is any thing but just.' The Kardashians star then gave a number of 'facts' that she believed supported her claims, such as 'prosecutors' alleging he was in a gang, but the witness testimony 'says specifically that he is not in a gang and the witness doesn't really know him...' With Gunna's trial set for January of next year, the businesswoman expressed that he 'deserves better' with the hashtag '#FreeGunna' at the end of her post. Talented duo: With both friends working to help those in prison, Kim has been involved in prison reform over the years; the best friends seen in September in NYC Freeing incarcerated women: Throughout her journey in prison reform, Kim helped free women, such as Crystal Munoz, from a lengthy prison sentence Along with defending Gunna, Kim has helped free those who have been incarcerated in the past, such as Crystal Munoz in 2020. She was sentenced for 18-years in prison for drug conspiracy and was forced to leave behind her 5-month-old baby and welcomed a second child in jail. At the time of her clemency by then 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, Kim sent out a tweet regarding the situation. 'Crystal was shackled by prison guards during the birth of her second daughter,' she typed. 'Crystal case was highlighted in the First Step Act which banned the degrading and inhumane treatment of shackling female prisoners during childbirth.' Two other women she helped free from incarceration and long-term prison sentences included Judith Negron and Tynice Hall. Kim has notably been working towards achieving a law degree, and passed her baby bar exam in December 2021. She never fails to turn heads with her incredible sense of style. And Amanda Holden looked the epitome of chic in an all-white ensemble as she head to Scott's seafood restaurant in Richmond, London on Friday after appearing on BBC's The One Show. The presenter, 51, slipped into a plunging white blazer and matching sparkly flares and teamed with glamorous look with a pair of heels. Stylish: Amanda Holden looked the epitome of chic in an all-white ensemble as she head to Scott's seafood restaurant in Richmond, London on Friday after appearing on BBC's The One Show Amanda sported a full-face of glam makeup with a swipe of nude lipstick, while styling her golden locks in loose curls. The Britain's Got Talent judge carried a small black clutch and accessorised with dainty gold jewellery. The outing comes after Amanda on Friday's edition of The One Show to promote her BBC show I Can See Your Voice. Amanda's TV appearance comes after she revealed exclusively to MailOnline that she skipped the NTAs because she was busy filming a 'slightly controversial' top secret new TV series for Sky late into the evening. Wow! The presenter, 51, slipped into a plunging white blazer and matching sparkly flares, teaming with a pair of heels Beauty: Amanda sported a full-face of glam makeup with a swipe of nude lipstick, while styling her golden locks in loose curls The popular presenter teased that the exciting new project is a 'factual programme about a taboo subject,' which will see her 'getting her hands dirty.' After beginning filming on Thursday, the following morning, Amanda looked typically stylish an an all-black ensemble as she brought daughter Hollie, 10, to work at Heart FM in London's Leicester Square. Proving to be one of the hardest working women in showbiz, rather than partying with her peers at the NTAs on Thursday night, Amanda focused her time on recording the brand new TV series. Looking good: The Britain's Got Talent judge carried a small black clutch and accessorised with dainty gold jewellery Amanda told MailOnline: 'I've just started filming a brand new series for Sky, which is going to be a lot of fun and it maybe slightly controversial! 'It's going to be a programme where you're going to learn something as well, a proper history lesson. 'I am super excited about doing it and I'm fronting it and getting my hands dirty. 'It's a factual programme about a taboo subject. That's all I can say right now! It's going to be brilliant.' Exciting! Amanda's TV appearance comes after she revealed to MailOnline that she skipped the NTAs because she was busy filming a 'slightly controversial' new TV series (pictured on Friday at Heart Radio) Amanda draped a military style coat over her shoulders as she strolled along in sky-scraper heels while carrying her belongings in a classic black leather tote. Her youngest daughter Hollie looked sweet in a long-sleeved denim mini dress and off-white pair of Western boots. The mother-and-daughter duo held hands and smiled as they were pictured together outside the radio studios. Amanda is also mum to daughter Alexa, 16. She shares both children with her music producer husband Chris Hughes, 68. Amongst the presenter's many TV and radio projects is I Can See Your Voice which returns to BBC One on Saturday at 9:05pm. Max Markson has resurfaced, two weeks after ceasing to reply to media enquires. The PR king, who has represented some of Australia's biggest celebrities, explained his absence to The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday. The 65-year-old admitted he had some health issues, but had also simply been on holiday. Max Markson (pictured) has resurfaced, two weeks after ceasing to reply to media enquires. The PR king, who has presented some of Australia's biggest celebrities, explained his absence to The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 'Two and a half weeks ago I was heading away on holiday, and I had a severe headache, so I presented to hospital for testing' he said. 'They did a lot of testing just to be safe, and I've since taken a full couple of weeks off to recover.' Max added that he is, 'physically in great form' and 'in very good health.' The 65-year-old admitted he had some health issues, but had also simply been on holiday. Pictured with Arnold Schwarzenegger He admitted that 'it is very unusual for me not to be contactable for a few days, let alone a few weeks!' It comes after Max revealed the most difficult celebrity he has encountered in his four decades as Australia's premier celebrity spruiker. Markson, known as the 'king of spin', said Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista 'was definitely the worst' star he worked with during his stellar career. It comes after Max revealed the most difficult celebrity he has encountered in his four decades as Australia's premier celebrity spruiker. Markson, known as the 'king of spin', said Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista 'was definitely the worst' star he worked with He had a bad experience with Evangelista in 1996 when she failed to dress appropriately for a launch party for a treadmill endorsed by media doyenne Ita Buttrose. Markson, the founder of PR agency Markson Sparks!, advised her to wear 'something to go on the treadmill and then change into something beautiful'. But Evangelista arrived at the function wearing a hoodie, shorts and a T-shirt - and presumably with no change of clothes. The fashion model called Markson at 6am the next day, furious because a newspaper had compared her casual outfit to something a cleaner would wear. In 2015, Indias ranking on the Global Hunger Index was 55. Last year, in 2020, it fell by 39 places to land at 94. India went behind Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. This index tracks undernourishment, child stunting (low height for age), child wasting (low weight for age) and child mortality (number of children who die before the age of five). At that time, the government did not accept the data (which is collected mostly by agencies linked to the United Nations and the World Bank). In Parliament, the government had offered an unusual defence of its performance. Agriculture minister Parshottam Rupala said that in India whenever a street dog gives birth in our village, even though it bites, our women provide them with sheer (sweet dish). So we should not be sensitive to such reports As far as these surveys are concerned, even healthy and strong children are counted there should be awareness in society, our dynamic minister Smriti (Irani) ji has started a Jan Andolan, and 13 crore events have been done. Now this year, India has fallen another seven places to land at 101. Only 15 nations like Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen and some other African countries are worse off than India. This time the government has again refuted the finding that the proportion of undernourished Indians has gone up from 14 per cent to 15.3 per cent. The government has said: The report completely disregards the governments massive effort to ensure food security of the entire population during the Covid-19 period, verifiable data on which are available. The opinion poll does not have a single question on whether the respondent received any food support from the government or other sources. The representativeness of even this opinion poll is doubtful for India and other countries. The government appears to be saying that it is doing its job by providing free grain (five kilos of rice or wheat and one kilo of dal) to 60 per cent of the population, or over 800 million people. This is true, and it has been doing this since the past year. The question then is why are so many Indians queueing up each month for free rations? The answer can only be that they are hungry, and need it. As I wrote last week, the Indian governments own National Family Health Survey of 2019-20 says that things have deteriorated on the malnourishment front. In fact, in Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal, a higher percentage of children were found wasted in 2019-20 compared to 2005-06. This means that 15 years of progress has been ceded. More than half the surveyed states reported that every third child below the age of five is suffering from chronic malnourishment. The governments survey put out data for 22 states and Union territories. Its analysis of 10 major states showed that anaemia among children was higher in all the 10 states in 2019-20 compared to 2015-16. In seven of the 10 states which were analysed, a higher percentage of children were underweight (low weight for age) in 2019-20 compared to 2015-16. This is a crisis that we need to first acknowledge and then work on. It is a difficult problem and will require the Union and state governments as well as civil society, meaning NGOs, to work together. What is happening instead is that the Government of India has become defensive about every finding that shows a deterioration in governance. When the Economist Intelligence Unit Democracy Index showed that India had fallen by 26 places from 27 to 53, the government refused to engage on the subject in Parliament. It said the issue is very sensitive in nature but also trivial. The United States Commission for International Religious Freedom last year marked India as one of the 15 nations globally as countries of particular concern. This was because the minorities in India were under assault. The government said that its biased and tendentious comments against India are not new. This year again the USCIRF has returned the same findings, retained India as a country of particular concern and recommended sanctions against some Indian individuals. When Freedom House demoted India from being free to partly free and Jammu and Kashmir from being partly free to not free, the Indian government said that the political judgments of Freedom House are inaccurate and distorted, and for example, on the Covid-19 situation, there is a widespread appreciation in the world of our response. With every new report coming out which shows that things are slipping, we have become creative in trying to show how everyone else is wrong. When the Global Terrorism Index showed that India was stuck as the eighth most affected nation on earth, the Niti Aayog questioned how the organisation could provide country-wise national peace reports with just 24 staff members and six volunteers. On four dozen indicators, India has fallen since 2014. Our response in all of these has not been to engage with the facts as many other nations have done. Our response is to say that the findings are wrong because under this government, India can simply do no wrong. John Leguizamo has slammed the all-white cast of Super Mario Bros. film and lack of 'Latinx leads' on Saturday. The actor, 62, who played Luigi in the 1993 live-action, critiqued the casting choices as the film sees Chris Pratt take on the iconic role of the Italian plumber Mario. Following the release of the first trailer for the upcoming film, John voiced his concerns whilst praising the groundbreaking colour-blind casting' of the original. Thoughts: John Leguizamo, 62, has slammed the all-white cast of Super Mario Bros. film and lack of 'Latinx leads' on Saturday (pictured in March 2022) Taking Twitter, he penned: 'So glad #SuperMarioBros is getting a reboot! Obviously, it's iconic [enough]. 'But too bad they went all white! No Latinx in the leads! Groundbreaking colour-blind casting in original! Plus I'm the only one who knows how to make this movie work script-wise!' Latinx is a term is intended to be gender neutral, and inclusive of people who are transgender or non-binary. Not happy: Following the release of the first trailer for the upcoming film (pictured), John voiced his concerns whilst praising the groundbreaking colour-blind casting' of the original Critique: Taking Twitter, he penned: 'But too bad they went all white! No Latinx in the leads! Groundbreaking colour-blind casting in original!' He attached three screenshots of himself as Luigi and Bob Hoskins, who played Mario, from the 1993 film. In the photo captioned, he wrote: 'Apologise to this movie right now!' The reboot sees Chis take on the role of Mario while American actor Charlie Day will star as his twin brother Luigi. John has long been an advocate for Latin actors in Hollywood, which extended to sitting out the 2020 Emmy Awards ceremony after no Latin actors were nominated in acting categories that year. Role: The new film sees Chris Pratt (pictured) take on the iconic role of the Italian plumber Mario Super Mario fans got a sneak peek of the highly-anticipated animated film starring Chris and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach on Thursday. The very first trailer for the upcoming film, Super Mario Bros., was released and kicked off with a bang with Bowser (Jack Black) obtaining a gold star after facing off against an army of penguins. Mario is then introduced landing in Mushroom Kingdom and meeting Toad (Keegan-Michael Key). Upcoming: Super Mario fans got a sneak peek of the highly-anticipated animated film starring Chris and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach on Thursday Sidekick! Mario's brother Luigi, will be voiced by American actor Charlie Day In June, Chris opened up on the discussion of his landing the role of Mario in the upcoming Super Mario Bros. film, as he's not of Italian heritage. The Minnesota native, 43, spoke with Variety about the notion some people could be put off by the accent he uses to play the famed video game plumber, as a number of people took to social media last fall skeptical of the casting decision. 'I worked really closely with the directors and trying out a few things and landed on something that Im really proud of,' Pratt said, 'and cant wait for people to see and hear.' The Guardians Of The Galaxy star clarified that the film is 'not a live-action movie' but 'an animated voiceover narrative,' adding, 'Im not gonna be wearing a plumber suit running all over. ' One of the film's producers, Chris Meledandri, told TooFab last November, said of Pratt's performance: 'All I can tell you is the voice that he's doing for us, and Mario, is phenomenal. Yeah I can't wait for people to hear it.' Meledandri said that 'as an Italian-American,' he understood 'the comments,' adding that 'Charlie Day, who's playing Luigi, actually comes from Italian heritage. Yeah so that's our nod.' Emma Watson took to Instagram on Friday to share a heartfelt tribute to her Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane. The late actor, who portrayed gamekeeper Hagrid in the franchise, passed away aged 72 on Friday 14 October - with a flurry of tributes pouring in for the star. Hermione Granger actress Emma, 32, shared a sweet snap of the pair as she recalled his 'warmth', his 'laughs' and his 'hugs'. Touching: Emma Watson, 32, has shared a heartfelt tribute to Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane to Instagram after his death at aged 72 The pair starred alongside one another between 2001 and 2011 in the Harry Potter Franchise, meeting when Emma was just ten years old. In a lengthy adoration to her Instagram Stories, she penned: 'Rest In Peace, Robbie Coltrane. Robbie was like the most fun uncle I've ever had but most of all he was deeply caring, and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult. 'His talent was so immense it made sense he played a giant - he could fill ANY space with his brilliance. 'Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I'll do it in your name and memory. Back in the day: The pair starred alongside one another between 2001 and 2011 in the Harry Potter Franchise, meeting when Emma was just ten years old (L-R) Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane and Tom Felton pictured in 2002 Heartfelt: She shared a sweet snap of the pair to Instagram Stories as she recalled his 'warmth', his 'laughs' and his 'hugs' 'Know how much I adore and admire you. I'll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs and your hugs. 'You made us a family. Know you were that to us. There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermione.' Co-stars such as Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton also rushed to social media to extend their condolences and tributes, while Harry Potter author JK Rowling saluted the actor as 'A complete one off'. She penned: 'Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I'll do it in your name and memory (L-R) Robbie, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert, Alan Rickman and Emma Characters: Emma, who played Hermione (left), explained that there was 'no better Hagrid' (Robbie pictured right in character) Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright had announced his death on Friday evening, describing the late actor as a 'unique talent' as she explained he had died earlier that day. She added: 'Please respect Robbie's family's privacy at this distressing time.' While she explained: 'For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him. 'He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy.' Tragic: Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright had announced his death on Friday evening, describing the late actor as a 'unique talent' as she explained he had died earlier that day Robbie was rumoured to have had serious health issues earlier this year after he was forced to pull out of London's Comic Con in June due to medical reasons. The Scottish star, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid and starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald in the ITV drama. He was awarded an OBE for services to drama in the 2006 list of honours. Paddington star Hugh Bonneville was spotted on the London Underground on Friday - after it was announced the third instalment of the film will begin shooting next year. The Downton Abbey actor, 58, looked dapper in a smart grey suit and crisp white shirt as he mingled with the general public on his journey. It comes as it was announced last month that the next chapter in the Paddington films - Paddington In Peru - will start filming in London and Peru in 2023. Just like us: Paddington star Hugh Bonneville was spotted on the London Underground on Friday - after it was announced the third instalment of the film will begin filming next year It has been reported that the usual actors are all on board - with Ben Whishaw as the bear, Hugh and Sally Hawkins as Mr and Mrs Brown, Julie Walters as Mrs Bird and Jim Broadbent as Mr Gruber. Hugh had his air-pods in as he was spotted on the tube at Leicester Square station, before heading down the escalator and out into the street. He looked like a man on a mission as he exited the station and walked down with street with a white shopping bag in his hand. Out and about: The Downton Abbey actor, 58, looked dapper in a smart grey suit and crisp white shirt as he mingled with the general public on his journey Exciting: It comes as it was announced last month that the next chapter in the Paddington films - Paddington In Peru -, will start filming in London and Peru in 2023 Details of the new Paddington film are shrouded in secrecy, though it has been written by Paul King, who directed the first two films. This time it will be new director Dougal Wilson tugging at our heartstrings (his previous work includes some of the John Lewis Christmas ads). It has been reported that the stars haven't yet been shown the new scripts. In the zone: Hugh had his air-pods in as he was spotted on the tube at Leicester Square station, before heading down the escalator and out into the street Outing: He looked like a man on a mission as he entered the station and walked down with street with a white shopping bag in his hand Paddington In Peru, will start filming in London and Peru in 2023, after the bear took on a role saying his farewell to the Queen at the Jubilee celebrations in June. Michael Bond, author of the Paddington books, did send his bear back to Darkest Peru in 1964, when he took a trip to celebrate his Great Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday (an event that featured in Paddington 2). On his way home, by boat, Paddington dreams he's being chased by a giant biscuit and has to seek refuge with the ship's doctor. Popular: It has been reported that the usual actors are all on board - with Ben Whishaw as the bear, Hugh and Sally Hawkins as Mr and Mrs Brown, Julie Walters as Mrs Bird and Jim Broadbent as Mr Gruber On the down low: Last month a spokesman for StudioCanal said it was too early to share any official news of Paddington 3 Yay! Paddington In Peru, will start filming in London and Peru in 2023, after the bear took on a role saying his farewell to the Queen at the Jubilee celebrations in June Whatever the film's story, the South American setting will offer the chance to see Paddington a fish out of water in London as a fish out of water back home in Peru, too. And there's talk of an extended family of bear cousins for us all to get to know. Last month a spokesman for StudioCanal said it was too early to share any official news of Paddington 3. Plot: Whatever the film's story, the South American setting will offer the chance to see Paddington a fish out of water in London as a fish out of water back home in Peru, too Rebel Wilson and her girlfriend Ramona Agruma looked in great spirits as they enjoyed a night out in Hollywood on Friday. The Australian actress, 42, and her partner, 38, both looked effortlessly chic during the outing as they beamed away. Rebel showed off her slimmed-down figure in a sheer black jumpsuit as she stepped out with her love. Together: Rebel Wilson (pictured) and her girlfriend Ramona Agruma looked in great spirits as they enjoyed a night out in Hollywood on Friday The trendy number featured statement white cuffs and a collar and was teamed with simple black ballet pumps. She accessorised her stylish look perfectly with a black leather handbag and wore her blonde tresses in loose waves over her shoulders while opting for glam makeup. Meanwhile Ramona looked sensational in a white shirt and sparkly gold high-waisted trousers teamed with nude heels to boost her height. Stylish: The Australian actress, 42, and her partner, 38, (pictured) both looked effortlessly chic during the outing as they beamed away Rebel confirmed she was dating Ramona on June 9 this year. It is the Australian star's first relationship with a woman, and her first public romance since ending her engagement to Napp's Dairy Free Ice Cream founder Jacob Busch in January 2021. Rebel first teased she was dating someone new in May before making her relationship public via Instagram in June. Beauty: Rebel showed off her slimmed-down figure in a sheer black jumpsuit as she stepped out with her love She shared a selfie of the pair, captioning the post: 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess.' Last week, Rebel and Ramona got in touch with their inner children as they shared a fun day out at Disneyland. The lovebirds stayed at the popular theme park well into the night as they ate delicious side show food and hopped on exhilarating rides. The look: The trendy number featured statement white cuffs and a collar and was teamed with simple black ballet pumps They documented the eventful day on their Instagram accounts with Ramona sharing several snaps captioned: 'Back to the happiest place on Earth.' The Pitch Perfect star and her sweetheart started out on a tour bus going down the main street with Disneyland's Mrs Canada as Rebel cheered the beauty on. The couple have been seen out and about over the last two-and-a-half months, including traveling to Europe together with several of their friends. He was once known for his appearance on the third series of Love Island in 2017, after leaving early in on the series at the same time as his now-wife Jess Shears. But Dom Lever has now revealed his big career transformation to become a fire fighter after completing his training and joining the Newton Abbot rank. When he appeared on the hit ITV2 hit reality series, Dom was a careers adviser, but since turned his hand to influencing on social media. Back in the day: He was once known for his appearance on the third series of Love Island in 2017, after leaving early in on the series at the same time as his now-wife Jess Shears... His latest job venture was revealed on his Fire Station's Facebook page this week. It explained that Dom would have took part in training scenarios and incidents to gain his title of fire fighter, with photos showing a wildfire in the Plympton area and a nasty car crash. The post read: 'We at Newton Abbot fire station would like to welcome the 6 new Firefighters that have recently joined our ranks. 'Following a wave of recent retirements we have been fortunate enough to have a range of new starters join us within the past year. New beginnings: But Dom Lever (bottom right) has now revealed his big career transformation to become a fire fighter after completing his training and joining the Newton Abbot rank Game face: Newton Abbot Fire Station shared the news of their six new recruits on Facebook, explaining that Dom would have took part in training scenarios and incidents to gain his title 'These firefighters are all ranging between one years service, down to just a couple of months. Within this short period of time however, they have already started to demonstrate the correct attributes and skills required to be called a Firefighter. 'They still all have a way to go in their training before being deemed as fully competent, but with the current effort and drive shown, we are confident they will prove they have what it takes to be part of the team. 'Congratulations once again on your positions and best of luck on your future career with us here at Newton Abbot fire station.' The pair announced their engagement after three months of dating and married in a romantic ceremony on the Greek Island of Mykonos in October 2018 They revealed that they were expecting their first child in May 2019, seven months after tying the knot, and welcomed their baby boy in September that year Dom was pictured kneeled down with the five other new recruits. He and Jess Shears met on series 3 of Love Island in 2017 but only got together outside the villa. They both left separately and early on in the series. The pair announced their engagement after three months of dating and married in a romantic ceremony on the Greek Island of Mykonos in October 2018. They revealed that they were expecting their first child in May 2019, seven months after tying the knot, and welcomed their baby boy in September that year. In March 2022, Jess, 28, and Dom, 31, announced they're expecting a second child by sharing a video showing Jess' pregnancy test and a baby scan, plus son Presley kissing her tummy, alongside the caption: 'Our family is growing.' Jess gave birth to their second son in June 2022 and has since been sharing pictures of their young family. The couple live in Devon, where Jess originates from, and are currently renovating their dream home. Rob Mills has opened up about his colourful sex life in his new autobiography, Putting on a Show. The former Neighbours star admitted to having a threesome with drag queen Courtney Act and another woman, in addition to flings with some of his gay friends. Rob and Courtney both shot to fame on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003, and ended up falling in bed together after taping a show one night. Rob Mills (left) has revealed that he once had a threesome with his Australian Idol co-star Courtney Act (right) 'We had an awesome, drink-fuelled threesome with a woman,' he wrote in an excerpt of the book, which was published by the Herald Sun. After going out to a gay club together, the trio ended up back at Courtney's house. 'Courtney, me and a woman; Ill call her Sam. And we had a bit of an orgy,' he continued. 'Courtney and Sam had sex, Sam and I had sex, Courtney and I had sex. There was a lot going on.' Rob and Courtney both shot to fame on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003, and ended up falling in bed together after taping a show one night. Pictured in 2004 Rob didn't stop there, admitting that he continued to explore his sexuality throughout the years after his eye-opening bisexual threesome. 'There were subsequent times when, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, I had flings with gay friends and sometimes strangers,' he confessed. One of Rob's most famous flings is with Paris Hilton, who he bedded while she was in Australia in 2003. Rob didn't stop there, admitting that he continued to explore his sexuality throughout the years by enjoying flings with gay friends and strangers He claimed that he kept in touch with Paris for a year after their brief romance during an appearance on 2Day FM's Rove And Sam. 'For about a year we did and then that was it. We caught up the next time she was (in Australia),' he said. They first met at an event at Sydney Opera House before heading to an after-party hosted by Osher Gunsberg. One of Rob's most famous flings is with Paris Hilton (pictured), who he bedded while she was in Australia in 2003 Afterwards, they spent the night at Paris's hotel before meeting up again shortly after the Melbourne Cup. 'We did pretty much everything but (sex) and then we caught up at the races a week after,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald. Rob's autobiography Putting On a Show was released nationwide on October 11. She never misses an opportunity to show off her sartorial prowess. And Saturday was no exception for Rebecca Harding who looked gorgeous in an all white ensemble at the Caulfield Cup Day at the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. Andy Lee's girlfriend, 30, opted for a 60s style Bardot dress, showing off her tanned legs in the mini number. Andy Lee's girlfriend Rebecca Harding looked gorgeous in an all white ensemble at the Caulfield Cup Day at the Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne She added white leather strappy heels and an off-white beret while styling her hair in a stylish loose wave. The model opted for a natural make-up look, using understated blusher and a deep red lipstick with a light layer of black mascara. Rebecca was without her comedian boyfriend but many of Australia's biggest stars were in attendance. The outing comes after Andy revealed how he continued to pursue Rebecca following their brief split in 2016, leading to a reconciliation. Rebecca was without her comedian boyfriend but many of Australia's biggest stars were in attendance The couple broke up at the time and the comedian, 41, told 2DAY FM's Hughesy, Ed and Erin radio show last month that he found that he couldn't let go. 'I did a fair bit of stalking of her when we broke up. I was still in love with her,' he said on the breakfast show. 'It was complicated, she wasn't really coping with the lifestyle, and she was losing herself in the fact that people wanted photos etc. The 30-year-old opted for a 60s style Bardot dress, showing off her tanned legs in the mini number as she chatted to some other guests She added white leather strappy heels and an off-white beret while styling her hair in a stylish loose wave 'She was losing her bounce. So afterwards, I was always keeping an eye on both on Instagram, and in real life, driving past her house.' He went on: 'I could see she was killing it, she had her glow back, and I wondered if she was seeing someone. 'So I checked in with her sister to see if she was, and when her sister said no, I asked her for a drink. The rest is history.' Despite days of rain and suburban flooding, race-goers rocked up for the $5million Caulfield Cup, the preview race for the Melbourne Cup on November 1, and watched Durston pip Gold Trip to victory By the time the Cup concluded many racegoers had started to feel the effects of a long day on their feet with heels left laying on the ground and many needing to take a seat on the floor Andy and Rebecca, 30, got back together six months after their initial split and have been going strong ever since. Rebecca, who met Andy while she was a waitress in 2014, previously said that being the partner of someone in the public eye left her feeling 'insecure and miserable'. 'I was starting my career and doubting myself and my ability. Did I get this job because of who I'm dating? 'I'd make friends and wonder, do they actually like me? I struggled,' she told Sydney Morning Herald. With a flourish of style, the dress fell off one shoulder and featured a cape which drifted behind her in the breeze. Tilda Swinton put on a very chic display as she attended the premiere of her new film The Eternal Daughter in Los Angeles on Friday. The actress, 61, who stars as the lead character Julie Hart in the ghost story, opted for an elegant white blazer with matching wide leg trousers. She layered a satin blouse with a quirky printed underneath and boosted her height with a pair of suede heels. Elegant: Tilda Swinton, 61, put on a very chic display as she attended the premiere of her new film The Eternal Daughter in Los Angeles on Friday Tilda swept her iconic platinum blonde cropped hair back and styled her fringe with a hint of a wave. She completed her look with a very subtle foundation and a sweep of berry lipstick to enhance her flawless complexion. The Eternal Daughter follows a middle-aged daughter and her elderly mother, who must confront long-buried secrets when they return to their former family home. Stylish: The actress, who stars as the lead character Julie Hart in the ghost story, opted for an elegant white blazer with matching wide leg trousers Classy: Tilda swept her iconic platinum blonde cropped hair back and styled her fringe with a hint of a wave Their home, a once-grand manor has become a nearly vacant hotel brimming with mystery. The film also features Joseph Mydell, Carly-Sophia Davies, and Alfie Sankey-Green in supporting roles. It comes as Tilda spoke about her iconic career during an Evening With Tilda Swinton panel at the New York Film Festival. Chic: She layered a satin blouse with a quirky printed underneath and boosted her height with a pair of suede heels She also posed on the red carpet with Lincoln Center's President of Film Lesli Klainberg and Lincoln Center's Film Society Director Kris Heinzelman at the event. Swinton stepped out with a simple white dress shirt tucked into black wide-legged pants for the event. Her short blonde hair was swept to the right side as she accessorised with a few rings. Plot: The Eternal Daughter follows a middle-aged daughter and her elderly mother, who must confront long-buried secrets when they return to their former family home The discussion lead into the NYFF screening of her new film The Eternal Daughter, which reunited her with The Souvenir writer-director Joanna Hogg. The film had its world premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival in September, before screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, Zurich Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival over the past few weeks. The Eternal Daughter will next be screened at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles, though no theatrical release date has been set at this time. A24 acquired the film for distribution back in January 2021, shortly after the secretive production wrapped in Wales. Melissa Leong has revealed that she and her ex-husband Joe Jones are still great friends after their 'messy' split. The MasterChef star, 40, parted ways with Joe in 2020 but tells this week's Stellar Magazine they remain amicable. 'I'm very lucky that we have a mutual respect, an enduring friendship and the greatest hope for each other's happiness,' she said. Melissa Leong has revealed that she and her ex-husband Joe Jones are still great friends after their 'messy' split. Pictured in this week's issue of Stellar Magazine 'That wasn't a line or a PR stunt to placate people. It's true. Just as much as it's important to destigmatise mental health, it's important to destigmatise divorce being a "failure". It's not.' Melissa says the pair broke up to give one another a chance at finding new love. 'As with all interpersonal relationships friendships, working experiences, romances sometimes things need to get messy until they can clarify themselves,' she said. The MasterChef star, 40, parted ways with Joe in 2020 but tells this week's Stellar Magazine they remain amicable. Both pictured 'I'm very lucky that we have a mutual respect, an enduring friendship and the greatest hope for each other's happiness,' she said 'And that's okay. I don't think it's good to be hard on yourself. Sometimes things end, and it's better for both parties to acknowledge it and give each other a chance at future happiness by disengaging and moving on'. Melissa debuted her relationship with Rob Mason in October 2021, just 10 months after her split with husband Joe. She first appeared on Rob's Instagram page last August, before finally making things official two months later. 'Sometimes things end, and it's better for both parties to acknowledge it and give each other a chance at future happiness by disengaging and moving on,' she added The cook revealed she feels 'content' after finding love with Rob, following her split from Joe in December 2020. Speaking to the Emsolation with Em Rusciano podcast, the star admitted her newfound happiness had been 'very hard-earned'. 'I think every adult that reaches a certain age, if you put in the work, you will get there. But the other thing to remember with happiness is that it is fleeting,' the food writer explained. Melissa debuted her relationship with Rob Mason (pictured) in October 2021, just 10 months after her split with husband Joe Speaking to the Emsolation with Em Rusciano podcast, the star admitted her newfound happiness had been 'very hard-earned' 'So, if you just work on being content... Contentment is far more sustainable. That can take into account being really happy and being less happy, but being okay with who you are. That's with you for life,' she added. 'The best investment I've ever made in myself is getting good with who I am. Ugly bits, weird bits, funny bits, you know, all of it.' Melissa also said she tries 'not to share... the private life stuff', but admitted it can be difficult when you're in the public eye. Melissa also said she tries 'not to share... the private life stuff', but admitted it can be difficult when you're in the public eye Melissa announced her split from bar owner Joe (right) after almost four years of marriage in December 2020 'Sometimes that gets forced out into the public. I don't know how I feel about that yet. Actually, I highly detest it. I highly detest it. I don't like being forced into having to talk about things,' she said. Melissa announced her split from bar owner Joe after almost four years of marriage. 'It has brought us such happiness to walk together, but the time has come for Joe and I to part ways and walk on, apart,' she wrote on Instagram at the time. 'We ask for your kindness and consideration for our privacy, we will not be making any further comment as our private lives have, and will always remain exactly that.' Abbie Quinnen appeared in high spirits on Saturday as she headed to a toy launch days after her ex-boyfriend confirmed his new relationship. The professional dancer, 25, showed off her toned figure while pairing a cropped black T-shirt with a cream midi skirt for the Sky Dancers launch, which was held at the Merlin London Riverside Rooms. Her appearance comes just two weeks after she split with boyfriend of three years AJ, before he went public with his new girlfriend Zara Zoffany. Wow: Abbie Quinnen appeared in high spirits on Saturday as she headed to a toy launch days after her ex-boyfriend confirmed his new relationship Abbie's midi skirt featured a ruffled panel design while her straight-neck top had an open back with a string tie, as she teamed the piece with a pair of lace-up heeled boots. Oozing style, she completed the look with an over-the-shoulder mini handbag in white, with a gold buckle and chain detail. Accessorising the look, she added a gold metal bangle and a Van Cleef & Arpels clover bracelet to match. Chic: Oozing style, she completed the look with an over-the-shoulder mini handbag in white, with a gold buckle and chain detail Beauty: The dancer had her bright blonde locks styled in a soft curl, as she opted for a glowy palette of makeup for the day out Skin baring: While her crop top featured an open back and string-tie detail Over: Her appearance comes just two weeks after she split with boyfriend of three years AJ Pritchard, with the latter already going public with his new girlfriend Zara Zoffany (pictured in July) The dancer had her bright blonde locks styled in a soft curl, as she opted for a glowy palette of makeup for the day out. Her smiley display comes after her recent devastation over former beau AJ, who she caught 'texting another woman' before their split. Abbie revealed her devastation as the dancer dumped her following the revelation, before going public with his The Challenge co-star Zara just one week later. Family day out: A slew of other famous faces were in attendance, including Imogen Thomas - who brought along her daughters, nine-year-old Ariana and Siera, six - who she shares with ex Adam Horsley Autumnal look: The Big Brother star donned a pair of thigh-high boots for the outing, paired with a bright orange mini skirt and beige, borg coat Dewy: Her chestnut hued locks were left to fall freely as she added a glowing palette of makeup But appearing to take her mind off of the turmoil, Abbie headed to the toy bash with her niece Edie - celebrating the tot's fourth birthday. A slew of other famous faces were in attendance, including Imogen Thomas - who brought along her daughters, nine-year-old Ariana and Siera, six - who she shares with ex Adam Horsley. The Big Brother star donned a pair of thigh-high boots for the outing, paired with a bright orange mini skirt and beige, borg coat. Adding a mini bucket bag from Fendi, the star beamed for snaps with her two girls - who clutched onto their own Sky Dancer dolls. Extras: Adding a mini bucket bag from Fendi, the star beamed for snaps Ladies day: It was a family affair for all as Vanessa Feltz (left) and Linda Robson (right) both attended with their grandchildren Happy: She had her blonde locks left down while smiling at the bash It was a family affair for all as Vanessa Feltz and Linda Robson both attended with their grandchildren. While celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke and his wife Kelly Simpkin beamed alongside their children CeCee, 2, and Nico, 6. The group also enjoyed a trip on the London Eye during the day, taking to their Instagram Stories to document the trip. Weekend day out: Celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke and his wife Kelly Simpkin beamed alongside their children CeCee, 2, and Nico, 6 Monochrome: Megan Rees (left) went bold with a zebra print shirt dress for the day out while Anna Whitehouse (right) played it safe in a black midaxi dress 'Heartbroken' Rupert Grint took to Instagram on Saturday to share a heartfelt tribute to his Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane. The late actor, who portrayed gamekeeper Hagrid in the franchise, passed away at aged 72 on Friday 14 October - with a flurry of tributes now pouring in for the star. Ron Weasley actor Rupert, 34, mourned the loss of the 'warm, compassionate and hilarious star' and said he had still been 'looking out for him' decades after starring in the films together. Devastated: 'Heartbroken' Rupert Grint (left) took to Instagram on Saturday to share a heartfelt tribute to his Harry Potter co-star Robbie Coltrane (second left) Rupert penned: 'Heartbroken to hear that Robbie is gone. I'll never forget the smell of cigars and beard glue- a wonderful combination. 'No one else on this planet could of played Hagrid, only Robbie. 'Just as Hagrid was in the books and films Robbie was in life- warm, compassionate and hilarious. Close: The late actor, who portrayed gamekeeper Hagrid in the franchise, passed away at aged 72 on Friday 14 October - with a flurry of tributes now pouring in for the star (Robbie pictured with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert, Emma Watson and Alan Rickman) 'A giant hearted man who was still looking out for us even decades later. Sending love to his family. See you on the other side Bobser.' Other co-stars such as Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Tom Felton have also rushed to social media to extend their condolences and tributes, while Harry Potter author JK Rowling saluted the actor as 'a complete one off'. Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright announced his death on Friday evening, describing the late actor as a 'unique talent' as she explained he had died earlier that day. Tribute: Ron Weasley actor Rupert, 34, mourned the loss of the 'warm, compassionate and hilarious star' and said he had still been 'looking out for him' decades after starring in the films together She added: 'Please respect Robbie's family's privacy at this distressing time.' While she explained: 'For me personally I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client. As well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be called his agent, I shall miss him. 'He is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. They would like to thank the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert for their care and diplomacy.' Back in the day: The pair starred alongside one another between 2001 and 2011 in the Harry Potter Franchise (L-R) Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane and Tom Felton pictured in 2002 Tragic: Coltrane's agent Belinda Wright had announced his death on Friday evening, describing the late actor as a 'unique talent' as she explained he had died earlier that day Robbie was rumoured to have had serious health issues earlier this year after he was forced to pull out of London's Comic Con in June due to medical reasons. The Scottish star, whose real name is Anthony Robert McMillan, was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid and starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie 'Fitz' Fitzgerald in the ITV drama. He was awarded an OBE for services to drama in the 2006 list of honours. Bobby Norris displayed a new look on Friday while taking to Instagram to share his journey to Ibiza from London with fans. The TOWIE alum, 36, was almost unrecognisable as he spoke to the camera, sporting a pair of chunky glasses while already boasting a deep tan. His complexion was flawless, while the reality star had a full long stubble look as opposed to his previously clean-shaven look. New look: Bobby Norris looked worlds away from his TOWIE days (pictured right) in as he poses with a full beard and taut complexion while jetting to Ibiza (left) Bobby donned a white vest for the day of travels, with his dark locks styled away from his face in a deep side-parted quiff. Taking to Instagram, Bobby told his 794k followers: 'Just gone through security, gonna get some food, check out Duty Free. Oh, I do love a bit of Duty Free, and fingers crossed, no delays. So far so good.' The TV personality then bumped into DJ Richy Ahmed at the airport, with the pair both heading to Ibiza. 'Beefa here we come': He sported a pair of chunky glasses while already boasting a deep tan, snapping a selfie from the plane before taking off to Ibiza Bearded: His complexion was flawless, while the reality star had a full long stubble look as opposed to his previously clean-shaven look Bobby, who left TOWIE last year after a stint of almost ten years, has recently been keeping fans updated on his fitness journey as he prioritises his health. And revealing that he wanted to be more natural, the star shared earlier this year that he had his facial fillers dissolved. Posting the news to Instagram, he detailed the abundance of online hate and trolling he had recieved over his appearance whilst being in the public eye. The star wrote: 'End of an era.. After years of having facial fillers I decided to have them removed. Pals: The TV personality then bumped into DJ Richy Ahmed at the airport, with the pair both heading to Ibiza Fitness: Bobby, who left TOWIE last year after a stint of almost ten years, has recently been keeping fans updated on his fitness journey as he prioritises his health (pictured left in 2018, right in 2022) 'Sorry in advance to the trolls who have loved to abuse me online for how I look. I know youve had a field day over the years.' 'From Kris Jenner (love her!!) to Ken Doll and everything in between, Ive took them all on the chin but make no doubt about it my decision to dissolve them has certainly not been to please any of you. Concluding, the star explained that he wanted to be 'Natural Norris', writing: 'I just feel like Ive personally outgrown that look and wanted to see how I looked without them. 'So for now its time for me to embrace Natural Norris.' Carol Vorderman put on an animated display while celebrating her Ascot wins on Saturday after getting lucky with her bets. The Countdown star, 61, was seen punching her hand in the air after one of the races at the QIPCO British Champions Day - where she dressed in a stylish tartan ensemble. Taking to Instagram later in the day she revealed she had made a gross total of 661 after placing just three bets. Yay! Carol Vorderman put on an animated display while celebrating her Ascot wins on Saturday after getting lucky with her bets For her day out with an equally as glamorous pal she wore a green and grey tartan dress which was cinched in at the waist with a black belt. She completed her look with a matching hat and fascinator as she excitedly snapped pictures and enjoyed the day out. Carol documented her wins on social media and she shared snaps off her winning tickets and total amount as well as a fun video with one of her pals. Winner! The Countdown star, 61, was seen punching her hand in the air after one of the races at the QIPCO British Champions Day - where she dressed in a stylish tartan ensemble Success! Taking to Instagram later in the day she revealed she had made a gross total of 661 after placing just three bets Amazing: She bet on horses Creative Force, Kinross and Run To Freedom each way to total her final amount She penned in the caption: 'BOOM CHAMPIONS DAY! SECOND RACE @ascot. Three bets.... Came in 1,2,3. Go on Vorders.....two from the top and one from wherever you like. 'Bet each way 120 Winnings, 661 gross. Come on Vorders!' She bet on horses Creative Force, Kinross and Run To Freedom each way to total her final amount. Punch the sky! Carol was delighted as she realised she'd won, raising her arm into the air in excitement Ecstatic: Carol was wide-eyed and smiled with her mouth open wide as she celebrated her win at the racecourse Unbelievable: The star could be seen clutching a glass in her hand after confirming the win on her phone Celebration: Carol was joined by her friend at the event, with the pair celebrating the star's win at the races Ready for collection: Carol took to her social media pages to let her fans know she was heading off to collect her money It came after Carol candidly discussed her 'many special friends' as she dished out dating advice and the reasons why she dates multiple men. The star revealed that one of her close male friends is an astronaut who 'calls her from the space station,' and she has been dating two of the men for several years - adding that she 'feels free' since choosing not to remarry. Carol has never revealed the identities of the men. Speaking to Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond on This Morning to answer a callers burning question during the advice segment. Yes! The television star was unable to contain herself as she celebrated her win on the afternoon Glitz and glamour: The screen star was joined by a pal who wore a white coat adorned with glistening sequins Day out: Carol documented her wins on social media and she shared snaps off her winning tickets and total amount as well as a fun video with one of her pals Phoning into the show, a 52-year-old viewer asked both Carol and Gyles Brandreth what age group he should 'pitch himself to' when looking for ladies to date. The star explained: 'I live my life in chapters, and you said and this chapter since I was about 50. So for the last decade or so, I've lived a life which is much freer. 'I've never felt freer. So I have ignored the looking for one person and I have a number of what I've called "special friends". Style: For her day out with an equally as glamorous pal she wore a green and grey tartan dress which was cinched in at the waist with a black belt Outfit: She completed her look with a matching hat and fascinator as she excitedly snapped pictures and enjoyed the day out Strike a pose: Carol was seen posing with fellow television star, former Made In Chelsea cast member Georgia Toffolo All smiles: Georgia looked happy as she posed in the stands, wearing a pair of light brown shoes while carrying a bag in a darker shade of the same colour Relaxed: The star was seen posing at a table as she sat in a box at the event, with the racecourse visible in the background Friends in high places: Georgia enjoyed the company of model Amber Le Bon at event, with the model wearing a pink dress with floral embroidery All stars: Carol was also seen posing with actor Kelvin Fletcher who wore a checked gewy waistcoat and matching jacket Stepping out: Former Love Island star and television presenter Chris Hughes looked dapper as he attended the event Looking smart: He wore a brown jacket and matching waistcoat which he teamed with a pair of navy blue trousers She continued: 'I don't really want to marry again. I don't really want to live with a man again. Have to look after him all the time. But this is a time to break this nonsense taboo, which is a person should only be looking for one other person that satisfies everything in their life. That's hell.' Adding of her 'special friends' Carol explained: 'They don't know each other, but they know about it. It's a very honest relationship. 'One of them has gone on for many more years than my marriage. Yeah, it's over 10 years. Another is seven. He's an astronaut. He rang me from the space station.' Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Kathy Hilton looked classy in two different themed outfits in NYC on Friday. The beauty, 63, was seen heading in and out of BravoCon where she talked up her show and discussed her ongoing feud with her sister Kyle Richards. 'I think she's finally seeing true and the forest through the trees,' Hilton told Us Weekly on Friday. 'I think that, sure, [there's a chance at reconciliation]. I mean, we love each other. We're sisters. Nobody's gonna come between us at the end of the day.' Double the style: The star was seen heading in and out of BravoCon in New York where she modeled two outfits and discussed her ongoing feud with her sister Kyle Richards Earlier in the day, the Fashionista posed in a pink floral number that complimented her fit physique. The beauty wore light makeup and accessorized with a matching pink purse. Later in the day, she dazzled in a shiny sequined dress that came just above her knee. She finished off the look with glittering heels that matched her outfit and a shiny green purse. On Friday, the reality star told People she didn't 'have a problem' reuniting with her sister Kyle Richards and her costars for the three-part reunion, which began airing on Wednesday. 'I couldn't wait for the reunion to happen,' she said. 'Everybody was dreading it. I couldn't wait.' Twice as nice: Earlier in the day, the star wore a lovely pink floral number. Later in the day, she dazzled in a shiny sequined dress with glittering heels Wants to have peace: Kathy's feud with her sister made headlines during their now-famous aspen trip earlier this year Kathy's feud with her 53-year-old sister made headlines during their now-famous aspen trip earlier this year. In the final episode of season 12, which aired on October 5, Lisa Rinna discussed the meltdown Kathy had during their time in Aspen together, when Kyle Richards told her it was time to move on. Rinna then explained that Hilton told her things off-camera about the other castmates that could 'ruin their lives forever' - and that holding them in was going to make her 'sick.' 'I'm not gonna take it to my grave because I'd get sick and I'd get cancer if I didn't express this,' she said. 'That's how bad it is. To have these kinds of things go on and not express them, I'll get sick and die because it's that vile.' In the final episode of season 12, which aired in early October, Rinna revealed to the group that Kathy had an epic meltdown back at her sister Kyle Richard's cabin following a night out with the housewives during their trip to Aspen Many of her costars were stunned by her statement; Diana Jenkins asked the camera privately, 'Did she really say that?' while Garcelle Beauvais added, 'Oh my God it's so dramatic.' This comes after her cast-mate, Lisa Rinna shockingly flipped off the crowd at BravoCon on Friday after she was booed following a fan backlash to her recent cancer comments. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 59, made the offensive gesture as she headed onto the stage - days after it emerged she said that she would 'get cancer' if she didn't expose Kathy Hilton's 'vile' comments on the show's finale. The defiant star, who is no stranger to controversy, showed no signs of regret over her comment as she then smiled at the crowd and joined her co-stars. The drama unfolded when Kathy, Lisa and their castmates were vacationing together in swanky Aspen, Colorado when the drama unfolded. They were visiting a local hat shop with a full bar setup, which had both 818 and Casa Del Sol stocked and ready to serve Lisa, who caught the eye in a neon orange suit at the event, told DailyMail.com she 'doesn't know' how to react to calls for her firing, before branding herself a 'rockstar'. She said: 'We are the number one show on cable, and on television. And I'm a f*****g rockstar. That's all I have to say.' Lisa has been slammed by cancer survivors and doctors alike after she used the disease as an excuse to spill Kathy Hilton's personal secrets. Speaking to DailyMail.com at BravoCon, Kathy said she was considering whether to stay on the show in the aftermath of her clash with Lisa. During an interview on the red carpet with ExtraTV, Hilton was asked if she regretted calling Rinna the 'biggest bully in Hollywood' during the recent reunion. Kathy responded, 'No, I don't. I mean, she is a bully. She's bullied everybody, and I think that that is just the worst.' Hilton believes the drama started because Lisa was deliberately 'poking the bear' with the tequila, and Kathy felt that she was 'being the bigger person' by choosing to apologize on camera - only to be 'accused of things I didn't say.' Georgia Steel flashed her washboard as she posed for a slew of sultry snaps on Saturday. The Love Island contestant, 24, looked incredible in a cream bra top with asymmetric straps and a matching pair of ribbed flares. Taking to Instagram, Georgia pulled down the waistband on her trousers to draw attention to her tiny waist. Turning heads: Georgia Steel, 24, flashed her washboard as she posed for a slew of sultry snaps on Saturday She wore her light brown hair in soft curls and opted for a bronzed makeup palette complete with highlighted cheeks and a nude lipstick. Sitting on the floor for her pose, she captioned the trio of snaps: 'Lazy day everrrryday.' It comes as Georgia and Love Island's Tasha Ghouri were reportedly 'inseparable' best friends at school before they had a 'bad fall out'. Flaunt it: Taking to Instagram, Georgia pulled down the waistband on her trousers to draw attention to her tiny waist Tasha, 23, and Georgia - who appeared on the fourth series of Love Island - both attended Thirsk Secondary School in Yorkshire and a local dance troupe together. However, it is claimed they never spoke again after a bust-up, when things turned sour as they both headed off to separate performing arts colleges. 'Tasha and Georgia were honestly inseparable and just best friends throughout school,' a pal told The Sun. Ex pals: It comes as Georgia and Love Island 's Tasha Ghouri were reportedly 'inseparable' best friends at school before they had a 'bad fall out' 'Things got a bit competitive towards Year 11 and then when Tasha got accepted into a better dance college than Georgia things turned bad.' They added: 'Stuff happens when you're young but we hope they patch it up because they could be a huge support for each other.' Tasha attended CAPA College after school and later graduated from the Creative Academy with a 1st class honours degree in Dance Performance in 2019. Former pals: Love Island's Tasha Ghouri (pictured) and former show star Georgia were reportedly 'inseparable' best friends before they had a 'bad fall out' Georgia studied at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. She is a trained dancer and completed her training as an actress at St Mary's University in London in 2019. TV personality Georgia has certainly thrived since leaving the dating show and purchased her dream home back in June 2021. MailOnline contacted representatives for Georgia and Tasha for comment at the time. Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin have decided to keep the newest member of their family despite the division he unwittingly caused. The 76-year-old actor and his 54-year-old wife are reportedly keeping their rottweiler Dwight, according to TMZ. The rottweiler had reportedly become a major source of conflict in the couple's marriage, which nearly ended in divorce - although some have speculated the split was orchestrated for an upcoming reality show starring the family. Keeping him: Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin have decided to keep the newest member of their family despite the division he unwittingly caused The outlet also reported Flavin actually really loves the big pooch, a stark change from how she used to feel. TMZ previously stated that Flavin didn't want another dog, especially a big one like a rottweiler. Stallone then replaced a tattoo portrait of Jennifer with one of the dog, Dwight. Sylvester previously vehemently denied rumors that the split came as the result of an argument over his decision to get a new Rottweiler, Dwight. The reports about the dog-based disagreement came from an unnamed source, who claimed to TMZ that Stallone was intent on getting the new canine in order to 'protect the family'. Keeping the dog and staying together: The 76-year-old actor and his 54-year-old wife are reportedly keeping their rottweiler Dwight, according to TMZ However, the insider alleged that 'Jennifer didn't want the canine', and that Dwight's arrival at the family home triggered an argument that ultimately unearthed deeper issues within their relationship, eventually sparking their divorce. Stallone later hit back at these rumors, insisting that he and Flavin had not ended their relationship because of 'such a trivial argument', but rather the pair simply 'went in different directions'. Flavin shockingly filed for divorce from her husband of 25 years, 76, back in August. A judge officially dismissed the proceedings last week. Total 180: The outlet also reported Flavin actually really loves the big pooch, a stark change from how she used to feel Didn't want it: TMZ previously stated that Flavin didn't want another dog, especially a big one like a rottweiler The couple filed a voluntary notice for dismissal in Palm Beach County, Florida and are 'together and very happy', Page Six reports. Last month, it was reported that 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.' Their reconciliation came one month after Jennifer filed for divorce from Sylvester. 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.' Talking things out: Last month, it was reported that 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' Filed: 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' 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.' The actor denied her allegations at the time. The couple have been seen out together a few times since the reconciliation including at the Ralph Lauren SS23 Runway Show on Thursday, at The Huntington Library in San Marino. The Rocky star - who tied the knot with Jennifer in 1997 - was dapper as ever in a brown suede jacket over a cream cashmere sweater and white pants. Full family: The couple have been seen out together a few times since the reconciliation including at the Ralph Lauren SS23 Runway Show on Thursday, at The Huntington Library in San Marino (pictured with their children Sistine and Sophia) Tight gown: Jennifer showed off her model figure in a form-fitting off-shoulder brown gown, which she paired with a snakeskin purse The New York native finalized the elegant look with a pair of brown boots, and beamed with his arm placed around his wife. Jennifer showed off her model figure in a form-fitting off-shoulder brown gown, which she paired with a snakeskin purse. She added some extra oomph to her look with a chunky gold necklace and small gold hoops. The beauty drew attention to her magnetic eyes with winged eyeliner and big lashes, and accentuated her features with a touch of blush and nude lipstick. The couple were joined by their daughters Sistine and Sophia at the suave affair. Russell Crowe was in good spirits as he attended the red carpet for his film Poker Face during the 17th Rome Film Festival at Auditorium della Conciliazione in Rome, Italy on Saturday. The actor, 58, opted for smart but casual attire, wearing a sky blue T-shirt under a charcoal grey jacket. He wore a pair of black trousers along with a a pair of comfortable trainers in the same colour with turquoise outer soles. Hollywood heavyweight: Russell Crowe, 58, was in good spirits as he attended the red carpet for his film Poker Face during the 17th Rome Film Festival on Saturday Screen star Russell shielded his eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses and smiled as he arrived at the event. Written by Aussie screenwriter Stephen Coates, Poker Face was originally slated to be directed by Gary Fleder, who was responsible for 1995 crime thriller Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead. However, scheduling issues and some internal studio conflict led to Crowe taking the reins. Looking good: The actor opted for smart but casual attire, wearing a sky blue T-shirt under a charcoal grey jacket Crowe stars in the lead role of Jake - a grizzled tech billionaire who finds himself the subject of a violent home invasion. It comes after Russell was declared an ambassador of the Italian city of Rome, receiving a special plaque from the mayor during a ceremony on Friday. The Gladiator star, who has been filming The Pope's Exorcist in the city in recent weeks, looked dapper in a navy blazer and trousers as he received the honour at the local city hall. Cool: Screen star Russell shielded his eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses and smiled as he arrived at the event Leading man: Russell was featured in the official trailer for Poker Face, which was released on Thursday For his meeting with mayor Roberto Gualtieri, 56, on Friday, Russell looked sharp in a navy blazer with a black shirt and black trousers. He was later seen beaming as he waved to crowds outside the hall, appearing in great spirits at the ceremony. Russell also has a long-standing affiliation with Rome, after appearing in Ridley Scott's Gladiator in 2000, based on the ancient Roman empire. Honoured: Russell looked dapper in a suit as he was named an ambassador of Rome and honoured in an Italian ceremony in the city on Friday (pictured with mayor Roberto Gualtieri) Proud: Russell, affectionately called Rusty by fans, posed with his silver plaque from the city Dapper: The Gladiator star, who has been filming The Pope's Exorcist in the city in recent weeks, looked dapper in a navy blazer and trousers as he received the honour He has been filming The Pope's Exorcist in Rome in recent weeks, with NRL star Sam Burgess by his side. The star plays Father Gabriele Amorth in the film, who is said to have cast out devils by performing more than 100,000 exorcisms. Russell has also been seen around Rome with his US girlfriend Britney Theriot, 31. The father-of-two, who divorced wife Danielle in 2018, has been dating former actress Britney since 2020. They are said to have met while making movie Broken City in 2013. She had her breast implants replaced and ears pinned back earlier this year. And Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent isn't ruling out further cosmetic surgery. The 32-year-old told Daily Mail Australia at BravoCon on Saturday she would consider getting butt injections. EXCLUSIVE: Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent revealed at BravoCon on Saturday that she would consider getting butt injections after undergoing a boob job The reality star had her breast implants replaced and ears pinned back earlier this year 'I am really obsessed with the big butt and I don't care what anyone says, "Like just squat". I am like "no bi**h that doesn't work, I have been squatting". If I ever did something more that the boobs I would get my a** injected. I would love that,' she said with a laugh. Lala shed more light on her new secret romance following her acrimonious split with ex-fiance Randall Emmett, hinting that it's not as serious as she previous suggested. 'I feel like I am in love with all of them. I sort of started building the roster because I deserve that. I have been locked down for six years (with Randall). I am so happy, I am excited by life,' she explained. As for marriage, the mother-of-one said that is definitely off the cards in the future. 'I am really obsessed with the big butt and I don't care what anyone says "Like just squat". I am like "no bi**h that doesn't work, I have been squatting"' she said 'I would never get married, it freaks me out. And even Katie (her Vanderpump Rules co-star Kate Maloney) said to me, "I never realised what a business transaction marriage was until I got divorced" and that kind of put the stamp on I am definitely not doing that,' she said. The blonde beauty added that she has chosen to completely block Randall, who shares her 15-month-old daughter Ocean with, out of her head and can't even remember their relationship. She described it as 'trauma response'. 'It was very intense. I haven't been diagnosed with PTSD, but I don't remember a lot about the relationship. I don't even remember him. So I assume that is a trauma response, when you kind of disassociate with something,' she told Daily Mail Australia. The blonde beauty says she has chosen to completely block her ex-Randall Emmett out of her head and can't even remember their four-year relationship, describing it as 'trauma response'. The pair share a daughter Ocean, 15 months 'I keep him at arm's length. I always respect that he is Ocean's dad but I don't respect him as a person. He wasn't who I thought he was, so he needs to go and be with people that are like him.' After splitting with the 51-year-old film producer, Lala alleged he pushed her to the ground when she accused him of philandering in October 2021. The reality television personality subsequently told the Los Angeles Times her former fiance had 'tackled' her after she confronted him about claims of infidelity. A spokesperson for the producer denied the Bravo star's claims, along with several other allegations that had been raised regarding their client's behavior. Dive in, head first, heels on, to the juiciest reality drama with every episode ever of Vanderpump Rules, streaming now on Hayu in Australia, UK and Canada. Dive in, head first, heels on, to the juiciest reality drama with every episode ever of Vanderpump Rules, streaming now on Hayu in Australia, UK and Canada Speaking with DailyMail.com earlier this year, Lala called the ear procedure life-changing. 'The ears did change my life, I will say,' Lala told DailyMail.com. 'And I've had so many people slide in the DMs being like, "I had that same thing done and it changed my whole world." I'm shocked I have my hair down tonight because I can't stop looking at them. I look snatched.' Lisa Rinna called getting booed at BravoCon in New York City on Friday a 'highlight.' The 59-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star walked onstage at the three-day long convention to a chorus of boos from the audience. In response, she raised a middle finger toward the gathered crowd, totally unperturbed by the way the fans reacted to her. Not the warmest reaction: Lisa Rinna called getting booed at BravoCon in New York City on Friday a 'highlight' She shared a photo of the event where she wore a vibrant orange pantsuit and walked hand-in-hand with Brad Goreski. The California native captioned the photo, 'Highlight getting booed at Bravo Con! [hands raised emojis] @wwe here I come [laughing emoji].' The crowd's response to Rinna came days after it emerged she said that she would 'get cancer' if she didn't expose Kathy Hilton's 'vile' comments on the show's finale. The defiant star, who is no stranger to controversy, showed no signs of regret over her comment as she then smiled at the crowd and joined her co-stars. Chorus of boos: The 59-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star walked onstage at the three-day long convention to a chorus of boos from the audience Controversial comments: The crowd's response to Rinna came days after it emerged she said that she would 'get cancer' if she didn't expose Kathy Hilton's 'vile' comments on the show's finale. Unconcerned: The defiant star, who is no stranger to controversy, showed no signs of regret over her comment as she then smiled at the crowd and joined her co-stars Lisa, who caught the eye in a neon orange suit at the event, told DailyMail.com she 'doesn't know' how to react to calls for her firing, before branding herself a 'rockstar.' She said: 'We are the number one show on cable, and on television. And I'm a f*****g rockstar. That's all I have to say.' Lisa has been slammed by cancer survivors and doctors alike after she used the disease as an excuse to spill Kathy Hilton's personal secrets. Speaking to DailyMail.com at BravoCon, Kathy said she was considering whether to stay on the show in the aftermath of her clash with Lisa. Kathy, 63, believes the drama started because Lisa was deliberately 'poking the bear' with the tequila, and Kathy felt that she was 'being the bigger person' by choosing to apologize on camera - only to be 'accused of things I didn't say.' Confidence: Lisa, who caught the eye in a neon orange suit at the event, told DailyMail.com she 'doesn't know' how to react to calls for her firing, before branding herself a 'rockstar' Saying things off-camera: But Rinna then explained that Hilton told her things off-camera about the other castmates that could 'ruin their lives forever' - and that holding them in was going to make her 'sick' Bad reaction: 'I'm not gonna take it to my grave because I'd get sick and I'd get cancer if I didn't express this,' she said (Rinna pictured 2020) In the final episode of season 12, which aired on October 5, Rinna was discussing a previous meltdown Kathy had during a trip they had taken to Aspen together, when Kyle Richards told her it was time to move on. But Rinna then explained that Hilton told her things off-camera about the other castmates that could 'ruin their lives forever' - and that holding them in was going to make her 'sick.' 'I'm not gonna take it to my grave because I'd get sick and I'd get cancer if I didn't express this,' she said. 'That's how bad it is. To have these kinds of things go on and not express them, I'll get sick and die because it's that vile.' Many of her costars were stunned by her statement; Diana Jenkins asked the camera privately, 'Did she really say that?' while Garcelle Beauvais added, 'Oh my God it's so dramatic.' Coming back? All of this controversy surrounding Rinna comes as her future with the show is still up in the air. The mother-of-two hasn't confirmed she'll return to RHOBH next season 'Won't put me on pause': 'Well, [a departure] may happen, but you won't put me on pause. It would be a mutual decision,' she told Us Weekly at BravoCon. 'You know what I mean? Like, you know, it, life happens. Whatever is meant to be, will be. And that's how I always look at things' All of this controversy surrounding Rinna comes as her future with the show is still up in the air. The mother-of-two hasn't confirmed she'll return to RHOBH next season. 'Well, [a departure] may happen, but you won't put me on pause. It would be a mutual decision,' she told Us Weekly at BravoCon. 'You know what I mean? Like, you know, it, life happens. Whatever is meant to be, will be. And that's how I always look at things.' While she didn't confirm anything about her future either way, Rinna did say she didn't feel 'peace' after this most recent season. 'This is a hard season. I would, I don't feel at peace after this season whether I came back or not. You know what I'm saying?' Rinna said at the New York City event. 'This was a very, very difficult season for everybody, but especially for me because of my mom. And I just had a really rough time, probably the roughest year of my life, you know? And that's just the truth.' The former soap opera star discussed how difficult the last year has been for her personally during the RHOBH ladies' Javits Center panel at BravoCon Friday. 'I'm not gonna lie, it's been rough. It's probably been the roughest year of my life,' she said. 'These are people that I do care about and we get into conflicts that we don't plan and it's very, very hard.' Drink to peace: On Saturday, Rinna and Erika Jayne posed together with drinks in a four-image carousel to show fans there is no ill-will between the co-stars To future success: One follower commented, 'If these two aren't on the show next year I won't be watching.' Another wrote 'Happy to see you two supporting one another. Love you both' Will she return?: All the controversy surrounding Rinna comes as her future with the show is still up in the air. She has not confirmed if she will return to RHOBH next season On Saturday, Rinna and Erika Jayne posed together with drinks in a four-image carousel to her Instagram with drinks in their hands captioned, 'New York Stories.' One follower named jack_pot_8777 commented, 'If these two aren't on the show next year I won't be watching.' Another follower named, carvmyway wrote, 'Happy to see you two supporting one another. Love you both.' Erika posted the same photo on her Instagram stories with the caption, 'High level meetings.' Daniel Craig stepped out in style on Saturday as he supported James Bond producer pal Barbara Broccoli at the premiere of new movie Till, of which she serves as one of the producers. The 007 actor, 54, who has worked on five Bond films with Barbara, 62, cut a dapper figure in a black pinstripe suit as he shared a cuddle with Barbara on the red carpet at The Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank. Daniel, who's in town ahead of the Knives Out 2 premiere on Sunday, appeared in great spirits as he caught up with his longtime collaborator at the glitzy event amid the BFI London Film Festival. Look who it is! Daniel Craig stepped out in style on Saturday as he supported James Bond producer pal Barbara Broccoli (R) at the premiere of new movie Till, of which she serves as one of the producers (pictured with Chinonye Chukwu (L), Danielle Deadwyler) The two looked delighted to see each other as they hugged and chatted before posing for snaps together. And Daniel ensured he dressed to impress on the night, teaming his smart jacket and trousers with a crisp white shirt, a silver tie and white shoes. Though he doesn't actually star in Till, the film star was in still in high demand as he was spotted signing autographs for excited fans. Barbara meanwhile looked glamorous in a long black chiffon dress and heels. Pals: The 007 actor, 54, who has worked on five Bond films with Barbara, 62, cut a dapper figure in a black pinstripe suit as he shared a cuddle with Barbara on the red carpet at The Royal Festival Hall in London's Southbank Also bringing the glamour on the night was one of the film's stars Haley Bennett , who was sure to catch the eye in a striking black and white gown with structured sleeves. Haley looked amazing as she dressed to impress in her black maxi dress which was adorned with quirky white patches all over. The American star teamed her dress with a pair of towering white platform heels, finishing her look with dangly silver earrings and a small black bag. Smart: Daniel, who's in town ahead of the Knives Out 2 premiere on Sunday, appeared in great spirits as he caught up with his longtime collaborator at the glitzy event amid the BFI London Film Festival Catching up: The two looked delighted to see each other as they hugged and chatted before posing for snaps together Working relationship: Barbara has produced the actor in five of his James Bond films License to thrill: Daniel ensured he dressed to impress on the night, teaming his smart jacket and trousers with a crisp white shirt, a silver tie and white shoes Popular: Though he doesn't actually star in Till, the film star was in still in high demand as he was spotted signing autographs for excited fans Catch up: Daniel was seen talking with the film's director Chinonye Chukwu (L) and actress Danielle Deadwyler on the red carpet Lovely: Daniel wrapped his arm around Barbara as they posed for snaps Lovely to see you: The foursome happily greeted each other on the red carpet Haley's blonde locks were styled in wet-look waves, while she added a further touch of glam with a bold red lip. The stunner, who plays Carolyn Bryant in the biopic, looked in good spirits as she posed alongside her co-stars. The biographical film is a profoundly emotional and cinematic film about the true story of Mamie Till Mobleys relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son, Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi. Dressed to impress: Chinonye looked sensational in a one-shouldered white gown, while Danielle stunned in a plunging blazer dress In conversation: Daniel was seen chatting away to Danielle at the premiere What a gent: The James Bond star certainly charmed director Chinonye at the premire Handsome: The was on fine form at the premiere of Till Whoopi potrays Alma Carthan who is the mother to Mamie and grandmother to Emmett. The film was directed by Chinonye Chukwu and also stars Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison, Hayley Bennett, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson, and Gem Marc Collins. Till is set to release in select US theaters on October 14 with a nationwide release to follow on October 28. Looking good: Also bringing the glamour on the night was one of the film's stars Haley Bennett, who was sure to catch the eye in a striking black and white gown with structured sleeves Stylish: Haley looked amazing as she dressed to impress in her black maxi dress which was adorned with quirky white patches all over Fashionista: The American star teamed her dress with a pair of towering white platform heels, finishing her look with dangly silver earrings and a small black bag Gorgeous: Haley's blonde locks were styled in wet-look waves, while she added a further touch of glam with a bold red lip It comes after Whoopi Goldberg slammed a critic who had falsely accused her of wearing a fat suit in the upcoming Emmett Till biopic. The 66-year-old actress addressed the controversy live on The View as she made clear that she did not wear anything to make her body look bigger in Till. Kyndall Cunningham had originally wrote that the star donned a 'distracting fat suit' in the review published by The Daily Beast. Pose: The stunner, who plays Carolyn Bryant in the biopic, looked in good spirits as she posed alongside her co-stars (pictured L-R Jalyn Hall, John Douglas Thompson, Director Chinonye Chukwu, Danielle Deadwyler, Tosin Cole and Haley) Glad rags: The cast of Till dressed to impress on Saturday night Whoopi used her platform to call the writer out as she said: 'A lady who writes for one of the magazines and she was distracted by my fat suit in her review. 'Im just going to say this, I dont really care how you felt about the movie, but you should know that was not a fat suit that was me.' She continued by saying: 'I assume you don't watch the show, or you would know that was not a fat suit.' Tragedy: Till is set to release in select US theaters on October 14 with a nationwide release to follow on October 28 (Pictured: Jalyn Hall as Emmett Till, left, and Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie Till-Mobley) Whoopi made sure to note that it was 'okay to not be a fan of the movie' but urged that the writer not judge the way people look when it comes to critiquing film. She explained: 'Just comment on the acting, and if you have a question, ask somebody. I'm sure you didn't mean to be demeaning.' Whoopi does not only star in the upcoming film Till but is also a producer. Taking a stand: Whoopi Goldberg s slammed a critic who had falsely accused her of wearing a fat suit in the upcoming Emmett Till biopic (pictured in the film on the left, she is seen in New York on Friday on the right) Opening up: The 66-year-old actress addressed the controversy live on The View as she made clear that she did not wear anything to make her body look bigger in Till Teacher transforms lives amid mountains 14:22, October 15, 2022 By Li Yingxue ( China Daily Liu Xiuxiang (right), 34, vice-principal and history teacher at Wangmo Experimental High School in Guizhou province. [Photo/cppcc.gov.cn] At 5:30 am, when the sky just begins to brighten, a thin figure in a white shirt paces around with a book in hand, waiting for students in the classroom. Liu Xiuxiang, 34, vice-principal and history teacher at Wangmo Experimental High School, has been carrying out such a role for a decade. Since graduating from university in 2012, Liu has devoted himself to teaching and helping dropouts return to school in his hometown in Wangmo county of Qianxinan Buyi and Miao autonomous prefecture, Guizhou province. Awarded the title of "most beautiful teacher" along with nine other educators by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Ministry of Education in 2020, Liu was also recently elected as a delegate to the 20th CPC National Congress. "I'm just one of the tens of thousands of educators in the mountains. I will give more attention to the students and help provide more confidence to the teachers in these areas," Liu said. When Liu was 4, his father died of an illness. His mother became depressed and developed other mental ailments. Six years later, his teenage brother and two sisters left home for work. He lost contact with his siblings. Liu had to earn money for his studies and take care of his mother all by himself. During middle school, he was exempted from tuition fees due to his excellent grades. In 2008, Liu enrolled at Linyi University in Shandong province to study history. During college, besides studying and taking care of his mother, he took on many parttime jobs he handed out leaflets, tutored students and became a waiter at restaurants and bars. That was also when Liu made headlines nationwide, with media reports of him as a filial son who took care of his mother full time while he regularly attended classes. Liu refused to accept social assistance even as he helped two girls and a boy with their educational expenses. When Liu graduated in 2012, one of the girls he helped had dropped out after middle school. Liu made up his mind to become a teacher in his hometown he turned down a higher-wage offer as a salesman in Beijing. Choosing to stay in Guizhou has definitely been worth it as he can help influence hundreds or even thousands of children to continue their studies, Liu said. "I want to tell children who do not come from well-off families or those who like me have felt confused at some point that, whenever they face difficulties or setbacks, they must hold on to their dreams and persevere. I will be right behind them." Besides teaching, Liu has visited every village neighboring his school on his motorcycle to promote welfare education among rural parents. Li Yingfen, one of Liu's students whose mother and uncle suffer from mental disabilities and grandfather is ill at home, tried to quit school a few times to help her father with farmwork to support the family. Liu stopped her and told her there were good-hearted people willing to provide her with financial support. Li and her younger brother continued to study and subsequently enrolled in college. In 2018, when Li visited Liu during her winter vacation and accidentally found her letter to those who helped her, she realized Liu was the one who provided the support. "Without Liu's help, I could never have completed college," Li said. After graduation in 2021, Li also returned home to become a teacher. In 2016, Liu set up a facility to further aid education in rural schools of mountainous areas. He organizes training for young teachers and his team helps to match social support with impoverished students more than 4,200 needy students have received financial support covering over 13 million yuan ($1.8 million). "My educational philosophy is to give up on no one; every child deserves a better future," Liu said. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu) Yes, they did kiss ... no, they're not dating. Tom Schwartz and Raquel Leviss have finally cleared the air about their much talked about romantic tryst at Scheana Shay's wedding. Tom and Raquel exclusively spilled the tea about their one-time fling to DailyMail.com at BravoCon on Saturday, with Leviss admitting of the kiss: 'I don't regret anything.' Despite rampant rumors that the pair are currently dating - Schwartz's mom even asked him if Raquel was his new girlfriend - the 39-year-old TomTom co-owner was quick to clarify that they're not in a relationship. Though he did assure DailyMail.com that his kissing skills are excellent. Kiss and tell: Tom Schwartz and Raquel Leviss have finally cleared the air about their much talked about romantic tryst at Scheana Shay's wedding during an exclusive chat with DailyMail.com at BravoCon on Saturday 'We just had fun. And we just, you know, live in the moment and I guess it felt right to share a kiss in the moment,' Raquel said. 'Everybody seems to have an opinion about it,' she continued. 'I don't regret anything. And, Schwartz is like one of my really, really good friends now.' Not long after Scheana Shay and Brock Davies tied the knot, rampant chatter began surrounding a possible romantic connection between Raquel and the recently single Tom Schwartz. 'I'm very blown away by how much just media reaction the kiss got and the rumors about our relationship,' Tom revealed. 'That's like still the number one thing that people ask me.' 'I'm very blown away by how much just media reaction the kiss got and the rumors about our relationship,' Tom revealed. 'That's like still the number one thing that people ask me. My mom hit me up there and she's like, "you don't have to tell me, but I know you're dating Raquel." And I'm like, "Mom, I'm not dating Raquel".' 'My mom hit me up and she's like, "you don't have to tell me, but I know you're dating Raquel." And I'm like, "Mom, I'm not dating Raquel".' So it seems a kiss is really just a kiss in this case. However, at least according to Tom it was a good one. 'I'm not a confident in a lot of things in life, but I'm a good kisser,' Schwartz said. Tom and co-star Katie Maloney finalized their divorce just days ago after after five years of marriage and 12 years together. While Katie previously told DailyMail.com that she was looking forward to getting back out there in the dating pool, Tom said he isn't dating just yet. 'We just had fun. And we just, you know, live in the moment and I guess it felt right to share a kiss in the moment,' Raquel said. 'Everybody seems to have an opinion about it,' she continued. 'I don't regret anything.' The Schwartz & Sandy's owner joked that he and Tom Brady are both single now, and perhaps he might have a shot with Gisele. (Tom and Gisele's relationship is currently on the rocks, however, the pair have not publicly acknowledged a split.) Since announcing their divorce, Katie and Tom have presented a united front for the media, appearing amicable and friendly. However, at BravoCon, Katie was flustered when asked to share her feelings about the kiss between Tom and Raquel. 'I don't know,' she said taking a long pause before sighing and repeating. 'I don't know.' At BravoCon, Katie was flustered when asked to share her feelings about the kiss between Tom and Raquel: 'I don't know,' she said taking a long pause before sighing and repeating. 'I don't know.' The conversation was made a bit more awkward considering her ex-husband was a mere three feet away from her discussing how he kissed a mutual friend. Both Maloney and Schwartz agreed that the combination of their proximity and all the questions about the kiss made for an uncomfortable moment. 'Yeah, it is weird,' Tom admitted. The tension was palpable - certainly for Schwartz - because, as Katie quipped while glancing over towards her ex: 'He knows I'll kill him.' Meanwhile, Raquel was equally emotional and actually teared up while talking to reporters at BravoCon. 'I was just talking about how I've transformed throughout the years,' she said misty-eyed. I feel like I've stepped into my own.' Over: Tom and Katie announced their divorce plans in mid-March after five years of marriage and 12 years together; they have no children together Tom and Katie announced their divorce plans in mid-March after five years of marriage and 12 years together; they have no children together. Katie filed for divorce soon after that same month, filing the documents at LA County Superior Court. 'After 12 years on an adventure through life together Tom and I are ending our marriage,' Katie said in a statement at the time. 'This ending is not met with resentment or animosity, no sides to choose. We have deep admiration for one another that will always remain and we cherish our friendship. Although we may be on different paths we will continue to love and support one anothers happiness.' She continued, 'Although we may be on different paths we will continue to love and support one another's happiness. Thank you for all the kind words and support.' Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix seen during the Surving Up the Latest Vanderpump Rules Panel at BravoCon Emily Blunt cut a glamorous figure as she walked the red carpet at The English world premiere during the 66th BFI London Film Festival on Saturday. The actress, 39, looked statuesque as she posed in a black ruched floor-length dress, with the garment accentuating her hourglass figure. Screen star Emily's halter neck ensemble was complemented by the chunky bracelets she wore on her wrists in the same colour of her gown. In style: Emily Blunt, 39, showcased her chic sense of style as she walked the red carpet at The English world premiere during the 66th BFI London Film Festival on Saturday The star also accessorised with some gold bangles to match the drop earrings she chose. She opted for a make-up palette of natural hues to show off her pretty features as she attended the event. Emily, who plays Cornelia Locke in the film, was joined by actor Chaske Spencer, 47, who takes on the role of Eli Whipp. Fashion focus: The actress looked statuesque as she posed in a black ruched floor-length dress, with the garment accentuating her hourglass figure All dressed up: Emily's dress was shown to be backless as she turned to walk along the red carpet, with the star wearing a pair of black heels The pair posed alongside one another on the red carpet, with Chaske wearing a black suit and matching tie. He completed his look by wearing a crisp white shirt and smart black shoes as he stood arm-in-arm with Emily at the bash. Television series The English, which will air on BBC in the UK and Prime Video in the US, was written and directed by award-winning Hugo Blick, who also wrote Amazon's spy thriller The Honourable Woman. Strike a pose: Emily, who plays Cornelia Locke in the film, was joined by actor Chaske Spencer, 47, who takes on the role of Eli Whipp Dapper chap: He completed his look by wearing a crisp white shirt and smart black shoes as he stood arm-in-arm with Emily at the bash All smiles: The pair could be seen grinning as they stood in each other's arms on the red carpet at the bash Natural beauty: She opted for a make-up palette of natural hues to show off her pretty features as she attended the event Emily plays a lady thrown into the wild landscape of mid-America in the late 19th Century, who joins forces with an ex-cavalry scout to reach the new town of Hoxem, all the while embroiled in a tale of love and revenge. Uppity Victorian Lady Cornelia Locke ,who is a fish out of the water in the rough American West, encounters terrifying obstacles to reach her destination. Emily was ecstatic to bump into her co-star Steve Wall at the bash, with the actor, whose character is yet to be named, appears in all six episodes. Old pal: Emily was ecstatic to bump into her co-star Steve Wall at the bash, with the actor, whose character is yet to be named, appears in all six episodes Delighted: The actress put her hand to her face as she spotted him on the red carpet before heading over to greet him Hanging out: She was also seen hugging Stephen Rea who wore a smart black suit for the premiere Glitterati: Emily added a touch of glamour to her chic look by wearing a pair of glistening earrings Dramatic! First-look images for BBC's thrilling new Western were released in August, offering a glimpse of Emily's transformation into a prim Aristocrat The actress put her hand to her face as she spotted him on the red carpet before heading over to greet him. He wore a navy blue suit, with the pair hugging on the red carpet at the event. She was also seen hugging Stephen Rea who wore a smart black suit for the premiere. The English will premiere on 10 November on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Prime Video in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Chrissy Teigen caused quite a stir on day two of BravoCon2022, attracting a huge crowd of fans. The star is a devoted Bravo superfan and she spent the second day of the three day convention checking out dozens of shopping kiosks. Teigen drew a crowd of hundreds who seemed to, at least temporarily, forget all about the Bravolebrities and clamored for a photo or video of the Cravings author. Teigen time! Chrissy Teigen caused quite a stir on day two of BravoCon2022, attracting a huge crowd of fans while checking out dozens of shopping kiosks Glam! It didn't take BravoCon goers long to spot Chrissy Teigen, wearing a draped white silk dress with black flowers, waltzing through the various activations and a huge gaggle of fans quickly gathered A seemingly endless array of commerce kiosks are scattered throughout the Javits Center peddling products owned by, sponsored by or endorsed by Bravo stars. It didn't take BravoCon goers long to spot Chrissy Teigen, wearing a draped white silk dress with black flowers, waltzing through the various activations and a huge gaggle of fans quickly gathered. Event security almost immediately stepped in and pushed the crowd back several feet to give the model some breathing room. Teigen was spotted perusing the apparel at She by Sheree by Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield. Whoa! Event security almost immediately stepped in and pushed the crowd back several feet to give the model some breathing room Superfan: Teigen was spotted perusing the apparel at She by Sheree by Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield Shopping: She then stopped next door for a fair amount of time to check out the home decor items from Southern Charm star Craig Conover's Sewing Down South She then stopped next door for a fair amount of time to check out the home decor items from Southern Charm star Craig Conover's Sewing Down South. It appeared that Chrissy's cancellation from the public is a thing of the past. Eager BravoCon fans tried to snap photos and take videos while shouting out compliments to get her attention. Teigen, for her part, was totally unfazed by the looming crowd and responded to them with gracious smiles and waves. Canceled? Eager BravoCon fans tried to snap photos and take videos while shouting out compliments to get her attention Wow! Chrissy showed up for Day One and Day Two of BravoCon in New York Listen up! Security detail got between Teigen and the crushing amount of fans, thankfully without incident On Friday, Chrissy revealed herself to be a big fan of RHOBH star Erika Jayne while attending BravoCon 2022 in New York City on Friday night. The cookbook author, who is expecting her third child with John Legend, hilariously imitated Jayne's signature move, dubbed, Pat the P**s, backstage at the convention. Taking to Instagram, Teigen proudly shared footage of herself performing the sexy dance with her nearly 40million followers. With her left arm just behind her back, and her right hand in front, Teigen went into what Jayne calls the 'roll and pat'. The roll is done with the hips while the pat hits her private parts. Seated: Chrissy seen seated during the Big Apple Panel Selfie: Chrissy seen posing for a selfie with an excited fan Big fan! A very pregnant Chrissy Teigen revealed herself to be a big fan of RHOBH star Erika Jayne while attending BravoCon 2022 in New York City on Friday night Jayne, who originally created her 'Erika Jayne' alter ego to keep her stage persona separate from who she really is, has been known to give a lesson or two on ow to do the Pat the P**s. Teigen looked to be enamored as she made her way through Bravoland and its many exhibits that pay tribute to the various Bravo shows. The Utah native checked out the '#RHONY boat ride from hell' exhibit, as well as '#RHOBH bunny', the @RHOSLC bath tubs and Teresa Giudice's nuptials to Luis Ruelas. BravoCon 2022 will continue through Sunday at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. She's set to star as Camilla Parker Bowles in the fifth series of Netflix's The Crown upon its release next month. And away from the glitz and glam of the award-winning royal drama, Olivia Williams cut a casual figure as she tended to her bike during a low-key outing in London on Saturday. The actress, 54, opted for a navy jacket worn over a red top as she seemingly prepared to head of for a ride on her bike. Off-duty: away from the glitz and glam of The Crown Olivia Williams cut a casual figure as she tended to her bike during a low-key outing in London on Saturday Olivia added black trousers and a pair of smart brogues to her off-duty look, while slinging a brown satchel across her body. The TV star showed off her natural beauty by going make-up free for the outing, while her raven tresses were left loose. Olivia was seen turning around to speak to a gentleman while arranging shopping bags at the back of her bicycle. Casual: The actress, 54, opted for a navy jacket worn over a red top as she seemingly prepared to head of for a ride on her bike Double take: She's set to star as Camilla Parker Bowles in the fifth series of Netflix's The Crown upon its release next month (pictured with Dominic West as Prince Charles) It comes as Netflix released new images from the highly-anticipated series five of The Crown - which is set to take place in the 1990s. The pictures, which were posted on the show's official social media pages on Friday, showed a glamorous Elizabeth Debicki, playing Princess Diana, and Imelda Staunton, taking on the role of Queen Elizabeth II. While a picture sees Olivia as Camilla alongside Dominic West, who plays Charles, looking intimate as they smile at what appears to be a firework display. Outfit: Olivia added black trousers and a pair of smart brogues to her off-duty look, while slinging a brown satchel across her body Radiant: The TV star showed off her natural beauty by going make-up free for the outing, while her raven tresses were left loose Chit chat: Olivia was seen turning around to speak to a gentleman while arranging shopping bags at the back of her bicycle Williams and West are both wearing outdoor coats, and a stately home can be seen faintly in the background. The release comes just a month after Queen Elizabeth II's death, aged 96 - after the show was heavily criticised for resuming filming one day after her majesty passed away. While the show was lambasted once again for being insensitive towards a grieving King Charles III as they are set to show his crumbling marriage to Diana in 'painful' detail. New: Netflix have released new images from the highly-anticipated series five of The Crown - Imelda Staunton pictured as Queen Elizabeth II after her death alongside Prince Philip, portrayed by Jonathan Pryce The breakdown of Charles and Diana's relationship will be a central part of the new series and portrays the then Prince of Wales as 'petty, cold and deceitful'. The fourth series, which streamed in November last year, told the story of the early romance between Charles and Diana. It was announced last year that Elizabeth Debicki would take over from Emma Corrin and play Diana for the fifth and sixth series, which will cover Diana's death in 1997. The sixth season of the show is its final, with the last two series covering the Royal Family in the 1990s to 2003, which includes Diana's death. The Crown resumed production on its sixth and final series last month in Barcelona after filming was paused for a single day following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Crown's fifth series will be released on Netflix on November 9. Reality: The Crown viewers have been offered a first glimpse at how the Netflix series will portray King Charles and Camilla in the upcoming fifth series (pictured in 1979) Dame Twiggy Lawson has adopted a baby giraffe in Kenya called Twiggy. But her neighbours neednt worry she wont be bringing the animal back to the UK, shes just sponsoring it. As a thank-you she receives regular updates and a monthly painting. The 73-year-old 1960s icon tells me she loves London Zoo and shes been designing T-shirts for the Zoological Society with her daughter Carly to help stop animal extinction. She says penguins are her favourite. I love watching them swim and waddle around, she enthuses. Wonder if she knows that one of the penguins is named after Lorraine Kelly? All smiles: Dame Twiggy Lawson has adopted a baby giraffe in Kenya called Twiggy. But her neighbours neednt worry she wont be bringing the animal back to the UK, shes just sponsoring it Wild: As a thank-you she receives regular updates and a monthly painting. The 73-year-old 1960s icon tells me she loves London Zoo and shes been designing T-shirts for the Zoological Society with her daughter Carly to help stop animal extinction Alls swell for Skys Kay Sky Newss Kay Burley was left with a face better suited to radio after receiving a nasty bite from a horsefly on a trip to see friends in Gloucestershire. Thankfully, make-up artist Henrik Torp was on hand to cover up the swelling ahead of her Breakfast show slot this week. Recalling Torps reaction when she walked into the make-up room, Kay, 61, pictured right showing the damage, tells me: He said, Hmm, a challenging day for me. Sit down. Kay added of Torp, who also does make-up for Deal Or No Deal and Dancing On Ice: Henrik is a gift from God. An absolute magician. Swell: Sky Newss Kay Burley was left with a face better suited to radio after receiving a nasty bite from a horsefly on a trip to see friends in Gloucestershire ITVs new media wellness brand Woo is so keen to get the Gen Zers on board they have hired a memes director-at-large. Woo, which caters to those born around 2000, gushes about power of memes as an antidote to the news cycle and even says memes can function as a form of self-care. Alongside memes, Woo which is funded by ITV-backed Studio 55 boasts a range of content, from scientific wellness studies to an article exploring evidence that the Loch Ness monster actually exists. Ryan Thomas has been pictured 'cuddling and nuzzling' the neck of EastEnders star Zaraah Abrahams. The former Coronation Street actor, 38, could be seen embracing the married 35-year-old actress, with whom he is close friends, in images taken at Thursday's National Television Awards after-party and obtained by The Sun. Ryan, who has two children with his fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh, starred alongside Zaraah in the ITV soap when she was a member of the cast between 2005 and 2007. Oops! Ryan Thomas (pictured on Thursday) has been pictured 'cuddling and nuzzling' the neck of EastEnders star Zaraah Abrahams, who is allegedly married although it is unclear who to An onlooker claimed the pair - who played Jason Grimshaw and Joanne Jackson on Corrie - got on 'like a house on fire' as they caught up at the swanky event. They said: 'Ryan was inviting Zaraah to come to his house with her family. They were laughing together, and he was looking at something on her phone. 'Then he pulled her in for an affectionate cuddle. The drinks had been flowing all night, and he was obviously caught up in the moment. Oh dear: The former Coronation Street actor, 38, could be seen embracing the 35-year-old in images taken at Thursday's National Television Awards after-party and obtained by The Sun 'Afterwards they were laughing together again. It was clear they had known each other for some time, as Ryan was heard telling her, "You know me so well." He then went on to tell her, "You know what I'm like." It was all very playful.' Zaraah's spokesperson told The Sun: 'Zaraah and Ryan have been good mates for over 20 years and were just catching up as they haven't seen each other for quite some time. It's nothing more than that.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Ryan and Zaraah for further comment. Couple: Ryan has two children with his fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh of TOWIE fame Lucy and Ryan are proud parents to son Roman, two, and daughter Lilah, four months. Ryan is also father to daughter Scarlett, 13, from his relationship with former Coronation Street co-star Tina O'Brien, 39. Roman was hospitalised earlier this month during a family break in Carlisle. The actor shared a photo of the toddler in an A&E cot, telling his Instagram followers that they had 'unfortunately been in this situation many times before'. Last month, Lucy was in hospital with the couple's eldest child as he battled a virus. Ryan shared a black and white photo of Roman resting in his hospital cot, writing: 'Me and my little man have unfortunately been in this situation many times before. 'But this weekend we spent 24 hours in hospital away from home - but wanted to say a massive thank you to all the doctors and nurses at The Cumberland Infirmary for the hard work and dedication in making sure we get the best care possible. 'Me and my boy are home safe because of you. We are truly grateful.' She has just joined The Crown for the most controversial role of her career, playing an aristocrat Prince Philip is strongly hinted to have had an affair with. But in reality, Natascha McElhones romantic life appears to be altogether healthier. Our pictures show the 50-year-old getting cosy with actor Sule Rimi during a day out in South-West London last week, suggesting she has finally found love again, 14 years after the sudden death of her husband Martin Kelly. Mr Kelly, a plastic surgeon, was just 43 when he collapsed outside the couples London home in May 2008. He was rushed to hospital, but died of heart failure the day after their tenth wedding anniversary. Natascha McElhone, 50, getting cosy with actor Sule Rimi during a day out in South-West London last week - 14 years after the sudden death of her husband Martin Kelly The Crown actress with her husband of ten years, Martin Kelly, before he died suddenly fourteen years ago At the time, Ms McElhone was pregnant with their third son. She dealt with her grief by writing letters to Mr Kelly, which were later published in a book. This is the first time the actress has been photographed with a new partner since then. Mr Rimi is primarily a stage actor, currently appearing at Londons National Theatre, while Ms McElhones screen credits include The Truman Show and US TV series Californication. She will soon appear as Penny Knatchbull, the Countess Mountbatten of Burma, in the fifth series of The Crown. The contentious Netflix drama will suggest a close relationship between her and Prince Philip, who is shown touching her hand as they go carriage-riding together. He is also depicted telling her that he and the Queen had grown in separate directions. He is affectionately known as the stud of the sea. And Below Deck star Captain Lee Rosbach has revealed he often is sent nude pictures from his die-hard female fans. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at BravoCon in New York on Saturday, the 72-year-old silver fox said he is still coming to terms with all attention he receives from viewers and the unsolicited saucy snaps. EXCLUSIVE: Below Deck's 'stud of the sea' Captain Lee Rosbach, 72, told Daily Mail Australia at BravoCon he is often sent nude pictures from female fans. He is pictured on the show 'It is something I will probably never get my head wrapped around. I will probably never listen to a Barry White song again the same way,' he joked. 'People send pictures of themselves. Its like, you are really giving me more information than I needed.' He said the X-rated fan mail doesnt bother his beloved wife of almost five decades, Mary Anna, one bit. He said the X-rated fan mail doesnt bother his beloved wife of almost five decades, Mary Anna, one bit 'She laughs. I guess it comes with the territory. No one gives you a handbook on how to deal with it,' he said. Below Deck fans were left thrilled when it was announced on Friday that season 10 will premiere next month and shown a wild new trailer for the show at Bravocon. Setting sail on November 22, Captain Lee, Chef Rachel Hargrove and Chief Stew Fraser Olender return to the Caribbean, cruising around the lush island of St-Lucia aboard the largest yacht in Below Deck history, the 197 ft 'St. David'. Captain Lee told Daily Mail Australia that Below Deck Fans are set to see 'something you would never expected would happen' on the popular franchise and coined the instalment 'the best season yet' Below Deck fans were left thrilled when it was announced on Friday that Below Deck season 10 will premiere next month and shown the new trailer for the show at Bravocon. The sexy new trailer shows the crew onboard asking Lee 'if the dessert is going to be you, captain?' as a flustered Lee fans himself But they will quickly learn that with a bigger boat comes bigger problems. Beloved crew member Fraser Olender is back, but this time as Chief Stew. He is left questioning whether he will rise to the challenge in his new role or sink in the deep waters of the Caribbean. A wild new trailer for season 10 was released this week ahead of the series' premiere in November Meanwhile, Chef Rachel Hargrove will serve up her most intricate and finest cuisine yet in the galley. Bosun Ross McHarg works hard, but plays harder as his romances on the crew nights out get him into hot water. The sexy new trailer shows the crew onboard asking Lee 'if the dessert is going to be you, captain?' as a flustered Lee fans himself. The crew are seen partying hard, drinking copious amount of alcohol, getting raunchy lap dances and even having sex Elsewhere, the crew are seen partying hard, drinking copious amount of alcohol, receiving raunchy lap dances and even having sex. But Captain Lee desperately tries to pull them into line, warning the crew he is 'going to work their a**es to the bone' and telling them he has a 'pocket full of plane ticket he doesn't mind handing out'. The entire charter is then put in jeopardy when he makes an unexpected decision that rocks the boat to its core, leading to the most shocking season of Below Deck yet. Captain Lee told Daily Mail Australia that Below Deck Fans are set to see 'something you would never expected would happen' on the popular franchise and coined the instalment 'the best season yet'. 'I think it is the best crew we have ever had that were assembled in one place. Early on something happens that changes the whole dichotomy of the series,' he said. Below Deck makes waves as Season 10 returns to Hayu on Tuesday November 22. Go overboard and stream every season and every episode of Below Deck on Hayu in Australia, the UK and Canada before Season 10 returns Several members of the crew are seen hooking up and even having sex 'I think it is the best crew we have ever had that were assembled in one place. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Local Final defendant gets 24 years in slaying, burglary Franklin The last person facing criminal charges in connection with the 2017 death of Joey Gipson was sentenced to 24 years in prison for his role in the fatal home invasion. Rassuim Franklin was sentenced earlier this month by 420th District Judge Ed Klein. Now that all the defendants have been sentenced, investigators and prosecutors can reveal the circuitous path the investigation took through three states over 17 months. Gipson was fatally shot in the chest when three men entered his home Jan. 9, 2017. He was in bed next to the mother of his children. The intention was to take money and drugs from the home, but there wasnt any money and only a small amount of marijuana, according to court records. Immediately after the shooting, Nacogdoches police combed through the scene and questioned witnesses, but couldnt immediately develop any leads, said Nacogdoches County District Attorney Andrew Jones. The following day, paperwork and purses taken from Gipsons home were found on Loop 224, and a fingerprint on a water bill inside a purse was tied to Kasey Rashad Brown. The mother of Gipsons children told police she did not know Brown and couldnt not identify any of the men who came into the home. GPS data from Browns cellphone showed he made a round trip from Houston to Nacogdoches and back on the night of the killing. Linking that data with traffic cameras led to Franklin. Franklins phone showed it was traveling the same route as Brown. More phone records led to Patrick Hughey. Investigators knew Hughey had ties to Nacogdoches and cellphone data put him with the other men. Warrants were issued for all three. Brown was arrested in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. Investigators questioned Brown, who admitted his involvement and identified a fourth man Jamal Brown Jones said. The two Browns are not related. Kasey Brown identified Jamal Brown as the shooter and said Patrick planned the burglary but didnt enter the home, according to court records. If he had, Jones said, he would have been immediately identified as the Gipsons drug supplier. Jamal Brown reportedly told Gipson to stay down and demanded money. He then shot as Gipson was getting out of bed. The two Browns and Rassium gathered items and fled. They jumped into the truck Hughey was driving. When detectives interviewed Hughey, he said nothing, Jones said. Texas law doesnt permit convictions based solely on the testimony of fellow defendants. Their statements have to be corroborated by physical evidence. Since the only evidence implicating Jamal Brown and Patrick Hughey was a co-defendant statement and cellphone GPS information, Jones was concerned that jurors might not be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Jamal Brown was involved the crime. While GPS history put (Jamal) in the area and corroborated Kaseys statement, it did not corroborate Kaseys statement to the degree that it showed Jamal or Patrick committing a crime, Jones said. Knowing this, we pushed as hard as we could to get as lengthy a sentence as we could given the evidence issues on both Jamal Brown and Patrick Hughey. Franklin confessed, Jones said. But his confession was not as detailed as Kasey Browns. The scant physical evidence did not closely link him to the killing. A capital murder charge was dismissed, and he was sentenced to 24 years in prison for aggravated robbery. The discovery of Kasey Browns fingerprint on the water bill, along with the statement of the witness in bed with the deceased victim, corroborated his story. Kasey Brown told investigators that he did not intend for Jamal Brown to kill Gipson. Since he also had no prior criminal history, prosecutors offered him a deal to plead guilty to aggravated robbery, but he declined. His attorney did an excellent job of ensuring his client was made aware of the risks, the law, and the evidence, should Mr. Brown choose to take it to trial, Jones said. Kasey Brown requested a trial and was sentenced to life without parole. A Hyderabad-born woman who claims to have been duped of $2.50 lakh in a matter of days, is on a mission to raise awareness among women about cyber crooks who prey on women.(Representational image) HYDERABAD: Dr Chandana (name changed), a Hyderabad-born woman who claims to have been duped of $2.50 lakh in a matter of days, is on a mission to raise awareness among women about cyber crooks who prey on women. Dr Chandana, a practising physician in Texas, stated that she was duped by Ahmad Mohammed Salem, an Israeli who claimed to be a surgeon in the UK, and that he had cheated several women in India and other parts of the world and looted large sums of money from them. During the Covid-induced lockdown, Chandana said she received a friend request on Facebook from someone claiming to be a doctor. They gradually became friends, and he began demanding money from her for a variety of reasons. She transferred money at his request to various accounts in India, which he informed were of his friends and relatives. He threatened to commit suicide and blocked her when she demanded her money, Dr Chandana claimed. "When I filed a complaint with the police in the United States, the funds from two accounts were transferred to my account. But I later discovered that he is a professional cheat who has been looking for women all over the world. I discovered that he has over 300 Facebook accounts with various names, she claimed. She said she also discovered that there are victims in various parts of India. "When I started a campaign on Facebook, they approached me. I want to spread awareness among women to prevent them from falling in his trap, the doctor said. Dr Chandana also stated that she would file a complaint with the Hyderabad cybercrime police. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Saturday suspended the Bombay High Court order acquitting former Delhi University (DU) professor G N Saibaba and others in a Maoist-links case. The high court acquitted Saibaba and others in the case on Friday. An apex court bench of justices M R Shah and Bela M Trivedi, which sat on a non-working day to hear the matter, also rejected Saibaba's request for putting him under house arrest in view of his physical disability and health conditions. It stayed the release of all the accused in the case, including Saibaba, from jail, as directed by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. It sought responses from Saibaba and the other accused on a plea moved by the Maharashtra government against the high court order. More than eight years after his arrest, the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba on Friday and ordered his release from jail, noting that the sanction order issued to prosecute the accused in the case under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was "bad in law and invalid". The Nagpur bench of the high court allowed Saibaba's appeal, challenging a 2017 order of the trial court that convicted him in the case and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Apart from Saibaba, the court acquitted Mahesh Kariman Tirki, Pandu Pora Narote (both farmers), Hem Keshavdatta Mishra (student) and Prashant Sanglikar (journalist), who were sentenced to life imprisonment, and Vijay Tirki (labourer), who was sentenced to 10 years in jail. Narote died during the pendency of the appeal. Saibaba, 52, who is wheelchair-bound due to a physical disability, is currently lodged in the Nagpur central prison. He was arrested in February 2014. The state government has enhanced the constituency development programme (CDP) fund for MLAs and MLCs within the GHMC limits. (Representational image: PTI) HYDERABAD: While the state government has enhanced the constituency development programme (CDP) fund for MLAs and MLCs within the GHMC limits from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore annually, it is silent on the ward development programme. The government has issued fresh guidelines for the implementation of CDP works. According to these, the GHMC commissioner will execute the work after receiving administrative approval from the collector. The payment will be made by the collector, and this condition would be stated in the tender documents, sources said. With 60 TRS corporators, 44 from the MIM 44 and 43 of the BJP in the GHMC council, sources say there is a power struggle between the political parties for ward development funds. Despite the corporators confronting it several times, GHMC council has refused to provide Rs.1.50-crore per year ward development fund. According to sources, the CDP will benefit ruling party MLAs more, ahead of the Assembly elections next year. However, when this newspaper tried to contact them about the ward development fund to the corporators, the GHMC authorities were unavailable for comment. Devara Karunakar, Gudimalkapur corporator, said that the government wanted to reduce the role of corporators as the BJP had won about 50 per cent of the divisions in the GHMC. "This move is only to show the TRS highhandedness on BJP corporators," he said. Echoing his concern, Champapet corporator Vanga Madhusudhan Reddy asked why the government took the decision just before the election year. He asked why the GHMC should execute the works of the MLA and MLC when it has an elected council of corporators. Madhusudhan Reddy said that the corporation had been not releasing its general fund for six months fearing that corporators would dominate the MLAs in their respective constituencies. A ruling party corporator who did not want to be named said MLAs were already treating corporators as puppets. With the government's decision, the MLAs would not even consider us, he rued. The TRS corporator said, We are interacting with the public on daily. The GHMC has already stopped the ward development programme. With the latest decision corporators will have no role to play. HYDERABAD: Rythu Bandhu Samithi (RBS) chairman and MLC Palla Rajeshwar Reddy alleged that the BJP and the RSS were responsible for enrolment of bogus votes in Munugode Assembly constituency. It was after authorities had deleted bogus votes that BJP leaders had approached the courts, he said. The BJP could influence constitutional bodies but not the mandate of peoples court, he said. Reddy along with TRS state general secretary Soma Bharath Kumar and senior leader Devi Prasad Rao speaking to the media said that BJP was responsible for the byelection in Munugode. The drama over voters and subsequent developments proved that the Central Election Commission was being remote-controlled by the BJP, he alleged. He said that having realised that defeat was imminent, BJP leaders were throwing blame on the deletion of 40 per cent of voters from the list. The RBS chairman said that the political career of the Komatireddy brothers will end after the Munugode by-election. Taking serious note of Yeshwantpura police registering first case invoking the new anti-conversion law, Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka on Friday said the state government would take stringent measures against forced religious conversions. Ashoka told reporters that the "myth" about Muslims not indulging in forceful religious conversion was busted. He said out that all these days it was assumed that only the Christian community was involved in conversion. "With more cases involving Muslims coming to light, the state government will take steps to curb such illegal conversions done by luring Hindu youth into religious traps," Ashoka said. Also read: BJP leaders call for doing away with 4% Muslim quota in Karnataka Referring to the Banashankari case in which the anti-conversion law has not been invoked, the minister said a Muslim leader who won from Banashankari twice on the Congress ticket was involved. "He along with two others harassed a Hindu youth from Mandya to convert into Islam. These accused have insulted Lord Shiva and Goddesses Banashankari, too," he claimed. Quoting police investigations, Ashoka added that the accused forced the Hindu youth to consume beef. The Hindu youth tolerated their torture all the while and finally booked a case against them. These accused even took him to their cemetery to torture him, Ashoka said. On October 13, the Yeshwantpur police registered a case under Section 5 of the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act and one Syed Mueen is under arrest. The Act seeks to prohibit "unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means". The law was passed in the Assembly in December 2021, but was not introduced in the Legislative Council where the BJP lacked the required strength. In May 2022, an ordinance was promulgated to bring the anti-conversion law into effect. Last month, the Bill was introduced in the Monsoon Session of the legislature again with the BJP enjoying a clear majority of 41 members in the 75-member Council, ensuring its passage. Kannada movie Shivamma and actor-director Aamir Bashir's The Winter Within have won trophies at the 2022 Busan International Film Festival. Shivamma, directed by first-time filmmaker Jaishankar Aryar, won the New Currents Award along with the Korean title A Wild Roomer. Bashir's The Winter Within was adjudged the winner of KB New Currents Audience Award during the festival's closing ceremony on Friday. Shivamma chronicles the story of a poor, middle-aged woman sales representative for an energy drink company, features Sharanamma Chetti and Chennamma Abbegere, and is produced by Kantara star-filmmaker Rishab Shetty. According to festival organisers, the New Currents Award is given to the two best feature films selected from the first or second feature of new Asian directors introduced in the New Currents section of the festival. It carries a grand prize of $30,000 for each film. Also Read | BTS's free concert to support South Korea's bid to host World Expo on Oct 15 "We appreciated the originality and intensity with which the director was able to tell this very contemporary story. Here documentary and fiction meet in an organic and spirited way of making cinema. "The generosity of the actors and the scenes create a closeness with this universal story that takes place in an Indian village," the jury, which included world-renowned film experts, said in a note shared on the festival website. Aryar, who hails from Bengaluru, celebrated his debut film's win in a post on Instagram. "Delighted to share the wonderful news that the new currents award of 27th Busan film festival goes to Shivamma. The first Kannada film to win this honour," the filmmaker said. Bashir's The Winter Within is his second directorial effort after he made his debut with 2010's National Award-winning Urdu movie Harud. It took home the KB New Currents Audience Award, which is given to the title that is most highly rated by festival audiences from the New Currents section. The award carries a prize of $18,000 for the director. The Winter Within is set in Bashir's native Kashmir, where small and big skirmishes and terrorist activities occur frequently due to the long conflict between India and Pakistan, as well as the border dispute with China, as per the official description on the website. The story follows a domestic helper, named Nargis, who looks everywhere to find out whether her husband Manzoor, who was arrested after joining the armed rebellion, is dead or alive. "She is fired when her employer learns that Manzoor is a militant. She returns to her hometown, and Yaseen, who has feelings for her, offers help. Then one day, Manzoor comes home, and the three of them experience subtle emotional changes," the official synopsis read. Bashir, known for appearing in films and shows such as A Wednesday, Haider and Sacred Games, penned the movie's screenplay with filmmaker Shanker Raman. The two had earlier collaborated on Raman's 2017 acclaimed directorial Gurgaon. Earlier, filmmaker Vinay Shuklas documentary While We Watched, featuring news anchor Ravish Kumar, won the Cinephile Award at the film gala. The honour is given to the best Korean and Asian documentary film presented in the Wide Angle documentary showcase section. While We Watched, which had its Asia premiere at Busan, is described as a turbulent newsroom drama that intimately chronicles the working days of broadcast journalist Kumar as he navigates a spiralling world of truth and disinformation. The 27th edition of the Busan International Film Festival was held from October 5 to 14. The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group has planned a second referendum on Nov. 6, 2022, in Canada over its demand to carve out Khalistan from Punjab. In response, the Indian government asked the Canadian government to curb pro-Khalistani activities in the North American country. So, what is the SFJ? The SFJ is a pro-Khalistani organisation founded by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu that aims to "liberate Punjab from Indian occupation". The Government of India banned the group in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The SFJ recently proposed a second Khalistan Referendum in Mississauga near Toronto on Nov. 6. The first such exercise was held at Brampton on Sept. 18. The Canadian government's view New Delhi had asked Ottawa to stop the SFJ from holding its first Khalistan Referendum on Sept. 18. The Canadian government, however, declined to do so, pointing out that any organisation had the right to peacefully and democratically express opinions in a democracy. The SFJ, known for its stance on the secession of India's Punjab, went ahead and held the referendum at Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area. India's stance on the issue India said it had conveyed its concerns to Canada over the referendums. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India had taken up the matter with the Canadian government in Ottawa. "Our position on the so-called referendum by the anti-India element is well known," Bagchi said. "It has been conveyed to the Canadian government. We have publicly shared this information earlier." The Narendra Modi government issued an advisory on Sept. 23 for students and other Indian citizens currently in Canada as well as for people planning to visit the country. It advised people to exercise "due caution and remain vigilant" in view of the "sharp increase" in hate crime incidents and anti-India activities in Canada. (With inputs from agencies) India on Friday said it has conveyed its concerns to Canada over certain anti-India forces planning a so-called referendum in that country on their demand for Khalistan. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has taken up the matter with the Canadian mission in India as well as with the Canadian government in Ottawa. "Our position on the so-called referendum by the anti-India element is well known. It has been conveyed to the Canadian government. We have publicly shared this information earlier," Bagchi said. Also Read Expect matter is dealt with seriously: MEA on stabbing of Indian student in Australia He was replying to a question on the issue. "We have taken up with the Canadian High Commission here in Delhi our concerns over the next phase of referendum and also in Canada. We will continue to take up the issue both in New Delhi and Ottawa," he said. The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has proposed the so-called referendum in Mississauga near Toronto on November 6. The first such exercise was held at Brampton on September 18. The Communist Party of India on Saturday exhorted the secular, democratic parties to take a Left-of-Centre stance to cement a principled unity against the RSS and the BJP that were alleviating the nation of peace and communal harmony. The CPI said it was raising the banner of Left unity and unity of all secular, democratic, patriotic forces to defend the fundamental interests of the nation and its people. Delivering the inaugural address at the partys 24th national congress that began here on Saturday, CPI general secretary D Raja said the Oppositions agenda needed to be distinct from that of the RSS to defeat the RSS-BJP combine. Public health, education, land, housing, employment and food security should be the fundamental demands of the Opposition agenda, he said. A Left-of-Centre position among secular, democratic parties is needed to cement a principled unity against the RSS-BJP. The Left will have to take initiative in forging this unity, Raja said. Also read | Showcasing 'alternative to BJP' main agenda: CPI Trampling all democratic institutions and dividing the society has been the agenda of the RSS. RSS is using a fabricated victimhood to aggressively mobilise the religious majority against minorities on dangerously communal lines. RSS-BJP are quick in appropriating the fault lines of caste and region for their Hindutva project, the CPI general secretary alleged. Raja also said the Ambani-Adani brand of crony capitalism was threatening economic sovereignty and defeating the idea of social justice. Systematic dismantling of the public sector under Modi is the result of ideological reliance on neo-liberalism. Multi-national corporate giants with no social responsibility are plundering our natural resources, he added. Unemployment, he noted, was at an unprecedented high. Modi government's mismanagement of Covid-19 pandemic claimed lives and livelihoods of millions and plunged the nation into a deep crisis. Gap in education during the pandemic years, digital divide and increasing privatisation were making education a distant dream to many. It is imperative that we take up public health, public education, land, housing, employment and food security as the fundamental demands of our agenda. Our agenda is diametrically opposite to what the RSS is trying to achieve economically, socially and culturally, the former MP said. Mocking BJPs claim that the Prime Minister was working day and night, Raja remarked, Yes, he is working day and night to hand over India to corporates. CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri, who attended the CPI congress as a fraternal delegate, said people were facing the gravest of challenges and an all-round crisis. The Modi government is making a serious assault undermining the Constitution of India. It is also seeking to transform the secular democratic character of the Indian republic into the RSS project of a rabidly intolerant fascistic Hindutva rashtra, Yechuri alleged. He accused the Modi government of abandoning time-tested independent foreign policy, due to which the country has now been reduced to a subordinate ally of US imperialism in all global matters. Yechuri called for unity of the Left and democratic forces that could give an alternative policy direction. At the same time, the broadest mobilisation of secular forces must be ensured to isolate and defeat Hindutva communal onslaughts, he observed. CPI-ML (Liberation) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, All-India Forward Bloc leader G Devarajan and other leaders also stressed the need for unity of Left and democratic forces against the BJP. Ambassador of Cuba to India Alejandro Simancas Marin also attended on behalf of the Communist Party of Cuba. This is the third time that Vijayawada city once a citadel of the Left in Andhra Pradesh has been hosting the national congress of the CPI, after 47 years. Apart from delegates from various States of the country, fraternal delegates from at least 12 foreign countries, including China, Russia, France and South Africa, are attending the five-day event. Residents of Eganapuram on Saturday declared that they were putting off the march towards the Tamil Nadu Assembly next week in protest against a greenfield airport for Chennai after talks with three senior ministers, who are understood to have given an assurance to look into their concerns. The government, represented by Public Works Department minister E V Velu, Industries Minister Thangam Thenarasu, and MSME minister T M Anbarasan, told the villagers that their concerns over potential damage to Kamban Canal over the Kosasthalaiyar River and their demand to save their habitats by changing the alignment of the airport will be considered. The ministers reiterated to the villagers, who were represented by eight farmers, that the government is committed to providing adequate compensation 3.5 times the market rate and a job to one person in each family -- for those giving their land for the project. We have decided to call off the protest march scheduled for Monday. The government has given an assurance to look into our demands. We wanted our village to be saved and the ministers responded saying they will ask the technical committee to study the feasibility of changing the alignment. We trust the words of the ministers, one of the representatives said. An official release from the government said the villagers told the ministers that 2,400 people live in the hamlet and their prime occupation was agriculture. The Kamban Canal that runs through the village is part of the land to be acquired for the airport. The village should be saved, and the government should ensure this, the representatives told the ministers. Anbarasan told DH that they briefed Chief Minister M K Stalin on their consultation with the villagers. He (CM) asked us to ensure that peoples concerns are addressed, and no one should be adversely affected due to the project. We will take people into confidence and enlist their support. We have no plans of going back on the location for the airport, Anbarasan said. The villagers, who refuse to part with their land for the greenfield airport project, had planned to march from Parandur, 70 km from Chennai, on October 17 when the Tamil Nadu Assembly convenes and reach Chennai the next day to register their protest. The villagers have been up in arms since mid-August after the government decided to build the airport at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore, alleging that such a move would wipe away agriculture in the locality besides putting large water bodies in danger. The new airport, which is expected to be built at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore, will have two run ways, multiple terminal buildings, taxiways, aprons, and cargo terminal among other infrastructure. It is being built to handle about 10 crore passengers a year. Though the number of flights and the daily footfall have increased manifold over the years, the city is bereft of a swanky airport like the ones Bengaluru and Hyderabad boast of. The AAI has been expanding the terminal buildings in the existing airport to cater to the ever-increasing rush but a new airport is long overdue. Besides Chennai, Tamil Nadu has four operational airports Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Coimbatore, and Thoothukudi. The state government has now commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of setting up an airport in the industrial city of Hosur located just outside Bengaluru. The owner of an eco-friendly art shop in Derry city centre has praised local support as she prepares to celebrate her first year in business. Eco Art on Butcher Street specialises in natural, non-toxic art supplies, pigments and local crafts and also serves as a community space for workshops and events. Artist Anna Barclay came up with the idea for the shop after exploring planet-friendly alternatives to the materials she used in her own paintings. Anna, who has travelled extensively in South America volunteering in environmental, marine and animal conservation projects, was frustrated that the most commonly used acrylic paints contain microplastics, which end up working their way into the sea and our bloodstreams. Id be painting nature and the sea, but using paints which are actually damaging to the ocean, says Anna. I started looking into how artists painted before the industrial revolution, and discovered suppliers producing natural earth paints, which are safer for the user and the environment. Impressed with the quality of the products, derived from flowers, rocks and natural resources, Anna devised a plan for a sustainable art supply shop and community space for creativity, for the benefit of people and planet. When a vacant premises came up in Derry last year, just inside the City Walls and opposite the Maldron Hotel, she decided to take the plunge. I love Derry as a city. There are a lot of creative people here, and so many different festivals on through the year, that I knew it would be a great location, says Anna. Start-up support Anna also signed up for the Start Up Accelerator Programme, a partnership by Derry City and Strabane District Council, Enterprise North West and Strabane Enterprise Agency with support from Fashion and Design Textile Hub and Strabane BID. Funded by the UK Government through the Community Renewal Fund, it helps new entrepreneurs explore their ideas and provide assistance to develop business skills. Through the programme, Anna received mentoring support and funding, attended workshops on topics such as finance and digital marketing, and met other new business owners. Navigating a new business during the last year has been unpredictable, Anna admits. Having the security of one-to-one mentoring from Enterprise North West, and a team of professionals who you can ask for advice, was brilliant. And youre meeting other people whove taken their own leap, which is really encouraging. They might have a totally different business to you, but youre going through lots of the same worries and concerns. Through the programme and funding Ive also been able to employ a member of staff. Having Katie, whos so passionate about what we do, help run it day-to-day has been great. A community hub After fitting out the shop with salvaged and recycled furniture, Anna was ready to welcome her first customers last autumn. Inside, the shop is stocked with Natural Earth and Mineral Pigments, colouring pencils made from recycled paper, biodegradable glitter, beeswax candle-making kits and much more. There are also ethical, eco-friendly gifts and homeware made by local crafters including screen printer Naomi Arbuthnot of Naomi Prints, who Anna met through the Start Up Accelerator Programme. Meanwhile, Eco Arts Community Art Club gives local artists the opportunity to display their work in the shop window every month, and there are also workshops, zero waste events and activities to tie in with local festivals such as Derry Halloween and the Foyle Maritime Festival. Looking to the future Anna says shes had so many positive reactions from customers, tourists, and artists visiting the city, and thanked local people for supporting her small business. My priority was to a make Eco Art a community space to encourage people to explore their own creativity, in a way thats harmonious to the planet, she adds. The climate crisis is happening all the time and its not going to get any better. Its not to scare people, its to encourage them and say, this is worth protecting. We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. She adds: We live in a fast-paced society and I also think Covid was a wake-up call to slow down, whether that be taking time out in nature or exploring your artistic side. Even if people think they arent good at art. Art isnt there to be sat and gazed at, its about the journey and the process rather than the finished product. Anna says she would encourage others have a business idea to seek available support through Council and Enterprise North West, who can help you through the process. She adds: If you have a business idea that you are passionate about, there is support there to help make it a reality." Friends and staff of north west-based charity Developing Healthy Communities celebrated the organisations 30th anniversary at the Playhouse last week. It was the culmination of a series of anniversary events that included a mental health summit at the Fir Trees hotel, Strabane and the Derry City & Strabane Healthy City and District Conference at UU Magee. At the party, DHC Founder and former chair John Meehan spoke about the history of the organisation, which was founded as Derry Healthy Cities in 1992 to build health through community participation, cooperation and consultation in local decision-making. Also in attendance were Chair of the DHC board Emma Kevitt, outgoing Chief Executive Erin McFeely, and incoming Chief Executive Edel ODoherty who joins the charity in November. Chair of the DHC board Emma Kevitt said: Our 30th anniversary is a milestone that we can be rightly proud of. When I say we, I mean the huge cohort of people who have worked with and for the organisation, both in recent years and in its previous guise as Derry Healthy Cities. While we reflect on our past were also looking ahead at how we can continue to tackle the health challenges that exist within our community. DHC founder and former chair John Meehan In its 30th year DHC achieved WHO Healthy City designation for Derry City & Strabane for the third time, delivered 260 workplace health checks through its team health social enterprise and administered almost 1m in funding and grants in the north west and across Northern Ireland on behalf of partners including the Public Health Agency and the British Science Association. A 33-year-old woman has been arrested following the murder of a man in west Belfast. The 54-year-old died in hospital following the incident in Poleglass on Friday night. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said they received a report that a man had been stabbed. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said on Saturday: Police received a report shortly before 10.05pm last night that a man had been stabbed at an address in the Woodside Park area. The man was taken to hospital but sadly died from his injuries a short time later. We have arrested a woman following the murder of a 54-year-old man in the Poleglass area. pic.twitter.com/thlBhDv5AW Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) October 15, 2022 The 33-year-old woman was arrested for murder and possession of a Class B controlled drug. She remains in police custody at this time. I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist detectives with their investigation to contact us at the Major Investigation Team at Ladas Drive Police Station on 101, quoting reference 2045 14/10/22. Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker has called on the community to work with the police investigation. I urge anyone with information which might assist the investigation to bring it forward to the police, he said. The local community are devastated by the events of last night and my thoughts are with those impacted by this tragedy. New Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) Tech giant Google has announced a new feature for Meet users to improve visibility by automatically framing the video. Before a user attends a meeting, Meet will automatically frame the video to ensure that everyone is equally visible, the company said in a blogpost. There are no motion disturbances that could draw attention away from the meeting's subject because the automatic framing only happens once. But the video can be reframed manually at any time. This feature does not have an admin control. By default, this function will be disabled, however, it can be turned on by the user. The new feature is scheduled to roll out on November 2, the company said. The feature was first announced during the Google Cloud Next 2022. Earlier, the company had announced a Meet feature that enable users to unmute themselves by holding down the spacebar and to mute themselves again by releasing it. The company said it will make it easier for users to participate in their meetings by quickly unmuting to say something. "This feature helps in situations where you forget to mute again after unmuting yourself. This feature is OFF by default and can be enabled in the Google Meet settings," the company said. The company said it changed how the "Hey Google" voice control works for Google Meet hardware devices. With this update, the Google Assistant will only be active when a device is not in a meeting and within 10 minutes of an upcoming meeting. (Except for the headline and cover image, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited) For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in. On October 14, 2022, CNN reported that SpaceXs charitable contributions to the Ukrainian army could end. The Starlink division of SpaceX has warned that it will stop providing broadband service in Ukraine unless the United States military and Pentagon take over the funding. Recently, Musks peace plan for Ukraine and Russia received criticism, not only from netizens but from Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky. SpaceXs official writes to Pentagon seeking funding for Starlink services in Ukraine As per documents obtained by the publication, SpaceXs director of government sales wrote a letter to the Pentagon last month. In the letter, the official writes, we are not in a position to further donate terminals to Ukraine or fund the existing terminals for an indefinite period of time. Bad reporting by FT. This article falsely claims that Starlink terminals & service were paid for, when only a small percentage have been. This operation has cost SpaceX $80M & will exceed $100M by end of year. As for whats happening on the battlefield, thats classified. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2022 Clearing out the timeline, Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, after which several nations worldwide sent help to the country in eastern Europe. In March 2022, SpaceXs Starlink announced that it had sent thousands of satellite internet kits to Ukraine to ensure people are still communicating, said company president Gwynne Shotwell. How much did it cost for SpaceX to send satellite terminals to Ukraine? After Russias invasion, SpaceX sent Starlink satellite terminals as aid to the Ukrainian military. Since then, Ukraines military has relied heavily on the bandwidth provided by Starlink for its ground operations. Initially, the United States provided $3 million to Starlink for the cause; the Musk-led company has been bearing all the expenses. On October 7, 2022, Musk tweeted in reply to a FT journalist that the Ukrainian Starlink operation has cost SpaceX $80M & will exceed $100M by end of year, and could cost as much as $400 million for the next 12 months. Musk also highlighted that only a small percentage of the terminals and services provided to the affected country was paid for by other organisations. By June 2022, SpaceX had sent over 15,000 Starlink kits to Ukraine, which had been extremely useful for the countrys officials. At the moment, the Ukrainian sky has about 20,000 Starlink satellites. However, contrary to Musk's tweet, the CNN report says that the vast majority of the 20,000 terminals have received full or partial funding from outside sources, including the US government, the UK and Poland. In September 2022, popular graphics chip maker Nvidia announced that it would release two GeForce RTX 4080 models. While one of these was the 12GB RTX 4080, the other was the 16GB RTX 4080. However, the company faced criticism when fans realised that the graphic cards that belong to the same series have a considerable difference in their performance. Now, Nvidia has decided to unlaunch the 12GB RTX 4080, stating that it is not named right. Nvidia cancels 12GB RTX 4080 In a press release, the California-based graphics card manufacturer Nvidia says that the RTX 4080 12GB is a fantastic graphics card, but its not named right. Having two GPUs with the 4080 designation is confusing. Adding to it, the company mentions, were pressing the unlaunch button on the 4080 12GB. The RTX 4080 16GB is amazing and on track to delight gamers everywhere on November 16th. It is important to highlight that the RTX 4080 15GB SKU was cancelled before its release. As per the statistics released by the company, the 12GB RTX 4080 graphics card trailed behind the 16GB RTX 4080 by up to 30% while playing popular titles. The difference is also evident in the technical specifications of the graphics cards. While the 12GB RTX 4080 was supposed to come with 7,680 CUDA cores and a 192-bit memory bus, the 16GB RTX 4080 has 9,726 CUDA cores and a 256-bit memory bus. If players bought the 12GB RTX 4080 thinking that there are no differences between the graphics card except the RAM, they would have ended up being disappointed. Nvidia could keep it going with RTX 4090 and 16GB RTX 4080 Anyways, the RTX 4090 launch will keep up the hype for the company for now. The graphics card is Nvidias best chip and costs $1,599 or Rs. 1,55,000. Those who cannot spend that amount can go for the 16GB RTX 4080 at $1,199 or Rs. 1,16,000, which is still a capable graphics processor. It will be available in the markets from November 16th, 2022. As far as the cancelled card is concerned, Nvidia can relaunch it as the RTX 4070 or the RTX 4070 Ti. 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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 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. TWO national titles and two highly commended awards were scooped up by Network Cork members at the recent Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year finals in Galway. Sandra Looney, founder of To Have and To Hold, was announced as the winner of the Established Business category while Aoife Behan, digital marketing manager at The Montenotte Hotel won the Network Ireland Rising Star Employee Businesswoman of the Year. The awards were held at the Salthill Hotel in Galway, hosted by former RTE presenter Mary Kennedy. Speaking about her success on the night, Sandra Looney said the accolade means the world to her. Its terrific to get external recognition for the hard work, determination and resilience that was required to start, develop and grow my business over the past nine years. I love what I do and Im lucky to have a team of amazing women who support me every day and love this business as much as I do, she continued. Meanwhile, Aoife Behan said it was a truly proud moment to win an award. I feel a real positive sense of achievement and it has given me an increased level of confidence and motivation to reach now for the stars with my personal goals. I would like to acknowledge the influence that the Montenotte team has had on this award, particularly to the incredible leaders that I aspire to become, she added. Overall, there were eight award categories with members from all Network Ireland branches around the country competing to win. On the night, Orla McAndrew, of Orla McAndrew Food, received a Highly Commended award in the Creative Businesswoman of the Year category and Diane Higgins, from Diane Higgins Design, received a Highly Commended award in the Power Within Businesswoman of the Year category. The success of the Cork branch members was celebrated on Thursday at Network Corks October event which was hosted in MTU by Maggie Cusack, President of MTU and Maria Desmond, President of Network Cork. The event was organised with the help of Gerard ODonovan, Head of the Faculty of Business and Humanities at MTU. CORK East TD James OConnor has called for urgent action to tackle driving test waiting times. Speaking in the Dail, the Fianna Fail TD said that people are waiting an extremely long period to get driving tests across many areas of Munster. In places like Wilton, Mallow, and Dungarvan, which are very important centres in my constituency of Cork East, it will be well into December and even January. What proactive measures are being taken by the Government to deal with this issue that, unfortunately, was caused by letting go driving testers who were on temporary contracts in August of this year? asked Mr OConnor, adding that the issue must be dealt with urgently. Responding, Tanaiste and Enterprise Minister Leo Varadkar said he acknowledged that the situation is not at all acceptable. I know the minister of state, deputy Naughton, is working on the matter with the Road Safety Authority [RSA] which is trying to hire additional staff, which would help us to get through the backlog, said Mr Varadkar. RSA says recruitment 'well advanced' A spokesperson for the RSA told The Echo that the organisation has seen an uptick in application volumes since the reopening of the economy and society after the Covid pandemic. As of the end of September, the estimated national average time to invite for a car test in Ireland was just over 15 weeks, said the RSA. At that time, there were 14,100 people scheduled to take a driving test and a further 40,800 waiting for their invitation, said the spokesperson. To put this in context, the RSA is currently providing an average of 3,500 tests per week. As of the end of September, the estimated time to invite for new applicants for a car test was 13 weeks at the centre in Wilton and 12 weeks at the centre in Mallow. The spokesperson said that the process of hiring additional permanent driver testers to meet the demand for tests is well advanced, with new testers due to start in the coming weeks. The RSA was given sanction to hire temporary driver testers to assist in dealing with demand created by new learner driver laws that were introduced in 2018 and the backlog of driving tests that was created as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. These temporary contracts are expiring over the coming months. Fifteen temporary testers left on August 31 and nine left on September 10. The RSA could not extend these contracts any further. The RSA made a request to the Department of Transport for sanction to increase the number of permanent driver testers from 100 to 130 to meet the services long-term demand for driving tests. The department approved this request and recruitment to hire 30 permanent driver testers is well advanced. It is anticipated that these testers will start testing from mid-October 2022. Malaysia's PETRONAS Chemicals Group completes acquisition of Perstorp Perstorp announced on October 12 that it has been acquired by PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG), Malaysias leading integrated chemicals provider and part of PETRONAS Group, on October 1. In May this year, PCG signed a Securities Purchase Agreement with Financiere Foret Sarl, a company under PAI Partners, a European private equity firm, to acquire the entire equity interest in Perstorp, a leading sustainability-driven global specialty chemicals company based in Sweden. With the completion of the acquisition, Perstorp is now PCG's wholly-owned subsidiary. "This day marks a new beginning and exciting future for Perstorp as part of the PCG family. We are thrilled to explore the opportunities that can be unlocked by working closely with PCG," said Perstorp's president and chief executive officer Jan Secher. "This will accelerate the next phase of growth and further strengthen us as a leading specialty chemicals company. Perstorp and PCG form a stronger business together." "We are delighted to have completed this acquisition. The acquisition is part of our stepping-out strategy, creating a new platform for our growth in the specialty chemicals industry," said PCG managing director and CEO Ir. Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof. "It also goes beyond earnings potential; Perstorp is a strategic fit with similar values and talented workforce who are experts in the industry. We are excited to welcome the Perstorp team to the PCG family." Moving forward post-acquisition, PCG intends to continue preserving and growing the value of Perstorp, as the next few years will be a crucial chapter for both companies. Among the major development plans include the expansion of Perstorps global presence by strengthening its position in the Asia Pacific markets through PCG's industrial know-how and tapping into its substantial customer base. "The combined technology and innovation power, as well as a complementing market positioning, create a new foundation upon which we, together with PCG, can leverage," Secher said. "We are proud of our frontrunner position in sustainability and will continue to lead the sustainable transformation in the chemical industry. I truly look forward to start this exiting journey with PCG together with our employees, partners and customers. Together, we will lead change towards chemistry that advances everyday life for the better." PCG will strive to ensure the timely completion of Perstorp's growth projects in a safe and cost-effective manner. Perstorp has several projects lined up in the near future, including the launch of Project Air which aims to reduce carbon emissions through the production of sustainable methanol. "We are ready to advance further in our sustainability agenda," Ir. Mohd Yusri said. "Perstorp's Finite Material Neutral initiatives will serve as a catalyst for PCG's projects towards our aspiration of net zero carbon emissions by 2050." - Perstorp Trevor Milton, the founder and former executive chairman of Nikola, has been found guilty on three counts of fraud for misleading the electric vehicle companys investors about its business and technology. In total, he was found guilty on one count of securities fraud and two counts of wire fraud. He was acquitted on one charge of securities fraud. His sentencing has been scheduled for January 27th. He faces up to 20 years in prison. Milton was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charges last year, with prosecutors citing numerous alleged lies, including many made on Twitter, in podcast interviews and other media appearances. Prosecutors alleged he had lied about nearly all aspects of the business in an effort to boost the stock of the EV maker. Turn on browser notifications to receive breaking news alerts from Engadget You can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu. Not now Turned on Turn on The SEC began investigating the company in 2020, after Hindenburg Research publicly accused Nikola of staging an elaborate ruse to mislead the public about the status of its electric semi, Nikola One. While the company had published a video purporting to show the truck cruising on a road at a high rate of speed, Hindenburg said the truck had actually been towed to the top of a hill on a remote stretch of road and simply filmed it rolling down the hill. The company ultimately paid $125 million to settle civil charges with the SEC in 2021. During the trial, Miltons defense lawyer argued that the video was merely special effects and that its certainly not a crime to use special effects. But prosecutors raised several other false claims by Milton, who was extremely active on Twitter. According to The Times, prosecutors said Milton also lied about having binding contracts with trucking companies that in reality were cancelable reservations for vehicles. Prosecutors also cited Milton's claims about making green hydrogen when the company had not yet produced any. A US Supreme Court ruling decided to overrule an appeals court that forced Pennsylvania to allow mail-in ballots with no date, which is contrary to election integrity. This reversal can lessen votes for entities intent on subverting the elections via cheating, causing election integrity. Reversal of Court Decision on Mail-in Ballots Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown chose to support David Ritter, a failed Republican candidate for a judgeship, declaring the verdict overturned and remanding the case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with instructions to be dismissed as redundant, reported the Epoch Times. They still decided to throw out such a US 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals' judgment, which permitted the tallying of mail-in ballots in the race that Ritter had wanted to eliminate since voters did not write the date on the ballot papers. He ended up losing his 2021 bid to represent the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas after 257 mail-in ballots that didn't have dates were recorded. Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers and conservatives submitted amicus briefs and said the 3rd Circuit court's decision challenged the honesty of the 2022 midterm elections. But the Supreme Court's intervention on Tuesday implies that the 3rd Circuit ruling cannot serve as a justification in the three states supported by this regional federal appellate court Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, to enable the tallying of mail-in ballots with minor flaws like the voter has failed to enter the date. Rescinding the US Supreme Court decision doesn't change Ritter's crushing defeat in his race, noted AP News. Read Also: Vladimir Putin Gets Brutally Honest on Russia Missile Strikes That Killed Ukraine Civilians: 'No Regrets' Ballots Counted in the Former Court Ruling Relatively early this year, the court denied Ritter's attempt to prevent the tallying of ballots that lacked dates. Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito, and Clarence Thomas all expressed their dissent. Days before that, a panel on the 3rd Circuit instructed the tallying of the unattributed votes. The division bench decision, according to Alito, "could very well impact the outcome of the election results this year as the electorate heads to the polls on Nov. 8 in midterm elections in which Republican politicians are attempting to wrest control of Congress from the Democrats.", citing US News. One of his worries is that if the rules are not followed, a vote won't be counted, and the appeals court's decision will be gravely flawed. This same 3rd Circuit has adjudicated that nullifying the undated postal votes will indeed infringe a requirement of a groundbreaking 1964 federal law termed the Civil Rights Act that seeks to ensure that slight ballot mistakes need not deny somebody the ability to vote. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania rules mandate the voting public to start writing the date on the outer envelope of their mail-in ballot. Well before the Supreme Court's Tuesday decision, Republican state Sen. David Argall informed The Morning Call that there would be many issues that will come up during the midterm elections and mentioned other provisions, along with the controversial Act 77 revamp, which was implemented in 2019 that made widespread vote-by-mail feasible in Pennsylvania. The US Supreme Court ruled that mail-in ballots with no dates on the outer envelope threaten election integrity. Related Article: Attempts To Undermine Colorado Election Integrity Before Midterm Elections Threatens the Democrats' Lead @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As India ascends to the Group of Twenty Presidency, internationalism is stuck. The Paris Agreement on climate change is deadlocked as countries point fi ngers at each other. Development assistance is being siphoned off into defence and foreign affairs budgets. And all the while global temperatures rise, and a silent debt crisis rips through the emerging world. Here are fi ve asks for Indias G20 Presidency to champion to unstick global fi nance and turn the billions being spent on addressing climate change into the trillions we need. They are highlights of what is being called the Bridgetown Initiative after a meeting of offi cials, academics and civil society hosted by Prime Minister Mia Mottley in Bridgetown. The geography of the political economy, not scientific ignorance, is why climate mitigation is not happening fast enough around the world, and average global temperatures are blowing through cascade points causing substantial loss and damage in India and elsewhere. Repeatedly telling people to follow the science, just louder and slower each time like an Englishman abroad, has not and will not work. The countries most able to do something about it are the least affected. The United States (US) summer of floods and Europes scorching summer will focus their minds for a moment but will not trouble annual national income statistics. Melting glaciers and an extreme monsoon in Pakistan will. The intensification of tropical cyclones in the Pacific and Caribbean means that some small island tropical states have lost 200% of their national income in a few hours. Extreme heat and cold account for over 5,00,000 deaths in India each year and this is estimated to rise to one million per year, if climate change continues along its current trajectory. The worst temperature increases and sea-level rises will occur between latitudes 23.5 degrees north of the equator and 23.5 degrees souththe tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Much of India lies between the tropics. Across the same latitudes, over 50% of the rise of sovereign debt in small island states is the result of the public expenditures and loss of revenues that follow fast or slow onset external disasters. Behind this front line, national income may actually rise temporarily as growing seasons widen. English vineyards are flourishing. Permafrost in Siberia is receding. It is a cruel twist of fate that the countries least affected and with the greatest wealth today often have their wealth through contributing most to the stock of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. Plymouth, MIThe Maincrest Media Book Awards have named Mia's Odyssey: Taking Back My Soul, by Mia Odeh, the best in Women's Non-Fiction. This is the 8th award for the book. The mission of the Maincrest Awards is to bring increased recognition to thousands of exceptionally written, high-quality books that are published each year. Written with Mike Ball, Mia Odeh revisits her life story, beginning in Palestine at age sixteen, where she was forced into an arranged marriage. After being brought to the United States, Mia realizes that her marriage is not only unwanted but unsafe as she experiences almost daily sexual and physical assault. Mia's Odyssey shines an unflinching light on the horrors of domestic abuse and reveals how a survivor with enough determination can find the resources to forge a path to freedom. Imprisoned in an abusive marriage, how can a woman whose culture emphasizes female submission escape the clutches of her husband? After being forced to depend on this kind of violent and untrustworthy man, can she learn to be independent? In the wake of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, what does it take to recover, heal, and gain stability? How does the love of a mother for her children keep her going in even the darkest moments? Mia Odeh shares her journey to answer these questions in her revealing new memoir, Mia's Odyssey: Taking Back My Soul. "You know, sometimes you have to get a little distance from something before you can really see it," says Mia. "From the time I was sixteen years my husband surrounded me like a putrid fog, permeating every minute of every day and completely blocking the sun from entering my life. When my husband left us behind in Arizona and moved to Michigan for work I began to see him as he really was, nothing more than a small, evil, isolated creature. I made it my goal to keep my children pure, to keep them from ever becoming like their father." Watch the book trailer at https://bit.ly/MiasOdysseyBookTrailer "Mia's Odyssey is a compelling, uplifting book that can be difficult to emotionally digest it is also rewarding because her will to survive is strong, her ability to bend but not break is admirable, her love for the children more powerful than the abuser's muscles." Brad Butler, Author, 5-Stars "One night, I told my husband that something he had said was unfair. As soon as the words left my mouth I knew I'd made a mistake," recalls Mia. "This made him believe I was becoming independent, like American women, and he made plans to send me and the children back overseas. Suddenly, I knew that I could not take my children back to that place, where all my choices would be gone. All of their choices would be gone. That place where my daughters would grow up to become slaves to their husbands. That place where my boys would be taught to believe that they deserved to have wives who were nothing more than slaves. I knew that, for the first time in my life, I had to fight back." "Heartbreaking and rich with hope, Mia's Odyssey reveals the resilience of the human spirit in the midst of the darkest situations. This story draws attention to issues of domestic abuse and intimate partner violence, and shows the critical role neighbors, police, and safe houses can play in helping women and children to escape such desperate situations." Jessica Tofino, Educator and Writer, 5-Stars "It has taken me a long time, a lot of hard work, and help from others to achieve stability for myself and my children. A few years after leaving my husband, a nice family came to our aid, providing a home for us for five years. These wonderful people made us all feel like we had found a family at last," says Mia. "Eventually I found a mentor who took an interest in my future and the future of my family." "Though not for the faint of heart, Mia's Odyssey is life-affirming and shows the reader that love can conquer even in the worst situations. This book will inspire any woman trapped in seemingly hopeless circumstances, and give hope for an independent life. It will stay with you long after you've finished reading and warm your heart with its promising ending. Highly recommended." John Kelly, Detroit Free Press, 5-Stars "To this day I still struggle with insecurity, afraid that the life I have now is too good to be true. After thirty years of abuse and uncertainty, I can't help wondering when this bubble will burst," shares Mia. Then I look around me and realize that I really have emerged from that long nightmare to become the woman that God meant me to be. I will always be grateful to the people who stepped up to help me at key times during all those difficult years. I hope that telling my life story in this book can help others in need find the courage to fight back and escape whatever situation they might be in." Mia's Odyssey: Taking Back My Soul, ISBN: 979-8-9864056-0-5, ASIN: B0B46V571M, $3.99 Kindle, $14.95 paperback, 232 pages, Simon Publishing Ventures, June 2022. Available at the author's website at http://www.MiasOdyssey.com or on Amazon. About Mia Odeh: Mia Odeh was born in Palestine, became a child bride at age 16, and was brought to Phoenix, Arizona by her husband. She endured years of abuse, bore five children, and was forced to move from Arizona to Qatar, back to Arizona, and eventually to Michigan. Despite the cruelties she suffered, Mia never stopped dreaming of a different life for herself and her children. After fleeing her abusive marriage, with the help of neighbors and police, Mia and her children found a new beginning. This came with many ups and downs, including a time of being homeless with five kids and pregnant with her sixth. With relentless tenacity, Mia worked hard to gain stability for her family, working low paying jobs and moving frequently. Eventually, with the generosity of a family that gave them a place to live, Mia was able to find some more solid footing. She is now completing a degree in criminal justice, holds a job in senior management, and has purchased her own home. From the depths of abuse, Mia and her children have risen to achieve amazing levels of success. Media Contact: For a review copy of Mia's Odyssey: Taking Back My Soul or to arrange an interview with Mia Odeh, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Reach Lorenz on Twitter @abookpublicist Now that ducks are flying south for the winter, a new popular song celebrates the book series The Story of Googala Duck, which is all about a duck that decides to stay home when his family flies south, because he loves the pond so much. What he doesn't realize is it will get very cold; he'll have trouble finding food; and he'll be in danger of being killed by predators and being cooked for dinner by a hunter. He'll also find that his friends, the otters, beavers, and muskrats are busy preparing for winter and have no time to play with him now. You can listen to the song which is featured in a video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/_pap44krhT0. Then, discover how Googala will he survive the cold harsh winter and learn if he will he be able to meet his family again in the spring. The series of five books The Story of Googala Duck tell this story. A video introducing this recently release series is at https://youtu.be/i8mkX3BLZ04. The book has a long history, since it began many decades ago as a story that author John M. Pluff told his young children. And now besides the book and song, Pluff is developing a follow-up book about Googala's life on the pond once it is spring again. There are plans to turn the series into a film, too. The books in the series include Saying Goodbye for the Winter, Getting through the Winter, Encounter with a Hunter, Help from an Owl, and Spring in the Pond. The Story of Googala Duck is especially timely now that ducks are flying south for the winter now. Also, it is a time when there is growing concern about the changes in the climate and how this will affect all kinds of animals, including ducks like Googala. Besides writing about ducks, author John Pluff has been writing film scripts and is the owner of a successful building company, the American Building Group. The first script, The Dragon of Locke, is about two detectives who help to solve a case involving the theft of a sacred dragon from a Taoist monastery in China after it is shipped to Stockton, California, while they are trying to find the missing brother-in-law of a local businessman. The script has recently been entered in 35 international film festivals, and has received 20 awards so far, with another 8 decisions pending. Additional scripts based on the adventures of Dan and Winnie are in the works, too. For more information, visit the website at www.jmichaelpublishing.com, and you can contact John Pluff at J. Michael Publishing at info@jmichaelpublishing.com or call (408) 316-5553. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester speaks with constituents at a town hall in Helena. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan) Thirteen year-old Bode Doud skipped school Friday to ask U.S. Sen. Jon Tester about the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, and President Joe Biden reconsidering the nations relationship with Saudi Arabia. The seventh grader asked for Testers thoughts on the issue during a town hall hosted in Helena, the senators second in-person town hall since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rows of attendees filled the student center at Helena College- Montana State University. The senator responded to Douds question saying that OPEC has determined what hes paid for gas all of his adult life. Tester said that the way to minimize OPEC is to get as much affordable energy as possible, from petroleum to renewables. The senator answered 20 questions in a public forum, something Testers Republican congressional colleagues received critique for not hosting. One attendee asked about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law last November. Your fellow senators and representatives, especially in the West, who didnt support it, but now theyre glad to get it, what do you say to em? the attendee asked. Shame, shame, shame, Tester said with a smile. Tester spoke about the long negotiations that took place across the aisle to get the $1.2 trillion bill passed. If we dont start investing in infrastructure, how do we expect our economy to continue to grow? Tester said. As far as whos taking credit for it, you know, maybe thats all they have to take credit for. There were several questions surrounding health care for veterans, as Tester is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. One attendee said bureaucracy was getting in the way of veterans receiving physical therapy and audiology as expansion efforts to locations across the state have been hampered, he said because the leasing of spaces stopped. Tester said that Dr. Shereef Elnahal would be visiting the area in November and that this issue would be a topic of discussion. These folks served this country and they ought to be given physical therapy and the ability to hear as part of the deal, Tester said. Another question to the Senator surrounded the crisis long term care facilities are facing in Montana and asked what Tester could do, if anything, to help. Medicaid reimbursement rates dont seem to match up to what the nursing homes need to operate, the attendee said. Some families now have to travel 200 miles to see their loved ones. As Medicaid is administered by the state, Tester recommended advocating for the issue during the upcoming session. Once they close, the chances of reopening are slim to none and so its important we do what we can do to keep them open, Tester said. The last question from the afternoon surrounded whether Tester supported ranked choice voting and changing the electoral college, with the attendee speaking to a system that is broken with a two-party monopoly with influences from dark money. Tester said that with technology today it would be possible to go by popular vote, but that there were still advantages to the Electoral College system. He said he was unsure about ranked choice voting, but pointed to Independent Gary Buchanan as an example of someone in the state that was challenging the two-party system. Tester said he didnt think there was a bill to ban dark money that he hasnt voted for. I think its a scourge. I think all this money is going into campaigns, take a look at this last Senate race and it was over $100 million, Tester said. Lets do something functional with it. A woman in the audience who said she worked with Montana Women Vote and League of Women Voters Helena and said she didnt see Montanas Secretary of States Office putting out information on same-day voter registration, after the issue went through the courts and a bill signed into law last year to stop the practice was recently found unconstitutional. Tester said there should be a Public Service Announcement on the topic and said that citizens should be registered. Thats what this country is about, Tester said. Rich, poor, regardless of the color of skin, doesnt matter, if youre a citizen, vote. The form to register to vote can be found on the Secretary of States website. The post Tester talks veterans healthcare, elections and OPEC at Helena town hall appeared first on Daily Montanan. The future of Fauquier Times now depends on community support. Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement. Support Kenya, Huawei partner to boost cyber security skills Xinhua) 15:36, October 15, 2022 NAIROBI, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- State-owned Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and Chinese firm, Huawei said Friday they have partnered in order to scale up cyber security skills in the east African nation. Ezra Chiloba, Director-General of the CA said cyber security is critical since the future of Kenya's economy is going to be driven by the digital space. "We are working with Huawei, who are bringing on board their expansive experience in this sector, and I want to encourage young people who are undertaking courses and are looking forward to participating in the digital economy to invest their time and resources in understanding the future of cyber security," Chiloba said in a statement released in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. He noted that CA, the telecom industry regulator, and Huawei will jointly set up a special cyber security boot camp for students attending institutions of higher learning across the country. "The boot camp has attracted more than 1,700 university students across the country. The partnership targets to build capacity amongst technology students to ensure secure networks and cyberspace," Chiloba added. Official statistics indicate that Kenya has just under 2,000 certified cybersecurity professionals against an annual demand of 10,000 experts. Chiloba also revealed that the three-day intensive training session which is set to run on Oct. 17-19 is one of the highlights of the month-long celebrations to mark national cybersecurity awareness month marked every October. He observed that the boot camp includes a Huawei certification e-learning course on cyber security, virtual lab exercises, on-site training, and mentorship from experts within the field. "These jointly structured sessions and courses are geared at preparing participants for a successful career in cybersecurity," Chiloba said. Will Meng, CEO of Huawei Kenya, noted that for the past 20 years, the firm has helped build secure networks across Kenya while contributing to economic growth. "We are pleased to work with the CA to provide training to students to enhance their capacity to operate networks and systems securely, and to be safe online," Meng said. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu) Moscow prevented an attack last Thursday which was meant to dismantle the TurkStream pipeline after attacks on similar energy infrastructure like the Druzhba and Nord Stream that sustained damage. After the EU declared that it would safeguard energy infrastructure, another one was hit by bad state actors acting with impunity. Saboteurs Were Caught Red-Handed Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in Kazakhstan's capital Astana that the same conspirators had been caught and several people were arrested. They desired to destroy the infrastructure on Russia's Federation territory, reported Anadolu. Russian President Vladimir Putin charged Kyiv earlier this week with attempting to commit terrorism with the full support of its western handlers. The Turkish gas pipeline, which transports gas from Russia to Turkey, was nearly destroyed. He claimed it was the latest in a series of terrorist attacks by Ukrainian special forces on Russia's key infrastructure, such as energy systems, noted TASS. Increase surveillance follows after several assaults on energy infrastructure like the Nord Stream gas pipelines and now even oil via the Druzhba pipe in Poland. Following recent leaks at the Nord Stream gas pipelines and an oil leak from the Druzhba pipeline in Poland, Russia has increased surveillance measures. Moscow suspects are the United States and the United Kingdom, responsible for the attempt on TurkStream. Russian intelligence first disclosed the attack late last month, which hindered Russian gas exports to Turkey. The Federal Security Service (FSB) declared on September 22 that they had detained a Russian national implicated in the destabilization plot. Read Also: Mark Zuckerberg Net Worth 2022: How Did Facebook Founder Lose $30 Billion in 1 Day? The accused claimed that he was selected by Ukraine's Security Service, as stated by the FSB. Based on initial findings of damage to the Druzhba pipeline, at this point, there are no signs of any third-party interference, according to Polish pipeline operator PERN, citing AP News. PERN asserted late Wednesday that even though most of the groundwater contamination had been eliminated from the area close to the oil pipeline, services also found the hazard site. The oil firm added, premised on initial findings and the manner in which the infrastructure was mangled, it seems that there are no clear indicators of any 3rd intervention at the moment. Quite a detailed inspection is now being carried out to pinpoint the reason for the accident, as well as to repair the channel so that crude oil flow can recommence as quickly as possible. Furthermore, towards the action to restore the Western section of the facility that provides crude to Germany, PERN had already begun heavy work to restore the facility to its original condition as soon as possible. The operator stated on Wednesday that a leak was discovered in one of the two lines of the Druzhba pipeline last Tuesday evening. Suspected Leakage on Pipeline The damaged section was discovered on one line in the western sector, near the city of Wloclawek, 70 kilometers away from Plock's central Polish oil hub. Druzhba is the largest pipeline in the world that links Siberia and Europe; bad state actors affecting it will lessen oil sent to Polish facilities. It can sink Europe if compromised. Moscow accused individuals of trying to destroy part TurkStream pipeline to Turkiye; this comes as suspects like the US, UK, and Ukraine are violating taboos by attacking sacred energy infrastructure. Related Article: Germany Reaps Anger from EU States as Disunity Caused By Energy Crisis Grows @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Australias garment imports from Vietnam witnessed an impressive growth of 35.21 per cent to reach $407.931 million in 2021 from $301.379 million in 2020. The imports of T-shirts and innerwear grew over 70 per cent year-on-year last year. Trousers and shorts, shirts and jerseys were also among the top five products but witnessed a lower growth. Australia's garment imports from Vietnam witnessed an impressive growth of 35.21 per cent to reach $407.931 million in 2021 from $301.379 million in 2020. The imports of T-shirts and innerwear grew over 70 per cent year-on-year last year. Trousers and shorts, shirts and jerseys were also among the top five products but witnessed a lower growth. Fibre2Fashions market insight tool TexPro, Australia imported T-shirts worth $43.443 million and innerwear worth $35.146 million which was 10.65 per cent and 8.62 per cent respectively of the total apparel imports. The imports of innerwear grew by 87.31 per cent in 2021 over $18.763 million in the preceding year. Imports of T-shirts also noted an impressive growth of 74.41 per cent over imports of $24.937 million in 2020. According to an analysis based on data of, Australia imported T-shirts worth $43.443 million and innerwear worth $35.146 million which was 10.65 per cent and 8.62 per cent respectively of the total apparel imports. The imports of innerwear grew by 87.31 per cent in 2021 over $18.763 million in the preceding year. Imports of T-shirts also noted an impressive growth of 74.41 per cent over imports of $24.937 million in 2020. Australia's garment imports from Vietnam witnessed an impressive growth of 35.21 per cent to reach $407.931 million in 2021 from $301.379 million in 2020. The imports of T-shirts and innerwear grew over 70 per cent year-on-year last year. Trousers and shorts, shirts and jerseys were also among the top five products but witnessed a lower growth. TexPro. The imports of trousers and shorts were valued at $92.641 million accounting for 22.71 per cent of the total garment imports, and up 27.56 per cent from 2020. Shirt imports were at $54.520 million (13.36 per cent) during 2021 which increased by 43.34 per cent over the preceding year. Jerseys were the fifth highest imported item with a share of 7.92 per cent amounting to $32.296 million in 2021. Its imports grew 43.19 per cent on year-on-year basis, as per Australia's garment imports from Vietnam witnessed an impressive growth of 35.21 per cent to reach $407.931 million in 2021 from $301.379 million in 2020. The imports of T-shirts and innerwear grew over 70 per cent year-on-year last year. Trousers and shorts, shirts and jerseys were also among the top five products but witnessed a lower growth. Besides these top 5 items, Australias imports of apparel products included jackets and blazers (3.49 per cent of total garment imports), coats (3.37 per cent), dresses (2.37 per cent), accessories (2.36 per cent) and socks (1.98 per cent). Australia's garment imports from Vietnam witnessed an impressive growth of 35.21 per cent to reach $407.931 million in 2021 from $301.379 million in 2020. The imports of T-shirts and innerwear grew over 70 per cent year-on-year last year. Trousers and shorts, shirts and jerseys were also among the top five products but witnessed a lower growth. Australia had imported apparel worth $303.813 million in 2019, $265.828 million in 2018 and $212.758 million in 2017 from Vietnam. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) With world trade projected lower, the export forecast for cotton in the US for 2022-23 is 100,000 bales lower at 12.5 million bales, while ending stocks are 100,000 bales higher. Production is virtually unchanged at 13.8 million bales, less than 1 per cent lower than September 2022, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The 2022-23 US cotton supply and demand estimates show slightly lower exports and higher ending stocks compared with September 2022, as per the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates October report by the USDA. The 2022-23 season-average price for upland cotton is forecast at 90.0 cents per pound, 6 cents lower than last month and slightly below the final 2021-22 record-high price of 91.4 cents. In the 2022-23 world balance sheet this month, consumption is 3.0 million bales lower and ending stocks are 3.1 million bales higher. With world trade projected lower, the export forecast for cotton in the US for 2022-23 is 100,000 bales lower at 12.5 million bales, while ending stocks are 100,000 bales higher. Production is virtually unchanged at 13.8 million bales, less than 1 per cent lower than September 2022, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture. Chinas historical consumption estimates are revised back to 2019-20, with the largest change in 2021-22, which is revised down 2.0 million bales. Chinas projected 2022-23 consumption is 1.0 million bales lower this month, as is Indias. Pakistans is 500,000 bales lower, and consumption is also lower for Turkey, Mexico, and Vietnam. World trade is projected nearly 1 million bales lower than it was in September, with declines in imports by China, Pakistan, Mexico, Turkey, and Vietnam. Exports are lower for Australia, Brazil, India, Benin, Cote dIvoire, Greece, and Mexico, as well as the United States. World production in 2022-23 is projected nearly 400,000 bales lower than it was a month ago, largely reflecting lower crops in Pakistan and Benin. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB) A new air-to-water(ATW) heat pump production base of Midea, including production lines, heat pump R&D center and supporting facilities starts construction in Italy officially. The base is located in the Clivet factory in Feltre of Italy, as Clivet is a high-end commercial air-conditioning brand under Midea Building Technology. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221014005596/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The base has received a 60 million euros investment, and its forecast annual ATW heat pump capacity will reach 300,000 units when the facility to be put into operation in the second quarter of 2024. "With the concept of 'local for local,western for western', Midea is committed to building Clivet brand into a mainstream brand in the pan-European HVAC industry," Cheng Lin, general manager of Midea Building Technology Overseas Marketing. The company's production and operating area in Feltre exceeds 50,000 square meters and the total number of employees exceeds 700. It has 35 sales offices, 260 retailer channels and 160 service outlets in Italy with branches in the UK, Germany, France, Southeast Europe, the United Arab Emirates and India. After completion, the key materials of ATW heat pump such as water pump and plate exchange will be sourced from Europe, and the delivery time of heat pump products will be cut from the original five months to one month, which will further improve the production capacity and delivery efficiency of the overall customized heat pump solutions in Europe, solving the safety problems of the global heat pump supply chain, and comprehensively enhancing the influence and comprehensive competition of Media Building Technology in the European. Amid the background of carbon neutrality, ATW heat pump, as a renewable energy utilization device, is one of the most efficient ways of electric heating. Compared with coal-fired boilers, heat pumps can reduce carbon emissions by 60-80 percent. Under the background of rising fossil energy prices and the gradual implementation of the EU's "RepowerEU" plan, Europe has begun to gradually replace traditional fossil fuel heating with heat pump heating. At present, heat pump products are also becoming an important growth pole of Midea Group. Data from industry data showed that Midea's overall heat pump export has increased by 215 percent in the first seven months of this year, with the exports ranking in the forefront of China's heat pump industry. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221014005596/en/ Contacts: Lori Luo +8613512784739 luory17@midea.com ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - Credit Suisse Group (CS), a financial services provider, is looking to sell parts of its Swiss domestic bank as it seeks to close a capital hole, the Financial Times reports, citing people familiar with the talks. The report specified that the parts of Swiss Universal Bank that are being considered for a potential sale include, a stake in the SIX Group, which runs the Zurich stock exchange; an 8.6% holding in Allfunds, a listed Spanish investment company; two specialist Swiss banks, Pfandbriefbank and Bank-Now; and Swisscard, a joint venture with American Express. The report also stated that the bank's main domestic operation - which offers a range of corporate, private and retail banking services in Switzerland - will remain intact, the company is negotiating the sale of several subsidiaries and stakes in other businesses. The bank is also trying to sell a landmark property, the two-century-old Savoy, Zurich's oldest grand hotel, report added. Credit Suisse declined to comment to FT; saying it would provide a full update on Oct. 27 when it is set to announce its restructuring plans. 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. On the evening of September 14 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in Samarkand by special flight and began his state visit to Uzbekistan where he will also attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). At the airport, he was warmly greeted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov, Governor of Samarkand region Erkinjon Turdimov and other high-level officials. President Mirziyoyev held a grand welcoming ceremony for President Xi at the airport. Nearly a hundred national flags of China and Uzbekistan were waving in the breeze. The hundred-meter-long carpet was flanked by valiant honor guards. The two presidents stepped onto the reviewing stand adorned to reflect distinctive Uzbek features. A fanfare was played on Karnay, a traditional Uzbek long wind instrument, as a signal of welcome. Local young people, dressed in festive national costumes, were singing and dancing to the most invigorating beat to welcome the most honorable guest. President Xi issued a written speech. He extended warm greetings and best wishes to the government and people of Uzbekistan on behalf of the government and people of China. President Xi underscored that spanning over two thousand years, the friendship between China and Uzbekistan and our peoples is still brimming with vigor and vitality. The China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership has steered onto the fast track of development. This has not only benefited our two peoples, but also given a strong boost to peace, stability, prosperity and development of the region. President Xi noted that he will hold talks with President Mirziyoyev for an in-depth exchange of views on deepening bilateral cooperation, and on regional and international issues of shared interest, and jointly draw the blueprint for the development of China-Uzbekistan relations. He looks forward to attending the SCO Samarkand Summit, and working with all parties to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the sound and steady development of the SCO. Accompanied by President Mirziyoyev, President Xi walked through the VIP lounge at the airport where the digital screen displayed a giant photo of President Xi with the words Warmly Welcome President of the People's Republic of China H.E. Xi Jinping to Pay State Visit to Uzbekistan in both Chinese and Uzbek. President Xi said goodbye to President Mirziyoyev before leaving in the convoy. The two presidents reaffirmed the scheduled official talks tomorrow and agreed to have an in-depth exchange of views on deepening China-Uzbekistan friendship. Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and other members of the entourage arrived by the same flight. Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jiang Yan also greeted President Xi at the airport. On August 1, 2022 local time, Chairman of the National Assembly of Tajikistan Rustam Emomali met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dushanbe. Wang Yi first conveyed the cordial greetings of Chairman Li Zhanshu of Chinas National Peoples Congress Standing Committee, and noted that over the past 30 years, China and Tajikistan have overcome various challenges and stood the test of international vicissitudes to become "ironclad" friends sharing weal and woe and strategic partners for mutually beneficial cooperation. China will, as always, support Tajikistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, pursuing a successful development path suited to its national conditions, and opposing external interference in Tajikistans internal affairs, and be a good friend and partner that Tajikistan can trust and rely on. China is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two legislatures, and deepen the exchange of governance experience to serve respective countries economic and social development. Rustam Emomali asked Wang Yi to convey his best regards to Chairman Li Zhanshu, saying that Tajikistan and China are good neighbors and good partners. Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have trusted and treated each other as friends with sincerity, and rendered mutual support at trying times. Under the guidance of the two heads of state, Tajikistan-China cooperation in various fields has scored outstanding achievements, and bilateral relations have reached the highest level in history. Tajikistan sincerely appreciates Chinas valuable support for its economic and social development and its efforts to improve the peoples well-being. In particular, China lent a helping hand when Tajikistan was at the most difficult time in fighting the pandemic. Tajikistan is ready to join hands with China to elevate Tajikistan-China relations to a new height to the benefit of the two peoples. Rustam Emomali said Tajikistan has always put relations with China high on its diplomatic agenda, and was one of the first countries to voice support for the important Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. He hoped that the two legislatures will increase exchanges and mutual visits to flesh out the Tajikistan-China comprehensive strategic partnership. Tajikistan hopes to further boost trade with China, expanding export of agricultural products to China and introducing advanced Chinese technologies to the country. More Chinese enterprises are welcome to invest and do business in Tajikistan. Emomali also thanked China for helping Tajikistan cultivate outstanding professionals over the years, and would like to see more direct flights between the two countries to facilitate personnel exchanges. Wang Yi said China and Tajikistan are pioneers in Belt and Road cooperation, with bilateral practical cooperation yielding fruitful results. Landmark buildings built with Chinese assistance can be seen everywhere in Tajikistan, and the friendship between the two countries has taken root in the hearts of the people. China is ready to deepen bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, green energy, transportation and logistics, information and communication, digital economy and other fields to help Tajikistan accelerate its industrialization and independent development. More Chinese enterprises will be encouraged to participate in cooperation on new energy and solar energy, to jointly build a green Silk Road. China will further deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Tajikistan to consolidate the foundation of public support for the friendship between the two countries, and manage well the Luban Workshop in Tajikistan to cultivate more professional and technicians for the country. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that if Ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel were still in power, the war in Ukraine would not have come about. He mentioned that observation while he was in Berlin when he met her and now Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Merkel Not Easily Swayed Once Merkel confirmed she would quit politics, Orban posted a letter on his website that said the then-German Chancellor "understood us" and "we understood her," reported Euroactiv. Germany is Hungary's primary trading partner, accounting for roughly 27% of total trade, while about 3,000 German companies are present today in the state. Merkel's reaction to the 2014 crisis provoked by Russia's illegal invasion of Crimea was indeed a brilliant move, he said at a public gathering in Berlin on Tuesday (11 October), clarifying that a war could have flared up just at the time but has been prevented due to Merkel's decisiveness. He gave thanks to her for it. Questioned whether it implies that the current war could have been prevented if the conservative ex-chancellor remained in office, Hungarian PM Orban commented it was unquestionable. Merkel, in the meantime, has been derided ever since the beginning of the war in Ukraine for having failed to minimize energy dependence on Russia and has had close economic relations with Moscow throughout her 16-year government, noted the North Brief. Ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel, meanwhile, has been criticized since the onset of the Ukraine war for failing to reduce energy dependency from Russia and maintaining close economic ties with Moscow during her 16-year rule. Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids? Germany's Intention To Secure Energy Supply During the term of Scholz's predecessor, Nord Stream 2 was seen as the weak point of Europe, and she had a lot of critics for deciding to construct and finish it. This same pipeline, which is intended to transport 55 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to Germany, has been endorsed by Merkel but is currently frozen due to Moscow's incursion into Ukraine. Eastern European countries were opposed to the project at the time, but Hungary remained silent. Hungary's Stand To End the War Even as tensions were stewing between the West and Russia, Orban took a trip to Moscow on 1 February on a self-ascribed "peace mission" in which he blasted the ineptitude of the EU's sanctions, and sanctions lauded his effective links with Putin. The Hungarian Prime Minister told the press that Russia's demands are well known worldwide, and it appears that the reaction doesn't comply with them. Orban is widely regarded as one of the EU's most pro-Russian leaders. Even during these occasions, he espoused trying to hold bilateral negotiations with Moscow as well as starting to work towards a cessation of hostilities as rapidly, citing Foreign Policy. The PM rejected accusations he favored Russia, saying Moscow's invasion was an act of aggression. He added that in their February dialogue, Moscow saw the Ukrainian army as well trained and armed "by Americans and British," wanting to add that Washington was supplying intelligence to Kyiv. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban made it clear that Ex-German Chancellor Angela Merkel could have averted a war in Ukraine because Washington could not intimidate Berlin, unlike now. Related Article: Berlin Fails To Secure Liquefied Natural Gas From Canada To Augment Oil Crisis @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On September 20, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Wang Yi said that this year, marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Argentina, is of great importance for building on the past to make greater strides. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Alberto Fernandez, China-Argentina relations have seen continuous in-depth development. The two sides have held colorful activities of the Year of China-Argentina Friendship and Cooperation, accelerated Belt and Road cooperation, and continued to achieve new outcomes in practical cooperation in various fields. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the Argentine side to follow through on the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, and take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to deepen strategic cooperation, and elevate the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level. Wang Yi said that China and Argentina, both as important emerging markets, have common visions, common goals, and common interests, and shoulder common responsibilities. The Chinese side appreciates the Argentine side for adhering to the one-China principle, and supports the Argentine side in safeguarding its state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese side welcomes the Argentine side to join the big BRICS family, and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination between both sides on international and regional affairs. Cafiero said that over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Argentina and China have always respected each other and stood together in solidarity. The Argentine side thanks the Chinese side for giving it strong support, is firmly committed to the one-China policy, and welcomes investment from China. Argentina stands ready to promote Belt and Road cooperation, and expand cooperation between both sides in economy and trade, mineral wealth, shale gas, natural gas, and other fields, to usher in the next 50 years of more productive achievements in bilateral relations. Argentina and China both adhere to multilateralism, and never point fingers at other countries. The Argentine side attaches great importance to the leadership and openness demonstrated by China, and expects to join the BRICS mechanism as early as possible, to strengthen South-South cooperation. Wang Yi said that the China-Argentina strategic cooperation meets the trend of development, and the Chinese side supports Argentina in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, appreciates Argentina for actively fulfilling its duty as the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and stands ready to implement the outcomes of the China-CELAC Forum, to bring more benefits of the China-CELAC cooperation to the two peoples. The statements of Igor Danchenko and another Steele dossier source are conflicting, according to FBI officials connected to the case. It was the conclusion reached by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in court on October 12. Furthermore, the statement given in 2017 does not seem credible regarding the case. Accuracy of Steele Dossier Statements One of the alleged sources, a Russian citizen and communications adviser, appears to contradict declarations from Danchenko, another Russian national, when in an August 2017 question and answer session with Investigators in Cyprus, FBI official Brian Auten, among the agents, said reported The Epoch Times. Danchenko, who has openly said that he was responsible for a great deal of the details in the dossier, told the agency during interviews in 2017 that one of his references was Olga Galkina, prodding investigators to arrange a visit with her in August 2017. When Auten gave an account of events in Virginia, he added that investigators were searching for the details from the January 2017 interviews that had been credited to Galkina once again, states The Daily Beast. They were interested in knowing how Galkina had been centered concerning her access and whether the documentation was precisely based on her own words, memories, etc. Based on the official, a supervising special agent who'd been implicated with both Crossfire Hurricane and special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, the Steel dossier source Galkina supplied had been at odds with information Danchenko provided in certain aspects. The denial from Igor Danchenko's defense lawyers compelled a sidebar. Read Also: Mark Zuckerberg Net Worth 2022: How Did Facebook Founder Lose $30 Billion in 1 Day? John Durham, the special prosecutor, did speak out of the jury's range of hearing when he stated Auten and others go, and they question and answer session Galkina in Cyprus. The source provides some data that is incongruent with what Danchenko had informed the FBI. Some of those disparities resulted in questions that they desired to ask the informant as a consequence. This is where it is heading, then. The judge decided it was best to avoid talking about the contradictions. DOJ Report An original report from the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (DOJ OIG), quoting Federal Bureau of Investigation documents, stated that one of Steele's sub-sources informed the agency in August 2017 that whatever information in the leaked document that was credited to them had been "overstated" and that they didn't even recognize anything as "arising specifically from him/her," but the person wasn't identified, per The Washington Post. Galkina stated to a U.S. court in 2021 that she had known Danchenko and been friends with him when they were young teens in Perm, Russia, and that she "did not provide Danchenko (or anyone else) with the details provided in the dossier and that he was connected to certain individuals." During a face-to-face meeting in the United States in 2016, Galkina contended that Danchenko presented her to Charles Dolan, a longtime marketer affiliated with the Democrats. By that point, Danchenko had been hired by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a hidden human source. That scenario remained until the end of 2020. The FBI found uncertainty in the relationship between Igor Danchenko and a Steele dossier source. Related Article: Germany Reaps Anger from EU States as Disunity Caused By Energy Crisis Grows @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The police chief of Raleigh, North Carolina, declared on Friday that the suspect in the gun attack that claimed the lives of five people was a juvenile male. According to a Reuters report, the police claim that the gunman was in critical condition. Authorities claim that the shooter started shooting while strolling down a path in North Carolina and evaded police for hours until being captured in a house and taken into custody. Terror Reaches Doorstep The motive of the North Carolina shooting is still unknown, the police said, per ABC 11 Eyewitness News. The police have identified the five victims as follows: Nicole Connors, 52 Susan Karnatz, 49 Mary Marshall, 35 Gabriel Torres, 29 One 16-year-old These are the wounded individuals, who were still being treated at Wake Med as of Friday morning: Marcille Gardner, 59 The 15-year-old shooting suspect The 33-year-old police officer, Casey Joseph Clark, sustained injuries from the North Carolina shooting but was later discharged from the hospital. A Department of Homeland Security memorandum confirms that a 15-year-old was detained after receiving life-threatening injuries. As of the present report, it is unclear whether or not the suspect injured himself. Authorities were seen examining a house close to the scene of the incident early on Friday morning. They claimed he was taken into custody at 9:37 p.m. local time (Friday, January 17, 01:37 GMT). According to Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, a shooting erupted near the Neuse River Greenway Trail in a residential area. Officers from law enforcement agencies flooded the area, blocking roads and ordering locals to stay indoors as they looked for the shooter. "Tonight, terror has reached our doorstep," said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who condemned the gun attack, calling it a "senseless, horrific, and infuriating act of violence." The swift and coordinated efforts of local and state law enforcement have the suspect in custody and we are thankful for their efforts. We mourn for the victims of this horrific and infuriating act of violence. - RC Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) October 14, 2022 Raleigh Mayor Baldwin joined Cooper in condemning the shooting. She said that the "mindless" gun violence in America should be stopped. "We have much to do, and tonight we have much to mourn," Baldwin noted, per ABC News. The Raleigh Police Department tweeted for people in the area "to remain in their homes" as the fatal event was taking place. Read Also: [Watch] Nancy Pelosi Threatens To Hit Donald Trump, Unseen Footage Reveals During Jan. 6 Hearing Mass Killings Continue The Raleigh shooting was the most recent in a week of violence around the US. On Sunday, a gunman opened fire inside a residence in Inman, South Carolina, killing five people. On Wednesday night, two Connecticut law enforcement officers were fatally shot after being ambushed by a domestic violence call. Greenville, Decatur, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and central Florida all saw police officer shootings this week. There were two fatalities among the police officers: one in Greenville and another in Las Vegas. Based on the information gathered by the Associated Press/USA TODAY/Northeastern University, the Raleigh shooting was the 25th mass killing incident this year, wherein victims were shot dead, according to Al Jazeera. A mass killing is "when four or more people are killed," except the culprit. Related Article: Chicago Landlord Found Dismembered in Freezer; Tenant Who Received Eviction Notice Arrested @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Over the years, Ive noticed reports of people leaving churches. I never thought Id be one of them. Attending church has always been important to me. The habit started early, as I attended the Romanian Orthodox Church in Detroit with my extended family every Sunday. My maternal grandparents were immigrants from Romania, but my brother and I didnt learn the language. Since the liturgy was in Romanian, my worship experience was absorbing the mystery, beauty and sensuality of the liturgy. When I was about 10, we began attending a Presbyterian church closer to home. Even after I went away to college, Sunday mornings found me tiptoeing down the hall of my dorm, going to church. After five years of teaching high school English, I became a full-time wife and mother. It was then that I could no longer ignore the call to ministry, so off I went to seminary. This was in 1974, and although women had already been ordained in the Presbyterian Church, we were still in the minority. I was among those who fought for inclusive language, objecting to male language for God and humans my first major pushback to organized religion. After four years serving a parish, I became director of a mission project, Recovering Women Ministries. Working with women recovering from sexual, domestic and substance abuse, I found myself bumping up against theological abuse. I met women who stayed in abusive relationships because they had vowed 'til death do us part. I told them that the relationship was already broken by the violence, so divorce wasnt breaking that vow. I also told them that God didnt send Jesus to die, because that would be divine child abuse. Rather, Jesus was sent to live and proclaim Gods love for all people, no matter what. Back then, as now, this was a dangerous proclamation a clear departure from traditional Christian practice. In 1978, the Presbyterian Church adopted a policy forbidding ordination of lesbian and gay people. It was during my ministry in the Twin Cities that I fell in love with a woman. In 1989, I requested that I be relieved of the practice of ordained office, and came out as a lesbian a major conflict with church policy. I found a home in Unitarian Universalism for the next 30 years. Recently befriending a Presbyterian minister, I found myself being called home. So I went through the process of reclaiming my ordination. I became loosely affiliated with the Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian churches in Albany. Although there were many aspects of worship that satisfied a longing in me, there were things that were a challenge, male language being a big part of that. So, I gradually stopped attending worship, and Sunday mornings found me at home. Leaving church didnt mean leaving the journey. A book group studying spirituality feeds my spirit. Weekly meetings with a person from the book group discussing other books deepens my spiritual life. One book in particular helped me fill a void in my understanding of the Christian path: Avens & Zellely, Walking the Path of ChristoSophia: Exploring the Hidden Tradition in Christian Spirituality. Three pillars of ancient Christian tradition, discarded over the years by developing dogma, were described: Feminine: including feminine aspects of the Divine. Mystical: honoring direct experience and intuitive ways of knowing. Natural: seeing nature as beautiful, divine and wise. Here I found a connection to my core experience of God as mystery, beauty and sensuality, which I absorbed during my early church experience in the Romanian Orthodox Church. Meeting with a few women on a regular basis for ritual that includes these elements provides a rich context for my ever-deepening journey. It's kind of like a rematch, but with a third challenger. Roen Hogg first faced then-upstart Charles Maughan in 2016, where the former squeaked by the latter with a 230-vote separation in a bid to represent Ward 2. Now they meet again, this time vying for the mayoral seat. To be successful, Hogg will also have to best Vice President Andrew Struthers of Ward 9. Hogg is retired and formerly worked in systems, software and project management roles at Oregon State University, HP Inc. and for the state of Oregon. He was elected in 2010 and lost a mayoral race in 2018. Hes lived in Corvallis for 29 years and earned a science masters degree from Montana State University. While on council, Hogg worked with OSU on neighborhood issues in his ward. He said the colleges expanding population drove concerns about livability and housing affordability. He also noted his work with community members to help people experiencing homelessness. I believe theres strong support in our community to help others with programs that have a proven track record of being successful, Hogg said. We should be looking at what other cities are doing and seeing what works. Inspired by former State Rep. and Benton County Commissioner Barbara Ross, Hogg said her advocacy for a housing-first approach to homelessness, based on data from other programs, mirrors how he would work the problem, making feedback-driven, evidence-based decisions. Hoping to improve access to elected officials, Hogg plans for a Walk with the mayor initiative, under which he would stroll different areas of the city with constituents in sort of a regularly scheduled mobile listening session. People take a very active interest in the politics of the city and in the decision making, he said. Land use changes, such as the climate-friendly development mandates coming from the state, are a top issue for Hogg. He fears residents arent being informed and less public input is being sought. He also feels the lack of council advisory groups is slowing progress making information gathering harder. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked an appeals court to throw out the Trump-appointed special master review of the Mar-a-Lago documents. The request that was made on Friday is the latest development in the back-and-forth attempt of the DOJ to recover the thousands of documents that former President Donald Trump took from the White House. The records were seized by the FBI from the Republican businessman's Florida estate. Request to Remove Special Master Authorities argued that a federal judge had been wrong to intervene in their investigation into Trump's hoarding of sensitive government documents. The Justice Department wrote in its 53-page brief that it was challenging the legitimacy of the orders made last month by Judge Aileen M. Cannon. The judge blocked investigators from using the materials and appointed an independent arbiter to review the records to find any that are potentially privileged for Trump's personal property. The DOJ had already succeeded in persuading a panel of the Atlanta-based court to exempt roughly 100 records marked classified from Judge Cannon's ruling, as per the New York Times. That decision was something that the Supreme Court this week declined to overturn. The DOJ's new filing asked the appeals court to reverse Cannon's order for the remaining roughly 11,000 records. The filing said that the court has already granted the government's motion to stay that unprecedented order insofar as it relates to the documents bearing classification markings. The court should now reverse the order in its entirety for multiple independent reasons." According to The Hill, the DOJ argued that the former president failed to demonstrate and Cannon failed to weigh fully each aspect of the legal tests that were necessary before a court can impose limits on a federal investigation. Read Also: [Watch] Nancy Pelosi Threatens To Hit Donald Trump, Unseen Footage Reveals During Jan. 6 Hearing Trump's Mar-a-Lago Documents This includes whether or not officials displayed a "callous disregard" for a person's rights, and whether or not they would be "irreparably injured" by failing to get the return of their property. The former president was unable to justify either of the two conditions, said the department. The brief also rehashed many of the arguments that the Justice Department first relayed to the district court. This includes that Trump cannot use executive privilege to block the functions of the current executive and that he has no claim to presidential records as his personal property. However, it also made stronger claims about the need to acquire the records, both classified and unclassified, in order to support its investigation. Justice officials detailed how unclassified records and the way classified records were mixed in with them, is itself evidence. The department said that the dates on unclassified records may prove highly probative in the government's investigation. The DOJ also referenced Trump's claims that he may have declassified the records, which is not the focus of the investigation, noting that the former president has never actually represented that he declassified any of the records. The brief added that district courts have no general equitable authorities to superintend federal criminal investigations. The DOJ said that challenges to the government's use of the evidence recovered in a search are resolved through ordinary criminal motions practice, CNN reported. Related Article: Jan. 6 Hearings: Donald Trump Plans to Talk About 'Corrupt' Election, Nancy Pelosi's Big Mistake Before US Capitol Attack @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Dublin, Oct. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Madagascar Diesel Genset Market Size and Share Analysis by Power Rating, Application - Industry Growth Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Madagascar diesel genset market was valued at $21,429.8 thousand in 2021, and the market will propel at a 2.9% CAGR during 2021-2030, to reach $27,755.7 thousand. The speedy growth in the construction and telecom sectors and the intensification in the incidence of power cuts are the main factors accountable for the growth of the market. According to the World Bank, only about 27% of the population of Madagascar had access to electricity in 2019, which is one of the primary reasons for the increasing requirement for diesel gensets in the mining, telecom, construction, and residential sectors. The telecom sector of Madagascar has profited from the snowballing rivalry among key operators such as Orange Madagascar, Airtel, and Telma. In 2021, the government relaxed the excise duty on telecom products to 8% from 10%, which is advantageous for customers. This opened the gates for a high requirement for diesel gensets in telecom towers to cope with the high-frequency power cuts. Key Findings of Madagascar Diesel Genset Market The 15-75 kVA category held the largest share, of approximately 42%, in 2021. This is due to the increasing use of these gensets in residences, small industries, restaurants, hotels, telecom towers, and commercial complexes. Furthermore, the 376-750 kVA category is the second significant contributor to the Madagascar diesel genset market. The primary reason for this is the high requirement for these generators in industries and commercial complexes. The commercial application category is likely to grow at the highest rate in the years to come, propelling at a 3.9% CAGR. This can be primarily due to the constant advancement in the construction sector. The Madagascar diesel genset market is likely to be boosted by the increase in the requirement for power backup in the commercial and residential sectors and the development of the mining and construction industries. Power consistency is an important prerequisite for Madagascar's economic development. Thus, the requirement for energy among public institutions of the country has augmented, to improve the eminence of the services provided to people. Key firms in the Madagascar diesel genset market are taking part in partnerships and alliances with the intention of staying ahead of their competitors. For example, Green Energy Solutions (GES) and Colas Madagascar entered into a collaboration in April 2021 to construct a hybrid power plant driven by solar energy for Colas Madagascar at the Ambokatra quarry and offer construction supplies within the country. Industry Outlook Trends Increase in frequency of power outages Drivers Rapid growth in telecom sector Impact analysis of drivers on market forecast Restraints Growing preference for clean energy Harmful effects of diesel gensets Impact analysis of restraints on market forecast Impact of COVID-19 Company Profiles Aksa Power Generation SA (Pty) Ltd Jubaili Bros Atlas Copco AB Kohler Co. Cummins Inc. Caterpillar Inc. Aggreko Ltd Market Segments By Power Rating 15-75 kVA 76-375 kVA 376-750 kVA Above 750 kVA By Application Commercial Retail establishments Offices Telecom towers Hospitals Hotels Others Industrial Manufacturing Energy & Power Others Residential For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x2l1gy Attachment Edmonton, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- APEGA supports the innovation and diversification of Albertas economy, including the technology and software sectors. Engineers have always been key partners in such innovation and have helped provide Albertans with their high quality of life while ensuring their safety. The term engineer comes with a licensed and ethical set of responsibilities and accountabilities. This is the same for other regulated professions, such as the health and legal professions. You would not want someone to operate on you in the province if they are not licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. By that same token, you do not want someone designing your pacemaker or self-driving car if they are not a licensed engineer. That puts peoples lives at risksomething APEGA takes very seriously, said Jay Nagendran, APEGA registrar and chief executive officer. Software engineering is a nationally and internationally recognized discipline of engineering. Across Canada, engineering requires extensive education and training, and individuals must be licensed to call themselves an engineer. It is different from software programming and development, which are not regulated. In Alberta, major technology companies, including DeepMind (Google), Dell EMC and Cloudexa Technology Inc. understand this differentiation and have changed how they title their software positions. With the ongoing advancements of technology and with increasing delegation of decision-making to artificial intelligence and software, the risk to public safety continues to be of primary importance, and there continues to be a need for regulation of software engineering and use of the engineering title. Any exception to the use of the title engineer will set a dangerous precedent and put the lives of Albertans at risk. APEGA remains committed to being a constructive partner in the conversation regarding oversight of the computer engineering profession. We look forward to working with the province and industry to find common ground to protect public safety, grow our economy and ensure professionals who use the term engineer are accountable and regulated. As the regulator of the engineering and geoscience professions in Alberta for more than 100 years, APEGA protects the health, safety and welfare of Albertans from unprofessional and unethical practice. We are the largest regulator of self-regulated professionals in Western Canada, with nearly 70,000 registrants who safeguard the public welfare and contribute significantly to Albertas economic success and quality of life. Attachment North Las Vegas, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North Las Vegas, Nevada - Local Blitz, a digital marketing agency based in Indianapolis, IN, which also provides SEO services in San Diego, CA, wants to point out that to become a San Diego SEO expert, it really requires around 10,000 hours of practice. This means that while there are so many people declaring themselves as SEO experts, they are not really experts. A 10,000 hour experience is actually 4.8 years of experience in the field, assuming a 40-hour work week and 52 weeks a year. Very few have that kind of experience. Thus, when looking for an SEO expert, it is vital to ensure that they have the knowledge and experience that is needed by ones business to succeed in the current online marketplace. The problem is that many people in the online marketing industry are simply re-selling the services offered by other people or they are simply applying their sales expertise to convince people to buy their services. Nick Bennett, co-founder of Local Blitz, explains, So why is Local Blitz an actual SEO expert? We were founded in 2009, now moving into our 10th year learning, failing, and finally succeeding at SEO. It gets more complicated by the day and there are a ton of good people in the industry, but many that position themselves as SEO experts simply are not we are still learning every day and have almost a full decade in. If you want free advice from an SEO expert, just simply fill out the form on this page and we will personally review your website and let you know what needs to be done to gain more traction with SEO this year. This is no machine run analysis with no explanation. We will take a deeper dive and ensure you understand out findings. Just provide the requested information in the form on our page and we will get to work. Local Blitz, which is also an Indianapolis SEO company, will start to help a client by performing an extensive keyword research, using professional tools. Without the application of these tools, the keyword research will just be guesswork. In doing this keyword research, it is essential to examine the competition of keywords, the LSI options, and the search volume that is connected to those keywords. They want to stress that many times, they have seen poor keyword selection for a website, resulting into poor performance in the search engines. They will also be conducting a technical SEO audit for the website. This is essential because the technical SEO issues need to be resolved. Furthermore, on page optimization is also important. And then there is content marketing. As always, content is vital for SEO but not all content is created equally. Keyword stuffing is no longer acceptable. The content marketing strategy should include a plan to look for new keywords and pursue them. This will not just help with SEO but it will also add value to ones client base. They will also take care of link building, social signal for SEO, and getting good leads. Launched in 2009, Local Blitz is a digital marketing agency that has the goal of providing great value to customers by developing digital sales funnels for them, whether they are small or medium sized businesses as long it is their most urgent need. They apply their expertise for companies that are not large enough to have their own digital marketing services but truly understand that is important. The result is that they have been getting a lot of highly positive feedback from clients in a wide variety of niches, including real estate, e-commerce, automotive, and many more. Their SEO experts regularly educate themselves on the latest SEO developments and cutting edge techniques. Companies that want to learn more about the digital marketing services provided by Local Blitz can check out their website or contact them through the phone or by email. They are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, from Monday to Friday. For information on the most recent developments involving Local Blitz, businesses can visit their media room at https://www.pressadvantage.com/organization/local-blitz2. ### For more information about Local Blitz, contact the company here: Local Blitz Nick Bennett (317) 672-1156 nick@localblitz.com 815 E 63rd Pl Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46220 United Kingdom Prime Minister Liz Truss revealed during a press conference that she was walking back on a tax plan that shook global financial markets after mounting pressure from Tory MPs and the firing of her finance minister, Kwasi Kwarteng. During her brief appearance at Downing Street, the prime minister vowed to raise the country's corporate tax rate after she previously promised she would not do so last month. The raised taxes are expected to help pay for other tax cuts that Truss had initiated and are meant to calm investors who are concerned that the cuts were unfunded. Reversal of Tax Cut Truss said that it was clear that their mini-budget went further and faster than what markets had anticipated. She added that officials needed to act quickly to reassure the markets that they would be alright. The UK prime minister noted that corporate taxes would rise by $20 billion, which would serve as a "down payment" and help restore confidence. However, Truss declined to apologize for the shaky situation that was observed in recent weeks, insisting that she remained committed to her objective of supporting economic growth, as per the New York Times. The reversal of the tax cut was expected by many because of the turmoil in the last few weeks, but Truss made no mention of any further changes to other policies. For example, she has plans to reduce the basic income tax rate. Truss' statements came after three weeks of turmoil following an announcement last month made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwarteng. At the time, the current was plunging and government borrowing costs soared. According to MarketWatch, furthermore, some believe that Truss is next in line to be removed from her position due to the rebellion in her own party. There was a 56% chance that the prime minister would be ousted based on the political betting market Smarkets. Read Also: Will Queen Consort Camilla Wear Controversial Crown at Coronation with King Charles III? Dismissal of Finance Minister It also showed that 45% expect Truss to leave by next year, implying a slim chance that she would even get to a general election to face off against the Labor Party's Keir Starmer which is scheduled for no later than January 2025. Truss' polling results have shown abysmal results with one this week from Ipsos showing Labor with a 47% to 26% lead in voting intentions. The number represents the biggest lead for Labor since October 2002. Furthermore, analysts are increasingly expecting a change to happen within the party, and, down the line, to the country's government. A senior economist at Berenberg, Kallum Pickering, said that the dismissal of Kwarteng just over a month into his position most likely looks worse for Truss than the finance minister. Kwarteng posted a letter on Twitter where he had agreed to step aside at Truss' request, saying that the prime minister's vision of "optimism, growth, and change" was the right one and continued to pledge his support. Truss has chosen Jeremy Hunt to replace Kwarteng, becoming Britain's fourth finance minister in just over three months. While Kwarteng was the architect of the mini-budget, the economic vision was drawn by the prime minister, CNN reported. Related Article: Joe Biden Reveals Plan with India as 'Major Defense Partner' in National Security Strategy @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) between November 4, 2021 and April 4, 2022, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 12, 2022. SO WHAT: If you purchased Block securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Block class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=9176 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 12, 2022. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Block lacked adequate protocols restricting access to customer sensitive information; (2) as a result, a former employee was able to download certain reports of Blocks subsidiary, Cash App Investing, containing full customer names and brokerage account numbers, as well as brokerage portfolio value, brokerage portfolio holdings and/or stock trading activity; (3) as a result, Block was reasonably likely to suffer significant damage, including reputational harm; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants positive statements about Blocks business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Block class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=9176 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investors ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 lrosen@rosenlegal.com pkim@rosenlegal.com cases@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Azure Power Global Limited (Azure or the Company) (NYSE: AZRE). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Azure and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 29, 2022, Azure issued a press release disclosing, among other items, that [t]he Company received a whistleblower complaint in May 2022 alleging potential procedural irregularities and misconduct by certain employees at a plant belonging to one of its subsidiaries. Azure further reported that [a]s part of the Companys review of these allegations, it discovered deviations from safety and quality norms, and it has implemented mechanisms to remediate them and in so doing strengthen safety and quality protocols. Azures Audit Committee, with the assistance of legal counsel and forensic accounting support, also identified evidence of manipulation of project data and information by certain employees. The Company is implementing immediate remedial measures, and Azure is initiating disclosure of the findings to the appropriate authorities. On this news, Azures stock price fell $4.61 per share or 44.07% percent, to close at $5.85 per share on August 29, 2022. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Barclays PLC (Barclays or the Company) (NYSE: BCS). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Barclays and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On March 28, 2022, Barclays announced that Barclays Bank PLC (BBPLC) had issued approximately $15.2 billion in unregistered securities under an August 2019 shelf registration statement, that BBPLC would commence a rescission offer for those unregistered securities, and that Barclays expected the rescission losses to be approximately 450m. On this news, Barclays American Depositary Receipt (ADR) price fell $0.96 per ADR, or 10.61%, to close at $8.09 per ADR on March 28, 2022. Then, on July 28, 2022, Barclays issued interim financial results for the quarter ending June 30, 2022 and announced for the first time that BBPLC had also over-issued unregistered securities under a second BBPLC shelf registration statement. The July 28, 2022 financial results announcement also informed investors that Barclays had provisioned 1,592m [approximately $1.940 billion] (December 2021: 220m) related to the overissuance of structured notes and 165m [approximately $201 million] (December 2021: nil) related to liabilities that could be incurred arising out of ongoing discussions in respect of a potential SEC resolution. On this news, Barclays ADR price fell $0.41 per ADR, or 5.2%, to close at $7.48 per ADR on July 28, 2022. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Block, Inc. (Block or the Company) (NYSE: SQ). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Block and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On April 4, 2022, Block announced that a former employee had improperly downloaded certain reports of the Companys subsidiary, Cash App Investing, on December 10, 2021. The information in the reports included full customer names and brokerage account numbers, as well as brokerage portfolio value, brokerage portfolio holdings and/or stock trading activity. As many as 8.2 million Cash App Investing customers were affected. On this news, Blocks stock price fell $9.27 per share, or 6.4%, to close at $135.92 per share on April 5, 2022. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Brussels, Oct. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, the Group of 77 (G77) and China and the Africa Group at the UN have once again tabled resolution drafts, which would bring reform of international tax rules to its rightful institution and enshrine international cooperation in tax matters on the basis of equality and fairness. The Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) joins other members of the Civil Society Financing for Development (CS FfD) Group in its support for the draft resolutions, and launches a statement endorsing the call of the African Ministers of Finance for a UN Tax Convention. An initiative of the Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), in collaboration with the Red de Justicia Fiscal de America Latina y el Caribe (RJFALC) and Tax and Fiscal Justice Asia (TAFJA) members of GATJ the statement was signed by 228 civil society organisations worldwide. The statement reflects the wide support the call for a UN-based and Member States-led intergovernmental process has, as the only inclusive and democratic alternative to reform international tax rules. We are ready to mobilise and raise the pressure on UN Member States to overcome the blockage of OECD countries and work collaboratively to pass these resolutions, said Dereje Alemayehu, Executive Coordinator of GATJ. Luis Moreno, member of RJFALC and Chair of the GATJs Coordination Committee said: OECD countries have been pursuing a two-pronged approach regarding reform of international tax rules. They have been trying to impose binding reforms that serve mainly their interest at the cost of developing countries, as well as to lock them into agreements that will perpetuate the denial of their international taxing rights. In their first approach, the OECD-led process is failing to reach any conclusion. However, they have so far succeeded in their second approach: blocking the start of an intergovernmental process at the UN. The resolution drafts of the G77 and China and the Africa Group at the UN are first steps to end this blockage. We call on all developing countries, and in particular those in Latin America and the Caribbean, to firmly support these resolutions. Alvin Mosioma, Executive Director of TJNA said: Illicit financial flows and other forms of tax abuse by multinational corporations and wealthy individuals are draining an increasing amount of resources much needed for recovery and development. Developing countries, where the need for resources is greater, are deprived of them. This outflow of resources is multiple times higher than inflows in the form of official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI). Unless the failures of the international tax system are urgently addressed, developing countries will continue to lose billions of dollars due to illicit financial flows and other forms of tax abuse. This situation has to be brought to an end. The G77 and China and the Africa Group at the UN are leading the way. Developing countries should unite to stop the blockers from thwarting a member state led process. Jeannie Manipon, member of the Coordination Committee of TAFJA and GATJ said: Besides usurping the role of reforming international tax rules, the G7 has not moved an inch in curbing illicit financial flows (IFF) and reducing tax abuses. There is thus no improvement to expect if tax rule making is left with the G20. Many OECD countries have a big share of the responsibility in tax abuses of all forms because they are the destination of IFF and host of enabler institutions. That is why they are not taking measures to close down tax havens and to sanction enablers of tax dodging and IFF. On the other they are blocking the reform of the global tax system through an inclusive intergovernmental process at the UN to address these challenges. The resolution drafts forwarded by the G77 and the Africa Group at the UN should be endorsed and translated into action urgently. The OECD countries must stop blocking a UN-based inclusive and transparent intergovernmental process to democratise global tax governance in which all countries participate on an equal footing. We call on all G77 countries to withstand the bullying and divide and rule tactics of OECD countries and actively collaborate in their fight for a Member States-led elaboration of a UN Tax Convention, for an improved and equitable international tax cooperation. NOTES TO THE EDITORS The G77 and China resolution published this week: https://undocs.org/A/C.2/77/L.8 Africa Group resolution published this week: https://undocs.org/A/C.2/77/L.11 Statement by TJNA, RJFALC, TAFJA and GATJ in support of the call by African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for a UN Tax Convention: https://globaltaxjustice.org/libraries/statement-support-for-the-call-by-african-ministers-of-finance-for-a-un-tax-convention/ The G77 and China and its members have been calling for a UN intergovernmental tax body for over two decades. This database developed by the CS FfD Group tracks statements by governments supporting this call: https://csoforffd.org/2021/10/27/database-governments-supporting-an-intergovernmental-un-tax-body-and-or-un-tax-convention/ Building on the call by G77 and China, in 2019 a call to develop a UN Tax Convention was first put forward by the Africa Group at the United Nations. The following year, it was included in a Menu of Options produced as part of a UN process to consider how the international community could respond to the COVID-19 crisis. In February 2021, the FACTI Panel which had been set up by the President of the UN General Assembly (at the time Nigeria) and the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (at the time Norway) also included the proposal for a UN Tax Convention as a key recommendation in its final report. In May 2022, the African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development reiterated the call at their 54th session in Dakar. The Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) and the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) launched in March 2022 a civil society proposal for a UN Tax Convention, which responds to these calls and a number of other concerns that have been raised regarding the existing international tax system: https://globaltaxjustice.org/news/ground-breaking-civil-society-proposal-for-a-un-convention-on-tax-is-published/ ABOUT THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TAX JUSTICE The Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) is a South-led global coalition in the tax justice movement. Together we work for a world where progressive and redistributive tax policies counteract inequalities within and between countries, and generate the public funding needed to ensure essential services and human rights. Created in 2013, GATJ comprises regional tax justice networks in Asia (Tax & Fiscal Justice Asia), Africa (Tax Justice Network Africa), Latin America (Red de Justicia Fiscal de America Latina y el Caribe), Europe (Tax Justice-Europe) and North America (Canadians for Tax Fairness & FACT Coalition), collectively representing hundreds of organisations. Attachment NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Urbanspace, the leading national food hall brand, has partnered with Feenix Venture Partners on a $7.0mm credit facility to take advantage of the demand for its unique mix of experiential dining, chef mix, and accessible fast-casual price point. In the last year Urbanspace has experienced rapid growth with five new food halls in the Midwest and New York, and the first of a new Singapore branded concept, Urban Hawker, near Rockefeller Center. In 2023 Urbanspace is slated to expand into four new metropolitan markets on the East Coast and Los Angeles. "We are seeing tremendous consumer response to the food hall format," says Urbanspace President Eldon Scott. "As this segment consolidates, we are pleased to be able to partner with Feenix to help us to continue to create and manage new and second-generation food halls." Michael Siegel, Partner and Managing Director at Feenix, commented, "Urbanspace has been a staple of the Midtown Manhattan lunch scene for years. With this additional capital, the Urbanspace team can take their successful concept to wider audiences across the country. Eldon and his team have done an amazing job building this business, as evidenced by their recent opening of Urban Hawker, and Feenix cannot wait to see what Urbanspace has in store for its future expansion." About Urbanspace Urbanspace develops immersive public markets which connect consumers with creative local food and retail operators, filling the experiential gap not addressed by national fast-casual and delivery-only brands. What began at London's Camden Lock in the 1970's has evolved into the largest operator of food halls and pop-up markets in the United States. Urbanspace's portfolio encompasses 7 cities with over 220 kitchens in addition to its outdoor holiday markets. About Feenix Venture Partners Feenix Venture Partners ("Feenix") is an alternative investment firm established in 2017 and headquartered in New York City. Feenix provides growth capital through debt and equity to small and medium-sized businesses, primarily in the consumer sector. Feenix is an active investor in food & beverage, hospitality, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, SaaS, and other service businesses. Contact Information: Keith Lee CEO klee@feenixpartners.com Eldon Scott CEO escott@urbanspacenyc.com Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Friday that while he had "no regrets" over this week's devastating missile attacks on civilian targets throughout Ukraine, he added that there was currently no need for any "massive" strikes. The wave of missile strikes against Ukrainian cities started on Monday in retaliation for the weekend bombing of a crucial bridge connecting Russia's occupied Crimean Peninsula to the country. Putin Acknowledges Unpleasant Situation in Ukraine Although the origin of the explosion is unknown, Putin blamed Kyiv for it and said it was a "terrorist attack" that must be responded to, according to CNN. A two-day period of heavy bombardment that resulted in at least 19 fatalities and widespread destruction of civilian targets outraged the entire world. The strikes also seriously damaged Ukraine's electrical infrastructure, forcing residents to cut back on use at peak hours to prevent blackouts. Putin stated that although while he did not regret the strikes and thought Russia's course of action was appropriate, he did acknowledge that "what is occurring now is unpleasant." Putin also justified his September-starting partial mobilization of Russians, telling reporters that it is anticipated to expire in two weeks and that 222,000 soldiers have already been enlisted. The mobilization got off to a chaotic start last month, sparking rare protests throughout the country. Hundreds of thousands of people - mostly fighting-age men - fled Russia, pouring into neighboring countries like Georgia and Kazakhstan to avoid conscription. No NATO nation has suggested sending troops to Ukraine, despite the fact that the Russian president has begun portraying his invasion of that country as a battle with the West. Additionally, the warmonger assured reporters that "nothing further is planned" regarding upcoming conscriptions and that the enormously unpopular mobilization strategy will expire in two weeks. The extent to which Putin has been successful in bolstering his lagging army is still unknown, as is the total number of people who have been mobilized so far, as per NY Post. Read Also: South Korea Sends F-35 Fighter Jets after North Korea Flies Warplanes Close to Border: Did They Fight? Putin Says No Need For Massive New Strikes on Ukraine Although 300,000 troops were specified in the initial mobilization notification, the actual order did not impose a limit on the number to be called up. According to Russian media sources, up to 1.2 million Russians may have been forced into duty. Violence, suicides, protests, and a major migration of males of fighting age from the country have all been linked to the mobilization. Those called up are also apparently old and unprepared, according to reports. In the three weeks that have passed since the mobilization order was issued, Russia has continued to lose territory to Ukrainian soldiers. Putin reiterated his defense of his invasion of his Ukrainian neighbors on Friday, asserting that he "did not set out to destroy Ukraine" and that he has no regrets. Per Sky News, Putin stated that he is open to the notion of holding discussions with Ukraine and added, "We have always expressed this." In response to rumors that he might be open to talks regarding a short-term peace agreement with Ukraine, he stated that if Kyiv is "ready for talks, mediation efforts would be required." Peace negotiations between the two nations have stalled, including those held in Istanbul in March. Putin stated that there was "no need for big strikes" at this time because the majority of the selected targets had already been hit and that Russia had not set itself the goal of "destroying Ukraine." Related Article: Vladimir Putin Orders Evacuation of Kherson Residents in Another Russia's Failure To Conquer Ukraine's Troops @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Robbie Coltrane, a beloved Scottish actor, passed away today at the age of 72, his agent confirmed. The James Bond, Cracker, and Harry Potter actor passed away at a hospital close to his Larbert, Scotland, home. The renowned actor had been experiencing health issues for the previous two years. Harry Potter Cast Pours Tributes For Robbie Coltraine Coltrane, a larger-than-life comic star, is most known for his memorable role as Rubeus Hagrid, the Hogwarts groundsman, in the Harry Potter films. Per Deadline, he received worldwide fame and admiration for his endearing performances and on-screen relationship with Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter, enjoying enormous popularity as Potter's half-giant and half-wizard. JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe led the tributes from celebrities for Coltrane's passing. JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, paid tribute to the actor on Twitter after learning the sad news. I'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children. pic.twitter.com/tzpln8hD9z J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 14, 2022 She said, "I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him, and laugh my head off with him. He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again." She also posted a picture of the two at a restaurant table engaged in intense conversation. The loss of Robbie Coltrane would be upsetting for the author, who previously stated that Coltrane was top of her list for the role of Hagrid in the movie versions of her books. She quickly breathed out "Robbie Coltrane for Hagrid" when asked who she would want to see in the part, Mirror reported. The actor who played Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, described Robbie Coltrane as "one of the funniest people" and "an incredible actor." He remarked, "Robbie was one of the funniest persons I've encountered and used to keep us kids on the set laughing constantly." The eight films, which were released from 2001 to 2011, starred the two together throughout. The actress who played Hermione Granger, Emma Watson, referred to him as "deeply caring" in her Instagram stories. Neville Longbottom actor Matthew Lewis also paid tribute to the actor. Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan and raised by Calvinist parents in the affluent Glasgow district of Rutherglen. He claimed that until he was six years old, his father seldom spoke to him due to his hectic schedule as a police surgeon, as per Daily Mail. When Coltrane was only a teenager, his father passed away from lung cancer. He was sent off to board at Perth and Kinross' Glenalmond College, frequently referred to as Scotland's Eton. Read Also: Queen Releases Forgotten Track Recorded with Freddie Mercury: Listen to the Song Here Robbie Coltrane's Achievements Coltrane earned three straight BAFTA awards for best actor for his portrayal of forensic psychologist Dr. Edward "Fitz" Coltrane in the murder mystery series Cracker in the UK, a feat only matched by actor Michael Gambon. He was also nominated for a BAFTA for the BBC Scotland drama Tutti Frutti and the Channel 4 drama National Treasure. Additionally, the actor delivered standout performances in the films Nuns on the Run, Mona Lisa, and Ocean's 12. He co-starred as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky, a former KGB agent turned ally of Agent 007, in the James Bond movies GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. On March 30, 1950, in Rutherglen, Scotland, Anthony Robert McMillan became Coltrane. In his early 20s, he adopted the stage name Coltrane in honor of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and made his stage debut in Byrne's production of The Slab Boys. Before making his television debut in Tutti Frutti and Blackadder the Third, he had early cinema parts in Flash Gordon and Mona Lisa. He was also a memorable Pope in the comedy The Pope Must Die from 1991. Related Article: Willie Spence Cause of Death Revealed; 'American Idol' Runner-Up's Final IG Post Goes Viral @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Toyota Motor Europe (TME) reported sales of 813,547 Toyota and Lexus vehicles, a decrease of -6% year-on-year but still outperforming the European automotive market which fell by -16% over the same period. TMEs market share increased to a record 7.5%, marking an increase of +0.8% points year-on-year and maintaining a momentum which has seen its share grow by +2% points since 2019. Sales of the companys multi-technology electrified line-up expanded to 540,777 vehicles, an increase of +5% year-on-year. The Toyota brand consolidated its position as the 2nd best-selling passenger car brand in Europe with a market share of 7.2%, up +0.9% points compared to the same period in 2021. Toyota sold 778,431 vehicles in the first 9 months. The brands top sellers were Corolla, Yaris, Yaris Cross, RAV4 and C-HR accounting for 60% of total volume. Toyotas overall electrified mix increased by +8% year-on-year with 512,999 vehicles sold and representing 66% of total brand sales. Lexus sold 35,116 vehicles in the same period, with its overall electrified mix at 79% of total brand sales. The brands extensive SUV line-up of RX,NX,UX,GX and LX represented 89% of total sales. Overall sales have been disrupted by supply chain issues and the suspension of exports to Russia. On Thursday, police announced the arrest of the homeless woman accused in the pickpocket robbery of a guy who had just been run over by a construction truck in Manhattan. According to police and law enforcement officials, Geniece Draper, 40, was charged with grand larceny for the gruesome incident that was caught on camera last week. Woman Pickpocketed Dead Man in New York Draper was apprehended by transit officers after they recognized her at the 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue subway station in Manhattan, according to a tweet by NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. Draper has a long criminal history. At the time of her arrest, sources claim that she carried what seemed to be a crack pipe in her jacket. The victim, who was struck by a tractor-trailer on October 6 as he crossed Eighth Avenue at West 44th Street, was also officially identified by police on Thursday, NY Post reported. Jerome Smith, 62-year-old , seemed to be homeless, according to sources. Without his wallet, police had to rely on dental records to try to identify him; they eventually succeeded, according to sources, by utilizing fingerprints. Draper said she was merely returning money that had been taken from her as she was leaving court. He robbed me first, Draper said. She claimed to have dated Smith before he swindled $120 from her at an ATM. She said that she didn't use any credit cards and that since the money was hers to begin with, she didn't consider what she done to be theft. Read Also: North Carolina Shooting Kills 5 People, 15-Year-Old Suspect Under Police Custody Suspect Freed Without Bail Law enforcement authorities said that Draper had a lengthy criminal past extending back to 2007. The majority of her arrests were for suspected drug use, prostitution, and small-time theft, as per Fox News. On Friday, Draper was charged with attempting to use the deceased man's money but being denied because it was stained with blood. According to a Manhattan criminal complaint, Draper admitted to authorities that she had a passing acquaintance with Smith. The 2019 law, which prohibited persons accused of misdemeanors and some non-violent felonies from being held on cash bond in an effort to ensure that a person's wealth should not determine their liberty, was the reason Draper was released without bail. Per Daily Mail, the statute requires judges to concentrate only on the requirements that will guarantee that the person returns to court when determining whether to release a person or set bail. As a result, unlike in the majority of other states, judges in New York are not allowed to set release conditions based on their assessment of a person's "dangerousness." Critics claim that the change has increased the danger in New York City. The rule, according to its proponents, puts an end to the common practice of locking up a poor person for months while they wait for a hearing after jumping a turnstile, while allowing a wealthy alleged rapist to stay at large until their trial. Related Article: Chicago Landlord Found Dismembered in Freezer; Tenant Who Received Eviction Notice Arrested @YouTube @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Nvidia has released an unconventional statement, where the company announced that it is "unlaunching" the GeForce RTX 4080 12GB graphics card due to naming issues. Slated to launch on November 16 alongside the more powerful RTX 4080 16GB, the RTX 4080 12GB was mired in controversy ever since it was announced last month during the 40-series reveal. Addressing the controversy, Nvidia admitted that the RTX 4080 12GB was not named right, and that having two GPUs with the same 4080 designation was confusing. Here's the relevant portion of the company's statement: The RTX 4080 12GB is a fantastic graphics card, but its not named right. Having two GPUs with the 4080 designation is confusing. So, were pressing the unlaunch button on the 4080 12GB. The RTX 4080 16GB is amazing and on track to delight gamers everywhere on November 16th. Ever since its announcement, the RTX 4080 12GB's naming has been a point of contention among media and the consumers. While the naming suggests the only difference between it and the RTX 4080 16GB is the available video memory, the RTX 4080 12GB is in fact also a significantly cut-down GPU, with 27% fewer CUDA cores and reduced memory bus width. This should result in a totally different performance profile compared to the larger RTX 4080 16GB model, as was also evidenced in some of Nvidia's own performance charts. While Nvidia is no stranger to launching desktop graphics cards with the same name but with different capabilities not to mention the whole mess that is laptop GPU nomenclature the RTX 4080 12GB was possibly the most egregious example yet of misleading customers with similar naming. Based on the report from Gamers Nexus, it seems that the eventual re-release of the RTX 4080 12GB will also include a price adjustment alongside a new name. The popular opinion right now is that Nvidia will fall back to an RTX 4070/4070 Ti naming for the card, but there's no firm information yet on the matter. While this is a win for customers and the right move from Nvidia, one can't help but feel bad for all the Nvidia board partners, who would have been in late stages of manufacturing, packaging, and marketing the RTX 4080 12GB, only to have to redo all or most of it to accommodate the new naming and pricing. It is reported, however, that Nvidia will be subsidizing some of the cost for this change to the board partners. The RTX 4080 16GB is still on schedule and will be launching on November 16 at the same $1199 starting price as before. Source Earlier today, Samsung detailed the top features you can expect the upcoming stable release of One UI 5 based on Android 13 to pack. While we wait for that to make its way to phones left and right, the company is carrying on with its public beta program, now allowing four more devices to access it. We're talking about the Galaxy Z Fold3, Z Flip3, Galaxy Note20, and Note20 Ultra. These four handsets can now taste the upcoming One UI 5 with Android 13, both in the US and Samsung's home market of Korea. As usual, if you have one of the phones and want to test One UI 5 beta, you need to enter the Samsung Members app and then tap on the huge banner that will show up at the top, which is advertising the beta program. You then enter some details and after that you should be presented with an over-the-air update to the beta build normally within minutes - at most you'd have to wait a few hours for it to arrive. One UI 5 comes with everything Google packed into Android 13, along with stackable widget support, new color options for dynamic themes, new gestures for split screen multitasking, a better My Files app, a new Bixby Text Call feature letting you partake in calls by texting, Modes for customized device settings based on scenarios, support for video wallpapers on the lock screen, and a new Smart Suggestions widget. Via 1 | Via 2 An Humble, Texas, teenager who was reported missing, along with his mother, has been confirmed as the driver of a vehicle involved in a chase and crash in Nebraska. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a female's body was found in the trunk of that car, which authorities have additionally linked to the disappearance of 17-year-old Tyler Roenz's mother. "The crash occurred near Aurora, Nebraska," the sheriff tweeted. "The male driver has been identified as missing teen Tyler Roenz. Tyler is being treated at a hospital and said to be in serious condition. The body of a deceased female has been discovered in the trunk of the vehicle; the identity of the person remains unknown at this time." According to Nebraska State Patrol, troopers located the Mazda 3 deputies had been searching for at about 3 p.m., around two-and-a-half hours west of Omaha traveling westbound. A high-speed chase followed. Tyler, who was behind the wheel, crashed and was injured. "Update: the vehicle has been located in Nebraska," Gonzalez tweeted. "With assistance from Nebraska State Police, a pursuit took place and the driver crashed out. The male driver may have sustained injuries related to the crash, but the extent is unknown. The identity of the driver has not yet been confirmed. Still an active scene." The body has been identified as 49-year-old Michelle Roenz. Michelle Roenz was described as a fierce animal advocate, mother and wife, and was well-regarded, neighbors said. Tyler was more mysterious. In March, the teen was charged with attempted sexual assault. According to court records, he attacked an 18-year-old girl in his car, ripped off her shirt, and then kicked her in the face. He was not enrolled in Humble ISD, where his sister was a valedictorian in 2020. The sheriff's office said the mother and son were last seen at about 11:40 a.m. Thursday at their home in the 14700 block of Birch Arbor Court, which is in the Fall Creek neighborhood in the Humble area. They were initially reported missing by a family member. Google's recently launched Pixel Watch ships with a small wireless charging puck in the box, as do many other smartwatches. Unlike some competitors however, the Pixel Watch isn't meant to be charged on anything other than its bundled charger. The information comes straight from Google itself. The company felt the need to clarify the situation by issuing the following statement sent to 9to5Google: Qi charging is not supported on the Google Pixel Watch. There may be some charging configurations where reverse wireless or Qi charging appears to work. This will be very device and charger specific and is not guaranteed to provide a consistent, steady or strong charge. Note that in some cases, this could cause the device to discharge while on charger. Pixel Watch only supports charging with the inbox charger provided. It appears that, with a lot of fiddling, you can in fact get the Pixel Watch to show that it's charging if you place it on your phone (one that supports reverse wireless charging) or a Qi charging pad. And yet, it lies - what is happening in reality is that it's discharging, as Google mentioned in its statement. Apparently, the issue might stem from the very small size of the Pixel Watch's internal wireless charging coil. So, it's really best to only use the bundled charger if you don't want to have some nasty surprises. Source Editors note: The Pacific Daily News is collaborating with the University of Guam Press to support the islands creative minds by showcasing their work in Songsong Stories every month. You can view the collection at songsongstories.medium.com. This months Songsong Stories is by Isabella Sabet Olalia, a CHamoru/Filipina activist, weaver, student and poet who dedicates her time to keeping the culture alive through her various mediums. You Almost Had Me Once To Sinot Thoughts, I have seen you pierce your paddle into the heads of those I love most and into my own Sometimes you sail in whispers When my spirits are higher than the sinahi of my smile You arrive most often though when the stars fill i langhet with its Scintillating pinprick points of sand Keeping us from the comfort of slumber Offering only a frigid Marianas Trench ache in our chests Eyes pokpok with salty ocean waves and you are so VEHEMENTLY BOMBARDING I have forgotten the malinao swing of my breath Already inching to take me away from myself You almost had me once; Thoughts boiling into action The malak hope I held onto for so long Felt like the last shrimp patty Gone because I felt too mamahlao to take it Guiding hands have taught me how to squeeze batter into oil but Your cacophony continues to course through my veins so I command you Cease the incessant ebb and crash at our shorelines For our limestone is gof metgot but can only take so much before it breaks Embark on a voyage out of the softest crevices of our brains Seek shelter in a place of change Come back only as guinaiya or as warm ahu to fill my belly Sincerely, Someone Who is Still Alive The candidates for congressional delegate both said they plan to use Guams strategic value to the U.S. military as a tool to get more federal support for the island. This is a crucial time for Guam, and Id like to be able to leverage our situation to be able to bring more benefits to our people, said former Speaker Judith Won Pat, who is the Democratic candidate for delegate in the general election. She said Guam is carrying the burden of national security. We take care of you and you will take care of us, she said. If elected, Won Pat said she intends to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. The right time Won Pat and Republican candidate James Moylan, a senator in the Guam Legislature, participated in a candidate forum Friday morning at the Hyatt Regency Guam, hosted by the Guam Womens Chamber of Commerce. The relationship with the United States must improve, Moylan said. And it can improve. This is the right time to make it improve because of the interest the United States has in Guam with the military buildup. Moylan said the federal government should help subsidize the cost of goods in Guam. If you really look at us now, were a big military base, and the federal government is looking at us for that purpose, Moylan said. We can take advantage of that, by saying we need your help, federal government, to help us bring down the cost of goods. If you want to utilize us for this purpose, then help us as well. The military plans to transfer as many as 5,000 Marines from Okinawa and elsewhere to Marine Corps Camp Blaz, which is under construction in Dededo, as part of a larger realignment of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific region. The first large group of Marines isnt expected in Guam until 2025, with others being gradually transferred to Guam through 2027. The total relocation is expected to cost about $8 billion, with Japan providing about $2.8 billion. Status Won Pat and Moylan disagreed when asked who in Guam should be allowed to decide Guams future political status and relationship with the United States. The three options to end Guams status as a U.S. colony are statehood, independence and free association. A plebiscite has not been scheduled to allow Guam voters to choose a preferred status. We should all vote for self-determination, Moylan said. The federal government, or the Supreme Court, has decided we cannot discriminate, and the U.S. is about democracy. Moylan said he will work to get federal funding to educate Guam about the status options. Thats where my attention will be, for that purpose, and allow all of us to vote, who are eligible to vote for this purpose on Guam, he said. Let me be clear, Guam is a colony, Won Pat said. And those who are colonized are the ones who should be able to vote to decolonize and thats the CHamoru people. Once a new political status is selected, it can be designed, so that it will be workable for all people who choose to make Guam their home, Won Pat said. Abortion The two candidates also were asked to state their position on reproductive freedom. Won Pat said a woman should decide whether she wants to start a family. I think that having other individuals, who do not know that person and their situation, to make that decision for a woman is unconscionable, she said. Im pro-life, Moylan said. My position is we that we need to improve the funding for the womens health situation. Guam Unique Merchandise and Art, or GUMA, held its second-to-last home-based business workshop for the year on Saturday at the Tamuning Community Center. The nonprofits free program I Bisinun Mami, helps aspiring residents start or improve a home business. Along with the Mayors Council of Guam, it has provided training sessions at all 19 villages on island. The program has since grown from six people to 50 people in a span of nine months. The workshop revolved around marketing, creating sustainable business ideas and networking for resources. The session was run by Clifford Guzman, GUMAs board advisor. The final workshop will be from 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 22 at the Tamuning Community Center. We will restart the workshops again by region next year, said Monica Guzman, GUMAs executive director. She said a winter holiday season event, however, is in the works. Details will be announced on the organizations website. I think the program is absolutely amazing. Its a great way to achieve the dreams we all sit and talk about at the barbecues and this can actually make them happen, said Vincent Salas, of Sinajana. Salas wants to start a safety consultant company based on his certifications in safety training for general, construction, agriculture and maritime industries. He said his passion for helping people stay safe at work and his skills as a presenter are what will make the businesses successful. Salas wants to provide services via Zoom and in person throughout the Micronesia region. I have a business license but nothing else. Why Im here is to learn more about the foundation of how to do this, whats the next step, what resources are available and what other programs there are for free, said Salas. Grant funding for the program comes from the Administration for Native Americans under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Governor and the Guam Economic Development Authority. Rory J. Respicio is campaign manager for the incumbent Democratic gubernatorial team of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio. Xi heads effort to safeguard world peace 15:40, October 15, 2022 By ZHANG YUNBI ( China Daily President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech titled "Forging high-quality partnership for a new era of global development" at the High-level Dialogue on Global Development in Beijing via video link on June 24, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] Editor's note: China Daily presents a series of analyses to explain how and why China, led by President Xi Jinping, addresses the "questions of the times" by advancing peace, progress, openness and cooperation around the world. Global Security Initiative manifests the great sense of duty of nation, expert says As one of the ultimate questions facing the planet, "peace or war", has been high on the agendas of officials, experts and peacemakers around the world this year amid lingering conflicts and military tensions. This question also ranked first among the "questions of the times" brought up by President Xi Jinping in June at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum. In his speech, Xi pointed out that "hegemony, group politics and bloc confrontation bring no peace or security", and "the Ukraine crisis is another wake-up call for all the world". In responding to this question with action over the past 10 years, China's diplomatic and security missions have delivered engagement in global security governance under Xi's leadership with efforts of an unprecedented scale, depth and level, leaders, officials and experts said. Harvey Dzodin, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization and a former legal advisor in the Jimmy Carter administration, said the world today is faced with "a colder and colder peace between East and West", and the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine threatens to "create more starvation, death and disease in much of the developing world". "China, by contrast, follows a model of common prosperity," he said. Liu Chong, director of the Institute of International Security of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said: "It is unlikely that a major country can gather and win the hearts of the vast majority of countries across the world if it is obsessed with expanding its own self-interest and hegemony. What major countries really should do at this moment is to accommodate the common security pursuit of all countries and work for the common good of the world rather than worsening the world's deficits in security, trust and development." The Global Security Initiative, first put forward by President Xi in April, manifests the great sense of duty of China in the area of global security and defense, and the initiative "takes good care of the legitimate rights and interests of the vast number of developing countries", Liu said. The initiative has been hailed and supported by more than 70 countries as of the end of September, said the Foreign Ministry. Wang Peng, a research fellow at Huazhong University of Science and Technology's Institute of State Governance, said global peace currently is faced with a very dire situation and the efficacy and authority of the United Nations "have suffered major frustrations as well". US-led Western countries are "pushing the world toward the edge of another cold war" by continuing to fuel the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and "major powers should abandon selfishness at the strategic level and tangibly honor multilateralism". Adnan Badran, former prime minister of Jordan, said, "China's vision is multipolar, based on noninterference and partnership to promote stability and security through development and peace and not the Western notion of 'democratic peace'." At a webinar last month, Badran hailed the China-led Belt and Road Initiative, saying that the initiative "avoids replicating Western intervention" and the country seeks "neutral engagement with all countries in the Middle East". "Now the whole world is paying the price for hegemony and power politics pursued by the United States, which is behind NATO's frequent expansions," said Xu Xiujun, director of the International Political Economy Department of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics. "Turmoil and chaos have prompted many nations to firm up their belief in peace and cooperation rather than war and confrontation," Xu said. From the Ukraine crisis and Iran's nuclear issue to the Afghanistan situation, China has always persisted in promoting peace talks and advocated the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, policy watchers said. China has faithfully fulfilled its duties and mission as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it dispatched over 50,000 personnel to participate in UN peacekeeping missions and it has become the second largest contributor to both UN regular budget and UN peacekeeping assessments, Vice-Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said last month. Ren Lin, head of the Department of Global Governance at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics, said the global security landscape is being split by various kinds of blocs and constructive, positive forces eligible for security governance have been distracted. In contrast, China has always been a force for world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, a provider of public goods and a mediator of hot spot issues, said Ruan Zongze, Chinese consul-general in Brisbane, Australia. "As the largest developing country, China will stick to the path of peaceful development, build a new type of international relations, make efforts to improve global governance and promote a community with a shared future for mankind," Ruan said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) Amidst the rising cases of cyberattacks, yet another one has been reported in Puerto Rico. A student from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) pled guilty to cyberstalking on July 13th. The student named Ivan Santell-Velasquez admitted to targeting more than 100 students on campus. The hacker went by the name "Slay3r_r00t" and illegally accessed over a dozen emails and Snapchat accounts of female students. Upon pleading guilty to the cyberattacks, Santell-Velasquez was sentenced to 13 months in prison, according to BleepingComputer. The Actions that Led to Prison Aside from hacking multiple Snapchat accounts, which went on for three years between 2019 to 2021, Santell-Velasquez also accessed several university email accounts wherein he collected personal information using phishing attacks and spoofing schemes. In other words, he sent unauthorized emails to students in his university, including administration and faculty. Along with his other offenses is the fact that he stole nude photos from the Snapchat accounts he had hacked, which he then shared with third parties. This led to the photo being leaked online. Moreover, he also uploaded some llegally obtained nude photos on platforms like Twitter and Facebook on purpose. Santell-Velasquez also harassed one of his victims through text using the nude photos he had acquired from their accounts. Response from Authorities According to Stephen Muldrow, the US Attorney of the District of Puerto Rico, of 18 U.S.C. 2261A(2), and has pleaded guilty before District Court Judge Silvia Carrenno-Col. Muldrow added that the case demonstrates the importance of keeping your password and personal information safe, especially in response to suspicious emails and/or text messages. Joseph Gonzales, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, said that what Santell-Velasquez did was not only wrong, but it was also a federal crime, and the FBI will not tolerate it. The investigation was conducted by FBI Special Agent Christian Nieves of the San Juan Cyber Division. As mentioned in justice.gov, Cyberstalking has a maximum prison sentence of five years. Although, in the event of the hearing of Ivan Santell-Velasquez on October 12, he got a mere 13 months. Read Also: [Hacker Alert] Be Aware of these 3 Fake VPN Apps! In the Event of a Cyberattack Once you realize that you have been victimized by a hacker, do the following steps to limit or restrict access from the hacker. Check the balance or unrecognized charges on your debit or credit card and report them immediately if irregularities are found. Change all your account passwords as soon as you can so hackers will not be able to access them. Notify work, school, or other systems about what happened so that they can take steps to restrict your accounts and minimize damages. Run a security scan on your devices to detect if it has been infected with malware. Disconnect your device from the internet or cellular data to cut it off. If you can, turn it off as well. Contact your banks and financial services company and close any of the accounts that may be accessed by the hacker. Report the incident by calling 787-987-6500 or visiting the Federal Bureau of Investigation website. Related Article: 6 Must-Take Steps to Protect Yourself from a Data Breach Haiti - FLASH : US visa services suspended The United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince informs that due to insecurity, it is in authorized departure status of its staff https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37835-haiti-flash-the-department-of-state-authorizes-the-departure-of-its-staff-to-haiti-and-asks-american-citizens-to-leave-haiti.html . The reduction in staff is impacting our ability to provide routine consular services as follows : Nonimmigrant visa services are suspended until further notice. Immigrant visa services are suspended until further notice. We will process adoption cases, if possible. The Embassy continues to provide services to American citizens in Haiti. If you are a U.S. citizen and would like an appointment for a U.S. passport, notarial services, or consular report of birth abroad, you can schedule an appointment through our online appointment system. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37835-haiti-flash-the-department-of-state-authorizes-the-departure-of-its-staff-to-haiti-and-asks-american-citizens-to-leave-haiti.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : Sexual Violence a weapon used by gangs to instill fear (Report) The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), published a report entitled "Sexual violence in Port-au-Prince: A weapon used by gangs to instill fear" who meticulously documents the sexual crimes perpetrated by gangs against women, girls and boys of all ages, as well as to a lesser extent against men. It shows how armed gangs use rape and gang rape to instill fear, punish, subjugate and inflict suffering on local populations. Considered as sexual objects, women, girls, and sometimes men, are also forced to become "partners" of armed elements in gang strongholds on pain of death... Women, girls and boys of all ages have been victims of extremely violent sex crimes. Children as young as 10 and elderly women were gang-raped for hours in front of their parents or children by more than half a dozen gunmen in attacks on their neighborhoods. Considered enemies for their real or supposed support of rival gangs, or for the simple fact of living in the same neighborhoods as these rival gangs, some of these victims were mutilated and executed after being raped. Furthermore, in these poor and marginalized areas, women and girls may also be encouraged by their own families to have non-consensual relationships with gang elements in exchange for benefits such as food, drinking water and other material gains, as well as "protection" from abuse by other armed men. These gangs are able to commit acts of sexual violence and other human rights violations mainly due to widespread impunity and easy access to large caliber weapons and ammunition from illegal trafficking. from abroad. Download the full report in English (PDF 25 pages): https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Violence-sexuelle-a-Port-au-Prince---une-arme-utilisee-par-les-gangs-pour-repandre-la-peur-EN.pdf HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : The USA ready to participate in a multinational rapid action force The United States says it is ready to support the dispatch of a "multinational rapid action force" to Haiti, according to a draft resolution drafted by the Americans for the United Nations Security Council . This resolution is the first indication that the United States is ready to participate in a military force in Haiti, even if the resolution does not specify the role that each of the Participating Nations in general and that of the United States in particular would play. This "multinational rapid action force" would not be placed under Chapter VII of the UN, thus excluding the presence of blue helmets from a peacekeeping force in Haiti, as was the case in the past in Haiti. If the Security Council adopts this resolution without modifying it, the UN will then encourage "the immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force to support the National Police of Haiti (PNH)". See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37882-icihaiti-un-the-security-council-discusses-intervention-options-for-haiti.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-37866-icihaiti-request-for-armed-intervention-letter-from-prime-minister-to-the-un-secretary-general.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37863-haiti-usa-jo-biden-examines-haiti-s-request-for-armed-intervention.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37859-haiti-armed-foreign-intervention-the-minister-of-planning-ricard-pierre-justifies-his-decision-audio.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37847-haiti-politic-the-senate-asks-the-pm-to-postpone-the-intervention-of-a-foreign-armed-force-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37843-haiti-security-rain-of-reactions-to-the-decision-of-an-international-armed-intervention-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37831-haiti-flash-towards-a-foreign-armed-intervention-in-haiti-to-eliminate-gangs.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... The USA alongside Haiti... Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols "The United States will continue to stand with Haiti to urgently contain the cholera outbreak and help restore security to ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches to those who need it. We remain committed to working with Haitian and international partners to support Haiti and build the future their people deserve." Dessalines death: Invitation from the Consulate of Haiti in Santiago (DR) The Consulate General of Haiti in Santiago (Dominican Republic), invites you to the commemoration of the 216th anniversary of the death of the founding father of the Haitian nation Jean-Jacques Dessalines, at the Parroquia santuario nuestra senora de la altagracia this October 17, 2022 in 8:00 a.m. Address : Calle del Sol Esq Luperon, Santiago. Gangs, sex and violence The criminal gangs that have plunged the Haitian capital into violence frequently use sexual violence in their operations, even going so far as the gang rape of children and elderly women, denounces a United Nations report published this Friday. Read on this subject: https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37890-haiti-flash-sexual-violence-a-weapon-used-by-gangs-to-instill-fear-report.html Montreal : Consulate closed The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal advises the public in general and the Haitian Community of Quebec in particular that its premises will be closed on Monday, October 17, 2022, on the occasion of the 216th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Haitian Nation, Jean - Jacques Dessalines. Consular services will resume on October 18, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Miss Abigail Pierre-Louis in Qatar The Embassy of Haiti in Qatar had the great pleasure of welcoming Ms. Abigail Pierre-Louis to Doha, after having proudly represented Haiti and won the crown of Miss Heritage Global 2022 in South Africa. Baby and Cholera If your baby has diarrhoea, continue breastfeeding and then go straight to the nearest health center to make sure he does not have cholera. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2022/10/15 | Source Korean movie "Hail to Hell" added to HanCinema database Advertisement "Hail to Hell" (2022) Directed by Lim Oh-jeong With Oh Woo-ri, Bang Hyo-rin, Jung Yi-ju, Park Sung-hoon,... Synopsis Wait, this isn't what we expected, should we change the plan? Na-mi and Seon-woo, the outcasts in school, plan to commit suicide instead of going to the school trip. On the moment of success, they find out that the girl, Chae-rin, who made their lives miserable is living a new happy life in Seoul. So, they decide to make revenge before ending their lives. However, when they finally spot Chae-rin, they see a good-hearted girl in front of them which makes their plans go awry. But something seems to be strange about the religious institution she's staying in and they start to think whether they should save Chae-rin from this weird place. No release date in Korea yet Published on 2022/10/14 | Source New stills added for the Korean drama "Glitch" (2022). Advertisement Directed by Roh Deok Written by Jin Han-sae Network: Netflix With Jeon Yeo-been, Nana, Lee Dong-hwi, Lee Min-goo, Park Won-seok, Tae Won-seok,... 10 episodes - Fri 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 Over 70 suspected members of Black Axe cybercrime syndicate have been arrested by INTERPOL, according to BleepingComputer. INTERPOL enforced Operation Jackal that led to the arrest of the suspected members. Operation Jackal is a joint international law enforcement operation from September 26 till 30, 2022, in South Africa. Operation Jackal Successfully Leads to the Arrest of Black Axe Members Fourteen countries mobilized the Operation Jackal across four continents, according to INTERPOL. It targeted Black Axe and other related West-African organized crime groups. The operation enforced is said to be the first time INTERPOL has staged a global operation to target Black Axe. The said cybercrime syndicate is already a major security threat worldwide. The crime syndicate Black Axe was established in 1977 in Nigeria. Since it was founded, it has become one of the world's most far-reaching and dangerous crime syndicates. In the 2015, reports said that Black Axe first became involved with cybercrime. The group is suspected to be behind the numerous romance and "419 scams." "Black Axe and similar groups are responsible for the majority of the world's cyber-enabled financial fraud as well as many other serious crimes," reads INTERPOL's statement in its website. The evidence analyzed by INTERPOL's Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC) and national law enforcement pointed to Black Axe as the one being responsible in the world's cyber-enabled financial fraud. According to INTERPOL, two of the 70 members arrested were wanted for online scams that scammed $1.8 million from victims. This is just in South Africa. Statement from INTERPOL stated that the operation resulted to 1.2 million intercepted in bank accounts, 75 arrests, and 49 property searches. Moreover, Operation Jackal yielded seven INTERPOL Purple Notices, detailing criminal modus operandi, and six INTERPOL Red Notices, issued for internationally-wanted fugitives. Read Also: FBI Arrests Two Israeli Teens For Cybercrime Operation Black Axe Situation Demands a Global Response According to Stephen Kavanagh, Executive Director of Police Services, INTERPOL, the situation regarding Black Axe already demands a global response. "Illicit financial funds are the lifeblood of transnational organized crime, and we have witnessed how groups like Black Axe will channel money gained from online financial scams into other crime areas, such as drugs and human trafficking," said Kavanagh. INTERPOL seized immense quantity of assets, including a residential property, three cars and tens of thousands in cash. About 12,000 SIM cards were also seized during the arrest. The seized assets have provided new investigative leads eventually generating 13 analytical reports. This allowed the authority to identify more than 70 additional suspects. As part of Operation Jackal, Interpol employed its new anti-money laundering rapid response protocol mechanism (ARRP) for the first time, and this proves to successful in intercepting illegal proceeds of crime. "The ARRP is a game-changer in the fight against global financial crime, where speed and international cooperation are crucial to intercepting illicit funds before they disappear into the pockets of money mules abroad," said Rory Corcoran, Director of IFCACC. The remarkable effectiveness of INTERPOL's Global Financial Crime Task Force was observed in disrupting illicit financial flows. The move of INTERPOL brought together a number cyber and finance experts across sectors. These experts worked to track and cut off criminal money trails. Related Article: Cybercrime Gang Using Botnet ZLoader Meets Its Match in Microsoft and Other Tech Firms The Finnish majority state-owned energy company revealed this morning that it will sell all of its 293 million shares in Uniper to the German state for around 500 million euros, or 1.7 euros per share. Uniper will also repay a four-billion-euro loan to its parent company and release the company from the four-billion-euro guarantee it received earlier this year. FORTUM and the German government have reached an agreement on the nationalisation of Uniper, a Dusseldorf-based natural gas-reliant subsidiary of Fortum. The German government, meanwhile, will inject around eight billion euros in Uniper, raising its stake in the ailing energy company to 98.5 per cent. The agreement will replace the stabilisation package thrashed out in July. Markus Rauramo, the CEO of Fortum, viewed in a press release that the divestment is the right decision in the current circumstances and given the severity of the problems of Uniper. The European energy crisis has escalated, making it clear that further measures are required to prevent the collapse of what is the largest gas importer in Germany. Uniper has to date accumulated close to 8.5 billion euros in losses from its gas business. The role of gas in Europe has fundamentally changed since Russia attacked Ukraine, and so has the outlook for a gas-heavy portfolio. As a result, the business case for an integrated group is no longer viable, said Rauramo. We made choices in the past that we were truly convinced of at the time, based on the available information, market environment and outlook. In hindsight, some of our strategic choices turned out to become liabilities. We now have to face and mitigate the impact of those decisions, he lamented. Fortum and the German government also agreed that Fortum will have a right of first offer if its subsidiary chooses to divest all or parts of its hydro- and nuclear power assets in Sweden before 2027. Minister of European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen (SDP) told Helsingin Sanomat that the divestment decision was inevitable given the unusually high uncertainty. The Finnish government owns almost 51 per cent of shares in Fortum. Fortum has to protect its financial position in a way that preserves its ability to engage in its basic business operations, she summarised. Aleksi Teivainen HT SOME traders in Henley are refusing to take part in this years small Christmas tree scheme in protest at the cost. They say they cant afford it during the cost of living crisis, especially as the price has increased on last year. However, other shopkeeepers say they are happy to pay as its important for the town to look festive in the run-up to Christmas. The town council, which has run the tree scheme for years, says it has heavily subsidised the scheme to keep the price down. Each year, it hires a contractor to put up the illuminated trees on the outside of shops and offices. However, this year businesses have been asked to pay 60 for each 4ft tree, almost 10 more than last year. The council says it has had to hire a new contractor as a result of issues with the lighting contractor last year so the cost went up to 120 plus VAT before its subsidy. Laurence Morris, of Laurence Menswear in Duke Street, said: I understand that prices go up but I think this increase is excessive and the trees are hugely expensive. As a small business, we have huge costs. We have energy costs going up, product costs have gone up, and yet everyone expects us to contribute. We contribute a lot in all sorts of different ways but when it comes to Christmas the danger is that the town will look as it has in the past half-heartedly done. Mr Morris added that it was unfair that independent businesses were charged the same amount as chain stores. It is not about the cost of the tree, it is the principle, he said. Can I afford 60 for a tree? Yes. Do I feel it is expensive? Yes. Marta Stoilova, of Moda in Pelle, a womens shoe shop in Market Place, said she wouldnt have a tree due to the cost. She said: I need to look after my building myself, so why do I need to pay for a tree that they want me to put up? The rates are extortionate, which is why we dont have many shops anymore. It is a shame because Henley used to be fabulous for shopping. Everything is increasing, I appreciate that, but at the same time we need to make some profit. I hope a lot of shops will follow our lead. Angelina Emmanuel, manager of Gails Bakery in Market Place, said: In my opinion, it should be down to the council. It is their town and they should be the ones paying for its upkeep and how they want their town to look, not the businesses. We are here to provide a service for the town, which helps the council, so they should then give back. Gary Truman, of Henley Cycles in Duke Street, said: We dont have a Christmas tree as we dont have a place to put it but I have never really seen why I need to pay for one. I have always thought that the council should pay for it themselves, particularly along here because we cant put decorations up as it is too low for lorries. Bea Pearson, owner of Wild and Rust in Duke Street, said: The price has increased and, like all other retailers, we will reflect as to whether we are able to afford it this year or not. But Erfan Hedayati, of Bijans Kitchen in Market Place, said: It is only 10 more. In my opinion, it is not expensive. People will come in for the decorations which is good business. Everything is increasing, 10 is nothing really. If you dont have a Christmas tree, or anything, maybe customers will go somewhere else. For me, the price increase is absolutely fine and I will be having a tree. Sandie Russell, of Stocks in Bell Street, said: Anything that makes the town look more lovely I am absolutely for. 10 is nothing in the overall, a couple of bars of chocolate. It is ridiculous to make a big issue about. Of course it has increased, everything has increased, so I support the council. Lucy Riveiros, manager of Lawsons Goldsmiths in Duke Street, said the business had already paid for its Christmas trees. We are happy to pay the increase, she said. Everything has gone up, so if we want a real tree, then I understand the cost has gone up. I think it makes the town look nice so we dont mind the increase so much. It is better that we all just arrange to make the town look cheery and nice. Town clerk Sheridan Jacklin-Edward said the other potential supplier would have charged 169 plus VAT and the charge of 102 plus VAT deal was the best deal the council could find. He said: Christmas is a special time and, especially in times of hardship, its important that the town council provides festive cheer for the community. The cost to provide Christmas lights is ever increasing and while during the covid pandemic the council held back increasing the costs for those businesses and residents buying small Christmas trees, unfortunately this is not sustainable. While we would usually pass on the full cost of the small Christmas trees to the businesses and residents, we felt it was unfair to do so this year. We have therefore heavily subsidised the cost to ensure that the increase is kept to a minimum and to encourage as many as possible to take up the offer. The small Christmas trees are a beautiful addition to the town centre and we hope that businesses and residents will continue to support the community to make Henley look as special as it deserves. What do you think? Write to: Letters, Henley Standard, Caxton House, 1 Station Road, Henley or email letters @henleystandard.co.uk Many space programs have been launched in hopes of advancing human reach outside of the planet. Among countries like Russia and the US, China also tried its hand at exploring space back in 2003, by launching its first manned spaceflight successfully, as mentioned in Cosmoquest. The Chinese successfully launched several satellites in late 1980. This has led them to contemplate a manned mission out in space. Scientists and engineers debated over everything, which included whether they should create a more complex reusable shuttle or crewed capsules. Eventually, they settled on the capsule as it was easier to build and more robust. Project 921: What is It? China officially named its space project "Project 921," which created the Shenzhou rockets. It took them seven years before they launched the unmanned test flight in 1999. They tested the new Long Mach 2F rocket. The capsule made a few orbits and then successfully landed. In 2001, an unmanned test flight for Shenzhou 2 was launched. Aboard the capsule were a monkey, a dog, and a rabbit. The animals were included to test the life support system of the capsule, which was proven to be successful upon return, seeing as the animals came back alive. A working launch escape system was then added to the Shenzhou 3 and Shenzhou 4, which were then launched in 2002. Shenzhou was the last test flight that China launched without a crew. Months before Shenzhou 5, 15 Chinese astronauts were sent to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Site. Upon the arrival of the Long Mach 2F rocket at the launch site, it was also announced that the capsule would carry three crew members, and that the mission would be a week long. However, the plan was changed a week before the lift-off. They officially announced that only one astronaut would board the capsule, and that it would only be for a day instead of a week. Among the 15 astronauts, only three were left, and Yang Liwei was selected, becoming the first Chinese astronaut. Read Also: Shenzhou-14 Taikonauts Conducts Microgravity Experiments China's Shenzhou V The launch took place on October 15, 2003, at 1:00 UTC. The flight from the ground to space took 807 seconds, which made China the third country to launch a manned spacecraft in line with Russia and the US. The capsule orbited the Earth 14 times, which was in a span of 22 hours, before it landed in a remote region in Mongolia. A lot more than just one astronaut was riding on the Shenzhou 5. There was a certain amount of pressure put on the mission because the Beijing-based People's Daily called it a "symbol of the state's comprehensive national strength and prestige." This mission was a basis for the Chinese government's success in space missions, and whether it was on par with the US and Russia's standards. Officials from the Chinses space administration expressed their plans for docking missions and capsules that would last longer in orbital missions. Related Article: China's Shenzhou-14 Mission Has Launched With the Goal of Expanding the Tiangong Space Station Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, is seen speaking during a daily press briefing at the department in Washington on Oct. 14 in this image captured from the department's website. Yonhap A state department spokesperson called on North Korea to cease all provocative actions on Friday, hours after the recalcitrant country fired hundreds of artillery shells into an agreed buffer zone with South Korea. Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the department, also urged Pyongyang to engage in dialogue. "We are aware of those reports and we call on the DPRK to cease all these provocations and these threatening actions," the spokesperson said when asked about North Korea's latest provocation that also included flights by military aircraft near the inter-Korean border. "We also again condemn the DPRK's recent ballistic missile launches and other provocative action. As I've said previously, these launches are in violation of a number of U.N. Security Council resolutions," Patel added. Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet, is seen speaking in a seminar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the U.S. Naval Institute in Maryland on Oct. 14 in this image captured from the website of the Washington- based think bank. Yonhap The recent naval exercise of South Korea and the United States involving a U.S. aircraft carrier might have somewhat caused North Korea's recent provocations, the commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet said Friday. Vice Adm. Karl Thomas also said the North's recent missile launches certainly are a concern, but not one that he will prioritize over other bigger issues in the Indo-Pacific region. "They are on a little campaign right now of launching ballistic missiles and short range ones, and it certainly has all of our attention, U.S. Forces Korea's as well as mine, and actually it's a concern," the commander said in a seminar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. North Korea began staging its recent series of ballistic missile launches on Sept. 25 (Seoul time), two days after USS Ronald Reagan arrived in South Korea for a joint naval exercise and one day before the four-day joint naval exercise began. Pyongyang has since staged seven additional missile tests. "I think that what you saw was after many years of not operating in the Sea of Japan and visiting South Korea for a couple of reasons ... us being in that area, I think, probably precipitated a little bit of his tantrum," Thomas said, apparently referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the recent North Korean provocations. North Korea has claimed that the joint military drills between Seoul and Washington had prompted its own military exercises that it said lasted from Sept. 25 to Oct. 9, blaming the allies for its recent missile tests. Both Seoul and Washington have rejected the North's argument, saying their joint exercises are strictly defensive in nature. "We reject the notion that our defensive actions to respond to the DPRK threats justifies their escalatory and unlawful behavior," a state department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency earlier, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Vice Adm. Thomas said the Seventh Fleet has enough resources to address the concern caused by North Korea, but that he may have other more important priorities. "As far as taking away resources, we always have resources available for us," he said when asked if the North's recent provocations had required additional attention and resources. "It's a concern but not one that I'm going to prioritize over my bigger concern there," he added. (Yonhap) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning gestures during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, Thursday. AP-Yonhap By Nam Hyun-woo China urged Seoul and Washington to honor international obligations and commitments, in relation to recent debates over redeploying U.S. nuclear weapons on South Korean soil, but at the same time remains quiet over the North's nuclear weapon ambitions. During a press briefing, Thursday (local time), China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said, "The relevant parties need to fulfill their respective international obligations and commitments," in response to a question about South Korea's ruling People Power Party's (PPP) recent proposal to redeploy nuclear weapons here as a deterrent to North Korea. She added that the parties, meaning Seoul and Washington, should "take concrete actions to uphold peace and stability on the Peninsula and in this region." The international obligations and commitments that she was referring to were the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the 1992 Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula between the two Koreas. South Korea became a nuclear-free state after the U.S. Forces Korea pulled its tactical nuclear weapons out of the country in the wake of the 1992 declaration. The first article of the declaration reads: "South and North Korea shall not test, manufacture, produce, receive, possess, store, deploy or use nuclear weapons." However, calls are growing among PPP lawmakers that Seoul should begin talks with Washington about redeploying the tactical nuclear weapons here to counter Pyongyang's recent threats. Mao's comments are interpreted as China's de-facto opposition to there being U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea. China's response is no surprise, given its 2017 economic retaliation to Seoul's decision to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery here. However, Mao did not mention North Korea's possible seventh nuclear weapons test or its efforts to increase its nuclear capabilities, saying only, "China is committed to upholding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." On Oct. 5, the U.N. Security Council held a session to discuss how to handle North Korea's ballistic missile launch over Japan a day earlier, but ended without reaching any agreement on next steps due to objections from China and Russia. China's deputy U.N. representative, Geng Shuang, depicted the matter as a confrontation between the U.S. and North Korea and urged for a more conciliatory approach by Washington. Hwangudan, the site of the coronation, circa 1909 Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff "Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown" is a line from one of William Shakespeare's plays that expresses how difficult it is to be a monarch. In the fall of 1897, King Gojong was faced with his own dilemma: his people did not want him as a king, but as an emperor. In September, the Korean court was besieged with memorials from the people begging their monarch to accept the title of emperor their pleas seemingly unheard. The regret and sorrow felt by some members of the court soon became unbearable. On Oct. 1, the prime minister and a number of government officials knelt in the palace courtyard and, as the common people had earlier, petitioned the king to accept his imperial destiny. In their memorial, they wrote: "In wisdom and bravery, Your Majesty far excels a hundred monarchs. Your disposition is like that of heaven and earth. Your virtues extend even to spirits. You follow the principles of three emperors and inherit the ideas of five sovereigns. During your reign of three decades, good influence and merits have extended far and wide, while your methods of government are those of the classics. When we passed [through] calamitous times, many dangers only strengthened the country and great anxieties displayed your powers. [Through] your exertions, disorders have been rectified; and the royal ancestral temples have been kept safe. The safety of the land has been made as firm as mountains, and misfortunes have been turned into blessings. In peace and prosperity, the foundation of independence has been laid, and the rights of self-government are enforced. This is the time when heaven is helping us, and your dynasty is entering an era of renewed glory." They further asserted that while they admired the monarch's modesty in his previous refusals, it was beyond his decision: "The will of heaven and the wishes of the people should be complied with." In his article published in The Korean Repository, Yun Chi-ho noted the petition had to be submitted nine times: the king "declined eight times but yielded to the unanimous request at the ninth petition. One is at a loss which to admire most the extreme modesty of His Majesty or the persistent loyalty of his officials." With the king's acquiescence, the court astrologers decided the most auspicious day and time for the coronation was Oct. 12 at 3 a.m. Preparations began immediately within the capital and outside the city walls. A Korean procession leaves Deoksu Palace. Photo taken by Burton Holmes circa 1899. Robert Neff Collection Hilton Grand Vacations (NYSE:HGV), the industry-leading global vacation ownership company, celebrated the grand opening of its New York City property, The Central at 5th, a Hilton Club, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 14. Located just steps away from Central Park and Rockefeller Center, the luxurious resort offers 161 pristinely designed, spacious rooms with modern amenities, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center and an exclusive owner's lounge with an outdoor terrace. HGV is the first vacation ownership company to construct a purpose-build property in Manhattan and is proud to celebrate the grand opening of its fifth urban timeshare property in the city. The opening comes as leisure travel returns to pre-pandemic levels and New York City comes back to life with new travelers from all parts of the world. As the city experiences this rebound in tourism, HGV continues making significant investments in the city, employing hundreds of team members across the five boroughs. Pictured: Hilton Grand Vacations held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the Central at 5th in New York City today. This is the company's fifth urban timeshare property in the city. Pictured in the front row are HGV's Carlos Martino, Hannah Vazzana, Stan Soroka, Pablo Brizi, Charles Corbin and Leslie Pchola. Pictured in the back row are Thomas Goodman, Pamela Prime and Michael Elliott. Hotel website The Social Hub is a diverse community where people come to learn, stay, work, and play previously known as The Student Hotel. Designed to create meaningful, fun experiences, The Social Hub is your neighbourhood hub to discover, do better and make an impact; it's your space to call home. Whether you're a local, traveller, student or professional, The Social Hub connects you with passionate people from all walks of life to meet, share ideas and experiences. And it all happens under one hub. You'll find hotel rooms, student accommodation, coworking and event spaces, restaurants and bars, a gym, lounges everything that brings people together. HYBRID HOSPITALITY LEADERS From design-savvy travelers to next-gen entrepreneurs, The Social Hub welcomes thousands of guests annually to its expanding portfolio of urban properties across Europe. Purpose-built or housed in historic converted buildings, The Social Hubs industry-leading concept provides blended and flexible spaces to learn, stay, work and play for a night, a week, a month or a year true, hybrid hospitality. Founded in 2012, The Social Hub, formerly known as The Student Hotel, is headquartered in Amsterdam and has more than 800 employees. All The Social Hub properties offer a mixed-use with accommodation, bars, restaurants, gyms, retail shops, meeting and event spaces and high-profile, co-working spaces. With over 11,000 rooms in Europe open and under development, The Social Hub aims to offer unique experiences to its community of international guests and locals. The Social Hubs total locations amount to 23, with 13 properties open in; Berlin, The Hague, Delft, Vienna, Groningen, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Paris, Florence, Bologna and two in Amsterdam, opening 2022 are Madrid, Barcelona and Toulouse and seven more by 2025 including Porto, San Sebastian, Glasgow, Rome, Florence Belfiore, Lisbon and Turin. ON A RESPONSIBLE AND IMPACTFUL JOURNEY The Social Hub is on a journey to be as responsible and impactful as possible both in how we build our properties and how we engage with our communities. Our properties are developed and managed in accordance with BREEAM and GRESB standards and through our event programming we aim to inspire and activate our communities to contribute to a fairer and greener world. The Social Hub will start its journey towards B Corp Certification in 2023. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. By Tae Yong-ho As a North Korean who was born into the core class of North Korea, I was lucky enough to be educated as an intellectual elite from a young age. I attended the best schools in the country and experienced a life that most other North Koreans could only dream of having. And as I joined the Foreign Ministry of North Korea, I was able to stay outside of the country, representing it abroad. My patriotism and loyalty seeped into my mind and body, blinding me from the realities of my country. As a North Korean who was born into the core class of North Korea, I was lucky enough to be educated as an intellectual elite from a young age. I attended the best schools in the country and experienced a life that most other North Koreans could only dream of having. And as I joined the Foreign Ministry of North Korea, I was able to stay outside of North Korea, representing it abroad. My patriotism and loyalty seeped into my mind and body, blinding me from the realities of my own country. But mindless patriotism only can last so long. As I faced countless discrepancies between cruel reality and the North Korea painted by the regime, my eyes slowly opened to the truth. My life has changed in many ways since I escaped to South Korea in 2016. I have learned more about my native country here than when I lived there and represented it abroad. My worst fears about the welfare of my fellow countrymen came true as I looked from the outside-in, with freedom of speech and thought. I acquired a better understanding of how most North Koreans live. The book Greenlight to Freedom, written by Han Song-mi with Casey Lartigue, is an eye-opener not only for people like me but also for those who know little about North Korea. Han grew up in the rural countryside of North Korea. She attended elementary school for only one year and barely survived by eating grass. The book follows her life from famine to freedom. As many others do, it seemed natural that North Koreans would thrive once gaining freedom. But Han's story, along with those of other North Korean refugees, makes it clear that freedom isn't enough. There are still lingering issues and trauma that many must overcome before they can live satisfactory lives. With raw honesty, Han opens up about her life and shares the challenges she faced growing up and escaping from North Korea. As I read her story, I thought about where I was at those times in my life, living a privileged life in both North Korea and abroad. At that same time, there had been North Koreans like Han who were barely surviving. Many, regrettably, end up dying in the streets and at train stations from starvation and frostbite. Related article [ by Han Song-mi.] While all of this has been going on, the leadership builds nuclear weapons and engages in dangerous brinksmanship with global powers. North Korea's anti-human rights system is unprecedented in history. It is important that North Koreans who were not part of the elite tell their stories so that the world can see the side of North Korea that the regime tries to hide. I hope that readers will be inspired to act on behalf of the North Koreans still stuck in the country as well as North Korean refugees who, like Han and myself, have made it to freedom. Tae Yong-ho is a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and former Deputy Ambassador to the North Korean embassy. This except from his Foreword to the book Greenlight to Freedom has published with the permission of FSI Publishing. MassDOT Launches BIL Expenditures Website BOSTON The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced it has launched a new website, "Project Viewer," displaying information on expenditures made using federal funding from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021 as well as information on state matching funds. The website will be updated weekly and allows users to view a breakdown of all federal and state matching dollars used on BIL-funded projects. Users can also filter this information by project type and view information on the current balances of funds that have not yet been obligated. The website was developed as required by An Act Relative to Massachusetts's Transportation Resources and Climate (MassTRAC), Section 31, which was recently passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by Governor Charlie Baker. "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will deliver billions in funding to the Commonwealth, helping to build on the investments the Baker-Polito Administration has made over the past 7 years to improve infrastructure, and we are pleased to offer a way for the public to see where the federal dollars are being spent," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. "Under the Baker-Polito Administration, we have come a long way as a Commonwealth with increasing capital investments in our transportation system, with expanding municipal grant programs to help cities and towns improve core infrastructure and with prioritizing safety, equity, reliability and the resiliency of our transportation system. The new Project Viewer will give community members a window into investments being made with BIL funds and with the support of the transportation and environmental bond bill called MassTRAC." MassTRAC was signed by Governor Baker on Aug. 10, 2022. An $11.4 billion infrastructure bond bill, it advances and supports the investments in the Commonwealth's roads, bridges, railways, transit agencies and environmental infrastructure with the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. MassTRAC will allow MassDOT, the MBTA, and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to continue work supported by the recent transportation and environmental bond bills. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized approximately 35 discretionary, competitive grant programs to be administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) over 5 years, with total funding in excess of $110 billion. In addition to information on all BIL-funded infrastructure projects' funding source, cost, and category of spending, MassDOT's Project Viewer webpage contains a mapping feature that allows users to view projects' geographic limits and relative size compared to other nearby projects. RSVP held its annual recognition luncheon on Friday at the Country Club of Pittsfield. Real Gadoury was honored as the Volunteer of the Year. PreviousNext RSVP Recognizes Volunteers with Annual Luncheon The 248 volunteers donated nearly 30,000 hours of service to the community last year. PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program held its annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Friday afternoon at Country Club of Pittsfield to honor volunteers and staff who helped make an impact to the community. RSVP provides individuals 55 and older who live in Berkshire County the opportunity to use their time and skills to make a difference in the community while meeting new people. RSVP Director Lisa Torrey took the podium for the first time since being appointed as director in March. She thanked the volunteers and everyone who helped give back to the community through their work with RSVP. Mayor Linda Tyer congratulated Torrey and said "she has been a brilliant addition to the city's leadership team as the director of the RSVP program." "I'm super excited to be the director of RSVP and I am hoping to expand with the program throughout the county," Torrey said "We make an amazing impact and I'm so grateful to be a part of this organization with all these volunteers celebrating them today." Tyer said RSVP not only helps the community but also provides seniors an opportunity to support and be part of that community. "What I love about RSVP is that it really represents often an intergenerational interaction between organizations that have the opportunity for seniors and retired volunteers to come in and be part of our community in a way that supports the work that so many organizations are doing," the mayor said. "And it helps our seniors in their health and well-being to be a part of our community. So it's really a privilege to come to the lunch today and hear about all of the amazing things that our seniors and our volunteers are doing." Tyer presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Real Gadoury for the work he has done with RSVP. Gadoury has been volunteering for RSVP since February 2019 and, by the end of 2021, he had donated 515 hours to the community. "You will never hear Real complain, he is always willing to lend a hand," the event program read. This is a sentiment many of his peers expressed when speaking about his hard work. "Real is the epitome of somebody who just loves the Berkshires, loves what he does. His enthusiasm is amazing and I think anybody that meets him sees that," RSVP Advisory Board President Beth Wallace said. Gadoury drives the RSVP van three days a week, bringing individuals to their medical appointments. He also volunteers as an usher at Barrington Stage and Colonial Theatre. He is a visitor guide at Hancock Shaker Village during the annual Baby Animals event, "another awesome fun thing," Tyer said "And participates in the city of Pittsfield Annual Eggstravaganza Egg Scramble. Real is always the first person to help out wherever he can. It is always ready to lend a hand with a variety of special projects." Gadoury travels a lot but always finds his way back to Pittsfield because of its beauty. He moved to Pittsfield 27 years ago from Canada and wanted to give back to the community. "For me, what is important is to give back to Pittsfield. I received a lot from Pittsfield when I came here, my wife and I. It's now our turn to give back to them to all those people," Gadoury said. Tyer also recognized the Friends of the Berkshire Athenaeum, which received the Station of the Year Award. "Another one of our great organizations, the Berkshire Athenaeum, is a special wonderful cultural institution in the city of Pittsfield. And I'm really happy that they're being recognized today for all of their work," the mayor said. The library provides an accepting place for everyone and works really hard to interact and give back to the community, Wallace said. The hours of volunteering work that RSVP provides creates a great support network and infrastructure so that everyone is on the same page working together, library Director Alex Reczkowski said. "I think RSVP helps me see how much care and how much compassion and how much investment in the community we all make. I'm the president of Pittsfield Rotary Club, and our motto is 'service above self.' So service is baked into the way I think about everything we approach and without this great team of volunteers, that just wouldn't be possible at the library," Reczkowski said. Wallace also thanked the volunteers and recognized the late Jeffrey Thompson, who died in February while serving as president. She also thanked Vice President Roger Gutwillig for taking over the presidential duties during a challenging time after Thompson's passing. "Under Roger's leadership, we continued to meet monthly via Zoom. We continued our important work and we were able to draft and accept a very solid five-year strategic plan, something that the board is very proud of," Wallace said. RSVP offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to enrich people's lives, including some that can be done from the comfort of their own home. For example, volunteers make teddy bears to brighten the days of children who are patients at Berkshire Medical Center, and adult patients as well. Volunteers receive a variety of perks that include networking and social contacts, monthly newsletters, mileage reimbursement or van transportation to assignments, annual volunteer recognition luncheon, bi-monthly birthday parties, volunteer insurance and, on occasion, free theater tickets. Prior to the pandemic, RSVP had about 280 active volunteers. During the pandemic, that number went down to about 212 but it has been rising. It currently has 250 active volunteers. In 2021, RSVP volunteers collectively donated 29,358 hours of their time to the community. Although many places conduct their own background check prior to volunteering, RSVP also conducts background checks and training to all the new volunteers for safety and efficiency. RSVP is a national organization funded in part by AmeriCorps Seniors. It is sponsored locally by the city of Pittsfield. The Guest Speaker at the opening ceremony, Honourable Dr. Abdul Byakatonda the Workers Representative at the Ugandan Parliament, emphasised that the first thing any journalist should do is to join the union. He noted that journalists are the vanguard of development and hence the need for journalists to know their rights. Honourable Abdul, said that freedom of association is a constitutional right in Uganda as Article 29 (1) of the Ugandan Constitution guarantees the freedom of association and the right of every worker to join a union of his/her choice. Many of you here are working without contracts or even an appointment letter, the UJU must clamp down on media owners in order to address this anomaly and to engage media owners to sign collective agreements as this is a constitutional right. The President of the UJU, Lucy Ekadu, in her welcome address said that journalists in Uganda work under precarious conditions. Most journalists are very poorly paid and freelance journalists bore the burden as some of them are paid as low as one thousand Ugandan Shillings (25 US Cents) for a story. Sexual harassment is still rampant in the newsrooms but we cannot afford to remain silent and allow this to be normal. We must have the courage to speak out and work together as a union to denounce this menace especially on young female journalists entering the profession, by exposing the perpetrators and ensuring that they are brought to justice. The Director of the IFJ Africa Office Pa Louis Thomasi, said that the majority of journalists in Africa are not unionised, mostly due to their ignorance on the work and benefits of trade unions and most importantly because of the fear of reprisals from their employers, some of who threaten their workers not to join the union. This, he said, is also a reality in Uganda. The UJU, he said, must challenge these callous threats from media owners and continue to sensitise young journalists on their rights to join the union. The two- day seminar brought together 20 young journalists, most of whom work online, to deliberate on issues concerning the working conditions of young journalists online, freedom of expression and laws governing the use of the internet in Uganda, gender equality in the media as well as designing campaign strategies for the recruitment of young journalists. The participants at the seminar decried the signing into law of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act 2022 on Thursday 13 October, which provides a five-year imprisonment or a fine of Sh 16 million (US$ 4200) or both for social media users who send or share unsolicited offensive information or hate speech. The new laws states: A person who uses social media to publish, distribute or share information prohibited under the laws of Uganda, or using a disguised or false identity, commits an offence. The participants at the seminar lamented that the new law will have a negative impact on the work of journalists and human rights activists in Uganda. Organized by the Good Food Institute India and FICCI, the Summit saw participation from representatives of the embassies of the Netherlands, Israel, Canada, educational institutions, companies such as Licious, Blue Tribe Foods, pioneering investors, and others L-R- Nicole Rocque, Senior Innovation Specialist, GFI India , Chair Arun Seth, Advisor to GFI India, Board Member Narayana Health & Jubilant Group, HE Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Hagar Spiro-Tal, Political Counselor, Embassy of Israel in New Delhi, HE Cameron MacKay, High Commissioner of Canada, High Commission of Canada in New Delhi and Varun Deshpande, President, GFI The Smart Protein Summit 2022 was designed by GFI India and FICCI to propel India to the forefront of the global race for smart protein innovation. Following the inaugural address, Deloitte India partner, Anand Ramanathan and Varun Deshpande unveiled topline numbers on the market size and export potential of smart protein from a rigorous study by GFI India and Deloitte India. The study projects that smart proteins total economic opportunity (both domestic market size and exports) in 2030 is estimated to be INR 33,194 crore (USD 4.2 billion) in a high growth scenario. Building on this, Varun Desphande, President, GFI Asia emphasized the need to become Aatma Nirbhar in smart protein and said, India has crop diversity, a globally competitive talent pool, and hundreds of people working on this opportunity - which can create immense job opportunities across the value chain, and GFI India and Deloitte Indias modeling shows that the total number of jobs created by smart protein industry in 2030 ranges from 1,51,025 in a low growth scenario to 4, 27,985 jobs in a high growth scenario. All stakeholders present recognized the work to be done in order to actualize these targets. Focusing on the immense opportunity, leading entrepreneurs and investors both emphasized the importance of building high-fidelity smart protein products - plant-based or cultivated meats that look, cook, taste, and sizzle like conventional animal-derived protein. While the industry is still a sunrise sector in India, Anand Nagarajan, Co-Founder, Shaka Harry, the smart protein startup that just signed on MS Dhoni as an investor and ambassador, encouraged the sector to play on the front foot. He said, We're in it for the long haul even if there are blips or market corrections. Technology stocks also lost 40% of their valuations this year, but nobody said the internet is dead. We need to be bold and break out into the mainstream. Speaking at a panel on nurturing biotech to mega-scale, Shubhankar Takle, Co-founder, MyoWorks expressed, I'm very excited and bullish about cultivated meat - I think it will be a paradigm shift. Incidentally, in 2019, MyoWorks had participated in the Innovators Showcase at GFI Indias flagship event, pitching to a panel of investors that featured Shreyansh Singhal, VP of Investments, Ankur Capital. Three years in, as Ankur Capital invests seed capital in MyoWorks, it is heartening to see them both return to the Summit and lead the conversation on the need for deep science funding. In a similar vein, Dr. Ravishankar CN, Director, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education in his key address, underscored that cultivated meat is a future food technology that can serve as a viable alternative to animal-derived protein. Land is shrinking. Resources are limited, he said, highlighting the urgency of transitioning to more sustainable sources of proteins. Dr. Ravishankar also touched upon the regulatory pathways that need to be created for new food tech innovations. On day one of the Summit we heard both Siraj Hussain, FICCI Advisor and former Secretary, MoFPI & Agriculture, Government of India and Siraj Azmat Chaudhry, Past Chair, National Committee on Food Processing, FICCI, Former Chairman, Cargill India, and MD & CEO, NCML iterate the need to localize the supply chain. Quoting a popular idiom, Siraj A Chaudhary quipped, They say 'ghar ki murgi dal barabar' and now we have dals and pulses coming back to compete with meat! While the smart protein ecosystem has grown at a remarkable rate over the last five years, very little has happened in the direction of building the necessary talent in this area. To address this, the Summit hosted dedicated roundtables and sessions on building the talent pool, with heads of universities such as NIFTEM, Gujarat Biotechnology University, TransDisciplinary University (TDU), and skilling bodies such as the Food Industry Capacity & Skill Initiative (FICSI) coming together to deliberate how to bridge the gap between industry and academia. The Summit also celebrated the progress made in fostering an ecosystem for building talent over the last year. In a first for India, students in collaboration with GFI India set up the Delhi University Smart Protein Project, a chapter of the global Alt Protein Project, dedicated to turning universities into engines for smart protein education, research, and innovation. Introducing the project, Devika Suresh, Innovation Associate, GFI India said, Indian talent powers the global smart protein sector just as it does other strategically important industries, and were delighted to continue seeding the talent landscape through the Delhi Smart Protein Project. These student leaders will strengthen the ecosystem of education, incubation, and technology transfer in smart protein, and be propelled forward as the drivers of a more secure, sustainable, and just future of food. Dr. Chindi Vasudevappa, Director-VC at NIFTEM, added, Plant-based food is where we are headed, and Im delighted to see Delhi University students taking charge and innovating. The Summit concluded with the Smart Protein Corridors session that hosted HE Cameron MacKay, High Commissioner of Canada, High Commission of Canada in New Delhi, HE Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Delhi, and Ms. Hagar Spiro-Tal, Political Counselor, Embassy of Israel in New Delhi with inputs from session chair Arun Seth, Advisor to GFI India, Board Member Narayana Health & Jubilant Group. The dignitaries discussed opportunities for bilateral and multilateral partnerships within the smart protein ecosystem and how smart protein hubs like Canada, Israel, and the Netherlands can work with India for mutual gains in this sector. Speaking to these complementary advantages, High Commissioner of Canada to India, HE Cameron MacKay said Canada has technology around preventing post-harvest loss that Indian farmers could use, and in the same way, we can learn from Indian traditional knowledge and how farmers in India deal with climatic conditions." Varun Deshpande, President, GFI Asia closed the Summit with reflections on the two days and said, I firmly believe that what we do about meat, will be the principal challenge of our lifetimes. Over the last five years, weve talked about the promise of this sector. Whats changed since then is the fact that 50+ companies have launched their smart protein products in markets across India. The sector has launched, and the conversations were having now have matured and have become a lot more sophisticated. But we still have a long way to go in order to create a world where alternative proteins are no longer alternative. The Good Food Institute India (GFI India) is the central expert organization, thought leader, and convening body in the Indian alternative protein or smart protein sector. As part of an international network of nonprofits with partners in Brazil, Israel, U.S., Europe, and Asia Pacific, GFI India is on a mission to build a healthy, sustainable, and just global food system. Since our establishment in 2017, GFI India serves as the central thought leader and convening body in the space of plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-based meat, eggs, and dairy that are collectively known as the alternative protein or the smart protein sector. With unique insight across the scientific, policy, industry, and investment landscapes, we are using the power of food innovation and markets to accelerate the transition of the worlds food system toward alternative proteins. In building the sector from the ground up in India, were aiming to establish a model for its growth all across the developing world. For further information on GFI India, visit www.gfi.org.in While felicitating the student organizers of the project,, added, .The Summit concluded with the Smart Protein Corridors session that hosted HE Cameron MacKay, High Commissioner of Canada, High Commission of Canada in New Delhi, HE Marten van den Berg, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Delhi, and Ms. Hagar Spiro-Tal, Political Counselor, Embassy of Israel in New Delhi with inputs from session chair Arun Seth, Advisor to GFI India, Board Member Narayana Health & Jubilant Group. The dignitaries discussed opportunities for bilateral and multilateral partnerships within the smart protein ecosystem and how smart protein hubs like Canada, Israel, and the Netherlands can work with India for mutual gains in this sector. Speaking to these complementary advantages, High Commissioner of Canada to India, HE Cameron MacKay said Canada has technology around preventing post-harvest loss that Indian farmers could use, and in the same way, we can learn from Indian traditional knowledge and how farmers in India deal with climatic conditions."closed the Summit with reflections on the two days and said, Theis the central expert organization, thought leader, and convening body in the Indian alternative protein or smart protein sector. As part of an international network of nonprofits with partners in Brazil, Israel, U.S., Europe, and Asia Pacific, GFI India is on a mission to build a healthy, sustainable, and just global food system. Since our establishment in 2017, GFI India serves as the central thought leader and convening body in the space of plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-based meat, eggs, and dairy that are collectively known as the alternative protein or the smart protein sector. With unique insight across the scientific, policy, industry, and investment landscapes, we are using the power of food innovation and markets to accelerate the transition of the worlds food system toward alternative proteins. In building the sector from the ground up in India, were aiming to establish a model for its growth all across the developing world.For further information on GFI India, visit www.gfi.org.in Heads of research institutions, government and industry bodies such as The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Food Industry Capacity & Skill Initiative (FICSI), The Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB) as well as young changemakers, students, and innovators took center stage at the Summit. Months after Karnataka Hijab row caused an uproar all over the nation when Muslim girl students of state-run PU College in Karnataka's Udupi alleged that they were denied entry into the college for wearing Hijab while the Principal Rudra Gowda said that the rule was being followed to ensure uniformity in classrooms, Vivek Agnihotri has taken a dig at the Supreme Court judge Sudhanshu Dhulia. Vivek Agnihotri's dig at Sudhanshu Dhulia Taking a dig at Sudhanshu Dhulia and sharing the Swiss government's proposal of imposing fine on burqa ban violators, Vivek Agnihotri tweeted, "Id like to know the views of Justice Dhulia on this international, Islamophobic conspiracy against Burqa." Id like to know the views of Justice Dhulia on this international, Islamophobic conspiracy against Burqa. https://t.co/fILt0eC4lu Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) October 14, 2022 This comes after SC judge Sudhanshu Dhulia gave a verdict against Hijab ban. Several people expressed disappointment on Twitter and even dragged his brother and filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia to the debate. Also Read: 'Never Been In Favour Of Hijab Or Burqa', Javed Akhtar Slams Hooligans Over Karnataka Hijab Row If the word "uniform" has no meaning, can Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia dare attend court in a traditional Uttarakhandi dress? Surajit Dasgupta (@surajitdasgupta) October 13, 2022 Sudhanshu Dhulia take on Hijab ban Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia has said that Karnataka High Court has taken wrong path and wearing a hijab is ultimately matter of choice, nothing more or less, reports PTI. He said, "By asking the girls to take off their hijab before they enter the school gates, is first an invasion on their privacy, then it is an attack on their dignity, and then ultimately it is a denial to them of secular education." On the other hand, Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed the appeals against the high court verdict. Thus leading to "divergence of opinion" between the two judges. As a result, the hijab row will now be heard by an appropriate bench. Hijab is a matter of choice. Education of girl child priority top priority: Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia #hijab #SupremeCourt #KarnatakaHijabRow Read more: https://t.co/y5QUoMlBHu pic.twitter.com/K3wTjO2HY8 Bar & Bench (@barandbench) October 13, 2022 Swiss government's proposal of imposing fine on burqa ban violators On the other side, Swiss government has proposed a law seeking a ban on facial coverings to the parliament on October 12. It called facial covering as a symbol of political Islam's extremeness by those who support the ban. As per the law, the offenders could pay a fine upto 1,000 Swiss francs (around Rs 81,000). Also Read: 'Raise Your Sons Better', Violence Over Karnataka Hijab Row Angers Bollywood Celebrities Too (For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment, and let us know your thoughts on this story in the comments below.) Courtesy of Jr Korpa By David Tizzard An FIR has been registered against Rohit Singh, an assistant professor in the economics department of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), for allegedly impersonating Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to get his sister a job. On September 30, Singh, who is currently in the UK, made a phone call to the universitys Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mahesh Verma, identifying himself as Lt. Governor VK Saxena, and asked him to appoint one Manvi Singh in the English Department. IP University Complaint filed by LG's office Feeling something was amiss, Verma contacted the LG's office, which denied making any such phone calls. Taking serious note of the incident, the LG's office also filed a complaint on October 2. During the investigation, it emerged that the call the VC received was from a number based in the UK. It was also found that the same number was used to contact the candidate, Manvi Singh, and her father, Rajpal Singh. The number was later traced to Singh, who had left for the UK on September 27. Unsplash During the interrogation, Manvi and her father, Rajpal, admitted that the UK number in question belonged to Singh. Look-out notice, internal probe against accused Following this, a Look-Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against Singh and investigations are on. It has also been found that Rohit Singh has travelled to the UK without the mandatory prior permission of the competent authority. Accordingly, a show cause notice has also been issued to him by the university. An internal inquiry by the university has also found the alleged involvement of some other university officials in this case and suitable action against the concerned persons for violation of Conduct and Service Rules has been initiated. The Lt. Governor has taken an extremely serious view on this matter of impersonation and emphasised that it has never been his style of functioning to make calls or entertain any requests whatsoever that involve out-of-turn favours, benefits or unethical practices. BCCL "He has also cautioned all concerned to strictly check with his secretariat in case of any such calls or messages received by them, from someone impersonating him or using his name," an official from the LG secretariat said. Man impersonates Tina Dabi IAS on Whatsapp In August, a man was arrested in Rajasthan after he impersonated IAS officer Tina Dabi, the collector from Jaisalmer, to defraud others of money and gift cards over WhatsApp. The matter came to the fore when Urban Improvement Trust secretary (Rajasthan Administrative Service) Sunita Choudhary received a message seeking an Amazon gift card in Tina Dabis name. For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. India has slipped to 107th position in the Global Hunger Index 2020, which ranked the performance of 121 countries across the world. In 2021, India was ranked 101 out of 116 countries, while in 2020 the country was placed in 94th position in the Global Hunger Index, which is jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. Reuters/Representational Image India's child wasting rate, highest in the world According to GHI 2022, India's child wasting rate is 19.3 per cent, the highest in the world. With a score of 29.1, the level of hunger in India has been labelled "serious". "India's child wasting rate, at 19.3 percent, is the highest of any country in the world and drives up the region's average owing to India's large population," it said. BCCL Undernourishment on the rise Undernourishment prevalence rose in India from 14.6 per cent in 2018-2020 to 16.3 per cent in 2019-2021. This translates into 224.3 million people in India being undernourished out of a total of 828 million people globally. Child wasting, which is a strong predictor of mortality among children under five years of age, also worsened from 15.1 per cent in 2012-16 to 19.3 per cent in 2017-21. South Asia has world's highest hunger level The report said South Asia, the region with the world's highest hunger level, has the highest child stunting rate and by far the highest child wasting rate in the world. AFP In Asia, Afghanistan, with a rank of 109, is the only country behind India. Neighbouring countries-Pakistan (99), Bangladesh (84), Nepal (81) and Sri Lanka (64)-have all fared better than India. Stunting disparities in India The GHI said stunting disparities between districts were particularly pronounced in India. "The example of India shows the importance of considering the subnational context when designing programs and policies to target child stunting. Researchers investigated the factors that contributed to a decline in stunting in four Indian states between 2006 and 2016: Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu," it said. BCCL The report said the researchers found that stunting fell mainly in response to improvements in the coverage of health and nutrition interventions, household conditions (such as socioeconomic status and food security), and maternal factors (such as mothers' health and education). "While improvements in household conditions were the most important factor for each of the four states, the second most important factor varied by state. As the authors conclude, this variability across states indicates the need for contextualised policy and programmatic initiatives to help focus the efforts in the sectors that need the most attention for continued decline in stunting," it said. In 2021, the government had rejected India's poor ranking and had criticised the methodology as unscientific and devoid of reality. For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. A 29-year-old man with autism admits killing his mother "without any lawful justification" by inflicting five fatal blows to her head with a hatchet whilst she lay in her bed, a murder trial jury has heard. It was during the opening of the trial of Patrick Dunne at the Central Criminal Court today that a prosecuting barrister said that expert psychiatrists for both the prosecution and defence are in agreement that the accused was insane "as defined by law" at the time of his mother's death. Patrick Gageby SC, defending Mr Dunne, made a number of admissions of fact to the court on Friday on behalf of his client. These included that the accused killed his mother Susan Dunne and had done so "without any lawful justification". Mr Dunne from Ballingeragh, Lixnaw, Co. Kerry, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court today, having pleaded not guilty to murdering his mother Susan Dunne (62) between November 26 and 27, 2013, both dates inclusive, at the same address. Opening the case for the prosecution on Friday, Dominic McGinn SC said that this was "quite an unusual trial" as a lot of it will involve statements being read to the jury. Facts of the case Outlining the facts of the case, Mr McGinn said Ms Dunne's body was found in her bedroom between 11am and 11.30am on the morning of November 27. Ms Dunne, who was already dead by the time she was found, had sustained at least five blows to her head, he said. Counsel told the jury that Ms Dunne's son, Patrick, was 19 years old at the time and had been diagnosed with autism at a relatively young age. The accused required additional care "on top of the usual parenting requirements", he added. The prosecution barrister went on to tell the court that the Lixnaw and Listowel communities were used to the sight of Ms Dunne driving around in her car with her son Patrick in the back seat. Detailing the evidence that will be heard, Mr McGinn said one of the regular things that Ms Dunne did was to collect her son's disability allowance from the post office. "She looked after his social welfare card, Patrick would withdraw the money and then Susan would give him 5 for himself," he explained. What raised concern on November 27, the lawyer said, was that Patrick arrived alone at the post office, withdrew the money himself and was seen to be driving around unaccompanied in his mother's car. "Because of that various neighbours were alerted, and they went around to the Dunne house," he said. There will be evidence, Mr McGinn said, that neighbours found the front door of the Dunne house unlocked but one of the internal doors was locked. The barrister further stated that one of the neighbours had opened a window and looked inside. The neighbour made a decision to force open the bedroom door, where he found Ms Dunne's body. The neighbour called the emergency services immediately and when the ambulance crew arrived, they found Ms Dunne without a pulse and cold to touch. Ms Dunne was formally pronounced dead at 11.51am that morning. Autopsy and DNA Outlining the circumstances of the deceaseds death, Mr McGinn said that State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster conducted a full postmortem and confirmed that Ms Dunne had sustained six wounds to her head, five of them were a significant size and situated behind her right ear. Dr Bolster found multiple fractures and fatal trauma to the deceased's brain underneath the wounds. "She certified that brain trauma was the cause of death and that the wounds were consistent when Ms Dunne was lying in bed in the position that she was found," he continued. Mr McGinn said the evidence will be that a hatchet used for chopping wood was found in the kitchen. Dr Bolster found the wounds to Ms Dunne were consistent with having been inflicted by the hatchet. Counsel also indicated to the jury that gardai found the hatchet next to the fridge in the kitchen, that the blade was clean but there was some blood-staining on the rear of it, which matched the accused's DNA profile. A DNA profiling was also conducted on the handle of the hatchet and the major profile matched the accused's DNA, he said. Witnesses The court heard further evidence will be that gardai interviewed witnesses over the next few days, who had encountered Patrick that morning, to ascertain a pattern of what took place. Mr McGinn said a man had encountered Patrick at 9.30am that day when the accused arrived at his home and began asking for his sister. The man's sister had worked at the accused's former school and Patrick had developed "an attachment" to her, he said. The barrister said Patrick was also seen driving alone in his mother's car that morning by a local woman. The accused had been in the post office at 10.30am that morning where he withdrew his disability allowance, said Mr McGinn. Staff realised there was something unusual and contacted the family's neighbours, he added. There will also be evidence, counsel said, that the accused spoke to a man who worked in a shop in the town centre and had let Patrick borrow his mobile phone. The accused then contacted a woman he had met through his former school to attempt to arrange a meeting with her in Listowel that morning. "She said she wasn't available until later that day, but Patrick went to the Listowel Arms Hotel that morning and said he was there to meet a friend," he explained. The accused, counsel said, was later seen on the street at 11am and told another man that he was in town with his mother who was shopping. At 11.30am, the lawyer said, Patrick went to Listowel Community College, where he was attending once a week, had a cup of tea and spoke to members of staff. By this stage, counsel said that Ms Dunne's body had been found and gardai were alerted. Evidence will also be heard that Garda Declan McDonagh noticed Ms Dunne's car parked on Market Street in Listowel and went over to it. The garda said he told Patrick that his mother had been found dead when he saw the accused approach the car. The garda also suggested to Patrick that he accompany him to Listowel Garda Station as he was probably the last person to have seen her. Gda McDonagh arrested Patrick after being notified that the accused had been identified as a formal suspect in the case. The court will also hear evidence, the lawyer said, that the accused's key worker told gardai that Patrick suffered from autism and some other issues. He was examined by a local GP and a consultant psychiatrist, who both said the accused was fit to be questioned. Patrick sat through a series of interviews and the jury will hear the details of the account the accused gave in due course, he said. Mr McGinn said: He did accept that he had struck his mother with a hatchet, that he had left the hatchet in the kitchen and he explained the reasoning behind that. The court will also hear, the barrister indicated, what had happened to make Patrick strike his mother and the various events unfolding before and after the assault. The accused was released from garda detention and then formally charged with the offence of murder in November 2013. The barrister said there had been a delay since 2013 as the accused was assessed by a psychiatrist and it was determined that he was not fit to stand trial. Counsel added: "He didn't have sufficient capacity to understand what was going on and was remanded for treatment to a psychiatric facility. That has been the position in the interim since 2013 and in more recent times he has been deemed fit to stand trial." Ms Dunne had sustained six blows to her head with the hatchet and five of them were fatal, said Mr McGinn, adding that the natural and probable consequences of inflicting this is that at the very least a person would suffer serious harm or would probably die. The lawyer told the jurors that this was an "unusual case" as a special defence was available which allowed them to return a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity based on an assessment by the professional psychiatrists in the case. In summary, Mr McGinn told the jury that they will hear evidence from two psychiatrists, who both agree that the accused was insane as defined by law at the time of his mother's death. He said it was for the jurors to determine whether "the psychiatrists' determination" can be accepted and that the important evidence in the case would come from the psychiatrists. Mr Gageby told the court it was accepted that matters had been properly investigated by the authorities and said the "sole issue" in the case was whether the accused was not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial resumes this afternoon before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of five men and seven women. It is expected to last three days. Concerns have been raised about the number of Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Killarney, with the population growing by almost a quarter. The most recent Central Statistics Office figures put Killarneys population at 10,363. Estimated figures for the number of Ukrainians who fled the Russian invasion and asylum seekers now living in the town are in excess of 2,500, with hundreds arriving in the past six days alone. Dr Gary Stack, managing director of SouthDoc, has warned that with 318 direct provision applicants arriving in Killarney in recent days, health services in the town can no longer cope. Dr Stack said that earlier this year, when there were approximately 1,000 Ukrainians in Killarney, his practice had accepted 150 new patients. The practice is now at full capacity and staff are upset at having to turn people away on a daily basis. Dr Stack, speaking on Radio Kerry, said the town had received no forewarning or consultation from state agencies about the new arrivals. Killarney is not the place to open up what appears to be a new reception centre. It does not have the facilities they have in CityWest, Dr Stack said. We have to stop at this stage. If we keep loading numbers in, everything will collapse. Local town councillor Niall OCallaghan said the town is struggling to cope with the rapid influx of people. Killarney has done enough." He added: We need our town back." From a purely business point of view, the fact that so many tourist beds were not being occupied on a long-term basis meant the towns tourist economy was being undermined," Mr O'Callaghan said. The Government has created this problem in Killarney and we need financial support, Mr OCallaghan said. Analysis How Sagaing is at Forefront of Revolution Against Myanmars Junta A Aung San Force fighter firing an improvised rocket-propelled grenade in Sagaing Region. / ASF Daily ambushes and attacks on Myanmars regime targets have put Sagaing Region at the center of the armed revolution against military rule. Following the 2021 coup, the revolution started in Sagaing when anti-regime protesters took up improvised firearms and old-fashioned hunting rifles to stop junta troops killing civilians during a crackdown in Kale, which has a mixed Bamar and Chin population, on March 28 last year. In March last year, the regime escalated crackdowns, killing hundreds of peaceful demonstrators across the country, including in Yangon and Mandalay. By April 2, 2021, a prolonged clash was reported in Yinmabin Township, Sagaing Region, when residents with improvised weapons fought nearly 100 troops attempting to raid Thapyay Aye village, where a protest leader lived. On April 7 last year, residents in Taze Township used slingshots, air guns and improvised firearms to fight regime forces arriving in seven vehicles to break up a demonstration of tens of thousands in the town. At least 11 civilians were killed and more than 25 injured by the regime forces using automatic firearms and sniper rifles. Now sprawling Sagaing, which straddles the central plains and has no experience of armed rebellion, has become a resistance hub. Many resistance groups have acquired automatic firearms and upgraded improvised weapons and explosives. They are increasingly attacking army outposts and police stations in the large region. An estimated 12 troops are being killed daily in raids, mine ambushes and drone attacks. In upper Sagaing, the Kachin Independence Army is cooperating with resistance groups to attack regime forces. Outside the towns, the junta has lost control. But regime bases and junta-controlled government departments and offices in towns are increasingly being attacked by urban resistance groups. The region has reported the second-highest number of clashes with junta forces after Karen State, which had reported over 6,000 with the armed wings of the Karen National Union and their resistance allies by September. As a restive region, Sagaing has suffered the heaviest regime atrocities with several massacres, arbitrary killings, arson and artillery attacks on civilian targets, airstrikes and looting and acts of sexual violence. Internet and mobile connections have been blocked in several Sagaing townships since last year and some highways have been destroyed by the regime, stopping food, trade and medical supplies. By August 25, an estimated 38,434 houses have been burned down by junta forces across the country since the coup, according to Data for Myanmar, an independent research group that monitors the junta. Sagaing has suffered the heaviest arson damage with around 20,153 houses torched by junta forces. Neighboring Magwe Region, another resistance stronghold, has lost around 5,418 properties in regime arson attacks. By September 26, an estimated 1,017,000 people across the country have been displaced by conflict and violence since the coup, according to the United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef). More than half of those displaced are from Sagaing Region, accounting for 545,200 people, Unicef reported. On Saturday, an estimated 12 civilians and 20 resistance fighters were killed by two junta jet fighters and two Russian-made MI-35 helicopters and foot soldiers during a raid on a peoples defense force training camp and nearby Nay Pu Kone village in Wetlet Township in Sagaing Region. An estimated 13 civilians, including seven children, were killed in Depayin Township in the region on September 16 when two MI-35 helicopters and soldiers airlifted by helicopters attacked a school with 200 children at Let Yat Kone village. Amid junta atrocities, the resistance forces in Sagaing become more united and relentlessly attack regime targets. We had a chance to enjoy a taste of democracy during the past five years. We know the country will return to the dark ages under this military dictatorship due to the coup. So we found firearms to fight back, Ko Nway Oo, a founder of the Civil Defense and Security Organization Myaung, which has been fighting the regime in Sagaing since early 2021, told The Irrawaddy. He said Sagaings residents have come to sympathize with ethnic minorities who have suffered from military atrocities for many years. That is another reason why we are fighting to root out the military dictatorship as we dont want other people across the country to suffer under military rule anymore. Junta Watch Junta Watch: Coup Leader Gets Chummy With Cadets; Open Door for Russia; and More Min Aung Hlaing talks to a wounded solider at a military hospital in Pyin Oo Lwin. Military chief cozies up to cadets Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and his generals tried to butter up future military officers on Wednesday, attending an event to help cadets of the 65th intake of the Defense Services Academy choose suitable corps. At the academy in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay, the junta boss had lunch with cadets before walking from one dining table to another, making chit-chat with them. As Min Aung Hlaing gave the cadets encouraging pats and engaged in small talk, the generals accompanying him, including Navy chief Admiral Moe Aung and Air Force chief General Tun Aung, flashed very broad smiles. Junta-controlled media have in fact been airing newscasts showing him sitting with cadets around dining tables for months. But this is the first time he has been shown engaging directly in friendly chit-chats with them. The footage was followed by pictures of Min Aung Hlaing meeting wounded soldiers at a military hospital in Pyin Oo Lwin on Thursday. Contrary to his previous visits, this time he tried his best to appear as a caring commander by seriously paying attention to every patient he met, as if they were close family members, the pictures showed. His sincerity is questionable, however, as his newfound empathy and relationship-building skills come at a time when his military is being seriously hit by desertions, casualties and a recruitment crisis. It has been nearly a year since Min Aung Hlaing ordered his generals to display a benevolent, fatherly spirit toward their subordinates by hosting dinners for them. But given that these events were organized only after the regime suffered heavy casualties in daily clashes with resistance forces and ethnic armed organizations, as well as desertions, it is obvious that he has been forced to adopt various persuasive measures to keep his army fighting for him. Russian investment sought for power sector With the worlds leading energy firms having ditched their operations in Myanmar in response to the regimes human rights violations, junta-appointed ministers flew to Russia and invited investment in the electricity and energy sectors in Myanmar. Energy Minister U Myo Myint Oo and Electricity Minister U Thaung Han are in Moscow attending the Russian Energy Week International Forum. The two held talks with Russian-ASEAN Business Council chairman Ivan Polyakov on Tuesday and invited Russian companies to invest in oil exploration, oil refining, fertilizer production and petroleum product manufacturing. During the forum, the two are also set to discuss the potential for investment in the energy and electricity sectors in Myanmar, according to junta media. During his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing invited international firms to engage in oil exploration in Myanmar. The regime also plans to establish a modular nuclear reactor project in the next few years with technical assistance from Russia. We will have to wait and see how Russia will invest in Myanmars energy sector. Meanwhile, major energy companies including Total, Chevron, Woodside Petronas and Puma have left military-ruled Myanmar. Beijing proves a loyal friend With anti-China sentiment growing in Myanmar and the military regime getting closer to Russia following the coup, it appeared for a while that the relationship between the two neighbors was going wrong. Far from it. In western Myanmar, the regime is pushing ahead with the China-backed Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (KPSEZ) and deep-sea port project in Rakhine. At the central committee meeting for Myanmar Special Economic Zones on Wednesday, deputy junta chief Soe Win, who chairs the committee, touted the potential benefits of the project as an important part of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and Beijings Belt and Road Initiative, and a true booster of bilateral relations. On Monday, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai opened a US$180-million, gas-fired 135-MW power plant in the KPSEZ. The ambassador hailed Kyaukphyu as crucial for the CMEC. Beijing is a long-time ally of successive military regimes in Myanmar, with substantial economic interests in the Southeast Asian country. And together with Russia, it is defending the regime at the United Nations Security Council. In June, China donated 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Myanmar through the ASEAN special envoy. And in September, it donated fortified glass for a shrine at the Botatung Pagoda in Yangon and offered China-Myanmar friendship scholarships for the first time at the National University of Arts and Culture. Japanese aid helps regimes military effort The Myanmar juntas use of passenger vessels donated by the Japanese government to transport troops and military related materials to war-torn northern Rakhine State was exposed this week, prompting calls on the Japanese government to suspend non-humanitarian aid to Myanmar and sanction junta officials linked with serious human rights violations. Citing the regimes internal memos, Human Rights Watch said the junta used Kisapanadi I and Kisapanadi III for voyages to deploy over 100 Tatmadaw [Myanmar military] troops, as well as their supplies and materials along the Mayu River to Buthidaung in northern Rakhine, where the regime is fighting the Arakan Army (AA) ethnic armed group. The vessels used were among three ships delivered by Japan between 2017 and 2019 under the 500-million-yen (US$3.5 million) Economic and Social Development plan to improve water transport in Myanmar and contribute to the economic and social development of Myanmar by donating passenger ships for coastal transport in Rakhine State. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official responded that Tokyo was working to ensure appropriate use of facilities and equipment provided through Official Development Assistance programs. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the summit of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Astana, Kazakhstan Oct. 14. Reuters-Yonhap Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he expects his mobilization of army reservists for combat in Ukraine to be completed in about two weeks, allowing him to end an unpopular and chaotic call-up meant to counter Ukrainian battlefield gains and solidify his illegal annexation of occupied territory. Putin facing domestic discontent and military setbacks in a neighboring country armed with increasingly advanced Western weapons also told reporters he does not regret starting the conflict and ''did not set out to destroy Ukraine'' when he ordered Russian troops to invade nearly eight months ago. ''What is happening today is unpleasant, to put it mildly,'' he said after attending a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Kazakhstan's capital. ''But we would have had all this a little later, only under worse conditions for us, that's all. So my actions are correct and timely.'' Russia's difficulties in achieving its war aims have become apparent in one of the four Ukrainian regions Putin illegally claimed as Russian territory last month. Anticipating an advance by Ukrainian forces, Moscow-installed authorities in the Kherson region urged residents to flee Friday. Even some of Putin's own supporters have criticized the Kremlin's handling of the war and mobilization, increasing pressure on him to do more to turn the tide in Russia's favor. In his comments on the army mobilization, Putin said the action he ordered last month had registered 222,000 of the 300,000 reservists the Russian Defense Ministry set as an initial goal. A total of 33,000 of them have joined military units, and 16,000 are deployed for combat, he said. Putin ordered the call-up to bolster the fight along a 1,100-km (684-mile) front line where Ukrainian counteroffensives have inflicted blows to Moscow's military prestige. The mobilization was troubled from the start, with confusion about who was eligible for the draft in a country where almost all men under age 65 are registered as reservists. Opposition to the order was so strong that tens of thousands of men left Russia, and others protested in the streets. Critics were skeptical the draft would end in two weeks. They predicted only a pause to allow enlistment offices to process regular conscripts during Russia's annual fall draft for men aged 18-27, which was postponed from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1. ''Do not believe Putin about 'two weeks.' Mobilization can only be canceled by his decree. No decree - no cancellation,'' Vyacheslav Gimadi, an attorney for imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, wrote on Facebook. Asked about the possibility of an expanded mobilization, the Russian president said the Defense Ministry had not asked him to authorize one. ''Nothing further is planned,'' Putin said, adding, ''In the foreseeable future, I don't see any need.'' Tatiana, the cook of the school in Vuzlovyi, Kharkiv area, Ukraine, reacts as she examines the damage to the building, Oct. 14, that was bombed during the Ukrainian counteroffensive. EPA-Yonhap Newsmaker: Italian female astronaut shows beauty of ancient Chinese composition in space Xinhua) 18:47, October 15, 2022 ROME, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Besides "Wow" and "Great," what else would you say when flying over the Earth in space? Samantha Cristoforetti, the first Italian female astronaut in space, posted several lines of a famous ancient Chinese composition on Twitter to share her joy. She first wrote in Chinese, and then attached an accurate translation of the lines in both Italian and English to help more people understand. "Looking up, I see the immensity of the cosmos; bowing my head, I look at the multitude of the world. The gaze flies, the heart expands, the joy of the senses can reach its peak, and indeed, this is true happiness," it said. The text she quoted is from the Preface to Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion, a Chinese calligraphy masterpiece by Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi (303-361) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). She also attached three photos taken in space of China's Bohai Bay and the day-night view of Beijing, the country's capital. Two days before she landed on Earth, the beauty of space and Chinese literature resonated on her Twitter account. Before long, her posts went viral on Twitter with thousands of retweets, likes and replies. The poem and views are both magnificent; if everyone could enjoy the same sight, a lot of pain in the world would be dissipated, one user commented. A European astronaut in space recites Chinese ancient poetry, how romantic, said another replier. As the first Italian female astronaut in space, Cristoforetti carried out her first space mission on Nov. 23, 2014. She started the second mission in April and returned to Earth on Friday night after a 127-day long stay in orbit. When not traveling for work, she is an avid reader and has a great passion for language learning. "Always looking to the future, Samantha (Cristoforetti) is learning Chinese in her spare time," the European Space Agency (ESA) said on its website. Meanwhile, Cristoforetti has been active in Sino-European cooperation in the field of manned spaceflight. She was a working group member tasked with liaising with Chinese counterparts to define and implement cooperation in the field of astronaut operations. In 2017, she took part in a sea survival exercise organized by the Astronaut Center of China in the Yellow Sea, which was the first joint training of Chinese and foreign astronauts in China. An agreement was signed in 2015 between China and Europe on cooperation in the field of manned spaceflight, specifying the participation of China and Europe in each other's astronaut training activities. Speaking clear Chinese, Cristoforetti once told the media that the teams from China and Europe were working very well together in the field of astronaut training. She joined the Italian Air Force in 2001 and had accumulated more than 500 hours of flight experience. In May 2009, Cristoforetti was one of the six chosen from 8,000 European applicants to join the ESA astronaut corps. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu) A Purdue University student was charged with murder Thursday in the stabbing death of his roommate, whose body was found by officers sitting in a chair in their campus dorm room. Sha Ji-min, a 22-year-old cybersecurity major from Seoul, South Korea, faces one count of murder in the killing of Varun Manish Chheda, 20, of Indianapolis. Prosecutors allege that Sha stabbed Chheda, a data science major, several times in the head and neck with a folding knife that officers found on the floor near the chair where Chheda's body was discovered, according to the Journal Courier in Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue Police Chief Lesley Wiete said last week that Sha called police early on Oct. 5 and told them his roommate was dead in their first-floor dorm room on the campus in West Lafayette, which is about 65 miles (104 kilometers) northwest of Indianapolis. Officers who arrested Sha found him wearing clothes with blood on them, prosecutors said, and an autopsy found that Chheda had died of ''multiple sharp-force traumatic injuries.'' Sha appeared in court Thursday afternoon for his initial hearing before a Tippecanoe County magistrate who informed him of his rights and told Sha he could face between 45 and 60 years in prison if he's convicted of Chheda's murder. He is being held without bond. A message seeking comment from Sha's attorney, Kyle Cray, was left Thursday afternoon by The Associated Press. Prosecutors have not disclosed a motive in the killing. But Sha told reporters ''I was blackmailed,'' when asked last week why he killed Chheda, without elaborating. He also apologized to Chheda's family, the Journal Courier reported. (AP) Weather Alert ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 9 AM EDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 30 expected. * WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest North Carolina and central, south central, southwest and west central Virginia. * WHEN...From 4 AM to 9 AM EDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above- ground pipes to protect them from freezing. && The International Criminal Court said on Friday it was dropping a case of witness tampering against a Kenyan lawyer following reports of his death last month. Paul Gicheru had been accused by ICC prosecutors of running an "egregious and damaging" witness tampering scheme that made it impossible to pursue allegations against President William Ruto over post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-2008. "Today Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court terminated proceedings against former Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru following the confirmation of his passing," the ICC said in a statement. "According to the ICC legal framework, the Court's jurisdiction cannot be exercised over a deceased person," it said. Gicheru's trial opened in February this year. Prosecutors alleged he paid bribes of up to one million Kenyan shillings ($8,300) and threatened the safety of ICC witnesses, one of them at gunpoint. Gicheru had denied the allegations throughout, pleading not guilty at The Hague-based court, which is the world's only permanent war crimes tribunal. Kenyan police said they were probing Gicheru's death, which apparently occurred after he had a meal with his family almost three weeks ago. His son had been taken to hospital complaining of stomach pains following their meal together, police said. The disputed 2007 vote in Kenya was followed by the worst post-electoral violence in the country's history and left 1,100 people dead. Gicheru had "managed and coordinated a scheme to identify, locate and corruptly influence" witnesses throughout the ICC trial of Ruto and co-defendant Joshua Sang, which collapsed in 2016, prosecutors said at the time. Pakistan on Saturday subpoenaed the US ambassador for a statement after President Joe Biden called the South Asian country one of the most dangerous nations in the world and questioned its nuclear weapons security protocols. Biden made the seemingly off-the-cuff remark late Thursday while addressing United States foreign policy during a private Democratic Party fundraiser in California, but the White House later released a transcript of his comments, sparking outrage in Pakistan. Washingtons relations with Pakistan have soured since last year, when the US ended a two-decade war in Afghanistan. Pakistan provided crucial logistical access, but US officials believe Islamabads powerful military and intelligence apparatus also aided the Taliban, who returned to power after foreign troops withdrew. Speaking of his frequent interactions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Biden said: Did anyone think that we would be in a situation where China is trying to figure out its role in relation to Russia and relative to India and relative to Pakistan ? This is a guy who gets what he wants but has a tremendous amount of problems. How do we deal with that? How do we deal with this compared to what is going on in Russia? And what I think is perhaps one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion. Hours after the transcript of his address was sent out, Pakistan summoned US Ambassador Donald Blome to the State Department in Islamabad. Room for maneuver I have discussed it with the Prime Minister and we have summoned the United States Ambassador to make an official demarche, Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said during a news conference in Karachi. I am surprised by President Bidens comments. I believe this is exactly the kind of misunderstanding that occurs when there is a lack of commitment. Zardari appeared to offer Washington some leeway. It was not an official event, it was not an address to the nation or to Parliament, he said. We should give them an opportunity to explain this position. I dont think this should negatively impact Pakistan-US relations. The US is wary of Pakistans close partnership with China as Beijing pushes a $54 billion economic corridor that will build infrastructure and give Beijing access to the Indian Ocean. Washington has repeatedly said China will reap most of the benefits, leaving Pakistan with unsustainable debt. Warnings from the US which sees China as its foremost global competitor have been repeatedly brushed aside by Pakistan. Gong Yoo, Park Seo Joon, Kim Go Eun, and more graced the cover of Elle Korea as they celebrated the publication's 30th anniversary. The special edition featured global brand ambassadors for Chanel with the theme "The Icons." From music and acting, Elle Korea named the stars who showed great influence in their respective industries through an iconic photoshoot. Aging like a fine wine, the OG Oppa dazzles with his youthful charms with Ele Korea describing him as "the icon of any age." Best known for his role in "Coffee Prince," "Goblin" and the hit K-zombie series "Train to Busan" the sought-after actor was introduced as Chanel Korea's brand ambassador in 2021 for the brand's fine jewelry and watches. Interestingly, after his remarkable cameo in Netflix's "Squid Game" d=creator and director Hwang Dong Hyuk hints at the comeback of Gong Yoo's character. Described as "the vibrant icon of youth in K-culture" Park Seo Joon looked dashing in a black and white photoshoot. The 33-year-old star made headlines after confirming his appearance in "The Marvels" and is rumored to play the role of Korean superhero Amadeus Cho. Park Seo Joon joins Lee Byung Hun, Bae Doona, RAIN, Ma Dong Seok, and other South Korean stars who made their debut in Hollywood. Besides the iconic cover of Elle Korea, the actor is set to star in back-to-back projects in 2023. From his first big break in the international scene, he will have his K-drama comeback through "Gyeongseong Creature" or "K Project" with Han So Hee and a new movie with IU. The model-actress never fails to deliver fierce poses as she graced Elle Korea's special edition cover. Considered as a beauty and fashion icon, the actress wows fans with her "classic" visuals and a "sincere heart for her colleagues and work." Besides making a name for herself on the runway, Lee Sung Kyung also mesmerized viewers with her remarkable acting in "Doctors," "Dr, Romantic 2," "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo" and her recent "Shooting Stars." One of Hallyu actresses who is gaining the hype recently is Kim Go Eun as she lands the role of Oh In Joo in the recently concluded K-drama "Little Women." Her exceptional acting in "Goblin," "Cheese in the Trap," "The King: Eternal Monarch" and "Yumi's Cells" made her "one of the great icons of the K-culture now." Interestingly, she is set to return to the small screen for "Yumi's Cells 3." Known as the industry's "Fashion King" G-Dragon was among the first global ambassadors for Chanel back in 2017. His influence in music and bold styles made him a perfect muse for the brand. From blockbuster charts to representing top brands like Chanel, BLACKPINK's Jennie is among the K-pop stars who have shown great influence in music and fashion. Known to Blinks as the "Human Chanel" she has been with the brand as their global ambassador since 2017. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Successful K-drama Actresses Who Break Away From Korea's Beauty Standards: Kim Go Eun, Gong Hyo Jin, More KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Lee Kyu Hyung talks about his experience landing the role of North Korean soldier Captain Ri Jung Hyuk in the "Crash Landing on You" musical. The play was based on the 2019 smash hit K-drama of the same name starring real-life couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin. As the musical successfully had its opening performance on September 16 in Seoul, Lee Kyu Hyung opens up about the challenges of playing Hyun Bin's character. Lee Kyu Hyung on Playing Hyun Bin's Captain Ri in 'Crash Landing on You' Musical During an interview with media outlets, the versatile star admits that joining the cast of the "Crash Landing on You" musical is quite "challenging" since it is different from his usual roles. "I like to try new works," he said, adding that he "takes on different challenges to enjoy various hobbies." Moreover, he said that playing the North Korean soldier was different from his previous characters since his characters mostly get killed or sent to prison. "It's stressful, but it's rewarding when things go well," the actor mentioned, referring to his Captain Ri character in the musical "Crash Landing on You." While K-drama fans fell in love with Hyun Bin's character, Lee Kyu Hyung said he wanted to "make a three-dimensional character" by showing Captain Ri's "serious yet erratic charm." As for the flow of the story, Le Kyu Hyung shared that the musical conveys different emotions since the duration only takes 2 hours and 50 minutes including the intermission while the K-drama has 16 episodes with a run time of 90 minutes per episode. The award-winning star is a veteran in the world of musical in Korea and has appeared n famous plays including "Hedwig" and as for his latest musical he is joined by Lee Jang Woo and Min Woo Hyuk, playing the same role of Captain Ri while Im Hye Young, Kim Ryeo Won, and Na Ha Na, took the role of South Korean heiress Yoon Se Ri. Lee Kyu Hyung Receives Support from RAIN and Kim Tae Hee In a separate report, Lee Kyu Hyung revealed that some of his previous co-stars and celebrity friends came to watch his latest musical. It includes Hallyu queen Kim Tae Hee and her husband RAIN. The actor said that he went out with the couple after the musical and talked about the play. "Tae-hee said that it was more interesting than the original drama," Lee Kyu Hyung mentioned. To recall, Kim Tae Hee and Lee Kyu Hyung both starred in the hit K-drama "Hi Bye Mama," and have remained friends since then. On the other hand, the actor said that fellow celebrities like Oh Man Seok, Ko Kyu Pil, and "Move to Heaven" star Tang Jun Sang, expressed that they will soon watch the musical. READ MORE: 'Prison Playbook' Cast Update 2021: Find Out Which Among the Cast Members Appeared in Multiple Cameos in Recent K-Dramas KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills The campaign of Amanda Nedweski has announced the receipt of several endorsements in her bid to win Wisconsins 61st Assembly District seat. The seat was formerly held for 22 years by current Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman. Nedweski, a Kenosha County Board supervisor for the 16th District, has received endorsements from: Kerkman: Amandas deep knowledge of how government works will be invaluable when she represents the people of the 61st Assembly District in Madison. She supports law enforcement, has a great vision for our future, and will work hard putting the needs of citizens first. U.S. Congressman Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin): I am happy to endorse Amanda Nedweski for the 61st Assembly District. She will fight for families to ensure we have quality schools and safe neighborhoods. Her strong work ethic and private sector experience will allow her to deliver results for her constituents. I hope you will join me in supporting Amanda on November 8th. Nedweski has also received endorsements from: Tim Michels for Governor, the Dairy Business Association, the Volunteers for Agriculture (PAC for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation), the Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC Wisconsin), and several members of the executive board of the Republican Party of Kenosha County. She plans to remain on the County Board if she is elected to the State Assembly. The fall election is on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Here's what made the headlines on page one of the Kilkenny People on March 12, 1971 A savage hatchet attack was made on a prize thoroughbred horse stabled in Kilkenny this week. The horse was split to a point between his eyes, injuries described as the most awful thing I have seen in my career by the veterinary surgeon who attended. The owner of the horse, Mr John Hutchinson, still very distressed by what happened, told a People reporter on Wednesday that he was completely baffled by the attack. The incident occurred in Mr Hutchinsons stables at Greenshill early on Monday morning. He and veterinary surgeon, Mr Paddy Fennelly, worked through the day to calm the frightened animal and stitch his gaping wound. He was frantic with pain, said Mr Hutchinson. He went berserk. He was sweating with fever and you could hardly see him with the steam. I thought he might have hurt himself off one of the walls but there was no evidence of this. Mr Fennelly supported this view. Sometimes horses do injure themselves, he told the People. But this was not the case on this occasion. He said it was obvious that the wound had been caused by a severe blow and the horse had probably been knocked unconscious and left for dead. Mr Fennelly explained that a layer of muscle about half to three-quarters of an inch thick on the horses forehead had been cut right through. It was of his opinion that a hatchet had been used. He added that the blow had been struck at the exact spot which is easiest to kill a horse. He felt it was a definite attempt to kill the horse and not just maim it. The horse undoubtedly had the greatest potential of any horse owned by Mr Hutchinson. A thoroughbred gelding it already had considerable jumping success and Mr Hutchinson regarded it as having true international potential. Its worth in the future is now uncertain. There may be a happy ending to the story, however. Mr Fennelly believes that the horse will recover fully, though it will be scarred for life. Planning Is A Big Laugh There is to be a clampdown on all developments and buildings in Kilkenny City that contravene the Planning Act in any way. This was announced at Mondays Corporation meeting after Ald McGuinness said that planning in Kilkenny was a big laugh. He said that people were doing what they liked and some buildings were a disgrace. The Planning Act was being flouted. Planning in this town at the moment seems to me to be a cod, he said. He asked if a new structure went up in Kilkenny could the Corporation insist on it being pulled down. The Town Clerk said that if a person contravened the Planning Act action would be taken against him. And when Mr T Martin asked if similar action would be taken in all cases, the Co Manager Mr DF Donovan said it would. Trees Under Sentence Three of the towering trees on the Parade are under sentence of death. They must be knocked. And all the rest have been given hefty sentences ranging from a pruning down from 35 feet to 25 feet according to condition. Borough Engineer Mr J Frawley told Mondays Corporation meeting that these were recommendations of two people from the Board of Works who recently examined the trees. It was estimated that it would take three tree experts about four weeks to do the work. Duiske College students took centre stage at the successful Open Night the school hosted on Thursday, September 29th, last. Prospective students for the Graignamanagh school, and their families, travelled to the event from three surrounding counties. Student tour guides showed the visiting families around, allowing them to experience the school campus through the eyes of a current student. Visitors were able to view exhibitions, science experiments and musical entertainment and hear first-hand about the various subjects on offer. Tea and coffee were supplied by the schools Parents Association and there was plenty of sweet treats in the home economics room. Principal John Maye explained the ethos of Duiske College and how its students benefit from smaller class sizes with greater individual attention. He spoke of Duiske Colleges excellent reputation for pastoral care and how 62% of students participated in extra-curricular activities in the last academic year. The Open Night was held as part of the 2023/2024 admissions process which opened on September 22nd and will close on October 20th. Further information is available at www.duiskecollege.ie or on any of the schools social media platforms. Duiske College, founded in 1954, is a co educational secondary school under the auspices of KCETB (Kilkenny Carlow Education and Training Board). It won't be long before Missouri school cafeterias are once again full, and advocates for anti-hunger programs hope Congress will recognize the importance of the meals they eat there as it weighs the fate of legislation to reauthorize child nutrition programs. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Argentina has promised to provide full support to Korean companies seeking to expand their raw material development as Seoul wants deeper ties in the economy and trade, officials said Friday. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo arrived in Argentina on Thursday for an official visit, as Seoul seeks to deepen economic cooperation with the resource-rich Latin American nation. Han's visit came as the two nations mark the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. Han held talks with Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez and discussed measures to improve cooperation in various fields, including economic security, according to Han's office. Argentina boasts the world's third-largest lithium resources and is the world's fourth-biggest producer of lithium. Korea imported about 40 percent of its corn and some 33 percent of its soybean oil from Argentina last year. POSCO, Korea's top steelmaker, plans to spend $830 million in Argentina to produce 25,000 tons of lithium annually and expand the annual production to 100,000 tons by 2028. During talks with Fernandez, Han asked him to support Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in the southeastern port city of Busan. A group of senior business executives, including POSCO President Jeong Tak and Hyundai Motor Vice President Kim Dong-wook, have been accompanying Han on his trip in order to drum up support for Busan's bid for the expo. Argentina is the final leg of Han's three-nation trip that has already taken him to Chile and Uruguay. (Yonhap) Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. Snow may mix in. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 30F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Periods of rain. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Rain. Low 38F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Angola, IN (46703) Today Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. Snow may mix in. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low around 30F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Angola, IN (46703) Today Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. Snow may mix in. High near 40F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Snow may mix in. Low 37F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. The three candidates competing for a six-year term representing Indiana in the U.S. Senate are participating Sunday night in their sole debate prior to Election Day. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., the Democratic nominee; Libertarian James Sceniak; and U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., each confirmed they are attending the event sponsored by the nonpartisan Indiana Debate Commission. Questions for the candidates, which were submitted to the commission by Hoosier voters, will be posed by Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate professor of political science at the University of Indianapolis. Some voters also will have the opportunity to personally ask their questions to the candidates. But there otherwise will be no debate audience at the WFYI-TV studios in Indianapolis. The one-hour debate begins at 6 p.m. Region time. It will air live and at various other times on C-SPAN, as well as public radio and television stations across the state, including Lakeshore Public Media outlets in Northwest Indiana. The debate also can be viewed live or later on the sponsor's website: IndianaDebateCommission.com. Besides the debate, television viewers should expect to see a lot more McDermott in the three-plus weeks left until voting ends Nov. 8. McDermott recently began running television commercials on local stations in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne and cable TV and streaming services throughout the state. The ads seek to portray Young as out-of-touch with Hoosiers, particularly on the issue of abortion and present McDermott as a fighter for everyone in Indiana. Young has been on TV all year with ads touting the need for strong U.S. borders and increased federal investment in microchip production to outcompete China. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Cloudy with light rain early. Snow may mix in. High 43F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. The release of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif-led spy thriller Tiger 3 has been postponed to Diwali 2023, the makers announced on Saturday. Produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the film was earlier scheduled to be released on April 21, 2023 on the occasion of Eid. The production banner took to its official Twitter page to share the new release date of the much-awaited action movie. Diwali 2023, Tiger will roar! Celebrate #Tiger3 with #YRF50 only at a big screen near you. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu," Yash Raj Films said in a tweet. Tiger 3 New Release Date: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif's Actioner to Hit the Big Screens on Diwali 2023 (View Poster). Maneesh Sharma, best known for YRF titles Fan and Band Baaja Baaraat, serves as director on Tiger 3. Ek Tha Tiger, the first movie in the franchise was released in 2012. Directed by Kabir Khan, the movie revolved around the story of an Indian spy (RAW) code-named Tiger (Khan) who falls in love with a Pakistani spy Zoya (Kaif) during an investigation. Check It Out: Diwali 2023, Tiger will roar! Celebrate #Tiger3 with #YRF50 only at a big screen near you. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. pic.twitter.com/LhE12DxvKc Yash Raj Films (@yrf) October 15, 2022 The success of the first film spawned into a franchise, in which Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) was the follow-up. Based on true events, the Ali Abbas Zafar-helmed sequel saw Tiger and Zoya go on a mission to save a group of hostages held by a militant terrorist organization in Iraq. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Xi presides over preparatory meeting for 20th CPC National Congress Xinhua) 19:03, October 15, 2022 BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping presided over a preparatory meeting for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held Saturday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Participants at the meeting approved a list of 22 members of the delegate credentials committee, and a list of 243 members of the presidium of the congress. It was approved at the meeting that Wang Huning will serve as secretary-general of the congress. The meeting also approved the agenda of the congress. Delegates are expected to hear and examine a report of the 19th CPC Central Committee, examine a work report of the 19th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, deliberate and adopt an amendment to the Party's Constitution, and elect the 20th CPC Central Committee and the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu) Individuals convicted of offences related to public violence, breach of trust and dishonesty at least a year before sitting of the nomination court would be ineligible to contest for public office under proposed amendments to the Electoral Act set to be tabled in Parliament soon, it has been learnt. The planned amendments will also make a drivers licence inadmissible as proof of identity for voting. In addition, duly nominated candidates for National Assembly and local authority elections can now only withdraw their candidature 21 days before a poll. Presently, time limits to the withdrawal of candidacy are only limited to presidential candidates. This provision is designed to afford the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) sufficient time to make changes to ballots and advise the electorate. Overall, there are four broad changes to the countrys electoral code that were approved by Cabinet a fortnight ago. The new Bill essentially seeks to complete the alignment of the Electoral Act with the Constitution as amended last year, including making provisions for the introduction of the 30 percent female quota in all local authorities and the youth quota in the National Assembly. Crucially, it also seeks to operationalise Section 129 (1)(i) of the Constitution, which bars politicians convicted of physical violence, breach of trust and dishonesty from running for public office. The Bills memorandum seen by The Sunday Mail reads: An offence of this nature is one for which a Member of Parliament is presently under Section 129 of the Constitution required to vacate his or her seat. For the sake of consistency, it is proposed that persons who would be disqualified from continuing as MPs for committing such an offence should not also be allowed to stand as candidates for election. Guided by the principle that offenders who would be disqualified from continuing to sit in Parliament should not be admitted into Parliament, this clause will require every candidate to make a solemn declaration in a nomination form or by means of an attached affidavit that he or she is not convicted of a disqualifying offence or has received a pardon for such offence. With less than a year before the next general elections, some politicians currently appearing before the courts on charges of public violence could face disqualification if convicted. In its present form, the Electoral Act requires a prospective voter to present either a national ID card, valid passport or drivers licence to a polling officer to cast their ballot. However, the envisaged changes will exclude the drivers licence. Some drivers licences do not reflect citizenship on the face of them, the memorandum reads. In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, one has to be a citizen in order to qualify as a voter. Accordingly, only a valid passport or national identity will be accepted as proof of identity. According to Section 107 (1) of the Electoral Act, a presidential candidate can withdraw his or her candidature 21 days before polling. The Act, however, is silent on time frames for the withdrawal of National Assembly and council election candidates. To afford sufficient time for ZEC to make changes to the design of the ballot and to advise the electorate of any changes to the candidature of that election, these clauses seek to amend Sections 49 and 126 of the Electoral Act so that they are aligned to Section 107 (1) of the principal Act for withdrawal of candidature to be done 21 days before polling. Amendments to the Constitution, passed into law last year, provide for the setting aside of 30 percent of seats in local authorities for women and the creation of 10 new proportional representation seats for youths in the National Assembly. The Electoral Act is now being amended to include provisions to operationalise these changes as set out in the supreme law. Reads the Bill: For every electoral province, there shall be elected by indirect proportional representation one youth member; that is, a person aged from twenty-one to thirty-five years of age. For every local authority (whether that local authority is a rural district council, city, municipal council, town council or local board) there shall be elected by indirect proportional representation the number of women party list councillors equal to the integer or nearest integer . Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said changes to the Act were informed by the need to operationalise new electoral provisions introduced when Constitutional Amendment Number 2 was signed into law. Broadly, we are introducing four major changes to the Electoral Act that encompass disqualification of candidates, proof of identity, withdrawal of candidates and the introduction of the women and youth quotas in councils and the National Assembly, respectively, he said. The first one has to do with removing the drivers licence as an acceptable proof of identity for the purposes of voting. This is because these documents do not show status in terms of citizenship. In terms of the law, voting is only for Zimbabwean citizens, so we cannot have a non-citizen with a Zimbabwean drivers licence voting in our elections. Minister Ziyambi said candidates will be disqualified from contesting in elections particularly for offences similar to those that force an MP to vacate his seat once convicted. It aligns the Act to Section 129 of the Constitution. Zimbabwe Election Support Network chairperson Mr Andrew Makoni said the proposal to codify the women and youth quotas is in keeping with recent amendments to the Constitution. Providing for a period within which one can withdraw her or his candidacy before an election is also positive as this will allow ZEC enough time to print ballots for the elections. We can only comment on the other provisions of the proposed Bill once it has been published, he said. Sunday Mail Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 15 (ANI): Two persons were arrested for cyber fraud as they allegedly duped people by sending fake KYC links to update bank accounts, Telangana Police said on Friday. As per the Rachakonda Commissionerate, the accused were identified as Bhagwan Sahya Sharma hailing from Jaipur, and Sachin Saini, also a resident of Jaipur. Also Read | Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022: Over 51% Say BJP Will Win Himachal Polls Again, Says ABP News-CVoter Survey. According to a statement by the Commissionerate, the complainant in his complaint stated that he received a text message, "Dear SBI user your SBI Net banking will be blocked today please click here on the link immediately (by mentioning the link) and update your PAN CARD". Believing in the text, he clicked on the given link and entered his complete details such as internet banking username, password, PAN card and Date of Birth, after which he received several OTPs. On entering the same in the link he lost a huge amount of Rs 4,99,989. "Further the complainant also received a call from an unknown number who impersonated as SBI customer support and made the complainant to install the "Quick Support app" stating reasons to complete his 'KYC' and also refunding the amount. After the installation of the App, he again lost an amount of Rs 3,99,979. thus cheated the victim to a total amount of Rs 8,99,968," a police statement added. Also Read | DefExpo 2022: DRDO To Showcase 430 Strategic, Tactical Weapon Systems in Gujarat. During the police investigation, it is revealed that the accused persons who stay in Karmatanr, Jamtara, Jharkhand operating remotely by managing to send several links to gullible people. "The amounts in the credit card were processed through the payment gateways of Jayshree Pay and Razor Pay. Further, the A1 and A2 withdrew the money and deposited the cash in their personal bank accounts," the statement said. During the course of the investigation, based on the technical evidence collected, the team proceeded to Jaipur and arrested the accused persons and brought them to Hyderabad on a transit remand and sent them to judicial custody. The police seized three mobile phones, six credit cards, four debit cards, one voter id and Rs 50,000. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, Oct 15 (PTI) The High Court of Karnataka has directed the State government to fix the fare of app-based autorickshaw aggregators within 15 days. Also Read | Telangana: Former MP Boora Narsaiah Goud Quits TRS Ahead of Munugode Assembly By-Election. Till then, the court allowed the service providers to also collect 10 per cent additional charge above the fare already fixed by the government. The government last fixed the autorickshaw fares on June 11, 2021. Also Read | Amul, Mother Dairy Hike Prices of Certain Milk Variants by Rs 2 per Litre. One of the reasons for the government to ban app-based autorickshaw-hailing service was that they were charging surcharge over and above the fare fixed by the government. Justice MGS Kamal, in his order issued on Friday, allowed the 10 per cent surcharge along with applicable GST and said this would be a only temporary measure till the new fares are fixed. The aggregators had sought at least 20 per cent surcharge, but the Transport Department was not willing to allow more than 10 per cent. Last week, the government banned app-based autorickshaw-hailing services on the grounds that the licence issued under the Karnataka On-Demand Transportation Technology Aggregator Rules was only for cabs and not autorickshaws. The ANI Technologies Private Limited which operates Ola, Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd and Uber India Systems Private Limited challenged the ban before the court. On Thursday, Justice MGS Kamal heard the petitions and suggested that the authorities and the companies arrive at a compromise and make a common submission. The government has agreed to talk to the aggregators. While the State government argued that autorickshaws are not covered under its rules, the court said the Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines 2020 (MVAG) issued by the Central government covers autorickshaws, e-rickshaw, motorcycles, and buses too. All these vehicles can be used to offer aggregator service, the court said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Oct 15 (PTI) For some women drivers, who underwent cab driver training with the Delhi government, getting a job will mean they will be able to get a new identity by undergoing sex reassignment surgery. Helping them take baby steps towards their goal is a 19-year-old engineering student -- Ruman Gehlot -- who is running her own cab service. Also Read | EAM @DrSJaishankar Held Meeting with FM Sameh Shoukry of Egypt. Reflected Our Latest Tweet by Prasar Bharati News Services. It was on August 15 that Delhi LG V K Saxena had launched a training programme for women cab drivers. Under the programme, all women drivers are provided free of cost training by Institute of Driving and Traffic Research, and the cost of the training is borne by the transport department and the cab aggregators on a 50-50 basis. Also Read | Congress Relaunching 'Failed Missile' Rahul Gandhi via Bharat Jodo Yatra, Says Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai. "I have signed an agreement with the Delhi government. Around 163 women, 63 of whom have started hormone therapy to change their gender, are undergoing training. "Currently I have 15 women drivers and five transgenders employed with my firm Orbin Fiacre Private Limited," Gehlot told PTI. She said she wants women stand on their feet, and help those who want to embrace a new identity. Many drivers tell me that their families are not supportive and treat them as women, telling them that they should start earning and then they will be married off but they do not want that. Also many times, people in such situations are pushed into begging and other activities, which might give them money but no dignity. We are helping them with job opportunities," she said. Gehlot said that currently, her cabs cater to corporates and people arriving at the airport and by January 2023, she plans to add 10 electric cabs. She also has plans to set up cab booking kiosks at the airports of Delhi and Kumbai. Kshama, in her 20s, and one of the women who underwent training at the Delhi government's training institute, said that she told her family about her wish to become a man, but they did not understand. "I have completed my training but I am awaiting my on-road test following which I will be hired. I have not liked being a woman since Class 8. I want to become a man. After getting hired, I want to undergo surgery to change my gender. I have already started hormone therapy, but for further treatment, I need money," she said Kshama wants to change her name to Alankar after she gets a job. "I have told my family but they are not accepting it. After getting a job, I want to earn money and change my identity. If my family does not accept me, I will go my own way," she said. Besides undergoing cab driving training, Kshama is also pursuing her graduation from Delhi University's School of Open Learning. Saras, who was born a woman but identifies as man, is currently working under Gehlot, and is undergoing the process to become a man. "I have even got married to a woman working with the firm. This is a new beginning for me," 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) Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15 (PTI) The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala and the Left government have claimed that family members of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his cabinet colleagues accompanied them on the trip to Europe at their own expense and not of the state. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi To Address Mega Public Meeting in Karnataka's Ballari Today. State Minister for General Education V Sivankutty told reporters here, after returning from the trip, that family members of the CM and other ministers went on the trip at their own expense. Also Read | APJ Abdul Kalam Birth Anniversary 2022: Remembering 'Missile Man of India' Who Also Earned Title of 'People's President'. He also said that there was nothing wrong with taking one's spouse or some other family member along on the trip as long as it was not at the state's expense. His response came in the wake of mounting criticism from various quarters over Vijayan and other ministers taking their family on the Europe tour and the extension of the trip to Dubai, UAE before returning to India. The Congress-led UDF had said that the CM and the other ministers need to tell the public as to what the state has gained out of their tour and how it would benefit the people. The CPI(M) state secretariat, opposing the criticism against the tour, has alleged in a statement that the UDF opposition was spreading fake news about the trip among the public through some media. It said the tour was essential to hold discussions with the foreign nations and explore opportunities to attract investments to Kerala for the overall development of the state. Therefore, fake stories in connection with the tour should be identified and dealt with, it said. PTI (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Panaji, Oct 15 (PTI) At least 40 tourists got stranded near Dudhsagar waterfall in South Goa after a small bridge on the Mandovi river got washed away due to a sudden rise in the water level following heavy rains, but were rescued by the lifeguards appointed by the state government, officials said on Saturday. Also Read | West Bengal: Suspected Cattle Smuggler Shot Dead by BSF Near India-Bangladesh Border. The incident occurred on Friday evening, when incessant rains pounded the state. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant lauded the lifeguards for the rescue operation. Also Read | Bharat Jodo Yatra: Rahul Gandhi To Address Mega Public Meeting in Karnataka's Ballari Today. "At least 40 tourists who were stranded near Dudhsagar waterfall after a small bridge on the Mandovi river got washed away due to a sudden rise in the water level as a result of heavy rains. The tourists got stranded on the waterfall side," a senior police official said. The visitors could not cross the river through the gushing waters on their own in the absence of the bridge, he said, adding that the state-appointed lifeguards evacuated them. The picturesque Dudhsagar waterfall, situated on the Goa-Karnataka border, attracts a large number of tourists. Visit to this waterfall was stopped at the start of the monsoon season, but it was opened for tourists earlier this week. CM Sawant congratulated the lifesaving agency for rescuing the tourists. In a tweet, he said, "The River Lifesavers rescued around 40 guests stuck at Dudhsagar waterfall due to turning of crossing bridge where water level increased due to heavy rainfall. I thank and congratulate the River lifesavers for rescuing the tourists." (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], October 15 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session of the All India Conference of Law Ministers and Law Secretaries on Saturday via video conferencing. The two-day conference is being hosted by the Ministry of Law and Justice at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat. Also Read | #WATCH | Congress Presidential Candidate Mallikarjun Kharge Joins Bharat Jodo Yatra with Latest Tweet by ANI. According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the objective of the conference is to provide a common forum for policymakers to discuss issues relating to the Indian legal and judicial system. Law ministers and secretaries from states and union territories will attend the event. Also Read | APJ Abdul Kalam Birth Anniversary 2022: Thought-Provoking Speeches by Indias Former President Everyone Must Listen To (Watch Videos). States and union territories will be able to share their best practices, exchange new ideas and improve their mutual cooperation through this conference. The conference will witness discussions revolving around topics like alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation for quick and affordable justice; upgrading overall legal infrastructure; removing obsolete laws and improving access to justice. There will also be a discussion on reducing the pendency of cases and ensuring speedy disposal, bringing uniformity in proposals relating to state bills for better centre-state coordination and strengthening state legal systems. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh, Oct 15 (PTI) Punjab minister Aman Arora on Saturday said the state government will come out with a new affordable housing policy whose draft has been uploaded on official website for seeking suggestions from the public. The AAP government will not leave any stone unturned to fulfill the common man's aspirations to own a dream house, said Arora, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister. Also Read | Congress Relaunching 'Failed Missile' Rahul Gandhi Through Bharat Jodo Yatra, Says Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai. The draft of 'Punjab Affordable Housing Policy-2022' has been uploaded on the official website for seeking suggestions from the public, he said. In the new policy, the minimum area for a plotted colony has been fixed at five acres and for a group housing project at two acres, the minister said. Also Read | BCCL Recruitment 2022: Vacancies Notified for Medical Executive Posts at bcclweb.in, Check Details Here. The saleable area has been increased to 65 per cent as compared to 55 per cent in normal colonies to provide plots at affordable rates to common man, he said in an official release here. The change of land use, external development charges and other charges have also been reduced to 50 per cent, the release said. Maximum plot size has been fixed at 150 square yards and maximum size of the flat will be 90 square metres, it said. Relaxation is being provided for parking norms to reduce the cost of construction, the minister said. He also said this policy will not be applicable in New Chandigarh (Mullanpur) area. To enable speedy clearances and other approvals, Arora said a single competent authority has been designated at local level irrespective of the size of the colony. All powers for approvals have been delegated to the chief administrators of the concerned urban development authorities, he said. The policy will also encourage promoters to get their colonies approved in hassle-free manner and will curb mushrooming of unauthorized colonies, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jalpaiguri, October 15: A suspected cattle smuggler was shot dead by BSF personnel near the India-Bangladesh border in North Bengal, officials said on Saturday. The incident took place early Friday in Phansidewa area of Jalpaiguri district when a Border Security Force (BSF) patrol party apprehended some people at Murikhaowa village who were trying to smuggle cattle into Bangladesh, an official said. Assam Police, BSF Seize Heroin Worth Over Rs 47 Crore in Karimganj, One Held. "A group of cattle smugglers attacked the BSF patrol party with weapons, following which the BSF troopers had to open fire in which one smuggler was shot dead. One BSF jawan was seriously injured and has been hospitalised," a senior BSF official of the North Bengal frontier said. Jammu and Kashmir: BSF Foils Smuggling Bid in Samba, Recovers Eight KG of Narcotics. The deceased cattle smuggler was a local from Murikhowa village, the BSF official said, adding that the body and the seized cattle were handed over to police. According to police, a pistol was recovered from the deceased. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kapurthala, October 15: Two police personnel were allegedly attacked by a mob in a village in this Punjab district on Saturday. A feud took place between Constable Parminder Singh and a man from Talwandi Mehma village located on the Kapurthala-Kala Singia road after the car driven by the former overtook the villager's vehicle, police said. The man then allegedly waylaid the constable's car and thrashed him, they said, adding that a mob of around 20 people then joined him and attacked the constable with swords and sticks. Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Mob Attacks Family of Muslim Man Who Eloped With Hindu Girl in Chhindwara. Another constable Navdeep Singh, who was passing by, stopped his car to help his colleague, but he was also attacked by the mob, police said. A passerby was also injured in the incident. Maharashtra: 19 Cops Injured, 12 Vehicles Damaged in Mob Attack in Steel Factory in Palghar; 27 Held. Senior Superintendent of Police Navneet Singh Bains said police are in the process of identifying the attackers and a case will be registered. Constable Parminder Singh, who was seriously injured in the incident, was admitted to a private hospital in Jalandhar. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], October 15 (ANI): American technology company Nvidia has paused the launch of its upcoming 12GB variant of the RTX 4080 graphics card following backlash due to the GPU's name. According to The Verge, Nvidia has admitted to messing up with the naming of the graphic card after originally unveiling it last month alongside a much more powerful 16GB model. Also Read | ICC T20 World Cup 2022: History and Past Winners List of the World T20 Cricket Tournament Ahead of the Upcoming Edition in Australia. "The RTX 4080 12GB is a fantastic graphics card, but it's not named right... Having two GPUs with the 4080 designation is confusing," said the company in a blog post. While Nvidia has halted the launch of the 12GB RTX 4080 model, it will still go ahead and launch the 16GB version on November 16. Also Read | Rajev Paul Gets Married Second Time, Shares Wedding Pic With Caption Once Bitten Twice Shy, Still Worth a Try!. Criticism had been building over Nvidia's decision to label the 12GB model as an RTX 4080, particularly when the 16GB model was so different from it in terms of specifications. The RTX 4080 12GB was supposed to start at USD 899 and include 7,680 CUDA Cores, a 2.31GHz base clock that boosts up to 2.61GHz, 639 Tensor-TFLOPs, 92 RT-TFLOPs, and 40 Shader-TFLOPs, reported The Verge. Meanwhile, the 16GB RTX 4080 is much more powerful, with 9,728 CUDA Cores, a base clock of 2.21GHz that boosts up to 2.51GHz, 780 Tensor-TFLOPs, 113 RT-TFLOPs, and 49 Shader-TFLOPs of power. As per The Verge, the RTX 4080 16GB model will debut next month, priced from USD 1,199, and Nvidia has not revealed when it will relaunch the 12GB RTX 4080 under a different name. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington [US], October 15 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Friday expressed his anguish over the recent gun violence in Raleigh, North Carolina that left five people dead and two wounded. "Enough. We've grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings," Biden said in a statement. Also Read | Disturbing Video: Pakistan in Shock After Scores of Rotting Bodies Found on Multan Hospital's Roof. Condemning the latest mass shooting in America, he said that there is so much gun violence that many killings do not even make the news anymore. The suspect in the shooting incident in Raleigh city was arrested in Georgia by police officials, media reports said. Also Read | Yemen: 10 Child Leukemia Patients Killed After Administration of Expired Doses of Cancer Treatment Drug. The suspect detained in the case is only 15 years old. "The suspect is contained, but please stay tuned to Raleigh Police Department, as they are the investigating agency for this incident," the city of Knightdale tweeted. "This is a sad and tragic day for the city of Raleigh," city Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin was quoted as saying by CNN. "We must stop this mindless violence in America," Baldwin said during a press conference as she announced the toll of the shooting incident. US media reports said two people were taken to a hospital, one of whom was a police officer. Meanwhile, a US federal judge temporarily struck down key parts of a new law in New York that governs gun licensing earlier. Judge Glenn T Suddaby of the US District Court for the Northern District of New York said the state has "further reduced a first-class constitutional right to bear arms in public for self-defence" into a mere "request." He said that several law provisions had no historical justification, a controversial requirement put forward by the high court last spring, reported CNN. The law was enacted in the wake of a Supreme Court decision earlier this summer striking down certain protections. Among the provisions of the New York law that the state cannot enforce is one that defines Times Square as a "gun-free zone." The law is aimed at placing restrictions on carrying a concealed handgun outside the home, reported CNN. Back then, Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for a 6-3 court, said that a state had to justify regulation by demonstrating that the law is "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation." Regarding Times Square, Suddaby cited the Supreme Court decision and said that it "might be argued" that historical statutes banning the carrying of guns in "fairs or markets" are analogous to the current law. But, he said, he had only found two such laws. "Two statutes do not make a tradition," he wrote. Critics correctly predicted that the Supreme Court decision - the most comprehensive expansion of gun rights in a decade - would trigger new challenges to gun regulations across the country, reported CNN. The plaintiffs, including at least one individual who wants to carry his firearm in church, argue the state is violating their Second and 14th Amendment rights by denying them the right to self-defence. They have already filed for a preliminary injunction with Suddaby in order to eventually prohibit the state from enforcing its new set of laws. The judge's decision nods to the fact that carrying a handgun in public is generally protected by the Constitution, reported CNN. The law, which went into effect in September, was signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, as a swift response to the Supreme Court striking down New York's gun law that required a resident to obtain a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver in public and demonstrate that "proper cause" existed for the permit. The law enacts a strict permitting process for concealed-carry licenses and requires background checks for ammunition sales. It also restricts the concealed carry of firearms in locations such as government buildings. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beijing [China], October 15 (ANI): China's ruling Communist Party will hold a week-long 20th party congress from October 16-22, a party spokesperson announced on Saturday. The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will open at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and conclude on Oct. 22, lasting seven days, state media outlet quoted congress spokesperson Sun Yeli as saying. Also Read | British Sikh Army Officer Preet Chandi Aka 'Polar Preet' To Trek 1,100 Miles Across Antarctica. Addressing a press conference, spokesperson Sun Yeli said the qualifications of 2,296 delegates to the 20th National Congress of CCP have been confirmed valid. The delegates will attend the 20th CCP National Congress, representing more than 96 million CPC members and over 4.9 million primary-level Party organizations, he added. Also Read | Global Hunger Index 2022: India Ranks 107 out of 121 countries, Records Highest Child Wasting Rate. China's most important political event of 2022, and indeed of the coming five years, will kick off on October 16 when the 20th National Congress of the ruling CCP and its 90 million members convene. Regional experts say that Chairman Xi Jinping will undoubtedly extend his term in power for another five years. He will either be re-elected as general secretary of the CCP, or will be newly elected as chairman of the CCP, a title that has lain dormant since 1982 and was once the highest position ever held by Mao Zedong. The congress is taking place at one of the most perilous periods in international affairs in recent years. A war is raging in Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin attempts to burnish his credentials as a great Russian leader, and China remains a staunch supporter of this would-be tsar. At the same time, Taiwan Strait tensions are at their highest in decades, as China attempts to pummel Taipei into acquiescence. Moreover, diplomatic tensions with the US, the after-effects of a global pandemic and China's own paranoid efforts to stamp out COVID-19, and all the ingredients for a brewing storm are present. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beijing, Oct 15 (PTI) China's ruling Communist Party on Saturday put up a strong defence of its much-criticised zero-COVID policy and ruled out its roll back, saying it is a "reality" that coronavirus is still lingering while describing Beijing's measures as the "most cost-effective". Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said China's measures to tackle the COVID-19 have worked well for the country and the zero-COVID policy is a science-based policy. Also Read | Cambodia: Death Toll Rises, 11 Students' Body Found After Boat Capsizes in Mekong River. "COVID has dealt a heavy blow to economies all around the world. As things stand, however, it is still lingering, that is the reality, he said ahead of the once-in-a-five-year Congress which begins its weeklong session on Sunday. Days ahead of the Congress, Beijing has witnessed rare public protests against President and Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, denouncing the zero-COVID policy of periodic lockdowns of the cities with cases and strict control measures resulting in the slowdown of the economy and fuelling unemployment. Also Read | British Sikh Army Officer Preet Chandi Aka 'Polar Preet' To Trek 1,100 Miles Across Antarctica. China, where the first case of the coronavirus was reported in December 2019 in Wuhan city, follows a "zero-Covid" strategy, including mass testing, strict isolation rules and local lockdowns. China's measures to tackle the COVID-19 epidemic are the most cost-effective and have worked the best for the country, Sun said when asked if the measures which slowed down the economy will be relaxed. "We give top priority to people's health and safety. This is part and parcel of our epidemic response efforts and the dynamic zero-COVID policy has been adopted in light of China's national realities and it is a science-based policy, Sun added. China has a big population including elderly people and the development is uneven among regions and medical resources are insufficient, he said. On the whole, the dynamic zero-COVID policy has enabled us to keep infection and fatality rates at a very low level, he said, adding that the policy has worked best for the country. He also played down concerns over the slowdown of the Chinese economy. From 2013 to 2021 under President Xi's leadership, China's GDP has grown by 6.6 per cent annually, higher than the global average of 2.6 per cent and 3.7 per cent growth rate of other developing economies. He said China remains an important anchor of stability and a driving force of global economic growth. All things considered, China's development still has many favourable conditions, Sun said. "The Chinese economy has strong resilience, great potential and robust vitality, and the fundamentals for its long-term positive growth remain unchanged," he said. Downplaying the steady decline of the world's second-largest economy, Sun said the speed of growth is not the only important yardstick. China is focusing on high-quality development, he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Oct 15 (PTI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has urged the World Bank to avoid a "unidimensional" view of the subsidies provided by the Indian government and asserted that it is important to differentiate between "distortive subsidies" and "targeted support" to the vulnerable households. Speaking at an intervention of the World Bank Development Committee's meeting on Friday, Sitharaman said that subsidies have made a definitive contribution in improving India's performance on several key parameters of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Also Read | Pakistan: Muhammad Noor Meskanzai, Former Chief Justice Shot Dead in Terrorist Attack Outside Mosque in Balochistan. We urge the Bank to avoid a unidimensional view of subsidies. It is important to differentiate between distortive subsidies and targeted support to the vulnerable households, Sitharaman said. As an illustration, she said that by providing free LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna over the last six years, the Indian Government has ensured that access to clean cooking methods has achieved near saturation for women in India. This has made a definitive contribution in improving India's performance on several key parameters of SDG, she said. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine War: US Announces Additional USD 725 Million in Military Aid for Ukraine. During her intervention, she told the Development Committee members that while the quest for energy and food security necessitates non exclusion of fossil fuels from our energy mix, India has set up its first pure hydrogen producing plant as well as its first 2G bioethanol refinery this year. Going forward, she suggested three clear opportunities for the World Bank Group. First, promoting behaviour change to increase energy efficiency and to reduce food losses. Programmes like the Lifestyle for the Environment launched by India on the World Environment Day this June, in which World Bank President David Malpass delivered a wonderful keynote address, can mainstream responsible consumption behaviour, she said. Second is helping all client countries in arranging concessional financing and technology transfer in areas like renewable and green energy. And third is supporting regional integration not only through IDA but also through IBRD, the minister said. On financing climate and development goals, the World Bank is uniquely placed to bring together all stakeholders for developing an investment strategy for climate and development finance, she observed. Yet, we must never lose focus on the internationally agreed basic principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This necessitates avoidance of a one-size fit-all approach, she told the Development Committee. Mitigation of risks is essential for crowding in private capital. While welcoming the launching of SCALE, we encourage the Bank to increase the share of grants from the current five per cent level and to work below the country level to support projects with huge climate impact beyond the national borders, Sitharaman said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Karachi, Oct 15 (PTI) A former chief justice of the Balochistan High Court was gunned down as he came out of a mosque after offering prayers on Friday evening in Kharan area of Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. Muhammad Noor Maskanzai, who received multiple gun shot wounds, died while he was being taken to a hospital in Quetta, around 280 kilometres from the town of Kharan. Also Read | Disturbing Video: Pakistan in Shock After Scores of Rotting Bodies Found on Multan Hospital's Roof. A senior police official said that the former CJ was critically injured in the targeted firing as he came out of the mosque. He had offered his Isha prayers and was coming out of the mosque when unknown persons opened firing on him, DIG Police Nazeer Ahmed Kurd said. Also Read | Yemen: 10 Child Leukemia Patients Killed After Administration of Expired Doses of Cancer Treatment Drug. He said two other persons were also seriously injured in the firing incident and were in hospital in critical condition. A police investigation has started to find out the motive behind the targeted attack. Kharan is considered one of the most dangerous areas of the Balochistan province which has been hit by an ongoing terror campaign by insurgents and militants working against the government. Deadly attacks on security officials and installations, foreign nationals and locals from other provinces have increased in the last one year. Earlier in the day, a remote controlled bomb blast killed three people and injured four others in Mastung with the target apparently being a high profile tribal leader and politician who escaped unhurt. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Astana [Kazakhstan], October 15 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that any direct contact or direct clash of NATO troops with the Russian army would lead to a "global catastrophe". Addressing the news conference in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, Putin said, "In any case, direct contact, direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who are saying this are smart enough not to take such a step." Also Read | Disturbing Video: Pakistan in Shock After Scores of Rotting Bodies Found on Multan Hospital's Roof. Earlier, Putin had warned that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory after annexing four regions of Ukraine last month, a move which the UN this week condemned. On Tuesday, Group of Seven (G7) nations warned that the use of nuclear weapons on Ukraine will have severe consequences, according to a statement released by the White House. Also Read | Yemen: 10 Child Leukemia Patients Killed After Administration of Expired Doses of Cancer Treatment Drug. Leaders of G7 states (the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, France, and Japan) said, "We deplore deliberate Russian escalator steps, including the partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which is putting global peace and security at risk. We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences." Earlier, US President Joe Biden spoke of nuclear "Armageddon" in a warning about the escalation in Russia's war in Ukraine during a speech on Thursday. Biden warned of the "assault" on American institutions and talked of the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons, at the New York home of James Murdoch, the son of media baron Rupert Murdoch. "We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis," Biden said in New York City. At a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Putin is "not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons." This is because, Biden said, "his military is -- you might say -- significantly underperforming," "I'm trying to figure out, what is Putin's off-ramp?" Biden said. "Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not only lose face but lose significant power within Russia?" According to a pool report, Biden told attendees at the event, "I don't think there is any such thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon." Putin has renewed his nuclear threats as he announced the annexation of Ukrainian territory, some of which Russia doesn't control, and with the call-up of 300,000 reservists to reinforce his flagging invasion. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Vatican City, Oct 15 (AP) Pope Francis exhorted members of a major Catholic lay group Saturday to keep up their enthusiasm, a year after Vatican reforms put checks on the leadership of such organizations. In St. Peter's Square, Francis addressed thousands of members of Communion and Liberation, a lay organization present in some 90 countries. The group is particularly active in Italy and seeks political influence. Also Read | Rajasthan: Around 100 Hindus From Pakistan Reach Jodhpur, Say 'We Don't Want To Go Back' After Facing Discrimination in Relief Work Post Flash Floods. Last year, the Vatican moved to better regulate religious movements for the faithful who are not clergy by mandating term limits for their leaders. The action forced out a Spanish priest, the Rev. Julian Carron, who had headed Communion and Liberation since 2005. A few months ago, the head of the Vatican's office on laity complained that Carron was still exercising influence against the Vatican's reforms. Also Read | Cambodia: Death Toll Rises, 11 Students' Body Found After Boat Capsizes in Mekong River. At Saturday's audience, Communion and Liberation members cheered the pope, who recalled the 100th anniversary of the birth of their organization's late founder, the Rev. Luigi Guissani. In his speech, Francis thanked Carron for his service in guiding the movement in the years following Guissani's death. Still, said the pontiff, there have been serious problems, divisions and certainly an impoverishment in the presence of an ecclesial movement so important as Communion and Liberation, for which the church, and I myself, hope (to have) more, much more. He told the group's members not to lose heart. "Crisis sparks growth,'' Francis said. With the 2021 reform, the Vatican's laity office cracked down on the largely unregulated world of international associations of the faithful following the reporting of some cases of abuses of authority and bad governance. Without authority, one risks going off the road, going in a wrong direction,'' Francis told the Communion and Liberation members, Still, without charisma, the path risks becoming boring, no longer attractive for people of that particular historic moment. The pope said it's up to the Catholic Church to indicate with wisdom and prudence on which path the movements must walk, to remain faithful to themselves and to the mission God entrusted to them. Don't let your brotherhood be wounded by divisions and confrontations, the pontiff said, blaming such conflicts on the devil. Even in difficult moments, there can be moments of grace, and they can be moments of rebirth. (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, Oct 15 (PTI) India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met European Union's Commissioner of Economy Paolo Gentiloni here and the two leaders discussed the current global economic situation, the Union Ministry of Finance said. Sitharaman is here to attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. On the sidelines of these, she has been holding a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings. Also Read | Disturbing Video: Pakistan in Shock After Scores of Rotting Bodies Found on Multan Hospital's Roof. During their meeting on Friday, Sitharaman and Gentiloni discussed issues related to the global economy and furthering India-EU collaboration during India's Presidency of the G-20 in 2023, the ministry said. They also discussed the need to further strengthen Multilateral Development Banks to enable them to help countries in need, it said. Also Read | Yemen: 10 Child Leukemia Patients Killed After Administration of Expired Doses of Cancer Treatment Drug. So far, Sitharaman has held nearly a dozen bilateral meetings with her counterparts from major countries and those from the neighbourhood. She met German Finance Minister Christian Lindner on Thursday. The two ministers discussed several possible areas of collaboration and support by Germany to India's G20 Presidency in 2023, according to the ministry. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ankara [Turkey], October 15 (ANI): Turkey's interior minister, Suleyman Soylu on Friday said that a blast inside a coal mine in northern Turkey has left 14 workers dead. Interior Minister Soylu said about the mining explosion that took place in Bartin, "110 of our brothers were working there, we had 49 brothers in the risky area, 21 of our brothers were sent to the hospital, unfortunately, 14 of our brothers lost their lives," reported local media TRT HABER. Also Read | Disturbing Video: Pakistan in Shock After Scores of Rotting Bodies Found on Multan Hospital's Roof. Fatih Donmez, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, also said that the cause of the explosion was a firedamp explosion, according to initial assessments. "According to the first evaluations made by our friends, it is that there was a firedamp explosion. In some of them, the mini-rail system, which we call phaetons, works, and in some of them, there is a manual intervention on foot. All search and rescue teams are on duty, we do not have any shortcomings. We are in constant coordination with our friends. Again, I say condolences," said Donmez. Also Read | Yemen: 10 Child Leukemia Patients Killed After Administration of Expired Doses of Cancer Treatment Drug. Soylu and Donmez went to the area where the explosion occurred in the mining quarry in the Amasra district of Bartin, reported TRT HABER. Soylu stated that 14 of the 21 people who were taken to the hospital lost their lives, and said, "7 of our brothers are in the hospital. 3 of our brothers are in intensive care, and all necessary preparations are being made for the transfer of some of the burned ones to Istanbul. First of all, a great struggle is set out below. God help our brothers there. We will share information with you in three different time periods. We ask our citizens not to rely on different information. Our condolences." The cause of the blast at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin, was under investigation. Several rescue teams were dispatched to the area, including from neighbouring provinces, Turkey's disaster management agency, AFAD, said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is closely monitoring the situation, the Turkish Presidency said on Twitter, reported Anadolu News agency. In Turkey's worst mine disaster, a total of 301 people died in 2014 in a fire inside a coal mine in the town of Soma, in western Turkey. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ranchi, Oct 15: For years, 48-year-old Suman Verma Kujra cooked food for her seven-member family using solid fuels, mostly wood, in her kitchen in Jharkhand's Lohardaga district. Kujra, a resident of Hendlaso village, about 80 km from here, experienced health difficulties, such as eye inflammation and respiratory issues, due to smoke emanating from chulha (oven) in her kitchen having an asbestos roof. But, she thought it was normal, and every kitchen functions this way. Till then, the woman had been ignorant about household air pollution and its impact on health. I never heard that smoke coming out of chulhas is not good for health and it can cause multiple diseases, Kujra told PTI. However, the housewife's perception changed after she attended a programme on air pollution and climate change on December 2, 2020, organised by a Jharkhand-based NGO, where she came to know for the first time about household air pollution. Tamil Nadu Gas Leak: 67 Students of Krishnagiri School Recuperating in Hospital, Say Authorities. Later, we were trained on how to measure in-house air quality and ways to reduce the impact of pollution to some extent. We were also given an air quality monitoring device, Kujra said. When she measured the air quality of her kitchen for the first time with such a device after burning the chulha, the count of fine particulate matter PM 2.5, a pollutant, was near about 900 ug/m3 as against the normal range of 40ug/m3. I was told that the range is very dangerous for health. In a bid to lower the pollution impact, I immediately constructed a window for proper ventilation in the kitchen and stopped burning plastics, papers in the chulha. At present, I use both LPG stove and chulha for cooking food, she said. Kujra now runs a self-help group (SHG) under the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), a nodal agency for the implementation of national rural livelihood mission (NRLM) projects. Since I am associated with SHG, I decided to create awareness about household air pollution among women in villages with the support of the NGO. Till now, I have reached out to around 400 women and they have also joined the campaign against pollution, she said. A similar view was aired by Reena Oraon, a resident of Hariharpur village. Oraon told PTI, I was not aware of household pollution earlier. Now, I decided to build a kitchen outside the living room so that smoke goes out easily. I have also joined the mission to make people aware of health impacts due to air pollution in my village. Household pollution, mainly in rural areas, is hardly discussed in seminars even though its impact is huge on those who are cooking using fossil fuel, said Manorama Ekka, the founder of HOPE, a civil society organisation. Diwali 2022: Fireworks Traders in West Bengal Seek Single-Window System for Trade Licence Nod. We mostly talk about various sources of air pollution such as factories and vehicles in urban areas. But there is hardly any discussion on household air pollution. We decided to wage a war against it and protect rural people from its impact, she told PTI. Even though the government has provided LPG cylinders to villagers, this is still not affordable for the majority of people in rural Jharkhand due to their poor earning source, Ekka said. They are still using wood or coal to cook food, which causes huge pollution in households. The air quality readings that were taken near chulhas here have shown PM 2.5 ranging from 600 ug/m3 to 2000 ug/m3, which is many times above the normal level of 40ug/m3 stipulated by the Central Pollution Control Board, she said. Till now, more than 4,000 women have been made aware of household air pollution in Lohardaga, and around 1,000 of them have already adopted the practices to lower pollution, Ekka said. We have started the mission from Lohardaga and now it is being extended to Bokaro and Dhanbad too. We encourage women to use smokeless chulhas, proper windows in the kitchen, or cooking in airy places, she said. Speaking about the impact on health, associate professor at the civil and environment department of BIT Mesra, Ranchi, Kirti Abhishek told PTI, Burning of solid fuels such as wood releases carbon monoxide. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) forms in red blood cells. He said that Carboxyhaemoglobin reduces the oxygen level in blood. Children are the worst affected by the situation. Besides, PM 2.5 causes several diseases such as asthma, lung disorder, and respiratory issues. A recent study conducted by ASAR, an organisation that seeks to address the big environmental and social challenges facing India, and the Jharkhand-based NGO showed that there are several barriers in the way of women's access to clean cooking fuel. While affordability of LPG is a key factor, problems related to door-to-door delivery of cylinders and socio-cultural issues concerning the use of chulhas also play a crucial role, ASAR's gender and climate programme head Neha Saigal told PTI. She called for a multi-pronged approach to address the issue. It should include filling up the gaps in our current policies, subsidising clean fuel, and creating awareness through behaviour change campaigns, investing in research and development in the area to find affordable solutions such as solar-based cooking, Saigal said. A #UnitedNations (@UN) spokesman has said that peacekeepers in South #Sudan are gravely concerned about the fighting between two armed Dinka youth groups in the country's north. pic.twitter.com/bvzKvvB58r IANS (@ians_india) October 15, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) General Staff: Mortality rate of seriously wounded Russian soldiers more than 50 percent The high rate is due to low quality of medical care and a reluctance of the Russian command to evacuate the seriously wounded to Russia, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said. The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) October 15, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) Russia launches missile at Kyiv Oblast. Kyiv Oblast Governor Oleksiy Kuleba reported on Telegram early in the morning of Oct. 15 that Russia had launched a missile at Kyiv Oblast. Kuleba did not disclose the location of the attack but said that rescue workers were on site. The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) October 15, 2022 (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.) British acting legend Robbie Coltrane, best known for his role as Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter films, has passed away in a hospital near Falkirk, Scotland. He was 72. The cause of his death was not yet made public. However, Deadline reported that the Scottish actor "had been in ill health for the past two years." He is survived by his children Spencer and Alice, their mother Rhona Gremmel, and his sister, Annie Rae. His family also asked the public to respect their privacy during this distressing time. J.K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, Other Harry Potter Stars Pay Tribute to Robbie Coltrane Coltrane's most iconic role will always be as Hagrid in all eight Harry Potter films. Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, released a statement following his co-star's passing. "I've especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban when we were all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid's hut and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up," Radcliffe said in that statement. He added that he feels "incredibly lucky" he got to work with Coltrane and is very said that he had passed away. Finally, the Harry Potter star stated that "He was an incredible actor and a lovely man." On Twitter, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling also posted a tribute to the late actor. She said that she was fortunate to know him and work with him. She then sent her condolences to his family. I'll never know anyone remotely like Robbie again. He was an incredible talent, a complete one off, and I was beyond fortunate to know him, work with him and laugh my head off with him. I send my love and deepest condolences to his family, above all his children. pic.twitter.com/tzpln8hD9z J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 14, 2022 READ NEXT: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Court Battle Far From Over as Actress Files 16-Point Grounds for Appeal in Defamation Case Other Harry Potter actors also released statements, with Bonnie Wright, who portrayed Ginny Weasley, stating that she was heartbroken when she found out about his passing. Meanwhile, David Thewlis, who played Remus Lupin, said "The richest, mightiest and most mischievous laughter on set was all big Robbie's fault." He then said that Coltrane will be forever loved and will be sorely missed. The Weasley Twins also shared their thoughts on the late Coltrane, with Oliver Phelps, who played George Weasley, talking about Coltrane giving them advice on their first red carpet premiere for the first Harry Potter movie. Meanwhile, his twin brother, James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley, stated that Coltrane came over to him on his first day on set and calmed his nerves by giving him some advice, Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger, stated "Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set, I promise I'll do it in your name and memory." Robbie Coltrane's Legendary Career While Coltrane is best known for his role as Hagrid, he was also known for his other roles. Born Anthony Robert McMillan in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, in 1950, the larger-than-life Scotsman came to prominence in the BBC comedy series A Kick Up the Eighties. He landed the lead role in the British music film, Tutti Frutti, as well as appeared in the British crime film, Mona Lisa. One of his most famous roles, however, arrived in the 90s as he played criminal psychologist Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the ITV series Cracker. According to the BBC, he won a BAFTA for that role for three consecutive years. READ NEXT: Coolio, Grammy-Winning 'Gangsta's Paradise' Rapper, Passes Away at 59 This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Harry Potter Actor Robbie Coltrane Dead at 72 | E! News Emotions filled the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana Thursday, a few hours after President Joe Biden announced that a large group of Venezuelan migrants would be deported from the U.S. Shortly after Mexico said they would accept the deported Venezuelan, migrants were seen at the El Chaparral crossing port of entry in Tijuana, NY Post reported. Several women beg for attention by holding onto their things, like papers and water bottles. On the other hand, several young men can also be seen with their arms up. "We're in despair, we went through so much," Yair Andrade, who arrived in Tijuana through Central America with his wife and kids, told Reuters. "We still don't know how to enter the program. We can't go back to Venezuela, we have nothing there now," he added. As part of a deal made on Wednesday, the Biden administration changed its "catch and release" policy, which had let tens of thousands of asylum seekers stay in the country during lengthy legal processes. It also brought back a rule from the Trump administration, Title 42, which says that Venezuelan migrants who cross the southern border will be sent back to Mexico. As part of the deal, the US will let 24,000 Venezuelans come to the US for humanitarian reasons by air if they have a sponsor in the US. There have been no specifics about what Mexico will get out of the deal. READ NEXT: Mexico, U.S. Agree on Ukraine-style Relief for Venezuelan Migrants Some Venezuelan Migrants Are Already Here Before the New Measures Began The US government started to deport dozens of Venezuelan migrants at the immigration detention center to Mexico Thursday. However, many claimed they had been in the US before the new measures started. According to Miami Herald, a group of around 150 Venezuelan from the detention center in Texas was sent to the border by bus. They were forced to cross the pedestrian bridge connecting El Paso and Ciudad Juarez and greeted by Mexican immigration officials. Jonathan Rivero, 37, and Jesus Rivero, 26, claimed to be among them and that the new regulations were applied retroactively in their case. "They took us out without telling us anything. ... They treated us as criminals," Jesus said. He also claimed that they were taken to the bus without being asked, and when they stopped, they realized they were at the bridge at the US-Mexico border. Number of Migrants Are Growing at the US-Mexico Border According to US Customs and Border Protection, 55,333 migrants from Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela were found at the border in August. This is a 175% increase from last year. "Almost four times as many Venezuelans as last year attempted to cross our southern border, placing their lives in the hands of ruthless smuggling organizations," the Department of Homeland Security wrote in its announcement. It also stated that irregular migration from northern Central America is a quarter lower than last year, according to a report from Nebraska Examiner. The CBP stated in its report that a high number of migrants undertaking multiple border crossing attempts due to the pandemic's expulsions has resulted in a higher-than-usual number of encounters, which somewhat overstates the number of unique individuals arriving at the border. Venezuelan migrants who want to move to the US and qualify for the new program must also go through a national screening and public safety process and get their shots up to date. According to the DHS website, any US citizen, including a company or other groups, may "support a potential beneficiary from Venezuela." These Americans will need to prove their ability to support their beneficiaries for up to two years. READ MORE: Haiti: US Sends Assistance, Vows to Pull Visas of Corrupt Haitian Officials; Canada' Carefully Considering' Haiti's Please for Help This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Venezuelan migrants turned back to Mexico - From Associated Press The WNBA star Brittney Griner is reportedly struggling in prison in Russia after she has been wrongfully detained for eight months on drug smuggling charges. Insider reported that Griner shares a small cell with two other individuals, both of whom speak English and were also imprisoned for drug-related charges. Griner was reportedly sleeping in a bed that was too small for her frame. The WNBA player stands at the six-foot-nine frame. In April, Ekaterina Kalagunia, a journalist who visited a Russian prison, noted an oversight commission that Griner needed a larger bed. Kalugina noted that Griner and other imprisoned women are only permitted to shower twice per week. The WNBA player also revealed that she was experiencing frequent pain, especially headaches, during Kalugina's visit. Lawyer Alexandr Boykov noted that the penal colony where Griner is imprisoned was "dilapidated," adding that the temperature inside fluctuates depending on the weather. Griner's wife, Cherelle, also mentioned their "disturbing phone call" and shared that Griner may not have the mental strength to cope with her prison situation. READ NEXT: Biden Administration Seeking Prisoner Swap With Russia to Bring WNBA Player Brittney Griner, Paul Whelan Home Brittney Griner in Penal Colony in Russia Boykov said in the New York Times report that Griner is not yet "absolutely convinced" that America will be able to take her home. The lawyer added that Griner is worried that she will have to serve the whole sentence in Russia. Boykov said before Griner's appeals court hearing that he hoped that the nine-year sentence would be reduced. The lawyer also described the sentence as "an unprecedented punishment" for marijuana possession. Boykov said that considering all the circumstances and taking into account his client's personality traits, such a verdict should be "absolutely impossible." Griner was reported to be suffering a lot without her family as she has not seen them for so long and it was difficult for them to talk in any way, according to Boykov. Cherelle said that she has only spoken to her wife only twice since Friday. She added that their most recent conversation had been "so disturbing" and made her cry for two or three days afterward. Meanwhile, officials in Washington noted that they had not given up on discussions about Griner and other Americans that have been "wrongfully detained." State Secretary Antony Blinken said Griner's return and that of Paul Whelan's, who has been imprisoned for almost four years on espionage charges, had his "full attention" and that the State Department was "focused on it every single day." WNBA Star Brittany Griner Griner has been charged a maximum of 10 years. Her legal team argued that her punishment is still "excessive." Other defendants in similar cases in Russia have received an average sentence of about five years and about a third of them were granted parole, according to the lawyers. In August, Russian officials noted that they are undergoing negotiations with the U.S. government about a possible prisoner swap that could result in Griner going home, as reported by CBS Sports. It was then reported that Russia has confirmed that it seeks to make convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout part of the bargain. READ MORE: U.S. Marine Detained in Russia; Family Says U.S. Pres. Joe Biden Won't Meet Them in Texas This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Mary Webber WATCH: WNBA star Brittney Griner sentenced to 9 years in Russian prison - from ABC News A 15-year-old teenager went on a rampage in North Carolina's capital, Raleigh, on Thursday, killing five people and injuring two others. The shooter, who was identified as a white boy, killed two people in a residential neighborhood before taking his killing spree to a hiking trail, where he killed three more, Associated Press reported. The teen was eventually cornered by police and arrested at around 9:37 p.m. local time in a home. Authorities did not release the shooter's identity. One of the five people killed was an off-duty police officer. Another cop was also among those injured. Both of them were sent to nearby hospitals, but only one of the officers was eventually released. Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said the suspect was hospitalized and in critical condition following his arrest. However, authorities have not said how he was injured. As of Friday, Patterson noted that police have yet to determine a motive for the attack. North Carolina Police Advised Residents to Stay Inside as Mass Shooter Went on Rampage in Raleigh Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin talked to the media after the mass shooting and said: "This is a sad and tragic day." Baldwin noted that the gunfire broke out at around 5 p.m. in the Hedingham neighborhood and along the Neuse River Greenway, a biking and walking trail behind some of the houses. When the gunfire was reported, officers from various law enforcement agencies were sent in and closed off the area. They also warned residents to stay inside while they searched for the shooter. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper denounced the mass shooting and said: "Tonight, terror has reached our doorstep. The nightmare of every community has come to Raleigh. This is a senseless horrific and infuriating act of violence that has been committed." Baldwin added: "We must stop this mindless violence in America, we must address gun violence... We have much to do, and tonight we have much to mourn." This mass shooting on Thursday has already been entered into the Associated Press/USA TODAY/Northeastern University Mass Killings database. It has been listed as the 25th mass shooting in 2022 alone. When "four or more people are killed excluding the perpetrator," it is considered a mass killing. READ NEXT: Parkland School Shooting Verdict: Gunman Nikolas Cruz Escapes Death Penalty, Gets Life in Prison Without Parole Victims of the Raleigh Mass Shooter in North Carolina Named Here are the five victims who tragically died in the shooting rampage. The police officer who was killed was Gabriel Torres, a 29-year-old off-duty cop. According to The News & Observer, he was not in uniform when he was shot by the teenager and was traveling to work. Torres, also a former marine, had been with the police department for 18 months. He leaves behind his wife and one child. The Raleigh Police Protective Association has launched fundraising efforts for his family. Nicole Connors, 52, was also shot and killed by the gunman. Her husband, Tracey Howard, described her as the matriarch of her extended family, who "got things done," the Associated Press reported. Another one killed was identified as Susan Karnatz, 49, who was an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. Perhaps one of the most tragic deaths was Mary Marshall, 34, who was only walking her dog when she was shot. She was supposed to get married later this month. Marshall was a U.S. Navy veteran who was described by her step-grandmother as an "absolute fanatic about Disney World." She was on her phone with her fiance before she died. The final and youngest victim was James Thompson, 16. He was a junior at Knightdale High School in Raleigh. READ MORE: Alex Jones Loses Another Court Battle vs. Sandy Hook Families, Ordered To Pay $965 Million This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: 15-Year-Old Suspect Killed 5 in Raleigh, North Carolina, Mass Shooting, Police Say - From CBS News Gang violence has taken over much of Haiti and forced many to flee the country. Now, the United Nations (UN) is negotiating a resolution to impose sanctions on one of the country's most notorious gang leaders. The United States drafted the resolution, targeting the notorious gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as "Barbeque," and other Haitian individuals and groups who "engage in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability" of Haiti. The Associated Press obtained a text of that resolution on Thursday that sanctioned Cherizier, a former police officer who now leads an alliance of gangs around Haiti known as the "G9 Family and Allies." However, it will also create a Security Council committee, which would blacklist other Haitian groups and impose sanctions on them. So far, Cherizier's sanctions include an arms embargo, an asset freeze, and a travel ban. Last week, Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry, with 18 high-ranking officials, asked the UN for the "immediate deployment of a specialized armed force" in Haiti to stop the criminal gangs in their rampage across the Caribbean nation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had already sent a letter to the Security Council last Sunday, calling for the deployment of a rapid action force to help Haiti's National Police. READ NEXT: Haiti: Gang Kills and Burns Former Senator and Nephew UN Security Council Meeting on Haiti Moved Due to Increasing Unrest Gangs have slowly taken over Haiti, with conflicts occurring between rivals and the overwhelmed police force. The situation worsened when Ariel Henry stopped fuel subsidies, forcing fuel prices to double. Cherizier and his G9 gang confederation managed to block the Varreux fuel terminal, causing a fuel shortage. According to the draft resolution, the gang leader directly contributed to the current humanitarian crisis in Haiti because of his actions. Haiti's increasingly dire situation has forced the UN Security Council to move up a meeting on Haiti to Monday. G9 Gang Leader in Haiti Remains Defiant "Barbeque" has remained defiant. He posted a video on Facebook and demanded the Haitian government to grant him and other G9 members amnesty and void all arrest warrants against them. Cherizier said in Creole that with Haiti's worsening socio-economic situation, "there is no better time than today to dismantle the system." He also proposed a transitional plan to restore order in the country that will include a Council of Sages and an interim president until a presidential election could be held in February. Cherizier also called for the restructuring of Haiti's National Police, which he was previously a part of and the strengthening of the military. In his Facebook statement, he noted that "the country is (facing) one crisis after another." He added that the first victim of all these crises "is the population, the people in the ghettos, the peasants." According to Al Jazeera, the gang leader blocked the entrance to Varreux to protest against the prime minister's decision to cut fuel subsidies. READ MORE: Haiti Gang Accused of Burning Courthouse This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Haiti in the Grips of Humanitarian Crisis as Gangs Block Main Fuel Terminal - From CBC News: The National The trial of several leaders of the far-right extremist group Oath Keepers in Washington, D.C., wrapped up its second week on Friday. The prosecution on Friday called on FBI agents to testify on the hundreds of messages exchanged between members on the days leading to January 6, 2021. The FBI agents managed to gain access to cellphone data and seized records. They revealed that several members of the Oath Keepers discussed the possibility of a "civil war" in the moments leading up to that fateful day when thousands of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. According to ABC News, an FBI agent attested to the authenticity of these messages and showed Facebook comments and private messages by Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and members Kelly Meggs and Thomas Caldwell, all of whom are co-defendants in this case. READ NEXT: Oath Keepers Member Testifies Far-Right Extremist Group Had Massive Cache of Weapons for January 6 Capitol Attack Oath Keepers Members Discussed 'Quick Reaction Force' During Video Calls CNN reported that over the past two weeks, the prosecution had shown the Washington, D.C. jury messages of the members not only discussing civil war but also killing politicians and imploring Donald Trump to use the Insurrection Act. During the trial on Friday, prosecutors also introduced new evidence where several members of the group, including defendants Stewart Rhodes, Kelly Meggs, and Kenneth Harrelson, attended three virtual meetings during the first week of January 2021. In those meetings, they discussed what their "Quick Reaction Force" (QRF) will do on the day of the insurrection. Meggs and Rhodes started messaging one another about the QRF on January 2. They settled on staging them in hotel rooms in Virginia before discussing having Meggs coordinate with a larger group of Oath Keepers to prepare traveling to Washington, D.C. Meggs also stated in the call that he would "get with (North Carolina) team today and find our QRF location." On the other hand, Caldwell sent at least six detailed maps of northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., to the group leader of one of the Oath Keepers' forces, Paul Stamey. In addition, Meggs also sent maps to other Oath Keepers members, and they included travel routes that the QRF could take. Oath Keepers Leader Stewart Rhodes Keeps Speaking According to NPR, while evidence was mounting against the group, Stewart Rhodes continued to speak outside the courtroom, causing problems for his attorneys. During a break in the trial, the Oath Keepers founder gave a phone interview on Alex Jones' Infowars show, known for peddling debunked conspiracy theories. There, Rhodes likened himself to Nelson Mandela. "But just like Nelson Mandela was willing to go to jail for life, he did 20 years, you have to be willing to do that," Rhodes said. "You have to be willing to take the hit if you're a person who's a freedom fighter and is standing up for rights. Because if you don't, then what you become is a slave." That did not go too well with his attorney, Lee Bright, who told NPR that they had asked their client to stop doing those interviews as the case was happening. NPR also reported that Rhodes was a graduate of the Yale Law School but was later disbarred. He noted that he would take the witness stand later in the trial. But his outside interviews may come back to punch him when he is questioned under cross-examination. READ MORE: January 6: Dominican Rebublic-born Immigrant Capitol Police Officer Dealing With Pain After Capitol Insurrection This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Oath Keepers Trial Finished Second Week - From WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando A missing Texas mom is believed to be the woman found dead inside the vehicle driven by her teenage son, who was also reported missing. According to ABC13, a police chase in Aurora, Nebraska that ended in a crash resulted in the startling discovery of the body of 17-year-old Tyler Roenz's mom. The teen from Humble, Texas was reported missing on Thursday along with his mother, Michelle Roenz. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the mother and son were last seen at around 11:40 a.m. Thursday at their home in the Fall Creek neighborhood in the Humble area. KHOU-11 reported that the crash led troopers to find the woman's body in the car's trunk. Crime Online reported that the police said Tyler was seriously injured in the Friday afternoon crash, but he is expected to survive. The teenager is currently being treated at a nearby hospital. The Nebraska State Patrol said the Harris County Sheriff's Office alerted them that the Mazda 3 tied to the disappearance of the mother and son and believed to be involved in a homicide was seen traveling in Nebraska at around 2:45 p.m. Troopers spotted the car after 15 minutes and attempted to stop it, but Tyler allegedly led them on a high-speed chase. Without mentioning it was the 49-year-old missing mom, Gonzalez confirmed through a tweet that there was a female body found in the trunk of the teen's car. However, sources told ABC13 that the body is that of Michelle. READ NEXT: North Carolina Mass Shooting Suspect Arrested After Killing 5 People, Including a Police Officer Mom and Son's Disappearance Prompted a CLEAR Alert Across Texas According to ABC13, the disappearance of Tyler Roenz and his mom prompted a CLEAR Alert across Texas. But it was lifted after the teenager was found. Ed Gonzalez said the two went missing "under suspicious circumstances. However, he could not specifically describe why. Sources told the outlet that blood was found in their home. "I don't know what the full scope of the danger part of it is, simply because our investigators were hot and heavy late last night into this morning," Gonzalez noted. Both Tyler and his mother were initially reported missing by a family member. Texas Teen Driver Tyler Roanz Previously Assaulted Another Teen Inside His Car Tyler Roanz reportedly had a previous criminal record. According to ABC13, the teen was previously charged with attempted sexual assault last March. Tyler was reportedly a "mysterious" boy who attacked an 18-year-old girl in his car. He allegedly ripped her shirt off and kicked her in the face. According to reports, Tyler's sister was a valedictorian in Humble ISD in 2020, but he was not enrolled there. Meanwhile, Michelle Roanz was described by neighbors as a fierce animal advocate, mom, and wife and was well-regarded in their neighborhood. READ MORE: January 6: Dominican Rebublic-born Immigrant Capitol Police Officer Dealing With Pain After Capitol Insurrection This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Car of Missing Humble Teen, Mother Involved in Crash After Nebraska Police Chase, Sheriff Says - From KHOU 11 Laois School of Music (LSM) celebrates a milestone 21st Birthday with a weekend of live music performances in October in St. Peter's Church, Market Square, Portlaoise when the newly refurbished Laois Music Centre will also be officially opened. Appropriately, the music will be at the forefront of the celebration of the school which has had a big impact thousands of people in the past two decades. St Peter's Church on Market Square in the town is the venue for two concerts on Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23. A LSM Ensembles Concert is the big event on Saturday. Starting at 7pm it features LSM Junior Youth Orchestra, MGL/LSM Chamber Group, LSM Musician Educators and LSM Alumni Elliot Murphy (Cello) and Erin Dollard (Soprano). A LSM Piano Recital is Sunday's show. Beginning at 4pm it features the LSM Tutors Mary Wisely, Tatyana Vykhodtseva and past pupils David Vesey, Emmett Malone and Jonathan Murray. LSM is now in its 21st year and has established itself as the leading centre of music excellence across the midlands, providing a creative and nurturing environment for children and young people of all ages. The concerts will be preceded on Friday at 6pm with the official opening of the newly refurbished Laois Music Centre, Church Avenue, Portlaoise. Located in the former Scoil Mhuire national school, it is now the home to both LSM and Music Generation Laois. The School of Music was established in 2001 under the governance of the Arts Office of Laois County Council and in partnership with the then Laois VEC, along with funding partner The Arts Council of Ireland. Laois School of Music provides high quality, life-long music education in a variety of instruments, and ensemble opportunities. LSM played a central role in securing a Music Generation programme for the County, and since Music Generation Laois was established in 2012, these two organisations work in tandem. The Laois School of Music Beginner Orchestra + Guests at the Dunamaise Arts Centre in February 2022. Picture: Alf Harvey. In 2018, Laois County Council purchased the former Scoil Mhuire building in Portlaoise, to house both Music Generation Laois (MGL) and Laois School of Music (LSM), and in 2019 both LSM and MGL programmes moved under the governance of Laois and Offaly ETB, and continues to be supported by Laois County Council. Both MGL and LSM are now firmly established in Laois Music Centre, a vibrant music building in the Portlaoise Cultural Quarter that welcomes over 750 students each week. LSM also has a vibrant adult student population, with this commitment to life-long learning contributing to the attractiveness of Laois as a place to live, and the sense of a cultural community in the county. Cutting the cake at the Laois School of Music Gala 10th.Birthday Concert at the Dunamaise Arts Centre, were: Maebh Aine Ni Dhugaigh, Nual Kelly (LSM Co- ordinator) , John Davidson (Teacher - LSM) , Eimear Corri, Eada Hogan and Meghan Flanagan - Senior Ensomble members and Muireann Ni Chonaill (Arts Officer -Laois County Council). Photo: Michael Scully . The school has a dedicated staff of 15 professional Music Tutors and offers expert tuition from age 3 to adult in a range of instrumental programmes including piano, woodwind, strings, percussion, as well as Kindermusic and Pre-Instrumental classes, vocal training and Music Theory which includes Junior & Leaving Cert Music. LSM also have a dedicated Orchestral Department which includes the Laois School of Music Junior Youth Orchestra and Chamber Group. Laois School of Music is also a local exam centre in the midlands for RIAM and ABRSM exam bodies, hosting hundreds of exam students each year. LSM and Music Generation Laois have worked in a creative and resourceful way to continue to deliver a high-quality music education programme for the County, and the skills and resilience developed over this time will be of great assistance in future developments of both organisations. The weekend of events is presented by Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois in association with Laois County Council, as part of the Local Live Performance Programme. Admission is free but admission, tickets available at www.dunamaise.ie The events are funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media A father of five who assaulted his partner's toddler, leading to the child being hospitalised for two days, has been jailed for four years. The man, who cannot be named to protect the childs identity, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of child cruelty following a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court earlier this year. The man was in a relationship with the childs mother at the time. Medical staff at Tallaght Hospital called gardai after they discovered extensive bruising to the toddler's face, ears, back, buttocks, thighs and genital area when his mother brought him there in February 2017. When the child's grandmother saw him in hospital, she thought the boy looked like a child from an ISPCC ad, the court previously heard. As a result of his injuries, the toddler spent two days in the hospital. The court heard that on four occasions, the man was seen threatening the toddler with his fists in the childs face. He has 43 previous convictions, including convictions for assault, theft, criminal damage, road traffic and public order offences. The man still maintains his innocence, the court heard. In 2020, the child's mother was given a three-year suspended sentence for allowing her child to be ill-treated by the man. The mother, who was aged 21 at the time of the assault, didn't get her child medical attention when she should have and allowed him to remain in a dangerous environment, Judge Patricia Ryan said when handing down sentence in November 2020. At the man's sentence hearing yesterday, Friday, October 4 that a victim impact statement was handed into court from the maternal grandmother of the toddler, who now has full custody of him. It was not read aloud. The court previously heard that in the days prior to the assault, both the mother and the man's family members expressed concern about bruising on the toddler, but the mother told them he was a clumsy child who fell all the time. In a victim impact statement previously read out in court for the mother's sentence hearing, the boy's grandmother described being told by gardai that her grandson had been hospitalised, before finding him covered in bruises in hospital. She had last seen him two weeks prior to this, the court heard. She recalled walking into the hospital and seeing her grandson smile at her. He was covered in bruises and looked like a child from an ISPCC ad, she said. I was so shocked, she said. I tried not to cry and be strong for him. She said her grandson was nervous and withdrawn for a long time and scared of men. He had night terrors and became hysterical when he saw the bedroom he used to share with his mother. The grandparents eventually moved house as a result. He has suffered speech regressions and struggled with playschool. His grandmother said he used to love playing with other children, but this changed in the aftermath of the abuse and his primary school education was delayed as a result. Sentencing the man, Judge Pauline Codd said the child suffered injuries over extensive parts of his body, including his cheek and testicular area. Judge Codd said the most serious aggravating factors in the case were the youth and vulnerability of the child, who was two and a half years old at the time. She noted the man had a criminal record, the most notable of which was an assault conviction. The judge referred to the victim impact statement which said the child was rigid with fear when discharged from the hospital. The offence was in the upper mid-range with a headline sentence of five years, the judge said. She noted a number of mitigating factors, including the man's history of drug abuse, the death of a close friend, his good relationship with his children and the positive letter from his headmaster in prison. Judge Codd said the appropriate sentence was four years on each of the two counts, which are to run concurrently. Credit will be given for time already served. Fiona Pekaar BL, defending the man, told the court her client is a father of five and no harm has ever come to any of his children. The mother of two of his children was present in court and is supportive of her ex-partner, the court heard. The court heard that his children adore him, and his eldest child wanted to give evidence during his trial. Just weeks after the Electric Picnic packed up the Stradbally Woodland Railway made history in the Laois town On Saturday, September 24 it became the first passenger train to be hauled by a steam locomotive using a 100% renewable biomass-based coal substitute. The fuel used was a stove-ready commercial product called Harvest Flame that is made via the process of torrefaction from biomass in this case olive stones, a residue from the food industry. The Laois steam engine enthusiasts proved that this material is also suitable for small locomotives and traction engine boilers. So, Irelands original volunteer run heritage line has now also pioneered a first step towards carbon neutral steam heritage. Nicola Glynn is the secretary of the Laois based Irish Steam Preservation Society (ISPS). We were excited to try this new form of fuel. Our railway and traction engine rally is in a beautiful part of Ireland, and doing our bit to help decarbonise the economy is important to us. Plus, our crews enjoyed not ending the day covered with coal dust, as this is a remarkably clean fuel, she said. The Continuity Biocoal project is a collaboration between the Irish Steam Preservation Society CLG, Arigna Fuels of Roscommon, The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) and their partners in Wales, the Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA), in the Interreg NWE funded THREE C Project. The initiative highlighted the close working relationship between Ireland and Wales which has many narrow-gauge steam railways of its own. It was also made possible by participation in a series of European transnational projects, that have focussed on finding climate-friendly uses for low value, residual biomass over the last decade. Peter Layden is Director of Arigna Fuels said: Arigna Fuels are delighted to support the heritage steam industry, replacing the original fossil coal with Harvest Flame, our new biomass-sourced 100% renewable and sustainable fuel. Not only will this fuel help to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the heritage sector, but it will also allow people to continue to enjoy first-hand the magnificent and historic engineering, a legacy of a different era. Stephen McCormack of IrBEA said: IrBEA and its members continue to develop and promote sustainable forms of bioenergy. IrBEA is excited to be supporting this novel and innovative application of a fully sustainable biofuel in such an iconic use. The small steam engines of Ireland have played a very significant role in the development of energy production, industry and agriculture in our Island and it is important to keep this heritage alive whilst showing that a move to a bioenergy based, non-fossil fuel future is achievable. A new product for an old process, with much potential. The Continuity Biocoal aims to find ways to ensure that industrial heritage like the Stradbally project can avoid retirement to museums. Among those at the successful Stradbally trial were Bob Gwynne of the National Railway Museum UK, Colin Keyse of Severn Wye, Nigel Glynn and Sean Cain Irish Steam Preservation Society, Robert Johnson, Arigna Fuels and Stephen McCormack. Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA). The Irish Steam Preservation Society CLG, operate the Stradbally woodland railway as well as Irelands largest traction engine rally. It was formed by a group of Steam enthusiasts who set out to preserve for the good of the country, a part of national agricultural heritage, the Steam Traction engine and its many forms after a meeting of members at Harold Condells farm in Co. Laois in 1964. From a small gathering of engines held at the Market House in Stradbally on St Stephens day 1965, the society was formed and the National Steam Rally held on August Bank Holiday was established, which remains a highlight in the national and international Steam calendar and is the longest running Steam Rally in the country. 2019 saw the most steam engines ever gathered on the Island of Ireland for the 50th anniversary rally. In 1967 a short narrow gauge Steam Railway was added using a locomotive kindly donated by the Guinness Brewery with a passenger carriage. In 1969, tracks were re-laid to run the 3 ft gauge preserved Bord na Mona locomotive. So we can proudly claim to be the only Traction Engine Rally in Ireland to have its own Steam Railway. The Stradbally Woodland Railway is the first volunteer-run heritage railway in Ireland. It runs every Bank Holiday weekend and selected other running days during the year. In June 1968 the Steam Museum was opened in Stradbally by P.J Lalor, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Transport and Power. It has grown from its humble beginnings to the fine building it is today housing many fine exhibits and engines for the public to see. It is open by arrangement which can be made with the societys secretary. The estimated 4,320 stroke survivors in Kildare are being urged to join a series of live and recorded talks offering supports ahead of World Stroke Day. The Irish Heart Foundation is co-ordinating a series of expert-led online talks to provide vital support to patients who need help coping with the after effects of stroke. One survivor has told how in an instant, my whole world was taken from me and is backing the information campaign as an essential tool in the recovery process. Teacher Fiona Bardon, from Dublins Terenure, woke up feeling sick in August 2019 and suffered a seizure at home, breaking her shoulder as she fell, before being rushed to A & E and told she had a stroke. To say I was lost is a complete understatement; I wasnt able to complete tasks independently, she said. I had no energy, I was hugely fatigued and I wasnt able to regulate my emotions. I was incapable of communicating my thoughts. I was under constant supervision so I felt like I was back to being a child. Before World Stroke Day on October 29, survivors, their families and healthcare professionals are invited to register for the Irish Heart Foundation talks - seven of which are live via Zoom and three of which will take place in the Irish Heart Foundations Life after Stroke Facebook group. They include discussions on secondary prevention (Oct 26), involving stroke nurses from Dublins Mater Hospital and focussing on medical and lifestyle methods to reduce a patients chances of suffering a further stroke. A talk on October 25 offers advice on supporting a stroke patient returning home from hospital, how to navigate daily tasks and adjusting to cognitive changes. Others focus on managing fatigue (Oct 24), mindfulness for relaxation and stress management (Oct 25) and State grants/entitlements for stroke patients (Oct 28). Healthy eating and lifestyle advice (Oct 27) is also examined, while participants will also hear personal stories from other stroke survivors (Oct 26). We want to reach people living with stroke, their carers and healthcare professionals, said Helen Gaynor, Head of Community Services with the Irish Heart Foundation. Stroke affects the whole family. Isolation is often a major factor and some people cant meet socially, they may have lost confidence, so talks like these where people can meet others in similar situations is very empowering. For more details and to register for the free talks, taking place between October 24-28, go to: https://irishheart.ie/news/ world-stroke-day-stoke-talks- 2022/. A young Longford man received an eight month suspended sentence and community service for an assault on two men in a random attack in Carrick-on-Shannon in 2019. Anthony Barrett, 83 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford was charged with an assault on Shane Jessup at Glancy's Car Park, Cortober, Carrick-on-Shannon on October 12, 2019 and an assault on David Nolan in the same location. He received four months, suspended for 12 months, on each assault. Mr Barrett also received 120 hours of community service in lieu of four months in prison for possession of a pepper spray can. At a previous court, it was outlined that two men arrived in Carrick-on- Shannon at 6pm and were reversing their van at Glancys Car Park when it struck the wall causing minor damage to a tail light. The defendant spoke to them and asked them if they had been drinking because they had hit the wall. The defendant told them he was a garda. One of the men got out of the van and Anthony Barrett sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. The other man sitting in the van was also struck with pepper spray. The victims got back into the van and drove off while the defendant got into his car and also drove off. The court heard that Mr Barrett had been in Carrick-on-Shannon shopping with his wife and newborn baby and his sister-in-law. He said he had no connection to the two men. Solicitor Gerard Keane represented him. The defendant told the court one of the men had got out of the van with a can of beer and started going to the toilet beside the van. He said he asked him to cover himself up as there were women present. The defendant said the pepper spray belonged to his wife and he said one of the men went to pull something from his pocket and he lost the head and sprayed him. He described it as a moment of madness. The court heard he has seven previous convictions, including one for affray in 2017 at Eyre Square, Galway, when he was bound to the peace for 12 months. The incident had been captured on CCTV. Judge Murphy delivered her decision at Carrick District Court on September 27. The final funeral for victims of the Creeslough service station explosion is under way in the Co Donegal village. Irish president Michael D Higgins is among the mourners at the funeral service for the youngest of the 10 victims of the blast, five-year-old Shauna Flanagan Garwe, and her father Robert Garwe at St Michaels Church. Residents in the rural Co Donegal village lined its main street once again for the sixth funeral service held at St Michaels for victims of the tragedy in five days. Heartbreaking scenes as the coffin of the youngest victim of the Creeslough tragedy, 5-year-old Shauna Flanagan-Garwe is carried into St Michaels church, just ahead of the coffin of her father Robert Garwe @PA pic.twitter.com/MHfdmVP0fr Jonny McCambridge (@McCambridgeJ) October 15, 2022 Mourners at Fridays funeral for the oldest victim, Hugh Kelly, heard he had taken Mr Garwe and Shauna to the service station shop to buy a birthday cake for the youngsters mother. Mr Garwe, 50, originally from Zimbabwe, worked in construction and could often be seen travelling around the village on his scooter. Shauna started at Scoil Mhuire National School in Creeslough just weeks ago. The funerals of fashion student Jessica Gallagher, 24, and Celtic supporter Martin McGill, 49, were held in Creeslough on Tuesday, while a funeral Mass for Catherine ODonnell, 39, and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan took place on Wednesday afternoon. A service for Sydney native James OFlaherty, 48, was held on Wednesday in Derrybeg. The funeral of shop worker and mother-of-four Martina Martin, 49, took place in Creeslough on Thursday morning and a service for 14-year-old Leona Harper was held at St Marys Church in Ramelton later that day. Parish priest Father John Joe Duffy said the community is still in shock. There is still that pall of silence, that grieving and mourning, that heartbreak visible to others who enter into the homes to try and offer consolation and comfort, he said. He urged people affected by the tragedy to contact counselling services made available to them saying he intends to use them. We need help, we need the continued embrace of this country and beyond it, and prayers, and also very much so the professional supports that are being made so available to us, and thank all who are involved in that, he said. Mr Higgins has been attending the funerals of the victims since Wednesday and meeting the families of those affected. The Taoiseachs aide-de-camp Commandant Claire Mortimer, and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, have also been attending funerals. An Garda Siochana continues to investigate the cause of the blast, which is being treated as an accident. As well as the 10 killed in the blast, eight others were hurt. Seven have been receiving treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital, while a man in his 20s remains in a critical condition in St Jamess Hospital, Dublin. Children and their families residing in Carrick-on-Shannon recently welcomed the Meath Travellers Workshop to the town, as part of a long-term arts initiative funded by Creative Ireland - the Gaw-yas Grannie (Traveller Childrens Identity) project. The project, which is led by resident artist, Kate Murtagh Sheridan, has provided a weekly space after school for children from Traveller families to take part in a range of arts activities, with a focus on celebrating their identity and culture. Taking place at the Shannonside Community Childcare Centre, the project has encouraged intergenerational approaches as well, to connect the whole community with the initiative. Artwork developed by the children through the creative process will also be part of a special public exhibition in the new year. On Culture Night, Friday, September 23, the project facilitated a very special visit from the Living History Exhibition of the Meath Travellers Workshop - an immersive and interactive experience that presents a real life picture of Traveller life in the past in the form of a fully restored Barrel Top Wagon, a traditional tent, a flat cart, working tin-smith and a story-telling Traveller woman. Members of the Travelling community in Carrick came to experience the exhibition and there was a great sense of welcome for the visitors from Navan amongst others. Many of the families now resident at Shannonside lived in wagons and tents right up until the 1980s and were camped near the main roundabout in Carrick. So, the exhibition was a great tribute to this heritage and gave the children a wonderful opportunity to experience and understand this earlier way of life within their community. The project will continue through the autumn. It represents an important interagency partnership between Leitrim Development Company, Creative Leitrim and Leitrim Arts Office. SISTER Enda Ryan may have left Galbally for Malaysia 67 years ago but she has never lost contact with her local village and beloved county of Limerick. However, Limericks loss was Malaysias gain as she founded Assunta primary and secondary schools in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur, in 1958. Sister Enda, as she is fondly known, is highly respected in the Southeast Asian country for her contribution to education and charities spanning an incredible eight decades. She has played a central role in the education of countless Malaysian girls, some of whom like former Central Bank Governor, Dr Zeti, have been prominent in public life Now aged 93, Sr Enda was conferred with an honorary Doctorate in Humanities by Taylor's University in Malaysia in recognition of her untiring devotion to education. According to The Star newspaper, Sr Enda said it was a special honour and deeply humbling. My concern was not over where our students would end up, how many As they would get, and subsequently how many degrees and accolades they would accumulate. Rather, it was about what they would become and seek to be to value what one has and not what others have and do, and always emphasising heart over head, said Sr Enda. This isnt the first time the Franciscan nun has appeared in the Limerick Leader. She met Minister for State Patrick ODonovan when he was in Malaysia for St Patricks Day celebrations and in 2020 when she wore her Limerick jersey signed by neighbour John Kiely with pride ahead of the Christmas All-Ireland final. Malaysia and Luimneach Abu! THE BOSS of one of Limericks most prominent retailers says the city centre has a way to go in terms of attracting new retail. Liam Dwan, who manages Brown Thomas in the heart of OConnell Street, added that right now, no brand in Europe, or America, or India or whatever will look at the city centre the way it is at present. He said in order to attract big name shops back to Limerick, people need to be living, working and spending their leisure time in the centre. To this end, hes called on council and government to step up their efforts to deliver urban accommodation. That will make people sit up and say I need a shop here, because there are 5,000 or 6,000 people living here. We are still, to my mind, not doing enough to get people living over a building. Give people the means to be able to do these up and have them the way they want it. Then [auctioneer] Gordon Kearney will have no bother saying, you need to be here, and we have the best rate in town, said Mr Dwan. The businessman was speaking at a special 'First Tuesdays' event held in the Hunt Museum focusing on the future of the city centre. It was organised by the Chamber, and businesswoman Julie Long, while Mr Kearney was also present. Addressing city traders, Mr Dwan said: We are only kidding ourselves if we think there is enough to come into the city centre from the countryside for. If youre going to leave your car in the Kilmurry Lodge, for example, and get a bus in, there is not enough to come into, he said. The local Brown Thomas boss said traffic in the city remains a problem, adding: We are a grid city. It should be easy to get around. But we havent given the thought to make people feel comfortable and safe. Although he admitted that if he was a young retailer, he would be very slow" to open a new store in the city centre, he said Limerick does have more to offer than we realise and is underestimated. Get our shops right, and a bit of support to keep us clean and looking right, and Id have great hope things will move, Mr Dwan said. He wants to see an increased garda presence on Limericks streets to make people feel safer in the urban area. We don't see a presence as much as they'd like to see on the street. People can sense that, can feel that. They'd see a fella pop up on a scooter beside them. They might be no harm whatsoever. We are used to it, we live and work here. But people who come in mightnt be, Mr Dwan said. There were other suggestions from the floor, with some pointing out that because Limerick citys business community is small relative to other areas, it means there can be co-ordinated efforts. One idea posed by Sian Murray Cardoso, a Limerick Chamber skillnet administrator was a long-lunch, whereby all city centre workers are allowed an extended period of time to shop in the city centre. A lot of people work in the city centre. There is a lot of stuff they can do. They could be allowed out on a longer lunch once a month. If all the businesses get behind it, it could be a long Limerick lunch. Then they don't have to worry about coming back in at the weekend, and braving traffic, she said. Comment has been sought from Limerick City and County Council. IF YOU missed out on buying either of two, million euro historic homes in Castleconnell, then your luck is in as a third has come on the market. The trio of luxury properties are all perched on the same stretch of the Shannon which has led some locals to coin the phrase Limericks Amalfi coast. You could walk from one to the other without using a footpath or road, they told Limerick Live. In March, Island House a transformed fishing lodge came on the market with an asking price of 2.25m. The six bedroom Greek Revival-style abode (pictured below) is, as the name suggests, located on its own island. It is thought that it was built in 1826 for a Welsh coal miner and was described in 1837 as a handsome newly erected cottage on the island. It is far from a cottage now. By 1866 it was the last residence of Sir Richard Donnellan de Burgo, 4th baronet, and now it has a new owner. According to property websites, Island House, which was offered for sale by Murphy Gubbins Auctioneers, is sale agreed. Then in May, Shannon View, Chapel Hill, Castleconnell was open to offers around the 1.1m mark. Joint agents GVMs Tom Crosse and Cianan Duff, Savills Country Agency took care of the particulars. The Georgian three-bay, two-storey, over basement house (pictured below), is situated on two acres of mature grounds in a prominent position on the edge of the village. It was originally built as a residence for the local land steward in the early nineteenth century. And now it has a new lord or lady of the manor as it too is sale agreed. Mr Crosse simply says, It is a stunning place. He reported strong interest with many based in the capital eyeing it up. There was a lot of interest outside of Limerick but people that are moving down from Dublin have Limerick connections, said Mr Crosse, who was first to reveal the Covid-induced working from home trend of people in Dublin selling up and getting a lot more bang for their buck in Limerick, back in August 2020. He has also spoken previously of the attractiveness of Castleconnell to home buyers due to the picturesque countryside beside the Shannon and numerous amenities, as well as the practicalities of being close to the motorway and to the city. And now the new owners of the aforementioned Island House and Shannon View could have new Shannonside neighbours as Stormont House, Castleconnell, is up for grabs for those with deep pockets. Murphy Gubbins Auctioneers are guiding at 950,000. Again it harks back to the time when the gentry holidayed in Castleconnell and took the air. Whomever purchases the four bedroom home will even have a castle on their land. Set on approximately six acres, Stormont House was originally a three storey property. It was initially refurbished around 50 years ago when, because it was in such poor condition, the owners were advised to take the roof off, which they did, creating an art deco style neo Georgian house. They then decided to turn the house upside down to take full advantage of the magnificent river views. That is something that all three beautiful properties boast situated along Limericks Amalfi Coast. THE funeral will take place this Sunday of a County Limerick man who died following a fatal assault in Manchester last month. Thomas Murphy, aged 42, was found with fatal injuries inside a house on Beverly Road, south Manchester on the evening of Saturday, September 24. A native of Clonee, Ballyagran, Mr Murphy had been living in England for a number of years but had regularly returned home to Limerick to visit family and friends. The remains of the father-of-two reposed at O'Malley's Funeral Home in Charleville this Saturday evening ahead of his funeral Mass at St Michael's Church, Ballyagran at 11am this Sunday. Mr Murphy is survived by his parents Rose and Joe; brothers Darragh and Padraigh; daughters Darcey and Lily and their mother Sarah; other relatives and friends in both Ireland and the UK. Following Sunday's funeral Mass, burial will take place at Colmanswell Cemetery. Police in Manchester launched a murder investigation following Mr Murphy's death and a young man was subsequently arrested and charged. Stephen Owusu, aged 22, appeared before Manchester Crown Court a number of days after the fatal assault accused of murdering Mr Murphy. He was remanded in custody and will go on trial next year. At the end of a week like no other, the people of Creeslough once again summoned the strength to stand together in silent tribute. As they have done time and again, the exhausted community lined the narrow main street of the Co Donegal village with heads bowed as coffins passed. This time they had come to say goodbye to Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe, the youngest victim of the tragedy which claimed 10 lives. Even by the standards of grief witnessed in Creeslough over recent days, the sight of Shaunas tiny wicker casket being carried into St Michaels church seemed for many to be close to unbearable. As has been remarked countless times, everyone knows everyone in this village. There are just 400 people who live in Creeslough in the shadow of Muckish Mountain and they have all carried the burden of grief. Most of the victims lived here. The others were known to people here. The strain has been evident at times on the face of Father John Joe Duffy, on whom the weight of responsibility for leading most of the services has fallen. A week ago, he was known as the local priest. Now, through his comforting presence and compassion, he is known around the world as the personification of the inspiring power of community in this tiny settlement when dealing with overwhelming tragedy. Similarly, the names of the victims have become familiar to many as the days have passed by in Creesloughs longest week: Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James OFlaherty, Catherine ODonnell and her son James Monaghan, Martina Martin, Leona Harper, Hugh Kelly. And now, at the end of it all, the funeral for Robert Garwe and his beloved daughter Shauna, who had started school just weeks ago. Their two hearses arrived at the church side by side. Fr Duffy said they had lived side by side and he prayed they were side by side in heaven. He said: Shauna could always be heard with a giggle, and when sitting down she sure did like to wiggle. On her pink scooter she would come to the gate, with Kylo in tow, her little dog mate. So chatty and bubbly, she just loved to play and have fun with her friends each and every day. A truly wonderful girl who left a lasting impression on all she met. She, together with her dad, were very well known in this community, together with her dad and mum, such a familiar sight up and down the road. They were always together, that little unit. It had all started eight days ago when a huge explosion destroyed buildings and ripped the heart out of this community. This was followed by harrowing scenes during the search operation. Emergency services and first responders from both sides of the Irish border came together in the desperate task of sifting through tonnes of rubble to recover the bodies. Last weekend, a stunned silence lingered over the groups of locals who gathered to watch the operation, punctuated only by occasional anguished cries of sorrow. Then there were the vigils, the books of condolence, as the sense of grief rippled out across the county, the island and beyond. Messages of support came from around the world, including from King Charles and the Pope. An international fundraising effort has raised hundreds of thousands of euro. Local cafes have provided refreshments in return for a donation to the appeal fund. Irish president Michael D Higgins has been there to share the sorrow of the families. He said it had been an extraordinary week. And then there were the funerals. At times it was difficult to remember which day it was as one service quickly followed another. The grief of separate families, like the days, bled into one. Now, the TV cameras will finally leave and attention will turn away. The world will move on and Creeslough will be left to deal with its grief. Last Saturday, at a service at St Michaels church, the Bishop of Raphoe Alan McGuckian lit 10 red candles in memory of the victims of the Creeslough tragedy. The candles have burned continually on the altar since then as the funerals have taken place. Now, they will be extinguished. But, as Fr Duffy has said repeatedly during the saddest week for Creeslough, the people have shown they are strongest when they rely on each other. That sense of community cannot be so easily extinguished. MET Eireann has issued a number of status yellow weather warnings for Limerick and several other counties. A thunderstorm warning for Munster, Connacht and Donegal, which was issued this Saturday morning, remains in place until 9pm while separate warnings have been issued for Sunday and Monday. The first - a status yellow rain and wind warning - will come into effect at 1pm on Sunday. "From Sunday afternoon, a spell of heavy rain will move northwards along with strengthening southeasterly winds. Disruption is expected including spot flooding," states the warning which will remain valid until 10pm on Sunday. Met Eireann says further disruption can be expected in Limerick late on Sunday night and during the early hours of Monday morning. A third status yellow wind warning - for Limerick and Kerry - is due to come into effect at 10pm on Sunday. "Very windy on Sunday night. Southerly winds, veering southwesterly will reach mean speeds of 50km/h - 65km/h with gusts of 90km/h - 110km/h, higher near coasts and exposed areas," states the warning which was issued this Saturday afternoon and which will remain valid until 6am on Monday. Two international routes originating from India have emerged in the top 10 busiest flight routes, as per data from OAG Avaition Worldwide. The two routes have one thing in common--destination. The Mumbai-Dubai and Delhi-Dubai routes have secured the eighth and tenth positions, respectively, among the busiest flight routes in the world. While the Mumbai-Dubai route has an annual capacity of around 2 million seats, Delhi-Dubai has around 1.9 million seats available on the route. The busiest airline routes are defined as those with the largest volume of scheduled seats in the last 12 months (October 2021 September 2022). The busiest international route is between Cairo and Jeddah (CAI-JED) which has 35 daily flights, this route has the largest volume of scheduled seats at 3.2 million in the last 12 months. The busiest international route in 2019, pre-Covid, was between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore Changi (KUL-SIN) with an annual capacity of 2.4 million seats. The busiest domestic airline route was found to be between Jeju International and Seoul Gimpo International Airport (CJU-GMP) of Japan, OAG data further revealed. Four of the top 10 longest flight routes in the world have Singapore as their point of arrival. The longest airline route in September 2022, currently in operation, is between New York and Singapore (JFK-SIN) at 9,527 miles. This route is operated by Singapore Airlines on an A350-900 and the average flight duration of this super long sector is 18 hours and 40 minutes. Since the onset of covid pandemic, there have been a decline in the number of direct flights offered by airlines globally, forcing people to take one-stop or two-stop connectivity. Based on passenger booking data for the period August 2021 - July 2022, eight of the top 10 largest unserved routes or routes where passengers are taking a one-stop or two-stop connectivity start or end in North America. This includes a New York route which connects Mumbai and New Yorks John F. Kennedy International airport with nearly 82,000 passengers in a 12-month period currently travelling indirectly between these two cities, OAG said. American streaming platform Netflix will introduce a lower-priced, advertising-supported plan called Basic with Ads beginning on 3 November in the United States for $6.99. This tier will also be available in 11 other countries in November: Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and Spain. However, India is not on the list of countries where the plan will be rolled out. We appreciate all the interest in our new Basic with Ads plan. Were launching in 12 countries only and it wont be available in India. As we learn from and improve Basic with Ads, well look to launch in more countries over time. In India consumers can choose from our four existing plans," a Netflix spokesperson said in response to Mints queries. In December, Netflix had slashed rates by 18-60% across plans in India to woo wider audiences and deepen penetration. Its mobile-only plan, earlier priced at Rs. 199 a month, now comes for Rs. 149. The basic plan, which allows access to all content on one device, is priced at Rs. 199 from Rs. 499. One way to increase the price spread is advertising on low-end plans and to have lower prices with advertising. Those who have followed Netflix know that Ive been against the complexity of advertising and a big fan of the simplicity of subscription. But as much Im a fan of that, Im a bigger fan of consumer choice. Allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price and are advertising-tolerant get what they want makes a lot of sense, Netflix founder and chairman Reed Hastings had said during an earnings call in April. To be sure, several streaming services in India and across the world have realised that paid subscriptions arent enough to thrive in competitive markets. Amazon Prime Video had launched its free service miniTV last May while others like Viacom18 Pvt Ltd-owned Voot and ZEE5 also offer programming for free. In a shocking event, a person on call threatened to blow up the State Bank of India's Mumbai office and warned of killing the bank chairman. The threat caller claimed to be from Pakistan, police told ANI on Friday. The caller introduced himself as MD Jia-Ul-Alim and demanded a loan from the bank. He went a step ahead and warned the Bank staffs of blowing up the office along with kidnapping and even killing the Bank chairmen if his demand was not met. Also Read: SBI first bank to achieve this milestone, home loan AUM crosses 6 trillion "An unidentified person called up on the landline of the Nariman Point branch of SBI on October 13 at around 11 am and threatened. The caller called himself as MD Jia-Ul-Alim and said that he is speaking from Pakistan and that if he is not granted a loan at the earliest, he will kidnap the chairman of SBI and kill him. He also threatened to blow up the SBI office," said a Mumbai Police official. The management immediately contacted the Marine Drive Police Station and filed a complaint against the unidentified person. Later, the police traced threat caller and informed that he made the call from West Bengal. We have traced the call to West Bengal and soon a team will visit the state and try to locate the caller. When we inquired with the bank, nobody with the callers name had even applied for a loan there," said a police officer. On the basis of the complaint, the Marine Drive Police have registered a case against the threat caller under section 506(2) of IPC. The police authority has informed that the investigation has begun and the accused will be caught soon. State Bank of India is the country's largest Public Sector Bank which has marked its presence in abroad as well. With its headquarter in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the bank currently enjoys 49th position in the list of world's largest banks. The bank employs around 2,50,000 employees and has a 23% market share by assets. Moreover, the mega-bank has a 25% share of the total loan and deposits market. (With inputs from ANI) Days after the coalition government directed a high-level investigation into the alleged hacking and leak of sensitive conversations, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been caught in yet another 'audio leak' controversy. His audio surfaced on social media platforms on Thursday in which the prime minister purportedly talks about appointing special assistants from the ruling coalition with an unknown person, says a local news report as quoted by ANI. In the leaked audio conversation, the unidentified man could be heard talking about the Pakistan Peoples Party, asking for posts of the PM's key aides. The voice believed to be of Pakistan PM Shehbaz could be heard, saying, "No, it is not like that, Bilawal Bhutto spoke to me in this regard." Another voice then said, "We have to adjust Zafar Mahmood and Jahanzeb Sahib also...I will tell you a final number today." As per ANI reports, he added that Muttahida Qaumi Movement member, Malik Ahmed, was reminded that he played a pivotal role in making the deal with the two parties... "I am sending you his portfolio; he belongs to Karachi." Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said that the audio leaks are a serious breach of national security as they call into question the entire security of the Prime Minister's Office and House. Imran Khan asserted that his secure line at his residence was also bugged as the PM. He announced that the PTI intends to go to court to establish the authenticity of leaks and then form a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate which intelligence agency is responsible for the bugging and who is leaking out the audio many of which, he said, are edited or doctored, reported The News International as quoted by ANI. The former prime minister said that this is critical because sensitive security issues are and have been illegally recorded and subsequently hacked, implying confidentiality of Pakistan's national security has been exposed globally. A series of audio clips have been leaked earlier, featuring Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz and former PM Imran Khan, which sparked widespread criticism from the opposition and raised questions about the cyber security of the PM's official residence and the office. (With ANI inputs) If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. (Alliance News) - Kavango Resources PLC on Friday said it is considering next steps for drilling after the unexpected confirmation of an iron oxide copper gold system at its Ditau project. Kavango is a London-based, Botswana-focused metals exploration company. The Ditau project covers 1,386 square-kilometres in the south-west of Botswana, and is part of a joint venture with Power Metal Resources PLC. The company, which has held two prospecting licences at Ditau since 2020, reported the petrological confirmation of an iron oxide copper gold system at Target i10 in hole DITDD004, following analysis of 15 core samples taken from the site by an unnamed UK laboratory. Kavango, which has previously identified 12 "ring structure" geophysical anomalies at Ditau, said it believes this to be the first confirmation of IOCG-style mineralisation in Botswana. It added that the finding could be an important exploration lead, as these types of mineralising systems rarely occur in isolation and could be extensive. Minor amounts of mineral bastnaesite were also identified in DITDD004, which Kavango said may provide evidence for nearby rare earth elements mineralisation. Further deeper and lateral drilling at i10 will test this potential. Chief Executive Officer Ben Turney said these were "surprising, positive results for Kavango". "We believe i10 would benefit from deeper and lateral drilling. However, before we send a rig back to Ditau, we need to conduct more controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics and gravity surveys over all 12 targets. Results from these surveys should enhance our updated exploration plan and increase our confidence in future drill targeting", he said. Kavango shares were trading 8.0% higher at 2.00 pence each in London on Friday morning, while Power Metal Resources shares fell 1.3% to 1.46p each. By Holly Beveridge; hollybeveridge@alliancenews.com Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. We all knowPresident Joe Biden has his fair share of unsolicited private space invasion towards women. Even if he attempts to come off as the friendly grandfather, his displays of "affection" come off a bit disturbing, creepy and uncomfortable. There are countless videos of Biden where he has been caught in these precarious moments where women are clearly not fond of his approach. But given that he is sch a known politician and the President of the United States, these women allow the uncomfortable moment to happen. There are many different compilations of such moments online, Youtube has a number of them for people to judge for themselves. It's still unclear if anybody has told him that what he does is creepy as hell, we all know it. 'No serious guys until you are 30' In the latest of creepy unsolicited advice from President Joe Biden, he was attending a public event in Irvine, California last Friday. The video was uploaded to Twitter by an account known as Frontlines Show. In the exchange, the president is grabbing a young girl by the shoulders from the back and he approaches close to her to offer her some advice. He goes on to tell her: "A very important thing I told my daughter and granddaughters, no serious guys until you are 30," said Biden as the girl seemed bewildered by the moment. She was polite to tell the president: 'Okay, I'll keep that in mind," but she seemed very uncomfortable. It's one thing to offer advice to young people as the president but keeping it as close and personal as President Biden will never not be creepy. Perhaps it's unlikely he will stop doing that anytime soon but at least he can restrain himself a little more. People are watching, president Biden. You know you are doing something wrong if they already have Halloween costumes themed like that. Hong Kong: Kornhill testing compliance completed The Government today completed a joint enforcement operation at Block G2 of Kornhill in Quarry Bay, which was earlier included in a compulsory testing notice. The enforcement action was conducted from around 8.30am to 11.30am by the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau together with Police and the Department of Health. All 154 people whose records were checked had undergone testing in compliance with the notice. The Government thanked citizens subject to compulsory testing for their co-operation in the fight against COVID-19. This story has been published on: 2022-10-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AP) The Marine Corps has halted some operations of its new amphibious combat vehicles after one of the armored vehicles rolled over in surf during training off of California's Camp Pendleton. The eight-wheeled vehicle flipped over at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the Marines Assault Amphibian School at the base north of San Diego, authorities said. The three crew members weren't injured, a Marine Corps statement said Friday. The vehicle had a mechanical malfunction," according to the Marine Corps, which banned the vehicles from going into or out of surf zones, except for testing, while more analysis is performed. The vehicles can still be used on land, in protected waters and in the open ocean. It was the second time this year that restrictions have been placed on the use of amphibious combat vehicles. Open water operations were halted after one of the vehicles rolled onto its side and another was disabled in unusually high surf on July 19 during another training exercise. The pause was lifted last month. The new vehicles, which are being tested and used in California, are designed to transport troops and their equipment from Navy ships to land. They are being rolled out to replace the Marines aging amphibious assault vehicle, which is lighter, slower and runs on tracks instead of wheels. Eight Marines and one sailor died on July 30, 2020 when an amphibious assault vehicle sank in 385 feet (117 meters) of water off San Clemente Island in Southern California. A Marine Corps investigation found that inadequate training, shabby maintenance and poor judgment by leaders led to the sinking. How to use the mindat.org media viewer Click/touch this help panel to close it. 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) Controls - all media types Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device. Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen. < and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. 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Controls - photo comparison mode If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu. Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder. Summary of all keyboard shortcuts 15.10.2022 LISTEN By Destiny Ugorji A lot has been said and written, both for and against each of the parties. Different narratives have been given, but discerning minds are in search of the truth. I have made telephone calls, sent emails, texts, and WhatsApp messages, enquiring into the truth about the so-much-talked-about official vehicles, allegedly in the hands of the former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Hon. (Engr.) Gerald Irona. Recently, I read in the social media a poorly scripted tale, stating that the Imo State police command had procured a warrant of court to arrest the former Deputy Governor over allegations that he refused to return some official vehicles used in his days as the Number Two Citizen of the state. While some professional journalists took steps to investigate, with the view to ascertaining the veracity of the report, a few local newspapers went to press with the said report, without recourse to the ethics of the profession. It took the intervention of Dr. Walter Duru, an Assistant Professor of Communications to persuade the former Deputy Governor from directing his lawyers to institute legal actions against the said newspapers. The rest is history. One would ask: when did semi-literate jobbers and road-side hatchet writers begin to speak on behalf of an institution as organised as the Nigerian Police Force? Since when has it become the responsibility of the partisan Press Corps attached to the Imo State Government House to issue public statements on behalf of the Nigerian Police? Is it no longer the duty of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) to speak for the Nigerian Police Force at the state level? If there is a warrant of arrest issued against someone at the level of a former Deputy Governor and former federal lawmaker, should Nigerians not hear from the Police that was said to have procured the same? Was the warrant procured without the knowledge of the Imo State Commissioner of Police or at least, the Officer in Charge of Legal (OC legal) at the state command? There are several unanswered questions, but that is a discussion for another day. Now, what is the fuss about? That a former Deputy Governor is being insulted over official vehicles he used while in office? What is the position of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, regarding the entitlements and privileges of former Governors and Deputy Governors in Nigeria? Investigations revealed that following the controversial Supreme Court judgement of January 14, 2020, that brought the reign of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha to an abrupt end, the former Governor (Ihedioha) directed members of his cabinet to return all government property in their custody to the Imo State Government. As a responsible public servant, the former Deputy Governor, Engr, Gerald Irona immediately returned every government property in his possession to the state. Specifically, on the 15th day of January 2020, three vehicles used by the office of the Deputy Governor were returned and acknowledged by the Transport Officer, Government House, Owerri, Mr. Umelo Chinedu. The three vehicles on the former Deputy Governors convoy returned were: a Toyota Hilux MR0DX9CDXK2637289; a Land Cruiser Jeep JTMHXO1J5J4161976 and a Fortuner Jeep MHFDX8FSIKOO96247. In his acknowledgement note, the Transport Officer stated thus: I, Mr. Umelo Chinedu collected three above mentioned vehicles from you today, 15/1/2020. The remaining three (3) vehicles are still in the custody of the Deputy Governor, pending classification from the PS to the Governor of Imo State. In conformity with established conventions, the former Deputy Governor, Irona, wanted to know the position of the State Government with respect to the existing protocol, precedents and establishment circulars that applied to public office holders like the office of the deputy governor in relation to the remaining withheld vehicles. The last sentence in the Transport Officers acknowledgement note further confirms this: the remaining three (3) vehicles are still in the custody of the Deputy Governor, pending classification from the PS to the Governor of Imo State. Since January 15, 2020, the former Deputy Governor has been awaiting the communication of the position of the Imo State Government on the applicable protocol, precedents, and establishment circulars as it pertains to holders of the office of the deputy governor and other public officers in respect of the remaining vehicles. Notwithstanding that he was covered under the extant laws and regulations, particularly, the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commissions position on the entitlements and privileges of certain categories of public officers and in this case, a former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Irona, in his characteristic manner, voluntarily declared his willingness to return the vehicles if the state so sought. Since he made his deposition in writing, should the government of Imo State not simply have written to him, requesting for the vehicles? If not for unbridled mischief, why did the state government choose to attempt to criminalize the matter, even when there was/is no crime either intended or committed? The former Deputy Governor returned all other government property in his custody but following established conventions regarding the entitlements of certain former public officials, he sought the advice and opinion of the state government on the same. Instead of simply responding in writing, the state governor took the path of adversity. Such a stance is certainly anything but charitable, honourable, or patriotic. Engr. Gerald Irona was not the first Deputy Governor of Imo State. There were deputy governors before him and there is already one after him. How were those before him treated? How will the incumbent be treated when he eventually leaves office? How will those to come also be treated? Is the present Imo State government not setting a bad precedent? We saw similar scenarios play out in Ondo, Adamawa, and a few other states. We also saw how they ended. Government officials that take decisions based on malice must realise that power is transient. Bottomline is that former Deputy Governor, Irona earlier informed the Imo state government, that he was in possession of the remaining (3) official vehicles, while asking for advice. Instead of responding in writing, the state government chose to run to the Police, seeking to criminalise a purely administrative matter. This is mischief taken too far. When the state government decided that the vehicles be returned to the state, why did they not write the former Deputy Governor to do so, at least, out of courtesy? In all of these, it must be remembered that the former Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona is not poor, by any standards and can afford the vehicles in question, many times over. As a patriotic senior citizen, he can as well donate the vehicles, which, to be clear, ordinarily ought to be his entitlement, to the government of Imo state. Irona is known for making huge sacrifices for the benefit of others. This may yet be another opportunity to demonstrate that streak. The former Deputy Governor should, in his characteristic manner, simply return the vehicles as a donation to the state, not minding whether it is his entitlement or not, privilege or not. The present administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma in Imo State must eschew hate and bitterness and treat citizens with love and fairness. These billions of Naira wasted on trivialities and witch-hunts should be redirected for the public good. Public positions are ephemeral and therefore nobodys fathers property. The way you treat people today is the same way you shall be treated when you are out of office. Those advising Governor Hope Uzodinma should please ask him what he will be remembered for, when he leaves office as the Governor of Imo State. As for the vehicles in question, in the light of fresh new facts regarding the State Governor's quest for a yet more expansive motorcade (even though he currently has more than 50 vehicles in his convoy), I strongly urge that the former Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona, donates them to the governor, in keeping with his usual character of magnanimity and philanthropy. Let Imo prevail! Destiny Ugorji is an Owerri-based Public Affairs analyst and can be reached on [email protected] LACK OF transparency of beneficial ownership (BO) is said to be the safe haven for corruption, tax evasion and illicit financial flows in countries across the globe, including Ghana. In 2016, a national risk assessment conducted by the government, in line with the criteria provided by the Financial Action Task Force, identified beneficial owner as one of the high-risk areas in which domestic and foreign corporate vehicles are being used for criminal purposes. The assessment found out that identifying the true beneficial owner(s) or individual(s) exercising control represented a significant challenge for prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and intelligence practitioners, as criminals employ a range of techniques and mechanisms to obscure their ownership and control of illicitly obtained assets. It was suspected that these criminal elements design schemes to obscure beneficial ownership by employing what is termed as a hide-in-plain sight strategy, leveraging trade and commerce, infrastructures to appear legitimate. But visibility, as the saying goes, does not equate to transparency. Experts also said many of the tools that were designed to encourage business growth and development, such as limited liability corporations and nominee directorship services, can be used to facilitate money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. Globalization, e-commerce and communications have increased this threat, with a country like Ghana now facing the challenge of enforcing national laws in a borderless commercial environment. Action However, the Government of Ghana has recently taken significant steps to tackle these issues, with improved legislation to enable authorities, business sector players and civil society actors to prevent and uncover corruption. The new Companies Act 2019 (Act 992) has a golden thread, beneficial ownership provisions, running through. In line with Ghana's commitment to use transparency as a tool in fighting corruption, the new law allows for the identification of the true owners of all companies. The Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) will now keep a central register of the true owners, not legal persons, of all companies in manual and electronic format for easy accessibility by all citizens. Today, in accordance with the Companies Act 2019, the ORC has made it a mandatory requirement for new companies to declare beneficial owners, while existing companies are made to do so when they submit their annual returns. Beneficial Owner A beneficial owner (BO) is any living person who has substantial and significant interest or control over a company. This can be a direct interest, through for example owning a significant proportion of shares in the company, or indirect, such as having influence over significant decisions related to the running of business of a company. This means that any company may have no BOs, or it may have many depending on how control over the company is managed. All Companies This requirement to register BOs applies to all companies, whether the company is limited by shares, limited by guarantee, an unlimited company or an external company. It does not, however, apply to sole proprietors and partnerships. There are different types of thresholds for reporting BOs, and it depends on the sector the company is in and the type of person the beneficial owner is. The general threshold is that a person who has direct or indirect interest of 10 percent or greater in a company must be registered as a BO High Risk Sectors For companies operating in a high risk sector, the threshold for reporting BOs is 5%, for instance, any natural person who owns 5% or more of the shares or has significant control must be reported as a BO If a foreign politically exposed person (PEP) has an interest of 5% or greater in any company regardless of the sector, he or she must report as a BO, whereas a domestic PEP with any shares or any form of control over a business in any sector must be registered as a BO The Registrar is responsible for the risk classification of sectors. The basis for the classification may follow the similar classification by the Financial Intelligence Centre or any agency set up for the purpose of fighting Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. PEP A politically exposed person (PEP) is an individual who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function in the country. For example, President, Vice President, Ministers of State, and other political appointees in local and central government offices, as well as senior judicial or military leaders. Chief Executives of state-owned companies, corporations or parastatals are also considered to be politically exposed persons, and the designation of PEP can also be applied to the family members and or close associates of people who hold these types of roles. Anti-Corruption Commitment Ghana, at the 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit with four other sub-Saharan countries, made anti-corruption commitments. Among the commitments were the setting up a public company register and providing both domestic and foreign law enforcement bodies full and effective access to beneficial ownership information on companies and other legal entities registered within the country. In its Open Government Partnership National Action Plan (2016-2017), the Government of Ghana also committed to ensure compliance with the requirements of opening up in the extractive sector on contracting processes, as well as to publish contract and provide information on the beneficial owners of the contract. Today, the country has made a headway with its central register available online, open, usable and publicly accessible. This means the beneficial ownership transparency framework of Ghana is gradually becoming more advanced than several of the most developed countries in the world. There are few areas where there are still room for improvements though; collection, recording and maintaining beneficial ownership information are also properly regulated. Questions have been asked about how the central register will be regulated, whether it will be freely online accessible for anyone in line with open data standards. But the government commitments are rather promising. Regulations on tax authorities' access to beneficial ownership information, as well as the laws on prohibition of bearer shares are adequate. Administering confidential central register by the government is giving away to public disclosure and scrutiny of information on how companies are managed, including data on contracts and ownership structures, in Ghana. Good Governance This is to strengthen governance and the rule of law and support anti-corruption efforts, Samuel Bekoe of ORC said at a technical workshop for the discussion of the 2019 GHEITI Report at Aburi recently. According to him, making registers public allows citizens and other stakeholders to examine, scrutinise and cross-check information and flag suspicious activity, especially where such illicit behaviour might span multiple sectors. He argued that deepening beneficial ownership transparency can attract additional resources, from civil society and other institutions, to combat corruption, prevent organised crime and promote a fair business environment. Contracts, licenses and associated agreements in the exploration and production of oil, gas and minerals, which are important elements of a country's legal framework, are now published to promote transparency. Mr. Bekoe said. For him, shedding light on the rules and terms that govern extractives projects, contract transparency can help curb corruption and empower citizens to assess whether they are getting a good deal for their resources. GHEITI View Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI) National Steering Committee, Dr. Steve Manteaw explained that publication of contracts gives visibility on how much revenue is expected to flow to national and subnational governments. For him, this information can be crucial in contexts where precious revenues are impacted by market volatility and emerging energy transition policies. He explained how public disclosure and scrutiny of information on how companies are managed, including data on contracts and ownership structures, can strengthen governance and the rule of law and support anti-corruption efforts. BY Ernest Kofi Adu 15.10.2022 LISTEN All political watchers know what time it is. The mood of the nation is hungry for a "no-nonsense politically incorrect character" to lead the nation after President Akufo-Addo's term ends. The times are hard. Global crisis is hitting Ghana so hard. Galamsey is decimating Ghanas vegetational cover and poisoning our waters. Indiscipline swallows the very fabric of the Ghanaian society, whilst the levels of corruption grows is becoming frightening. Perception of state capture is at an alarming rate. Fix the country and fixing the country have become a household language. In all these, every Ghanaian who fancies politics is following events with keen interest and waiting for a unique presidential candidate that will effect the change we need. Any presidential candidate who appears bold and fearless will likely win votes of the desperate and hopeless younger generation. Many would have loved to see Bawumia and Samira as the first family or another gentle giant Alan leading NPP into victory in 2024, but it might not happen in times like these. Although the former president Mahama is seemingly becoming popular due to disappointments borne out of the current crisis, majority of Ghanaians do not trust he has the answer to the nations problems in a time like this. Ghanaians may just want to use him to punish the NPP government, but once somebody who is not the usual politician, a unique candidate leads the NPP, there would be a massive paradigm shift. A unique candidate changes the dynamics. A unique candidate would be the one who is characteristically different from the above three diplomatic and politically correct 2024 presidential hopefuls. Time for Mr. Nice is over. Time for diplomacy is over. Time for pleasing political godfathers is over. Time for shielding corrupt party officials is over. Time for boldness is here. Time for straight talk is here. Time to hire and fire must be born. Time to drain the swamp must be born. President-elect Kennedy Agyapong must be born in December 2024 and a new Ghana must be born in January 2025. As fate and flaws of incumbency keep making it quite challenging to break the eight, the NPP needs an unusual businessman politician like Hon. Kennedy Agyapong to beat all odds. Hon. Ken fits well into the aspirations of typical Ghanaian voter for obvious reasons. First is the governments unpopularity borne out of the global crisis. Yes, the unfortunate global crisis is making governments around the globe unpopular. Fate has brought unwanted disaffection toward the NPP government. Any candidate presented as the face of this government may harm the NPPs "breaking the eight" agenda. Surely, the opposition cannot present Hon. Ken as the face of this government. A propaganda card that would be played at the heat of 2024 election campaign. Hon. Ken is the only key figure in the NPP who speaks his mind, sometimes, unfavorable to his own government. He faces no incumbency disadvantage. This is a time when there is a seemingly "calm civil agitation" in the country and people feel that the government has lost touch with reality. In times like this, you need a candidate who is perceived to be reasoning with the people. Kens consistency in speaking the mind of the masses will earn him the much needed floating votes. Voters are disappointed with the incumbent and do not trust the opposition candidate, Mahama. Voters go into 2024 elections in a dilemma. The NPP needs a candidate who can reignite the hope Ghanaian voters had in NPP. The hope that made them give Nana Addo a try in 2016 and tried him again in 2020. With a little sense of hope, Ghanaians would prefer NPP in power than to bring back Mahama. With Ken, Ghanaians will certainly, give NPPs presidential candidate a second chance. Ghanaians are tired of indiscipline in the society and consequently punished the NDC for Mahama's inability to crack the whip in his government. They had hope in the "no-nonsense" character of Nana Addo. One of the reasons why Nana Addo (the no-nonsense-man) won with that very big margin in 2016 against Mahama was that Ghanaians needed a bold person to clear the rot in the system and clean Mahama's mess. Unfortunately, Ghanaians think that our current present president has been more of a soft abusuapanyin than a strickler for discipline. Equally, Ghanaians do not believe Mahama can fire his ministers as he could not do so when he was the president. There seems like a popular voice in the country crying for somebody to "drain the swamp" and fix the corrupt system. That's why people jubilated when the president created the office of the special prosecutor. That's why Dampare is so popular. That is why people wanted the former auditor-general to stay in office although he was due for retirement. That's why everyone is applauding the special prosecutor. Ken's presidency will be a turning point in the nation's history, because he is the only bold and fearless presidential hopeful so far. Hon. Ken will clean up the rot in the system. "Fix the country" or "fixing the country" has become a household chorus. The angry youth leading the charge have a belief that the usual political correctness, the status quo, or the establishment have no answers to fixing the country. They will give Hon. Ken a chance to fix the country and/or keep fixing it aggressively and in a revolutionary style. Ken will fix the country in style using all powers and authority vested in him as the president. If the term, without fear or favor will ever be meaningful in Ghana, Hon. Ken as the only bold and fearless president, would make that happen. Fixing the country is the change we need. We are not in ordinary times and so we need extraordinary leaders. Ken is not your usual politician. NPP, try him and the times will push Ghanaians to try him as well. Ghanaians know what time it is. This time favors Kennedy Agyapongs bid to become Ghanas president. Alan Kyeremanteng has been positioned to be next in line for a long time, since the 2007 highly competitive NPP presidential primaries. A lot has happened since then, which has made Dr. Bawumia, the most popular vice-presidential candidate and two-term vice president, who is naturally positioned to succeed the president. NPPs presidential primaries would have been a 2-horse race, if times were normal and ordinary. Ghanaians have lost faith in the usual politicians both in government and in opposition. This is why the next presidential election favors Ken and he will win against any usual politician. Eben Johnson - Finland (Letters Without Signatures) French railway workers and civil servants will next week join oil refinery staff with work stoppages, raising fears that anger over the rising cost of living could lead to a winter of discontent. Railway staff and civil servants represented by the militant CGT union, the biggest in the public sector, will stop work next Tuesday, with several labour groups calling for a national day of strikes. The CGT is demanding higher wages for railway workers but also wants to protest government efforts to break the strike by oil refinery workers. The government has used emergency powers to compel some striking refinery employees to return to their jobs to release fuel held inside blockaded facilities. Third week of strikes Six of France's seven refineries have been affected by strikes that are now in their third week. "The time for a confrontation has arrived," left-wing opposition parliamentarian Clementine Autain of the far-left France Unbowed party told France 2 television on Thursday. Greens lawmaker Sandrine Rousseau said on Wednesday she hoped the refinery standoff would be "the spark that begins a general strike". Not all unions have joined the call for strikes next Tuesday, however, with the country's biggest, the CFDT, opting out. Left-wing political parties are to hold a rally to protest against the policies of President Emmanuel Macron and the rising cost of living on Sunday. Emergency measures The government has been requisitioning some fuel depot workers, forcing them to return to work or risk prosecution. Staff were constrained to work at an ExxonMobil depot on Wednesday, and a TotalEnergies site in northern France was requisitioned Thursday. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's office said the emergency measures were justified because of a "real economic threat" in northern France, which relies heavily on agriculture, fishing and industry. The unions have reacted furiously to the government intervention. "What we are seeing here is the Macronian dictatorship," CGT official Benjamin Tange told the AFP news agency. The strike, he said, arose out of anger which had built up over several months, even years. Those close to Macron allege that there has been a concerted effort by several elected representatives of Jean-Luc Melenchon's France Unbowed movement to use the refinery strike and resulting chaos to bring the government down. Cracks emerge in governing group Potentially more serious politically is the emergence of a division within the presidential party on the taxation of the enormous additional profits made by energy companies because of the global surge in fuel prices. French multinational TotalEnergies recorded profits of 10,4 billion in the first six months of 2022. The government has resisted calls for a special level of taxation on those so-called "superprofits". Daily newspaper Le Monde reports that 19 members of the presidential party voted in favour of a temporary 5 percent increase in the level of taxation of oil company profits, supporting the Nupes green and social alliance and the extreme right National Rally. Borne is to meet the leaders of the parliamentary majority over the weekend to discuss strategy on retirement reform, another issue guaranteed to provoke an angry reaction from trade unions and other opposition groups. Most Reverend Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese, has urged young adults to spend time and study each other well before entering the marriage union. He, however, asked them to eschew acts of immorality and guard themselves against fleshy pleasures and desires that could ruin their lives and future aspirations, as they under-studied each other. You must go closer to each other. Try and join the choir so that you may know each other well, but endeavour to guard against the lust of the flesh, and the fleshy pleasures of this world which war against the spirit, as you do so, he said. Archbishop Palmer-Buckle gave the advice when he addressed students and lecturers of the Catholic University of Ghana as the official celebrant of a thanksgiving holy mass (church service) held at the universitys main campus at Fiapre, near Sunyani. The Eucharistic celebration was held by the university to thank God for attaining a presidential charter to become an autonomous academic institution of higher studies. Try as much as possible to remain disciplined too, and live godly lives by bearing the fruit of the spirit, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle stated, saying, its only those who strive hard who can achieve something worthy in life. He said the true form of Catholic education was the one anchored on holiness and godly virtues, and therefore asked the students to make a righteous living and discipline a hallmark, love each other and walked in accordance with biblical principles and sound doctrines for Christ to be formed in them. Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Catholic Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese led the service to pray for the university community, the nation and the church. Professor Daniel Obeng-Ofori, the Vice-Chancellor of the CUG expressed appreciation to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the charter. He said the university would work hard to improve the condition of service of the staff, upgrade its ICT infrastructure to well integrate ICT into governance and administrative set-up, and establish a University clinic and a Police Post. We will further strengthen internal moderation of examination questions, rehabilitate hostels, complete buildings along hostel lane, establish canteen for staff and complete disability access, he added. Established on May 3, 2003, and officially inaugurated by former President John Agyekum Kufuor in November of that year, the university started to experience low student enrolment in the 2014/2015/2016 academic years due to ferocious academic competition from both public and private universities. The CUG, however, came out with a robust strategic plan including a six-year (2019-2024) Corporate Strategic Plan meant to address strategic imperatives. The plan emphasises that the university needs to focus attention on ensuring not only its survival but also its unique contribution and identity within the institutions of higher education in the country. Currently, the CUG has seven faculties and schools, including the faculty of economics and business administration, the faculty of computing, mathematical and engineering sciences, the faculty of education, the school of nursing and midwifery, the school of public health and allied sciences, the faculty of religions and social sciences and school of graduate studies. GNA 15.10.2022 LISTEN The Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, King of the Mamprugu Kingdom, has cautioned pastors, mallams and fetish priests who have made it a business to identify people as witches and wizards to desist from such acts. These so-called pastors, mallams and fetish priests have made themselves thin gods without the recourse of the laws of the land and should desist from such obnoxious behaviours. Nayiri Naa Sheriga issued the warning in a speech read on his behalf by the Bonaba Baba Salifu Atamali Lemyaarim, Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, at this year's Damba festival celebrations of the chiefs and people of the Waala Traditional Area, organised in Wa. He said traditional rulers should not collaborate or provide platforms for such recalcitrant persons in their localities to continue to break the laws of the country. The Mamprugu King called for the integration of Ghana's culture into the curriculum of Basic Schools in Ghana saying, Ghana's education cannot be complete without culture being integrated into the curriculum for basic schools. He said culture played a vital role in the history of Ghana and for that matter needed to be inculcated in the younger generation since our identity is made simple with culture. Through culture, we are governed by norms and customs, which are the pillars of comportment and development of every society. If these pillars are not properly followed in our society, our cultures will resemble a perfume with no fragrance. Nayiri Naa Sheriga called on parents to give proper training to their children in all aspects of life including culture and encouraged students to take their studies seriously to become good leaders for the country tomorrow. The Mamprugu King urged the people to embrace peace. He said they should also respect the cultures of other ethnic groups to ensure peace for cooperation and a sense of unity. He appealed to the government to provide the necessary resources to the Upper West Regional Cultural Units to train students for better cultural practices. It is high time for us to protect all that we have in our culture and whatever is good should be taken to greater heights. We should also try our utmost best to eliminate all those practices, which are against human rights even if they have been practised in our cultures for centuries, Nayiri Naa Sheriga said. He appealed to the government and the security agencies operating in the Wa to work harder to end the recent killings in the Wa Municipality to maintain peace, law and order to enhance social and economic activities. GNA The final year students of the COSGLO School Complex at Amasaman have been encouraged to face their 2022 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) with much confidence and discipline in order to come out victoriously. The Proprietor of the school, Mrs. Gloria Dzikonu reminded the students that their future is in their hands. She noted that their performance at the exams would determine their next level in their academic journey. Speaking at a special thanksgiving, exams orientation and prayer meeting organised for the final year students by the school management, the Proprietor was confident that the candidates would make the school, their parents and themselves very proud given the quality of tuition they have received. The General Overseer of BibleHouse International Community Church in Accra, Apostle Justice Dennis Boamah prayed fervently for success and God's blessings for all the candidates and the school in the coming BECE exams. He encouraged them to make prayer a part of their preparations towards the exams. Apostle Boamah warned the candidates against examination malpractices such as the use of foreign materials and copying from other candidates which he said can jeopardize their future. He further warned them especially the males to desist from spending their time to watch pornographic movie, at the expense of their studies. One Rev. Frimpong, an Examiner from WAEC took the final year students through the examination processes; how to answer BECE questions and how the exams are marked by the examiners. He urged them to strive to score higher marks in each subject in order to get admission in their preferred schools. Ms. Tracey Frimpong, a Lawyer also shared her rich experience in writing WAEC exams with the students. The 2022 BECE exams commences on Monday 17th October across Ghana. This week on The Sound Kitchen you'll hear the answer to the question about Alice Diop. There's The Sound Kitchen mailbag, the bonus question and the Listeners Corner with Michael Fitzpatrick, and plenty of good music. All that, and the new quiz question, too, so click on the Audio arrow above and enjoy! Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday here on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll hear the winner's names announced and the week's quiz question, along with all the other ingredients you've grown accustomed to: your letters and essays, On This Day, quirky facts and news, interviews, and great music so be sure and listen every week. Erwan and I are busy cooking up special shows with your musical requests, so get them in! Send your musical requests to [email protected] Tell us why you like the piece of music, too it makes it more interesting for us all! Be sure you check out our wonderful podcasts! In addition to the breaking news articles on our site, with in-depth analysis of current affairs in France and across the globe, we have several podcasts which will leave you hungry for more. There's Paris Perspective, Africa Calling, Spotlight on France, and of course, The Sound Kitchen. We have an award-winning bilingual series an old-time radio show, with actors (!) to help you learn French, called Les voisins du 12 bis. And there is the excellent International Report, too. As you see, sound is still quite present in the RFI English service. Keep checking our website for updates on the latest from our staff of journalists. You never know what we'll surprise you with! To listen to our podcasts from your PC, go to our website and click on the three horizontal bars on the top right, choose Listen to RFI / Podcasts, and you've got 'em ! You can either listen directly or subscribe and receive them directly on your mobile phone. To listen to our podcasts from your mobile phone, slide through the tabs just under the lead article (the first tab is Headline News) until you see Podcasts, and choose your show. Teachers, take note! I save postcards and stamps from all over the world to send to you for your students. If you would like stamps and postcards for your students, just write and let me know. The address is [email protected] If you would like to donate stamps and postcards, feel free! Our address is listed below. Another idea for your students: Br. Gerald Muller, my beloved music teacher from St Edward's University in Austin, Texas, has been writing books for young adults in his retirement and they are free! There is a volume of biographies of painters and musicians called Gentle Giants, and an excellent biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., too. They are also a good way to help you improve your English - that's how I worked on my French, reading books which were meant for young readers and I guarantee you, it's a good method for improving your language skills. To get Br. Gerald's free books, click here. Independent RFI English Clubs: Be sure to always include Audrey Iattoni ([email protected]) from our Listener Relations department in all your RFI Club correspondence. Remember to copy me ([email protected]) when you write to her so that I know what is going on, too. N.B.: You do not need to send her your quiz answers! Email overload! And don't forget, there is a Facebook page just for you, the independent RFI English Clubs. Only members of RFI English Clubs can belong to this group page, so when you apply to join, be sure you include the name of your RFI Club and your membership number. Everyone can look at it, but only members of the group can post on it. If you haven't yet asked to join the group, and you are a member of an independent, officially recognized RFI English club, go to the Facebook link above, and fill out the questionnaire !!!!! (if you do not answer the questions, I click decline). There's a Facebook page for members of the general RFI Listeners Club too. Just click on the link and fill out the questionnaire, and you can connect with your fellow Club members around the world. Be sure you include your RFI Listeners Club membership number (most of them begin with an A, followed by a number) in the questionnaire, or I will have to click Decline, which I don't like to do! We have new RFI Listeners Club members to welcome: Sufian Babu Sma from Murshidibad, India, and Shovon Hasan and Tahamina Yasmin, both from Rajbari, Bangladesh. Welcome Sufian, welcome Shovan, welcome Tahamina! I look forward to seeing your quiz responses and your bonus question answers every week, as well as your posts on the RFI Listeners Club Facebook page! This week's quiz: On 17 September, I asked you a question about our article French director receives two awards for debut film at Venice festival. Earlier that week, Frenchwoman Alice Diop won the Silver Lion for her film Saint Omer at the Venice Film Festival. Saint Omer not only won the Silver Lion, it also won the "Best First Film" award. Alice Diop has, up until now, specialized in documentaries. In 2017 she won a Cesar the French Oscars, if you remember - for Best Short Film. And that was your question: What was the name of that documentary? The answer is: Vers la tendresse, or Towards Tenderness. For her first feature film, Diop said she had used, as we noted in our article: a seemingly sordid news item to question something much broader, which is the relationship that all women and men have with motherhood". In addition to the quiz question, there was the bonus question: What three things would you not take to a desert island? The winners are: RFI English listener Sajjad Hossain from Joypurhat, Bangladesh, who is also the winner of this week's bonus question. Congratulations Sajjad! The other winners this week are Muhammed Nazim, a member of the International RFI DX Radio Listeners Club in Murshidabad, India - which is our very first official RFI English Club. There's Amran Hossain, a member of the Shetu RFI Listeners Club in Naogaon, Bangladesh; Faheem Noor, the president of the World United RFI Listeners Organization Club (WULO) in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan the club celebrated its 22nd anniversary this past week. Congratulations to WULO president Faheem Noor and all the members! Last but certainly not least is RFI Listeners Club member Ding Lu from Jiangsu Province in China. Congratulations winners! Here's the music you heard on this week's program: Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend by Jule Stein and Leo Robin, sung by Carol Channing; Gondola Song op.19, no.6 by Felix Mendelssohn, performed by Oh Hyoung Lee; The Flight of the Bumblebee by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; The Cakewalk from Children's Corner by Claude Debussy, performed by the composer, and Forbidden Games by Narciso Yepes and Marcel Stellman, sung by Miriam Makeba. Do you have a musical request? Send it to [email protected] This week's question ... you must listen to the show to participate. After you've listened to the show, re-read our article French government ready to 'intervene' to break fuel depot strike to help you with the answer. You have until 7 November to enter this week's quiz; the winners will be announced on the 12 November podcast. When you enter, be sure you send your postal address with your answer, and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number. Send your answers to: [email protected] or Susan Owensby RFI The Sound Kitchen 80, rue Camille Desmoulins 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux France or By text You can also send your quiz answers to The Sound Kitchen mobile phone. Dial your country's international access code, or + , then 33 6 31 12 96 82. Don't forget to include your mailing address in your text and if you have one, your RFI Listeners Club membership number. To find out how you can win a special Sound Kitchen prize, click here. To find out how you can become a member of the RFI Listeners Club, or to form your own official RFI Club, click here. The Lead Counsel for embattled Chinese national En Huang, popularly known as Aisha Huang, has asked the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Samuel Abu Jinapor to apologize for his comment that the accused will be in prison custody for as along as the case travels. He said that Ministers comment is prejudicial hence, he must apologise. At a press conference in Accra on Thursday , Mr Jinapor said the suggestion was that nothing will be done to this woman, she is so connected all the way to the top [but]she has been charged with the severest of the offences. The Damongo lawmaker further indicated that the accused will be in custody for as long as the case travels. Commenting on this on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday October 15, Captain (rtd) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey said It is not a factual representation of what happened in the court. He should come out openly to apologise. You are not a judge, why should you say that an accused person will remain in custody for as long as the case travels even if five years. What he has said is very prejudicial. He added Abu Jinapor should know that he is a Minister, tomorrow he may lose his job and join us at the bar and appear in court. How dare he says that? Also speaking on the same show, Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim North Andy Appiah Kubi said it was only a wish the Minister was expressing. It was a wish he was making. The minister has no such authority to say that she will stay in custody, he said. 3news.com The Ghana Police Service has provided an update on the case involving, Patricia Asiedua alias Nana Agradaa. The former fetish priestess turned preacher was arrested by the Police earlier this month after she was accused by members of her church of scamming them. During the week, she was arraigned before the court and remanded into police custody after she was denied bail for the second time. In an update from the Ghana Police Service today, it has disclosed that not just one but two different cases have been filed against Nana Agradaa in court. The Police have so far arraigned accused, Patricia Asiedua alias Nana Agradaa, before the court on two separate cases and she has been remanded in both cases. In the first case, the Police arraigned accused, Patricia Asiedua alias Nana Agradaa before the Court on 10th October, 2022 following her arrest. The court remanded her into Police custody to reappear on the 13th. The Police, therefore, brought the accused before the court on the 13th October, 2022 and she was again remanded into Police custody to reappear on 17th October, 2022, parts of the police statement read. It continues, In the second case, the accused was arraigned before the Court today, 14th October, 2022 and has been remanded into Police custody to reappear on 24th October, 2022. The Lead Counsel for embattled Chinese national En Huang, popularly known as Aisha Huang, has said he feels sad following the way and manner the accused is being treated. First, he said, the initial narrative was that Aisha Huang was arrested engaging in illegal small scale mining (Galamsey) but that was not the case. She was picked up from her home. Again, when she was being transferred from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), formerly called Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), to prison custody, a 11-member team was set up to interrogate her. This situation, he said, makes him feel sad. Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday October 15, Mr Effah-Darte said the way we are treating Aisha Huang it makes me feel sad. When she was being transferred to prison custody the BNI set up a 11member delegation and interrogated her. Earlier in the week, he expressed shock the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources , Samuel Abu Jinapor, and the Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, were at the Accra High Court for the hearing. The Chinese galamsey businesswoman was at the High Court on Tuesday, October 11 with some four other Chinese after four charges were pressed against them by the Attorney General's Department. They were all denied bail and remanded into prison custody. In court were the Lands Minister and the Attorney General. Speaking on TV3's Midday Live on Friday, October 14, Nkrabea Effah-Dartey insisted the case involving Aisha Huang is being blown out of proportion. As a result, he said he can't wrap his mind around how a whole Minister of Lands and Natural Resources will come to court. There is so much talk about this matter [that] it must take the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources , my learned friend Samuel Abu Jinapor, coming to the court room. To do what? he wondered. He also wondered: Imagine the whole Attorney General dressed in his robe coming to court. The case was adjourned to Thursday, November 24. Captain (rtd) Effah-Dartey was happy his client was remanded into prison custody instead of police custody, as ruled by a Circuit Court. He said the ruling by the High Court allows him to visit her at the prisons. This could not have happened at BNI cells. 3news.com 15.10.2022 LISTEN Some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ketu South have backed the General Secretary bid of their former Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey. Mr Kwetey, a former Minister of Food and Agriculture and of Transport, declared his intention to contest the NDC General Secretary position following the decision by the incumbent, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah (known as General Mosquito), to exit the position to join the chairmanship race. The members who spoke in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) touted the credentials of Mr Kwetey saying, there was no better and perfect replacement for General Mosquito, especially in a critical time when a trusted hand was needed to deliver victory for the party to rescue Ghanaians from the misrule of the current Akufo-Addo's rule. Mr Bright Dzila, Communication Officer, Ketu South Constituency, who is seeking re-election, said he would embark on a project in both Volta and Oti Regions after their Constituency Executives elections next weekend to campaign for Mr Kwetey whose competence he said was critical ahead of the 2024 elections. Mr Dzila said: He is a very competent man. His track record as a propaganda Secretary of the party is there for all of us to refer to and when he became an MP, he did a lot in Ketu South. He has what it takes to replace General Mosquito. We all know what he did in the strongroom in 2008. He is very firm, and I can assure you, he has everything it takes for the job. Mr Joseph Kwasi Nyavi, aspiring Chairman, NDC Ketu South said the former Deputy Minister of Finance could be trusted to be the Chief Executive Officer of the NDC believing, he would champion the cause of party and country. Mr Daniel Sorokpo, Research Officer, Ketu South NDC said knowing the unforgettable role he played in the success of the NDC in both 2008 and 2012 elections, the Nogokpo Lion as NDC's General Secretary was a sure bet for victory 2024. Some may mistake Nogokpo Lion's passion for the NDC, fiery and confident posture as arrogance but the truth is that he is very down to earth, respectful, and humble. His rich experience in politics and his ability to listen to all and play well in a team are all very important going into the 2024 elections, he added. Mr Kwetey told the GNA that as a political economist/financial analyst with practical understanding of the workings of the economy and financial markets, becoming the General Secretary would make the campaign even easier for the NDC by breaking down the most complex economic issues to the understanding of the ordinary person. These days when the people are interested in how they can put food on the table for their families, not just any general talk and empty claims of being consultants on democratic issues are needed. The NDC needs a campaign that is going to hinge on economy, economy and economy and I am the man for that. I have done it before, and I can do it again and again, Mr. Kwetey said. GNA Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, the Government Statistician, has advised field officers for this year's Demographic and Health Survey to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their work. The exercise, slated for Monday, October 17, 2022, across the country, will involve 18,540 households and done by 200 field enumerators. Prof Annim said this at the launch of the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey in Winneba in the Central Region. The cost of the survey is estimated at 4.2 million dollars. It is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Global Fund, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, the International Labour Organization, the Danish International Development Agency, and the government of Ghana. The field officers are expected to adhere to the United Nations principles of quality statistics. The principles include relevance, impartiality, and equal access, professional standards and ethics, and accountability and transparency. The Professor said the survey was designed to provide data for monitoring the health situation of the population in the country. The primary objective of the survey, he stated, was to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. The field enumerators will collect data on malaria, fertility levels, marriage, sexual activity, fertility preferences, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutrition, childhood mortality, and others. He said the field officers were put through rigorous training both in theory and practice to deliver on their responsibilities. The Government Statistician urged the public to cooperate with the officers by providing complete and accurate information to ensure a successful survey. Dr Kerzia Malm, Programme Manager, National Malaria Control Programme, commended the GSS for the collaboration and the need to include malaria as part of the indicators. She was hopeful that the survey would provide information on malaria for policy decisions and help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The participants pledged to conduct a successful exercise. GNA The Reverend Dr. Samuel Worlanyo Mensah, the Executive Director, Central for Greater Impact Africa has recommended to the government to immediately adopt proactive measures to block leakages in procurement contracts to accumulate revenue as part of the procedures to bail the country out of the current economic challenges. Rev. Dr. Mensah speaking at the Ghana News Agency Industrial News Hub Boardroom Dialogue platform emphasized, If the government is asking the citizens to tighten up their seatbelts to help rescue the country, there should be a corresponding initiative from the state to check all the loopholes in the procurement system to encourage the citizens to voluntarily tighten the belt. The event which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) in Tema, Rev. Dr. Mensah stressed that the nation can accumulate more money from identifying and blocking the loopholes within the procurement contracts, than relying on the electronic levy to develop the country. If the government wants to get more revenue, then we should be able to stop the leakages within the system, he said. The procurement process has been corrupted and resources for contracts are sometimes issued through doubtful procedures. Rev. Dr Mensah stated while speaking on the topic: Probing the procurement of contracts: Blocking the leakages. He said: The Center for Greater Impact Africa is entreating the government to strengthen the legal regime of the country to deal vigorously with people who misapply and mismanage state funds. Rev. Dr. Mensah while commending the governments pledge to support the pharmaceutical industry, expressed concern that since the announcement nothing concrete has been done. I think its a nice strategic agenda for the state and I believe that if we can take all these processes and policies as stated in the budget then its going to be a nice platform to begin to have a good economy. But if at the end of the day, we leave it or it is only draft work that we have done and implementation becomes a challenge then it is going to be more of a curse than a blessing, he said. Dr. Mensah urged the government to be proactive in the handling of economic issues, stressing the government must develop pro-poor models as well as the ones that would bridge the gap between academia and industries. 15.10.2022 LISTEN The Director General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) Sammi Awuku has expressed optimism in the governments ability to turn things around for the better in 2023. According to him, there is no doubt Ghanaians are experiencing untold hardships just like the rest of the world. After engaging the new leadership of the ruling New Patriotic (NPP), Sammi Awuku rallied support for the government to deal with the current economic crisis. I am hopeful the situation will be better in 2023 I never doubt the spirit of this administration and the Nations Optimistic Leader. To the Youth this is definitely the time to also be a support system to each other and rally round the government as we navigate these difficult times, Mr. Awuku said in a Facebook post on Saturday. According to him, he has unshaken belief in President Akufo-Addos administration to bring Ghana out of the current difficult global economic situation being felt locally. Nana Kwame Abass, Volta/Oti Regional Chief Cocoa Farmer, says farmers in the two regions have accepted the new cocoa price announced by the government. He said although farmers aimed to receive GHS1,000 per bag, they noted that interventions such as the supply of plantain suckers, nursery of cocoa, mass spraying, supply of wellington boots, fungicide and others by government reduced the price to the GHS800. Addressing a meeting in Hohoe, Nana Abass said they were, however, looking forward to an increase in the ensuing years. He noted that but for the incentives from government, the cocoa farmer would have received a higher amount than what was agreed on by government and other stakeholders. He said they had not received an increment last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors hence were not expecting the GHS140 cedis increment from the old price of GHS660. He appealed to farmers not to be discouraged with the new price but to continue to work hard to produce more. Nana Abass said the smuggling of cocoa to neighbouring Togo and Ivory Coast was affecting production in the regions. He called on government and the COCOBOD to ensure prompt payment to farmers to avert farmers handing over their produce to foreigners, who had cash-in-hand. Nana Abass called on the COCOBOD to also monitor the people or company involved in the purchase of the cocoa from the farmers since the smuggling could also be orchestrated by them. Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Agriculture, this month announced that a bag of 64kg gross weight of cocoa was now being sold at GHS800. Mr Wisdom Delali Amexame, Administrator and Intelligence Manager, COCOBOD, said the new cocoa price announced by the government was good. He noted that all money taken from the syndicated loan had 89 per cent going to the farmers, while the rest would be used for the construction of cocoa roads, fertilisers, chemicals and staff welfare. Mr Amexame said some farmers, despite the efforts from the government, were still smuggling cocoa into neighbouring countries. He said although there were talks about the price of cocoa being higher in Togo, it was worth noting that there were no interventions in that country unlike the situation in Ghana. He noted that electronic scales had been deployed to prevent unapproved adjustments from buyers of cocoa beans from farmers. Mr Seth Kpabitey, Quality Control Officer, COCOBOD, said one of the initiatives by COCOBOD to ensure that the commodity met international standards and expectations of customers was to ensure that the beans were thoroughly dried, well fermented, free from mold and free from stored-product insects. He said the value-chain in the export of cocoa was guaranteed and certified with easily traceable pathways with COCOBOD certifying all chemicals used. Mr Kpabitey noted that farmers in the two regions must be commended for adhering to directives and producing quality cocoa for the nation. Mr Linus Kofi Fiakeye, Regional Manager in charge of Cocoa Health and Extension Division, said they had formed farmer groups to educate and train them to ensure quality yields. Mr Fiakeye said they also focused on the cutting off disease farms, overage farms, pruning and seedling distribution adding that they also engaged in mass spraying and crediting fertilisers to farmers and called on farmers to capitalise on available interventions to produce more and earn more. Mr Samuel Fato, District Chief Cocoa Farmer, Papase, said farmers tend to smuggle their cocoa because they were being owed for more than months after purchasing the produce and pleaded for timely supply and enough chemicals. Mr Emmanuel Senyo Agbenyo, on behalf of the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive, pledged the Assembly's support in collaborating with the security agencies to curb the menace of cocoa smuggling in the Municipality and the region. He said the government was committed to the welfare of the farmers despite challenges to ensure that farmers were taken care of as well as making interventions that would better their lot. The Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the Customs Excise and Preventive Service pledged their support to liaising with COCOBOD and farmers to arrest cocoa smugglers. Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Seth Amoako Danquah, Wli Border Post, noted that despite the many unapproved routes in the Municipality, they would continue to liaise with other security agencies to intensify patrols on the routes to prevent cocoa smuggling. He said the youth were mostly culprits and urged the farmers to be on the lookout for the activities of the youth in their communities. GNA Nana Ansah Kwao IV, Chief of Akwamu Adumasa, has attributed the unending illegal mininggalamseyactivity to the continuous growth in the population size of the country. According to him, it was driving unemployment rate in the country high with the desire for survival fueling the situation. He said this while contributing to discussions on the galamsey menace on an Accra-based radio station monitored by the Ghana News Agency, on Saturday. The fundamental issue of all the menace confronting to this issue is the speed with which the population is growing, but some how as a country, it is a taboo subject for us. If you look at our economy and the number of new babies we put in a year, there is absolutely no way we can give them good roads, sanitation, education before December; before we put in another 900,000 new babies for, which a great percentage is coming from the lower end of the spectrum where the financial muscle is not too strong, he noted. Nana Kwao IV, therefore, called for drastic measures to be put in place and family planning encouraged to check the rapid growth of the population. What we the traditional rulers are refusing to understand is that the principles have not changed, but the times have changed and so the reasons for, which our forefathers did certain things, the thing is still valid but maybe the reason you can change it, the purpose you cannot change it. And so thats why we have arrived here, greed and survival, he stated. Dr Henry Kokofu, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), noted that inadequate staff was hampering the Agency's efforts to regularly monitor activities of mining companies to ensure that they adhered to the law. He, however, revealed that the Agency was in the process of procuring some 45 vehicles to help in monitoring activities of mining companies, especially galamsey in the country. He said that would enable the Agency to identify and arrest mining companies and persons who flouted the mining laws of the country by engaging in illegal activities. The first time in the history of EPA, we are procuring 45 vehicles, of which 25 are robust mining Land Cruisers size that the large scale miners use and its being equipped with all the necessary accouterments, including GPS, siren and all that we need to work with So, we will be able to march up boot for boot with illegal operators, he said. The EPA Boss noted that the Agency had taken numerous actions, including sanctioning and revoking the mining licences of companies and individuals who perpetuated illegalities, in an effort to curb the galamsey menace. He said the EPA was currently working with the Minerals Commission to activate the reclamation bond to ensure that all mined lands were returned to their original states. Regulation 23 of the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (L.I 1652) mandates the EPA to ensure that prospective small-scale miners post reclamation bonds in the form of cash into an escrow account based on approved reclamation plans before they are issued permits to mine. Mr Francis Kwasi Bonzoh, the District Chief Executive for Elembelle District, rejected calls by a section of the public for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to be sacked for failing to deal with the galamasey menace. He described that as quiet simplicity, explaining that, actors of galamsey business were powerful and highly connected, making the fight against the canker very difficult. Dr Tony Aubynn, President, Africa Institute of Extractive Industries, urged the Minerals Commission to monitor concessions given out to mining firms to ensure the right thing was done. GNA Ms Sarah Dugbakie Pobee, Ada East District Chief Executive, says some portions of the Volta River will be dredged to reduce the trend of tidal waves and high rate of flooding in the district. She said the river had not been dredged in more than 20 years, resulting in flooding and destruction of lives and property. Ms Pobee said this during an ordinary meeting of the Ada East District Assembly, explaining that the dredging would start from the Ada Estuary through to Sogakope to Akosombo. She said a contract had been awarded to Lower Volta Dredging Contractors Limited, a solely owned Ghanaian company, which had already moved to a site at Angornya to start the process. She said the company was currently undertaking a survey on the river to ascertain routes for the vessels to enter the district. Ms Pobee said the district had done the first phase of community engagement with residents and would be engaging traditional leaders, assembly members, and all communities involved. Our fishermen and other users of the river would also be engaged extensively on the activities, including the scope of work, area of coverage, what they are expected to do and not to do, among other issues, she said. The Ada East District Chief Executive, therefore, called for cooperation to ensure that the project is completed on schedule. GNA Jockeys from the southern African kingdom of Lesotho Saturday gathered with their mounts in the mountain village of Semonkong to compete on one of the continent's highest racetracks. Horse racing is a major social occasion in the poor mountainous nation of about two million people nestled inside South Africa. "I can go fast, very fast," 17-year-old Tsaeng Masotsa said before heading to the starting line. At more than 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) above sea level, the high plateaus of Semonkong in central Lesotho play host to a nationally famous racetrack. Races are held here throughout the dry season from May to September with the most prestigious one marking King Letsi III's birthday in July. A few hundred people, mostly wrapped in bright traditional shepherd's blankets, gathered Saturday to watch dozens of riders square off under the pale sun. The local 'Basuto pony' is the result of crossbreeding. By MARCO LONGARI (AFP) "The news spread like wildfire from village to village," said Jonathan Halse 52, who runs a lodge in the area and is among the race's sponsors. Many things are still organised by word of mouth here. The horse came to Lesotho with European settlers in the 19th century and the local Basuto pony is the result of crossbreeding over time. They are mid-sized and known for their endurance. The local ponies are vital for daily transport. By Marco LONGARI (AFP) Locals use them to herd sheep and goats or for everyday transport. Some villages are accessible only on horseback. "It's an absolute necessity in everyday life. There are places where you can't go otherwise," said Motlatsi Manaka, a 45-year-old herder. Before the races, the animals are brushed, their manes braided or trimmed. They have undergone months, or sometimes years of training. Winning prizes can reach $130 dollars -- about the same amount as the average monthly salary. Gambling is rife with bundles of cash being passed among spectators seated on large stones. 'My horse will win' Most horse owners are shepherds who make a living selling wool. The annual shearing season has just begun and shepherds receive about $3 per kilogram of the fibre. Jockeys get just a little more to ride and most of them are under 20. The race is divided into several events, based on the age of the horses taking part. The race is divided into several events. By MARCO LONGARI (AFP) "My horse will be victorious, no adversary can resist him," some riders chant, before launching their horses at breakneck speed on the curved course. The dirt track, about one kilometre long, is enveloped in mist from the nearby Maletsunyane Falls, among the largest in Africa. Its finish line is marked by a pile of stones. January 30, 2018 U.S. Runs Headscarf Campaign Against Iran A U.S. government funded public relation campaign tries to incite women in Iran to break the law. The reporting of the campaign in western media is unproportionate to its effects in Iran. The professional propagandist who runs the campaign on behalf of the U.S. government is introduced as ordinary "womens rights activist". The larger propaganda scheme and the U.S. government influence in it are willfully ignored. In June 2017 the CIA created a new "mission center" for attacking Iran: The Iran Mission Center will bring together analysts, operations personnel and specialists from across the CIA to bring to bear the range of the agencys capabilities, including covert action, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The first visible results of the new center's work was the hijacking of economic protests in Iran at the end of last year. The slogans and symbols used and the specific western media support lets one assume that exile MEK terrorists and monarchist organizations were involved in the affair. The demonstrations immediately turned violent and lost all public backing. They petered out, as predicted, within a few days. On December 28, the very same day the demonstrations started, this picture made the rounds: A woman in Tehran defied the law by taking off her headscarf. The pictures and a video showed that people around mostly ignored the stunt. Only after the photo made the rounds in "western" media, was the woman taken in for questioning but later released. The picture and video was first posted by @masihpooyan: The start for the demonstrations and the posting of this campaign picture on the very same day was likely not just a coincidence. The campaign to induce women in Iran to take of their mandatory scarf has been an on-and-off western influence operations since at least 2014. It had been dormant for a while until the very same day regular demonstrations over legitimate economic issues were turned into anti-government riots. The anti-scarf campaign is run by Masih Alinejad who works for Voice of America's (anti-)Iranian TV program and other U.S. "regime change" media outlets. The woman is an interesting asset. Her real name is Masoumeh Alinejad but she uses Masih, the Persian language word for "anointed" or "Messiah", as her artist name. She is now 41 years old and lives in New York. She got first noticed as a rabble rousing journalist in Iran. According to a 2009 New Yorker portrait: Alinejad was a known quantity; in 2005, she was expelled from covering the parliament after she disclosed the salaries of populist deputies who had falsely claimed to have taken pay cuts. She worked for the Iranian newspaper Etemad-e Melli which was financed by Mehdi Karroubi. (In June 2009 Karroubi lost the Iranian presidential election against Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. Karroubi started the Green "color revolution" protests claiming election fraud even though all available pre- and post-election surveys confirmed Ahmedinejad's win. Mehdi Karroubi has since been under house arrest.) According to Time magazine Alinejad "spent much of 2007 in London studying English". In 2008 Etemad-e Melli published a slander piece of hers against then President Ahmedinejad. She compared his voters to starving fish waiting for bread crumbs. It was soon retracted and Karroubi publicly apologized for it. By then "she had been invited to study English for a year at Oxford", according to the New Yorker. She used that time to make contact with U.S. officials. She wrote a letter requesting an interview with U.S. President Obama: An official at the U.S. Embassy in London agreed to forward the letter to Washington, and invited her to the Embassy for a meeting. The political officer she met with had a thick file that held all the available English-language press clippings about her. But his manner was respectful, she recalls. He said, We know who you are. You are a tough lady. Her file and the interview must have satisfied the "political officer". Soon after that she received a visa for the United States. Her Wikipedia entry adds: She was interviewed by VOA, which was shown together with parts of the videos she had made, called A Storm of Fresh Air. In 2010 she and a group of Iranian writers and intellectuals established IranNeda foundation. After the presidential election in Iran in 2009, she published a novel called A Green Date. Alinejad graduated in 2011 with a degree in Communication, Media and Culture from Oxford Brookes University. She has been working for Voice of America since at least 2013 from London as part of the VoA Farsi language show OnTen. Her Oxford public relation degree is truly justified. Since 2011 the Guardian quoted or mentioned her some 35 times! That must be a record. Wikipedia names the Iranian-British Bloomberg writer Kambiz Foroohar as her spouse. His Twitter account retweets and promotes his wife's campaign. In 2014 Alinejad moved to New York and started her first campaign against a public law in Iran which makes it compulsory for women to cover their hair in public. The my stealthy freedom web and social media campaign was supposed to incite women In Iran to take pictures of themselves in public but without a scarf. It was heavily propagandized in various western media. In 2015 she received a prize from the notorious Zionist lobby organization UN Watch. The latest item posted on the first headscarf campaign website is from September 6 2015. It has since been dormant. Alinejad claimed several times that she was slandered by Iranian media. I have seen no evidence for that claim but would not be astonished to find that an agent working for a foreign government, which is openly attempting to overthrow the Iranian political system, is somewhat disliked in that country. Since 2015 Alinejad has her own show Tablet on VoA Farsi announced as the "15-min prime time show" that would be "focuses on cultural and social issues involving young people in Iran and the United States." Public contracts show that she receives $85.600 per annum from the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors. The BBG is running U.S. influence media like Voice of America in English and foreign languages. It is officially controlled by the U.S. State Department. In February 2017 Alinejad publicly lauded the French right wing candidate Marie Le Pen for rejecting to wear a head scarf while visiting a religious official in Lebanon. She changed her post after being criticized for pandering to far right Islamophobia. Her public anti-head scarf campaign, dormant since September 2015, was revived via a public relation push in May 2017. It was renamed from "My Stealthy Freedom" to "White Wednesday" The BBC posted a marketing piece about it. Using the hashtag #whitewednesdays, citizens have been posting pictures and videos of themselves wearing white headscarves or pieces of white clothing as symbols of protest. The idea is the brainchild of Masih Alinejad, founder of My Stealthy Freedom, an online movement opposed to the mandatory dress code. Newsweek also published a PR write up. Both pieces claim that the campaign received a great social media response but its official announcement on Facebook shows only 1,400 likes and 316 shares. That is a very meager response. The Reuters PR rewrite says: Some of the videos, which are subtitled by volunteers, have several hundred shares on the My Stealthy Freedom Facebook page that has more than a million followers. Everyone should know by now that the number of followers is not a valid measure. Followers can be bought by the 10,000nds for small money. A video I recently posted on Twitter about U.S. soldiers shooting an Afghan truck driver was retweeted (shared) 900 times, more often than the videos of that greatly promoted anti-scarf campaign. How relevant then can that campaign be? The main Facebook page of the campaign has some 2,800 "Timeline photos" but only a dozen of those are of women taking off their scarfs in public. The real response in Iran for the campaign is thus completely insignificant. Over the last days some six of probably 50 million women in the Islamic Republic have allegedly taken part in it. The marketing noise in the "western" media about the campaign is in reverse proportion to its effect in Iran. Ms. Alinejad opposes the political system in Iran. She is working for the U.S. government and runs public relation campaigns which are designed to (a.) defame the Islamic Republic in the "west" and to (b.) raise internal dissent in Iran. The defaming part is working well but the campaign seems to have little response in Iran itself. That is not astonishing. Under the last two presidents social restrictions in Iran have been gradually lifted. [Update: As several people have noted in the comments the authorities in Tehran are no longer prosecuting the lack of a headscarf, but the law that makes them mandatory is still on the books.] The foreign driven anti-head scarf campaign only helps hardliners who see it as undue western influence and call for harsh measures against people falling for it. The campaign is not in the interest of the women in Iran: Iranian women have decades of experience in organizing in Iran for change. It is when their movement has been politicized by western feminists, especially those tied to the right, that the situation becomes more dire for them on the ground, Bajoghli told Newsweek. All of the above is public information and just a few clicks away. But U.S. media still try to hide the U.S. government connection. The New York Times just published a piece about one of those few Iranian women who reacted to the campaign. Thomas Erdbrink, the Times correspondent in Tehran, writes: The first protest in December took place on a Wednesday and seemed connected to the White Wednesday campaign, an initiative by Masih Alinejad, an exiled Iranian journalist and activist living in the United States. Ms. Alinejad has reached out to Iranian women on Persian-language satellite television ... There are probably 150 Persian language satellite TV stations. At no point does Erdbrink explain that the TV station Alinejad is working for is the U.S. government financed and controlled VoA Farsi. Nowhere does the NYT piece mention U.S. government influence. Instead we get this: Hard-liners say that foreign intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency, have been nurturing protests in Iran ... The hard-liners have not provided proof to back up their claims. Erdbrink of course knows that Alinejad is working for VoA. That fact alone evidently confirms that the campaign is driven by a U.S. agency which is specifically tasked to manipulate people in foreign countries. Over the last three years Masih Alinejad has received at least $230,000 in BBG/U.S. government contracts while running her campaign. To then claim that "hard-liners have not provided proof" for their claims of foreign government influence is just laughable. The proof is there for anyone to see. A Newsweek piece from early January uses a similar obfuscation. It refers to Masih Alinejad as "an Iranian womens rights activist" without mentioning at all that it is her daily well paid job to create anti-Iranian propaganda on behalf of the U.S. government. Voice of America has only a small viewership in Iran. The VoA campaign is mostly run on Twitter and Facebook which are both not available in Iran. It can hardly have any significant impact within the country. It is certainly less than its hundreds of mentions in western media let one assume. But it helps to foster a hostile atmosphere in the "western" public against the government and political structure of Iran. The historian Eskandar Sadeghi-Boroujerdi sees an additional, deeper motive for this campaign: Whatever ones stance, its hard to avoid conclusion that resistances to mandatory hijab in Iran are fetishised in Western coverage because they impose upon such struggles a certain self-image of Western civilisation as enlightened and the saviour of brown women from brown men. Another Iranian, not yet working for a U.S. propaganda outlet, posted this response to the anti-scarf campaign: Are there any "enlightened saviors" who will sponsor his campaign against the mandatory wearing of pants? Posted by b on January 30, 2018 at 18:12 UTC | Permalink Comments October 15, 2022 Behind The Iranian Riots Over the last weeks there were some riots in Iran. At first there were protest about the falsely reported death of a young women, Mahsa Amini, who had suddenly collapsed (video) while waiting in a police station. She died a few days later. Mahsa Amini had previously had brain surgery and her collapse and death were related to that, not to police action. The protests by mostly women, and supported by a well known U.S. government employee, were soon taken over by separatist groups who turned them into riots. This especially in the northwestern Kurdish border region and the southeastern Baloch region. These groups are know to have foreign support. Police stations were attacked, cars were set on fire and night riots set off. In total some 24 policemen and some 100 protesters died. It is not the first time that such riots are happening in Iran. The 2007 riots were launched after peaceful protests against a petrol price increase and the 2017 riots after peaceful protests over general economic hardship. Each time the protests were taken over by foreign directed groups and ended in serious riots that caused some death. After a month or two the situations calmed down. Something similar is happening now. As usual the riots have 'western' media support, most notoriously from the New York Times. Here is a fine example: It Was a Massacre: How Security Forces Cracked Down in Southeastern Iran A New York Times analysis of witness testimony and videos reveals a bloody scene that unfolded last month in Zahedan during Friday Prayer, with mats as stretchers and bodies piled in cars. Some of the wounded tried to crawl away to escape the gunfire. Others bled to death on prayer mats as people tried to drag them to safety. But the snipers and officers kept pulling their triggers, firing bullet after bullet into men and young boys at a worship area where Friday Prayer had been underway. That sounds as if the police were shooting at will and unprovoked. But some details strewn deeper throughout the story paint a very different picture. If one cuts out the propaganda trash about some video scenes and anonymous Iranian voices making unverifiable claims one can take a less obstructed look at the real situation: The horrific scene unfolded on Sept. 30 in Zahedan, a city in southeastern Iran that is home to the ethnic Baluch minority, after a small group of worshipers emerged from the Great Mosalla prayer complex to confront security forces posted at a police station across the street. ... The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, an elite branch of the armed forces, has confirmed that its forces were present in Zahedan, and that six of its members were killed that day, including its regional intelligence chief, Col. Ali Mousavi, and officers from the feared Basij militia. They have denied firing on civilians. Witnesses said that a number of Iranian security officers were killed, but that they died later during street clashes. The protesters chanted antigovernment slogans and threw rocks at the officers, prompting the security forces to fire indiscriminately into the crowd, according to witnesses. As the demonstrators scattered, the gunshots stalked their retreat back toward the complex, where thousands were still praying ... But according to the cleric and two other witnesses, a group of 10 to 15 young worshipers left the complex before prayers had concluded to gather outside the police station. A video verified by The Times shows some of the protesters throwing rocks at the police station, where security forces stood on the roof, as gunshots are heard. Witnesses said that some protesters hurled Molotov cocktails. The forces responded with gunfire, witnesses said. One video verified by The Times shows two men who appear to be in uniform standing alongside another man on the roof of the police station firing what seems to be a pump-action shotgun in the direction of the mosque. ... As the day went on, more civilians swarmed into the streets as they became aware of the violence taking place in the city. They were met with Persian-speaking security forces, in traditional Baluch clothing, who emerged from cars before firing on the protesters, some of whom fought back with Molotov cocktails and bullets, according to witnesses. Most of the clashes took place on a street near the Makki mosque where hundreds had gathered. The riots in Zahedan were organized by some well resourced group, likely financed by this or that U.S. government program: The day before the shootings in Zahedan, protesters began calling for a broad uprising in all of the towns of Baluchestan, as an act of solidarity with Kurdistan and in protest of the rape of the Baluch girl, according to a poster advertising the demonstrations. The Kurdistan region of Iran has also seen major protests in recent weeks and has been subject to attacks by government forces. The alleged 'rape of the Baloch girl' is unconfirmed and likely just another false accusation. To sum it up: A group of well organized and armed provocateurs attacked policemen and tried to set a police station on fire. The police did not agree with that. It used pump-action shotguns with can be used with either birdshot or anti-riot ammunition. More people came. Some of them had guns. Who actually shot the people and the IRGC men who died is unexplained. Who the alleged 'snipers' were is also unexplained. The Times presumes that they were police but provides no evidence for that conclusion. Like during the 2014 Maidan riots the snipers might have been provocateurs hired to shot at both sides, protesters and policemen. Zahedan is near the at times unruly border with Pakistan. That is why IRGC and other security forces are stationed there. I find this sentence somewhat funny: They were met with Persian-speaking security forces, in traditional Baluch clothing, ... Is this supposed to be sinister? While Baloch people often speak Balochi, it is a local Iranian dialect. Persian (Farsi) is the official government language of Iran and taught in all schools. That some 'Persian-speaking' security forces were wearing the usual local civil clothing (loose long shirts without buttons) should not astonish anyone. Such undercover tactics are used all over the world. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is not amused about being lectured by 'western' officials about police behavior during armed riots: Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has underscored that Iran is the anchor of stability and security in the region and not the land of velvet or colorful coup, slamming foreign intervention by some Western countries in Iran. In a phone call with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, the Iranian foreign minister said that, the death of the late Mahsa Amini is a painful for all of us, however, he pointed out that this issue is just regarded as a pretext for (intervention of) some western authorities. ... Peaceful demands are different from riots, murders, arson, and terrorist operations, he pointed out. On the same topic, the Iranian FM also questioned Who would believe that the death of a girl is so important to Westerners? If so, what did they do to the hundreds of thousands of martyrs and dead in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Lebanon? They wanted to start a sectarian war in Iran. ... The Iranian FM said that for instance, in Zahedan, there was no slogan or photo of Mahsa, and a known terrorist group tried to start a conflict between Shias and Sunnis, and they claimed responsibility for it. (The terrorist groups) did the same in part of Kurdistan, but the insight of Sunni scholars and people foiled their attempts. The riots have died down. The CIA will prepare the separatist groups it finances for another round to be launched when the next random reason for some peaceful protest can be found to hide in. Iran is by now well aware of this tactic and its security forces are trained to defend against such nonsense. The Biden administration will use the Iranian police action against rioters to justify that it is breaking its election promise to reenter the nuclear deal with Iran. The U.S. will not be happy about the long term consequences of that failure. Posted by b on October 15, 2022 at 16:51 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page MERIDEN Veteran firefighter Cristina Schoeck is the first woman to attain the rank of deputy chief in the fire departments more than 170-year history. Schoeck was sworn in during a ceremony Friday at the Augusta Curtis Cultural Center. The event, attended by fire department colleagues, family and politicians, recognized Schoecks qualifications, professionalism and accomplished career to date, as well as the historic significance of her promotion both as a woman and a Latina. As fire chief one of the most important decisions I make is to judge the character, fortitude, dedication and respect of those within the organization that want to become leaders within our organization. I focus on core values, professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence, Fire Chief Ken Morgan said during the ceremony. I feel honored, I feel privileged to represent the Meriden Fire Department, Schoeck said after being sworn in, adding that young girls can truly do anything if they try hard and persist. Previously a lieutenant, Schoeck is a 20-year veteran of the department. She was hired on March 10, 2002 and was promoted to lieutenant on April 22, 2018. Pinning on her deputy chief badge Friday was her husband, Meriden Fire Captain Steven Schoeck, with state Rep. Michael Quinn administering the oath to her. Also on hand was retired fire lieutenant Maggie Bender, who was Meridens first female firefighter. Schoeck is a fire service instructor at the Eastern Connecticut Fire School, teaches Emergency Medical Service and CPR as an instructor at CPR Training Professionals, and volunteers at Camp Fully Involved, a New Hampshire summer camp focused on supporting young women who are interested in exploring a career in the fire service. She also assists the Firefighter Cancer Support Network in bringing awareness to the topic of firefighter cancer, Morgan said. Deputy Chief Ryan Dunn and Assistant Chief Brendan Noonan said it is an amazing day for the department. Dunn has known Schoeck for over 20 years and said he is excited about the things she will bring to the department in her new role. Noonan said she was the most qualified for the job. As of Thursday, Schoeck reported to him, Noonan added. On Friday, she became his boss. I couldnt be happier for her, Noonan said. Im looking forward to the positive changes she will bring to the department. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz attended the ceremony to acknowledge the historic moment for the city. Bysiewicz said young girls can look up to Schoeck as an inspiration and to encourage them to go into the fire service. Deputy Mayor Michael Cardona and state Rep. Hilda Santiago were also on hand to honor Schoeck. Santiago noted that the promotion of the first Latina to the rank of deputy chief coincided with the culmination of National Hispanic Heritage Month. lsellew@record-journal.com203-317-2225Twitter: @LaurenSellewRJ MERIDEN Teachers, school officials and students gathered at Platt High School on Friday morning to celebrate the grand opening of a new lounge designed to provide additional support for multilingual students. The opening of the lounge was planned to celebrate the ending of Hispanic Heritage Month, said Director of Equity and Inclusion Lysette Torres. A year ago, the lounge started as an idea from Carlos Pina, the Family-School Liaison at Platt. What if we have a room that is soothing for our multilingual students? he wondered. To accomplish the idea, Pina and Torres collaborated with Imaginate Your Space, a Massachusetts-based business started by Tacey Martinek. Lysette and Carlos wanted to make the space inviting for kids whose first language isnt English, Martinek said. To reach that goal, Martinek explained the rooms colorful walls were inspired by the feel of downtown San Juan. The walls include carefully selected quotes from Puerto Rican composer, lyricist, actor and filmmaker Lin-Manuel Miranda and celebrated Black poet Maya Angelou. In diversity there is beauty and there is strength, one of the inscriptions reads in tribute to Angelou. To further promote a sense of welcome, Torres explained the back wall said hello in the top five languages spoken by students in the district English, Spanish, French Creole, Portuguese and Arabic. Meriden School Superintendent Mark Benigni expressed his enthusiasm for the support available at the new lounge at Platt and another lounge set to open at Maloney High School next week. This lounge provides a supportive and inclusive learning area and it is one more way we support all students in the Meriden Public Schools, he said. I look forward to Maloneys Multilingual Lounge opening very soon, Benigni added. The lounge was designed to support students like Kariangellys Nunez and Willianis Garcia. Both are Platt seniors from Puerto Rico who said they struggle keeping up with English vocabulary sometimes. Nunez and Garcia are former students of Angela Fragoso, an ESOL teacher who has been working for 20 years in the Meriden Public Schools and four years at Platt. Fragoso explained that many of her students struggle because they have to learn a new language and academic content at the same time. The whole language is new and theyre learning new content, so it takes them twice as long, she said. They work twice as hard. Fragoso explained that the lounge plans to help students with specific content tutors in addition to a full-time ESOL teacher. As the year progresses, Fragoso said the team will continue to evaluate and make changes to help students. Its a new room, so were going to have to assess and see if it meets students needs, she said. lguzman@record-journal.comTwitter: @lguzm_n Latino Communities Reporter Lau Guzman is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. Support RFA reporters at the Record-Journal through a donation at https://bit.ly/3Pdb0re. To learn more about RFA, visit www.reportforamerica.org. Yves here. This is a helpful and extensive recap of many of the instances of Covid-19 cases in animals and a discussion of some of the propagation channels beyond domesticated animals contracting it from their humans. However, it is marred by acting as if herd immunity was attainable. By David Quammen, whose 16 previous books include The Tangled Tree, The Song of the Dodo, The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, and Spillover, is a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and recipient of the Premio Letterario Merck, in Rome. He has written for The New Yorker, Harpers Magazine, The Atlantic, National Geographic, and Outside, among other magazines, and is a three-time winner of the National Magazine Award. He is a founding member of Undarks advisory board. Originally published at Undark Humans arent the only mammals susceptible to infection by, or testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. There have been instances among quite a few others. The first to ring alarms internationally was a small dog in Hong Kong. On Feb. 26, 2020, a 17-year-old male Pomeranian with a heart murmur, pulmonary hypertension, renal disease, and other secondary conditions, tested positive for the virus. ProMED relayed this news to its global subscribers two days later. Many of us read it and thought, hmm, odd. By that time, because the Pomeranians owner had been sick for two weeks and tested positive herself, the dog was quarantined in a government-run facility. Throughout his quarantine period, the dog remained bright and alert with no obvious change in clinical condition, by one report, but his clinical condition already wasnt too good. Anyway, he survived to bark again. The accompanying article is excerpted and adapted from BREATHLESS: The Scientific Race to Defeat a Deadly Virus, by David Quammen. Copyright 2022 by David Quammen. Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. The second known pet was a young German shepherd, also in Hong Kong, also from a household with a human case. Next it was cats. A group of scientists in Wuhan began promptly in January 2020, as the outbreak among humans made headlines, testing the blood of domestic felines for signs of the virus. They gathered data through March and posted a preprint on April 3. This team included researchers from a college of veterinary medicine, and maybe they were simply following a hunch. They took blood samples from a total of 102 cats, including abandoned creatures harbored at animal shelters, cats at pet hospitals, and cats from human families in which Covid-19 had struck. (They also looked, for purposes of comparison, at 39 cat samples drawn before the outbreak, all negative.) They found evidence of the virus in 15 cats and, in 11 of those, strong evidence of antibodies capable of neutralizing the virus. Our data demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 has infected cat population in Wuhan during the outbreak, they wrote in the preprint. By the time their study appeared in a journal, other cats elsewhere had become infected. A cat in Belgium tested positive. A cat in France tested positive. Another study from China, done by experiment at a veterinary institute in Harbin, in the north, showed that cats inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 became infected and could transmit the virus to other cats through the air. A cat in Hong Kong tested positive. A cat in Minnesota, a cat in Russia, two cats in Texas. In Italy, a cat named Zika began sneezing, then tested positive, evidently having caught the virus from her human, a young doctor working on Covid. In Germany, a 6-year-old female cat at a retirement home in Bavaria tested positive by throat swab after her owner died of Covid-19. In Orange County, New York, just up the Hudson River from New York City, a 5-year-old indoor cat started sneezing, coughing, draining from her nose and eyes, about eight days after her person developed similar symptoms. She tested positive. Domestic cats arent social creatures in the ecological sense; they dont aggregate in dense populations (except amid the pungent households of obsessive cat hoarders and overgenerous rescuers), so the opportunities for cat-to-cat transmission tend to be low. But many a house cat, once it gets outside, interacts with mice in the barn, the shed, or the backyard. Those mice generally belong to two groups, house mice (Mus musculus) and deer mice (several species within the genus Peromyscus). Deer mice are well documented as hosts of hantaviruses and the Lyme disease bacterium, and recent laboratory work shows them susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. A mouse can carry the virus for as long as three weeks and transmit it efficiently to other mice. Deer mice are the most abundant (nonhuman) mammals in North America. It may be only a matter of time before SARS-CoV-2 gets into a population of deer mice, from a cat, and begins mouse-to-mouse transmission in the wild. More on this theme, below, when we get to the mink and the white-tailed deer. Among felids infected with SARS-CoV-2, it hasnt been just the domestic kitties: A tiger named Nadia, at the Bronx Zoo in New York, appeared sick and tested positive for the virus, presumably transmitted by one of her zookeepers. It seems she wasnt alone. According to a statement from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS, within the U.S. Department of Agriculture), Nadias testing came after several lions and other tigers at the zoo showed signs of respiratory distress. Within weeks, four more of the Bronx tigers and three lions tested positive. A puma (an American cougar) at a zoo in South Africa tested positive. A female snow leopard and two males, at the Louisville Zoo, in Kentucky, started coughing and wheezing, then tested positive. In the Netherlands, during the spring of 2020, SARS-CoV-2 began showing up among farmed mink. Those outbreaks carried large economic consequences as well as public health implications, because the mink were held in crowded conditions, raised in the thousands for their fur, and they proved very capable of transmitting the virus, both from mink to mink and possibly (with human help) from farm to farm. The first detected cases occurred on two farms in the province of Noord-Brabant, which is in southern Netherlands along the Belgian border. The minks showed various symptoms including respiratory problems, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality. Several roads were closed, and a public health agency advised people not to walk or cycle in the vicinity of those farms. But the virus spread quickly, soon affecting 10 farms, then 18 farms, then 25 farms by the middle of July 2020. The Netherlands contained a lot of mink: roughly 900,000 animals at 130 farms. These were American mink (Neovison vison), like virtually all farmed mink, preferred for the richness of their fur; they belonged to the mustelid family, which includes also the pine marten, the European polecat, and the Eurasian badger. Dutch exports of mink fur earned about 90 million euros annually in recent years, according to the Dutch Federation of Pelt Farmers. The industry was controversial fur farming of all sorts is controversial in much of Europe, on grounds of animal welfare and the Netherlands had already moved toward ending it by 2024. Now that happened more quickly, under government orders to cull all the animals on affected farms, in advance of the usual November doomsday for farmed mink, and not to restock. By the end of June 2020, almost 600,000 Netherlands mink had been slaughtered. The virus wasnt innocuous in mink; it caused respiratory symptoms and some mortality, which was what triggered testing and detection of the virus on those first two farms. But it didnt kill mink as quickly as the culling did. A team of Dutch scientists investigated the outbreaks, between April and June, and eventually published a paper in Science. The senior author on that study was Marion Koopmans, head of virology at the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam. In February, because of the dog infection in Hong Kong, she told me, we had a meeting. Koopmans, an expert on zoonotic viruses, interacts regularly with the National Public Health Institute, the Veterinary Health Institute, and an independent organization, farmer-supported, called the Animal Health Service. By late spring, everyone was aware that SARS-CoV-2 had appeared not just in one or two Hong Kong dogs but also in domestic cats, tigers, and lions. Among humans, it was raging in Italy, and the Netherlands was suffering its first wave, with almost 40,000 cases by the end of April and a gruesomely high case fatality rate. We were ramping up human diagnostics, Koopmans said the labs at her center, as well as veterinary labs in the system. Then came a couple of dead mink, submitted for necropsy. And I said, Hey, well, what the heck. Lets also test these mink. It was done at the same veterinary lab that had jumped in to do human diagnostics. Bingo. As the mink outbreaks turned up on one farm after another, and the human pandemic intensified, Koopmans and her colleagues found time and resources to study the animal phenomenon, which would have implications for public health as well as for the fur industry. They sampled both mink and people on 16 farms, finding not just lots of infected mink but also 18 infected people among farm employees and their close contacts. The team sequenced samples and saw that the viral genomes in people generally matched the genomes in that farms mink. This and other evidence suggested not just human-to-mink transmission starting each outbreak, and mink-to-mink transmission keeping the outbreaks aflame, but also possibly mink-to-human transmission. That last point was ominous and Ill return to it. In mid-June, it was Denmarks turn. A herd of mink is being slaughtered at a farm in North Jutland after several of the animals and one employee tested positive for coronavirus, according to a report in The Local, an English-language online media service. That farm was quarantined, and all 11,000 animals would be killed. The news fell heavily because Denmark, with roughly 14 million mink on more than a thousand farms, produced a large portion of the worlds pelts, and the quality of Danish pelts was considered supreme. The virus spread quickly that summer. By early October, 41 Danish farms had recorded outbreaks and authorities spoke of culling a million mink. This was optimistic. By mid-October: Sixty-three farms and plans for culling 2.5 million mink. But that too was just a beginning. In the meantime, health officials in Spain ordered the culling of 93,000 mink on one farm, after determining that most of the animals there had been infected with the coronavirus, according to Reuters. Mink tested positive on a farm in Italy. In Sweden, a veterinary official visited a mink farm on the southern coast, reporting, We tested a number of animals today and all were positive. Mink at two farms in Utah tested positive, and then came some worse news. Veterinary officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that a wild, free-ranging mink in Utah had also tested positive. The sequenced virus from that wild mink matched the virus in mink on a farm nearby, so the wild individual had presumably been infected by an escapee or by schmoozing with captives nose-to-nose through a fence. This raised a concern well beyond the economics of fur: the prospect of SARS-CoV-2 gone rogue into the American landscape. In the lingo of disease ecologists: a sylvatic cycle. That term comes from the Latin word sylva, meaning forest. A virus with a sylvatic cycle is two-faced, like a traveling salesman with another wife and more kids in another town. Yellow fever virus, for example: Transmitted by mosquitoes, it infects humans in cities (the urban cycle) when the right mosquitoes are present, but its broadly enough adapted to infect monkeys also, and it does that in some tropical forests (the sylvatic cycle), circulating in monkey populations. Yellow fever can be eliminated in cities by vaccination and mosquito control, but whenever an unvaccinated person goes into a forest where the virus circulates, that person can become infected, return to the city, and trigger another urban cycle, if some mosquitoes are still there to help. Yellow fever virus has never been eradicated, and travelers to many tropical countries are still obliged to be vaccinated, because the sylvatic cycle will persist, and threaten another urban cycle, until you kill every mosquito or vaccinate every monkey. Now transfer the concept to SARS-CoV-2 and consider: If the worlds forests or other natural ecosystems contain populations of wild animals in which that virus circulates, either because they are the original reservoir hosts (horseshoe bats in southern China?) or because they have become infected by contact with humans (mink in Utah? deer mice in Westchester County?), then there is no end to Covid-19. (There is probably no end to it regardless, but thats another matter.) There is no herd immunity where there is a sylvatic cycle. An unvaccinated person has contact with an infected wild animal (a mink, a cougar, a monkey, a deer mouse) during some activity (hunting, cutting timber, picking fruit, sweeping up urine-laced dust in a cabin) and becomes infected with the virus, potentially triggering a new outbreak among people. You could vaccinate every person on Earth (thats not gonna happen) and the virus would still be present around us, circulating, replicating, mutating, evolving, generating new variants, ready for its next opportunity. The chance of a sylvatic cycle in Europe, possibly also derived from mink, is elevated by the fact that many mink escape from farms a few thousand every year in Denmark alone. Although not native to the European continent, these American mink have established themselves as an invasive population in the wild, their presence reflected in the numbers taken by hunters and trappers. About 5 percent of the farmed Danish mink that escaped in 2020, by one experts estimate, were infected with SARS- CoV-2. Mink tend to be solitary in the wild, but obviously they meet to mate, and as both predators and prey within the food chain, they come in contact with other animals. Atop the list of other creatures that might be susceptible to a mink-borne virus are their wild mustelid relatives, the pine marten, the European polecat, and the Eurasian badger. On Nov. 5, 2020, another bit of disquieting news came out of Denmark. The government announced severe restrictions on travel and public gatherings for residents of North Jutland that low and tapering island curled like a claw toward southwestern Sweden after discovery that a mink-associated variant of the virus, containing multiple mutations of unknown significance, had spilled back into humans. Twelve people had it. This variant became known as Cluster 5, because it was fifth in a series of mink variants; but it was the first to be detected in humans. It carried four changed amino acids in the spike protein, raising concern that it might evade vaccine protections when vaccines became available. Thats it, were done, said the government statement: all remaining mink would be culled. The mink industry in Denmark was over. But the rigorous shutdown, the tracing of cases, and the other control measures pinched that variant to a dead end. Within two weeks, a Danish research institute announced that the Cluster 5 lineage seemed to be extinct, at least among humans. Whether it survived in the wild, among escaped mink or their native relatives on the Danish landscape pine marten, European polecat, Eurasian badger is another question. Through the last months of 2020 and well into 2021, reports of SARS- CoV-2 in nonhuman animals continued, sporadic but notable. A tiger at a zoo in Knoxville, Tennessee, tested positive. Four lions of the beleaguered Asiatic population, at a zoo in Singapore, started coughing and sneezing after contact with infected zookeepers. Two gorillas, also coughing, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The two gorillas recovered within weeks, although not before one animal, a 48-year-old silverback with heart disease named Winston, had been treated with monoclonal antibodies. Winston also got cardiac medication and, as a precaution against secondary infection with bacteria, some antibiotics. If he had been a wild gorilla in an African forest, he might well be dead. Then again, if he had been a wild gorilla, free of zookeepers, he probably wouldnt have caught this virus. In October 2021, SARS-CoV-2 reached the Lincoln Childrens Zoo, in Lincoln, Nebraska, infecting two Sumatran tigers and three snow leopards. This zoo proclaims a mission to enrich lives, especially childrens lives, through firsthand interaction with wild creatures, under controlled and educational circumstances. Its a meritorious goal, but as weve all learned, close encounters in the time of Covid carry risks. These snow leopards were less lucky than the three in Louisville a year earlier. In November, despite treatment with steroids, and antibiotics against secondary infection, all three died. Meanwhile, of course, people were dying too. By Oct. 31, 2021 the second Halloween of the pandemic the state of Nebraska had recorded 2,975 Covid fatalities. For the United States on that date, the cumulative toll was 773,976 dead. Throughout the world, SARS-CoV-2 had killed more than 5 million humans. In the small nation of Belgium, with a total population less than 12 million, one person in 10 had been infected with the virus, the curve was rising steeply, and 26,119 people had died. In December, also in Belgium, two hippopotamuses at the Antwerp Zoo tested positive. They were luckier than the Nebraska snow leopards or the 26,119 dead Belgians, showing no symptoms beyond runny noses (more runny than usual for hippos), but were put into quarantine. Other news in late 2021 brought the prospect of a sylvatic cycle from possibility to reality. Scientists at Penn State University, working with colleagues at the Iowa Wildlife Bureau and elsewhere, reported evidence of widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer in Iowa. Experimental studies had already shown that captive fawns, inoculated with the virus, could transmit it to other deer. This new work went much further, revealing that wild deer had become infected, somehow, from humans and not just a few deer. SARS-CoV-2 was rampant throughout the Iowa deer population. That trend began slowly, after the beginning of the pandemic, but by the final months of 2020 it was overwhelming. The teams trained field staff collected lymph nodes from the throats of almost 300 deer, mostly free-living animals on the Iowa landscape, a lesser portion contained within nature preserves or game preserves none of them artificially infected by experiment. The sampled deer had been killed by hunters or in road accidents by vehicles. The field staff dissected out the lymph nodes, in connection with an ongoing surveillance program for another communicable illness, chronic wasting disease. The deer sampled early in the study, during spring and summer 2020, were clean of SARS-CoV-2. (Iowas initial wave among humans rose in April.) The first positive animal didnt turn up until September 28, 2020. After that, it was like popcorn in a hot pan. Over a seven-week period during hunting season, in late 2020 and early January 2021, the team sampled 97 deer, among whom the positivity rate was 82.5 percent. The research continues, with a second phase of sampling, and if that percentage holds anywhere near steady (confidential updates suggest it will), its startling evidence of sylvatic SARS-CoV-2 in Iowa. Iowa is not alone. A different study, done by federal wildlife officials from APHIS, looked for the virus among white-tailed deer in four other states, using blood serum samples rather than lymph nodes. These samples dated from early 2021. Illinoiss deer were the most Covid-free, with only a 7 percent rate of infection. If you had announced that statistic alone, at the time, it would have seemed shocking. Seven percent of Illinois deer have Covid? But among whitetails sampled in New York, the rate was 31 percent infected; in Pennsylvania it was 44 percent; in Michigan, it was 67 percent. The United States presently contains an estimated 25 million white-tailed deer, and no one has informed them that SARS-CoV-2 is uniquely, peculiarly well adapted for infecting humans. Lambert and I, and many readers, agree that Ukraine has prompted the worst informational environment ever. We hope readers will collaborate in mitigating the fog of war both real fog and stage fog in comments. None of us need more cheerleading and link-free repetition of memes; there are platforms for that. Low-value, link-free pom pom-wavers will be summarily whacked. And for those who are new here, this is not a mere polite request. We have written site Policies and those who comment have accepted those terms. To prevent having to resort to the nuclear option of shutting comments down entirely until more sanity prevails, as we did during the 2015 Greek bailout negotiations and shortly after the 2020 election, we are going to be ruthless about moderating and blacklisting offenders. Yves P.S. Also, before further stressing our already stressed moderators, read our site policies: Please do not write us to ask why a comment has not appeared. We do not have the bandwidth to investigate and reply. Using the comments section to complain about moderation decisions/tripwires earns that commenter troll points. Please dont do it. Those comments will also be removed if we encounter them. * * * Neanderthals and modern humans may have copied each others tools Guardian (Kevin W) Bullet trains in Japan used to make a loud boom sound when they traveled through tunnels. A bird-watching engineer was able to fix the problem after he was inspired by a kingfisher. pic.twitter.com/Hg1k86htLm Interesting Engineering (@IntEngineering) October 13, 2022 FDA Officially Declares a Shortage of Adderall NPR In gold-standard trial, colonoscopy fails to cut rate of cancer deaths. STAT (fk). Yours truly has long been skeptical of colonoscopies as medical industry grifting. No other country recommends colonoscopies for everyone over 50. Canada, for instance, limits colonoscopies to high risk populations. They believe an annual fecal occult blood exam (a $2 test even in the US) does at least as good a job of detecting colon cancer. And mind you, this study was v. no colonoscopy, as opposed to v. a less costly type of test. #COVID-19 Climate/Environment China? Old Blighty La belle France French strikes spread as government orders fuel depot staff back to work France24 (Kevin W) Credit Suisse prepares Swiss business sales to raise capital Financial Times Two men sentenced to 40 years jail for Malta reporter Daphne Caruana Galizias car-bomb murder abc.net.au (Anthony L) New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother Is Watching You Watch Imperial Collapse Watch It may not say so, but US sees Africa as a growing military competition with China and Russia South China Morning Post 1/6 Trump Biden Senate Races That Could Tip The Balance Intercept Atlanta Fed chiefs violation of trading rules reignites ethics scandal Financial Times Tesla Shares Get Halved Wolf Richter Bernanke v. Kindleberger: Which Credit Channel? Institute for New Economic Thinking Charting the Global Economy: IMF Warns of Deteriorating Outlook Bloomberg Class Warfare Antidote du jour. Cheryl K: I humbly submit Lucy (front, a Briard) and Garbo (German shepherd mix); 2 herding dogs that would always rather slack off on the Oregon coast. And a bonus (Chuck L): Octopus goes into stealth mode. pic.twitter.com/x9oy5w7Xy2 Learn Something (@LEARNS0METHlNG_) October 9, 2022 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. This picture taken on March, 26, 2020 shows Mount Everest (centre L) and other peaks from Namche Bazaar, the last stop before base camp in the shadow of the world's tallest mountain Everest. - The Himalayan hilltown of Khumjung should be bustling with foreign trekkers gearing up for one of Mount Everest's biggest weeks of the year, but the COVID-19 coronavirus has shut down the mountain and threatened the livelihood of the sherpas who rely on it. (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP) / TO GO WITH Health-virus-pandemic-Nepal-climbing,FOCUS by Paavan Mathema (Photo : Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty Images) Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the planet, rising 29,032 feet beyond ocean surface. The snowcapped top spans the boundary between Tibet and Nepal as well as is lying in the Mahalangur Himal portion of the Himalayas. Since then, there have always been two primary mountaineering approaches to Mount Everest. First is the southeast slope from Nepal and the other route is the north hillside from Tibet. Despite the fact that the north ridge approach is relatively brief, majority of the hikers now utilize the southeast hillside path, which is logistically smoother. Climbing Mount Everest for the First Time Based on research released in the journal Nature in 1931, Andrew Waugh, British Surveyor General of India, proposed naming the peak after his forerunner, Sir George Everest, in 1865. As per the UM, George Mallory plotted the northern path throughout the British Reconnaissance Trip in 1921, which was an observational voyage that was not meant to climb the mountaintop. While based on recent reports from Britannica, Mount Everest is flanked by a series of significant summits, notably Lhotse, Nuptse, as well as Changtse. Moreover, the Swiss Foundations for Alpine Studies confirmed that representatives of a Swiss mission headed by Edouard Wyss-Dunant climbed to an elevation of around 28,199 feet on the southeast peak in 1952, establishing a historic mountaineering elevation high. Although, the latest acknowledged position was calculated by a joint Chinese-Nepalese assessment in November 2021, while theoretically, Everest's peak is changing; the summit is expanding due to subduction zone action, as stated by the United States was initially disclosed by CNN on the Geological Survey and shrinking from ocean water change. On the other side, the American Himalayan Foundation reported how Mount Everest entices both accomplished hikers as well as inexperienced outdoor enthusiasts from all over the globe, who customarily hire tour operators from the Sherpa folks, a Tibetan indigenous minority best known for their expertise of the Himalayan mountains as well as hiking ability. Saxifraga lychnitis, the highest-altitude vascular flowering plant, thrives at 21,260 feet on Everest's foothills and was reported in 2018 research published in the publication Alpine Botany. PBSs NOVA Online has a tragic tale of two mountaineer, Reinhold Messner as well as Peter Habeler, whom sought to conquer Everest sans supplementary oxygen in 1978. The decent set, New Zealand adventurer Edmund Hillary as well as Norgay, reached the peak two days later, snapped photos, and left few chocolates and a symbol, Wylie noted in 1954. Also read: Number of Whales Stranded in New Zealand Islands Rises to 500 After Nearby Bleaching Highest Mountain Across the World As per the University of Montana Department of Geography, the height of Mount Everest was originally calculated in 1856. Furthermore, Charles Wylie, a British Army lieutenant colonel and the mission's organizational officer, Hunt chose two mountaineering couples to try the pinnacle, wherein the initial duo compromised Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans, and reached the peak but had to change course owing to breathing issues. As per Arnette's data, there were a total of 807 accomplished climbs in 2018. The world's tallest mountain, the South Col Glacier, has shrunk by 180 feet in the last 25 years, according to Live Science. While to The Ohio State University Department of History, Mallory was widely, possibly misattributed, cited as responding to the query "Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?" with the response, "Because it's there". This prompted English adventurer Bill Tilman together with a minor group that included Americans Charles Houston, Oscar Houston, as well as Betsy Cowles to access Everest via Nepal across the trail that has since become the general technique to Everest from the south, according to academics who published their findings in The Geographical Journal in 1992. Related article: The Deepest and Darkest Spots In the World's Oceans Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation, This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. (Photo : Photo: Joan Simon, cropped by Perdita / Wikimedia Commons) Researchers claim in a study that algae could meet all of the world's and the United States protein needs in as little as 30 years. Could algae protein be the answer to world hunger? Food stability around the world is already an issue, and things could get worse. According to United Nations estimates, there will be 8 billion people on the planet by the end of this year, and 9.7 billion by the year 2050. According to the US Department of Agriculture, there are currently about 870 million people in the world who lack access to enough healthy food, and by 2050, it is predicted that this number could rise by up to 100%. Beef Protein vs. Environment Significant challenges must be overcome to increase food production to satisfy this demand. One reason is that popular sources of protein in the West, like beef, frequently have a significant environmental impact. According to a 2018 study that was published in the journal Science, beef is by far the least beneficial protein source for the environment, producing 105 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents for every 100 g of protein. In addition, the utility Denver Water estimates that 1,847 gallons of water are needed to produce only 1 pound of beef. The 2018 study found that the total amount of carbon dioxide equivalents produced by the current food supply chain is 13.7 billion metric tons or 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions produced by people. Additionally, agriculture consumes a significant amount of space-43% of the planet's ice-free and desert-free land-and significantly contributes to deforestation. Charles Greene, a professor at Cornell University's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, thinks algae might provide the answer. He is one of the authors of a recent study that claims coastal areas in the global south could grow enough marine algae to feed the entire world. According to the study, this method would not only make up for the lack of protein but also lessen the environmental impact of the existing food production system. Over 100% Protein from Algae According to the research, algae may be able to meet more than 100% of the world's protein needs by 2050. Algae, a group of primarily marine organisms, perform photosynthesis despite lacking the roots, stems, and leaves of plants. Algae can be made up of a single cell or many connected cells. In the study that Greene co-authored, it was discovered that some species of algae contain more than 40% dry mass in protein, in addition to offering micronutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and omega-3. Greene said that microalgae, as opposed to terrestrial plants, can give humans the full range of nutrients. Read also: Fungi-Based Proteins: Scientists Develop Alternative to Plant-Based Substitutes, Reduces Carbon Footprint Further Microalgae Cultivation Commercial development of algae via water farms is not new Although the commercial cultivation of algae in water farms is not a recent development, it has only recently gained traction in specialized food markets. Since algae don't need soil or irrigation, they could yield a more accessible food source while only occupying a small portion of the available land. According to Greene, facilities for growing marine microalgae should be built as soon as possible because the technology won't be fully utilized until it has gained experience and achieved economies of scale. He continued that these facilities are currently economically viable. However, once the details-which can only be figured out through experience-are worked out, their profitability ought to increase significantly. Federal and state support, similar to that provided for wind and solar energy, can jumpstart this process and increase the private sector's interest in large-scale commercialization. However, not all nations would stand to gain directly from a boom in algae farms. Only a few locations in the US would be suitable for microalgae farming. The tropics-specifically, parts of Central and South America, Africa, India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia-would be the ideal locations. Greene added that this is certainly not a solution that will help many US farmers, but it might help US investors a lot. As the researchers note in their paper, the Green Climate Fund is one way, among many, that the US could help mitigate climate change by investing in developing nations, Newsweek reports. Related article: Artificial Intelligence Predicts Algae to be Potential Renewable Source in Future Blue strings were found from the teeth of humans sacrificed at the Midnight Terror Cave in Belize, according to a new study led by researchers from the United States. Since its discovery in 2006, the Midnight Terror Cave near Springfield village in the Central American country holds clues of over 100 people were offered to the Maya rain god as part of the lost civilization's human sacrifice rituals. A research team consisting of professors and students from the California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) conducted a three-year excavation project at the Belize cave. Although finding thousands of bones from 118 sacrificed humans, the team noticed blue fibers were clinging to the teeth of some victims of the Mayans, which intended to use the color blue string since it is significant for the ritual. Archaeological and anthropological evidence shows that the Maya civilization, one of the most dominant societies in Mesoamerica, engaged in the practice of human sacrifices as part of their culture and religion. While perceived as brutal, the method of killing and design vary depending on human offerings and sacrificial rituals, which were also practiced by the Aztecs, Incas, and other ancient societies. Maya Human Sacrifice Ritual The Cal State LA study was published in the journal International Journal of Osteoarchaeology on September 20, wherein the researchers discovered the blue fibers in the dental calculus from Maya sacrificial victims. It is part of the said project at the Midnight Terror Cave, which was surveyed from 2008 to 2010, revealing it contained the Maya sacrificial victims. The victims date back from the Classic Period (250 CE-925 CE), the timeline believed when the rituals took place. In spite of the discovery of 10,000 bones from the cave, study lead author Amy Chan and the team looked into the mouths of the human remains. The blue strings were attached to the teeth of at least two victims. Also Read: Imaging Technology Reveals Hidden Ancient Maya City with Buildings Blue Cotton Fibers The discovery of the blue material from both samples was a surprise since blue is a significant color in Maya ritual, according to Chan, as cited by Science Alert. The so-called unique Maya blue pigments were also found from other sites in Mesoamerica, where it is believed to have been used widely during ancient ceremonies, mainly to paint the bodies of sacrificial victims, according to the study. However, the Cal State LA team offered an alternative explanation; where it is possible that the blue strings found on the teeth came from cotton clots gagged in their mouths leading up to their sacrifice. There is also evidence of trauma inflicted on the sacrificed people during the time of their death. The identities of the victims remain unclear. Yet, a previous study by Cristina Verdugo from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), along with her colleagues, suggests that skeletal data from the Midnight Terror Cave shows that individuals with physical deformities were preferably selected as sacrificial victims. The 2016 study also asserted the victims would have formed a class of social outcasts. The UCSC research was presented at the 81st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology in Orlando, Florida. It was made available online at The Digital Archaeological Record (TDAR). Related Article: Child Sacrifice Ritual: Remains of 76 Victims with their Hearts Removed Found in Peru Other animals left a dead giraffe alone after it was struck by lightning, with the vultures and hyenas staying away from the body for two days. South African resident AnneMarie Scheepers shared images of the giraffe on Facebook and speculated that it might have happened because some poison was expelled from the body after the lightning strike. She wrote that one night, there was a lot of lightning, and the area around Skukuza got some nice rain. The giraffe was dead when they arrived at it the following morning, however, there was no evidence of any predators nearby eating it or attempting to do so. She learned that whenever lightning strikes an animal, a type of poison is excreted after talking with other campers in the evening. The process of being expelled from the carcass takes about two days. The predators began feeding two days later. Hundreds of vultures flew together in the air and pounded the carcass like jet planes. Vultures and hyenas shared the carcass in a feast. Lethal Lightning Strike Lightning is the ground-based release of electrical charge from clouds. Occasionally, a person or animal may block the path of the lightning, causing the bolt to move through its body before striking the ground. Between 10 and 30% of the time, lightning strikes result in fatalities in people, frequently from cardiac arrest. Those who survive suffer permanent injuries like burns, hearing loss, and mechanical trauma. As per National Geographic, lightning claims the lives of about 2,000 people each year across the globe. Additionally, animals can be killed by lightning, sometimes in large groups. In 2016, lightning killed a herd of 323 reindeer. As the tallest animals, giraffes are especially prone to be struck by lightning; there have been countless reports of giraffes being hit at zoos and safari parks around the world. Read also: Lightning Strikes Kill Over 60 People in India Amid Monsoon Season Affecting South Asia, Middle East Delayed Predation and Poison Adam W. Stern, a professor of Forensic Pathology at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine, explained that regarding lightning, it will cause the animal to become multi-systemically dysfunctional. Primary cardiac arrest is the most common cause of death following lightning strikes. Along with sudden death, burn traces on the skin, broken bones, and muscle trauma have all been reported. He doesn't know if this animal was examined, but sometimes animals hit by lightning have food in their mouths, which would support an instantaneous demise. Stern, on the other hand, claimed that he was unaware of the poison seepage which Scheepers mentions in her post. This delayed predation following a lightning strike has reportedly been noticed before, but only anecdotally, according to an article published in 2014. Ryan Blumenthal, a forensic pathologist, wrote in his article that even though no formal research has proven this phenomenon, this "myth" of late postmortem predation on animals killed by lightning has been repeatedly repeated by farmers across the nation. Blumenthal added that if late postmortem scavenging were a thing, it might be because the corpse had a chemical odor from lightning. It is possible that singed fur would smell like sulfur. After a lightning strike, a body may release different esters or amines. He continued that this report based on anecdotal evidence reported phenomenon needs more in-depth scientific investigation, whatever the cause, Newsweek reports. Related article: 2 Giraffes Die After Being Struck by Lightning! Does Their Height Put Them at Risk? South of St. Louis, in the middle of the Mississippi River, is a sizable island called Tower Rock. Normally, it is surrounded by river water and therefore only accessible by boat, but as a severe drought sweeps the Midwest, the river's extremely low water levels are making it possible for people to walk to the rock formation. The river has receded enough, according to Missourian Jeff Biget, that anyone can walk to Tower Rock without getting their feet muddy or wet. Only once in his life does Biget recall being able to do this. Tower Rock As the water levels are predicted to continue to fall for at least the next two weeks, the hike from across the rocky river bed that served as a pathway to the island tower, as seen in photos posted on social media, poses little risk in the short term. Tower Rock Mississippi River Perry County Mo. 110 Miles South of St. Louis Click link for info https://t.co/Rdb622eigh In Mo. 8th CD @RandiMcCallian Come Visit... pic.twitter.com/5hxJFUNJ6I Elect Randi McCallian (@ElectMcCallian) October 8, 2022 According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, Tower Rock can indeed be reached on foot once the water level at the Chester, Illinois, river gauge is less than 1.5 feet. On Thursday, that gauge dropped to close to zero, and the forecast reveals no indication of a significant recovery. US Drought According to the US Drought Monitor, the portion of the contiguous United States that is experiencing drought has increased since April to over 55%. And the largest population impacted since 2016 lives in those drought-stricken areas: more than 133 million people. Over 70% of Arkansas and almost 40% of Missouri are affected by severe drought, up from just 5% a month ago. Over the past few weeks, several locations, including Memphis, Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Springfield, Missouri, have experienced record-low precipitation levels. The Climate Prediction Center predicts dry conditions with below-average rainfall through at least October 23. The Mississippi River has been significantly impacted by the early autumn expansion of the drought in the central United States. This week, the river in Memphis has currently reached its lowest level since back in 2012 and the fifth-lowest level on record. The forecast predicts that it will drop even more by the following week, reaching its third-lowest level ever. Mississippi River Basin The Mississippi River Basin has over 40 river gauges, and information gathered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that the water levels are low. Bailey White, a resident of Tennessee who lives north of Memphis, claims that the Mississippi River's water level has never dropped this low. White claims that although she and her family go boating on the river a few times per month, they had trouble launching it on Saturday. White said that She has seen water levels rise dramatically and drop slightly, although she has never seen the river levels this low. They couldn't even get their small boat onto the river, she continued. Before they succeeded, they had to try up to five different docks. Since it's a small boat, it doesn't float in deep water, but they occasionally needed to pay closer attention to avoid hitting some sand. Pictures demonstrate how the river has shrunk away from its banks. In some places, the normally mighty Mississippi resembles more of a trickle because dry sand is exposed where several meters of water usually flows. Low water levels occur at a critical time of year for the movement of crops out of the country's interior. To keep traffic moving (albeit much more slowly), the Army Corps of Engineers is putting its efforts into dredging sections of the river. Many barges and other vessels have been lining up in anticipation of being given the all-clear to cross the dangerously low river. Read also: Mississippi River Communities Are Threatened by the River's Alarmingly Low Water Level Produce and Harvests According to David Gilbert, the superintendent of the Consolidated Grain and Barge Company's Greenville, Mississippi office, which purchases, stores, and trades crops for shipping, it can typically transport grain on barges stocked with up to 80,000 bushels. However, recently, the company has been forced to maintain much lighter loads, at around 55,000 bushels, due to the low water levels. Gilbert claimed that they are not currently loading and that he has never seen it lower than it is now. Gilbert said that many farmers are choosing to throw away their harvests in their bins right now rather than ship them while they wait for better circumstances, which could take weeks. Temporary Travel Destination Yet, despite the supply chain crisis worsening, a lighthearted atmosphere is emerging around Tower Rock. Elainna Froemsdorf said that walking along the river to Tower Rock is a rare occurrence. She went on the hike with her grandchildren on Monday, a day off from school. She says that the third generation of her family to walk out to the formation is her grandchildren. Adilyn Crowden, her granddaughter, enjoyed the novel experience. Crowden said that she had never done anything similar before, so it was a little difficult but enjoyable, CNN reports. Related article: Low Water Levels in the Mississippi River Drives Barge, Supply Prices Up, Farmers Suffer Low-Balling Market research firm IDC predicts that by 2023, 25% of Fortune 500 companies will gain a competitive advantage from quantum computing. Its a bold prediction given the current dearth of real-world examples of quantum computing in action. However, theres plenty of industry activity to back up IDCs forecast. In fact, early this year at the Consumer Electronics Show the biggest buzz wasnt the newest smartphone, wearable device or autonomous-driving technology, but rather unprecedented computing power based on an area of quantum physics Albert Einstein described as "spooky action at a distance." While quantum computing hasnt yet factored into solving worldwide problems such as the coronavirus pandemic, that is exactly the type of problem quantum has the potential to address. That potential will turn into a reality, according IBM, one of a handful of tech giants leading the quantum charge. This is the decade that quantum computing gets real, says Katie Pizzolato, director at IBM QStart. For that reason, Pizzolato said, it was important to keep quantum public-facing rather than keep it a technology buried in research facilities. We wanted to get quantum out of the labs and into the real world, she said in reference to IBMs strong presence at CES. Companies such as Google, Microsoft, D-Wave and Rigetti are also eager to move quantum forward, and based on IDCs recent report Quantum Computing Adoption Trends: 2020 Survey Findings, the technology is building momentum. According to responses from 520 IT and line-of-business professionals, quantum computing budgets and implementations will increase in the next 18-24 months. Half of all respondents to the IDC survey reported that funds allocated for quantum computing accounted for just 0-2% of the annual IT infrastructure in 2019, but will account for 7-10% in the next 24 months. For companies with more than 10,000 employees, the spending increase is more dramatic more than half of respondents will spend between 9% and 14% on quantum technology over the next two years. Respondents to the IDC survey were clear where they are focusing their attention: 65% of respondents are using to plan to use cloud-based quantum computing, followed by 45% who use or plan to use quantum algorithms (which includes simulators, optimizations, artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning). Quantum networks (44%), hybrid quantum computing (40%) and quantum cryptography (33%) round the top five, according to the IDC survey. IDC IDC survey respondents are interested in and eager to explore cloud-based quantum computing and have plans to begin experimenting with the technology in the next 18-24 months. Why companies want quantum computing Heather West, IDC senior research analyst, Infrastructure Systems, Platforms and Technology and one of the reports authors, says that quantum computing excels at solving large problems where theres so much data. The initial areas of focus will be AI, business intelligence and overall productivity and efficiency, according to the IDC report. Very few companies have actually operationalized [quantum computing]. The skillsets are so advanced, and few people really understand quantum, West said, adding that were still at the experimentation stage with algorithms as companies also look to overcome challenges such as cost, security and data transfers between vendors. West points out, however, that there are already practical use cases in areas such as manufacturing and finance. Right now, West says, the focus is on how to optimize processes. However, in the future, quantum will be applied to larger problems such as how to address climate change and cure diseases. IDC Improve AI, better security, R&D, emulating physical processes and solving complex problems top IDC survey respondents list of planned quantum computing uses. As IDCs West says, quantum computing isnt without its challenges. IDC cites complex technology, skillset limitations, a lack of available resources, cost, security, data transfer among vendors as barriers to adoption. With so many challenges, its not surprising that when selecting vendors to support quantum technology initiatives big names dominate the responses in the IDC survey. Google tops the list with 37% of respondents citing it as the vendor of choice, followed by Microsoft with 32%, IBM with 27% and Intel with 23&. Understanding quantum computing What makes quantum computing more powerful than classical computing is that rather relying on binary bits (i.e, either a 1 or 0) quantum computing uses qubits. Qubits can process more data because they can exist in many possible combinations of 1 and 0 simultaneously, known as superposition, processing an enormous number of outcomes. In addition to superposition, pairs of qubits can be "entangled." This entanglement is what makes quantum computers as powerful as they are. What make it even more intriguing is that no one knows how or why it works, prompting that spooky action description from Einstein. In classical computing, doubling the amount of bits gives you, as youd expect, twice the computing power. However, thanks to entanglement adding more qubits gives you exponentially more processing power. If processing power potential is the good news on qubits, their fragile nature is the bad news. Not all qubits are created equal, IBMs Pizzolato says. Qubits are unpredictable and susceptible to environmental noise and errors. After an error they fall back to a binary state of 1 or 0, so the longer the calculation runs without an error, the greater the calculation. The goal is to protect against errors to solve the most challenging problems, Pizzolato says. How common are these errors? A slight fluctuation in temperature or vibration can cause whats known as "decoherence." And, once a qubit is in decoherence, its calculation has failed and must be run again. For that reason, quantum computers are housed in environments of near absolute zero and with little outside disruption. More qubits help. The 50 qubits range is when you start to supersede what you can achieve on a supercomputer, says Pizzolato. IBM last fall announced its 14th quantum computer, a 53-qubit system. Its previous quantum computers were 20 qubits. However, quantum is more than qubits. Hardware is at the center of the circle, but then you have the algorithms and the applications, says Pizzolato. More sophisticated algorithms are critical to quantum computings real-world success. Quantum is all about the algorithms you can run and the complexity of those algorithms, she says. Quantum development Skills gaps are a challenge for IT in general. With quantum computing, its magnified. Where will the quantum development come from? Peter Rutten, research director and one of the authors of the IDC report, says that the algorithms and application development will come from three distinct personas: Developers who are intrigued with quantum computing, developers with a physics background (because there are not many jobs in physics) and those working in high-performance-computing operations. Its a seamless transition from HPC algorithms to quantum, Rutten says. On the one hand, Google, IBM and others appear to be jostling for position in achieving quantum advantage (the point at which quantum computing can solve a program faster than classical computing) and quantum supremacy (when quantum computing solves a program that no conventional computer can solve). In fact, IBM recently publicly refuted Googles claim of achieving quantum supremacy with its 53-qubit computer, its researchers saying that Google failed to fully estimate the resources of a supercomputer, publishing this in an IBM Research blog last October: IDCs quick take on quantum computing adoption trends Organizational drivers such as improved IT performance and C-level directives correlate with the individual roles most heavily influencing quantum computing investments, namely CIO/IT executives and internal IT steering committees. Established IT vendors like IBM, Google, Microsoft are preferred quantum computing suppliers and industry partners. Smaller start-ups are preferred independent software vendors. Complex technology, skillset limitations and lack of available resources slow quantum computing technology adoption Other challenges accompanying the adopting quantum computing technology include cost, security and data transfers between vendors. To increase staff knowledge about quantum computing, organizations will increase the availability of vendor-led training and hire quantum-hardware specialists, engineers and data scientists. Building quantum systems is a feat of science and engineering, and benchmarking them is a formidable challenge," according to an IBM quantum-computing blog. "Googles experiment is an excellent demonstration of the progress in superconducting-based quantum computing, showing state-of-the-art gate fidelities on a 53-qubit device, but it should not be viewed as proof that quantum computers are supreme over classical computers. On the other hand, despite the top-tier vendors seemingly jockeying for quantum positions, IDGs Rutten said, its not about competitors going head-to-head. Its hard to compare. No one can tell you [whos ahead] because they are measuring progress in different ways, he says. The notion of quantum being a race is silly. IDCs West concurs, saying that quantum advances will come from the developer community and technology partnerships. Its not so much a race to the end, because there may not be just one answer. For its part, IBM has a network of 100 partnerships from commercial (e.g, Goldman Sachs, ExxonMobile, Accenture and others), academic (e.g., MIT, Virginia Tech, Johns Hopkins and dozens of others), startups, government and research sectors. Even with the likes of Google, IBM and Microsoft pushing quantum computing to go from advantage to supremacy, no one knows where the big innovation will come from, Pizzolato says. The MVP is probably a guy in a lab. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya has expressed solidarity with Turkey after Friday's deadly explosion in a coal mine in the northwestern state of Barten in which at least 41 people died and 28 others were injured This story contains original reporting by News-Gazette staff. If you are not a subscriber, please consider becoming one, because local journalism is only possible with your support. A subscription to The News-Gazette plays a vital role in making this reporting possible. Thank you for your support and helping us continue to connect our community. Champaign, IL (61820) Today A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. High 49F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 29F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Global failures on multiple levels led to a staggering death toll from COVID-19 and the reversal of advances made towards UN development goals, a report by the Lancets Commission on the pandemic says. Too many governments have failed to adhere to basic norms of institutional rationality and transparency, the commissioners wrote in the report published 14 September in the Lancet medical journal, calling for better multilateral cooperation to draw an end to the health crisis and tackle future threats. The virus has killed more than 6.5 million people and infected 606 million since the start of the pandemic in 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). A study published May in BMJ Global Health found that people living in developing countries are nearly twice as likely to die from the disease compared with people living in high-income countries. This staggering death toll is both a profound tragedy and a massive global failure at multiple levels, said the 45-page Lancet report, addressed to UN member states, UN agencies and others groups, including the G20 and G7. It said the WHO had acted too cautiously and too slowly in matters like warning about the human spread of the virus, announcing a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, backing face mask use, and acknowledging airborne transmission. The WHO said in a published response that, while many of the Commissions recommendations were aligned with its own assessments, the report also carried several key omissions and misinterpretations. Funding The Commission criticized a lack of international funding for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to tackle COVID-19 as well as failure to secure sufficient international supplies and equitable distribution of medicines, protective gear and vaccines. Developing countries are inherently more vulnerable to global shocks than high-income countries. Jeffrey Sachs, Chair of the Lancet Commission and Professor at Columbia University in New York, US Sachs told SciDev.Net: Effective responses to the pandemic, in terms of public health measures, for example vaccine coverage, and medical care, require financial and health-system resources that are mostly lacking in poorer countries. The report looked at the first two years of the pandemic with input from 28 international experts and in consultation with more than 100 others. In the majority of countries, according to the Commission, the COVID-19 pandemic distracted resources and policy attention away from long-term targets, reversing progress towards the SDGs. Established in 2015 by the UN General Assembly, the SDGs comprise 17 interlinked international goals targeted to be achieved by 2030 to end poverty and make sure that no one is left behind. A group of 57 low-income countries as defined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) face a financing gap of $300$500 billion per year to achieve the SDGs, and this gap has increased as a result of the pandemic, says the report. South-East Asia saw huge variations in its capabilities in relation to health systems, as well COVID-19 treatment, transmission and deaths, the Commission said. In the first year of pandemic, countries like Malaysia and Bangladesh witnessed sharp increases in infections compared with Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Thailand, where contact tracing, face masks, and physical distancing were effectively implemented. Africa might have seen large waves of COVID-19 infection. However, most cases in the region were not reported, in part because they did not cause severe disease, the report suggested. In South America, confirmed new cases reached 60 per million population in May 2020, and then never decreased below that rate until the end of 2021, it adds. Gopal Sankaran, professor of public health at the West Chester University, US, told SciDev.Net that the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by surprise and low-income countries were no exception. Surveillance Lack of well-established health infrastructure, an overstretched health workforce, and inadequate surveillance contributed to the failure to mount and sustain an effective pandemic response, he said. The interconnected sectors of health, education, and employment have experienced great setbacks [due to COVID-19] in most nations and more severely in [low-income countries] and LMICs, slowing, halting, or pushing back the progress in SDGs 3 [good health and well-being], 4 [quality education], and 8 [decent work and economic growth], he said. On SDG financing, the Lancet Commission recommended increasing the cash available to countries. Sachs said he was part of a UN process recommending an SDG stimulus of around $500 billion per year for developing countries. The Commission makes a number of other recommendations including that all the countries around the world should take up a vaccination-plus strategy where widespread vaccination is combined with public health precautions and financial measures. It also calls for strengthening of the WHO as well as the expansion of its Science Council. Thekkekara Jacob John, former professor of clinical virology at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, told SciDev.Net: In my opinion, WHO has failed to work with low- and middle-income countries to make their health management systems robust enough to face regular or mundane health problems. Washington, DC, US (PANA) - Sub-Saharan Africas economic activity is expected to slow significantly in 2022 and remain relatively modest in 2023 Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 38F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Overcast. Low 28F. Winds light and variable. The Daily News-Miner encourages residents to make themselves heard through the Opinion pages. Readers' letters and columns also appear online at newsminer.com. Contact the editor with questions at letters@newsminer.com or call 459-7574. Don Morton is a resident of Fairbanks, currently enrolled in UAFs ACNS/GEOG 629 Geography of the Arctic and Circumpolar North. This piece is a product of his initial research into issues of food secu rity in Alaska and throughout the Arctic. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The role of engineers in national development was praised by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, calling them an essential partner in nation-building. The minister also underlined the pivotal role played by the Bahrain Society of Engineers over decades in the development of the Kingdom. The minister said this during a ceremony hosted by the Bahrain Society of Engineers on Bahrain Engineers Day. Bahraini Engineers Day is marked in mid-October each year to highlight the role of Bahraini engineers in infrastructure projects in the Kingdom. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The High Criminal Court awarded the death penalty to a man - an Asian national - for the pre-meditated killing of the resident caretaker of a building in which he was staying. The murder was over disputes related to a decision by the landlord to hike rents, which the victim was supposed to collect. The issue resulted in onand-off disputes between the caretaker, the defendant and his father. A noisy argument between the caretaker and the father further escalated the issue. During interrogation, the defendant said: On that day, I went upstairs to his room and waited for him to arrive. As soon as he stepped in, I pounced upon him and stabbed him multiple times. He stopped breathing soon, and I left. However, the brutal attack came to light only when the landlord decided to check on the man, who failed to answer even after calling multiple times. I called him several times, but he never picked up. So, I went to his room in the building. As I stepped in, I received the shock of my life. There, I saw him lying motionless in a pool of blood with his objects scattered all over, the landlord told police officers during interrogation. The landlord also informed the police. Police soon reached the building and secured the crime scene for forensic experts to examine. The forensic team collected crucial evidence, including DNA samples and fingerprints, which later led to identifying and proving the suspects hand in the crime. Public school teacher gets a year in Bahrain jail for forging attendance, record Public school teacher gets a year in Bahrain jail for forging attendance, record TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Forging attendance and students evaluation records had landed a teacher, an Arab national, in a Bahraini prison for a year. The public school teacher, court files say, forged attendance and evaluation reports of students in the school in 2018. The court also ordered the deportation of the teacher after completing prison terms. The incidents leading to the case started with school authorities growing suspicious about a signature in one of the reports filed by the teacher. The report, school administration found, had two signatures - one belonged to the teacher, and the other was of his department head. However, following an inquiry, the school found that the department head hadnt signed the report. He handed me these reports, and I requested him to make some changes. But he forged my signature and submitted them to the school administration, the head of the department said. Following this, the Ministry of Education formed a committee to probe the teacher. Based on the committees report that confirmed the teachers crime, the school filed a case with the police. The police investigation also found a mismatch in the evaluation records of the students filed by the teacher. The report said the evaluation of the students on papers and online records was not matching. The teacher was also found guilty of falsifying the attendance reports of his students. Investigation proved that he had marked present even for students who were absent in the classroom. Public Prosecution charged him with forgery and misconduct. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Oct. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, concluded a constructive trip to three key partner countries: Colombia, Chile, and Argentina. This was an opportunity for Canada to strengthen bilateral environmental relationships and engage in dialogue on shared environmental priorities such as fighting climate change and biodiversity loss. In Colombia, the Minister held meetings that highlighted the importance of maintaining collaboration on environmental priorities, including biodiversity issues, and the need for a close partnership to support global ambition for the upcoming Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations in Montreal. Discussions also included other issues such as renewable energy and clean transportation. Canada hosted the Twentieth Council session of the Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Santiago, marking the Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation's twenty-fifth anniversary. The Minister reaffirmed the strong bilateral relationship with Chilean counterparts and representatives from civil society, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration on environmental issues and the advancement of ambitious climate actions. In Argentina, the Minister's meetings provided an opportunity to hear views on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and learned of Argentina's desire to build bridges toward a positive outcome at COP15. This December, Canada will welcome the world to Montreal for COP15 where it will continue to advocate for international collaboration on an ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Quotes "Throughout my trip, I heard resoundingly from those I met a strong desire to bring forward ambitious action at COP15 this December in Montreal. Protecting nature and halting biodiversity loss in Canada and around the world is a top priority for Canada. I was pleased to have productive meetings with my counterparts on issues such as protecting nature, reversing the alarming loss of biodiversity, plastic pollution, and fighting climate change ahead of international meetings over the coming months. We will continue to advocate for international collaboration on protecting nature leading up to COP15." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Quick facts Minister Guilbeault held bilateral meetings with a variety of ministers and officials, including: Susana Muhamad , Colombia's Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development , Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Irene Velez Torres , Colombia's Minister of Mines and Energy , Minister of Mines and Energy Maisa Rojas , Chile's Minister of the Environment , Minister of the Environment Diego Pardow, Chile's Minister of Energy Minister of Energy Santiago Cafiero , Argentina's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship , Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Canada has strong and longstanding bilateral relations and technical cooperation on environmental matters with Argentina , Chile , and Colombia . has strong and longstanding bilateral relations and technical cooperation on environmental matters with , , and . Canada has bilateral environment agreements with both Chile and Colombia . has bilateral environment agreements with both and . The Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation is a legally binding mechanism for bilateral environmental cooperation. The Agreement aims to promote environmental protection and sustainable development in both countries. Tomorrow, Minister Guilbeault will also meet Juan Cabandie, Argentina's Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development. Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development. Minister Guilbeault visited Ramsar biodiversity sites and met with a wide range of biodiversity stakeholders, both at the federal and municipal levels, parliamentarians, and environmental advocates, including some who will attend COP15 in Montreal. in Montreal. The Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity will focus on agreeing to a new Global Biodiversity Framework to guide the world's collective efforts to protect nature and halt biodiversity loss around the globe. Related Products Associated links Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada For further information: Contacts: Kaitlin Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-230-1557, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected] The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said those from the North dont need candidates from t... The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said those from the North dont need candidates from the South during the 2023 elections. Atiku stated this while responding to a question posed to him by the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, during an Interactive Session With Arewa Joint Committee held on Saturday in Kaduna State. According to him, Northerners need to vote for him rather than a Yoruba or Igbo candidate because hes a Pan-Nigerian with a northern extraction. When Baba-Ahmed asked Atiku why Northerners should vote for him, the PDP presidential candidate replied, What the average Northerner needs is somebody whos from the north and also understands that part of the country and has been able to build bridges across the country. This is what the Northerner needs, it doesnt need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate, I stand before you as a Pan-Nigerian of northern origin. Christopher Imumolen, the youthful Accord party presidential candidate, has dismissed the economic plan of Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Pet... Christopher Imumolen, the youthful Accord party presidential candidate, has dismissed the economic plan of Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Peter Obi. The former Anambra governor and others attended the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) conference in Lagos this week. At the event, attention of the audience shifted to Professor Imumolen as he engaged the issues with erudition, clarity and accuracy. I would like to disagree with my friend, Mr Peter Obi that investment in agriculture is the only way to transform Nigerias economy to a productive one. I would rather emphasise on human capacity development, technology and an enabling business policies that would encourage foreign direct investment. Other areas of focus are power and infrastructural development, as well as ensuring the security of Nigerians and visitors. These are the things I would do, rather than concentrating only on agriculture if elected as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023, he said. The comments of youngest 2023 presidential candidate drew ovation as the audience commended his position and plans. Other contestants who attended were Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate; African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, Omoyele Sowore. All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Peter Umeadi, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) vice presidential candidate, Isaac Idahosa. Former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu has appealed to Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai not to leave Nigeria after the 2023 elections. The ... Former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu has appealed to Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai not to leave Nigeria after the 2023 elections. The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate spoke on Saturday in Kaduna. He addressed attendees at the seventh edition of KadInvest, an annual event organised by the Kaduna State Investment Promotion Agency. Tinubu advised El-Rufai, a former FCT minister, not to run away, but to stay back and help to fix the country. Nigeria needs thinkers and doer. Im openly begging Nasir El-Rufai not to run away for (an) additional degree. Hes going to Cairo (for) Ph.Dand everything. There are (a) lot of educated drelics (sic). We are not going to let you run away. Your vision, creativity and resiliency in turning a rotten situation to a bad one (sic) is necessary at this critical time. That is why we are why today, the APC co-founder said in his speech. Tinubus comment of making a rotten situation to a bad one has elicited reactions on social media. In attendance at the event were El-Rufai, his Jigawa and Kebbi counterparts, Muhammad Abubakar and Atiku Bagudu, ex-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Lamido Sanusi, among others. President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagum. Sanusi, a former Kano Emir, delivered the keynote titled Improving subnational resilience against global economic shocks. The Katsina State government has suspended the ban placed on the night use of motorcycles. Malam Al-Amin Isah, Director-General, New Media t... The Katsina State government has suspended the ban placed on the night use of motorcycles. Malam Al-Amin Isah, Director-General, New Media to Gov. Aminu Masari, made the announcement in a statement he issued in Katsina. He said, In the spirit of the current Eid-El Maulud (celebration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed), Gov. Masari has approved the suspension of the ban on the use of motorcycles at night. The suspension ends on Nov. 20. Members of the public are enjoined to be law-abiding during the suspension of the ban. Members of the public are also advised to be vigilant and to assist security agencies in enhancing peace and security in the state, he stated. The government placed the ban in the wake of heightened insecurity in the state. It equally lifted the ban during Ramadan (the 30-day fasting period for Muslims) to enable the faithful to observe the period without hindrance. A Kaduna-based vocal commentator, Shehu Mahdi, has mocked former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Mahdi accused the former Head of State... A Kaduna-based vocal commentator, Shehu Mahdi, has mocked former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Mahdi accused the former Head of State of claiming uprightness despite allegations against him. In a Twitter post, the activist said the former Plateau governor jailed for corruption put the blame on the retired General. Joshua Dariye said of the amount he was jailed for, N100m was given to Obasanjo organization. Obasanjo is all over preaching morality. His first wife Mrs Oluremi, first daughter Senator Iyabo, and cry-out from his son Gbenga confirm that Obasanjo has been in a moral bankruptcy crisis, he wrote. Mahdi is a staunch supporter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubkar. The former President is speculated to be working for Labour Party (LP) flagbearer, Peter Obi. Obasanjo backed President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar in the 2015 and 2019 elections. In a previous comment, Mahdi declared that disappointment awaits those believing Bola Tinubu, All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer. Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has fired back at his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for saying he would not support his second... Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has fired back at his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for saying he would not support his second-term ambition. Despite being a sitting Senator of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Amosun had, in an interview with BBC News Yoruba, said he would not work for the APC during the governorship election in Ogun, even though he would support the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. Amosun said he is behind Barr. Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Reacting, Abiodun said Amosun would fail in his anti party politics aimed to scuttle his reelection bid in 2023. While saying Amosun was playing dirty politics by declaring openly to work for the emergence of a candidate of another party, Abiodun said the former governor will fall once again as he did in the 2019 governorship election. Abiodun, who spoke at a meeting with members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, described Amosuns words as the empty threat of a falling man, boasting that my second term is already ordained by God The same thing that person (Amosun) did in 2019 and failed woefully, even when he was still the governor of the state, he is now preparing to fail again and even fall down. We are waving good bye to him now, he is not even a candidate of any political party; he is nothing and he is saying he will stop a governor that God has ordained. He will definitely fail again by the grace of God, Abiodun stated. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will give way to occasional showers in the afternoon. Snow may mix in. High 47F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Periods of rain. Snow may mix in. Low 39F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Locally reported news and sports Stay Current with What's Happening Get the most of NNY360, register today! By providing your email address, you consent to receive emails and special offers from NNY360.com Watertown, NY (13601) Today Rain showers early with clear skies overnight. Low around 35F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain showers early with clear skies overnight. Low around 35F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Admirers greet Northshore Humane Society founder Holly Reynolds during one of her visits back home to Covington where she began a successful 70-year-long campaign to improve the lives of animals. Phillip A. Washington, the chief executive officer at the Denver International Airport, stands at the podium on Tuesday, Oct.11, 2022, as to his right Shawn Wilson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development, and the heads of other public agencies sign the Equity Infrastructure Project in Washington, D.C. R&AW is prepared to defend Sheikh Hasina and her ministers and will not repeat past mistakes. by Aniruddh Patel To combat potential insurgencies before the next general election in Bangladesh in 2024, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) has been training special forces in Bangladesh and India. For the last two years, R&AW has trained selected officials from the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Bangladesh Armed Forces and Indian Armed Forces. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina films Padma Bridge from a helicopter on her way to Dhaka from Tungipara in Gopalganj on Friday, January 24, 2020 ( Photo: Dhaka Tribune ) R&AW has formed a Brigade called Brigade75. Brigade75 contains officers with specialised training in intelligence collection and surveillance, commando and other special forces missions, and reconnaissance teams. Brigade75 has safe houses in the Indian state of Assam that can accommodate 5,000 detainees. The entire budget for Brigade75 is $4 billion. They intend to safeguard the safety and security of Sheikh Hasina and her ministers and the ascendancy of her Bangladesh Awami League. Brigade75 has been making a list of all political leaders of opposition party leaders and their relatives and regular surveillance of their activities. Brigade75 has also sent out young girls to set up honey traps for top opposition leaders, has already amassed footage of opposition figures having sex, and has threatened to make those films public if the opposition figures speak out against the Bangladesh Awami League. Brigade75 is ready to operate if any disruption occurs in Bangladesh before the next general election. Brigade75 also has specialised inputs from Mossad on technical areas. The aim is to keep this region from further Islamic fundamentalists and keep it vital to keep Bangladesh Awami League in power. Brigade75 has made a list of 50 attacks on churches, Hindu temples, and Bangladesh Awami League rallies that will be carried out gradually over time before the next general election. They planned this to show that the opposition could be a threat to the west, to show that fundamentalist Islam is coming back to the region and to get the west to act quickly. In addition, a list of opposition party leaders has been compiled, which includes Khaleda Zia. She would be poisoned and made to appear to have died of natural circumstances, just like Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Aniruddh Patel is a political analyst who has advised many south Asian countries on National security and intelligence issues. MBABANE - Ngwane National Liberatory Movement (NNLC) President Sibongile Mazibuko has said that Mbongwa Dlamini is clearly being victimised by the Ministry of Education. Mazibuko, who is also the former Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT)s President, said government has a recognition agreement with the organisation, which facilitates a harmonious working relationship between the ministry and the current national executive members. Part of the recognition agreement that SNAT has with government stipulates that when a member is elected into the National Office Bearers (NOBs), the supervisor, who most of the time is the head teacher, will sit down with the member and the rest of the staff, to work out a timetable that will make it possible for him or her to fulfil the teaching duties and also actively participate in union meetings and activities, Mazibuko explained. The former SNAT president further pointed out that at the time she was at the helm as the organisations president, she was supported by the head teacher and the teachers at the school who covered up or even took over her duties while she attended to meetings and conferences in and outside of the country. I was never charged for absenteeism during my tenure as the organisations president because government back then respected the recognition agreement and allowed me and the other NOBs an opportunity to work out such matters with our supervisors at the schools. Dlamini was served by the ministry of education and trainings (MoET) Under Secretary, Lungelo Nhlengetfwa and is said to be facing over 109 possible charges of absenteeism. Urged Mazibuko urged teachers to pull their full weight, support and stand with their current president as he was being victimised. It is wrong to charge Dlamini of absenteeism by the ministry of education and training and this must be condemned, Mazibuko pointed out. SNAT Secretary General (SG) Lot Vilakati in our publication last week confirmed on behalf of the national executive committee (NEC) that their president did receive a letter from the schools manager yesterday. He said the letter suggests that their leader was facing possible charges of absenteeism. However, he asked not to dwell much on the letter because they were yet to consult with their legal team. Nonetheless, the SG said as a union, they were aware of where this issue was coming from and where it was headed to. He said they believed there was an onslaught on their leader and, by extension, the teachers association. Misconduct Vilakati said this was because it was not the first time their leader received a letter from the office of the schools manager, asking him to show cause why he should not be charged for alleged misconduct. He said one of the recent cases took place during the month of August 2022, where he was served with a letter by the office of the schools manager on claims that he had allegedly put government into disrepute and further promoted hatred or contempt towards it. He also added that the president was also summoned by the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police, William Tsitsibala Dlamini, regarding the issue of commander whom he quoted when he was mandated by the union to advice teachers not to go to work as their safety was not guaranteed. The LaPorte County Rural Broadband Task Force hosted a community workshop on the state of broadband in LaPorte County as it looks to expand high-speed internet. This task force rolled up its sleeves and went to work immediately. We hosted dozens of industry experts to share best practices and strategies to assist LaPorte County. We then planned our approach to expand and serve our more rural residents, our critically important agribusinesses, our educational institutions as well as the residents not yet fully served, said Sheila Matias, LaPorte County Commission president and co-founder of the LaPorte County Rural Broadband Task Force. The task force helped internet service providers apply for grant funding, formed a countywide school consortium and met with state and federal lawmakers. It helped LaPorte County become certified by the state as a Broadband Ready Community. LaPorte County is the second largest in land area in Northwest Indiana, making installing high-speed internet infrastructre a logistical challenge in more sparsely populated areas. But the county has been working with partners like Surf Internet, Comcast, ACME Communications and the LaPorte County Farm Bureau, said Tony Rodriguez, the director of the Office of Community and Economic Development. We knew we had our work cut out for us, he said. Securing the states first Broadband Ready Communities designation in 2022 and then getting approved for the Next Level Connect Grant, we knew this was going to be a game changer for LaPorte County. The state of Indianas Office of Community and Rural Affairs recently approved three of LaPorte Countys ISPs for funding to expand broadband to rural residents. Police tape stock (copy) No additional information about an investigation into the homicide has been released. GARY A 60-year-old Gary woman who was shot and died Saturday has been identified by the Cook County medical examiner's office. The death of Victoria Staples-Bishop was ruled a homicide, according to records from the medical examiner. The primary cause of death were gunshot wounds to the abdomen. The incident occurred at 3:06 p.m. Saturday in the 2300 block of Marshalltown Lane. The woman died at 8:01 p.m. Saturday, according to the data. The Gary Police Department has not responded to a request for comment. Lake Station fire explosion Debris from an explosion sits where a house once stood Friday on the corner of East 27th Avenue and New York Street in Lake Station. LAKE STATION Smoke permeated the air surrounding a house that burned down Friday due to an explosion inside, Lake Station Fire Chief Chuck Fazekas said. The Lake County 911 dispatch received a call around 1:10 p.m. for reports of a fire caused by a possible explosion, Fazekas said. Firefighters were dispatched to the corner of East 27th Avenue and New York Street within four minutes of the call. The fire took 35 to 40 minutes to put out, Fazekas said. Because of the collapse, there was additional fire in between the collapsed floors, which required firefighters to use additional hydrants around the block. The owner of the house was out of town when the explosion happened, Fazekas said. About 15 minutes into the call, firefighters received reports of a male who was a block away from the house with third-degree burns on 60% to 70% of his body. An ambulance found the man and airlifted him to the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to Fazekas. The man's condition is unknown at this time. Law enforcement said they are unsure where the man was when the explosion occurred or what he was doing. They assume he was inside when the explosion happened because of his severe burns. NIPSCO crews were on scene to examine whether the damage was caused by a gas or electric issue. Hobart Fire Department, New Chicago Volunteer Fire Department, Merrillville Fire Department, Lake Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Union Township Fire Department, Griffith Volunteer Emergency Service Team and South Haven Fire Department were on scene to assist. Lake Station Police Department is handling an investigation into the cause of the fire. MBABANE One of the reasons the High Court did not release the lawyer who sexually violated his children, their cousin and helper is that he knows the complainants and is likely to interfere with them. The lawyer has been in custody for 24 days. He was arrested on September 21, 2022. His application for bail was dismissed yesterday by Judge Zonke Magagula. The accused persons attorney, Khumbulani Msibi of Dlamini Kunene Associated, said he was not in a position to state whether his client would appeal the judgment as he was still to take instructions from him. The accuseds lawyer was not present in court when the judgment was delivered. He is facing three counts of rape and two of contravening the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act 15/2018. The rape charges, according to the prosecution, are accompanied by aggravating factors in that the complainants are minors; the youngest being 12 years old and eldest 14 years old. The lawyer is the biological father of the minors who are complainants in the first to the fourth counts. Two of the minors, according to the prosecution, fell pregnant and were exposed to HIV/AIDS infection. Related Judge Magagula said the complainants in all the charges were related to the lawyer. The prosecution, which was represented by Crown Counsel Brian Ngwenya, contended that its witnesses were related and, therefore, were well-known to the accused person. This, according to the judge, made it highly likely that he would tamper with them. The lawyer, in response to this submissions, said he was a law abiding citizen and he did not know the witnesses of the Crown or that they were related to him. The judge said the complainants and witnesses were all known to the lawyer. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to police any condition preventing communication between the applicant and the witnesses. I may add that the gravity of the offences and the possible sanction or penalty, should they be proved at trial, are such as would encourage the applicant not to stand trial, said Judge Magagula. In another reason for dismissing the lawyers bail application, Judge Magagula said the accused person did not adduce evidence to convince the court that there was something unusual in his particular circumstances. This was in relation to the lawyers argument that he was sickly. He also told the court that he cooperated with the police throughout the investigation. The Crown did not dispute his medical condition but argued that the available facilities at His Majestys Correctional Services were adequate to address his medical issues. The prosecution also stated that the lawyer was entitled to be attended to by his own doctor at his cost. The court was also informed that soon after his arrest, the lawyer was taken to Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital, which was testament that he could get adequate medical attention while incarcerated. Judge Magagula said it was not too difficult to understand why the legislature enacted a law to protect human life and dignity. He cited a case in which Judge Bheki Maphalala, during his time as a judge of the High Court, in the criminal matter between Wonder Dlamini and another, referred to Section 96 (12) (a) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act of 1938. Exceptional Judge Maphalala said the section made it clear that a bail application in respect of a schedule five offence bears a formal onus to satisfy the court that exceptional circumstances exist which, in the interest of justice, permits his release. Judge Maphalala also said at the time that the applicant discharged the onus by adducing the requisite evidence failing which his detention in custody continues pending finalisation of the trial. He also said the word exceptional, in relation to bail, must mean something more that merely unusual but rather less than unique, which means one of a kind. In his judgment, Judge Magagula said the aim of the law was to protect law abiding citizens from violent crime and criminals. The accused lawyer is facing charges under the fifth schedule and, according to Judge Magagula, Section 96 (12) (a) was applicable. This section states that in the fifth schedule, the court shall order that the accused be detained in custody until he or she is dealt with in accordance with the law. Unless the accused, having been given a reasonable opportunity to do so, adduces evidence which satisfies the court that exceptional circumstances exist, which in the interest of justice permit his or her release. He has to adduce evidence to convince the court that there is something unusual in his particular circumstances. Suffice to say that the applicant has not adduced evidence to the satisfaction of this court that exceptional circumstances exist that permit his release on bail. In the granting or refusal of bail, as the case may be, the court does not approach the matter on the basis of mere possibility but from the view point of likelihood, said Judge Magagula. The judge said it was for those reasons that bail ought to be refused in this matter. In his founding affidavit, the lawyer informed the court that he was innocent of the charges against him and would plead not guilty at trial. He said his defence would be that he did not commit the offences he was charged with. Malice The lawyer submitted that he believed that the complainants were engaged in acts of malice by those who were against him. He said the witnesses, who were his children, had been removed from his custody by government agents. He said he would not be in a position to interfere with them. The lawyer stated that he would be prepared to relocate from his home to either Manzini or Mbabane to avoid contact with the witnesses, should they be released where they are presently kept. After the lawyers arrest, according to the investigating officer, Inspector Millicent Dlamini, several women reportedly came out to report their horrific experiences allegedly at the hands of the accused person. Dlamini said more charges were likely to be added against the lawyer. After he was arrested, we have had an influx of people who have come out to report some of the atrocities that he has done in the community. I can confidently state that we are investigating a number of other offences that link him to other rape allegations and that we shall, therefore, be adding new charges to the ones we already have, submitted the investigator. She informed the court that the charges were not the same anymore and the possibility of them being amended and added was high, especially now that the police were also receiving calls informing them about the lawyers alleged criminal activities. A man arrested recently in Chicago shot another man in the back this year while they were traveling in vehicles in North Hammond, court records allege. Michael E. Quinones, 41, of Chicago, is accused of firing a gun into another vehicle around 1:20 a.m. May 20 as he drove near Indianapolis Boulevard and Stateline Avenue. A passenger in the other vehicle was shot in his lower back, according to Lake Criminal Court records. Hammond police Sgt. Marc Ferry and the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force took Quinones into custody without incident at his residence in Chicago, Lt. Steve Kellogg said. Quinones was expected to be extradited to Lake County to face felony charges of battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, attempted battery by means of a deadly weapon and two counts of criminal recklessness. After the shooting, witnesses told police the gunman was driving a white Ford with damage to its rear bumper. Hammond police used the city's license plate reader system to identify a white 2018 Ford Fusion with an Illinois plate and rear bumper damage, which was recorded traveling in the area at the time of the shooting, records state. About 4:25 a.m., a Hammond officer found the Fusion in the first block of Williams Street, records state. The car was unoccupied, with two cellphones in the center console. Police learned that the car was registered to Quinones, who later told a detective he left the car because it ran out of gas while he was asleep inside it, according to court documents. Quinones denied being involved in a shooting and claimed he was in Chicago at that time, records state. Investigators executed a search warrant for the phones found inside the Fusion and learned that Quinones' phone location data was consistent with license plate reader data for the Fusion, documents state. CROWN POINT A Lake Criminal Court judge granted prosecutors' motion this week to dismiss firearm enhancements tied to a man's convictions in a double murder in 2019 in Gary. A jury found Darren "Duke" Taylor, 42, guilty in August 2021 of murdering 35-year-old Temia Haywood and her 13-year-old son Lavell Edmond on March 23, 2019, inside their home in the 6800 block of East Third Avenue in Gary's Miller section. In July, the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed Taylor's convictions on two firearms enhancements linked to the killings after finding that Judge Diane Boswell failed to ensure that he personally waived his right to a trial. Boswell died in October 2021. The decision did not affect Taylor's convictions on two counts of murder and one count of robbery. The enhancements accounted for 20 years of Taylor's 150-year sentence. The Indiana Department of Correction listed Taylor's earliest release date as May 2139. WESTVILLE A 31-year-old inmate at Westville Correctional Facility who was reported missing Friday afternoon has been found inside the facility, the Indiana Department of Correction said. Inmate Dustin Lappin was found about 6:41 p.m. Friday evening, according to the Department of Correction. The search for Lappin began earlier in the day when correctional staff saw he was missing in a facility count. Investigators initially said there was no indication Lappin, who is serving time for robbery, had left the facility, according to a notice from the Department of Correction. The notice was issued to the public Friday afternoon "out of an abundance of caution." Department of Correction officials will now work to pursue additional charges against Lappin, the IDOC said. Lappin was sentenced in 2020 to serve eight years behind bars after he was convicted of robbery in Marion County. His expected release date was Jan. 7, 2026, and his last known address was in Clayton, Indiana. Times Staff Writer Lizzie Kaboski contributed to reporting. There is a fair amount of action in the book chases, disguises, one thuddingly obvious betrayal but if youre at all sensitive to language, your eye and ear will snag on the sentences. There are so many instances and varieties of awkward syntax I developed a taxonomy. There is subtext announced at booming volume. There are the strained similes (when Lydia finds she is unable to pray, she believes its a divine kindness. Like a government furlough, God has deferred her nonessential agencies). There are perplexing bird analogies (the beautiful sisters look at Lydia, their expressions ranging like a quarrel of sparrows; Mamis cry, a shrill, corporeal thing, it bubbles out of her like a fully formed bird and it flies, but Mami doesnt). Then there are the real masterpieces, where the writing grows so lumpy and strange it sounds like nonsense poetry. I found myself flinching as I read, not from the perils the characters face, but from the mauling the English language receives. Lydias expression is one Luca has never seen before, and he fears it might be permanent. Its as if seven fishermen have cast their hooks into her from different directions and theyre all pulling at once. One from the eyebrow, one from the lip, another at the nose, one from the cheek. Yes, of course. That expression. Why should this matter? you might ask (or Cummins might protest). Shouldnt the story matter, her effort to individuate people portrayed as a faceless brown mass (her words)? In the books afterword, she agonizes about not being the right person to write the book (I wished someone slightly browner than me would write it) but decides that she has a moral obligation to the story. Im of the persuasion that fiction necessarily, even rather beautifully, requires imagining an other of some kind. As the novelist Hari Kunzru has argued, imagining ourselves into other lives and other subjectives is an act of ethical urgency. The caveat is to do this work of representation responsibly, and well. The journalist Katherine Boo, who wrote about a Mumbai slum in her National Book Award-winning Behind the Beautiful Forevers, and has reported on poverty and disability, often speaks of the earned fact the research necessary before making a claim. Getting it right matters way more than whether you can make people care, she has said. Cummins has put in the research, as she describes in her afterword, and the scenes on La Bestia are vividly conjured. Still, the book feels conspicuously like the work of an outsider. The writer has a strange, excited fascination in commenting on gradients of brown skin: Characters are berry-brown or tan as childhood (no, I dont know what that means either). In one scene, the sisters embrace and console each other: Rebeca breathes deeply into Soledads neck, and her tears wet the soft brown curve of her sisters skin. In all my years of hugging my own sister, I dont think Ive ever thought, Here I am, hugging your brown neck. Am I missing out? The real failures of the book, however, have little to do with the writers identity and everything to do with her abilities as a novelist. What thin creations these characters are and how distorted they are by the stilted prose and characterizations. The heroes grow only more heroic, the villains more villainous. The children sound like tiny prophets. Occasionally theres a flare of deeper, more subtle characterization, the way Luca, for example, experiences an uncomfortable feeling of both thrill and dread when he finally lays eyes on the other side of the border, or how, in the middle of the terror of escape, Lydia will still notice that her son needs a haircut. But does the books shallowness paradoxically explain the excitement surrounding it? The tortured sentences aside, American Dirt is enviably easy to read. It is determinedly apolitical. The deep roots of these forced migrations are never interrogated; the American reader can read without fear of uncomfortable self-reproach. It asks only for us to accept that these people are people, while giving us the saintly to root for and the barbarous to deplore and then congratulating us for caring. But the markets recent call for more representation has produced troubling new tropes. In various forms, successful novels will center the encounter between a Black protagonist and a white social environment. In Such a Fun Age and Luster, a protagonist enters into white domestic space, unsettling the privileged lives of their white female counterparts. In Luster, Edies recognition that Akila is being bullied by a tutor shocks the unaware Rebecca, who is confronted with the limits of her perception as a white woman. In Such a Fun Age, Alix, the comfortably middle-class influencer who hires the Black 20-something babysitter Emira, constantly surveils the younger womans phone for clues to her inner life. She knows Emira is a college graduate who studied English but cant reconcile that fact with her taste for generically named rap songs like Dope Bitch and Yall Already Know. In those moments, she was filled with feelings that went from confused and highly impressed to low and guilty in response to the first reaction. The purpose of the Black presence here is to knock whiteness off its pedestal, to serve as the catalyst for edging white characters toward an awareness of their own racialized perspective. In another manifestation of this trope, protagonists are placed in white professional spaces a publishing or media company or the academy where they suffer all sorts of microaggressions and indignities. These protagonists are upwardly mobile individuals marooned in a no mans land between the often impoverished Black worlds from which they come and the white professional spaces they want to inhabit. In Luster, Edie hails from a poor family and troubled past (her mother committed suicide and her father is a sociopath). In Real Life, Wallace is an outsider, a lone Black figure bobbing in a frigid sea of whiteness all the while haunted by the experience of being sexually assaulted as a child. In both books we find racialized versions of what Parul Sehgal has called the trauma plot, which often seems to translate to critical and commercial success. In a 2020 interview in The Guardian around the publication of Real Life, Taylor spoke about what it meant to write in a literary form in this case the campus novel that tended to relegate lives like his to the periphery. So many of my queer, Black friends were like, Were here on college campuses and yet none of these stories represent us in any sort of substantive way, Taylor, himself a gay Black man, recounted. So I told myself, Im going to imagine myself at the center of this space. Paradoxically, the queer Black friends who supposedly inspired the book are nowhere to be found, and Wallaces family is a cast of torturing ghosts who continue to haunt him. As a result, Wallace himself is mostly the target of cruelty, and he can sometimes seem less like a character than a series of traumas. For example, when Wallaces mother catches the man assaulting him, she tosses him from her sons bed and berates Wallace. She turned to me and slapped me and called me faggot called me sissy called me everything except son, Wallace remembers. She does not comfort him because, having herself been raped, she had no language for such a thing. The image of Black life on display here, once again, is one of generational dysfunction, a repetitive narrative of hardened resistance to both the worlds cruelties and its pleasures. In trying to make Black queer life legible to readers, Taylor winds up isolating his character, in turn reproducing the pathological Black social dynamics that Hurston and Baldwin mourned in Wrights work. And with Edie in Luster, weve already seen our most popular device: the police stop. Still, Edie complicates this storied interaction when its all over, she shrugs it off, channeling Biggie: Because there will always be a part of me that is ready to die. If she cant be concerned, why should we? Edie is nothing if not wry. This nonchalance, the embrace of obliteration, is the authors attempt to put her thumb in the eye of white readers who hunger for this kind of sentimental representation. Leilanis provocation suggests that, no matter how much these books appropriate tired depictions of contemporary Black life, they are meaningfully straining against the limits of representation. In a 2021 short story, Prophets, Taylor introduces us to Coleman, a fledgling writer who, like Wallace, has left his rural past behind to attend graduate school, this time an M.F.A. program. When a famous Black writer visits a local bookstore, questions of representation, reputation and marketability come to the fore. The famous writer is a slick performer adept at deploying an appealingly transgressive version of Black queerness he opens his reading with a Black hymn and he lets his voice tremble melodramatically as he reads from a personal essay; when an audience member asks where the hymn came from he answers, Oh that nigger music? and lets out a mean little laugh as the audience gasps. Though Coleman finds the whole act unbearable, he has to admit: It works. By the end of the reading, Nothing had been said, really. But, Coleman speculates, perhaps thats why people came to these readings, to the famous Black writer, to have something illuminated for them even if they were the ones holding the flashlight all along. Taylor is satirizing a certain kind of contemporary Black literature that at once upbraids and flatters its white audience, reprimanding them within the safe space of conventions that they will recognize. If Real Life participated in some of these conventions, Prophets finds Taylor looking for a way out of the bind. The idea that playing to a reductive, prurient interest in Blackness can be profitable for the Black protagonist finds echoes in Luster. Edie resents the easy connection that Rebecca makes between herself and Akila, but her desire to foil this attempt to create a link where there is none takes a back seat to her empathy for the child and her need for money and shelter. (One misconception begets another: Though Edie is not a housekeeper, Rebecca regularly leaves her money in an envelope out of guilt, malice or curiosity we are not sure.) In the end, the most strenuous attempt in Luster to slip representations handcuffs comes when Edie tries to paint a self-portrait; she can only manage to paint various scenes from Eric and Rebeccas house. What at first seems like a failure of self-creation and imagination ends up looking like a strategy by the novels end, a way to capture something more inscrutable than her physical body: her perspective on the world rather than her place in it. Apple employees at a store in Oklahoma City have voted to unionize, becoming the second of the companys roughly 270 U.S. retail stores to do so. The result, announced by the National Labor Relations Board on Friday night, suggests that an initial victory by a union at a store in Towson, Md., in June was not an isolated development in an organizing campaign that dates back to last year. According to the labor board, 56 employees voted in favor of the union and 32 voted against. The workers will be represented by the Communications Workers of America, which has members at AT&T Mobility, Verizon and media companies like The New York Times, and has sought to represent tech-industry workers in recent years. Sara Steffens, the unions secretary-treasurer, said in a statement that workers at the store, known as the Penn Square location, had faced an aggressive anti-union campaign, but she predicted that Apple retail workers across the country will continue to organize, especially after this momentous victory. To Yefferson Rojas, the American dream was New York City. To get here, he described a harrowing journey out of Venezuela on foot, first through the jungles of Colombia and Panama. In Nicaragua, he said, men with machetes stole his tent. In Mexico, he recalled a horrifying encounter with the drug cartels that assault and harass migrants with impunity. Finally, he crossed the Rio Grande into the United States alongside dozens of others. After two months and about 3,000 miles, he arrived in New York City by bus on Sept. 9. He had hoped to find work. What hes found so far is a single-ride MetroCard and a bed at a Manhattan homeless shelter. Migrants who arrive in New York are finding an American city in the throes of a housing and homelessness crisis that is ill equipped to help them. For Mr. Rojas, the relief and gratitude he felt after arriving in the safety of the United States have turned to looming questions about how to make a life in New York. No one tells you about the hard reality of starting out here, he said. Mr. Rojas, 30, is one of more than 19,400 asylum seekers who have arrived in New York since April. Most were put on buses by local governments in Texas or by the state, which is overwhelmed and has been offering people trips to Northern cities rather than letting everyone remain in the state while their claims are heard. New York, a sanctuary city with a long, if imperfect, tradition of absorbing refugees from around the world, should be well positioned to welcome them. Instead, the city has been caught off guard by the scale of this influx and has scrambled to respond. The humanitarian response by New York City involves more than a dozen city agencies. Mayor Eric Adams has said he anticipates that the city will spend $1 billion caring for these new arrivals by the end of the citys fiscal year in June 2023. Vincent Joseph Martin DiMaio, a grandson of Italian immigrants, was born on March 22, 1941, in Brooklyn to Dr. Dominick DiMaio, who in the 1970s would become New York Citys chief medical examiner, and Violet (de Caprariis) DiMaio, a lawyer. Since the 1600s, all the men on my mothers side, with one exception, were doctors, Vincent DiMaio recalled in Morgue: A Life in Death (2016), a memoir he wrote with Ron Franscell. The lone black sheep was a magistrate. My earliest memory is of seeing my grandmother Carmela, my mothers mother, lying dead on the dining room table, Dr. DiMaio wrote in the memoir, which won an Edgar Award for nonfiction. I was only about five years old, and I didnt understand death or wakes or funerals or forever. I knew only that Id never seen my grandmother on top of the table, and never so still. I dont remember being sad. But, he added, I might have known even then not to cry. He attended St. Johns Preparatory School (then in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn) and St. Johns University in Queens. He left college after his junior year to enroll directly in what is now known as the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, from which he graduated with a medical degree in 1965. He later trained at Duke University and with Marylands chief medical examiner. From 1970 to 1972 he served in the Army Medical Corps, including as chief of the wound ballistics section of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington. He was discharged as a major. Dr. DiMaio and his three sisters, all of whom also became doctors, were casually introduced to death by their pathologist father. He didnt want us to be afraid of death, he wrote in his memoir. He considered his grim work a lifesaving pursuit, an early warning system against epidemics, killers and the simple human tendency to snap to judgment without the benefit of facts. Image Smoke over Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, on Monday after Russian missile strikes. Credit... Finbarr OReilly for The New York Times KYIV, Ukraine They exploded with dull thuds on the outskirts of towns and detonated in the center of cities with deafening booms. Strikes in Kyiv, the capital, left cars burning and splatters of blood on the sidewalks. Through the week, the Russian military fired its most intense barrage of missiles at Ukraine since the start of the war in February, killing at least three dozen civilians, knocking out electricity across swaths of the country and overwhelming air defenses. One thing the missiles didnt do was change the course of the ground war. Fought mostly in trenches, with the most fierce combat now in an area of rolling hills and pine forests in the east and on the open plains in the south, these battles are where control of territory is decided and where Russias military continued to lose ground this week, despite the missile strikes. They use their expensive rockets for nothing, just to frighten people, Volodymyr Ariev, a member of Parliament with Ukraines European Solidarity party, said of the paltry military effect of the Russian cruise missiles, rockets and self-destructing drones used in the strikes. They think they can scare Ukrainians. But the goal they achieved is only making us angrier. The war in the south and east continued apace through the strikes, with Russia mostly falling back but also attacking on one section of front in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. On Monday and Tuesday, the most intense days of Russias missile strikes, the Ukrainian Army continued its offensive in the Kherson region in the south, reclaiming five villages over the two days, according to the military command. Ukrainian forces also took back a village in the east. The Kremlin continues to struggle to message itself out of the reality of mobilization and military failures, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based research group, wrote in an analysis published Thursday. The Kremlin continued its general pattern of temporarily appeasing the nationalist communities by conducting retaliatory missile strikes. The war is now separated into two largely unconnected arenas: the battles in the sky, in which Russia is seeking to demoralize Ukrainian society and cripple the economy by using cruise missiles and drones to destroy heating, electricity and water infrastructure as winter sets in; and the battles on the ground, in which Ukraine continues to advance against Russian forces in two areas of the front line. Image Ukrainian soldiers dismantled an abandoned Russian vehicle for parts in Novomykolaivka, Ukraine, on Sunday. Novomykolaivka was retaken by Ukrainian troops last week. Credit... Nicole Tung for The New York Times Russia has been using even the newest addition to its arsenal, Shahed-136 kamikaze drones purchased from Iran, principally for strategic strikes far from the front line, rather than in efforts to slow the Ukrainian attacks. Shahed-136s will not generate asymmetric effects for Russian forces because they are not being used to strike areas of critical military significance in a way that directly influences the frontline, the Institute for the Study of War wrote. The drones that get past air defenses instead buzz into cities, blowing up electrical power stations and municipal boilers used to heat neighborhoods in the centralized heating systems used in Ukraine. Over the past 24 hours, the Russian Army and air force attacked around the country with missiles, rockets and self-destructing drones, from the region around Kyiv, the capital, to Mykolaiv in the south, near the Black Sea, the Ukrainian General Staff said in its regular morning report. The enemy is not halting strikes on critical infrastructure and civilian objects, it said, listing 88 strikes, including with short-range rocket systems near the front line. The strikes have refocused Ukrainians attention on the war in cities where a sense of normalcy had been returning, including Kyiv. Even successful advances for the Ukrainian Army have been bloody and costly as the Russian military has been skirmishing and firing artillery to cover its retreat and continuing attacks in Donbas. Fighting raged along the entire front and in cross-border skirmishing with Russia in northern Ukraine overnight Thursday to Friday, the military command said in a morning statement. With criticism from pro-war bloggers over the reported deaths of new recruits fighting in Ukraine intensifying, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Friday defended his recent draft, saying that he had no regrets about the war in Ukraine. His remarks came as prominent military bloggers have accused the Kremlins defense officials of throwing unprepared recruits into battle. The draft has also run into resistance across Russia as villagers, activists and even some elected officials have asked why the conscription drive has appeared to hit minority groups and rural areas harder than the big cities. In late September, anger with the call-up spilled over into street protests. Some 222,000 Russians already have been drafted and 16,000 of them have been deployed in units that get involved in fulfilling combat tasks, Mr. Putin told a news conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, adding that he expects the mobilization to be completed within two weeks. When Mr. Putin announced a partial mobilization in September, he said that servicemen called up for active duty would undergo mandatory additional military training. The Russian government said that such training could take up to one month. MBABANE Tragic! Four Eswatini women, who migrated to seek employment at the textile firms in South Africa (SA), succumbed to death, a few days after drinking indayela (spiritual tea that is usually without sugar) concoction. According to a well placed source in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), the four emaSwati left the country last year in search for a better paying jobs after complaining that they were being paid low salaries at the firms in Matsapha. The source, who also migrated to SA for the same reasons over two years ago, said that the four women arrived in Newcastle last year and worked as casuals for a few months. The source further revealed that after their contract expired at the textile firm at Newcastle, they decided to then try their luck at Umlazi in Durban. Luck was not on their side at Umlazi as days turned into months and they were not picked as thousands of hopefuls lined up for employment at the textile firms there. The source revealed that the four women faced at the textile firms for an opportunity to be picked for over five months until one of their friends advised them to consider attending a certain church for spiritual cleansing (kugeza emabhadi). It was in September 30, 2022 that the four women decided to attend the church (name deliberately withheld) where they were prayed for and thereafter made to drink a certain concoction. In fact they drank the concoction, which they said was an indayela, upon their arrival, said the source. Prayers It was revealed that after the prayers and drinking of the indayela concoction, the four women, together with their friend, were told by the leader of that church that their prayers were heard and they would be employed soon. The source disclosed that the women returned to their rented flat which they shared, but at night one of them woke up and tried to wake up the rest of them and they could not open their eyes or respond to her. She then realised that they could be dead and out of panic, and the knowledge that South African police were not going to take her word, she decided to escape and took a taxi to Newcastle. I am working at the textile firms here in Newcastle and last week Tuesday when we knocked off from work at about 10pm we saw a woman who was from Eswatini running towards us and they said they were dying, can we call an ambulance for her and we asked what was going on, she said she was from Durban. She told us she left there because a tragedy had occurred. She narrated to us what happened in Durban and said they were a group of five friends who attended a certain church where they were made to drink indayela. She told us that they suspected the indayela to be the cause of the deaths and after realising what happened, she decided to leave for Newcastle that same night in fear of being arrested, said the source when quizzed on how she met the deceased person. She told Eswatini News that the deceased mentioned that their troubles started when they arrived at their rented flat from the church where they were given the concoction to drink. The source narrated that the deceased said after a few hours of sleep, the three other women died instantly and she later discovered in the middle of the night. Complained She further told them that the three had complained of abdominal cramps before they went to bed but no one thought it was anything serious until they realised that the three were not responsive. According to the source, the ambulance came and picked up the critically sick liSwati to the nearest hospital, in Madadeni. She said her efforts of getting more information on what transpired in Durban and the name of the church leader who gave them the concoction failed as the deceased fell on the ground due to pains and cramps while they were still talking. The security personnel at one of the firms subsequently ringed an alarm and a Medico Legal ambulance arrived and took her to Madadeni Provincial Hospital. However, Eswatini News has gathered that the cause of death for the four emaSwati remains a speculation as a post-mortem was not yet conducted. The hospitals Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Happy Khanyi confirmed that a liSwati woman was confirmed dead upon arrival and was not admitted but was handed over to Madadeni Police. However, the CEO, referred all enquiries to the communications department in the hospital who also corroborated. Investigations Madadeni and Mlazi police both confirmed that there were investigations currently ongoing to ascertain the cause of death of the four women. SA police Provincial Communications Officer Colonel Gwala confirmed the tragic incidence but said all would be communicated to the media once investigations were completed. The names of the four women are known to this publication but cannot be disclosed as the police have not yet located and informed their next of kin. The police could not conduct a post-mortem as their families were still unknown. The police further requested anyone who might have information or knew four women who went to Newcastle SA in search of job opportunities to contact them on +27343296641. KYIV, Ukraine They exploded with dull thuds on the outskirts of towns and detonated in the center of cities with deafening booms. Strikes in Kyiv, Ukraines capital, left cars burning and splatters of blood on the sidewalks. Throughout this week, the Russian military fired its most intensive barrage of missiles at Ukraine since the start of the war in February, killing three dozen civilians, knocking out electricity and overwhelming air defenses. One thing the missiles did not do was change the course of the ground war. Fought mostly in trenches, with the most intense combat now in an area of rolling hills and pine forests in the east and on the open plains in the south, these battles are where control of territory is decided and where Russias military continued to lose ground, despite its missile strikes. They use their expensive rockets for nothing, just to frighten people, Volodymyr Ariev, a member of Ukraines Parliament, said of the Russian cruise missiles, rockets and self-destructing drones used in the strikes. They think they can scare Ukrainians. But the goal they achieved is only making us angrier. Mr. Dimon, JPMorgan Chases chief executive, who is listed on the conferences website as a featured speaker, is still expected to attend. So are Steve Schwarzman of the investment giant Blackstone, Ray Dalio of the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates and Michael Arthur, Boeings top international executive. The attendance of prominent corporate executives highlights the limits of U.S. efforts to punish Saudi Arabia for crossing American policy goals. And it is yet another example of multinational companies caught in the crosscurrents of global politics, where they can be exposed to harsh condemnation. Multinationals like Apple have come under fire for staying silent on human rights violations in China while drawing billions of dollars in sales there. American lawmakers have criticized big financial institutions for sending top executives to Hong Kong next month for a conference that features John Lee, Hong Kongs chief executive, who was placed under U.S. sanctions in 2020 for his role in cracking down on anti-Beijing dissent. And when droves of companies shut down operations in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, some were criticized for not shutting down quickly enough, while others made a case that their products were basic necessities for civilians. Corporate executives say they do not always receive guidance from government officials, leaving them to fulfill their business objectives under their interpretations of sometimes shifting U.S. policy. Former President Donald J. Trump sought to forge closer ties with Riyadh. On the campaign trail, Mr. Biden pledged to make Saudi Arabia an international pariah but visited the kingdom and fist-bumped its de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of an effort to get the Saudis to pump more oil. Still, some investment professionals have expressed concern about the risk that some single-stock E.T.F.s pose to individual investors, starting with Caroline Crenshaw, a commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission. I worry that these single-stock E.T.F.s pose yet another, perhaps greater, risk for investors and the markets, Ms. Crenshaw said. Concern about the riskiness of the new E.T.F.s ratcheted up after three fund managers filed plans in August to offer single-stock E.T.F.s of foreign stocks that dont trade on U.S. exchanges and arent subject to U.S. accounting and financial disclosure rules. The managers, Kelly Intelligence, Roundhill Investments and Tema Global, sought to create 130 funds of firms including Saudi Aramco, Samsung and Volkswagen. But all were withdrawn by the end of September. Analysts suggested that the S.E.C. might have privately indicated that it wouldnt approve the funds. This is pretty telling that the E.T.F. industry has come full circle, said Sean Allocca, editor in chief of ETF.com. The irony is that when E.T.F.s came out, the benefit was that you could track these large indexes and it was pretty cheap. The most popular of the AXS funds is AXS TSLA Bear Daily E.T.F. (TSLQ), an inverse fund that bets against shares of Tesla. The fund started trading in mid-July at $51.63 and has ranged from $36.25 to $46.09, attracting $59.4 million in assets with a net expense ratio of 1.15 percent. Three other AXS funds list assets of $800,000 or less. By comparison, the iShares Expanded Tech Sector E.T.F., with broad exposure to the technology sector, has assets of $2.8 billion with a net expense ratio of 0.40 percent. One new family of single-entity E.T.F.s that could hold wider appeal comes from the boutique advisory firm F/m Investments and is intended to track the current rates on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond, the two-year Treasury bond and the three-month Treasury bill. Bond trading is messy no matter how well you try to do it, and we do it every day, said Alexander Morris, president and chief investment officer of F/m. You could do all of this today with options and derivatives, but you need to have pros who do this every day. We used the beauty of the E.T.F. and just did the simplest thing possible. Issued in August, the three Treasury funds have attracted $164 million in assets with an expense ratio of 0.15 percent. F/m plans to issue seven more funds for Treasuries with durations of six months to 30 years. Late Friday night for the first time, some borrowers were able to apply for up to $20,000 in student loan cancellation that President Biden had promised in August. The Education Department, which directly holds $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt owed by 45 million borrowers, said it had begun beta testing the student debt relief website on Friday. The agency said it hoped the test would help it find any problems before the site publicly opened. That is expected to happen shortly. Borrowers will not need to reapply if they submit their application during the beta test, but no applications will be processed until the site officially launches later this month, a department spokeswoman said. Some immediately pounced on the suddenly active site. Application for student debt relief is now live!! Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat of Minnesota, tweeted. One night in 1980, Rita Paul asked her husband, Daniel, if he minded if they moved into the Hotel Earle, on the corner of Waverly and MacDougal Streets in Greenwich Village. It was not such a strange request. The Pauls had owned the Earle since 1973, when it was already seven decades old. By the time the Pauls acquired it, the Earle had evolved from a bare-bones residential hotel to a funky haven for an eclectic crowd. For her own retreat, Ms. Paul had her eye on four connecting chambers on the fourth floor. I guess at the time we had a lot of empty rooms, Ms. Paul said recently. For the next 12 years, the Pauls were full-time residents there. Ms. Paul enjoyed an eccentric existence with her art supplies, her baby grand piano and her kiln. They stayed there until 1992, when they separated and moved into their own apartments nearby, but they continued to work as hoteliers. (The two reconciled for their daughters wedding in 1996; they remained together until Mr. Paul died in 2014, when he was 92.) But groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom claim that the existence of same-sex marriage places sexual rights above the rights of their supporters to worship, express opinions and run businesses as they choose. Tellingly, this strategy has focused on defending the supposed religious rights of private businesses rather than churches or even individuals. The Supreme Court endorsed religious freedoms for privately held for-profit corporations in the 2014 Burwell v. Hobby Lobby decision. Four years later, in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the court sided with a baker who refused service to a same-sex couple, albeit on narrow procedural grounds that the court will soon revisit. This term, the court plans to hear 303 Creative v. Elenis, the case of a Colorado-based web designer who wants to refuse business from same-sex couples as a matter of policy based on her religious beliefs. An amicus brief filed by a cohort of Christian and Jewish religious groups argues that the designers petition would harm people of faith and lead many to perceive religion as being opposed to L.G.B.T. equality and pluralism more generally. The court agreed to consider the case within the scope of the business owners right to free speech rather than religious rights, but legal watchdogs point out that protecting the free speech of a company is most likely just a more palatable proxy argument for defending the owners religious freedom to turn away same-sex couples. The legal strategy behind 303 Creative v. Elenis was crafted by the Alliance Defending Freedom. Court watchers expect the web designer to prevail in the case. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who wrote the Hobby Lobby decision, told a sympathetic audience at a Notre Dame Law School event in Rome this summer that religious liberty is fragile, and religious intolerance and persecution have been recurring features of human history. Moreover, the religious freedom to discriminate against L.G.B.T.Q. people and their interests has been gaining momentum in lower courts, perhaps emboldening the majority. To be honest, my husband and I wouldnt have hired a web designer or a baker who didnt want to celebrate with us. But thats not the point. If the law allows same-sex couples to be treated differently from other couples, then our religious freedom to be married is not complete. The court is not being asked to rule whether members of the clergy should be forced to perform weddings that conflict with their beliefs or whether houses of worship should be mandated to welcome L.G.B.T.Q. people. As a member of the clergy in charge of a church, I would defend the First Amendment right for religious institutions to conduct themselves without government interference, even if I vehemently disagree with another traditions practices. Rather, the question here is whether my God-given right to be married to my spouse matters as much in the eyes of the law as someone elses. I pay attention to these cases not as a lawyer but as a gay man and a Christian. The arbitrary nature of what mostly straight people decide queer people can and cannot do trains us to keep an eye out on legal developments. But as a Christian, I consistently marvel at the vast theological differences between me and many of my coreligionists. I often wonder how they square all this legal contortion to restrict the rights of others with Jesus Great Commandment to love God and one another with all we have. Religious people on either side of this divide have largely settled into a chilly detente over our irreconcilable interpretations of Scripture. But I also doubt that those opposed to marriage equality have ever considered the mismatched scale of our respective motivations: If they win, they get to discriminate in the name of God; if we win, we get to keep the blessing of our families. He was a staunch pragmatist. Upon joining the antislavery Liberty Party which had evolved out of the New England Anti-Slavery Society Chase tried to shift its focus away from agitation and toward persuading potentially sympathetic Whigs and Democrats. Chase, writes Stahr, wanted to distinguish the Liberty Party, a political party, from abolitionism, a moral movement. He also hoped to extend the party into border slave states such as Kentucky and to recruit a presidential candidate who could attract more than just abolitionists. Chases resolute (but again pragmatic) opposition to slavery would lead him to support the Free Soil Party in the 1848 presidential election, to try to organize antislavery Democrats in Ohio, to oppose the Fugitive Slave Act in Congress and to become a founding figure in and strong partisan of the Republican Party. He was a rival to Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election and was while serving as chief justice of the United States a rival to Ulysses S. Grant in the 1868 contest for the Republican presidential nomination. He was seen, at the end of his life, as one of the nations great statesmen, so much so that even Democrats considered nominating him for president. What I find so interesting about Chase is that, as progressive as he was, he was also bound to many of the dogmas of his age. His opposition to slavery and support for Black civil rights (as well as his support, later in life, for womens suffrage) sat hand in hand with his support for sound money (meaning the gold standard) and minimal government. His ambitions for the former slave states a society of free men and free labor without racial distinctions were in tension with his Jeffersonian skepticism of bureaucratic centralization and his opposition to military reconstruction in the South. Even as violence mounted against the formerly enslaved, Chase was confident in the white Souths ability to reconcile itself to the collapse of its racial hierarchy. And he was so devoted to the Union that he favored pardons for and reconciliation with Confederate leaders like Jefferson Davis. The combination of idealism and pragmatism that served him well in the struggle against slavery left him blind to the backlash that would follow the war and continue through Reconstruction. Which is to say that Chase was an exemplar in more than one way. He was also an almost paradigmatic bourgeois liberal reformer (even revolutionary), who could conceive of the radical expansion of political liberty but whose vision failed him when it came to more robust forms of equality. (This is a problem that still shapes American political life.) His limitations were, in many ways, the limitations of all the Radical Republicans who sought to remake the United States after the Civil War. Many Americans today will say that if the United States had done Reconstruction right, we could have avoided many of the problems, struggles and heartaches that followed the end of Reconstruction. I dont know if I agree. But I will suggest this: The failure of Reconstruction was at once the product of external forces both political opposition and ferocious counterrevolutionary violence and its own internal contradictions. To secure the equal status of Black Americans in the South, Reconstruction needed both a powerful national state and an ideology that could support and justify the use of that state on behalf of the formerly enslaved. The former simply didnt exist, and what I think Chase demonstrates is that even the most perceptive and farseeing politicians of the era struggled with the latter. The question to ask yourself isnt what would have happened had Reconstruction been effective, but whether it was even possible for it to have been effective. Fashion brands celebrated big anniversaries. Louis Vuitton celebrated the bicentennial birthday of its founder with an exhibition of 200 trunks reimagined by 200 collaborators. The traveling show, at 660 Madison Avenue until the end of the year, held an opening party on Thursday. Bulgari, the Italian jewelry house, celebrated 50 years in America with an intimate party on Wednesday at the Jazz Club at Aman New York, around the corner from its Fifth Avenue flagship. And Moncler turned 70 with a high-tech retrospective on Oct. 5 at the Highline Stages that featured a computer-generated mountaintop. On the non-fashion front, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy raised $1.4 million on Oct. 6 at a black-tie gala on Pier 2. VALLETTA, Malta At the end of a narrow road, past crushed beer cans and the remnants of a chain-link fence, a weathered sandstone building overlooks the Mediterranean coast. The British tourist who answered the door of a third-floor apartment had no idea she was staying at the residence of one of the worlds richest men. Peter Thiel, the billionaire and Republican political patron, has declared the two-bedroom apartment that he rents himself as his address while he works toward a goal he has pursued for about a year: becoming a citizen of the tiny island nation of Malta, according to documents viewed by The New York Times and three people with knowledge of the matter. Mr. Thiel, 55, is in the process of acquiring at least his third passport even as he expands his financial influence over American politics. Since backing Donald J. Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, the technology investor has become one of the largest individual donors in the midterm elections next month, spending more than $30 million on more than a dozen right-wing Congressional candidates who have decried globalization and pledged to put America first. They made him at night, in the quiet hours after the bakery had closed. Together they worked, mother and daughter, mixing the materials that would give form to their creation flour, water and sugar. Slowly, he began to emerge as each feature was sculpted and placed into the oven to bake. First came the basic contours of his body, then the details: the anguished expression, lips contorted in pain, hands reaching out in desperation. Finally, after a month of work, he was ready: a lovingly wrought 6-foot recreation of Han Solo frozen in carbonite, made entirely of bread. The duo behind the creation, Hannalee Pervan and her mother, Catherine Pervan, called him Pan Solo. On Sunday, the sculpture went on display outside their shop, One House Bakery in Benicia, Calif., about 40 miles north of San Francisco, next to an arrangement of seasonal gourds and a chalkboard that read, Our hero Pan Solo has been trapped in Levainite by the evil Java the Hut. BUHLENI It is a miracle that Dumisile Maseko the wife to soldier Polycarp Maseko and her child aged seven are still alive. Polycarps house was also targeted by arsonists who threw a petrol bomb inside. He was not at home at the time but his wife was around. On the same night, a house belonging to a warder was also petrol-bombed. These incidents happened at a time when junior officers at His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) and Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) are at loggerheads with their superiors over non-implementation of phase II of salary increments. According to Dumisile, she was asleep at around 3am when she heard what sounded like footsteps outside the house. She said she was not bothered about it because she assumed that it was cattle that usually roamed freely around the homestead. However, little did she knew that she was only a few seconds away between a life or death situation. It turned out that the footsteps she had heard were of people about to burn her and her child alive. Dumisile said she then heard a window breaking and saw a bright light. It was a petrol bomb. She said the petrol bomb hit at the back of a cupboard and then she realised that they were being attacked. Kill She also decried that whoever threw the petrol bomb into the house was trying to kill the people inside. The soldiers wife said she quickly picked up a bucket that had been used for urinating and threw the urine into the fire. She said this put out the fire on the curtain but some of the petrol had splashed on other parts of the house. Dumisile said in the process, her child was burnt in the hand. She said as she prepared to get out of the house with the child, another petrol bomb was thrown in, but despite breaking through the window, it did not go off. She said this was a miracle because had it exploded, she would have been burnt alive together with her child. Dumisile said she would have not been able to put out the second petrol bomb fire if it had exploded. She said as they managed to manoeuvre out of the room they were in, only then they realised that the lounge was also on fire. I was now convinced that we were under attack and were going to die in those flames, she said. She said she was not sure why her home was targeted but did not rule out that this was because her husband was a soldier. They view him as Mangololo and nowadays one is harmed for having a differing opinion from others, she said sombrely. Mangololo is a term used to describe someone who is pro the current system of government. GROVELAND, Fla. On a muggy summer morning, Donna Brodus Forrest stepped into an old, nearly forgotten cemetery hidden in a thicket of trees, in pursuit of a family mystery. For much of her life, Ms. Forrest had heard stories about her grandmother, Viola Brodus a laborer who was born just a few years before the century turned, died at 41 and was buried in the Old Groveland Cemetery in 1938. Before Ms. Forrests father died eight years ago, he shared another detail: the possible location of his mothers grave. It was behind a headstone etched with the name Joe Green. That morning, Ms. Forrest stepped around long-fallen trees, tangled vines and broken headstones until she reached an unmarked depression not far from Mr. Greens headstone, one of only three still standing where her grandmother might have been buried. To Ms. Forrest, the exact location in a cemetery that stretched over an acre was beside the point. The site had been abandoned long before she was even born. What was important, she said, was finally coming face to face with the promise of the soil, with the missing piece of her story. Finally, she felt a closeness to the grandmother she had known only through the words of her father. Emotionally, this is overwhelming I had always longed to know my grandmother, Ms. Forrest, a restaurant owner and real estate agent, said. I just want her to know that she has not been forgotten. I didnt want to see any lawyers or anyone, he said, just out of disappointment. He felt let down not only by the sentence but also by how it was reached, he said without the sort of open dialogue and cooperation that he had hoped for, especially in such a significant case. We never deliberated correctly, he lamented. The jurys actions have become the source of much speculation among legal observers and the public in South Florida, where Mr. Cruzs trial was closely followed and where many expected a death sentence. A motion addressing an alleged threat made by one juror in the jury room led to a court hearing on Friday, though the issue was not one that could overturn the life sentence. Judge Elizabeth A. Scherer told lawyers on Friday that hours before that complaint had been made to prosecutors, another juror, Jimmie Benbow, had tried to get her attention before and after the verdict was read. He had asked for a complaint form, which she thought might have been for something innocuous like the courthouse parking. However, that request, according to Mr. Johnson, was to address some jurors feelings that they had not meaningfully deliberated about the gunmans fate. Reached by phone on Friday, Mr. Benbow declined to comment. The deliberations had started out well enough, said Mr. Johnson, 39, a computer technician for Miami International Airport. An initial vote showed that some jurors favored a death sentence, others life and perhaps four were undecided, he said. Then, they engaged in what he described as a productive conversation about how to weigh the aggravating factors presented by prosecutors to justify the death penalty and the mitigating circumstances presented by defense lawyers to show the gunmans troubled life. His biological mother drank heavily while pregnant with him, and his adoptive mother became overwhelmed by his developmental delays and, at times, violent behavior, the gunmans lawyers said. But soon, one juror firmly declared that she could not sentence someone she considered to be mentally ill to death, Mr. Johnson said. Benjamin Thomas, the jury foreman, gave a similar account to a local television station on Thursday. Only about 15 million doses of the new shots have been administered nationally since their introduction at the beginning of September, representing less than one in 10 people who are eligible, and there are signs that many Americans are unaware of or simply uninterested in them. In a Kaiser Family Foundation survey last month, half of adults said they had heard little or nothing about the shots. Once defined by supply shortages and mass vaccination sites, the nations ever-expanding inoculation campaign has lately been characterized by apathy, with potentially serious health consequences for the most vulnerable Americans should another Covid wave sweep the country this winter. The tepid response to the shots, public health experts say, is more than just a marketing dilemma. Many Americans have recently had a coronavirus infection, drawing out the timeline for when they might seek another booster or causing them to skip one altogether. Others are wary of continual boosting or side effects that might keep them from going to school or work. The turnout for the new shots, for which children as young as 5 became eligible this week, could fall far short of the response to the initial booster campaign that the federal government undertook around a year ago, when administration officials say there was less fatigue around vaccination and the pandemic more broadly. Around 110 million people received at least one dose of the original booster formulation before the new shots were authorized at the end of August. Dr. Ashish K. Jha, the White House Covid-19 coordinator, said in an interview that the early turnout for the updated boosters amounted to a good start and that uptake was likely to steadily increase this fall. Many Americans, he said, were treating the new vaccines like flu shots, considering receiving one as the weather turned colder. No one can bat a thousand, he said. And while a few candidates from outside the mainstream have emerged that will have challenges winning a general election, the playing field is more than wide enough to recapture a majority. In a few cases, the candidate whom Mr. McCarthy failed to defeat is thriving, and the outcome of the primary might not affect Republicans chances in the general election. Recent public polls have shown Mr. Williams, for instance, ahead of Francis Conole, the Democrat competing for an open seat in a competitive district in upstate New York. Mr. McCarthys super PAC often spends in places where its favored candidate is struggling, so it is not surprising that even with the outside boost of funds, some of those candidates still lost. Overall, the Congressional Leadership Fund sees its primary spending as a success story. The group helped several Republican incumbents fend off challenges from more extreme candidates in competitive districts, including Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick in Pennsylvania, David Valadao and Young Kim in California and Andrew Garbarino in New York. By recruiting strong candidates and supporting them through their primaries, we were able to make our own luck, said Dan Conston, the organizations president. Candidate quality matters, and proactively engaging put us in a dramatically better position not to just win the majority, but to elect stars that will be the future of the party. But elsewhere across the country, right-wing candidates whom Mr. McCarthy tried to knock out have prevailed, bolstering Democrats chances of winning a seat. In Arizona, Kelly Cooper, who has refused to acknowledge the 2020 election results and called for the immediate release of people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, defeated Tanya Wheeless, the granddaughter of a Mexican immigrant whom Mr. McCarthys PAC endorsed and helped fund. In the Third Congressional District in Washington, a group aligned with Mr. McCarthy, Take Back the House 2022, donated to Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, who was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Mr. Trump. But she was defeated in her primary by Joe Kent, who has said he would oppose Mr. McCarthy for the speakership if elected. Mr. Barcott, of With Honor Action, argued that the new crop of right-wing veterans should not be seen as representing the political attitudes of former service members writ large. With Honor Action still asks veterans running for office to pledge to bring civility to Congress, participate in cross-partisan veterans groups, meet one-on-one with a member of the opposing party at least once a month and work with a member of the other party on one substantial piece of legislation a year while co-sponsoring other bipartisan bills. But finding veterans willing to make that pledge has become more difficult. By Mr. Barcotts count, 685 veterans ran for the House or Senate this cycle. With Honor endorsed only 26 from both parties, many of them incumbents. Three Republican incumbents it had once endorsed, Representatives Mike Garcia of California, Greg Steube of Florida and Dan Crenshaw of Texas, were dropped for actions deemed out of keeping with the groups mission. Several Democrats with national security backgrounds, like Representatives Abigail Spanberger and Elaine Luria of Virginia and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, are running explicitly on their service records to bolster their bipartisan bona fides. But more partisan veterans groups say this years candidates are pointing out a central fallacy: People say if we just elect more veterans to Congress, things will be hunky dory, but theres no precedent for that, no data that suggests veterans act different from anyone else, said Dan Caldwell, an adviser to the conservative group Concerned Veterans for America. Mr. Kent was more cutting about organizations that ostensibly back veterans bound for bipartisanship but refused to back him. Its a gimmick, he said, dismissing the groups as hawkish interventionists. Its just another way to get the neoconservative, neoliberal ideology furthered by wrapping it in the valor of service. Our service. A man the police described as a potential serial killer who terrorized residents in Californias Central Valley in a string of fatal shootings was arrested early on Saturday while he was out hunting for more victims, the authorities said. The man, Wesley Brownlee, 43, was arrested in Stockton after an investigation that connected five fatal shootings across Stockton along with a killing about 70 miles away. At a news conference on Saturday, the police did not release any information about a motive. They said Mr. Brownlee has a criminal history but did not provide details. The arrest was the product of good police work and an engaged public, said Stanley McFadden, the chief of the Stockton Police Department. Four months after raging floodwaters swept through Yellowstone National Park, forcing it to close for about a week and chasing more than 10,000 visitors to safety, the rebuilding reached a milestone on Saturday as the park reopened its Northeast Entrance Road to vehicular traffic, the National Park Service said. Five sections of the road were significantly damaged in June, when four days of record rainfall, combined with melting snow and warming temperatures, brought flooding and mudslides that tore out bridges and changed the course of rivers. Gov. Greg Gianforte of Montana declared a statewide disaster. The northern reaches of Yellowstone, which is the oldest national park in the United States, were hit the hardest. Yellowstones superintendent, Cam Sholly, said he was thrilled to reopen the northeast entrance, an important gateway to the park. The completion of the work means that 99 percent of the parks roads are now open. DADU, Pakistan Trudging through what remained of the villages graveyard, the man scoured the swampy, green water, desperate to find some solid ground. The cemetery had been submerged weeks earlier when torrential floods tore through southern Pakistan, transforming his village into an island and destroying the farmland that provided his sole source of income. He struggled to find food and clean drinking water. One wall of his house collapsed. Swarms of disease-carrying mosquitoes swelled. When his mother contracted malaria and died, the man, Ali Akbar, 28, broke down sobbing. How could his family have lost so much so quickly? How could anyone bear this much grief? But now wading across the cemetery, he agonized over a new question: Where do you bury the dead when there is no dry land? That heartbreaking dilemma has haunted hundreds of families since record-breaking floods swept across much of Pakistan this summer, engulfing entire villages, displacing millions and damaging critical infrastructure like schools, bridges and hospitals. SYDNEY, Australia Two people have been killed, hundreds of homes inundated and thousands told to evacuate as flooding again battered Australias southeast coast. It comes as the country is still reeling from previous disasters, in a year that has seen record-breaking rainfall and relentless flooding, with some communities inundated multiple times. The states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania have all experienced flash flooding over the past week, as torrential rain fell onto already saturated land, causing rivers to swell and overflow. Because of those conditions, flooding will continue to remain a risk for weeks, with even moderate rainfall posing a threat, the authorities said. In many areas, the water is expected to continue to rise in the days ahead. The state of Victoria is bearing the brunt of the disaster, with its premier, Daniel Andrews, calling it a very, very significant flood event. Ms. TallBear, who is also American and the author of a book on tribal belonging and genetic science, said she had interacted with many Cherokee people in the United States who claimed they were Native based on having long-ago ancestry. But I have since come to find out that, in fact, most of them dont, she said. These are outright multigenerational lies. [Read: The Native Scholar Who Wasnt] Indigenous people in Canada are afforded certain benefits designed to increase their participation in fields where they are underrepresented, such as academia. As the national discussion over Indigenous identity and pretendians (short for pretend Indians) continues to grow, there have been calls for additional safeguards against impostors in universities. In the academy, you get rewarded for bringing a diverse perspective, said Riley Yesno, an Anishinaabe researcher and fellow at the Yellowhead Institute. She pointed to special grants for Indigenous academics and the added attention of hiring committees as being among the many ways that people can benefit from an Indigenous voice now. I think people know that, and I think there are people who are not ashamed to capitalize on that, Ms. Yesno said. At the University of Saskatchewan, the allegations against Ms. Bourassa surfaced after some of her Indigenous colleagues investigated her past, suspicious of her shifting public descriptions of her background. She began her career claiming to be only Metis, but later adopted the two other heritages, according to reporting by the C.B.C., and began wearing more traditional Indigenous attire. Those colleagues, who said Ms. Bourassa deceived them and gained funding and credibility because of her claims, submitted a formal complaint to the university and a federal science funding body. By Trend Energy and energy efficiency are the key directions of cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan, Acting Head of the EU Cooperation Victor Giner said during a seminar on raising awareness in the field of energy efficiency, Trend reports. "The EU has been supporting Azerbaijan in its efforts to implement energy efficiency policy since 2017, when the first draft law on the efficient use of energy resources and energy efficiency was prepared under the EU4Energy project. After the adoption of the law in 2021, during 2022, the EU financed a project aimed at support for further energy efficiency improvements in Azerbaijan," he said. According to Giner, group of international and national experts worked together with Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan to develop by-laws on the energy efficiency of buildings, eco-design and energy labeling of electrical appliances. He also noted that the EU and Azerbaijan are constantly expanding cooperation in energy sector, which can be proved by memorandum signed with the EU this summer, which is aimed to expand Southern Gas Corridor and double the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe. "The EU will continue to develop energy cooperation with Azerbaijan, finding new opportunities and providing political desire with adequate financial support," Giner said. This effort at distraction, if that is what it is, however, has come at a heavy price to Mr. Lukashenko. Increasingly, he is seen by Ukraine and the West as a complicit ally of Russia, who deserves to be slapped with the same heavy sanctions already imposed on Russia. It has also energized his political foes. Silenced inside Belarus by mass arrests after the 2020 protests, Mr. Lukashenkos exiled and often fractious opponents have a new spring in their step, believing that Russia is now inadvertently helping their cause by pushing the Belarusian leader into a dangerous corner. Long committed to peaceful protest, the opposition movement has also taken a more radical turn as activists like Mr. Kabanchuk take up arms in Ukraine. Ms. Tikhanovskaya and her supporters still promote nonviolent change but also express support for Belarusian fighters in Ukraine. Praising members of the Kalinouski Regiment as brave men and women, Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to Ms. Tikhanovskaya, said they were risking their own lives and health because they understand that if Ukraine wins, Belarus has a chance for changes. If the Ukrainians lose, he said, there will be no Ukraine and no Belarus. Tomas Dapkus contributed reporting from Vilnius, Lithuania. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February, the large Ukrainian diaspora has played a pivotal role in assuring that the human cost of war remains front and center in the global consciousness. Many have taken to the streets to show solidarity with their country and to vent their anger. On Friday, protests in Barcelona and Athens against the Russian invasion had particular resonance as Ukraine marked its Day of Defenders, a public holiday honoring military members. Hanging over both events was Russias recent illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions, which has spurred indignation among the worlds Ukrainian community. At the protest in Barcelona, one woman held a sign showing the head of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, emblazoned with the words Stop Russia. That sentiment was echoed in Syntagma Square in Athens, long the site of many historic political demonstrations, where some protesters condemned Russia as a terrorist state. ISTANBUL The death toll from an explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey rose to at least 41 workers on Saturday, with 11 others injured, making it the worst mining disaster in the country in eight years. The blast on Friday evening inside a state-owned mine in the town of Amasra, near the Black Sea, appeared to have been caused by the combustion of gases inside the mine, officials said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the site on Saturday with other officials, miners and rescue workers, and he announced that the body of one missing miner had been found, increasing the death toll to 41. He said he would work to end such disasters. We dont want to see deficiencies or unnecessary risks, he said. School officials say they are working to expand programs for English language learners and to add more Spanish-speaking teachers and social workers, but admitted that the process was challenging. The schools chancellor, David C. Banks, said many of the new pupils had experienced a high level of trauma on their journeys to New York City, and recounted meeting a young girl who almost drowned while she was crossing the Darien Gap in Panama. There are no easy answers here. We are all very clear about that, Mr. Banks said. Were figuring it out as we go and doing the best that we can. The citys public schools have been losing students, and funding, in recent years, and the migrant students may help offset some of those losses, though some schools say they have struggled to respond to the influx. Parent organizations have responded with clothing and food drives to help the newcomers settle in. The Education Department said it would set up borough response teams to coordinate some of these efforts. Will the flow of migrants continue? On Tuesday, it was reported that the Biden administration is considering a humanitarian parole program for Venezuelans in an effort to discourage those fleeing the country from crossing into the country illegally. The program would be similar to one established for Ukrainians and would require Venezuelans who apply to have someone in the United States able to financially support them for up to two years. But the plan would also allow the government to expel migrants to Mexico if they do not have sponsors in the United States, which would limit the number of people crossing the border. On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mr. Adams said they were pleased with the Biden administrations new plan. We now have a path, Ms. Hochul said. Were going to start seeing the flow of individuals stemmed. Emma G. Fitzsimmons , Juan B. Garcia , Jasmine Sheena and Tea Kvetenadze contributed reporting. OFFALY'S Glenisk was among the winners announced at the 2022 Bord Bia National Organic Awards yesterday evening, which saw seven organic farmers, growers, producers and manufacturers honoured for their contribution to the sector. Organic dairy processor Glenisk was announced as the overall winner in the Retail category for its Organic Greek Style Yogurt. Sli Eile Support Services won the Business in the Community category, which acknowledges the achievements of businesses in their local communities, for its organic farm social enterprise that supports those in mental health recovery; while Dunnes Stores was awarded a Special Recognition Award for its commitment to the organic sector in Ireland. Butler's Organic Eggs were awarded the Marketing Campaign Award, while the New & Innovative Award was taken by Supernature Ltd for its Hazel Butter Cups. Coghlans Artisan Bakery were announced the winner of the Private Label category for its Organic Sourdough Loaves, Beechlawn Organic Farm were awarded the e-Commerce Award for their Grown in Ireland Veg Box, and the Export Award was won by Flahavan's Organic Porridge Oats. Speaking at the event, Pippa Hackett Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said; Id like to share my warmest congratulations with the winners of the 2022 Bord Bia National Organic Awards. Their innovation, creativity, and determination are a testament to the excellent standards in the Irish organic industry. The ambition of our award winners is particularly relevant at the current time with thousands of farmers considering going organic when the Organic Farming Scheme opens shortly with increased payment rates. The environmental and economic benefits of organic farming are needed now more than ever, and our winners for 2022 signal a bright future ahead for the Irish organic sector. Bord Bia Interim CEO Michael Murphy said; This is a wonderful bi-annual event and were delighted to be back in person this year to celebrate these high-quality suppliers and recognise developments within the organic sector. With over 120 applications to the awards this year, and the increasingly high calibre entries, its clear that passion and innovation are thriving in this vibrant sector. At Bord Bia we are committed to supporting the long-term growth and vitality of the Irish organic sector in line with Food Vision 2030, and Id like to take this opportunity to congratulate this years winners and thank them for their invaluable contribution to this growing and dynamic sector. Winners of the 2022 National Organic Awards will receive a one-to-one session with the Bord Bia Client Capability team who will help develop a bespoke package of supports to meet individual company needs. Over 120 entries were made to the 2022 awards, which saw a wide selection of organic produce from across the country virtually assessed by an independent judging panel of organic Irish food and drink industry leaders. PLANNING permission has been granted for a light aircraft landing strip, hangar and clubhouse in Offaly. Funfly Aerosports Flying Club plans to develop the facility on land owned by Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick at Killeen and Benfield, Cloneyhurke. They applied for consent to build a 722 sq m hangar and a clubhouse 113 sq m in size. The grass landing strip will be 623m long and 30m wide. Funfly has four Savannah S small airplanes and they have already been operating out of the Clonbullogue airfield. The club is a flight training organisation approved by the Irish Aviation Authority and in documents lodged with Offaly County Council, the club says it has has developed a reputation as being one of the friendliest, inclusive flying clubs in Ireland. Funfly offer flying training courses and the club directors say they will strive to make Benfield Airfield the leading training facility in the country for sport aviation and associated ground studies. The club directors named in the planning application were Mark Brereton, Mark Dwyer and Padraig Reilly. The application for planning approval was first made at the end of last year and it attracted submissions from one person who claimed the landing path would be over a local national school and a couple living directly across the road who were concerned about noise, echo, vibrations, invasion of privacy, property values, road traffic, animals being spooked and the creation of an eyesore. Funfly engaged consultants who carried out studies and concluded that noise would not exceed nuisance or annoyance levels. The club described itself as community orientated and said it will demonstrate respect for each other and our neighbours. Funfly told the council it was incorrect of a submission to say the approach to the airfield was over a school and said any previous noise may have been caused by military aircraft. In addition to providing flying lessons, the club say they will facilitate amateur aircraft construction through a "Build-A-Plane project" where club members and local secondary school students help build a kit aeroplane. The club said the chosen site is Class G Airspace, which is unrestricted, therefore training can take place at higher altitudes. There are no significant obstacles within the area, with a generous amount of large open fields, which are not inhabited. Furthermore, there are areas that are away from towns and villages where training can take place. Operation of the airfield will be weather dependent and will be from 9am to 4pm during the winter and 9am to 8pm during the summer, taking place in good weather only, when there is good visibility, no rain and light wind. Average winter operations can be reduced to about two training days per week, the club said and flying will be at altitudes above 2,000 feet away from the airfield. Take off and landing training will be distributed around other airfields as well to keep noise in the community to a minimum. While the maximum number of takeoffs and landings would be 25 per day each, actual movements are likely to be significantly lower than this on most days. The club has four Savannah S aircraft and the instructors have in excess of 30,000 hours of flight experience and make safety the number one priority. Funfly said all residents were approached in advance of the application and told the council: There is widespread support for this development as evidenced by the lack of residents objecting... The noise footprint of club aircraft is very low and not dissimilar to that of a passing car or tractor. The club said the amenity will have many benefits for the local community. It sources all its fuel and various other supplies locally and The airstrip will be available to visiting pilots from overseas who may use [it] as a base to explore the local area. This will benefit the hospitality and tourism sector locally. The 3.19ha site will be leased from Cllr Fitzpatrick, a Fianna Fail representative who has a farm in Benfield. The estimated 1,440 stroke survivors in Offaly are being urged to join a series of live and recorded talks offering supports ahead of World Stroke Day. The Irish Heart Foundation is co-ordinating a series of expert-led online talks to provide vital support to patients who need help coping with the after effects of stroke. One survivor has told how in an instant, my whole world was taken from me and is backing the information campaign as an essential tool in the recovery process. Teacher Fiona Bardon, from Dublins Terenure, woke up feeling sick in August 2019 and suffered a seizure at home, breaking her shoulder as she fell, before being rushed to A & E and told she had a stroke. To say I was lost is a complete understatement; I wasnt able to complete tasks independently, she said. I had no energy, I was hugely fatigued and I wasnt able to regulate my emotions. I was incapable of communicating my thoughts. I was under constant supervision so I felt like I was back to being a child. Before World Stroke Day on October 29, survivors, their families and healthcare professionals are invited to register for the Irish Heart Foundation talks - seven of which are live via Zoom and three of which will take place in the Irish Heart Foundations Life after Stroke Facebook group. They include discussions on secondary prevention (Oct 26), involving stroke nurses from Dublins Mater Hospital and focussing on medical and lifestyle methods to reduce a patients chances of suffering a further stroke. A talk on October 25 offers advice on supporting a stroke patient returning home from hospital, how to navigate daily tasks and adjusting to cognitive changes. Others focus on managing fatigue (Oct 24), mindfulness for relaxation and stress management (Oct 25) and State grants/entitlements for stroke patients (Oct 28). Healthy eating and lifestyle advice (Oct 27) is also examined, while participants will also hear personal stories from other stroke survivors (Oct 26). We want to reach people living with stroke, their carers and healthcare professionals, said Helen Gaynor, Head of Community Services with the Irish Heart Foundation. Stroke affects the whole family. Isolation is often a major factor and some people cant meet socially, they may have lost confidence, so talks like these where people can meet others in similar situations is very empowering. For more details and to register for the free talks, taking place between October 24-28, go to: https://irishheart.ie/news/world-stroke-day-stoke-talks-2022/. Governor General Mary Simon says that while she thinks the way catering expenses for her trip to the Middle East in March were portrayed in the media was "unfair," a review is underway to minimize the cost of future voyages. Oman-based Khimji Ramdas Group has announced that one of its units Eshraqa has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to help enhance the infrastructure of government schools in Wilayat Dima Watayeen, by equipping them with smart TV, smart interactive boards and security cameras. By providing digital amenities such as smart TVs and innteractive boards, Eshraqa aims to help the schools make lessons more engaging, interactive and productive for both students and teachers, said the statement from KR Group. Built on the premise that the private sector has a responsibility towards the development of local communities and empowering talented individuals in the sultanate, Eshraqa works toward nation-building at the grassroots, said the statement. It aspires to contribute meaningfully to the education sector by building infrastructure that will lead to the enhancement of knowledge, skills, and capabilities in society, it added. This constant support to education comes as a continuation of Eshraqas initiatives to develop and improve the sector, by providing infrastructure that is at par with modern education globally and it comes in line with Omans Vision 2040 goals, remarked Nailesh Khimji, the Director of Khimji Ramdas Group, after signing the deal with Majid bin Said Al Bahri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Administrative and Financial Affairs at the third Oman Science Festival, held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC). The infrastructure and learning environment of schools have a direct impact on students and teachers, and on the quality of education, stated Khimji. "This MoU is thus an endeavour to empower students; and support the efforts of educators in Dima Watayeen, to deliver a comprehensive educational experience that will positively contribute to the future of Omani youth and strengthen the sultanates human capital," he noted. Lauding the initiative, Al Bahri said: "Children across the country deserve a quality education to embark on their lifes journeys successfully and become the leaders of tomorrow. We thank Khimji Ramdas' Eshraqa for their commitment to the development and progress of local communities; and urge other private sector companies to participate in similar efforts that help strengthen the education sector." "As a body that focuses on community well-being in multiple capacities, Eshraqa has and will always support learning initiatives as part of its core belief to build better communities through education," he stated. "Under its core pillar Eshraqa Learns the team has delivered a broad range of initiatives across Oman, since its inception in 2016, and has supported 82 government schools across five wilayats namely Samail, Bidbid, Izki, Ibra, and Bidiyiah," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Canada's top soldier is appealing to the country to support the military as it struggles to fill its ranks, saying the personnel crisis is threatening its ability to protect and defend Canada. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) There are few surprises expected on Election Day in solidly Republican Arkansas, where Donald Trump's former press secretary is heavily favored in the race for governor and other GOP candidates are considered locks. But one big exception is the campaign to make Arkansas the first state in the South to legalize recreational marijuana. A proposal to change the state's constitution is drawing millions of dollars from opponents and supporters of legalization, with ads crowding the airwaves. President Joe Biden's recent announcement that he will pardon thousands of people for simple marijuana possession has shined a new spotlight on the legalization efforts in Arkansas and four other states. Voters in Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota are also taking up measures on recreational marijuana. Biden's step toward decriminalizing the drug could provide a boost for legalization in some of the most conservative parts of the country, experts say. The most powerful elected leader in the world has publicly declared it was a mistake to criminalize people for using cannabis and I think that will go a long way with voters who may be on the fence," said Mason Tvert, partner at VS Strategies, a cannabis policy and public affairs firm. Biden's announcement only covers people convicted under the federal law. But he has called on governors to issue similar pardons for those convicted of state marijuana offenses, which reflect the vast majority of marijuana possession cases. The president also directed his health secretary and attorney general to review how marijuana is scheduled under federal law. The moves come as opposition to legalization has softened around the country, with recreational marijuana legal in 19 states, despite resistance at the federal level. Advocates say it... The Prince of Wales believes Netflix is profiteering from his mother's BBC Panorama interview, palace sources have suggested.Parts of the interview with Diana, Princess of Wales, will be depicted in the new series of The Crown as... Only after the Six Day War in 1967 did I become a proud Zionist. And through Zionism, I discovered the power of Jewish history, culture and tradition, and later in prison, religion. The new chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said there "were mistakes" in Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget. Some voters in Atlanta told Fox News they did not like either of their senate candidates, while others stood firmly in support of Sen. Raphael Warnock. A lot has been said and written about Britains political and economic woes since Brexit, and even more so over the last two.. Eurasia Review 13 Oct 2022 Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia refused to give a yes or no answer on whether he believes President Biden should run for reelection in 2024. Just Stop Oil climate activists have clashed with a motorist who said he was trying to take his partner to hospital as they blocked.. Sky News 15 Oct 2022 Bahrain's leading telecom services operator Batelco has collaborated with the Carrier & Wholesale division of e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group) to establish a new Point-of-Presence (POP) in the companys SmartHub, one of the UAEs leading carrier-neutral data centers, that will enable Batelcos business customers to harness extensive interconnection capabilities globally. Through the partnership, e&s SmartHub ecosystem of interconnected communities will provide Batelcos business customers with seamless reachability to Eastern destinations such India and neighbouring Pakistan, alongside access to the lowest latency and optimised connectivity performance. Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer, e&, said: "SmartHub is an innovative regional exchange, capacity and mobility platform that clients and partners rely on for their business-critical requirements. Our SmartHub data centres have always been the ICT nexus between countries and continents, meeting clients' ever-evolving needs across the globe." "In line with our overall strategy to bring transformative technologies and innovative solutions to our customers and partners, we stay committed to delivering a superior customer experience through creating and deploying unique digitalisation services. We are proud of our partnership with Batelco wherein we can create a thriving interconnection ecosystem that benefits customers," he stated. Batelcos Chief Global Business Officer Hani Askar said the launch of its new POP in e&s SmartHub is in line with Batelcos network optimisation plans. "We are pleased to build on our partnership with e& by establishing a physical presence in SmartHub to expand our connectivity through interconnecting with many new partners, with a focus on enhancing links to the subcontinent to meet our customers needs," he noted. "Batelco is committed to adding new points of presence in strategic locations with key partners and through collaborations with leading international data centres and carriers," remarked Askar. "This helps us support our business customers by enabling them to be part of a vibrant ecosystem to meet their evolving needs driven by the rapidly changing digital environment," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Islamabad, Oct 15 (UNI) After reports of some 200 unidentified and decomposing bodies on the roof of Nishtar Hospital's mortuary in Multan, Punjab, government has launched a probe, Pakistan media reported. A top official from Multan's Nishtar Hospital blamed the police and rescue officials for the decaying bodies at the medical facility's rooftop after the videos of corpses on the hospital's roof left the nation in shock on Friday. Following the reports of multiple unidentified decomposing bodies on the medical facility's rooftop, the Punjab government and Nishtar Medical University's vice-chancellor formed separate committees. Nishtar Medical University's (NMU) Head of Anatomy Department Dr Mariam Ashraf told Geo TV news that the rescue officials and police were to blame for the piling up of bodies in the morgue and on its roof. Ashraf said that the medical facility could not refuse to accept the bodies as it was bound to take them in as safekeeping. "Police and rescue officials ask us to keep it in the hospital." "The police and rescue officials do not take them back on time. We have written documents in which we have asked them to take the bodies. Since there is a lag, such things happen," the official said. The hospital official said the bodies that the medical facility receives from police are usually decayed and they cannot be kept in the mortuary. "As a result of their condition, maggots start eating them and they can travel from one body to another. This is why, the bodies that are decaying are kept on the roof, where there are three rooms." Rubbishing claims that there were 200 or some bodies on the rooftop, the hospital official said that the medical facility's administration has counted the exact number of bodies and shared the details with all the concerned authorities. "Let me make it clear, only a few bodies were kept above. Putrified bodies are kept in the room." In reply to a question about the nonfunctional morgues, she said the hospital administration recently held a meeting with the Secretary of Health at Punjab Secondary Healthcare and Medical Education Department. In the meeting, a new mortuary was sanctioned for the hospital along with the funding for the civil works for the dedicated structures to be built for keeping the bodies. "Our institute absorbs the bulk of the load of the province in terms of receiving such bodies." Ashraf also defended the claims of several bodies being on the roof and said that not all of them were whole as autopsied bodies were also among them. She explained that as the autopsied bodies are not whole and their organs and limbs are sometimes not attached to the body so they look like a pile of human body parts. Punjab Police Spokesperson DIG Muhammad Waqas Nazir admitted that these were the abandoned bodies handed over to the hospital by the police under the inquest, which is the requirement of the law. In a letter to the secretary of specialised healthcare South Punjab, the hospital admitted that bodies were stored on the rooftop of the facility for decomposing and after completion of the process, their bones were to use for education purposes, he said while rejecting the allegations of the hospital. However, due to the negligence of the hospitals staff, the bodies were kept in the open air on the rooftop, Nazir added. UNI ING 1. Denver lays claim to the invention of the cheeseburger - The trademark for the name Cheeseburger was awarded on March 5, 1935 to Louis Ballast. His Humpty Dumpty restaurant at 2776 North Speer Blvd. is pictured. Its now a Key Bank. Photo Courtesy of Rocky Mountain News. Colorado is the only state in history to turn down the Olympics 2. Colorado is the only state in history to turn down the Olympics - In 1976 the Winter Olympics were planned to be held in Denver. Voters cho 2. Colorado is the only state in history to turn down the Olympics - In 1976 the Winter Olympics were planned to be held in Denver. Voters chose not to host the Olympics because of the cost, pollution and population boom it would have on the state of Colorado, and the city of Denver. Photo Courtesy of Denver Public Library via Westword. The world's first rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail 3. The world's first rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail - Santa Fe, N.M., Pecos, Texas and Prescott, Ariz. all claim to have held 3. The world's first rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail - Santa Fe, N.M., Pecos, Texas and Prescott, Ariz. all claim to have held the first rodeo as well. Well stick with Deer Trail. Photo Courtesy of Deer Trail Rodeo Facebook page. Truly a mile high 4. Truly a mile high - The 13th step of the state capital building in Denver is exactly one mile high above sea level. 4. Truly a mile high - The 13th step of the state capital building in Denver is exactly one mile high above sea level. Photo Courtesy of Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Center. The Eisenhower Tunnel is the highest auto tunnel in North America 5. The Eisenhower Tunnel is the highest auto tunnel in the world - The Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel between Clear Creek & Summit coun 5. The Eisenhower Tunnel is North America's highest auto tunnel - The Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel between Clear Creek & Summit counties is the highest auto tunnel in North America. It was the highest tunnel in the world when it was first completed in 1979. Bored at an elevation of 11,000 feet under the Continental Divide, it is 8,960 feet long and the average daily traffic exceeds 26,000 vehicles. Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press. The federal government owns more than 1/3 of Colorado land 6. The federal government owns more than 1/3 of Colorado land - In this map national forests are in red, national grasslands are in light gree 6. The federal government owns more than 1/3 of Colorado land - In this map national forests are in red, national grasslands are in light green, Bureau of Land Management land is yellow, national parks are dark green, national monuments are brown and Native American reservations are pink. Photo Courtesy of David Benbennick via Wikipedia. You can be in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah all at the same time 7. You can be in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah all at the same time - Colorado's southwest corner borders Arizona, New Mexico and Uta 7. You can be in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah all at the same time - Colorado's southwest corner borders Arizona, New Mexico and Utah and is the only place in America where the corners of four states meet. Photo Courtesy of Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette. Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous street in America 8. Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous street in America - At 26.5 miles long, Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous 8. Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous street in America - At 26.5 miles long, Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous commercial street in America. Photo Courtesy of Bruce McAllister via Wikipedia. The world's largest natural hot springs pool is located in Glenwood Springs 9. The world's largest natural hot springs pool is located in Glenwood Springs - The two-block long pool is across the street from the histori 9. The world's largest natural hot springs pool is located in Glenwood Springs - The two-block long pool is across the street from the historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite stop of former president Teddy Roosevelt. Photo Courtesy of Glenwood Hot Springs. Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest railway train in the world 10. Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest railway train in the world - The Pikes Peak Cog Railway runs on cog wheels and special track with t 10. Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the highest railway train in the world - The Pikes Peak Cog Railway runs on cog wheels and special track with teeth that allow the train to climb the mountain. Photo Courtesy of the Gazette. Colorado once had 3 Governors in a single day 11. Colorado once had 3 Governors in a single day - On March 17, 1905, Democrat Alva Adams, left, was forced to resign because of election imp 11. Colorado once had 3 Governors in a single day - On March 17, 1905, Democrat Alva Adams, left, was forced to resign because of election improprieties (one district had 717 votes for Adams but only 100 registered voters). He was replaced by Republican James H. Peabody, center, who had run against him in the election, on the condition that he immediately resign. He did so, yielding to his Lieutenant Governor, Jesse F. McDonald, right. Courtesy photo. We have the world's largest flat-top mountain 12. We have the world's largest flat-top mountain - The world's largest flat-top mountain is the Grand Mesa near Grand Junction. 12. We have the world's largest flat-top mountain - The world's largest flat-top mountain is Grand Mesa near Grand Junction. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Leadville sits at 10,152 feet, making it the highest city in the U.S. 13. Leadville sits at 10,152 feet, making it the highest city in the U.S. - Because there were lots of "silver" named towns at the time, the f 13. Leadville sits at 10,152 feet, making it the highest city in the U.S. - Because there were lots of "silver" named towns at the time, the founding fathers suggested Leadville. Courtesy photo. The highest paved road in North America is the Mount Evans Scenic Byway 14. The highest paved road in North America is the Mount Evans Scenic Byway - Right off of I-70 near Idaho Springs, the Road climbs up to 14,2 14. The highest paved road in North America is the Mount Evans Scenic Byway - Right off of I-70 near Idaho Springs, the Road climbs up to 14,258 Ft. above sea level. Pictured is the parking lot, Crest House and Meyer-Womble Observatory. Photo Courtesy of Daniel Schwen via Wikipedia. The Park Theater in Estes Park was the state's first place to catch a movie 15. The Park Theater in Estes Park was the state's first place to catch a movie - Built in 1913, the Park Theater in Estes Park is the oldest 15. The Park Theater in Estes Park was the state's first place to catch a movie - Built in 1913, the Park Theater in Estes Park is the oldest movie theater in Colorado and among the oldest worldwide. Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons. 16. Rocky Ford is the "melon capital of the world." - Located in the Arkansas Valley, Rocky Ford has been dubbed the "melon capital of the world." Their high school mascot is the Meloneer. Photo Courtesy of Teresa Farney, The Gazette. The highest suspension bridge in the world is over the Royal Gorge 17. The highest suspension bridge in the world is over the Royal Gorge - The Royal Gorge Bridge spans the Arkansas River at a height of 1,053 feet. 17. The highest suspension bridge in the world is over the Royal Gorge - The Royal Gorge Bridge spans the Arkansas River at a height of 1,053 feet. Photo Courtesy of the Gazette. 121221-cal-july.jpg Dune field at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (Christian Murdock) 18. The Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest dune in North America - The tallest sand dune in North America is the Star Dune in Great Sand Dunes National Monument outside of Alamosa. It rises approximately 750 feet above the floor of the San Luis Valley. Photo Courtesy of the Gazette. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc of Vietnam beat 70 other contestants to win the Miss Intercontinental 2022 pageant on Friday, October 14 at the Meraki Resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc of Vietnam beat 70 other contestants to win the Miss Intercontinental 2022 pageant on Friday, October 14 at the Meraki Resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The 21-year-old model succeeds last year's winner Cinderella Faye Obenita of the Philippines and made history by becoming the first-ever representative from Vietnam to win the title in the pageant's 50-year history. Puerto Rico's Mariela Pepin was named first runner-up while Brazil's Maria Cecilia Almeida de Sousa finished as the second runner-up. Joy Raimi Mojisola of Nigeria, Tatjana Genrich of Germany, and Emmy Marianne Carrero Mora of Venezuela were announced as the third, fourth, and fifth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 20 were the contestants from Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Philippines, Netherlands, Russia, Hungary, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Colombia. The new Miss Intercontinental was born in Can Tho, a city known for its canal network and nearby floating markets at the heart of southern Vietnams Mekong Delta region. Prior to being appointed as Miss Intercontinental Vietnam, she participated in Miss World Vietnam 2022 where she placed first runner-up. Joining the international competition in Egypt was her first-ever travel experience outside of her beloved country. Apart from winning the coveted title, she also bagged the continental title of Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania during the Top 6 announcement. "To be the most beautiful woman of all continents means to be a woman who possesses all qualities of a modern-day queen and who is committed to being an ambassador for her community," she said in her bio on the Miss Intercontinental website. "I am determined to bring the brightest values and most authentic version of a modern Vietnamese woman, of myself. It is my goal to represent my roots and to connect across cultures, and to make new friends with all other contestants," she added. Meet the new Miss Intercontinental in her national costume: Arrested 'hybrid' militant killed in firing during raid 19 Oct 2022 | 8:19 AM Srinagar, Oct 19 (UNI) A "hybrid" militant of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who was allegedly involved in the grenade lobbying incident that left two non local migrant labourers dead, was killed during a raid in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. see more.. 5 kids drown in MP 19 Oct 2022 | 1:59 AM Katni (MP), Oct 18 (UNI) A birthday celebration transformed into a heartrending tragedy when five minors met a watery grave while bathing in a river at this districts Garra Ghat situated a kilometre from Deora Khurd village within New Katni Junction Police Station limits. see more.. Perpetrators of terrorism have to pay heavy price for their heinous act; LG Sinha 18 Oct 2022 | 11:25 PM Srinagar, Oct 18 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that perpetrators who are aiding and abetting terrorists have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act. see more.. HP logs 3 more Covid cases: Zero Deaths 18 Oct 2022 | 10:29 PM Dharamshala, Oct 18 (UNI) With the number of the fresh Covid 19 cases in the state detected and at least 3 fresh cases tested positive on Tuesday for the lethal novel Cornelius in one day, in Himachal Pradesh pushing the Himachal Pradesh state caseload to 312394. All the 3 fresh cases are from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. see more.. Antananarivo, Madagascar (PANA) The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched the Anticipatory Action system as part of efforts fo boost the ability of smallholder farmers to withstand shocks as the country approaches the lean season with up to 1 Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The Tenth Climate Change and Development Conference in Africa (CCDA-X) will be held from 24 to 28 October in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, the organisers said on Saturday Photo: (Photo : Rudy and Peter Skitterians) The remains of dozens of child sacrifice victims were found in Peru, and many more are likely waiting to be discovered, per Live Science. Gabriel Prieto, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Florida, who directed the excavations at Pampa La Cruz, the site near Huanchaco where the remains were found, told the outlet that the numerous skeletons found serve as the evidence that the children's hearts were removed. Seventy-six skeletons had a transversal clean cut across the sternum. Prieto suggested that the individuals involved in the child sacrifice possibly opened up the kid's rib cage and conceivably extracted the heart. The assistant professor added that kids were buried in an extended position with their feet placed toward the east. Youths were buried on top of an artificial mound. The reason the sacrifices were located in a particular position is still not known. The archaeologists thought that the area, specifically the mound was free of Chimu child sacrifices, but the findings were the opposite. So far, 323 child sacrifice victims have been found at the site, while 137 children and three adult sacrifice victims were discovered at a nearby site called Las Llamas. Excavations have been underway continuously at Pampa La Cruz for several years. Read Also: Choking Hazard: M&M's Does Not Quickly Dissolve Once It Hits Saliva Child sacrifice victims can be more than 1,000 According to the archaeological finding, there are likely many more child sacrifices remaining to be discovered near Huanchaco, and the outcome could be more than 1,000 child victims. On the other hand, radiocarbon dating needs to be done on the 76 newly uncovered skeletons recently discovered at Pampa La Cruz dated between A.D. 1100 and 1200. Around the period, the Chimu people flourished in the area, known for their fine metalwork and the city of Chan Chan. Prieto added the Chimu the reason the Chimu engaged in child sacrifice in the area on such a large scale is still unclear. The Chimu also established an artificial irrigation system and new agricultural fields nearby, and some sacrifices may have been made to sanctify the agricultural system. Richard Sutter, an anthropology professor at Purdue University Fort Wayne, part of the team assigned at Huanchaco, said the community might be carrying a long-running practice in the area. Peter Eeckhout, a professor of pre-Columbian art and archaeology at the Universite libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, said in an email that some cases of child sacrifices were known from the Andean area. Catherine Gaither, an independent bioarchaeologists, added that such a form of sacrifice is somehow related to a cultural response to environmental changes that brought substantial cultural upheaval. Child sacrifices are real and still currently existing Caleb Wilde, a blogger, witnessed child sacrifice and said that it happens and is real and not just made from the imagination after he went to Uganda and suddenly heard a loud scream and crying. He immediately ran to the area where the screams were coming and found a mom hysterically yelling over the lifeless body of her 8-year-old son. The incident happened only moments before she found her child. Wilde picked up the child's body and drove to the nearest medical clinic, thinking the child could still be saved as his body was still moving. When he returned to the village, a mob of mad tribesmen had killed the murderer. He admitted the incident traumatized him until now. Since then, he has become one of the individuals to protect kids from being child sacrifice victims, per World Vision. Related Article: Two Men Admits Murdering 6-Year-old Boy as Human Sacrifice to Gain Prosperity Photo: (Photo : Adam) Makeup can permanently harm the skin's barrier and structure, causing the skin to be more sensitive even to water. Allowing your kids to wear makeup may only cause teenage acne later, specifically due to insufficient product removal combined with unhygienic behaviors that clog pores and eventually spread bacteria. Joanna Schlip, the celebrity makeup artist, says that tweens should not wear a full face of makeup but suggests they can use sunblock as their foundation if they want to. The American Academy of Pediatrics also added that makeup in kids could damage 1-3 year old's skin, making it extra-sensitive, as some cosmetics can cause an allergic reaction. While wearing makeup boosts a person's confidence, makeup products can cause dryness, itchiness, redness, and irritation to the skin. Dr. Lynn Chiam, a dermatologist with Children & Adult Skin Hair Laser Clinic, said a kid's skin is sensitive and thinner, making them more prone to damaging elements as their skin still cannot defend itself against any irritants. Wearing makeup in kids is already damaging, especially prolonged use. Read Also: How Coloring Books Can Be a Healthy Way to Relieve Stress Some makeup contains toxic ingredients Dr. Chiam added that most kids are curious about almost everything. As a result, they would use and share makeup with friends, which can transmit bacteria and eventually lead to dermatitis of the skin and lips and flaking. Kids absorb more through the skin as they have a high surface-to-volume ratio. Some makeup contains chemical ingredients that could harm a person's health. Contaminants found in cosmetics range from lead and asbestos to phthalates and more. Data published on Medical News Today stated that certain chemicals in makeup and other cosmetic products are associated with serious health concerns, such as cancer and endocrine disorders that affect the production of hormones in the body. However, in the United States, no law requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve cosmetics, which only means that other than color additives, makeup contains many dangerous chemicals with no regulation. Thus, when kids use cosmetics, their skin absorbs chemicals that gradually enter the bloodstream. They can also inhale or ingest the products, putting them at risk. Schlip suggests to individuals, including kids, that there is "no amount of makeup can beat a smile," per the Los Angeles Times. When should kids start wearing makeup? While there is no appropriate age when wearing makeup, parents should bear in mind that using any cosmetic products can surely damage kids' skin and produce future problems and issues with their physical appearance. Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein, a clinical psychologist, says that many kids start wearing makeup between the ages of 12-15 or younger when they start experimenting with their friends during playdates. Kids would start doing anything even if they are warned not to; thus, educating them on the possible consequences of wearing any cosmetic products is important. Furthermore, young ones should practice healthy makeup habits, such as not leaving it overnight, as it will only bring more damage to the skin. If kids have decided to wear makeup, they should also know how to remove it to protect their skin from many more possible effects, Revere Health says. Related Article: When Is Your Child Old Enough To Start Cutting Their Own Nails? Photo: (Photo : Getty Image/Aris Messinis) It was the morning rush hour on a Monday, and the children were headed off to school when Russian bombs rained down on Kyiv, signaling a war returning to the Ukrainian capital. Fourteen deaths and 100 injured were confirmed after Russian missiles attacked Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, and other cities across Ukraine, in what President Vladimir Putin established was a revenge for the attack on a key bridge that connects Russia to occupied Crimea last Saturday. The attack on the bridge was said to gravely damage the only route for military supplies for the war to reach the Russian army in the south of Ukraine. Putin put the blames of the bridge explosion on Ukraine, and is threatening to do more strikes in defense to what he calls "terrorist attacks" "If attempts to carry out terrorist attacks on our territory continue, the measures taken by Russia will be tough and in their scale will correspond to the level of threats posed to the Russian Federation. No one should have any doubt about it," Putin threatened in a released video Monday. 'Cowards' to blast a university, park, and playground There were at least 14 regions in total struck by Putin's "revenge bombs", resulting to a widespread blackouts. Water supply problems and other utility issues across Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that there were 84 Russian cruise missiles and 24 drones launched, with 56 of those shot down by the Ukrainian air defenses. Energy infrastructure has been the target across the country. There were at least 70 infrastructure sites that had been damaged with 29 of those labeled as critical, Yahoo News reported. In a speech, Zelensky expressed that the timing of the attacks yesterday was done on purpose to wreak the most damage. Ukrainian lawmaker Lesia Vasylenko took to Twitter and posted a picture of the horrifying aftermath from one of the blasts in Kyiv. Along with the photo, she tweeted and asked what Russia was trying to hit because there was a national university, a park, and even a playground in the area. The senior adviser to the Ukrainian President, Andriy Yermak,declared that the attacks had no "practical military sense." Thus, Russia's only goal was to bring about a "humanitarian catastrophe." He also wrote on Telegram that the Russians are "cowards" as they are striking playgrounds and fighting children and people, once again a signal to the civilized world that "the Russian question must be solved by force." The social media was filled with traumatic videos of Ukrainian civilians narrowly avoiding the attacks in the city, including the blast at the pedestrian bridge of the Arch of Freedom of the Ukrainian people. Hayane Avakian, the editor of Svoi.City, who was heading to work when the missile strikes happened, expressed that everything and everyone in the country is now a target as Russians are attacking the people from all directions. Read Also: U.N. Panel Says Russian Troops Raped and Tortured Kids in Ukraine US sent help to Ukraine Meanwhile, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said to be one of Putin's closest allies, has already ordered his troops to deploy to Ukraine alongside Russian forces, after claiming that Ukraine and Nato are planning to wage war against his country, but was not able to show any evidence on his claim, BBC declared. The President of US, Joe Biden, on the other hand, was said to offer help to Ukraine through sending an advanced air system in a phone conversation with President Zelensky Monday after the attacks. In a statement released by the White House, the President denounced Russia's "senseless attacks" on Ukraine and expressed his condolences to the loved ones of those injured and killed. Related Article: War in Ukraine Puts Spotlight on Country's Surrogate Mothers Photo: (Photo : Getty Images/ Frederick M. Brown) Acting is not the only dream come true, according to one of the top stars in Hollywood. The simple yet deep joy of coming home to her family at the end of a long day is also one of her greatest dream come true. In an interview with CBS Sunday Mornings, Julia Roberts shared her feelings about her amazing career journey and her family life. She emphasized that though acting is her dream come true, it never really consumed her. It is not the only dream come true for her. When asked about her other "dream come true", the Notting Hills actress gushed, "The life that I've built with my husband. The life that we've built with our children. And that's the best stuff. ... The point is to come home at the end of the day triumphantly to them." Love letters even in this millennia The actress and husband, filmmaker Danny Moder, first met in 2000 on the set of The Mexican. They got married and had been Hollywood's most inspiring couples for over 20 years. They share 3 kids namely Henry, 15 years old, and twins Phinneas and Hazel, both 17 years old. Roberts revealed that they are the kind of couple that still writes and sends love letters to each other. It is something that they have "always done," People reported. In fact, while filming Ticket to Paradise, her recent movie, in which she co-stars with George Clooney, she said that she has been sending her husband love letters. She even shared that she still has the first ever love letter her husband has written for her. One day she plans to show it to her daughter Hazel and say that this is the kind of man she is looking for, someone like her daddy. Read Also: What Julia Roberts Will Leave Her Daughter Hazel; World's 'Most Beautiful' Woman Remembers Her Mom On Motherhood In another interview with Hoda Kotb in Today, the 5-time Most Beautiful Woman by People's Magazine, boldly shared how she is not afraid to admit her fault as a mother to her children. She acknowledged that there are times she "gripped with fear" of committing mistakes and missteps in motherhood. However, there are times that she just asked her kids to just take it off the board because she totally blew it. She then expressed her gratitude that like her husband, her children arrived in her life at the perfect time. She met her husband when she was finally ready, and she had their children when they were ready to "best partner with them." The actress was filming away from home for 62 days in a bubble in Australia, the longest she ever was away from her family. She cannot help but praise the Clooney family - wife Amal and twins Alexander and Ella, for keeping her sane during those times. She said that the Clooneys saved her from complete loneliness and despair. Related Article: Julia Roberts Kids: Actress Reveals Secrets of Marriage, Talks About Parenting 3 Children Photo: (Photo : Michael_Luenen) A two-year-old boy has finally been reunited with his parents after a suspected carjacking in Michigan, all thanks to the effort and teamwork of two school bus drivers. Dave Skinner, a driver for Kelloggsville Public Schools in the Grand Rapids area, was on his shift when two parents suddenly flagged down his school bus in Kentwood, Michigan. Skinner recounted to the news outlet that the couple screamed at her that somebody had stolen their vehicle with their baby in it. He revealed that he quickly dialed 911 and also alerted fellow drivers via radio. Fortunately, Sue Figueroa, a fellow bus driver, was paying attention. She had observed a child along the side of a road and quickly turned her bus around. Figueroa added that she saw a child around the corner standing with a blanket on, referring to a surveillance video from her school bus. She was able to return the boy who had been left on the side of the road by the carjacker and wrapped the little child in a blanket. Her actions were caught on camera in the bus surveillance video. After a few minutes, the anxious parents were reunited after Figueroa drove the kid to where his parents were waiting. Read Also: Ohio Woman Charged With Felony Assault and Child Endangerment After Allegedly Using Dog to Attack a Girl Authorities and parents extend gratitude to the bus drivers Kelloggsville Public Schools Superintendent, James Alston, told the news outlet that Mr. Dave Skinner and Ms. Sue Figeroa did an awesome job in getting the toddler back with his parents. He also thanked Kristin Nickelson, director of transportation, who was coordinating both the radio and the buses during the time as the three coordinated and exert extreme effort that solves the problem. Nickelson added the incident could have been worse if not for the two driver's efforts. The mom was terrified and the director cannot imagine what it would have been like not knowing where her child was. She also called the two school bus drivers heroes for their quick actions that day. Skinner added that he doesn't know if they're heroes as drivers are commonly attentive to all the kids in the neighborhoods while picking kids up. Thus, if they see something strange or weird, they quickly get on the radio and holler back. Kentwood Police Department is now looking for the suspected carjacker as the stolen car have also been located in Grand Rapids a short time later, per Good Morning America (GMA). Authorities are asking the general public for help in the search for the thief. Officials asked the public to reach out to the Kentwood Police Department Detective Bureau and contact 616-656-6604. For those tips that want to be anonymous, submit them to Silent Observer at 616-774-2345 or SilentObserver.or Preventing possible car jack incidents Trust your instinct, thus, if something makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable or if you think someone is following you. Get into the car quickly and immediately lock the doors and drive away. Always park in well-lighted areas and avoid parking in an area that limits your visibility. Even if you are rushed, make sure to look around before getting into the car. Remain alert to your surroundings. If carjacking happens to you and the suspect threatens you with a gun, give up your cat as your life is worth more than your car. Do not start an argument and get away from the area as quickly as possible. Village of Glenco to try to remember what the carjacker looked like including special features and clothes. Related Article: Houston Dad Faces Charges for Lying to Authorities About His Child Being Inside Stolen Car to Hasten Search Photo: (Photo : SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images) A couple from Nebraska got a huge surprise when they found out they were expecting a baby. Compounding the shock for both of them was that the woman gave birth just two days later, according to People Magazine. Omaha native Peyton Stover saw her doctor after experiencing symptoms, including fatigue. The 23-year-old assumed those were related to job stress as she is a first-year teacher and thought it was normal to be tired all the time. But after noticing changes in Stover's body, such as swelling in her legs, her doctor told her that a baby was on the way. Stover recalled that they reran the test to make sure. The doctor said it was definitely positive, and they would do an ultrasound. She looked at the screen and told Stover that she was pregnant. Stover had a preeclampsia scare The shocking pregnancy news also came with some concern for the couple. Stover said her kidneys were not performing, and her liver was not working properly. Doctors said Stover was suffering from preeclampsia. Stover's pregnancy condition, also known as toxemia, can cause serious complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition is characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system in the body, most often the kidneys and liver. Stover was immediately scheduled for an emergency C-section to protect her and the baby. Stover's boyfriend, Travis Koesters, who rushed to her side, said that doctors told her she needed to be admitted, and then she had the baby that night. Stover said the doctors were like you are having a baby in 15 minutes. She added that the ordeal was terrifying for her. Stover said that she probably would not have made it through the weekend if she had not come in when she did. Read Also: North Carolina Dad Dies in Avoidable Tragedy After Driving on Bridge to Nowhere Couple welcomes baby boy Kash The couple named their baby boy Kash. He was born ten weeks early and weighed just four pounds. Stover stayed for a week at Methodist Women's Hospital, just a couple of floors up from Kash. Koesters said they went down often, ensuring the baby was good and then back up. Both of them were hoping for future children but are now settling into being new parents practically overnight. Stover told KETV that it is real now that she has actually held him, fed him, and things like that. She added that he is actually mine. Stover is also now listening to her body following this scary experience. She said that she does not like going to the doctor and tries to let things resolve on their own, and now she has learned you can't necessarily do that. Related Article: Alec Baldwin Settles Lawsuit With Family of Cinematographer Killed on the Set of His Movie 'Rust' Photo: (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images) A fired San Antonio cop has posted bond and been released after he was charged with shooting a teenager sitting in his vehicle eating a hamburger. James Brennand posted $200,000 in bonds after turning himself in on Tuesday night to face two counts of aggravated assault by a public official in the October 2 shooting of 17-year-old Erik Cantu, who, according to his family, remained on life support. Jail records showed that Brennand did not have an attorney at the time of his release, according to the Associated Press. Brennand, a 27-year-old rookie cop, reported the car Cantu was sitting in had evaded him during an attempted traffic stop the night before. He suspected that the said vehicle was stolen. Use of deadly force by Brennand was unwarranted In body camera footage released by police, Brennand can be seen opening the car door and telling Cantu to get out. The vehicle then drove backward with the door open, with the police officer firing multiple times into the car. Brennand continued to shoot as the car drove away. Brennand is charged with two counts of assault because a passenger was inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The other passenger was unharmed, according to KENS5. Investigators handling the case determined that Brennand's use of deadly force was not warranted, and he was fired as a result. Charges against Cantu of evading arrest and aggravated assault were both dropped. According to police department spokesman Officer Ricardo Guzman, registration plates did not match the car that Cantu was operating, although the vehicle itself was not stolen. Cantu remained in critical condition in the hospital on Wednesday, October 12. Cantu's family issued a statement through attorney Brian Powers, saying that Erik is still on life-support and non-responsive, but his oxygen levels are improving. The family added that they are being patient and optimistic that better health is coming. They concluded the statement by asking people to please continue keeping Erik in their thoughts and prayers. Read Also: COVID Vaccines for Children Updated as Omicron Booster Shots Cleared for Kids as Young as 5 Oscar Cruz Jr. set to stand trial next month Brennand is the second police officer in San Antonio to face criminal charges this year for what was deemed unjustified use of deadly force. Former officer Oscar Cruz Jr. was indicted by a Bexar County grand jury in February on a charge of deadly conduct with a firearm for firing at fleeing juveniles suspected of trying to open car doors. Cruz is free on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to stand trial next month. He chased the youth on foot back in March 2020 when another juvenile threw a rock at him, hitting him in the face. Cruz fired a couple of shots at the fleeing youths, missing them. He was suspended indefinitely and ultimately fired following the incident, according to KSAT. Cruz may spend some time in jail for his actions as the third-degree felony is punishable by two to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Related Article: Parents Worry After Florida Schools Ask Female Student-Athletes About Their Menstrual History Photo: (Photo : ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP via Getty Images) A Florida mom who thought she would never walk again after getting paralyzed due to COVID-19 recently reunited with her rehabilitation team. The reunion was a sight to behold as Geneva Brier-Daniels was able to walk in on her own and unassisted. The 37-year-old U.S. Navy veteran woke up paralyzed back in September 2021. Brier-Daniels was ultimately diagnosed with transverse myelitis after initially experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms. According to a news release, transverse myelitis is a rare medical condition that causes spinal cord inflammation. Per Mayo Clinic, this neurological disorder often damages the insulating material covering the nerve cell fibers in the body (myelin). Brier-Daniels said transverse myelitis diagnosis dramatically halted her life Brier-Daniels went immediately to the hospital to get treatment. The mom of three was admitted to Orlando Health's Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC). Brier-Daniels said in a statement that she is a go, go, go type of person. She is up before the kids. She goes to sleep way after and is always juggling a couple of side jobs. Brier-Daniels said the diagnosis halted her life dramatically. The Florida mom has worked with rehabilitation teams for the last two years at Orlando Health's ORMC Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation with just one goal: to try and walk again. Orlando Health physical therapy clinical specialist Crissy Voigtmann said in a statement that Brier-Daniels would ask her every day if she was going to walk again. Voigtmann was optimistic, saying she always pushed Brier-Daniels and hoped for the best in her rehab. Voigtmann said Brier-Daniels had all the indications that she would start walking again, but they did not know what that would look like. Read Also: Parents Worry After Florida Schools Ask Female Student-Athletes About Their Menstrual History Brier-Daniels thankful to rehab team as she hopes to return to her old self soon How the deadly coronavirus caused such a serious condition is not known at this stage. Dr. Barinder Mahal, a physician with the Orlando Health Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Institute, told Fox 35 Orlando in an interview that the reasons they developed it are unknown. Mahal explained that the suspected cause in her case was COVID, so they did not have a lot of data to see how patients would do over time. With the slight assist of a cane, Brier-Daniels recently walked back into ORMC to reunite with her rehabilitation team and join other patients who have also been treated for spinal cord injuries. Brier-Daniels said it was hard, but thankfully they know what they are doing. She added that there is something new for her every week, and she is progressing in some way. Brier-Daniels made it clear that this is not the end for her by any means, saying that she has the cane, which she is grateful for, but she is hoping to return to her old self soon. Related Article: Atlanta Dad Shares Emotional Message on Mental Health After Daughter's Tragic Suicide This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions The Board of Directors of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved $250 million for five member states to boost the oil and gas, energy, road infrastructure and agricultural sectors in those countries. The beneficiary countries are Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The approval is part of the intensified efforts by EBID to invest in key sectors to spur post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery. The investment is also to mitigate the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on ECOWAS member states. The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EBID, Dr George Agyekum Donkor, disclosed this at the 79th Session of the Board of Directors of the bank in Lome last Wednesday. Impact Dr Donkor said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war had left many economies in tatters. He indicated that current market conditions had compelled investors to seek premium on investments in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby increasing the cost of capital. That had resulted in dampening economic growth, widespread balance of payment deficits, unfavourable terms of trade, depletion of central bank international reserves, fiscal deficits and debt distress, the President of EBID stated. He, therefore, stressed the need for EBID, as the financial arm of ECOWAS, to deepen its financial intermediation in all the critical sectors of member states to assist them to recover from the economic challenges. Present at the session was the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, who lauded the tremendous impact of EBIDs interventions in the sub-region. She assured the bank of the commitment of the new administration of the ECOWAS Commission to collaborate and support EBID in its activities, especially in the area of resource mobilisation, to transform the community. Context EBID is a leading regional investment and development bank, owned by the 15 ECOWAS member states. Based in the Togolese capital, Lome, the bank is committed to financing developmental projects and programmes. These range from infrastructure and basic amenities, rural development and environment, industry and social services sectors through to its private and public sector windows. EBID intervenes through long, medium, and short-term loans, equity participation, lines of credit, refinancing, financial engineering operations and related services. 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. Featured Video Vodafone Business has climaxed this years SME Month event with an exciting session on Twitter Spaces for over 2000 entrepreneurs. The digital event, which was moderated by Deloris Frimpong Manso, also known as Delay, introduced entrepreneurs to effective ways of leading and managing teams. Some well-known businesses that took part in the programme were Pistis, an indigenous fashion house; Caveman watches; Doughman Foods; and Nyonyo Essentials. Every year in September, Vodafone Business SME Month initiatives reward and recognise SMEs for their contributions to the nation. The theme for this year was "Further Together, Accelerating SME Businesses." During September, Vodafone Business gave small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) free websites, business registration, digital advertising, store rebranding, and training on a variety of topics related to SMEs. One such training, a legal training session for 50 SMEs in collaboration with SESI Legal, provided attendees with the legal knowledge they needed to do business successfully in Ghana. Mrs Rosa Kudoadzi, the Managing Partner of SESI LEGAL, stated that "Laws and regulations govern every business in Ghana. We are confident that the key outcomes we shared on statutory obligations and regulatory approvals, negotiation and enforcement of contracts, and succession planning will guide businesses to be legally compliant and plan for their future growth". She advised all businesses to seek legal counsel in order to understand and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. In addition to these activities, Vodafone Business implemented a brand-building training in collaboration with resource people from Meta, formerly Facebook. Vodafone Ghanas Senior Management Team also reaffirmed Vodafones commitment to SMEs during customer visits. Many longstanding Vodafone Business customers thanked the brand for its stellar services. "We are satisfied with the delivery of the 20Mbps dedicated internet service. We have had no downtime since the service was deployed," said Folajimi Shopeju, the Finance Director of FrieslandCampina West Africa. The Director of Vodafone Business, Tawa Bolarin, stressing on Vodafones commitment and focus to SMEs, explained that SMEs are the engine of growth for most economies, including Ghana. "Vodafone Business is strategically positioned to be the propeller for the growth of SMEs. Our purpose as an organisation is to connect people and businesses for a better future. Therefore, we will continue to empower businesses with innovative solutions to grow," she explained. Vodafone Business, the enterprise arm of Vodafone Ghana, helps organisations succeed in a digital world with innovative products such as Your Business Online (YBOL) and Vodafone Cash for Business. For more information about Vodafone Business products and services, customers can send an email to [email protected] or call 0302334040. 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 Ashanti Regional Police has gunned down a suspected armed robber during an exchange of fire at Asuofua Asamang, near Barekese in the Ashanti region. The deceased, identified as Issaka Muniru was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital. Two other accomplices, identified as Kwaku Boateng, alias Form Noede and Kwadwo Gyamfi, were arrested by the Police, during the operations. The Police retrieved a Smith and Wesson SD40 VE pistol with 13 live ammunition from the suspect. A Police statement issued in Kumasi on Friday said the deceased and his accomplices had been on the Police wanted list for committing a series of robberies within the Kumasi metropolis and its environs. Until his death, Issaka Muniru was standing trial with three other accomplices, Ernest (gangster) Agyei, (Ryder) and Badu (NBY) at the Nkawie circuit court for robbing one Pastor Emmanuel Baffour Awuah, on the 26th of May 2021, and took away two gold wrist watches, mobile phones and unspecified amount of money. The statement said the deceased was granted bail by the court but he managed to jump bail and a bench warrant was placed on him. It said the other accomplices would soon be put before court for trial. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Professor of Applied Economics at the Johns Hopkins University, Steve Hanke, has opined that a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal will not solve Ghana's economic problems. In his view, the keenly awaited deal will fail like previous programmes Ghana has entered into with the Bretton Woods institution. In a Twitter post on October 12, the economist touched on Ghanas sovereign bond, mentioning that it has lost 50% of its value this year. While talk of a debt default swirls in Ghana, its sovereign bonds tank. They have depreciated over 50% this year. Now, Pres. Akufo-Addo passes the begging bowl to the IMF. SPOILER ALERT: like Ghanas past 16 IMF programs, a new one will fail to fix Ghanas problems, Professor Hanke tweeted. Ghana has since July this year been engaging IMF hoping to secure a US$3 billion deal which will be spread across a three-year duration. Ahead of that, there are moves by the government to restructure debts of investors after the completion of a Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) by IMF. A debt restructuring will result in a longer yield-to-maturity for government bonds and bills, or the implementation of the "haircut" strategy. Some investors' returns on investments may be impacted by this. Meanwhile, former President John Dramani Mahama in an interview on VOAs Straight Talk Africa has called for an end to the countrys continuous resort to the International Monetary Fund whenever it is confronted with economic headwinds. He said the going and coming to the IMF depleted peoples faith in the countrys democracy and it also created instability. He mentioned that the current return to the IMF to achieve debt sustainability and policy credibility should mark the start of governments prudently running the economy. The economy is situated in an environment. It does not exist in isolation and so there are somethings that need to be done to create an environment for the economy to thrive. Some of them are governance issues, strengthening state-owned institutions, the fight against corruption and so many other things that create the environment for the economy to thrive. I think that when we go into this programme and we bring debts back to sustainable levels and we are able to get the bridging facility in other to achieve policy credibility so that investors again feel confident that they can bring back their money into Ghana, then we must start from there and maintain that prudence. "This should be the last time we go to the IMF because going and coming, it creates a certain instability in the whole system and it also reduces the faith that people have in our democracy, Mahama said. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed that henceforth no mining concession or license should be granted to any applicant unless the paramount chief of the area is formally consulted to seek his input. Additionally, the regional ministers and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) of that particular jurisdiction should also be formally consulted to bring their views to bear on the granting of mining concessions to any individual or company. In view of the Presidents directive, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, has issued a Ministerial Fiat to the Minerals Commission to halt all processes leading to the recommendation for granting of mining concessions and licences until the Commission has sought the inputs of the authorities. Mr Jinapor announced this at a media briefing in Accra on Thursday to update the public on new measures being implemented by the Government to combat illegal small-scale mining, otherwise known as galamsey. The directive had become necessary to ensure the traditional and local authorities played a central role in the fight against illegal small-scale mining, which had wreaked havoc on the environment and water bodies. When the President met the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi recently, the chiefs raised concerns about being sidelined in the issuance of mining licences and granting of concessions to individuals. Therefore, whenever there was illegal mining within their traditional areas, they had no power to stop it because they did not play any meaningful part in the granting of the licences. Mr Jinapor said with the enforcement of the Ministerial Fiat, traditional rulers and MMDCEs would play a central role in the fight against galamsey. He highlighted a gamut of measures implemented by the Government to stop the galamsey menace; procurement of speed boats to patrol rivers, training of river guards, forest reserves declared as red zones for mining, and distribution of mercury free gold processing machines (gold kachas) to small-scale miners. Others are collaboration between the Lands Ministry and the Attorney-Generals Office to prosecute illegal miners, both Ghanaians and foreigners; rolling out Community Mining Schemes for local people, recruitment and engagement of about 80,000 people for alternative livelihood programme, frequent operations by the military (Operation Halt) to mining sites to arrest and burn excavators belonging to illegal miners, and setting up 83 district mining committees to oversee mining at the district level. Operation Halt II campaign has also been launched, spearheaded by the Military High Commands in the southern, middle and northern belts, which would be sustained until galamsey was brought to the minimal. The government has, therefore, allocated significant funds and logistics to the new military operation, Mr Jinapor stated, and called for collaboration with stakeholders and a change of attitude by all to help fight the menace. He said the media should constantly educate the public on the dangerous consequences of galamsey such as kidney diseases and buruli ulcers affecting inhabitants in the mining areas. Mr Jinapor pledged the unflinching support of the President and the Ministry towards fighting the menace, with integrity and transparency without shielding anyone, irrespective of ones political affiliation or standing in society. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The government has relaunched Operation Halt II to reinforce the war on illegal mining activities (galamsey). In addition, the granting of mining licences by the Minerals Commission and other relevant bodies will now involve the inputs of chiefs, regional ministers and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs). The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, made this known when he took his turn at the Ministers Press Briefing in Accra yesterday[October 13, 2022] to update the media on the fight against galamsey. Operation Halt II Originally launched in April 2021, Operation Halt II, made up of personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, sought to remove all persons and mining equipment from water bodies and forest reserves in the country, including decommissioning and demobilising equipment where necessary. Over the period, the team worked on major rivers, such as, Pra, Offin, Ankobra, Birim and Ayensu, as well as forest reserves in the country. As a temporary measure, the team relaxed its operations when some of the rivers started showing signs of clearing up. Resurgence However, with the resurgence of galamsey activities across the country, the minister said the Operation Halt II was relaunched on October 11, this year, following a review of the earlier operation. Giving more details, he said Operation Halt II would run alongside other measures being implemented by the ministry, such as the declaration of river bodies as red zones for mining, the suspension of reconnaissance and prospecting activities in forest reserves except in exceptional cases, and the ban on the manufacture, sale and use of changfan. Others are the procurement of speed boats to patrol the rivers, the recruitment of river guards to support the protection of the rivers, the introduction of mercury-free gold Katchas, the establishment of 83 Small Scale Mining Committees in all mining districts in the country, the revamping of Community Mining Schemes, and the introduction of the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme which now engages about 80,000 people in alternative livelihood projects. Sustainability Mr Jinapor said the new Operation Halt II was well thought-through, and was ready to take care of the current resurgence of the galamsey menace, with funding secured to ensure its sustainability. He said the operation was concurrently taking place in the Southern, Central and Northern Commands, and already, 20 excavators and scores of changfans and other mining equipment had been decommissioned. According to the minister, the Operation Halt II team had been instructed to use their discretion whether to decommission or seize equipment, assuring that, that would be done without interference from any quarters. He stated that the team would be held accountable for any lapses in their operation and, therefore, they were not supposed to take instructions from anyone, including him. Mr Jinapor said the ministry had submitted to the Military High Command details of all licensed mining operations in the country to guide them in their operations, adding that the team would be assisted by mine inspectors and personnel from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to gather evidence for prosecution. He said the government was committed to ensuring that anyone found culpable was made to face the full rigours of the law. Throwing more light on the new licensing regime, Mr Jinapor said the decision followed a directive given by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after he had met with members of the National House of Chiefs on October 5, 2022, during which it became evident that for the government to win the fight against galamsey, chiefs must play a central role, particularly, in the granting of mining concessions and licences. He said the decision was also taken with the conviction that because every galamsey site fell within the jurisdiction of a traditional authority, chiefs must play a key role in the granting of mining licences to help rid their respective jurisdictions of illegal small-scale mining. Mr Jinapor said following the meeting with the members of the National House of Chiefs, a lot of streamlining was being done. Hence, the processes involving the Minerals Commission making recommendations in the granting of licences have been altered dramatically and that will mean the chiefs will now play a central role in the processes, he stated. Mr Jinapor, however, revealed that there were many stories making the rounds to suggest that there was a disconnect among chiefs, the political leadership and security operatives, observing that the development did not augur well for the efforts being made to halt galamsey. The minister reiterated the fact that the war against illegal mining was a collective fight and not only for the government. Constitution While stressing that the Constitution vested mineral resources in the country in their natural state in the President to be held in trust for the people, he added that the President had delegated power to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to manage such resources. He said a critical look at the process in simple terms regarding which entity was permitted to have a final say in terms of granting mining licences or concessions showed that it was the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. But here we are talking about the involvement of traditional rulers in the fight against galamsey, yet we don't seem to give them any active direct central role to play in the processes leading to the granting of concessions in many cases, he intimated. Mr Jinapor revealed that part of the concerns raised by chiefs at the meeting with the President was that they were usually not consulted on matters of the granting of licences, only to find people with licences to mine in their respective jurisdictions. They are not consulted or involved in the granting of licences, yet we are asking them to support us in our efforts to fight illegal mining," the minister pointed out. Education campaign Touching on the public campaign against illegal mining and its negative impact on communities, he said his ministry was rolling out a national public campaign against illegal mining and its adverse effects on the environment and the health of the people. We have also rolled out advertisements on television and radio to educate the public on the dire consequences of illegal mining, the minister said. Source: graphiconline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Workers at the Kumasi Depot of Metro Mass Transit (MMT), say until the Chief Executive Officer, his two Deputies and other management members are dismissed, they will not resume work. The workers accuse the CEO and his management of not only mismanaging the transport company but also compromising on the welfare of the staff, including life after compulsory retirement. Staff of the Kumasi depot of the Metro Mass Transit Company began a sit down strike on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, as a means of making known to the public issues affecting their welfare and sustainability of the transport company. A visit by Radio Ghana to the Kumasi Depot of the MMT showed that almost all the road worthy fleet of buses have not moved since the start of the industrial action, even though the workers are at post and continue to report to duty everyday. The workers were seen either idling or constituting themselves into small groups discussing matters of their mutual interest, including how soon their grievances would receive the needed attention by the government. Also, the almost always very busy bus terminal was a pale shadow of itself as there were no commuters around at the time of the visit. The many hawkers and traders who had been taking advantage of the busy environment were left redundant. Information available indicates that there are technical problems such as the lack of Engine Oil or Fan Belt to power the engines. Other issues raised bothered on the issuance of alleged fake official bus tickets by some staff at the companys head office in Accra, while the drivers are also accused of theft of fuel from the buses, an allegation they have vehemently denied. The Chairman of the Senior Staff Union, Francis Ayim Gyampo, claimed that for five years since 2017, staff Tiers Two and Three contributions deducted by the company have not been remitted to Fund Managers of the pension schemes, just as is the case of staff monthly payment for lands purchased in their respective names, leaving them indebted to the allodia land owners, thereby threatening their ownership of the parcels of land in doubt. According to the Union Chairman, the leadership of the local and Divisional Union are being victimised for championing the concerns of the workers and stressed that the only condition that would encourage the workers to resume work is for the President to dismiss the CEO and other key staff of the company. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Some irate youth who vandalised the Neoplan Police Station have been remanded into custody by an Accra Circuit Court. The prosecution has also alleged that the accused persons stole two AK 47 rifles from the police station. The accused persons are Nasarah Isaac, Forever Adomose, Kweku Kyei, Lamber Akurabilla, Maxwell Ayugi, Faisal Gadafi, Kofi Deri, Abanyoro Nana Yaw, Kofi Samsam, Tawiah Maxwell and Samuel Mbah. The others are Kwaku Boateng, Henry Collins, Thomas Adorgle, Mustapha Kofi, Gabriel Danso, Prince Anim, Awene Adoko, Awene Oluashegu and Fuseini Adams. The rest are Conrad Kunle, Mubarak Haruna, Mohammed Ayamga and Daniel Ofori. They all pleaded not guilty to four counts of conspiracy to commit crime, stealing and causing unlawful damage when they appeared before the court, presided over by Afia Owusua Appiah. They are to reappear on October 26 this year. Facts The fact of the case as presented by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor, were that on October 9 this year, one Isobah stole a mobile phone belonging to a young man. He stated that when Isobah was being chased, he jumped into the Odaw River to escape. "The young man also jumped into the river to retrieve his mobile phone from the said Isobah. In the ensuing struggle over the mobile phone, Isobah got drowned," he said. He added that a friend of Isobah jumped into the river and he also got drowned. "On the same day, the accused persons who have their respective occupations at Kwame Nkrumah Circle organised themselves, marched to the Neoplan Police Station, attacked and vandalised the Charge Office and Station Officer's office," Chief Inspector Ahiaboh said. He further explained that after they had vandalised the Police Station, the accused persons stole two AK 47 rifles kept at the Charge Office. On October 10, this year, the Police, the prosecutor said, gathered intelligence, arrested the accused persons and retrieved the rifles. The Prosecutor however stated that they were yet to ascertain the reason the young men attacked the police station, adding that the case was still under investigations. They were remanded to reappear on October 26, 2022. 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 Criminal Jurisdiction of the Accra High Court has empanelled a seven-member jury for the trial of two teenagers accused of the murder of a 10-year-old boy in Kasoa for money rituals. That was after the court, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, took the pleas of the teenagers, a 15-year-old boy (name withheld) and his alleged accomplice, who is 18 years old. The jury is made up of five women and two men. The two suspects objected to the inclusion of three persons from the pool of potential jurors before settling on the seven. Not guilty While the 15-year-old suspect has confessed to their involvement in the murder from the District Court, the 18-year-old suspect has, however, denied his involvement. However, taking their pleas on charges of conspiracy and murder before the trial court last Tuesday, the 15-year-old suspect pleaded guilty to the charge or conspiracy but pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. The 18-year-old suspect on the other hand pleaded not guilty to both charges. The court, however, entered a plea of not guilty for the 15-year-old suspect. That was because the offence was conspiracy to murder and as a result, had to be tried by the jury. The charges were read to them in their preferred local languages. Jury The jury is made up of seven ordinary, but educated persons, who, subject to the directions of the judge, decide the guilt or innocence of an accused in a case tried upon indictment. After the seven-member jury had been empanelled, they were sworn in and they chose one of their own as a leader (foreman). They are expected to arrive at a unanimous verdict which is binding on the court. Advise The presiding judge advised the jury to be present in court at all times to listen to, see and hear the witnesses that will be called by the prosecution in their quest to establish the guilt of the accused persons. You are not supposed to be influenced by anything you hear or see relating to this matter on social media or in the society. You are only bound by the evidence that you hear or see in this courtroom, the presiding judge said. Justice Marfo also urged them to comport themselves inside and outside of the courtroom diligently. You must not be influenced with money or any other consideration whatsoever. The court expects maximum cooperation from you as far as timing and dates are concerned. The court will not hesitate to apply the necessary legal sanction to any recalcitrant juror, she added. Next sitting At the next sitting slated for October 24, 2022, counsel for the accused are expected to address the jury on their expectation in the case while the prosecution addresses the jury on its case after which counsel for the accused persons will be given the chance to respond, paving the way for the trial to officially commence. Meanwhile, the investigator in the case is expected to file the report on the investigation of the notice of alibi filed by the 18-year-old suspect through his lawyers. 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 Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged Parliaments to pass climate-friendly legislations to help efforts to reduce climate impact, especially on vulnerable nations. He said as Parliaments, it was incumbent on members to pass effective legislations and develop policies to meet the real needs of their constituents against climate impact. As lawmakers, we must ensure that adequate resources are allocated for the implementation of key policies and decisions to avoid the creation of white elephants in our respective statute books, he said. Mr Bagbin made the call when he addressed the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Global Parliamentary Group (CPG) annual dialogue on the sidelines of the 145th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) ongoing assembly in Kigali on Tuesday. The passing of key climate change legislation, the Speaker said, must not be a box-checking exercise but one intended to serve the interest of the people by ensuring proper funding mechanisms. We can have a lot of ideas but ideas without funding are mere hallucinations. It is imperative that we pass evidence-based legislations and develop such policies that speak to the real needs of our constituents as that is one sure way of obtaining funding for our ideas, he said. The CVF GPG, a non-treaty organisation set up in 2009, is focused on climate change policy in countries that are at the frontlines of climate emergency and is under the presidency of Dr Emmanuel Marfo, MP for Oforikrom and the Chairperson of the Environment, Science and Technology Committee of Parliament. The environment today, Mr Bagbin said, was threatened by climate change, depletion of fossil fuels and natural resources undermined growth potential and posed existential issues for countries the world over. In this regard, he urged Parliaments to consider efforts to mobilise other key actors to create more awareness of climate impacts; a consideration he said would enhance the readiness for all key players to act in a concerted manner to confront todays climate change demands. In unity, as we are told, lies strength; we can achieve a lot more together than if we leave national institutions, state and global actors to operate in silos, he said. According to the Speaker, CVF member states were more impacted as a result of their inefficient adaptive capacities that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing geopolitical crises which had further pushed our vulnerable communities into deeper impoverishment. The Chairperson of the Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock and Environment of the Rwanda Parliament, Marie-Alice UweraKayumba, said her country had highlighted the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable nations, including Rwanda. Therefore, she encouraged legislators to leverage on the diverse tools available to them to lead our societies onto the path of climate prosperity. Both adaptation and mitigation strategies to combat impact of climate change called for our legislative support and our policies and functions must serve as a reliable foundation for serving the rights and demands of our countries various stakeholders, added. Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former NDC Member of Parliament for Akwatia constituency, Baba Jamal, has reacted to claims that he secured bail for some Chinese galamsayers. The Statesman newspaper published that Baba Jamal last year represented five Chinese and two Ghanaians standing trial for illegal mining and that he secured bail "for his clients, even though he was once an MP for a galamsey ravaged area in the Eastern Region". This follows recent criticisms against former NPP National Chairman, Freddie Blay and Capt. (Rtd) Nkrabea Effah-Dartey following their decision to represent some alleged galamsayers in court. Baba Jamal in response described the news report as an "equalization tactics to balance the scale". "None of my clients have been charged with being involved in galamsey . . . this is just an equalization tactics to balance the scale . . . but their charges have nothing to do with galamsey. Theres nothing like galamsey," he said in an interview on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo'. I will not even bother myself asking them to retract and apologise . . . I won't waste my time, he added. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has reacted to claims that challenging Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo for the chairmanship position will create a rivalry in the party. According to him, people who share in that thought are fundamentally wrong as democracy encouraged competition. Asiedu Nketiah a.k.a. General Mosquito believes that the contest between him and the current chairman of the party will be a healthy contest where the best ideas will be selected. He indicated on Accra-based Accra FM on October 13 that election rivalry ought to be expected even though in this instance, he and Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo are allies. Which democracy does not have a rivalry, or are we deciding to abandon democracy? People who believe my contest with Ofosu-Ampofo will bring rivalry are fundamentally wrong. That thinking is anti-democratic because proponents of democracy say democracy must bring competition for the best to emerge. They also say democracy is the worse form of government but there is no better alternative. This shows that democracy has its shortcomings but its positives outweigh the shortcomings thus you have to live by it. If you are running a democracy, you have to live with fallouts from this little little competition. From 2002 till now, every position in the party has been up for a contest. Can you mention one congress in which someone has not contested me? the NDC chief scribe quizzed. A former National Organizer of the NDC, Yaw Boateng Gyan, rallied the Council of Elders of the party to block the contest between Asiedu Nketiah and Ofosu-Ampofo. In his view, the contest between the two will sharply divide the party ahead of the crucial 2024 elections. "We will need the two in the party going into the 2024 elections, and just as we did for the first time in 1992 in Cape Coast, where the party elected national officers based on consensus, the same can be done with the two," Yaw Boateng Gyan said. On his part, the former Deputy NDC General Secretary, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, stated that Asiedu Nketiah is unfit to be the chairman of the opposition party. In a series of tweets, Anyidoho opined that it will be a mistake on the part of NDC to allow Asiedu Nketiah to become the party chairman, stressing that it will mark the burial date of the party. The day the NDC makes a sacrilegious mistake and allows Asiedu-Nketiah, to become Chmn (chairman) and Leader of the NDC, that will be the END of the NDC. Asiedu Nketiah is NOT fit to be Chmn of the NDC. Asiedu Nketiah, has undermined every NDC Chmn he has worked with: Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Kofi Portuphy; Mosquito cannot perfidiously manipulate Ofosu-Ampofo, so mosquito wants to become Chmn. Torfiakwa, Anyidoho tweeted. The NDC is currently focused on electing constituency and regional executives after which it will elect national executive officers on December 17. The portfolio which is garnering much interest is the chairmanship race in which Asiedu Nketia will go up against incumbent Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Dramani Mahama has said that any government that comes to office must ensure the country never seeks a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) again. That, he said, was because constantly seeking bailouts from the organisation creates instabilities thereby threatening the countrys democracy. This should be the last time because going and coming to the IMF creates a certain instability in the whole system and reduces the faith that people have in our democracy, he said. He made the statement in a television interview on the Voice of America (VOA) Straight Talk Africa programme in Washington DC. Home-grown policies Mr Mahama said engaging in an IMF programme would bring the countrys debts back to sustainable levels and help to achieve policy credibility which would motivate investors to do business in the country. However, he urged the government to also develop home-grown policies aimed at transforming the economy to ensure investor confidence. Mr Mahama also said the government must make reducing the budget of the Office of the President a key aspect in the negotiations with the IMF which, according to the former president, was necessary to show the governments commitment to reduce expenditure. They have to cut the budget to the Office of the President to show the way because if the president himself is cutting the budget of government machinery, then it means everybody must be prepared to make a sacrifice, he explained. The former president therefore stated that the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government would strengthen stated-owned institutions and undertake a constitutional review as part of their strategy to sustain the economy. "We have been operating it for more 26 years and I think the time has come to look at it again and do some tweaking so that we can have a proper constitutional environment in which to grow the economy," he added. Opportunity for Africa Mr Mahama also stated that the current global economic crisis had presented Africa with a unique opportunity to trade internally. It is an opportunity for us to look within and see why we can go better in terms of trading with ourselves. Happily, weve passed the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and as I speak the first commodities are beginning to be exchanged and that is good news, he said. Mr Mahama was hopeful that the initiative would increase Africas internal trade which would create opportunities for its citizens particularly the youth to realise their full potentials. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Voters walk to the cast their vote for the Ontario Provincial election at the Vaughan-Woodbridge polling station in Woodbridge, Ont., Thursday, June 2, 2022. A number of large Ontario cities -- including Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Hamilton and Vaughan -- are seeing competitive, open mayoral races ahead of municipal elections on Oct. 24 after incumbent mayors have bowed out. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Hours after the 1/6 Committee laid bare the naked power grab of election theft by the Republican Party, Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who somehow represents Texas, was doing his best to drum up outrage at the Left by sharing a fake story, without a link, with a byline by someone who left the publication in 2014: So, someone created a fake story, slapped @abbyohlheisers byline on it even though they havent worked at The Atlantic since 2014, which has led to a bombardment of harassment, and now a U.S. Senator is sharing said fake article. pic.twitter.com/sKTS26ENd1 Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) October 14, 2022 So, someone created a fake story, slapped @abbyohlheiser s byline on it even though they havent worked at The Atlantic since 2014, which has led to a bombardment of harassment, and now a U.S. Senator is sharing said fake article, Parker Malloy tweeted on Friday. You could be forgiven for expecting someone drawing $174,000 plus perks per year for allegedly making laws for The People to be able to discern reality from fiction. But do bear in mind, this is Ted Cruz. Dont worry, the Republican Senator eventually deleted it in one of his signature run-away-without-accountability moves. The truth shall not apply for redress. Cuz is kind of everything the Right hates about what they mistakenly think of as the Left: Cruz is, after all, Ivy League educated at Princeton University and Harvard Law School, born in socialist Canada, playing the part of a dummy Texan for votes. He knows better, unlike some of the easy marks he uses. Cruz, of course, objected to the certification of President Joe Bidens win for 2020 presidential election, which was the goal of the domestic terrorist attack on January 6th. Cruz also served his supporters a lot of lies about how Trump actually won the election, even though he knows that the 2020 election was the most secure election in American history and they have been unable to prove fraud. Even the partisan hacks at the Supreme Court turned Trumps Election Lies down. Cruz has made it his career mission to do his best to destroy things like our system of government and former President Barack Obamas signature Affordable Care Act, even shutting down the government in 2013 in an attempt to defund Obamacare. Nothing gets under his skin more, apparently, than people having access to the kind of healthcare that he gets for free from same people. Coastal elites, right? The looming task for Ted Cruz this Friday morning was how best to deflect the day after the January 6th Committee pretty much outed his entire party to be anti-American election deniers spreading lies that culminated in a horrific domestic terrorist attack on 1/6 in which Trump supporters planned to murder then Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi and in which Cruz himself played such large role in selling the Great Lie that he is now the target of a bar association complaint due to a group of lawyers saying he played an outsized role in the efforts to void the 2020 election results. His answer was, naturally, share fake news attacking the Left over garbage. Ted Cruz knows his base. They dont care if the story is true, they only care that it confirms their biases and deeply held, near-religious belief that the Left is evil. Just a few days ago, Denis Molla, a Trump supporter, plead guilty to fraud for blaming left-wing (Black Lives Matter, Antifa and Biden supporters, to be exact) vandals for something he actually did. On September 23, 2020, Denis Vladmirovich Molla falsely reported to law enforcement that someone had lit his camper on fire. In an act that mirrors much about Trump himself, Molla burned his own property and then submitted multiple insurance claims seeking coverage for the damage to his garage, camper, vehicles, and residence caused by the fire claiming he was targeted because he supported Trump while submitting nearly $300,000.00 in fraudulent insurance claims, creating a Go Fund Me and allowing others to be created in his name, raking in $17,000 from supporters. Ah, the popular politics of pretend persecution. If this reminds you of 2008s B girl, the McCain campaign volunteer who was charged in the hoax attack after lying about being robbed and having the letter B carved into her face in what she had said was a politically inspired attack by a black man, its because stories of persecution by white people blaming Black people every election cycle are all the rage on the Right. Persecution is a big Republican theme that ties to their belief that they are aligned with Jesus, as they lie, inflict great harm on vulnerable people, and justify every manner of immoral behavior so long as their side wins. (Seeing beginning blossoms of this on the Left, now, because frankly grifters see easy pickings on both sides of the divide.) In 2016, it was alleged-racist Sherri Papinis hoax kidnapping; the fake story behind which she pinned on two Hispanic women claiming she was being sex trafficked (at her age), bundling the Rights favorite theme of stoking racial hatred and fear into one big, front page news fake hoax that offered proof for those seeking it that Trumps racist lies about Mexicans were warranted. All of this mess culminated in her absurdly obvious Thanksgiving Day return. #SoBlessed. Of course, the Right is hardly alone in making up Persecution stories, although they do have a knack for banging them out around election time and leaning into the hokey ignorance of, for example, carving the B backward and believing a mid-thirties mom is being sex-trafficked by two Hispanic women. Jussie Smollett reported his hate crime hoax to the police in late January of 2019. The difference here is that he wasnt acting near a big election and feeding a phony, partisan narrative. Black people are actually way too often victims of hate crimes. That doesnt make his hoax less harmful, because he harmed the many actual victims of hate crimes, who already struggle to be believed. If you guessed Teds Deflect Strategy before all of this backstory, congratulations, you win a Ted Cruz I ran to Cancun while my constituents froze and all I got was health insurance for the rest of my life sticker, which, to be fair, is more than his constituents get from him. Republicans know: When the Real News comes for them, they attack with actual fake news theyve primed their supporters into believing. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print It is amazing how quickly these alpha male MAGAs turtle into delicate little flowers (or snowflakes, if you prefer) in the face of serious accusations. They play the persecuted victim almost as naturally as the cruel, unfeeling, in-your-face MAGA. Wisconsin GOP Senator Ron Johnson laid out the character trait for all Wisconsin voters to see last night in his debate against Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. From Yahoo News: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) had a raucous audience laughing during a campaign debate Thursday when he complained he had been set up by the FBI. Johnson was responding to an attack by his Democratic rival, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, that the senator was once warned by the FBI that the Kremlin was trying to turn him into a Russian asset. The #WISen debate audience audibly laughs when Sen. Ron Johnson (R) alleges the FBI set me up with a corrupt briefing and then leaked that to smear me. pic.twitter.com/I5YYUATNG9 The Recount (@therecount) October 14, 2022 Johnson fired back at Barnes wild charge. His claim that the FBI set me up with a corrupt briefing and then leaked that to smear me brought laughter from the debate audience. Johnson accused the FBI of being tainted by corruption, which he said he has been trying to uncover and expose (a point met with more audience laughter). The FBI has a lot of faults, as were learning from the January 6th hearings. But when it comes to counterintelligence and protecting the country from Russia, the FBI wont be setting anyone up. Oddly, Johnson has certainly looked like a Russian asset in the last few years in the same way that Trumps behavior has looked like that of someone under Russias thumb. Perhaps that explains the laughter. But no one has ever brought forth any direct proof, and thus, its just speculation and optics. One doesnt need to speculate that Johnson has been at the forefront of whitewashing January 6th as the guy who referenced the attack as some kind of rowdy Capitol tour. As the article notes, Johnson has quite a history of making outlandish claims that are, in a way, worthy of laughter were they not so sad: After the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, Johnson in a radio interview defended the attackers as peaceful, calling them people that love this country, that truly respect law enforcement, [who] would never do anything to break the law. He said he would have been concerned, however, had the rioters been Black Lives Matter protesters instead of a mob incited by then-President Donald Trump. Officer Fanone barely made it out alive in the peaceful demonstration. The medical examiners report on Officer Sicknicks death said that the attack on the Capitol contributed to the strokes that were the cause of death on the night of January 6th. It isnt funny when Johnson literally white washes the insurrection and even admits that he would be concerned, however, if Black Lives Matter engaged in such a protest. All of this makes for terrible optics as Johnsons opponent, Barnes, is a black man. Johnson is considered the most vulnerable sitting MAGA senator but has recently pulled ahead to a six-point lead. Perhaps humiliating himself on the debate stage will turn things around for Mandela Barnes. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Herschel Walker claimed in the same sentence that he was opposed to government healthcare, but he also wanted people to have the same healthcare as US Senators, which is government healthcare. Video: Herschel Walker says Americans should get off government healthcare, and get the plans US Senators have. Note: US Senators have government healthcare. pic.twitter.com/Bs2H8YN6xj Mike Sington (@MikeSington) October 15, 2022 Walker said, What Sen. Warnock wants if you to depend on the government. What I want to do is get off the government healthcare and go to the healthcare that hes got, which is better healthcare. Senators like Raphael Warnock have government healthcare. Herschel Walkers answers were all similar to his position on healthcare. They were the broken half thoughts of what appears to be a fractured mind that contradicted itself, constantly covered with a varnish of Fox News and Republican talking points. Walker made no sense, and if voters were rational actors, they would immediately reject him and vote for Sen. Warnock. Voters arent rational actors, and in the current era of extreme partisanship, Herschel Walker could have said anything, and Republicans would stick with him. It is discouraging to see some in the media grading the debate on the Donald Trump curve because Walkers performance was just like Trumps in 2016 and 2020. Walker was blustering and rolling over the rules and moderators, but his answers were mostly garbled gibberish, and the positions he did clearly take were some of the most extreme of any candidate in the midterm election. Herschel Walker hates dependency on the government, but his agenda is big brother government to the maximum. Walker could state nothing positive that he would do for the people of Georgia but claims that he wants to represent them. The odds are that Walker will lose, but the fact that the election will be so close, even with a candidate as unfit as Herscher Walker, is a troubling omen for the country. Poll: Most in US say misinformation spurs extremism, hate A new poll finds that Americans from across the political spectrum say misinformation increases extreme political beliefs and hate crimes You are the owner of this article. A newly built Summerville multifamily development is under new ownership after fetching $54 million. An affiliate of real estate development firm LyvWell Communities of Tampa, Fla., paid about $409,000 per key in early October for the 132-unit Chamberlain Pines Townhomes at 1060 Orangeburg Road, according to Dorchester County land records. The previous owners were Blaze Capital Partners of Charleston and Cross Lake Partners of New York City. Developed by Blaze and regional homebuilder Dan Ryan in 2021, Chamberlain Pines features two-story rental units, averaging 1,685 square feet across three and four-bedroom living quarters. The units include attached garages, concrete backyard patios and private fenced-in yards. Blaze co-founder Chris Riley said the sale creates new investment opportunities for the company in South Carolina and across Sunbelt states. A LyvWell representative said the company bought Chamberlain Pines, its first acquisition in the Lowcountry, for a variety of factors, including the ability to provide an amenity plan that encourages a healthy lifestyle. "We target high-quality locations with solid growth prospects throughout the southeast U.S., and the income and job growth that Charleston is experiencing outpaces that of the national average which makes it an extremely attractive market for us," said Jordan Farrales, director of acquisitions. LyvWell's website shows one other South Carolina community on the way to Columbia. Details on the project's number of units and location were not provided and a spokeswoman said the project has been "pushed back a bit." New townhomes A new townhome community is planned on James Island. Property owner FMM Theresa Holdings LLC wants to build 16 units on 2.6 undeveloped acres on Theresa Drive. The property is next to the James Island Expressway off Harbor View Road. The owner bought the land in 2020 for $950,000, according to Charleston County land records. The land is zoned for single-family, two-family and diverse residential uses. The city's Planning Commission will consider the proposal Oct. 19. Sign up for our real estate newsletter! Get the best of the Post and Courier's Real Estate news, handpicked and delivered to your inbox each Saturday. Email Sign Up! Moving on Several agents recently left the commercial real estate firm Avison Young to form a new company. Vitre Ravenel Stephens, Tradd Varner and Todd Garrett, with 45 years of real estate experience between them, are principals in the new Harbor Commercial Partners at 146 Williman St. on Charleston's upper peninsula. Garrett is broker-in-charge. Also, Taylor Sekanovich and Crawford Riddle are associate brokers. All five were previously with Avison Young. Stephens said the departures were amicable. "The opportunity presented itself to form our own company, so we decided now was the time to do it," she said. The new firm will focus on sales, leasing and property management of all commercial property types in the Charleston region. Fifteen-year property management veteran Tracy Watson will oversee that side of the business. Changing hands An East Cooper air-conditioning, heating, plumbing and gas systems company recently acquired a similar business in Dorchester County. 1st Choice A/C, Heating, Plumbing & Gas of Huger now owns Dorchester Heating and Air Co. west of Summerville. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed. "We will work tirelessly to continue to provide five-star service," said Tim Myers of the locally owned and operated company. "We take our time and do the job right while giving the customer options so they don't feel pressured by sales." Myers started a heating and air-conditioning company in 1999 in Mount Pleasant, sold it in 2010 and decided to start 1st Choice to provide services he said people need and a place where employees feel like a team and are treated like family. Gopher tortoise populations in South Carolina and several other Southeastern states won't receive special protections from the federal government any time soon. A recent analysis found populations to be robust in the Palmetto State, Georgia, Florida and most of Alabama, and do not meet the criteria for listing under the Endangered Species Act, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency is now aware of more populations beyond those known when the species was first placed on the candidate list, a news release said. This could be because of the implementation of conservation efforts and streamlined survey protocols. But environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity, said the service reached its decision despite projecting population declines over the next 80 years. "Denying gopher tortoises the protection they need to survive is indefensible," said Elise Bennett, an attorney at the center. "It ignores devastating urban sprawl that's decimated the tortoise's habitat and will continue to drive the species even closer to extinction." Urbanization and other changes in habitat are among the species' primary threats. Climate change can also be devastating to gopher tortoises, especially increased drought, high temperatures, sea level rise and human migration from inundated coastal areas, the Fish and Wildlife Service said. Luckily, the service's recent determination does not change anything for the species in South Carolina. The tortoises are state-listed as endangered here, which prohibits people from harassing, hunting, capturing or killing them. Their burrows are protected, too. The four largest gopher tortoise populations in the state are on protected land, according to state herpetologist Andrew Grosse. Most live south of the Edisto River. And only a few live on private property in South Carolina, including in parts of Jasper County. A survey conducted in the state about six years ago found two populations with at least 250 adult tortoises, three or four populations with 50-250 adults and several other populations with less than 50 adult animals, Grosse said. They thrive in upland longleaf pine or pine wiregrass ecosystems. Deep sands are important for the species, too, but such areas are usually sought after for development, sand mines and other activities, Grosse said. Deep sand is essential for the tortoises because their burrows can extend 20 feet underground. Birds and other species use the burrows to help regulate heat or cold during different seasons. Florida is the heart of the tortoise's range, and animals there could be more impacted by the Fish and Wildlife Service's recent decision than ones in South Carolina. Florida regulations require that most of the species be relocated away from development, but habitat is not protected, according to a news release from the Center for Biological Diversity. "This denial (from the Fish and Wildlife Service) is a blow to the gopher tortoise and all the people who care deeply about this humble creature's future, but we won't give up," Bennett said. The Fish and Wildlife Service said a reevaluation may be required if state protections for the species change in the future. GREENVILLE In February, Jen and Chris Lake lugged a 1963 Airstream camper behind their family truck from North Carolina down to the Upstate. It was two months after the couple moved back to the area from Cincinnati where Jen was a photographer and Chris was two decades into a career in the financial sector. Chris had always wanted to own a food truck with Jen calling him an excellent chef but it was never the right time financially. After selling their Midwest home in December 2021, though, the Lakes took a leap. "After we sold the house, we were like, 'Honestly, it's now or never. Let's just do it,'" Jen said. Thats how they found themselves driving down the highway with the empty shell of a vintage trailer known as an Airstream. The American camper manufacturer dates back to the 1920s and produces caravans defined by their rounded shape and aluminum exterior. After an eight-month renovation, the Lakes turned their trailer into a mobile coffeehouse called Roaming Ritual. Why coffee? Because the Lakes are huge fans. On Oct. 15, the business will host its first pop-up in Five Forks in the parking lot of Wine Xpress across from Publix. Upgrading the Airstream Chris is the family handyman with a repertoire of home renovations behind him. He spearheaded the restoration of the Airstream, calling it "a project that was larger than anticipated." Jen provided some insights into design and decorations. Chris wanted to surprise Jen with the overhaul, though, so she did not see the trailer until the day before the health inspection. When the couple bought the Airstream, it was a dull gray color, and the interior was messy. Chris contacted the state Department of Health and Environmental Control at the outset to learn the required steps to starting a mobile food enterprise. The couple passed their DHEC inspection in early October. He started the restoration in March, ripping out the blue carpet inside and reinforcing the floor. Everything but the shell and frame are new. Chris buffed the exterior to revive the shiny aluminum, recalling using more than seven types of pads and clocking hundreds of hours. A kitchenette and small lounge area fill the interior along with additions such as a bean grinder, fridges, sinks, two air conditioners, five security cameras and more. The jewel of the space is the 300-pound, three-group espresso machine that rides at the rear. The couple bought it from a coffee shop in Powdersville that no longer wanted it. It uses over half of the power that runs through the unit by a generator. The interior lights run on solar power. Pop-ups The menu consists of hot and cold coffees and teas, espresso and baked goods like muffins, cookies, Belgian waffles drizzled with maple-flavored sugar and homemade pastry tarts. Jen will make all the sweets herself. The self-taught baristas dont want their bean-based drinks to intimidate coffee newcomers, saying they are not coffee snobs. Jen remembers feeling overwhelmed when she first went to a coffeehouse. "We do want to be super inclusive to those people who are like, 'I don't know what to do," she said. The couple will post their weekly schedule for where they will be parked every Sunday on social media. The first pop-up is on Oct. 15 at Wine Xpress in Five Forks from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The couple will be at the same spot from Oct. 20 to 23 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Tuesday Oct. 18, the trailer can be found at the Five Forks Animal Hospital from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For now, most of the pop-ups will be within the Golden Strip. They plan to expand further once they become more comfortable in their new business. The couple is actively searching for a local roastery partner that will allow them to pick the blend of beans and roast temperatures for bags marketed under the Roaming Ritual name. Selling bags of coffee, however, is more of a long-term goal, Chris said. Doctors and law enforcement are waiting for the South Carolina Supreme Court to rule whether the states ban on most abortions around six weeks of pregnancy is allowed by the constitution. The fetal heartbeat law, which Gov. Henry McMaster signed last year, bans most abortions after the detection of fetal cardiac activity, which generally occurs around six weeks before many women know theyre pregnant. The law went into effect in South Carolina from June 27 to Aug. 17, when the state Supreme Court suspended it pending review of a challenge from Planned Parenthood and Greenville Womens Clinic on whether it violates privacy, equal protection and due process rights. That means abortion remains legal through 5 months until the justices rule differently. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Oct. 19. It's unknown how long it will take for the justices four men and one woman to make a ruling. In documents filed with the court, Planned Parenthood and other plaintiffs argue the law violates unreasonable invasions of personal privacy provided in the state constitution. They state that pregnancy can create new or aggravate existing health problems for the pregnant patient, and women who carry unwanted pregnancies to term face economic hardships after the baby is born. Therefore, they argue, the matter should be a private decision between women, their families and their health care providers. They also contend the law discriminates against women by targeting health care that only applies to them, not men. The states decision to promote its interest in fetal life by conscripting unwilling women into the role of mother and caregiver, while simultaneously subjecting those women to increased health risks, impermissibly codifies outdated stereotypes about women being naturally suited even destined for motherhood, caregiving, and domestic toil, and it subordinates women, the complaint states. But the Attorney Generals Office, in filings representing the state, said the section on privacy in the constitution referred to protecting citizens from electronic surveillance. It says the constitution never explicitly mentions abortion, therefore a right to one doesn't exist. The further restrictions on abortion access are plainly reasonable in light of the states legitimate and compelling interest in protecting the life of the unborn, the response states. By restricting elective abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, the state is advancing a compelling interest in (that) protection. In light of the hearing, The Post and Courier reached out to doctors, attorneys and nonprofits dealing with womens issues throughout the state to discuss the law and the impact it could have on womens health and family life if it goes into effect. Enforcing the law The number of abortions performed in South Carolina has increased over the last few years, with 6,279 in 2021, after hitting a four-decade low of 4,646 in 2018, according to the state's public health agency. In 2019, about 21 percent of abortions occurred at or before the six-week mark, according to the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which (unlike the state) breaks down data by gestational age. Before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, prosecutors had no reason to involve themselves in those cases. But South Carolina's law making it a felony for doctors to perform many abortions with doctors facing fines and possibly jail, if convicted brings solicitors and law enforcement back into the issue, said Miller Shealy, a professor at the Charleston School of Law whose specialty is criminal law and procedure. That puts doctors and prosecutors in entirely new territory, Shealy said. Theres not a physician, I daresay, practicing that has any practical memory of what it was like before 1973," he said. "Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania v. Casey just kept this from being an issue. So now physicians have to be trained on an entirely different area of the law." The South Carolina Commission on Prosecution Coordination, a training and resource organization for prosecutors, has been keeping solicitors' offices updated on the law's status, said Andrea Sancho-Baker, the commission's director of business services and communication, in an email to The Post and Courier. If the law goes into effect, the commission will provide training on it, which she said is "standard practice for all newly enacted or recently amended criminal laws." If the now-suspended law goes into effect, a number of things could happen, Shealy said. Depending on how zealous a solicitor might be, law enforcement could search medical offices and question health care employees if there are allegations a physician performed an illegal abortion, which could run up against privacy concerns. There's also the matter of solicitors understanding the nuances of reproductive health care well enough to make an argument in a case. If, for example, they were trying to argue a doctor performed an abortion when it wasn't medically necessary, they would likely have to call expert witnesses who would be able to explain complex medical issues to a jury, he said. These are things that could be ironed out over time but create confusion and uncertainty in the interim, Shealy said. "It's like anything else: Who wants to go first and find out?" he said. Proponents of abortion access argue that women who want to end a pregnancy will travel to states where it is legal if they're able. In the few weeks the fetal heartbeat law was in effect, more than 60 percent of out-of-state patients seeking abortions at North Carolina Planned Parenthood clinics were from South Carolina, according to data provided by Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. Medical exceptions Prosecutors have discretion in what felonies they prosecute and how, so there is potential for the law to be enforced one way in one part of the state and a different way somewhere else, Shealy said. That concerns some doctors, like Dr. Amy Crockett, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Greenville who also serves as chair of the South Carolina section of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. To have the ambiguity in there, it is confusing about what is going to be enforced or how it is going to be enforced, she said. And it could be different in different counties if it is not clear. "None of us want to go to jail. We want to take good care of our patients. We want to do our best to follow the law. Vague language makes that hard for us to do. It's another concern laid out in the plaintiffs argument, which calls the exception unconstitutionally vague. It says doctors and patients should be able to make medical plans based on the patients health risk factors. The law allows an abortion in a "medical emergency," defined as one necessary, as per the doctor's "good faith judgment," to avert the mother's death or "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function." The same language is in the 2016 law that banned abortions past 5 months, which was never challenged. But opponents of last year's law argue the definition is far too ambiguous. The Death or Permanent Injury Exception thwarts this individualized medical decision-making process by forcing doctors to guess whether a patients individual medical situation suffices for purpose of the exception, with the threat of criminal penalties if they guess incorrectly, the complaint argues. That particular exception also has implications for patients of Dr. Michael Slowey, founding partner of Coastal Fertility Specialists in Mount Pleasant, which provides in vitro fertilization options, among other services, for families. The law does not affect IVF, which is legal in South Carolina. But many of the women who come to his practice are at higher risk of having fetal anomalies or other complications that tests may not detect until later in the pregnancy, usually in the second trimester. Slowey believes those families should be given the choice of what they need to do, with some choosing to go forward with the pregnancy and others not, he said. Crockett has seen firsthand what can happen when doctors must wait before deciding whether to terminate a pregnancy during a medical emergency. Before the overturn of Roe v. Wade, she had a patient who suffered a premature loss of placenta. The patient wanted to wait for her deployed husband to fly home from the Middle East before making a decision. The wait resulted in the patient developing sepsis and ending up on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit. The patient needed a hysterectomy to get all of the infection. Maternal mortality and effects on low-income women While speaking to legislators over the summer, Crockett said doctors are having a hard time getting straight answers about the medical exceptions from attorneys. But not all doctors think the law is too vague. Dr. Michael Watkins, director of the Carolina Pregnancy Center, told legislators it is extremely rare for pregnant patients to face such severe medical emergencies. Watkins said both the pregnant woman and the fetus are doctors patients, not just the mother. Baby is alive from conception, Watkins, an abortion foe, told The Post and Courier. It may be only a couple of cells, but they are living cells. South Carolina has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the country. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the state saw just under 29 deaths per 100,000 births between 2018 and 2020. That's seventh highest in the nation. The U.S. average was 20 deaths per 100,000 births. Abortion restrictions only complicate that problem, said Dawn Bingham, South Carolina's vice chair of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and an abortion rights advocate who unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat for state Senate in 2020. You are forcing people to take on that risk for themselves without giving them (an) option, Bingham said. She and other proponents of abortion choice say the law, if it goes into effect, will adversely affect Black women who are overrepresented in the state's high maternal mortality numbers as well as other women of color and low-income women who may not be able to travel out of state for abortions. The Post and Courier previously reported on the state's shortage of OBGYNs, particularly in rural areas. The vast majority of the state's 604 licensed OBGYNs are clustered around Charleston, Columbia and Greenville. Fewer than 8 percent practice in rural areas. The infant mortality rate is 35 percent higher in South Carolina's rural counties, where nine out of every 1,000 infants die before their first birthday. Ann Warner, executive director of South Carolina Womens Rights and Empowerment Network, posited abortion restrictions could result in qualified physicians leaving the state rather than risk running afoul of the law, aggravating those problems. Medical students and residents will choose either not to get training here in South Carolina or leave as soon as they can, she said. Watkins, with Carolina Pregnancy Center, said the law would only affect health care providers who perform abortions, which most in the state don't do in the first place. There are three women's clinics that provide abortion in the state: two operated by Planned Parenthood in Charleston and Columbia, and the Greenville Women's Clinic in Greenville. National standards for obstetrics and gynecology residency programs include training on abortion and other family planning techniques, though residents may opt out of the training if they have moral or religious objections. That's the way it works at the Medical University of South Carolina, and that has not changed with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, spokesperson Heather Woolwine said in a statement to The Post and Courier. Other residency programs The Post and Courier reached out to either said the programs would comply with federal law or declined to comment. Maura Turcotte, Zharia Jeffries and Adam Parker contributed to this report. Food & Dining Editor Parker Milner is the Food Editor of The Post and Courier. He is a Boston College graduate and former professional hockey player who joined The Post and Courier after leading the Charleston City Paper's food section. The glint of a shiny wrought-iron gate, dangling moss from an ancient oak, a cobblestone path leading around the bend, the overlooked inscription on the base of a statue. Downtown Charleston is full of picturesque nooks, many with a deep history that is waiting to be explored. Here are a few historical hidden gems around town that are worth discovering on your day off, whether you're in the city for the weekend or have lived here your whole life. Philadelphia Alley Some city alleys and passageways are hidden gems that serve almost as portals to the past. "The charming streets of Charleston wear the polish of more than 330 years of history, an enchanting chronology that is evident at every turn," the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Center states. "Earthquake bolts and ornate ironwork adorn antebellum dwellings while copper lanterns and hitching posts hint at a bygone era." Step into history with a stroll down one of Charleston's alleyways. Philadelphia Alley in particular is a favorite stop on ghost tours because of a faint whistle that can sometimes allegedly be heard from the ghost of Dr. Joseph Brown Ladd, known as the whistling doctor. He met his demise as a result of a duel with Ralph Isaacs in the alley in 1786. Some locals call it Dueler's Alley because of the numerous accounts of duels taking place there. In addition, there is also Bedons Alley, Longitude Lane, Prices Alley, St. Michaels Alley, Stolls Alley, Unity Alley and Horlbeck Alley all passageways to stumble upon while exploring downtown. Denmark Vesey Monument There are many monuments commemorating historical figures around Charleston, but one in particular is located in a park that you could spend hours wandering on a sunny day: Hampton Park. The Denmark Vesey Monument was erected in 2014 and tells one of Charleston's many overlooked stories about a prominent African American figure in the city's history. And it just so happens to be the 200th anniversary of his execution. Vesey, formerly enslaved, bought his freedom in 1799 and became a carpenter. He organized a slave revolt in Charleston that would've led 9,000 to their freedom, but his plan was discovered and Vesey was sentenced to death. He was executed in 1822 before the planned uprising but was memorialized to draw more attention to the role slavery plays in Charleston's history and the Black people who were killed fighting for equality. Though Hampton Park is full of blossoming azaleas and butterflies, that's not the whole picture of Charleston, just a piece. It's important to remember the other parts, too. The Powder Magazine It may not be as popular a historic site to visit as Fort Sumter or the historic Dock Street Theatre, but this building has quite a legacy. In fact, it's the oldest public building in the Carolinas, completed in 1713. It was used for gunpowder storage during the American Revolution in order to defend the city, was retired and then privately owned, and is now listed as a historic landmark. You can visit the building, which now serves as a museum showcasing local history and artifacts from the colonial period, any day of the week during operating hours. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for kids. Dot Scott has helmed the Charleston Branch NAACP for 21 years, often raising her voice against discrimination and racism. Now, as she steps away from the storied civil rights organization, she's thinking about the constant need to push for change, and the challenges in store. Over the course of two decades, Scott raised the profile of the local NAACP branch, arranging many press conferences, sometimes on very short notice, and confronting political and civic leaders on issues that included public education, racism in the workplace, housing discrimination, gentrification and more. She was a major force behind the annual fundraising banquets, which regularly featured prominent national leaders such as Hillary Clinton, Julian Bond, the Rev. William Barber, Eric Holder and Joe Biden. Some found her style abrasive, but Scott insisted that it takes a strong will and stiff backbone, especially if you are a Black woman, to call out injustice and corruption. The public appearances are but the tip of a large iceberg, she said. Most of the time, she has quietly fielded phone calls perhaps four or five every week from people all over the Lowcountry complaining about mistreatment. Sometimes the grievances are well-founded, and Scott will strive to negotiate some kind of peace; other times she must explain how perceived wrongdoing is the result of economic forces indifferent to the struggles of her constituents. When that happens, she expresses sympathy and tries to explain that theres not much the NAACP can do, she said. Her years as president of the Charleston NAACP constituted a second career. Her first career was with AT&T/BellSouth, where from 1971 to 2002 she served as a sales and service manager based in Charleston and as a corporate instructor. That latter post required frequent travel to various cities such as Birmingham and Charlotte and Baltimore. Since the COVID pandemic began in 2020, she and her small staff of volunteers mostly have worked remotely. In March, the branch relocated from its office on Columbus Street in the East Side neighborhood to 117 Spring St. after its landlord, PASTORS Inc., decided to renovate the building. The Charleston NAACP is 105 years old. One of the oldest branches in the country, it was founded eight years after the national organization got its start on Feb. 12, 1909. In recent years, it has shared the domain of civil rights activism with a variety of other organizations, individuals and movements, including Black Lives Matter Charleston, the Racial Justice Network, the National Action Network, the Charleston Activist Network and United Front. Most are populated by young people whose activism was ignited by police and vigilante killings of Black people, such as Trayvon Martin (2012), Michael Brown (2014), Eric Garner (2014), Tamir Rice (2014), Walter Scott (2015), Freddie Gray (2015), Breonna Taylor (2020) and George Floyd (2020). Scott, a 73-year-old North Charleston native and resident, said she hopes more young people will become involved in the branchs activities but that she knows the NAACPs structured, hierarchical approach doesnt necessarily appeal to young activists. Young folks coming up, they want immediate leadership, Scott said. They dont always have the patience for mentorship and for waiting their turn. Its hard to make changes when young people dont believe they have to follow the rules. Scott said shes a proponent of the kind of activism thats participatory. She wants a seat at the table. She relies on a common-sense approach. Theres a place for confrontation for people on the outside to bang on the walls and shout through the windows but too often that kind of protest is dismissed by the powers that be, she said. She doesnt want to be on the outside looking in. Youre prejudged and ignored when your demands fail the pragmatic test and dont align with reality, Scott said. Stepping up Young activists have lost patience, said Daron Calhoun, Race and Social Justice Initiative coordinator at the College of Charlestons Avery Research Center. The fight for social justice has been too incremental, with too many episodes of pushback and backpedaling. After Mother Emanuel, everyone said be patient, he said, referring to the 2015 mass shooting that left nine worshippers dead. We all said No, were tired of waiting. He and other young activists want Confederate monuments removed from college campuses immediately; they want buildings named for white supremacists to get new monikers; they want police reform now; they want an end to economic discrimination today. People have been saying you need to get in the shallow end and work your way to the deep end, Calhoun said. Weve been at the shallow end for years. So no more silent marches that keep out of the way, no more efforts to convince those who refuse to be convinced, he said. When you allow a racism and injustice to persist, you reinforce them. They become a norm that few seem willing to challenge, he said. Tamara Butler, director of the Avery Research Center, said the generational divide is exaggerated. Every generation includes moderates and revolutionaries. We have to get past the argument that young people are the radicals and old folks are the pragmatists, she said. Our communities are more complicated than that. Some young people are good at logistics and strategy, some older people are good at talking loudly and hogging the limelight, Butler said. Whats needed among activists is dialogue that leads to hard questions about how organizations should function, what missions they should adopt, and how they can engage more participants. Its not that young people dont want to be involved, Butler said. Its that people arent creating spaces for them where their talents and strengths can be expressed. Whats needed, she said, is the development of apprenticeship runways. Organizations too often dont seem to have succession plans. They fail to identify strong leaders early, recruit them, nurture their talents and empower them. James Johnson, president of the Racial Justice Network, said theres room for all kinds of activism and all kinds of civil rights organizations. We need more people like Dot Scott to step up, he said. The environment today is very hostile; we need people to take her place. ... She did what she could do while she was there. She made her mark. The Charleston NAACPs constituency has shrunk in recent decades as Black residents of the city move elsewhere, Johnson noted. Other NAACP branches, such as those in North Charleston and Goose Creek, have been taking on more of the load. But theres still a need for a NAACP presence in Charleston, he said. Thats where many of the institutions are located. Thats where public school officials work, where housing policy is formulated, where gentrification is having a big impact. The Racial Justice Network has kept busy since Johnson founded it in 2020. It is active statewide and now has several youth chapters. It focuses on crime, discrimination, poverty and other issues affecting African Americans. Johnson hopes to find opportunities for collaboration with other civil rights groups, he said. Making room The Rev. Joe Darby, first vice president of the Charleston NAACP branch, said Scott was instrumental in revitalizing the group when she became president in 2001. Membership was lacking; there was no branch office. There an old hymn in the Black Church, May the work Ive done speak for me, Darby said. Shes been an excellent president. She has been at the forefront of big battles such as the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the Statehouse, and active in smaller ways, he said. She is relentless about the cause of civil rights, Darby said. And she has settled a lot of stuff without a lot of hue and cry. Shes done her work and shes done it in a commendable manner. Although there has been a population shift on the Charleston peninsula, the need remains for a strong and vital NAACP presence downtown, he said. First of all, the issues often are centered there, Darby said. The branchs membership is not confined to the city. And, anyway, you cant run all the Black people out of Charleston. Darby said Octobers monthly meeting will result in the formation of a nominating committee whose members will develop a slate of candidates for all of the branchs positions, present it at the November meeting, and invite attendees to submit their own nominating petitions. (Anyone who has been a member for at least six months is eligible to throw his or her name in the hat.) The Charleston NAACP will continue its work, Darby said. My personal hope is that maybe the branches will look at means of collaboration, he said, adding that they need to make more room for young people. Hopefully, there will be dialogue and cooperation going forward. Its a good time for branches to sit down and look at how we do things. MOUNT PLEASANT Bill Underwood once spent 45 days submerged beneath the sea aboard the Navy submarine Clamagore. From 1969 to 1972, the sub was his home. He and the 85 others who served alongside him put out fires and plugged leaks to keep each other alive. And when he learned years later it was part of the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, he'd bring all his children and grandchildren to show them the cramped spaces where he spent his formative years. Underwood returned Oct. 14 to say goodbye. Rust covered most of the top of the Clamagore. The sail the tower-like top of the structure was gone and hundreds of bags of foam packing peanuts had been situated inside to help keep it afloat. On one end, the boat was so decayed that in spots he could look straight through to the other side. "I hate seeing her like that," said Underwood, who tossed a wreath into the water and saluted as a team pulled the Clamagore into the harbor for its final patrol to be scrapped and recycled after a five-day tug voyage to Norfolk, Va. "I have a lot of mixed emotions about what's happening today," Underwood said. "But I really do appreciate that Patriots Point kept her from becoming razor blades for 40 years." The somber ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier Yorktown, punctuated by "The Navy Hymn," was the culmination of years of wrangling over the fate of the diesel submarine first commissioned in 1945. A Guppy III submarine, the Clamagore was the last of its kind preserved in the U.S. It operated in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean, and the museum says its time near Key West. Fla., earned it the nickname "The Grey Ghost of the Florida Coast." In 1981, six years after it was decommissioned, it became a part of the museum in Mount Pleasant that has hosted millions of visitors. People were allowed inside the Clamagore until last year, when a leaking ballast tank forced its closure and sealed its fate. "When you lose your ballast tanks, that's a sure indicator that you're on the way to losing a boat," said Michael Hastings, director of operations at Patriots Point. "This is the only logical conclusion that we could come up with. We just didn't have the financial ability to save it." Leaving it in the harbor in such compromised shape would court environmental disaster if a hurricane or other activity caused it to sink, because of the PCBs, lead and other heavy metals used to make it. The move was scheduled to take place earlier this month. It was delayed by Hurricane Ian, a reminder of the risk its presence posed. Repairing the Clamagore would have cost more than $9 million. The state budgeted $2.7 million two years ago to bury the Clamagore at sea as an artificial reef, but then allowed Patriots Point to use the money to stay afloat during the start of the pandemic. Once it arrives in Norfolk, the Clamagore will be dismantled and recycled. "We spent the last 14 or 15 years trying not to arrive to this day," said Wayne Adams, vice chairman of the Patriots Point board. "It was the last thing we wanted to do, but it just got to where there was really no choice." Some pieces of the submarine will be salvaged and used in an exhibit aboard the Yorktown, one of two vessels remaining at Patriots Point. Other parts will head to naval museums across the country. The more we learn about the states 2019 destruction of John Pendarvis Harleyville hemp crop, the worse it looks. A federal lawsuit filed last month paints a disturbing picture of officials with SLED and the S.C. Agriculture Department judge shopping, withholding pertinent information from those judges to get a warrant and conspiring to make sure Mr. Pendarvis didnt realize he was in danger of being arrested and having what he believed was a legal crop destroyed until they could arrange the operation. The lawsuit, Pendarvis v. Wilson, goes on to allege that officials up to and including SLED Chief Mark Keel repeatedly gave misleading answers and deliberately withheld information they were required to provide in response to a lawsuit Mr. Pendarvis filed in state court. Of course, you should no more take an unanswered lawsuit at face value than you should believe a criminal defendants denials of wrongdoing. Maybe it's all true. Or maybe, once state officials present their defense, itll turn out that the plaintiff is selectively presenting emails and other discovery material to paint a grotesquely misleading picture. But even if it turns out that every allegation in the lawsuit is solid, theres one massive overreach that's bizarre and worrisome. Unlike most lawsuits challenging government actions, Mr. Pendarvis is suing state officials in their individual capacity. That means if he wins, the defendants can be forced to personally pay damages. They could lose their homes, their cars, their bank accounts any assets they have. And it doesnt stop at what we would consider the usual suspects: Mr. Keel, Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers, Dorchester County Sheriff L.C. Knight and Attorney General Alan Wilson. It also targets 29 of their employees. Agriculture spokeswoman Eva Moore allegedly was part of a conspiracy against Mr. Pendarvis because when she sent out a news release announcing the arrest, she ran it by the agency officials who were involved in the case, and coordinated it with the news release SLED was also sending. Similar reasons are given for including Robert Kittle, the spokesman for the attorney generals office. The solicitor generals secretary was sued because she posted attorney generals opinions about the matter on the agencys website, as she does all opinions. Thats the bizarre part. The worrisome part is that the lawsuit also targets the attorneys who were involved in writing those attorney general's opinions in response to SLEDs questions about how it should handle its investigation. Solicitor General Bob Cook, one of the defendants, tells me this is the first time in his 45 years in the office that he can recall attorneys being sued individually for their opinions. Suing the people who write attorney generals opinions is a little like suing a judge for his opinion. Only a judges opinion has the force of law, whereas attorney generals opinions are merely that: opinions, offered as guidance. And you can't sue judges because they're immune from litigation. Even if the opinions Mr. Cook and his colleagues put together were egregiously wrong, it was still SLEDs call about what to do with them. But contrary to the allegations in the lawsuit, theres nothing apparently wrong with the opinions, or with how they came to be. State law requires licensed hemp growers to notify and get approval from the Agriculture Department before they plant their crop. Mr. Pendarvis moved a field because of weather problems, and either he didn't notify the agency or else it didn't receive his notification until an official came to inspect his crop, by which time the plants were already well along. State law also says its not a crime to negligently violate the hemp law. But officials determined Mr. Pendarvis had deliberately moved his field which is probably correct and points to a major flaw in the law: allowing a slip-up only for negligent actions rather than for actions taken without criminal intent, as seems to be the case here. This summer, the local solicitor decided that while SLED had probable cause to arrest Mr. Pendarvis, there wasnt sufficient evidence to convict him and dropped the charges. But his crop already had been destroyed. The first attorney generals opinion said SLED needed to get court permission to destroy the crop, in order to protect Mr. Pendarvis rights. The suit says SLED tried to get an ex parte order and backed out when the judge said she'd need to hear from Mr. Pendarvis. A few weeks later, SLED informed Mr. Cook that Mr. Pendarvis had signed a waiver, saying his crop could be destroyed if he violated any provisions of the hemp law. Based on that information, Mr. Cook issued an updated opinion saying that under such a scenario, there would be no need to get a judges OK to destroy a crop. This is what Mr. Pendarvis attorneys are calling a conspiracy to deprive him of his rights. Which would be laughable if it werent so serious. On the one hand, I cant imagine how this part of the lawsuit could succeed. On the other, its never safe to predict what a judge will do. What I can predict is that if it were to succeed, it would put government attorneys and a lot of other government employees on notice that they can be sued individually and bankrupted simply for doing their job as honestly as they can. And it almost certainly would cause Mr. Wilson and his successors to cut back or eliminate attorney generals opinions, which would be a great loss because they provide well-informed and impartial legal advice to state and local officials and lawmakers advice of the sort that is too rarely available from their in-house counsel. Yes, at the GEC voting center at the Westin. Yes, at one of the satellite voting centers open on Saturdays. No; I'm voting on Nov. 8. No; I'm not voting in the general election. Vote View Results Herschel Walker squared off against smooth-talking incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock in their one and only debate preceding the election for Georgias Senate seat last night. FOX 5 Atlanta has posted video of the whole thing here. RedStates Mr. Bonchie includes several highlights in the video clips accompanying his account/assessment of the debate here. Caroline Downeys straight news story for NRO includes a quote I cant find in any clip. Walker confirmed that he does not believe the 2020 election was stolen from former president Donald Trump. President Biden won, and Senator Warnock won, which is why I decided to run, he said. The Washington Free Beacons Chuck Ross declared this moment a Heisman worthy pivot. Heisman worthy pivot https://t.co/v7Ojgbk4q0 Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) October 15, 2022 Alana Goodman also covered the debate in a straight news story for the Washington Free Beacon. This Free Beacon story by Andrew Kerr ignored completely by the MSM made its way into the the debate. Goodman reports it this way: The debate moderators also pressed Warnock over a bombshell Washington Free Beacon report, which found that a low-income housing building owned by the Ebenezer Baptist Churchwhere Warnock still serves as CEO and senior pastorhas attempted to evict numerous residents for late rent payments. Warnock denied the report, and said the story was an attempt to sully the name of Martin Luther King Jr.s church and John Lewiss church by a desperate candidate. We spend every day every week feeding the hungry, and the homeless. They know that those false charges that they created are not true, said Warnock. The Free Beacon report was based on a dozen eviction lawsuits that Warnocks church-owned apartment building publicly filed against residents since the start of the pandemicincluding against one tenant who owed just $29 in back rent. The state of Georgia has launched an investigation into the church based on the Free Beacon report. Just to clarify, your position is that the allegations in these lawsuits arent true? asked the moderator. I am saying its very obvious that my opponent and his allies are busy trying to sully Ebenezer Baptist Church, claimed Warnock. In other words, Warnock prevailed in the non-answer and evasion department. Walker: "He won't answer that about evicting the people from the church.." Warnock: "We have not evicted those tenets." Walker: "He's now telling you 'I didn't evict anyone.' It is written in the paper!..Senator, you did! It's okay to speak the truth. Do not bear false witness! pic.twitter.com/YxBzjr8XeX Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) October 14, 2022 Free Beacon reporter Andrew Kerr followed up on Twitter. Warnock saying they're not evicting tenants simply isn't true. Here's the lawsuit. Warnock's church, which pays him a $7,400/mo housing allowance, owns 99% of the property in reference here. pic.twitter.com/F3DiixDI2u Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) October 15, 2022 I say Warnock prevailed in the non-answer department. This was a good one too. The non-answers above and below werent the only ones. However, they take the cake. Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock is asked if the Atlanta Braves should rethink their name, their logo, or their signature cheer. Warnock wont say. pic.twitter.com/VKLxGxFad3 RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 15, 2022 Im omitting the give-and-take on abortion and the related stories published by the Daily Beast. Walked denied the stories and seemed to me to hold up his end of the debate on the substantive issue. Indeed, Walker at the least held his own and the whole thing contributed to the comedy of American politics. Would that the stakes werent so high. UPDATE: The Washington Examiners Barnini Chakraborty comments in Five takeaways from the Georgia Senate debate. The Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) has announced that Afrobeat artist Made Kuti, Nollywood actor Tunji Sotimirin and Skit maker Edgar Eriakha will perform at the 2022 MUSON Festival. In a press briefing held on Wednesday at the MUSON Centre in Marina, Lagos, the organisers revealed the talents would perform on different festival days. Made Kuti would be featuring at the Festival Jazz night while Tunji Sotimirin and Edgar Eriakha would be starring in the Musical play of Wole Soyinka Child International. Mr Louis Mbanefo, the chairman of MUSON, gave a brief history of the organisation. MUSON was formed by a group of friends in 1983, most of whom are now deceased, with the main objective of promoting the understanding and enjoyment of serious music, he said. He recounted how MUSON has been holding concerts since 1984, and the Musical school has grown into an accredited institution. He said, from humble beginnings, the School has become a diploma awarding institution accredited by the Ministry of Education and the music examination Board in England. The School has produced over 350 Diploma graduates, He added. Proudly highlighting a recent feat, he said, The MUSON Choir, which has won gold medals at international competitions, travelled to Greece just last week and performed to a distinguished audience. Festival Schedule Explaining the order of the festival, he stated the Festival would be on for seven days starting from 21st through to the 30th October On Friday, 21st October, the drama production of Wole Soyinkas play Childe Internationale sponsored by Chevron will hold. It will be a befitting occasion to celebrate our iconic Nobel Laureate and master playwright, Mr Mbanefo said. The formal inauguration of Sunday Musical Brunches at the La Scala Restaurant on 23rd October, During the brunch, our talented musicians from the Diploma School will provide a continuous concert. Hopefully, this will become a monthly event.. He said. The traditional MUSON Day would be 25th October, and the occasion is to celebrate the birthday of MUSON with a concert by our talented MUSON artists. On 29th October, We shall celebrate the 70th birthday of Senator Daisy Danjuma, the wife of our distinguished Patron, General T.Y. Danjuma, with the performance of the opera Cavalleria Rusticana and I in her honour. The Gala concert would hold on Sunday, 30th October, sponsored by Total Energies. The concert will feature the MUSON Choir, directed as usual by the incomparable Emeka Nwokedi, and the MUSON Symphony Orchestra conducted by our visiting maestro, Walter-Michael Vollhardt. The Festival Jazz night will be held on 5th November because Made Kuti will be available. AFROBEAT AND AFROBEATS Ayo Ajayi, a member of MUSON since 1998, believes the organisation has impacted Nigerian music tremendously. Speaking on the position of MUSON in the tending Afrobeat and Afrobeats Genre, Mr Ajayi said, MUSON has affected the different strata of music in Nigeria; it would interest you to know that some of the people who started creating Afrobeats got their first platforms with MUSON. He explained that the birth of the Open Mic sessions and shows gave the platform for some young upcoming artists. The likes of Dare Alade and Timi Dakolo attended the MUSON basic school of Music, he said. He highlighted that even now, MUSON believes in giving a platform to both Afrobeat and Afrobeats artists a platform regardless of the generation. Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti, Davido, Banky W and others have performed on this stage, and Now we are bringing Made Kuti this year for the Jazz festival. While Nigeria celebrated her independence, it was a dream come true for a former PREMIUM TIMES journalist, Yusuf Akinpelu, as he tied the knot with his sweetheart, Oladele Mahrufat, in Ibadan. The wedding, themed #AyoAdura22, was a modest ceremony with a few friends, family members and colleagues in attendance. The couple had, on 14 May, performed the Islamic wedding rites (Aqdun Nikkah), where they sought the consent and blessing of both parents and Islamic clergy and were legally wedded under Islamic law. Mr Akinpelu, a multiple award-winning journalist, now an employee of the BBC, described the moment as a cocktail of feelings for him. Its a feeling of success, a feeling of triumph, a feeling of hope and joy. Im happy it finally came, and with the glamour, it went with, he said. Love story From Facebook to life partners. Currently, a student of Educational Management at the University of Ibadan and a prolific fashion designer, Mrs Akinpelu, 26, said their love journey started on the Facebook messenger app. we started talking in March 2021, she recalled to PREMIUM TIMES, saying she met her husband when she was not interested in any relationship, not to talk of marriage. But he proved that hes worth breaking boundaries for, she added. The excited bride continued, AlhamduLlilah, we are here. And I do not regret it. My husband is an incredible man, and I admire him so much. On the other hand, Mr Akinpelu, 28, a digital journalist and wildlife enthusiast, graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he bagged a Bachelors degree in Statistics. Before joining the BBC, he headed the PREMIUM TIMES data desk, leading a team that brought life into data and made it understandable. Narrating how he met his beautiful bride, he said it all started with a chat he received from a fan (his wife) last year. Sometime last year, I received a message from a writing fan who occasionally wrote and wanted to develop the skill. It was her, he recalled. Within this period, Mr Akinpelu said, we had occasions where we talked about life, and it was clear we shared some life experiences. He said: So we maintained that mentor-mentee relationship for some months, and that was it. After that, there was a hiatusfor months: no contact and no chat. After talking again, Mr Akinpelu added that he felt she was the one, so one day I decided to pop the question, and her response gave me further conviction. And that was it, from distant admirers to life partners. Isnt that a couples goal? he chuckled mildly. For Mrs Akinpelu, she described going into a relationship as a risk because you are not so sure if it will lead to being together forever. AlhamduLlilah, we proposed, and Allaah didnt dispose of it. Im glad we crossed all hurdles and arrived here, she said. She further prayed for Allahs guidance and protection to overcome even the impossible odds the future might bring. Mrs Akinpelu is an indigene of Ede, a town in Osun State, while Mr Akinpelu hails from Ibadan, Oyo State capital. The couple is currently having their honeymoon in Lagos. More pictures The Ministry of Women Affairs has received a total budget allocation of N17.1 billion for 2023, nearly 50 per cent lower than its 2022 budget allocation of N35.749 billion, a review of the proposed budget shows. President Muhammadu Buhari had on 7 October presented to the joint session of the National Assembly a N20.51 trillion Appropriation (Budget) Bill for the year 2023. In the budget, the ministry proposed to spend N350 million on what it titled, Cooking Gas Project: Advocacy and Community Mobilisation of Women in the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. But in 2022 when the ministry got more than two times its 2023 budget, it proposed to spend only N64.5 million on the cooking gas project. The Ministry has also proposed to spend N130 million on the purchase of grinding machines and ice block machines for indigent widows and others in Bayelsa East Senatorial District which is far less than the N189.05 million proposed for the same project in 2022. Budget breakdown The Ministry also proposed to spend N260 million on an ongoing project termed computerisation/networking of the finance and accounts department at the headquarters for greater efficiency while another N160 million will be used for the purchase of laptops for budget, finance and account divisions. To produce an edition of the National Gender Policy (NGP), the ministry has also proposed to spend N160 million while surveying the national situation of vulnerable children in Nigeria will cost the ministry N203 million. The ministry intends to expend N220 million to develop a national guideline on alternative care for children in Nigeria. In the 2023 budget, the ministry has proposed to spend N151.6 million for the African first ladys peace mission project. While National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), an institution under the ministry has proposed to spend N600 million for the renovation of its centre, the ministry has proposed to spend N60.1 million on womens rights and social justice. To empower widows and indigent women in Nigeria, the ministry has proposed to spend N100.9 million and to support women in government and leadership the ministry intends to spend N20 million. The ministry intends to expend N90.3 million on the establishment of a nutrition department as well as expend N50 million for vocational training and skills acquisition again for widows and disabled persons for poverty alleviation, in Langtang North, Plateau State. For monitoring of budget performance of the ministry in the six geopolitical zones of the country and FCT, the ministry intends to spend N80 million amongst other projects and programmes. The Nigerian government has again indicated that it is not yet ready to release Nnamdi Kanu, over 24 hours after the Court of Appeal in Abuja freed him. Addressing journalists after a national security meeting in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, said the government was still reviewing the courts decision before taking a position on it. Re-echoing the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who gave the governments first reaction to the verdict late on Thursday, Mr Dingyadi said Mr Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was only discharged and not acquitted by the court. Mr Kanu, a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom, has been detained by the State Security Service (SSS) over terrorism charges filed against him since he was arrested in Kenya and brought back to Nigeria in June last year. Twenty-four hours after the charges against him were dismissed and his release ordered by the appellate court, Mr Dingyadi said on Friday that the government was still reviewing the case, and would make its position known after weighing all available legal options. Similarly, the issue of Kanu has also been raised and Council was briefed on the state of things on the matter and it was observed that Kanu was discharged, but he was not acquitted. So, the government is considering the appropriate action to be taken on the matter and Nigerians will be notified of the position that will finally be taken on the matter in due course, Mr Dingyadi said. Mr Dingyadis comment is a repeat of the exact claims by Mr Malami in a statement on Thursday. The discharged-but-not-acquitted line is seen by lawyers as a fuzzy basis for the governments attempt to continue to hold Mr Kanu in custody against the Court of Appeals clear order for his release. In the absence of any pending charges against the separatist leader championing the secession of the Igbo-dominated states of Nigeria as an independent Biafra nation, lawyers say there is no legal basis to continue to hold him in custody. PREMIUM TIMES reported how a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, struck out all the remaining seven charges against Mr Kanu. It followed an earlier ruling of the trial judge, Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in April, dismissing eight of the 15 amended counts filed against him by the federal government. The charges were a fallout of the separatist activities of Mr Kanu. Mr Kanu is championing the secession of the Igbo-dominated Southeastern states along with some states in the South-south as an independent Biafra nation. The charges included treasonable felony first filed against him after he was arrested in 2015. It also included terrorism-related counts introduced into the case after he was rearrested outside Nigeria and brought back to face his trial in June 2021. Mr Kanu, displeased with the partial dismissal of the charges against him by the Federal High Court in April, had approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the validity of the remaining seven charges. The Court of Appeal panel led by Jummai Sankey struck out all the remaining charges against Mr Kanu, on Thursday, ruling that the lower court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit. The court held that Mr Kanus extradition from Kenya in June 2021 to Nigeria without following the extradition rules was a flagrant violation of Nigerias extradition treaty and a breach of the IPOB leaders fundamental human rights. It held there was no denial by the Nigerian governments lawyer, David Kaswe, in the appeal as to the submissions of Mike Ozekhome, Mr Kanus counsel, that the separatist leader was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya. The appellate court held that the failure of the federal government to adequately respond to Mr Kanus arguments gave merit to the appeal. The appeal court also said the Federal High Court failed to examine the findings of the prosecution as it would not have tried Mr Kanu based on the prosecutions claim that the IPOB leader was not illegally brought into the country. Although the Court of Appeal ordered the release of Mr Kanu from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), many have expressed doubts, particularly on social media, that the federal government would obey the order. The secret police repeatedly violated court orders granting bail to Mr Kanu from 2015, when he was first arrested, until 2017 when Mrs Nyako granted him a fresh bail. Background The Court of Appeals decision terminating Mr Kanus trial on Thursday came months after the federal government, through Mr Malamis office, amended the charges against the IPOB leader. The amendment was necessitated by the ruling of Mrs Nyako, striking out eight of the 15 counts including terrorism and treasonable felony earlier brought against Mr Kanu. Mrs Nyako, in her ruling on Mr Kanus application on 8 April, threw out counts 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12,13 and 14 which she ruled were repetitive and invalid. But she approved counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15. The pending charges had to do with Mr Kanus alleged membership of the proscribed IPOB and incitement via social media channels of members of the group to kill innocent persons in the South-east. The prosecution also alleged that on diverse dates between March and April 2015, Mr Kanu illegally imported into Nigeria and kept in Ubulisluzor in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, a radio transmitter known as Tram 50L. He allegedly concealed it in a container of used household items which he declared as used household items. The alleged offence was said to be contrary to section 47(2)(a) of Criminal Code Act CapC45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The Nigerian government on Friday inaugurated its COP27 National Logo and listed the top expectations and priorities it hopes to achieve from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, inaugurated the logo while briefing journalists in Abuja, on the preparation for the 27th session Conference of Parties (COP27). Mr Abdullahi said that the conference would be hosted in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from 6 to 8 November, adding that Nigeria as a signatory is expected to actively participate. He said that the inauguration of the logo represents alignment with the ideals and objectives of COP27 but distinctively projects national priorities as a country. He said COP27 was a rare opportunity for parties and observers to come together and grapple with a challenge that is impacting humanity. He said the conference is also to showcase unity against an existential threat that can only be overcome through concerted action and effective implementation. The minister said that the top priorities and expectations by Nigeria from the conference include the provision of a National Pavilion at the COP27 venue. He said that the pavilion would serve as a base for hosting all activities by the Nigerian delegation during the conference to hold bilateral meetings. He said that it would as well provide a place for networking with potential investors and related opportunities for Nigerians. According to him, arrangements to host side events at the Nigeria pavilion by interested stakeholders are being processed. The side events to be hosted in the pavilion will relate to showcasing Nigerias best practices and exchanges with international communities. The side events will also engage in dialogues and green investment forums toward tackling climate change and moving Nigeria to a low-carbon development pathway. Nigeria will participate in a world leader-level summit with other nations to co-launch the Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership, he said. Mr Abdullahi said that the leaders partnership is being championed by the UK government through Alok Sharma, the president of COP26. He said that Nigeria would, under the auspices of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), host a high-level side meeting. He said the meeting is a follow-up to President Muhammadu Buharis session at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (COP15) conference in Abidjan in May 2022. He said that the meeting expected to draw notable global leaders and funding from development partners to focus on climate finance to address desert encroachment, desertification and drought devastating member states, as well as exploit the funding window under the auspices of the Great Green Wall Accelerator, where European countries pledged about 18 billion euros to support activities of member states. Nigeria will continue to push for a softening of conditions as it relates to access and draw-down from the fund to make it accessible to member states, he said. Mr Abdullahi said that the priorities and expected outcome would also focus on exploring options for climate finance and building partnerships to drive emissions reduction ambitions, adaptation and climate change mitigation. According to him, the focus will be on a sustainable funding mechanism that drives nature-based solutions such as land restoration, reforestation, combating desertification, climate smart-agricultural practices and adaptation strategies. He said Nigeria would seek collaboration and support on sustainable waste management, renewable and clean energy provision, and finance for loss and damage. He added that Nigeria will push for developed countries to fulfil financial pledges to aid in tackling the climate crisis. The expected outcomes of Nigerias participation will include increased partnership building that helps Nigeria achieve its emission reduction targets. They will address adaptation and mitigation, establish sustainable financing for climate actions, resilience building, poverty eradication, energy transition and sustainable development. Nigeria, will not take a position of know it all but will align with the West Africa regions identification of the thematic issues faced by the continent and the groups interim position on each. Mr Abdullahi said that the issues include doubling adaptation finance by 2025; clarification on the support arrangements to address loss and damage; closing the climate financing gap; scaling up Africas mitigation ambition and implementation. Others include strengthening the linkage between technology and financial mechanisms; the global stocktake on progress on the Paris Agreement; transparency; gender and climate change; agriculture. The minister said that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management would hold a side meeting to showcase the impact of climate change on migration and livelihoods of the people affected by conflict, including people that lost agrarian habitat around the Lake Chad Region and the arid landscape of the Northern Nigeria, coastal flood and erosion in the southern part of the country. He said that the accreditation of Nigerian delegates to the event has also been concluded. According to him, delegates include representations from the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change (ICCC), high-level representation from the Presidency and National Assembly, as well as non-governmental groups, ministries, scientists, academia, experts, Civil Society Organisations, private sector entities, women, youth and the media. Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane has died at the age of 72, his agent has said. The Scottish star, whose real name is Anthony McMillan, was best known for playing the beloved Hogwarts gamekeeper Hagrid and starring as criminal psychologist Dr Eddie Fitz Fitzgerald in ITVs crime drama Cracker. His agent of 40 years, Belinda Wright, said Coltrane died on Friday and thanked the medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert, near Falkirk in Scotland for their care and diplomacy. In a statement, she added: Robbie was a unique talent, sharing the Guinness Book of Records Award for winning three consecutive Best Actor Baftas for his portrayal of Fitz in Granada TVs series Cracker in 1994/1995/and 1996 with Sir Michael Gambon. He will probably be best remembered for decades to come as Hagrid in the Harry Potter films. A role which brought joy to children and adults alike all over the world prompting a stream of fan letters every week for over 20 years. James Bond fans write too to applaud his role in GoldenEye and The World Is Not Enough. For me personally, I shall remember him as an abidingly loyal client as well as being a wonderful actor, he was forensically intelligent, brilliantly witty and after 40 years of being proud to be to called his Agent, I shall miss him. Coltrane was made an OBE in the 2006 New Years honours list for his services to drama and he was awarded the Bafta Scotland Award for outstanding contribution to film in 2011. The actor is survived by his sister Annie Rae, his children Spencer and Alice and their mother Rhona Gemmell. (dpa/NAN) The police in Osun State on Friday said they arrested Abdulafeez Shorinmade of Feesu Iwo, Iwo Local Government Area, for allegedly killing a 20-year-old girl by stabbing her in the neck with a pair of scissors. A statement by Yemisi Opalola, the commands spokesperson, said the suspect also stabbed another 18-year-old girl on the chin before he was caught. On Wednesday, at about 9:30 p.m., at Kajola Area Iwo, one Abdulafeez Shorinmade of Feesu Iwo, suspected to be under the influence of drugs, armed himself with a pair of scissors and stabbed one Rofiyat Rasaki, 20 years old, on her neck which caused her to bleed to death. The suspect fled the scene and on getting to Soba Compound, he again stabbed another female by name Sawiyu Nasrup 18-years-old, on her chin. The Divisional Police Officer in Iwo and his team swiftly raced to both scenes of crime, after receiving reports of the incidents, went after the suspect and subsequently arrested him. READ ALSO: Man to die by hanging for stabbing woman to death The injured person was rushed to the hospital where she was treated and discharged while the corpse of the second victim was taken to the general hospital for certification and preservation for autopsy, she said. Ms Opalola added that the police was, however, monitoring the area and the entire town and that further development would be communicated to the public. (NAN) The Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs says no fewer than 10 girls fall victims of sexually abuse daily in Oyo State. Lateef Oyediji, Director of Child Welfare, Ministry of Women Affairs, made this known at an advocacy activity to mark the 2022 International Day of the Girl-Child on Saturday in Ibadan. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by Cedars For Human Welfare Initiative (CEHUWEI), in collaboration with Development Research Project Centre (DRPC) and funded by Ford Foundation. Mr Oyediji said the ministry received not less than 10 cases of sexual abuse against girls daily, adding that the ministry was not happy at the manner girls were being molested in the state. He said those involved in such bad act would not go scot-free, adding that they would face the full wrath of the law. Mr Oyediji called for more support from security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in tracking down those perpetrating the immoral act. If we look inward for what is happening to girl-child in Oyo State, there is need for holistic approach. And for all relevant stakeholders to stand up to protect our girls, because the societys structure is now working against proper upbringing of the girl-child. What amaze us is that some of the homes or orphanage centres, under the care of male caregivers, are abusing these girls and the case are (sic) now being reported at our office and legal action will be taken against them, he said. Mr Oyediji attributed unemployment, economy hardship, street hawking, family dispute and lack of proper care and protection from parents due to economic instability, as factors contributing to sexual abuse of girl-child and women. The way the society is structure is not encouraging proper upbringing of the girl- child, while the livelihood culture of women in the society and the present global economy make some families to find it difficult to feed, forcing the girls to hawk on the streets and thus made them prone to sexual abuse, he said. Also, the Executive Director of CEHUWEI, Olatunji Oluwabukola, called on girls and women to position themselves for opportunities and try as much as possible to be someone to be reckoned with in the society despite challenges ALSO READ: Court jails man 21 years for attempted sexual assault Presently, ladies, girl-child are facing challenges of gender-based violence whereby they were assaulted, harassed and infringed on their rights. There is need for continuous awareness in order to curb these acts, he said. In her remarks, Deborah Salami, the Secretary-General, Advancement Legacy For Indigent Citizens and Environment, called for equal treatment of boys and girls in the family and society in general. Ms Salami said boys and ladies behaved immorally and wear indecent dresses in the society, because they were not raised up properly. (NAN) A radio worker in Imo State, South-east Nigeria, arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) for playing a song considered offensive to the Governor of the state, Hope Uzodinma, via the station has been released. The worker, Casmir Uzomah, is a staff member of the Orient Radio-Television Station, which is managed by the Imo State Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), a media outfit owned by the Imo State Government. He works in the technical department of the station. Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that he was released on Friday. Mr Uzomah spent about two months in the SSS detention. He was arrested on 4 August when he honoured an invitation by the SSS. I was told that he played a song on IBC which was very offensive, calling the governor a murderer, Declan Emelumba, Imo State Commissioner for Information, had alleged. This man actually played a song that says the governor is a murderer and that blood is flowing in his hand. Even the NBC queried the IBC for playing such a song, he claimed, pointing out that he (Emelumba) was not responsible for Mr Uzomahs arrest. The release of the radio worker comes about one week after his family members and work colleagues complained that they were not allowed to see him, while in detention. Not yet over When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the information commissioner, Mr Emelumba, on Saturday, he confirmed that Mr Uzomah had been released He was released on bail by the SSS, he said. The commissioner, however, said his release does not mean that the matter has come to an end. He said the state government would go ahead with the case. Absolutely. It is still on. It is a serious case now, Mr Emelumba said when asked if the government would continue with the case. It is not the kind of case you sweep under the carpet. The police in Kwara State have detained two journalists on the instruction of Rafiu Ajakaiye, the chief press secretary (CPS) to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. . The journalists, Abdulrasheed Akogun and Dare Akogun, who are siblings, were accused of defaming the CPS through a WhatsApp platform. The journalists who are both staffers of Sobi FM in Ilorin, the state capital, were detained on Thursday after they honoured an invitation by the police. In the letter of invitation sighted by PREMIUM TIMES, the duo were accused of inciting disturbance, injurious falsehood and criminal defamation. The letter signed by Steve Yabanet, a deputy police commissioner in charge of criminal investigation, said the police requested their organisation to release them for questioning. This office is investigating cases of inciting disturbance, injurious falsehood and criminal defamation alleged against one of your staff Dare Akogun. You are kindly requested to release him to have an audience with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Ilorin, Kwara State through the OC Legal of the Command on Thursday 13/10/2022 by 11: 00 hours. It is just a fact-finding invitation and your cooperation in this regard will be highly appreciated, the letter partly read. But narrating his ordeal to PREMIUM TIMES, their father, Kunle Akogun, who is a staffer of the University of Ilorin, said his sons never returned home after the invitation. The two boys were invited by the police this afternoon to write statements. As we chat, my boys will sleep in police cell, having been detained after writing their statements. He said the police have refused to release his sons despite many interventions. My grievance Narrating his part, Mr Ajakaiye, in a statement on 6 October, said the journalists falsely accused him of using state resources to the tune of N15 million to finance an election of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kwara State. He said the allegations amounted to injurious falsehood and criminal defamation of his character, as the claims were false. He said the allegations were another way of inciting the public against Mr AbdulRazaq and other members of his government. These claims on the popular WhatsApp platform are, on all fronts, malicious and mere concocted lies. These claims have given rise to injurious insinuations and snide remarks against my person. I seek legitimate protection of the law to save my name as a human being, family man, citizen, and public officer, the CPS said. New twist In a new twist on Friday, the father of the journalists informed this newspaper via telephone that the duo had been remanded in prison. He said the warrant was given by an unknown person when the magistrate was said to be absent. They said they should go and remand them now. They took them to court, but there was no magistrate and they just brought a warrant of detention, Mr Akogun said. The Nigerian government has said it is taking measures to ensure industrial harmony in the countrys public universities after lecturers suspended an eight-month strike. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) suspended its eight-month strike on Friday in compliance with an appellate courts judgement and following President Muhammadu Buharis appeal, the union said. The union added, however, that the government has not satisfactorily met its demands. Reacting to the development, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said the government will ensure that Nigerian tertiary institutions do not experience such disruptive strikes in the future. He added that the National Industrial Court will address the substantive issues between ASUU and the government. We wish to assure that with the decision, steps and measures being taken by the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, in the holistic repositioning of higher education, a groundwork is being laid, of which we are confident, will save Nigerians, this unpalatable experience of incessant strike in future, he said in a statement by the Deputy Director Press in the Ministry, Olajide Oshundun. It is our hope that now that the strike has been called off, the National Industrial Court will deal with the substantive issues as contained in the referral letter by the Honourable Minister. This is to ensure that justice is given to all parties including ASUU and their employers- the Federal Ministry of Education who acts on behalf of the Federal Government. After six months of strike and multiple meetings without a resolution, the minister referred the dispute to the industrial court and sought an order for the union to suspend the strike while the suit is being heard. The court agreed and ordered the lecturers union to suspend the strike. Dissatisfied with the ruling, ASUU approached the Court of Appeal, the final court for cases from the industrial court, where the union was told to obey the ruling of the industrial court before filing an appeal. Now that ASUU has decided to obey the judgement of the National Industrial Court by calling off the devastating action, we apologise to all students and parents, of which the Honourable Minister is one, for this unduly prolonged strike, which is unwarranted ab initio, Mr Ngige said. The minister also expressed gratitude to all Nigerians who participated in various ways in the negotiations leading to the suspension of the eight-month strike. He said: In a special way, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige recognizes the patriotic efforts of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, the former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Supo Ayokunle and all members of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) whose wisdom and intervention raised a ray of hope while the strike was at infancy but for ASUUs intransigence to negotiation. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Former President Goodluck Jonathan has hinted his support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa. Mr Jonathan who has been absent from the activities of the party, was seen in a video on social media, endorsing Mr Okowa. In the 48 seconds video, the former president stood between Mr Okowa and the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed. Mr Jonathan was seen shaking hands with Mr Okowa as he said our incoming vice president. The duo, alongside other PDP supporters, visited the former president in Abuja. He was also seen praying for strength to everyone who is going to represent us next year. He said he is willing and ready to support and work for the success of the PDP in the 2023 election. Mr Jonathans support and endorsement of the Atiku/Okowa candidacy, puts to rest speculations that he planned to leave the PDP. These speculations had arisen when Mr Jonathan shunned the presidential primary in May and stayed away from other important party activities. Mr Jonathan is also believed to have schemed to be the presidential candidate of the ruling party, APC. A group brought the APC presidential nomination form for Mr Jonathan but he did not submit it. His support for the PDP also comes hours after another former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, was seen seemingly endorsing the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi. In a separate video, Mr Obasanjo was seen taking Mr Obi by the hand to his (Obasanjo) seat, after which he said my job here is done. The former president had, however, called on Nigerians to vote in a candidate from the South-east. Mr Obi hails from Anambra State in the South-east and was governor of the state on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). He defected to the PDP after his tenure and subsequently the Labour Party earlier this year. The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), a national alliance of media and civil society organisations, on Friday, condemned the arrest and detention of Sobi FM reporter, Dare Akogun, and his brother, Abdulrasheed Akogun, on 13 October in Kwara State. According to a report, the detention came after a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo, by Rafiu Ajakaye, who is the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. He claimed that he has been defamed by a WhatsApp post written by the journalist accusing him of misappropriation of public funds. Consequent upon the refusal of the journalist to tender a written apology to the CPS, he and his brother were arrested and detained without due process. It is worthy of note that the conflict between press freedom in law and practice remains evident in Nigeria, where journalists are tagged as extremists, criminalized and detained, using legal systems to stifle them whenever they pry into the prevailing bad governance. No other industry has been confronted with such a degree of official antagonism, and the effect is felt not only by journalists but also by their audiences; the public that deserves the right to know and to access information. CWPPF condemned the detention of Dare Akogun and his brother and demands their immediate release. We shall continue to take the necessary measures to prevent violence against journalists and media workers and we will also fiercely demand accountability and bring perpetrators of crimes against journalists and media workers to justice. CWPPF Secretariat The Coalition for Whistleblower Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) is a group of media and civil society organisations committed to upholding democracy and good governance by protecting the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom. CWPPF members Premium Times OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative The Cable Daily Trust Newspaper Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) Civic Media Lab Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) International Press Centre (IPC) International Press Institute, Nigeria Media Rights Agenda (MRA) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Paradigm Initiative Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) HEDA Resources Centre. A former defence spokesperson, John Enenche, has reacted to outrage from Nigerian youth over his inclusion in the 2023 campaign council of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Mr Enenche, retired major general, in a statement on Friday, said the countrys youth are right to criticise his past comment on Lekki Tollgate shootings but urged them not to waver in their support for the candidate. The youth, on Wednesday, singled out Mr Enenche from the list of the 1,234-member appointed to be removed from Mr Obis campaign following his denial of the killings of protesters by personnel of the army in October 2020. He said in an interview at the time that the video evidence of the killings reported across different platforms were photoshopped. Following the controversy trailing his inclusion in the LP campaign team, PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported the resolution of the party to drop the ex-army spokesperson and update the list. Dear countrymen and women, following my appointment on the campaign council of the Labour Party, there were reactions on the social media about my pronouncement concerning a video shot at the scene of the ENDSARS incident at Lekki toll gate on 20 October 2020. Everyone that commented in any way was right based on the information at their disposal and individual analysis. Personally and professionally, I worked with the overriding interest of Nigerians at heart based on the oath of allegiance I swore on commission into military service which is sacrosanct. I sincerely shared in the pains of that breaking news through the social media as it were. On this note, I want to assure all that more effort will be put in, so that all assertions can be cleared convincingly from appropriate sources, Mr Enenche. Mr Obi, earlier in a Twitter post, also admitted to the error of inclusion of the ex-Army officers name among other persons. He vowed to do the needful and urged his supporters to exercise patience. Ive received several calls of concern following the release of the Labour Partys Presidential Campaign Council list. Admittedly, there were some omissions and erroneous entries in the list, hence the concerns expressed. In response, the Labour Party Chairman in the presence of members of the NWC addressed the issues during a press conference. In keeping with our commitment to accountability, responsiveness and transparency, an updated list will be issued in due course. I plead for patience, the presidential candidate said in a Twitter post. However, Mr Enenche, in his statement, did not indicate whether he has resigned from his membership in the campaign team or not. He, however, reiterated his support for Mr Obi and enjoined Nigerians to do the same in the best interest of the country as it braces for the 2023 polls. I believe that all Obidient Nigerians among others that believe and are working towards a new Nigeria and taking our country back have the same conviction like me. In this regard, I appeal to all in this endeavour to allow us to maintain focus to achieve this all important mission, he said. Worshippers were apprehensive Friday over the fate of the days Jumat service at the Central Mosque in Ikare, in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, following tensions arising from the alleged sacking of the Chief Imam of the town, Abubakar Muhammed. It was gathered that the mosque was locked in the early hours of Friday as Muslims prepared for the Jumat service. Armed police officers and soldiers were also seen manning the entry points of the mosque to prevent breakdown of law and order. Reports of the sack of Mr Muhammed had generated tension in the community. The league of Imams and Alfas in the state had, however, rejected the removal of the cleric. However, under adequate security, the Jumat service held with the embattled cleric leading the prayers. The sacking of the grand cleric of the town was orchestrated by the Ikare Muslim Council, which had claimed that Mr Muhammeds sack arose from the councils decision on 9th October. The sack letter was signed by the Councils chairperson, Adewale Abayomi, and the Secretary, R. Aiyegbusi. In the letter dated 10th October and addressed to the Chief Imam, the council said it had agreed on the termination of the clerics appointment. It also claimed that the sack had the approval of the towns monarch, the Okukare of Ikare, Saliu Akadiri Momoh IV. The letter was also sent to all the heads of security agents in the state and the town. Ondo League of Imams reacts The League of Imams swiftly rejected the removal of the cleric, warning of its consequences and urging for patience. In a statement on Thursday, the leagues General Secretary, Abdurasheed Akerele, said the decision of the state government on pending issues within Ikare Muslim Community had been handled and settled. The problem which has been resolved by the Government should not be allowed to rear its ugly head again, the statement said. The league of Imams and Alfas, Ondo State is not in support of the removal or sacking of the Chief Imam of Ikare Akoko which is being rumored about in the state. The league of Imams and Alfas Ondo stand firmly with the government verdict which its white paper was already out to the concerned groups. In the light of the above therefore, every individuals or groups should allow peace to reign in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State. Bad omen The Ondo Council for Islamic Affairs said the information coming out of Ilare on the removal of the Chief Imam was unpleasant. The Council viewed this latest development as a very bad omen that could endanger the peaceful religious atmosphere in Ondo State, the statement signed by Chairman, Akinpelumi Abibullahi, and General Secretary, Atere Nasirullahi, said. In order to forestall the breakdown of law and order in Ikare-Akoko and its environs, the Ondo State Government should call the Ikare Muslim Council to order, while the Ondo State League of Imams and Alfas under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe should wade into the matter urgently. The Council appreciate the steps taken so far by the Ondo State Government led by Mr. Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN to cub the imbroglio that had been on for sometime now in Ikare-Akoko. As a way to find a lasting peace to the crisis. The Council stand by the Ondo State Government white paper on the crisis and we implored the Ikare Muslim Council/Town to do the same so that peace and harmony could return to Ikare-Akoko in particular and Ondo State as a whole. Police react Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the deployment of security operatives to the mosque was not unusual, as they were usually deployed every Friday and Sunday at worship centres for protection. The deployment is not unusual, and it is not because of any tension, we have always been doing that on Fridays at mosques and on Sundays at churches, she said. On the crisis in the Muslim community in Ikare, she said no official report had been made, so the police is not aware of any impending crisis. While presiding over the Jumat service on Friday afternoon, the Chief Imam appealed to all and sundry in Ikare to give peace a chance so the town can regain its lost glory, noting that without peaceful coexistence, development could not take place. The Islamic cleric also advised all religious leaders and youths in Ikare to embark on fervent prayers for the peace and tranquility of the town, Ondo State and Nigeria in general. General apathy by residents of Osun across the 33 local government areas on Saturday marred the ongoing council election in the state. The local government election, being conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission, barely a month to the end of the tenure of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola-led administration, was ongoing in all the 322 wards in the state. There were no visible presence of voters in many designated polling units across the 33 local government areas. NAN correspondents gathered in Osogbo, Olorunda, Ejigbo, Iwo, Egebedore, Ife East, Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Governments, that only in in few cases, there was poor turnout of electorate. It was also gathered from some electorate that the poor turnout might be as a result of lack of adequate publicity about the election. Those who spoke on condition of anonymity with NAN said that they were not even aware of any election since there was no campaign by any of the political parties. At Polling Units, 8, 9, 10 and 11, Ward 3, Asubiaro, Osogbo, less than 100 accredited voters were recorded as of 11:00 a.m. NAN also gathered that the ballot papers being used by OSIEC for the election did not contain the logos of any of the political parties. However, only a YES or NO boxes were provided in the ballot papers for voters to thumbprint. A Presiding Officer at Unit 8, Folashade Olanrewaju, told NAN that the election started at 9.00 a.m in the unit. Ms Olanrewaju said that out of 665 registered voters at the Unit, only 15 had voted as of 11:00 a.m. She said that they were still expecting more voters to come out before the end of the voting by 3.00 p.m. At Ward 16, Unit II, Dada Estate Osogbo, a Presiding Officer, who pleaded anonymity, said the total number of registered voters was 1,792. She said they were still expecting voters to come out to vote. Reacting, Bose Badmus, a party agent with the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Unit 20 Ward 10, said she could not say what was responsible for the poor turnout. Mrs Badmus, however, expressed hope that voters would still come out before the end of the election. At some Polling Units in Ile-Ife, it was observed that some officials of OSIEC arrived late at their polling units. At Catholic Technical College, Ilode, Ward 11, Unit 001, Ile-Ife, about 20 voters were sighted on a queue to cast their votes as of 11.30 a.m. It was gathered that there was low turnout in many of the polling units visited, while commercial activities went on as usual within the town. In Ilesa East and Ilesa West Local Governments, there was no presence of security personnel in any of the polling units visited in the town, while only APC agents were sighted in many of the places designated for voting. In many polling centres, only agents with APC tags were seen with only few voters present as of the time of the visit at about 11.30 a.m. Some security personnel were only sighted in many parts of the major the towns, enforcing the restriction order by the state government within the town. The No Movement order was not observed by many of the motorcycle operators who were seen moving freely with their passengers. Also, only public places were closed to business, while the privately owned outfits were going about their normal business. The state government had announced restriction of movement between 7.00 a.m and 3.00 p.m. NAN reports that the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Segun Oladitan, had on Thursday announced that only one political party signified intention to contest in the election. Mr Oladitan, however, did not mention the name of the political party that signified interest. NAN recalls that the local government election in Osun had been a matter of controversy among the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), APC and OSIEC. (NAN) From the beginning, Peter Obi was running his campaign, scared of people associating the movement with anything Igbo. He repeatedly warned people that they should not vote for him because he was Igbo. Already, Obi won a victory in this regard. He has proven that the snail may try but cannot cast off its shell. The 61-year-old presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has won 61 victories even before Nigerians cast their first votes in the 2023 presidential election. Some of the victories are for Nigeria, some are for the Igbo people, and some are for the state that Peter Obi once governed Anambra. Here are the top ten victories, in no particular order. From the beginning, Peter Obi was running his campaign, scared of people associating the movement with anything Igbo. He repeatedly warned people that they should not vote for him because he was Igbo. Already, Obi won a victory in this regard. He has proven that the snail may try but cannot cast off its shell. With the success of Peter Obis campaign, the political career of Rochas Okorocha and his likes are over. Anambra State achieved that kind of change after Dr Chris Ngige replaced Chinwoke Mbadinuju as the states governor. And Ngige begot Peter Obi, and Peter Obi begot Willie Obiano, and Obiano begot Charles Soludo. In the process, Anambra State sent the likes of Andy Uba, Chris Uba, Ifeanyi Uba, Annie Okonkwo, and others into the dustbin of history. It transformed Anambra State away from a territory where moneybags rule. For every step taken by any Igbo group, be it the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Igbo cultural group, Ohanaeze, or Okija Native Doctors Association, Peter Obis campaign is immediately associated with the step and is expected to explain to the nation why he should be allowed to be president in light of the groups move. Lucky Peter Obi. Other candidates from other parts of Nigeria get denied this victory. For example, nobody ever associated Buharis campaign in 2015 with the Boko Haram insurgency, even though Boko Haram named him their preferred man to negotiate for them with the government. Imagine if IPOB had named Obi as their chief negotiator. Most Nigerians do not see Bola Tinubu as a Yoruba candidate, which is unfair to the man from Lagos via Osun. After all, when he said in Abeokuta that it was his turn, he built the argument on the presidency being Yorubas turn. Tinubu is also denied credit for the serious campaign for an independent Yoruba nation by Sunday Igboho, Professor Banji Akintoye, Adenyinka Grandson, and others. That is a gross injustice. Bola Tinubu deserves a victory, just like Peter Obi. And, it goes without saying that Tinubus VP, Kashim Shettima, from Boko Haram territory, should be given credit for all the activities of Boko Haram in the North-East since 2009. The political elite in the five Eastern states is not lining up behind Peter Obi. Three of the governors of the zone are with the PDP, while one just recently defected to the ruling APC. The only APGA governor, Charles Soludo of Obis home state, Anambra State, has not come out to endorse Obi. Yet, people outside the zone continue to see Obi as an Igbo juggernaut with all the associated privileges. That is a victory for Obi. Though Peter Obi is one of the eight Igbo people running for president in the 2023 election, he is the only one enjoying the tag, the Igbo candidate not even the presidential candidate of the so-called Igbo party, APGA, receives that designation. That, again, is a special kind of victory. This is the first time that a product of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, is this close to being the president of Nigeria. What a triumph over the graduates of Denis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) and Government College Umuahia. If Obi wins, CKC could become the South-Easts answer to Barewa College. Peter Obi has proven that all generalisations about the Igbo people of Nigeria are wrong, including this one. Peter Obis greatest disruption is the perception of Igbo people in some quarters as aggressive, rude, and loud. Peter Obi is nothing like that. It used to be argued in the Nigerian political space that the Igbo people had no quality candidate to present as a presidential candidate. That argument persisted despite Zik trying out in 1979, Alex Ekwueme trying out in 1999, and so on. In this current season, young people appear to say that Peter Obi stands shoulder-high above other major contestants, despite his flaws. Analysts say that the rest of the country could not support an Igbo person for president because Igbo people did not unite around one candidate. In this dispensation, with seven other Igbo candidates running, Peter Obi has been getting the bulk of the support. Because of Peter Obi, the era of politicians carrying their bags is just beginning. Hopefully, it will lead to them bearing their failures. Festus Okotie-Eboh will be covering his face in shame wherever he is now. Win or lose, the pendulum of Peter Obis quest to be president has smashed Orji Uzo Kalus dream of being president. This is a huge victory for the people of Nigeria. Peter Obis insurgence campaign has moved millions from the disenchantment column back into the enchantment column. For everyone who changed his or her profile picture from an image of Sunday Igboho/Nnamdi Kanu/Asari Dokubo/Muhammadu Buhari to that of Obi-Datti is a victory for Nigeria and an indictment of the people who ran Nigeria aground and forced these beautiful fellows to lose their faith in the country. To all Nigerians, what the Tinubu campaign is trying to do is to create a siege mentality, first, among his supporters, and then among his ethnic fellow Yoruba people. From a strategic viewpoint, it is a fine strategy. What you need to understand though is this: However the next elections turn out, regardless of who wins, Nigeria is faced with a difficult four years. A few months ago, the governor of Kaduna State, in his typically blunt manner, said that Lagosians ought to get a free pass to heaven because they live in hell on earth. His exact words, I dont know how people in Lagos survive. Every day, four hours in traffic for five days. I dont know if Saturdays and Sundays are enough for them to rest. That is why I feel that all those that have lived in Lagos for 20 years should just go straight to heaven because they have already lived in hell. Honestly, they have paid their dues so they should just be given free pass. If you want to hear his words, watch the video here. I took the liberty of starting the link from the point where Mr El-Rufai, unprompted, laid into Lagos. For the record, I completely agree with Mr El-Rufai on this. I am one of the lucky Lagosians who work in an organisation that, after seeing what was possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, decided that coming to the four walls of an office is not the only way to work. This means that I have to go into the office only twice a week, and like my other colleagues, I have seen the benefits of not sitting in traffic for hours on end every day. Goddey, for example, no longer complains about the long hours he spends in traffic coming to the office. To underscore the point, my organisation did a study a few years ago about the cost of traffic to Lagosians. The effect is bad. Heck, in putting together that report, we spoke with kids in the Badagry area of Lagos, who do not see their parents during the week. In one family we spoke to, the eldest child (of four kids) at the time was 13, and she was responsible (more or less) for raising her siblings, as both parents worked in low-wage jobs on Victoria Island, meaning that they left the house very early on Monday mornings, and returned very late on Friday evenings. We are building social problems for the future. But this piece is not about Mr El Rufai, or traffic in Lagos. Its about something I saw recently. Leaving the cringe-worthy spelling aside, going through the chaps Twitter timeline, it becomes immediately clear that the person behind that handle is an APC supporter. It is also clear that this person is doubling down on something that has become a clear part of the Tinubu campaign strategy emphasising the ethnicity of Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, as a negative. Ilemona Onoja, a PDP operative and member of the Atiku Abubakar campaign team, who happens to be a good friend of mine, had, in the manner natural to politicians, dredged up Mr El Rufais speech in a tweet. Someone replied, Let the anambra pple leave first weather it will be better afterall anambra is better. The conversation that followed is interesting. Leaving the cringe-worthy spelling aside, going through the chaps Twitter timeline, it becomes immediately clear that the person behind that handle is an APC supporter. It is also clear that this person is doubling down on something that has become a clear part of the Tinubu campaign strategy emphasising the ethnicity of Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate, as a negative. I have written extensively about the Igbophobia that has existed as almost an unwritten policy of the current government, so I will not dwell on it other than to point out that Mr El-Rufai, of the Fulani ethnic group, is the governor of Kaduna. Mr Onoja, who is an ethnic Igala, identifies as being from Kogi State. It is very interesting that the character that came at him tried to bring in Anambra, an Igbo state. It speaks to something that has been an uncomfortable part of the Tinubu campaign thus far Many Igbo people on social media have been guilty of ethnic-based politicking. Many Yoruba people on social media have been guilty of ethnic-based politicking. Many people from Arewa on social media have been guilty of ethnic-based politicking. Both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have spoken about the mess we are in. What we have heard from Tinubu is silence, and multiple Houdini acts. The man has shown us how he would govern. He would not speak to us, and when we make more demands, he will disappear, and his supporters would actively try to turn us on each other. A word is enough for the wise. These are facts that cant be denied, and what is more, such acts are more or less inevitable in a fake country made up of many nations forced to squabble over scarce resources. I find it interesting that repeatedly, members of the Tinubu campaign never react to ethnic-based campaigning from Arewa, but routinely attack all Igbos, including those who are not involved in any way in Peter Obis campaign. Many of them even go out of their way to project things done by Arewa people to Igbos. Witness the character in todays Twitter exchange calling Ilemona an Obidient. For me, this is a matter of principle. I have publicly stated my concerns about an Obi presidency. I have publicly stated my concerns about an Atiku presidency. However, I am OK with victory for either of them for the simple reason that the APC has failed. There are many things I have against a Tinubu presidency, but what counts against it first is this: He represents a party that has messed Nigeria up for eight years. You cant reward failure. We rewarded failure in 2019; look where we are now. In addition to that, the signs around Tinubu are not good. The man is clearly unwell and incapable of coping with the strains of the office. In the last 15 years, we have had two occasions where the president was ill and incapable of discharging his official duties. Neither went well for the country. Why should we with clear eyes walk into another such situation? It makes no sense. A word to Arewa people: the Tinubu crew are looking away from your jibes because they believe that they need your vote. They have clearly discounted the South-East, hence Tinubus actions during his consultation in which he visited various states in Arewaland, and various states in the South-West, but then turned around and told South-East APC leaders to come to Abuja to consult with him. As an electoral strategy, that is fine. The South-East traditionally has the lowest number of registered voters (about 45% of Igbos in Nigeria live outside Igboland), and layered on that is that the region traditionally has low voter turnout. I repeat, as an electoral strategy, especially if you want to play Mason-Dixon-type politics, it is fine. You do not stress an old man who is ill with visits to places that have limited electoral value. But the way the Tinubu guys react to Igbo people and unlook Arewa jibes, do not for one second think that if they get what they want, they will not finally react to your mad jibes. To all Nigerians, what the Tinubu campaign is trying to do is to create a siege mentality, first, among his supporters, and then among his ethnic fellow Yoruba people. From a strategic viewpoint, it is a fine strategy. What you need to understand though is this: However the next elections turn out, regardless of who wins, Nigeria is faced with a difficult four years. If you think things are bad now, lets resume this discussion at the end of 2024. Both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have spoken about the mess we are in. What we have heard from Tinubu is silence, and multiple Houdini acts. The man has shown us how he would govern. He would not speak to us, and when we make more demands, he will disappear, and his supporters would actively try to turn us on each other. A word is enough for the wise. Cheta Nwanze is a partner at SBM Intelligence. The daily reality of the persons once enslaved here is not part of the exhibits. The chains and padlocks succinctly described by my teacher were absent. But the Abbey offers a taste of rum from its 18th Century distilleries next door, complete with the casks and antique machinery. Sugarcane has vanished from the manicured landscape, so the Abbey tells the story of sugarcane without a stalk to showcase. Often, the Barbadian sky plays with the mind, conjuring a thousand images on the blue canvas. Today it is a vivid colour of white and silver on blue canvas. The white shines brilliant, and pelts of silver clouds hurry across the skyline. I forgot who wrote of Barbados as an afterthought: that God created the Caribbean Isles after He had finished forming the earth. Barbados and the other islands in the Caribbean emerged from a splash of mud as God washed off His hands here, in the blue seas, after creation. Myths abound about Barbados, the Caribbeans most famous destination. Anthony Hinks, the author of Verbs in Storyland, threw himself into the vortex when he posted: Barbados (is) where the beaches are the most beautiful; if you havent been to Barbados, you havent been to heaven. Hinks implied God had left a piece of heaven behind after He formed the island. So did Cris, the charming 46-year-old grandmother who was our guide. Cris waxed possessive, insisting God is a Barbadian. How else do you explain the prodigious diversity of flora on this island, plus that hurricanes rarely visit? Cris quipped as she sleekly manoeuvred her sedan down the street at St. James Parish, an upscale part of town. I silently contemplated the rhetorical quips, marvelling at her bond with the road. The lady was at ease with words and the wheel: Would she be that confident on Lagos roads? How would her delicate frame hold under fire from a danfo or sand loader, say in Mushin or on Lekki-Epe Road? Barbados makes no pretensions at New York, London, or Paris; it is just Barbados, plain and rustic. Perhaps because land is scarce, expansive autobahns are uncommon here, narrow roads wind across the neighbourhoods, at times hugging the simple, elegant houses. Not far from the old church in St. James Parish, where Cris had taken us to see a 400-year-old gravesite, she slowed down again and motioned to a sprawling mansion to our right: This is where Tiger Woods had his wedding, a room goes for $US5,000 a night. Back then the Tigers wedding was the talk of the town. Shame it didnt last. Every place wears a saintly halo in Barbados, so does the St. Nicholas Abbey, which has sat on Cherry Hill at St. Peters Parish, since 1658. The Abbey lives up to its billing as a historical site, testifying to slavery from the slavers perspective. The Big House, a Jacobean structure, is still intact, but the minders forbade us from climbing its wooden stairs for fear that they might cave in. The part opened to the public loudly tells of a past of ease and luxury. Barely one mile later, she gestured to another mansion nestled in magnificent flora: It used to be a hotel, but Rihanna owns it now. Rihanna, like Cris, is a Barbadian, before she was grabbed by America and Hollywood. According to an apocryphal version, the house was one of the top hotels in Barbados when Rihanna came to party there with friends. Things got unruly, and they messed the place up a bit. The hotel management was angry and sent a bill to the diva for the clean up. But Rihanna wouldnt stand the slight and did not hide her feelings. She asked the management to name its price, bought the place and converted it to a condo. I thought that was the perfect definition of a hostile takeover. Cris dug into history along the winding stretch from Bridgetown to Cherry Hill, recounting the decline and fall of sugarcane, once the staple product of the island. Barbados is still home to vintage rum from sugarcane, but it has moved to tourism, and the sugar plantations are relics of its past. I am a history buff, particularly of slavery, the type that operated in Barbados. My primary school teacher, Mr S.A. Adeniyi, stimulated the interest when he related how planters padlocked the mouths of enslaved people to prevent them from eating sugarcane on the farms. I was elated when Cris suggested we see St. Nicholas Abbey, one of the plantation relics on the island. Every place wears a saintly halo in Barbados, so does the St. Nicholas Abbey, which has sat on Cherry Hill at St. Peters Parish, since 1658. The Abbey lives up to its billing as a historical site, testifying to slavery from the slavers perspective. The Big House, a Jacobean structure, is still intact, but the minders forbade us from climbing its wooden stairs for fear that they might cave in. The part opened to the public loudly tells of a past of ease and luxury. The Renaissance portraits of its long-dead occupants stare down the walls. They set the dining table, replete with 17th Century goblets and cutleries, as if someone was expecting the bygone owners would show up for a meal. The daily reality of the persons once enslaved here is not part of the exhibits. The chains and padlocks succinctly described by my teacher were absent. But the Abbey offers a taste of rum from its 18th Century distilleries next door, complete with the casks and antique machinery. Sugarcane has vanished from the manicured landscape, so the Abbey tells the story of sugarcane without a stalk to showcase. It also offers a bumpy train ride across Cherry Hill to give a feel of how they transported products from the plantation back in the days. But not a single slave cabin here. Are the curators deliberately mute on the story of the enslaved? The guide politely answered in the negative, pointing to some motley artefacts on a small table. A fading register from 1882 opened besides it, bearing names of men, women, boys and girls in servitude on the plantation at the period. The record also catalogued the market values of more than 100 enslaved people in quaint cursives But not a single slave cabin here. Are the curators deliberately mute on the story of the enslaved? The guide politely answered in the negative, pointing to some motley artefacts on a small table. A fading register from 1882 opened besides it, bearing names of men, women, boys and girls in servitude on the plantation at the period. The record also catalogued the market values of more than 100 enslaved people in quaint cursives: Jack was worth 150, and Mary, a woman, was worth 60, less than Jack, and Sammy, valued at 170. Little Jessica had 90 against her name, and Membe, probably a baby girl, attracted a paltry sum of 10. All eight horses on the register were worth 40 apiece. I noticed each horse was worth more than poor Membe to the 1882 reckoner. The owner of the Abbey did not keep the records to celebrate humanity but to reinforce the inhumanity of the enslaved people. Take me to this land of sweet sugar cane/and Mount Gay Rum/Take me to Barbados, chants the poem on Barbados by Charmaine J. Forde. She (Forde) is also a Barbadian. This morning I saw why Barbados still holds the magic for Forde and the tourists. But I wonder if the smooth rum or the blue sea held any allure for Jack, Mary or Little Jessica. Would those enslaved people have willingly chosen to come here in 1882? Barbados is 92.4% Black with a mix of White, Asian and Middle Eastern. It is now a colour-blind nation struggling to remove the taints of its past. According to UN calculations, literacy level is well above 90%, and most Barbadians like Cris are educated and savvy. It is a lovely society with a thriving democracy. You see democracy etched boldly on the beaches, with every stratum of society snatching a bit of the sun. All the beaches are public; even the fat cats like our diva are not allowed to own the beaches in their backyards. Cris eyes glinted as she recalled how some ordinary Barbadians took a bulldozer to remove a wall built around a beach by a particular fat cat up in St James. Barbadians voted an entire parliament out in 2018 on allegations of graft that wouldnt make the headlines in Nigeria, and elected Mia Mottley, the current prime minister, and the first female to hold the office. We love our prime minister, Cris crooned as she parked the car to bid us farewell, barely a year in office, she (Mottley) had brought tremendous improvements to the islands economy, schools and the sewage system. It was refreshing to hear a random citizen talk so glowingly about a politician. Wole Akinyosoye, a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), writes from Bridgetown Barbados. Concerning the precursors of security threat migration, he said that security threats do not move from one location to another or transform without a prompting. These prompting or indicators, according to him, are what security practitioners and authorities should look out for to proactively plan and prevent manifestation in other forms or locations. With thousands dead, many dying every day, millions displaced and the haunting fear of the living hoping to survive each day alive, the need to address the insecurity killing Nigeria has become imperative. It is in the light of this that the Lighthouse Pathfinders Group (Li-Pac) organised a Zoom webinar titled, Curbing Security Threat Migration In Nigeria: Mitigation Strategy. Held on 1st of October, it was designed to mark the Independence Day anniversary of Nigeria. It was the second in its discourse series. The NGO, which began as a WhatsApp group, had organised its maiden virtual seminar less than three months earlier. Anchored by a former Channels Televisions Daily Sunrise presenter, Sulaiman Aledeh, the programme was well attended by Li-PAC members and invited guests from across the country and in the diaspora. In his introductory remark, Aledeh, who is currently a programme presenter on Classic FM, affirmed that the issue of insecurity has been overbeaten. According to him, what is needed urgently, today, are solutions; and not mere talks and postulations. In his welcome remark, president of the Group, Tunde Madehin, spoke of how insecurity has taken up most of the daily discussions on its WhatsApp platform as a sign of the unpleasant times that have befallen the country. According to him, it became necessary for the group to take up the matter, first as a discourse, before moving it to a higher level of action. Giving a historical perspective to the evolution of insecurity in Nigeria, as created by the non-state actors who are succeeding in driving fear into the hearts of the citizenry, the Chairman of the programme, Brigadier General Muraina Lola (rtd) said the history of insurgency in Nigeria can be traced to the immediate post-Ghadaffi Libya. According to him, after the overthrow of Ghadaffi, most of the armed groups that participated in that historic revolution began disposing of their weapons, and that was one of the situations that fuelled armed trafficking, which eventually blossomed into the insurgency and consequently the insecurity calamity that is currently consuming the country. From the delienation of the types of security threat migrations and security threat distribution in Nigeria, which impel mitigation efforts, the guest speaker and security expert, Victor Okpiri placed the discourse in a perspective that opened up the ramifications of the problem to the virtual audience. Okpiri defined security threats as anything with the potential of causing danger or harm. Security is the state of being free from danger, otherwise the absence of threat. A security threat is anything with the potential of violating or endangering security or hindering freedom from danger. This could emanate from natural or man-made sources. While natural refers to acts of nature; safety issues and unintentional acts, man-made are malicious and intentional, aimed at particular targets. We will in this discourse be limited to discussing threats resulting from malicious activities. Examples of security threats include kidnapping, insurgency, terrorism, militancy, etc., he said. Explaining further, the guest speaker said security threat migration is the movement of one form of security threat from one geographical location to another or the transformation of one form of security threat to another form in a particular locale. Enlightening his audience, the security expert informed of the prevailing security threats in the country. Nigeria is a nation of many peoples and cultures with over 500 languages. Culture has an influence on crime and the security system. E.g. a culture that celebrates prosperity is likely to be a fertile ground for financial crimes and threats with economic motivations. A culture with strong religious sentiments is likely to be fertile for religious extremism and violence. Cultural backgrounds account to a great extent on the forms of threat prevalent in parts of the country. Available economic and natural resources also account for the type of security threat dominant in an area. For political convenience, Nigeria has been divided into six geopolitical groups South-South, South-East, South-West, North-East, North-West, North-Central lumping people of similar culture and historical backgrounds together. In the South-South, there was (and still is) the Niger Delta militancy occasioned by deprivation of livelihood as a result of activities of oil multinationals. The mode of operation was kidnap of expatriates for ransom and sabotage blowing up of oil installations. This form of insecurity grew from cultism, communal violence and outlawed vigilantes. From attacks targeted at multinationals, it metamorphosed into a thriving business of kidnapping and territorial contest amongst cult groups. Today, there are reported incidents of kidnapping with ransom demand as low as N30,000, explained Okpiri. Concerning the precursors of security threat migration, he said that security threats do not move from one location to another or transform without a prompting. These prompting or indicators, according to him, are what security practitioners and authorities should look out for to proactively plan and prevent manifestation in other forms or locations. He explained that threat actors are likely to move from areas of intensive engagement with government security agencies (GSA) to areas with the less presence of GSA. When this happens, there is the likelihood that these agents will regroup/recruit new members to continue the activities or join the existing form of criminal trade in the new location. The level of sophistication of the operations of bandits in recent times, for instance, is an indication of the infiltration by Boko Haram, ISWAP and IS actors. It could be recalled that on April 9, 2022, a director of Air Intelligence raised the alarm of this possible infiltration of bandits by BH and ISWAP. When neighbours record success in military engagements, it is time to strengthen security at our end, especially at borders. In 2020, the UNDSS warned of possible infiltration of the South-Western states by jihadists. Thanks to the governors of the region for proactively setting up the AMOTEKUN Corp, a regional security outfit in January, 2020, he informed the gathering. Bringing to the fore the territorial war component of the the threat, Okpiri said perpetrators of organised crimes are often involved in clashes with groups they perceive to be competitors. When this happens, the vanquished is likely to surrender the territory to superior power and migrate to dominate a new territory. The current rivalry between insurgent groups in the Northern Nigeria has helped to deplete (the) numerical strength of groups and at this same time disperse these criminal elements to other territories. Some are now operating as bandits in the North-Central zone of the country, he concluded. After an incisive presentation, the floor was opened for comments and questions from the audience. I spoke on the need to use the churchs structure, logistics and finance to protect their neighborhoods of worship. And as it has been the case in most terrorist attacks, where whistleblowers become major targets of bandits, a Li-PAC member, Shina Ishola said Nigerians do not trust the police any longer to volunteer intelligence. A pharmacist, Kenneth Star explained that the unceasing crisis of poverty in the country, coupled with the deepening gulf between the poor and the rich make the incidents of insecurity virtually intractable. Since most of the crises occur in the neighbourhoods, Star recommends a know-your-neighbour policy by the people in their various neighbourhoods or residences. For Salvador Ifedolapo Taoheed, one of the main concerns is the divisive nature of the country, which is further deepened by the agents of disunity. According to him, a major road to curbing threats of insecurity in the country is for citizens to unite in the fight against non-state actors who are destabilising the nation. Gafar Lanre Madehin said the relationship between substance abuse, illicit drug use and crime gets stronger by the day and is consequently lubricating the wheel of insecurity across the federation. One of the frontline members of the group, Alhaja Tawakalitu Kofoworola believes that insecurity and its threats will be rid off if only the old politicians are thrown out in the coming elections. Chris Paul Otaigbe is a journalist and artiste. The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has boasted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not win the 2023 general elections without his involvement and those of four other governors from southern Nigeria. Mr Wike stated this during a live media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday. The PDP has been enmeshed in leadership crisis since the partys primary where Nigerias former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, defeated Mr Wike and other aspirants to emerge the partys presidential candidate. The crisis was further exacerbated after Mr Wike was overlooked for the position of running mate to Atiku. The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, was picked, instead. Mr Wike, feeling aggrieved, accused the party of betraying him and breaching its constitution. He subsequently demanded the resignation of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu a criterion he said must be met before he discusses giving support to Atiku in next years poll. The Rivers State governors argument is that both Mr Ayu and the partys presidential candidate, Atiku, come from northern Nigeria. But the party leadership has refused to accede to Mr Wikes demands, fueling speculations that the Rivers governor could defect to another political party ahead of the elections. Mr Wike has in his group Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State; and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State. During the Friday media chat, the governor debunked speculations that he was planning to leave the PDP, claiming his departure from the party, alongside other governors, would affect the PDPs chances of winning the 2023 general election. If I leave the party today, PDP cannot win the (2023) elections. They cant win any of their polling units if we, the five governors, today, say we are leaving this party. We are not just ordinary governors. We are very formidable, very strong, he said. There is nobody that wants to win elections that will continue the way they are doing, Mr Wike said of the PDP national leadership. This is not the first time. I have supported so many states financially (to win elections). Just that most of them are not truthful. I have supported Plateau, Ondo, and Cross Rivers severally. They cannot deny it. Appointment of 28,000 aides Governor Wike defended his recent appointment of 28,000 new aides. He said it was part of his administrations initiative to alleviate poverty. READ ALSO: Wike makes fresh accusations against Ayu Is it not the duty of the government to reduce poverty? Is it not the duty of the government to empower its people? he said. We met this morning and we are going to increase it to 100, 000. They are all Rivers people, Mr Wike added. Omehias saga Mr Wike also spoke on Celestine Omehia, who was, last week, derecognised by the Rivers House of Assembly as a former governor of the state. The House had directed Mr Omehia to refund over N696 million monetary entitlements within a week. Asked what will happen if Mr Omehia fails to pay after seven days as directed, Mr Wike said the government would explore a number of options to compel him to make the refunds. He (Omehia) has to pay or he should challenge us in court. The attorney-general will advise us on what to do because the state government has a number of options to take. Austin Tam-George, a former Commissioner for Information in the Rivers State Government, has been selected to join the Senior Executive Fellows Programme at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University, in Boston, United States of America. Tam-George who works as a communication and educational consultant joined the fall cohort of the executive programme which begins in October 2022. According to the Harvard Kennedy Schools Executive Education website, the Senior Executive Fellows programme is the unparalleled professional development programme for executives. The programme draws attendance from top US government and military officials, leading academics, and business leaders from around the world. Harvard Kennedy School of Government is the worlds leading professional school of governance and public problem-solving according to the schools online profile. Mr Tam-George earned a PhD in 2007 from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He also attended the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, where he studied communication and leadership. Mr Tam-Georges extensive multi-sectoral experience straddles the fields of education, government, oil and gas, and non-profit. He also writes syndicated commentary on good governance in Africa. For over 20 years, Mr Tam-George taught in different universities, including the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he was Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Research Fellow. His work in education has brought him in contact with students and professionals from over 70 countries. In 2008, Mr Tam-George worked as a Research Consultant to the New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD) in its good governance monitoring projects across Africa. Mr Tam-George voluntarily resigned his post as Commissioner for Information in the Rivers State government in 2017 and became an advocate for increased investment in youth education. In October 2021, he served as a Technical Advisor to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), at its global conference on the impact of COVID-19 on the education of young people in Africa and around the world. HYDERABAD, India, Oct. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Woxsen University, with a key focus on Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability, has initiated a new project termed as 'Rural Entrepreneurship' that aims to uplift the rural community surrounding Woxsen University. Woxsen University initiates Rural Entrepreneurship Project A team formed by Woxsen University students, faculty and non-academic staff led by Dr. Bhairab Chandra, School of Business, initiated the project identifying key areas of concern in the local communities. Lack of knowledge on investment sourcing and difficulty in identification of training methods for their interests have been identified as major issues faced by local communities. After a detailed discussion between the Rural Entrepreneurship team and the rural community around Woxsen, the areas of interest among the community members have come to their attention. They include - Setting up a dairy farm, training to become a professional DJ, opening a General Store and more. As part of the project, the team has met with a widow who took up tailoring as her profession to run the house and feed her two children. With minimal resources she has, she is providing employment to 6-10 local girls by training them in tailoring with one sewing machine she has at her home. Although a few upgraded machines would make her work easy and can build a business to her, getting a bank loan isn't easy for them. Rural Entrepreneurship team also met the principal of Govt. High School Kamkole, from whom they have gathered data of meritorious students. As part of the project, these students are being trained at Woxsen University campus on the aspects of entrepreneurship, incubation and funding. Interestingly, various artistic features were identified among the members which led to a revision and re-orientation of the plan of action towards not just core entrepreneurship but artistic ventures as well. The upcoming sessions hosted on weekly basis, will be addressed to the age groups between 28 to 39 years old. About Woxsen University, Hyderabad: Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, is one of the first private universities of the state of Telangana, India. Renowned for its 200-acre state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, Woxsen University offers new-age, disruptive programs in the fields of Business, Technology, Arts & Design, Architecture, Liberal Arts & Humanities. With 92+ Global Partner Universities and Strong Industry Connect, Woxsen is reckoned as one of the top universities for Academic Excellence and Global Edge. Woxsen is Ranked #13, All India Top 150 B-Schools by Times B-School Ranking 2022, Rank #16, All India Top Pvt. B-School, BusinessWorld 2021 and features in India's Best B-Schools beyond IIMs by Dalal Street Investment Journal. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921446/REP_Woxsen_University.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1771070/Woxsen_University_Logo.jpg SOURCE Woxsen University IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The new SkyDock Pro 100 Watt USB-C charging devices offer superior charging and power efficiency for charging personal electronics on the flight deck, main cabin, and galley. Our personal device charging technology started with our SmartDock USB A and SkyDock FJ USB A charging ports (installed on the new Falcon Jet 6X). Aerospace Devices Inc. has added the SkyDock Pro Single & Dual 100-watt USB-C charging ports to our portfolio of inflight USB A & C charging devices for general aviation aircraft. The SkyDock Pro Single and Dual USB C 100-watt chargers deliver more power than competing products while achieving best-in-class DO160G testing and passing the spilled liquids and touch temperature tests. Visit our website for DO160G sectional testing. The SkyDock Pro 100-watt USB C charger supplies Output Voltage Ranges 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A, 20V / 5A for laptops, smartphones, tablets, electronic flight bags (EFBs), and headphones. The SkyDock Pro USB C offers intelligent, device-driven communication that efficiently supplies each device the right amount of power and will determine a USB C cable's power rating. SkyDock Pro USB C 100 Watt meets the new European USB C 100-Watt Personal Device Charging requirements and regulations. In May of 2022, the EU announced a mandate that required all new portable devices utilize a standard charger by 2024 via USB C. As Europe will be the first to enforce the law, it could have implications worldwide as companies prefer to streamline products to minimize production costs. Now the US Senate and Congress are encouraging the Department of Commerce to enact the same requirements. With the increasing dependance on mobile devices in the flight deck, the SkyDock Pro USB C 100 Watt Single and Dual charging ports leading the future as many aircraft are moving away from the 110 AC universal outlets. About Aerospace Devices Inc. Aerospace Devices Inc. is based in Irvine, CA. We specialize in designing and manufacturing the highest quality, most advanced, and reliable USB charging devices for the aerospace, defense, marine, and rail industries. Our SkyDock USB devices were the first of their class and remain the highest quality and most reliable USB charging devices on the market. Visit our website www.aerospacedevice.com or give us a call at (949) 795-2889 to learn more about our products. Media Contact: Robert Pecanic (949) 795-2889 [email protected] SOURCE Aerospace Devices Inc. ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide Speakers Group (WWSG) is proud to announce that former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has joined their roster of global thought leaders. WWSG will facilitate the Prime Minister's global speaking engagements exclusively. Morrison said, "After extensive research and due diligence, I am excited to be joining Worldwide Speakers Group who will help facilitate my growing relationships within the private sector. WWSG's roster of distinguished thought leaders, their truly global customer base, and personal attention have already made our relationship special. I could not be prouder to join Bob Thomas, Dan Sims, and the entire WWSG team for my next chapter." As Prime Minister, Morrison was tasked with several difficulties that required unique and innovative solutions. From managing the public safety of Australians during the pandemic to mitigating an economic crisis, controlling natural disasters, and leading the country while others were at warPrime Minister Morrison led Australia with his particular brand of calm decisiveness and rationale. With regard to his speaking engagements, the former Prime Minister plans to address globalism, leading in times of great difficulty, global emissions, great power competition and more. WWSG's Principal, Dan Sims said, "Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been a respected leader in Australia, throughout the APAC region and around the world. Known for providing measured geopolitical leadership and aggressively working toward a net zero global emissions economy, Prime Minister Morrison's experiences and insights will be critical for business leaders on six continents. Further, Prime Minister Morrison is a man of strong faith and will actively seek opportunities to serve the global community. Worldwide Speakers Group is honored to represent Prime Minister Morrison for his speaking activities, and we look forward to making him available to our customers around the world." By enlisting with WWSG exclusively, the Prime Minister joins several other high-profile thought leaders including former Vice President Mike Pence, General John Kelly (Secretary of Homeland Security & Chief of Staff to the President), Dr. Mark Esper (Secretary of Defense), Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN Chief Medical Correspondent), Dr. Scott Gottlieb (FDA Commissioner), Annie Leibovitz (iconic photographer), Elaine Chao (Secretary of Transportation), Dr. Robert Redfield (CDC Director), Dr. Deborah Birx (White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator), and more. Worldwide Speakers Group operates on six continents representing an elite roster of global thought leaders, working with multinational financial services and healthcare organizations, trade associations, colleges and universities, and public lecture series to skillfully connect them with the world's top speakers. For more information, visit the new and improved wwsg.com or call (703) 373-WWSG (9974). Contact: Kaylie Abela ***@wwsg.com Photos: https://www.prlog.org/12936666 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Worldwide Speakers Group On Global Handwashing Day, 15 October 2022, the GHC is calling for investment in handwashing education and resources to achieve universal hand hygiene, prevent disease and save lives. LONDON, Oct. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Handwashing with soap is one of the most important steps for reducing the spread of infectious diseases. It is substantially less expensive than other public health interventions and has many socio-economic benefits beyond the reduction of diseases such as increased productivity and a reduction in healthcare costs. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts were made to improve hygiene habits but, according to the World Health Organization, we need to quadruple current progress to achieve the hygiene targets that are outlined by the United Nations in the Sustainable Development Goals. If current trends persist, 1.9 billion people will still be without basic handwashing facilities at home by 2030, highlighting the need for increased investment in handwashing programmes across the globe. When COVID-19 emerged, access to handwashing facilities, education and funding fell short: 30% of the global population didn't have handwashing facilities with soap and water; and almost half of healthcare facilities (43%) lacked basic hand hygiene facilities at points of care. The GHC aligns with the theme of Global Handwashing Day 2022, which is 'Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene', and calls for health authorities to prioritise hand hygiene to help prevent infections. Research estimates that national handwashing programmes could yield fruitful economic returns, doubling return on investment, with some nations drastically surpassing that. One study highlights that a national handwashing programme in India could yield a 92-fold return on investment. Professor emerita Elizabeth Scott PhD, chair of the Global Hygiene Council comments: "The GHC is championing hygiene, including handwashing, as a leading way to prevent infections. It is unconscionable that, in the 21st century, billions of people around the world are still without access to basic handwashing with soap and water. A massive collaborative effort is required across all levels of society, including increased investment in hygiene infrastructure by governments. We need to get back to basics and raise the profile of hand hygiene, including washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitiser when access to soap and clean water isn't available, to ensure this remains a frontline infection prevention method in healthcare and community settings." Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1915576/Global_Hygiene_Council_Logo.jpg SOURCE Global Hygiene Council (GHC) NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The " Airline Route Profitability Software Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026 " report has been added to Technavio's offering. According to the report, the market size is expected to grow by USD 15.99 billion between 2021 and 2026. However, the growth momentum is expected to decelerate at a CAGR of 6.88% during the forecast period. The report considers various aspects such as the consumer base, adoption rate, average selling price, revenue generated by vendors, and various other factors to estimate the market size. Download the Sample PDF Report Here to get an idea of the overall scope of the full report. Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Airline Route Profitability Software Market 2022-2026 The global airline route profitability software market is moderately fragmented and has the presence of many global vendors providing various software suites to airlines. Vendors in the market are engaged in the development of new solutions through the integration of advanced technologies via software updates to create reliable airline schedules, thereby generating greater business value. These developments will intensify the competition in the global airline route profitability software market during the forecast period. Technavio identifies Amadeus IT Group SA, Aerotrack Systems, Coforge Ltd., GrandTrust Overseas Pvt. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Laminaar Aviation Pte. Ltd., Lufthansa Group, Maureva Ltd., Maxamation Pty. Ltd., Megabyte Ltd., Optym, Orane Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Pros Inc., QlikTech International AB, Sabre GLBL Inc., Seabury Solutions, SITA, Skymetrix, The Boeing Co., and Wipro Ltd. as major market participants. Although the growing need for advanced software suites by airlines will offer immense growth opportunities, the decline in air passenger traffic and flight cancellations will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Request Sample Report Here Airline Route Profitability Software Market 2022-2026: Segmentation The global airline route profitability software market is segmented as below: Type Planning and Scheduling Revenue Management Fares Management and Pricing Other Software The planning and scheduling segment accounted for the largest share of the market in 2021. Airline route planning and scheduling software can be used for schedule optimization, simulation, forecasting, route frequency optimization, and schedule editing and management. Route planning and scheduling software can be used to build, test, manage, and upload flight plans and schedules on the airline's flight management systems (FMSs). The software also includes features that allow employees to access up-to-date data such as fuel burn, wind information, and aircraft type to construct and plan a viable flight schedule for their airline. Many such benefits are driving the demand for airline planning and scheduling software among end-users. Geography North America Europe APAC The Middle East and Africa and South America 32% of the market growth will come from North America during the forecast period. Factors such as the growing connectivity of airlines and the expanding airline routes for commercial purposes are driving the growth of the regional market. In addition, the increasing air passenger traffic and the development of new aircraft in countries such as the US and Canada are contributing to the growth of the airline route profitability software market in North America. Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our airline route profitability software market report covers the following areas: Airline Route Profitability Software Market 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the airline route profitability software market, including some of the dominant vendors. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research report on the airline route profitability software market is designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support. Airline Route Profitability Software Market 2022-2026: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026 Detailed information on factors that will assist airline route profitability software market growth during the next five years Estimation of the airline route profitability software market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the airline route profitability software market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of airline route profitability software market vendors Related Reports: Airline Route Profitability Software Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 6.88% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 15.99 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.89 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 32% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, France, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Amadeus IT Group SA, Aerotrack Systems, Coforge Ltd., GrandTrust Overseas Pvt. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Laminaar Aviation Pte. Ltd., Lufthansa Group, Maureva Ltd., Maxamation Pty. Ltd., Megabyte Ltd., Optym, Orane Consulting Pvt. Ltd., Pros Inc., QlikTech International AB, Sabre GLBL Inc., Seabury Solutions, SITA, Skymetrix, The Boeing Co., and Wipro Ltd. 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 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 Planning and Scheduling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Planning and Scheduling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Planning and Scheduling - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on Planning and Scheduling - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Planning and Scheduling - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Revenue Management - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Revenue Management - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Revenue Management - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Revenue Management - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Revenue Management - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Fares Management and Pricing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 36: Chart on Fares Management and Pricing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Fares Management and Pricing - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 38: Chart on Fares Management and Pricing - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Fares Management and Pricing - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.6 Other Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 40: Chart on Other Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Other Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 42: Chart on Other Software - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Other Software - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.7 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 44: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 45: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 46: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 48: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 49: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 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 (%) 7.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 59: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 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 (%) 7.7 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 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) 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 (%) 7.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: 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 74: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 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 (%) 7.11 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 82: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 83: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 85: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 86: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 87: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 89: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 90: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 91: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 92: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 93: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 94: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 95: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 96: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Amadeus IT Group SA Exhibit 97: Amadeus IT Group SA - Overview Exhibit 98: Amadeus IT Group SA - Business segments Exhibit 99: Amadeus IT Group SA - Key news Exhibit 100: Amadeus IT Group SA - Key offerings Exhibit 101: Amadeus IT Group SA - Segment focus 10.4 Coforge Ltd. Exhibit 102: Coforge Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 103: Coforge Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 104: Coforge Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 105: Coforge Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 106: Coforge Ltd. - Segment focus 10.5 International Business Machines Corp. Exhibit 107: International Business Machines Corp. - Overview Exhibit 108: International Business Machines Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 109: International Business Machines Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 110: International Business Machines Corp. - Segment focus 10.6 Laminaar Aviation Pte. Ltd. Exhibit 111: Laminaar Aviation Pte. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 112: Laminaar Aviation Pte. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 113: Laminaar Aviation Pte. Ltd. - Key offerings 10.7 Megabyte Ltd. Exhibit 114: Megabyte Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 115: Megabyte Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 116: Megabyte Ltd. - Key offerings 10.8 Orane Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Exhibit 117: Orane Consulting Pvt. Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 118: Orane Consulting Pvt. Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 119: Orane Consulting Pvt. Ltd. - Key offerings 10.9 Sabre GLBL Inc. Exhibit 120: Sabre GLBL Inc. - Overview Exhibit 121: Sabre GLBL Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 122: Sabre GLBL Inc. - Key news Exhibit 123: Sabre GLBL Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 124: Sabre GLBL Inc. - Segment focus 10.10 Seabury Solutions Exhibit 125: Seabury Solutions - Overview Exhibit 126: Seabury Solutions - Product / Service Exhibit 127: Seabury Solutions - Key offerings 10.11 SITA Exhibit 128: SITA - Overview Exhibit 129: SITA - Product / Service Exhibit 130: SITA - Key offerings 10.12 Skymetrix Exhibit 131: Skymetrix - Overview Exhibit 132: Skymetrix - Product / Service Exhibit 133: Skymetrix - Key offerings 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 134: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 135: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 136: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 137: Research methodology Exhibit 138: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 139: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 140: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesis Systems, the visionary Tampa-based company, specializes in developing atmospheric water generation technology to combat water scarcity. On October 13th, Pepperdine University published the U.S. Most Fundable Companies List and for the first time, a water tech company, Genesis Systems, was ranked in the top 1 percent of 1 percent of Most Investable Companies in the World. More than 4,200 companies competed for the prestigious ranking, many more were not accepted for application. The Most Fundable Companies committee is comprised of veteran professors, data analysts, and business leaders from across industries, VCs, banks, and other finance professions. Each advancing company is subjected to rigorous examination, auditing, due diligence, and panel interviews over the course of several months. Companies are graded across a range of areas and assigned an overall composite score by independent evaluators. Genesis Systems is no ordinary water tech company. The company's patented technologies can create up to 100 million gallons a day of sustainable fresh water from air by harvesting moisture into special liquids mimicking how oceans absorb humidity. Since exiting stealth in 2021, Genesis Systems has rapidly climbed to the top of America's leading green tech/ESG companies. In 2022, Genesis Systems bested more than 400 companies to become the 9th Annual Startup of the Year Breakout Success Award and People's Choice Award winner. The water crisis is here; the UN estimates that by 2025, nearly half of earth's population will live in absolute water scarcity. Nestle foods predicted in 2009 that 85 percent of the world's groundwater would be gone by 2030. It appears these forecasts are on pace with measurable realities. Groundwater measurements and soundings from NASA's GRACE satellite have confirmed it. These tragedies are not exclusive to developing nations. Many areas of the U.S. are seeing the dastardly effects of the unseen water infrastructure crisis. Hospitals effected by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, FL recently came face to face with this reality. Staff at Health Park Medical Center took additional precautions to protect patients and equipment from disease and infection due to freshwater shortages. Hospital staff said, "we can't wash our hands." This disruption of water services at a hospital quickly turned the area into an unsanitary environment, putting the health of everyone there at risk. Genesis Systems is delivers peace of mind in times of stress and strife. Water is the essence of life, and we intend to deliver it to those in need. Recent AI derived data suggests the next decade will see a 75 percent increase in conflict over water resources. Lt Gen (Ret) Steve Kwast, President and Chief Global Officer at Genesis Systems notes, "The technologies being pioneered by Genesis can help uplift the human condition by preserving health, culture, and economic prosperity. Without water, a society can fail in days. More than 40 nations are working with Genesis to bring our groundbreaking advancements into their infrastructure to support a range of activities." Genesis Systems' has positioned its new water supplies to meet the defense needs. The company calls the concept of creating water where and when needed - "water at the edge." Like computing at the edge, where computation is done in varied locations and on multiple servers, decentralized water networks will be resilient and sustainable. But the broader vision of Genesis Systems is as impressive as its tech and leadership. Genesis transcends economy and security. If you ask anyone in the company their mission, they will tell you with a smile: "To sustainably solve global water scarcity." The ambition to apply such sustainable technologies to the hard problems of our time is as admirable as it is timely. Genesis proclaims to support all 17 of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals range from increasing democratic governance to providing safe water and food. As a special UN Delegate to the World Water Conference, Genesis is working to build a global village as a foundation to serve global markets. In an age where nearly all production in a nation's economy can be measured in water, a sustainable near limitless supply that does not harm the environment - could be big. How big? According to data provided by Genesis Systems, the global water market will grow from $2.5 Trillion to $5.1 Trillion over the next six years. Will this move investors to invest in essentials? Humanity may be catching on. Is this the beginning of a new era? If wise investors support the trend, an intelligent transition to sustainable, decentralized, and safe supply-side water is possible. Genesis Systems, The Most Fundable Company, is already leading the way. NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Throughout this press release, Genesis Systems (the "Company") makes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include the words "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "believe," "expect", "likely", "should" or "anticipate" and other similar words. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our business plans and objectives for future operations and are based upon our reasonable estimates of future results or trends. Although the Company believes that its investment plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such plans or objectives may not be achieved. Actual results may differ substantially from projected results due, but not limited to, unforeseen developments, including developments relating to the following: The availability and adequacy of cash flow to meet financial requirements; economic, demographic, regulatory, and other conditions affecting the Company's industry; Competition in the Company's market niche in general; and Geopolitical aspects of the market-place. Other factors beyond the Company's control. CONTACT: Danielle Ruis Email: [email protected] SOURCE Genesis Systems LLC The key world trade-related event will take place online GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 132nd China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) held online and commence on October 15, 2022, Changhong, one of China's largest consumer electronics and home appliances manufacturers, will showcase a full range of products, including 5G eco-friendly household appliances, Mini LED TVs, Eva model air conditioners as well as Space Pro refrigerators and washing machines. With its technological prowess on the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and 5G segments, the company will deliver a superior experience to users by providing them with a full suite of innovative and upgraded smart household appliances. image Changhong will make full use of its online platform at the 132nd Canton Fair to launch new products, as well as deploy a VR showroom, a virtual pavilion, and an online live streaming facility. The household appliance maker's online booth will display products 24/7 while providing a number of services, including supply-demand matching, and online business negotiations, delivering a better experience to buyers. (Visit Changhong's showroom at: https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/shops/451692550933632?keyword=&fbclid=IwAR1SwCZbN8tcDUIfA9D1RnzF_TnyrKVQQW_QtDlkd3EUGV-vHbc-mj3HW3c#/) Changhong debuts multiple new products online One of the highlights is Changhong's new Mini LED smart TV that comes equipped with an ultra-thin Mini crystal back panel and the latest quantum dot display technology to deliver superior HDR picture quality, a wide color gamut exceeding 95% and top-notch color accuracy, creating a lifelike viewing experience. With the latest Android 11 operating system and a 120HZ high refresh rate as well as Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation (MEMC), Changhong's 98" large screen TV, the company's first TV model launched for international markets, effectively addresses jitter and smear associated with high-speed motion pictures. Changhong's Eva model, the world's first air conditioner to support multiple languages and offline voice control, promises a better interactive experience with its support for eight languages alongside voice activation even in locales with no internet access. Changhong's impressive exhibits also include Space Pro refrigerators and washing machines that are thinner and smaller in size than comparable products available in the market thanks to the company's world-leading ultra-thin technology. With a fully upgraded preservation technology, the Space Pro refrigerator series delivers better performance in terms of keeping food fresh by effectively extending the shelf life. Efforts in expanding sales channels lead to steady growth of Changhong's international business Despite the pressure and challenges facing international business in 2022, Changhong widened sales channels while further strengthening its competence in products and technologies as well as its front-end smart manufacturing capabilities. By doing so, it achieved steady growth in three major product lines - TVs, air conditioners as well as refrigerators and washing machines in tandem enhancing its profitability. In particular, the company's sales revenue of air conditioners showed a year-on-year increase of nearly 40% as of the end of September. In addition, Changhong has accelerated the build-out of sales channels outside of its home market in China by further expanding its presence in the global e-commerce market. Its high-end smart home appliances brand CHiQ has grown rapidly with products available in over 30 countries worldwide. The brand has also enhanced its competitiveness. In recent years, Changhong has continued optimizing its business strategy, while further facilitating intelligent manufacturing and upgrading as well as market expansion. The company has also built and consolidated its technological innovation system across the upstream and downstream value chains across multiple sectors, including refrigerator compressors, big data storage, and IoT modules. With a global approach to product development, manufacturing, and business management, Changhong has become a global brand with international visibility. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921243/image.jpg SOURCE Changhong Margex has increased trading options for users by adding three new tokens, which include Avalanche, USDT (AVAX), USDC (AVAX) VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES, Oct. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Margex, a digital asset trading and investment platform that provides access to a cutting-edge trading infrastructure worldwide, has announced three new types of cryptocurrencies which can be used as collateral for crypto margin trading. Margex Adds Support For Avalanche, And Avalanche-based Stablecoins Margex The innovative Margex trading platform has introduced support for three new digital assets for use as collateral when opening leveraged long and short positions on a variety of cryptocurrency trading pairs. The rapidly growing list of collateral assets now includes Avalanche (AVAX), and Avalanche-based versions of Tether (USDT.e) and USD Coin (USDC.e) stablecoins. Avalanche is the fastest smart contract platform in the blockchain industry, offering unparalleled speed and convenience to Margex users. New Collateral Assets Let Crypto Holders Access Staking, Trading, And More The new digital asset collateral support means Margex users have more options available than ever before. All supported collateral assets can be used for margin trading, staking, or the Margex-exclusive trade while staking feature allowing crypto holders to use a staking balance as collateral. Margex is regularly adding new features and platform improvements. A crypto price alerts tool was also recently launched, enabling notifications when crypto prices, market cap levels, or Ethereum gas fees pass user-specified thresholds. The tool is free to use and notifications are unlimited. The newly added digital assets can be used as collateral starting immediately. To learn more about support for Avalanche, and Avalanche-based USDT and USDC, visit the official website for additional information. Margex, the first boutique exchange in crypto, was established in 2019 to develop a world-class trading platform offering the most robust trading solutions, with up to 100x leverage on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Uniswap, Litecoin, and other popular digital assets. Margex is trusted by the trading community, with a rapidly-growing loyal user base. For more information on Margex, please visit margex.com. Follow Margex on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and YouTube, or join the Margex team. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Margex MONTREAL, Oct. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - MY01, Inc. today announced that its Compartmental Pressure Monitor was highlighted in a symposium at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. The event featured five experts in the field of Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS) The symposium, titled "New Tools and Approaches in the Management of Compartment Syndrome," was moderated by Ross Leighton, MD, Professor of Surgery at Dalhousie University, and was further comprised of the following: Prism Schneider, MD, PhD, FRCSC - Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon & Associate Professor at University of Calgary Ted Miclau , MD - Professor, Trauma & Problem Fractures at University of California San Francisco Michael McKee , MD - Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine Charles Moon , MD - Associate Professor and Director, Orthopedic Trauma at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center The panel discussed the current limitations of ACS management and diagnosis, and the potential use of the MY01 device as an accurate aid to diagnosis. A series of cases utilizing the MY01 device for continuous pressure monitoring was presented. Panelist's experience showed that continuous pressure monitoring provided more objective data and successfully augmented clinical signs in the context of ACS diagnosis. "The MY01 device gives constant, numerical data to everyone involved in diagnosing a patient with ACS," said Charles Moon, MD. "You don't have to worry about missing a case because the device and app give you objective data points that you can feel confident using to inform your decisions." Takeaways from the conversation included: The MY01 device is an accurate aid to diagnosis, as evidenced by clinical trial data; Pre- and post-operative use of the device has given a more robust understanding of how pressure relates to ACS diagnoses; Pressure can be more reliable than other clinical signs, particularly pain, which can by hyper variable and tends to be a lagging indicator for ACS diagnosis. "We are pleased to hear these respected panelists discussing the need for objective data to augment clinical assessments," said Charles Allan, CEO of MY01, Inc. "MY01 remains dedicated to supporting research in the field and advancing the science of ACS diagnosis." About MY01, Inc. MY01, Inc. is on a mission to empower healthcare professionals with the objective data to aid in the diagnosis of compartment syndrome, thereby improving patient outcomes. MY01 believes that adding actionable, quantitative data at the bedside can augment clinical assessments to provide more effective care. Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec since 2015, MY01, Inc. leverages its expertise in microsensing technology to provide innovative diagnostic solutions. Related Links www.my01.io SOURCE MY01, Inc. WILMINGTON, N.C., Oct. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys Patrick Mincey, Stephen Bell, and Phil Brewster were recently discussed in an in-depth, multimedia Washington Post article regarding their representation of a whistleblower who exposed alleged securities violations involving Trump Media & Technology Group Corporation ("Trump Media"). Former President Donald J. Trump is the majority owner of Trump Media, the parent company that operates the conservative social media platform Truth Social. As discussed in the article, the whistleblower was one of the original founders of Truth Social, which was established shortly after former President Trump's permanent suspension from Twitter because of the events of Jan. 6, 2021. The Washington Post article describes how executives from both Trump Media and its merger partner Digital World Acquisition Corporation allegedly violated SEC regulations in the still-pending merger transaction. The article also discusses former President Trump's alleged participation in and knowledge of the transaction currently under investigation. The proposed transaction is intended to take Trump Media public in a deal originally valued at over $1 billion. Trump Media and DWAC have previously acknowledged investigations into the merger transaction by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. "Trump Media's termination of the whistleblower after the company was contacted for comment by the Washington Post is patent retaliation against a SEC whistleblower of the worst kind," Mincey, Bell and Brewster jointly said. "Our client continues to remain committed to assisting investigators with his referral to the SEC Office of the Whistleblower, and he looks forward to an opportunity to work with members of Congress in their oversight capacity." Attorney Patrick M. Mincey founded and leads the White Collar, Government Investigations & Special Matters Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP in North Carolina. Attorney Stephen J. Bell is partner in the White Collar, Government Investigations & Special Matters Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP in North Carolina. Attorney Phil Brewster is the founding partner of Brewster Law Firm LLC in Winnetka, Illinois, a firm dedicated to whistleblower matters and government investigations. ABOUT CRANFILL SUMNER LLP Cranfill Sumner LLP serves clients in 28 practice areas. For more information, visit www.cshlaw.com. ABOUT BREWSTER LAW FIRM LLC Brewster Law Firm LLC is dedicated to whistleblower matters and government investigations. For more information, visit www.brewsteradvisory.com. SOURCE Cranfill Sumner LLP Istanbul, Oct 15 : Turkey and Qatar signed 11 new agreements during the eighth meeting of their Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul, state-run news agency reported. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Friday co-chaired the meeting, where high-level officials held talks on various issues, Xinhua news agency reported. The agreements cover areas of shared use of communications infrastructure, food security, intellectual property, disaster and emergency management, as well as cultural exchanges, according to the report. Turkey enjoys a deep historical friendship with Qatar. The two countries' partnerships have also strengthened since the Supreme Strategic Committee was established in 2014, during which more than 80 bilateral agreements were signed and high-level meetings were frequent. Ramallah, Oct 15 : A Palestinian gunman was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers north of the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian and Israeli sources said. The incident took place on Friday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. Palestinian media and eyewitnesses said that Israeli soldiers killed the Palestinian gunman near the village of Al-Jalazon after he opened fire and wounded an Israeli settler near Beit El settlement north of Ramallah. The Israeli army was quoted by Israeli media as saying that an Israeli citizen was lightly injured on Friday evening when the Palestinian gunman opened fire toward the settlement. Israeli soldiers fired back and killed the man, whose identity remains unknown, added the Army. On Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that two Palestinians, including a doctor, were killed, and six others were injured by Israeli soldiers during an Israeli army force raid in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a statement that 66 Palestinians were injured on Friday during clashes between dozens of Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers in several villages close to the northern West Bank city of Nablus. The statement added that among the casualties, four were injured by rubber bullets and two by live ammunition. The rest suffered suffocation after inhaling tear gas fired by the Israeli soldiers during the clashes. Tension has been mounting between Israel and the Palestinians since March after the Israeli army intensified its military actions and operations against Palestinian militants and activists by storming Palestinian towns and cities in the West Bank. Since early January, more than 100 Palestinians were killed by Israeli in the West Bank, including women and children, according to official Palestinian figures. Meanwhile, more than 20 Israelis have been killed since March. Washington, Oct 15 : US President Joe Biden decried the mass shooting in Raleigh, North Carolina. "Enough. We've grieved and prayed with too many families who have had to bear the terrible burden of these mass shootings," Biden said in a statement on Friday. "Too many families have had spouses, parents, and children taken from them forever," he added. "There are too many mass shootings across America, including ones that don't even make the national news." Raleigh police have identified five victims of the shooting that occurred in a residential neighbourhood on Thursday evening, including an off-duty police officer. Two other people were wounded, including another officer. The suspect, described as a 15-year-old White male, was taken into custody on Thursday evening and is said to have been in critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. More details about the identity of the shooter have not been released due to his age. Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin tweeted on Friday afternoon that "there are several families in our community who woke up this morning without their loved ones". "We grieve with them today," Baldwin wrote. "No family should ever have to feel this pain." North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has ordered flags flown at half-staff to "mourn the victims killed in a horrific and infuriating act of violence". Gun violence has led to nearly 35,000 deaths across the US so far this year, according to the latest data from Gun Violence Archive. United Nations, Oct 15 : A UN spokesman has said that peacekeepers in South Sudan are gravely concerned about the fighting between two armed Dinka youth groups in the country's north. Deadly clashes between the Dinka Ngok and Dinka Twic Mayardit youth in the border area between the Abyei administrative area and Warrap state in the north-central part of the country have resumed, said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Friday. The violence began in February but went into a lull in June. "The hostilities resulted in the loss of many lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of thousands of civilians," Haq added. He said that peacekeepers from the mission known as UNMISS patrol the area and engage with local authorities, women and youth leaders. The mission also welcomed the government's decision to investigate the clashes and deploy troops to the area to restore peace, Xinhua news agency reported. The spokesman added that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Nicholas Haysom, urged community leaders to work together to end the violence and prevent retaliatory attacks. Nairobi, Oct 15 : The alarming loss of species in Africa, fueled by climate change, unplanned development and pollution, requires bold policy and legislative measures to reverse, senior World Wildlife Fund (WWF) officials said. Speaking during the virtual launch of WWF's flagship Living Planet Report 2022 in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital on Thursday, Alice Ruhweza, Africa Regional Director, WWF-International said that African countries required greater financing and policy shift to hasten nature-positive growth. Ruhweza added that mining activities, poaching, industrial farming and urbanisation had worsened loss of Africa's flagship species, to the detriment of green growth, denoting that enhanced conservation of biodiversity hotspots will boost the continent's fight against poverty, hunger and climate-induced water stress. She called upon African governments to lobby for adoption of a more inclusive and ambitious framework to protect planetary resources during the global biodiversity summit slated for Montreal, Canada, from December 7 to 19, Xinhua news agency reported. Published biannually by the WWF and the Zoological Society of London, the Living Planet Report aims to shed light on status of vital ecosystems, their contribution to human welfare and emerging threats. The 2022 edition of Living Planet Report revealed that Africa's wildlife population fell by 66 per cent between 1970 and 2018, thanks to poaching, climatic shocks and degradation of their natural habitats. However, the report pointed to positive trends in central Africa where the population of mountain gorillas increased from 408 in 2010 to 604 in 2015 thanks to enhanced conservation measures. Jackson Kiplagat, the Head of Conservation Programs at WWF-Kenya said that reversing habitat loss in Africa was possible subject to innovative financing towards conservation, law enforcement and greater community engagement. Kiplagat added that African governments should implement ambitious blueprints to boost conservation of species, secure a green and resilient future for local communities. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Shimla, Oct 15 : With Himachal Pradesh heading to the Assembly polls on November 12, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is leading his campaign with the slogan 'rivaj badlega' (electoral traditions will change) as BJP governments have repeated in the recent Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana polls. This small hill state has not seen any incumbent party returning to power since 1985. Since then both archrivals -- the Congress and the BJP -- ruled the state alternatively in eight terms. This time, the saffron party, with anti-incumbency weighing heavy on its governance, seems to be banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's charisma, instead of flashing its own achievement card. The Prime Minister held three back-to-back public meetings ahead of the poll announcement. At every rally, Thakur, the 57-year-old five-time legislator who rose through the ranks, missed no opportunity to remind the public about Modi's special bond and love for the people of the state where he spent a few years as in-charge of the state's affairs in the late 1990s. "Is baar sarkaar nahin, rivaj badlega (This time not the government, but the tradition will change)," a confidant Thakur, the first-time Chief Minister who has been toeing the Modi government's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' mantra, told IANS on Saturday before heading to attend Union Minister Amit Shah's rally in Sirmaur district, the first by the Central leadership after the poll announcement. Firmly believing that the Prime Minister has always bestowed his blessings on Himachal by offering so many developmental projects in the past five years, Thakur asked the Opposition: What is wrong in seeking votes on the name of the 'pradhan sevak' who devoted his life to the welfare of the people and good governance. Image Source: IANS News "The Prime Minister has always shown his benevolence and affection to the state as he visited every nook and corner of the state as party in-charge of Himachal Pradesh. Secondly, Modi-ji as Prime Minister has visited nine times in the past five years. Even during the coronavirus pandemic he visited the state and dedicated the Atal Tunnel Rohtang." Taking a dig at the Congress, Thakur said on one hand it has launched 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', and on the other, its senior leaders are following Congress 'Chhodo Yatra'. "Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the present government would again come into power and continue serving the people." Listing out achievements of the double-engine government that has given the hill state new infrastructure in every step, Thakur, who is leading the party poll campaign, said the Prime Minister's vision and commitment to strengthen health services across the country is being showcased again in the state through the inauguration of AIIMS Bilaspur. "This (Central) government believes in laying the foundation stone of a project and inaugurating itself." He thanked the Prime Minister for sanctioning the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Bulk Drug Park that will strengthen the state's health sector and the pharmaceutical hub. He expressed gratitude of the Prime Minister for inaugurating the IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology) Una, flagging off the inaugural run of the Vande Bharat Express from Amb Andaura to New Delhi and for launching the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY) scheme. "More than 39,500-km road network is catering the needs of the people, especially in rural and remote areas, in the state. Out of this road length, about 50 per cent has come up under the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. The sanction of Rs 3,200 crore for PMGSY-III will transform the prevailing road infrastructure and will further boost rural economic activities," the Chief Minister explained. Image Source: IANS News Going to the polls with the firm belief that the Centre-state unison helps strengthening the spirit of cooperative and competitive federalism, Thakur, who through his stint believes development and no witch hunting, said this is only the BJP government in the Centre that realised the agony and hardships of the people of the state. "We succeeded to excel in road, health, medical education, education and other developmental sectors, besides the welfare of the poor, downtrodden and the women. "The previous government spent Rs 400 crore on social security pensions, whereas we are spending Rs 1,300 crore. Nearly 7.50 lakh eligible beneficiaries are presently getting pensions whereas only 4 lakh pensioners during the previous government tenure," Thakur said, while replying to a question on the Congress promise to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to benefit 225,000 government employees, a crucial vote bank. Thakur was elevated to the post after the party's chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal suffered an abject defeat in the 2017 Assembly polls. In the run-up to the Assembly polls, Prime Minister Modi launched Rs 6,000 crore development works across various sectors and inaugurated AIIMS Bilaspur, the foundation stone of which was laid by him on October 3, 2017. As far as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is concerned that is now setting its eyes on conquering hills after demolishing the citadels of all major political parties in Punjab, Thakur said the situation in Punjab was different. "The people of Himachal earlier also rejected the third front. The leaders of AAP are over enthusiastic after their victory in Punjab, but they should also remember that their candidates have not only lost on all seats in the Assembly polls in Uttarakhand but their security deposits were also forfeited." For the Congress, corruption, unemployment and poor performance of the government are among the major poll issues. Political observers told IANS that the BJP under the leadership of Thakur is facing anti-incumbency. This reflected in its humiliating defeat in the October 2021 by-polls in three Assembly seats and one parliamentary seat of Mandi having 17 Assembly seats in Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts. But Thakur believes it is simply a "Virbhadra wave" that did the trick for the Congress in the by-polls. He said the Congress won because of the sympathy with the late Virbhadra Singh, which would not happen in the Assembly elections. Image Source: IANS News But to overcome the anti-incumbency, the BJP central leadership is focusing to induct seasoned politicians with organisational and ministerial experience from the Congress to give the state leadership a new look to win a consecutive term. "For the Congress, the exodus of leaders means dampening the morale of the grassroots in the run-up to the polls," a political observer told IANS. He says the induction of three-time legislator Harsh Mahajan, who for over a decade played a crucial role in strengthening the party organization at the grassroots under Virbhadra Singh, in the BJP is the party's 'self-goal'. Before Mahajan, two sitting Congress legislators -- Lakhwinder Rana and Pawan Kajal -- had also switched loyalties to the saffron party. A total of 55.74 lakh voters would cast their votes in the elections. They comprise 27,80,203 men, 27,27,016 women, 67,532 service voters and 44,173 first-time voters. In the 2017 Assembly polls, there were 50,25,941 voters. The counting of ballots will be held on December 8. The BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections had won all four seats that saw 72.25 per cent polling, 7.80 per cent higher than 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In 2017, the BJP wrested power in Himachal from the Congress, winning close to a two thirds majority with 44 seats in the 68-member Assembly. The Congress won 21 seats, independents two and the Communist Party of India-Marxist one. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted vishal.g@ians.in) -- Syndicated from IANS Chennai, Oct 15 : The Tamil Nadu firecracker industry, which contributes to around 90 per cent of the country's overall demand, has jacked up the prices of its products ahead of Diwali. Legal issues related to green crackers being used in the industry, as well as heavy rain were some of the reasons behind escalating the prices. Traders have predicted that it was possible for the prices to go up to 50 per cent in retail markets across the state. Manickam, a firecracker trader in Chennai's Ashok Nagar, told IANS: "The firecracker industry is going through a rough phase. With green crackers being made the norm and even long-chain crackers being banned, the fun is gone. Heavy rain in Tamil Nadu has led to a dip in production leading to the prices being hiked. Compared to last year, the new rates are 20 per cent higher and this will go up and may even touch 50 per cent in the days to come." The crackers including Kambi Thiri, Pookutti, and floor chakras require drying and due to the heavy rain, Virudhunagar district, which houses almost all the production houses in Tamil Nadu, was inundated. The demand as usual is heavy but the supply -- another factor that has also led to an increase in the prices. While speaking to IANS, Muthukumaran, who runs a firecracker unit employing around 100 workers, said: "The industry is facing harrowing times. First, we are fighting legal issues over the green crackers and removing barium nitrate from the cracker industry. Second is heavy rain leading to less production... We have no other option but to increase the prices and the industry as a whole has advocated for this." The production has dipped by around 50 per cent as the green cracker norms were implemented and the manufacturing as per the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is difficult and time-consuming. Another issue for the price hike is the import cost of raw materials that is plaguing the industry and restrictions in many states on the bursting of crackers. Mohammed Hassan, a third-generation trader of firecrackers in Chennai's Arumbagam, told IANS: "We are yet to touch the pre- Covid sale in Tamil Nadu. In 2019, Diwali sale in Chennai alsone was around Rs 125 crore but now it is much less than that. Coupled with the increase in prices by the Sivakasi factories and the green norms, the supply is less, but the demand as usual is more. So it remains to be seen how can we strike a balance and sell crackers without incurring losses to us." Uttara Kannada, Oct 15 : Two men were arrested for allegedly trying to create disharmony in the society by lodging a false police complaint in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, police said on Saturday. The arrested persons are identified as Naveen Somaiah Naik and Venkatesha Naik from Shirali area. According to police, the accused, suspected to be Hindu activists, assaulted each other with a key chain. Later, Naveen Somaiah lodged an FIR with Murudeshwara police station on Thursday claiming that he was assaulted by persons of another religion. However, during investigation, the police found that it was a false case. When grilled, Naveen had confessed that he lodged the complaint to create rift between the two communities in sensitive town of Bhatkal. Murudeshwar and Bhatkal Rural Police jointly grilled the accused persons to find out their motive. The accused wanted to make it a big issue and create communal tension, the police said. Further investigation is on. New Delhi, Oct 15 : Google has announced to put a "sponsored" tag on ads in mobile search results, in a bid to help users differentiate between paid and organic content. The company said it now wants the label to be prominent and clear across different types of paid content. Paid results will now carry a "sponsored" tag in a bold, large text rather than the simple "Ad" tag they had before. "This new label and its prominent position continues to meet our high standards for being distinguishable from search results and builds on our existing efforts to make information about paid content clear," said Mona Vajolahi, Group Product Manager, Search. The search page update is starting to gradually roll out on mobile and will soon come to desktop search results. Google said it is also adding site names to search results on mobile, so you can easily identify the website that's associated with each result at a glance. "We're also updating the size and shape of the favicon (a website's logo or icon) that appears in Search, to make it easier to see on the page. We'll extend these changes to Search ads to increase clarity and advertiser transparency at a glance," the company informed. People come to Google to find information from a wide range of sources and formats, from big brands to individual creators, across text, images and video. The new updates to the search page will provide more information about the sites that people visit. Chennai, Oct 15 : Heavy pre-monsoon showers in several parts of Tamil Nadu have impacted the Kurvai paddy farmers of the state. With the farmers in harvest mode and storing the grains, heavy rains before the advent of the northeast monsoon by October end has led to huge losses to the farmers. Kumaresan, a paddy farmer from Erode district of Tamil Nadu told IANS said, "We are in harvest mode now and the harvesting machines cannot be used in the fields inundated by rain water. This is going to be our waterloo as the District Procuring Centres will also not take our produce as the moisture content is high due to the rains." It may be noted that if the paddy is higher than 17 per cent of moisture content, there will be difficulties in procuring paddy. The Tamil Nadu government have already petitioned the central government to increase the moisture content norms from 17 per cent to 23 per cent. The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains in Tamil Nadu till October 18 and this will be another major issue to be confronted by the Kuruvai paddy farmers in the days to come as harvesting and storing of paddy would be even more difficult. The IMD has predicted isolated very heavy rains in parts of Tamil Nadu on October 17 and 18 and this will directly affect the farmers. According to weatherman, heavy rains are predicted in Villupuram, Myladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Erode, Salem, Kallakurichi, Permaballur, Tiruvannamalai on Saturday and most of the farmers are struck by the prediction. Surulikumaran, a farmer at Myladuthurai while speaking to IANS said, " The prediction of rains is giving sleepless nights to most of the farmers as the ordeal and pain for the whole year will go awry and we don't know how we will be able to manage in the days to come if the crop is lost." The farmers have urged the state government to step in and to buy as much paddy that has been harvested and to relax on the moisture content in paddy. San Francisco, Oct 15 : Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Saturday that his Starlink is the only internet service left in Ukraine, and Russia is actively trying to kill it too. The world's richest man said that Starlink is currently the primary communications system of the Ukrainian army on the war front. "Starlink is the only comms system still working at warfront -- others are all dead. Russia is actively trying to kill Starlink. To safeguard, SpaceX has diverted massive resources towards defence," he tweeted. Musk said that even so, Starlink may still die. "Internet fiber, phone lines, cell towers & other space-based comms in war areas have been destroyed. Starlink is all that's left. For now," he posted. Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation said that Musk is among the world's top private donors supporting Ukraine and Starlink is an essential element of their critical infrastructure. "Thank you for clarifying this," replied Musk. Musk earlier said that SpaceX cannot indefinitely fund its Starlink internet service in Ukraine. He commented after a media report said that SpaceX had asked the Pentagon to pay for the donations of Starlink. "SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely and send several thousand more terminals that have data usage up to 100X greater than typical households. This is unreasonable," Musk posted on Twitter on Friday. "We've also had to defend against cyberattacks & jamming, which are getting harder," Musk added. Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War The Hague, Oct 15 : Dutch Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia has moved from her student flat in Amsterdam to the royal palace for security reasons, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima told local media. "That has enormous consequences for her life. That means she doesn't live in Amsterdam and can't really go outside," Queen Maxima said. King Willem-Alexander described the situation with his daughter as "very difficult", reports Xinhua news agency. "I'm really proud of her for keeping it all up, to be honest," Queen Maxima said. The 18-year-old Crown Princess moved to a student flat in Amsterdam to live and study last summer. Last month newspaper De Telegraaf reported that security measures surrounding the Princess had been significantly increased. She and Prime Minister Mark Rutte allegedly appeared in organised crime communications, which may indicate plans for an attack or kidnapping. The police and the public prosecution service made no further statements about the matter, but after the statements of the King and Queen it is clear that the threat is serious and that it has a serious impact on the life of the princess. "I can assure you that everyone is doing their utmost to ensure Amalia is safe," Justice and Security Minister Dilan Yesilgoz said in a statement on Friday. "I can't say anything about specific threats or specific security measures, but I guarantee that our security services are working hard day and night to ensure her safety." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Chennai, Oct 15 : Actor Karthi, who plays the lead in director P. S. Mithran's upcoming spy thriller, 'Sardar', has disclosed that it was director P. S. Mithran's single-line narration on how the army chose to recruit a theatre artiste and turn him into a spy that got him hooked onto the project. Speaking at the trailer launch event of the film on Friday, actor Karthi said: "When producer Lakshman made me meet director P. S. Mithran, the latter casually narrated a one-liner to me. Mithran told me that in the eighties, when the Indian government was looking to set up a team of spies, they tried to train some of those in the military to act. "However, despite a lot of effort, those in the military couldn't act. That was when the think tank thought, 'Why should we strain so much? Why should we not take a theatre actor and put him in the military?' So, a theatre artiste was recruited and a team trained him and sent him to Pakistan. "That idea itself was stunning. A theatre artiste being converted into a spy. It was interesting. On learning about this, I asked Mithran to write the script. After a couple of revisions, Mithran came back and told me that the script had taken shape but that it had changed into a double action script. Mithran said, 'This story requires double action. Otherwise, it can't be done.' So, that was how 'Sardar' began." The film, which is to hit screens on October 21, features Karthi in double action - one as a spy and another as a police officer crazy about publicity. Apart from Karthi, the film also features Chunkey Pandey, Laila, Rajisha Vijayan and Raashi Khanna among others. Music for the film has been scored by G. V. Prakash Kumar and cinematography is by George C. Williams. Editing is by Ruben and Art direction is by Kadhir. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, Oct 15 : AirAsia India is celebrating the 90th anniversary of JRD Tata's first commercial flight by hosting a series of digital, on ground, and in-flight engagement activities. An ardent aviator, JRD Tata was the longest-serving chairman of the Tata group and is regarded as the father of civil aviation in India. In addition to being a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, he was also conferred the rank of honorary Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air Force. JRD Tata piloted the inaugural flight of Tata Air Services, from Karachi to Bombay via Ahmedabad on October 15, 1932, in a single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, paving the path for civil aviation in India. The inaugural flight is commemorated in the livery commissioned by AirAsia India on its aircraft VT-JRT, dubbed "The Pioneer". AirAsia India announced the engagement activities through its social media handles, including the '#SpotThePioneer' contest. Participants stand a chance to win a free flight by sharing original photos of The Pioneer' aircraft on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, taggingA@AirAsiaIndia, and using the hashtag #SpotThePioneer. The airline is giving themed postcards to flyers, inviting them to write to their loved ones and undertakingA to mail the postcards on behalf of its guests, commemorating the airmail carried by JRD Tata on the inaugural flight. The postcard design pays tribute to JRD's love for writing (he wrote over 40,000 letter in his lifetime), with an image from the Tata Central Archives of JRD at his writing desk and features the 90th anniversary logo and the custom font "Jeh", inspired by his flourishing handwriting. New Delhi, Oct 15 : Even as Rahul Gandhi is leading the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' to create an atmosphere against the BJP, the saffron party is claiming that the former Congress President is doing this "stunt" to avoid campaigns for the Assembly polls fearing defeat. During the Yatra, Rahul Gandhi is continuously hitting out at the BJP government via tweets and statements, while the saffron party is also counter-attacking the Grand Old Party. The BJP is saying that it is not a "Bharat Jodo Yatra but a Bharat Todo Yatra (not a Yatra to unite India but divide it). Instead of trying to unite India, Rahul Gandhi should concentrate on uniting the Congress as frustrated and disappointed senior leaders of the grand-old party are quitting it one after another, the saffron party said. In fact, the BJP is running a campaign from its official Twitter account under which it reminds people of the mistakes of the previous Congress governments and tries to make them understand that the party has always tried to divide people. The question that arises in the wake of the Congress's attacks and the BJP's counter-attacks is that whether the Bharat Jodo Yatra is having any impact on the politics of the country. Can Rahul Gandhi seriously pose a challenge to the BJP government through this Yatra? Even after not becoming Congress president this time, can this yatra increase the stature of Rahul Gandhi to such a level that the entire opposition accepts him as Leader of the Opposition? Talking to IANS, BJP national spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam rejected all claims of the Congress in context of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and said that it will adversely impact the party. Regarding Rahul Gandhi's leadership skills, Islam said that a leader is one who makes his party strong by focusing on it but everyone can see the Congress' situation. Senior Congress leaders are leaving the party alleging lack of leadership, Islam said, adding that a leader who cannot unite his party, how can he unite the country? The spokesperson said a leader always leads from the front but here we can clearly see that Rahul Gandhi is avoiding the campaigns for the Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat Assembly polls fearing defeat. Talking about continuous defeats faced by the Congress, Islam said to remain relevant in politics, the Congress should win polls, failing which its own leaders will make the country "Congress mukt". Addressing party workers in Assam recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said: "During Congress rule, there was a process of dividing India in northeast and the grand-old party witnessed it silently. For those who want to do Bharat Jodo (unite India), peace and development in the northeast is an example of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi united the country without giving a single speech." On earlier occasions also, BJP leaders have clarified that the Yatra has nothing to do with the saffron party and it is an internal matter of the opposition. Through this yatra Rahul Gandhi is trying to show leaders of other opposition parties like Nitish Kumar's JD(U), Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, KCR's TRS and Sharad Pawar's NCP that the Congress is a national party while their parties are regional one, the BJP claimed. The BJP has termed this yatra as "Bharat Todo Yatra" and "Aag Jalao Andolan". -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Jaipur, Oct 15 : With the animosity between the two warring camps of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot in Rajasthan further deepening, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra is being seen as a much-needed momentum to revive the flagging spirit of the party cadre in the state. Apparently, differences with regards to nominations for the party presidential poll spilled over into a slight rift between party high command and Chief Minister Gehlot. However, Gehlot opted out from the race later. In the wake of these challenges, the long-serving Congress workers are both -- optimistic and apprehensive -- at the same time about the mega rally. According to Congress leaders, the padayatra will enter Rajasthan in the first or second week of December via Jhalawar and proceed to Delhi via Sawai Madhopur and Alwar. It shall pass via Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur and Alwar before entering into Uttar Pradesh. The yatra shall pass through Rajasthan for 21 days. Gujarat Assembly polls around that time will make the rally all the more interesting. Now, it is to be seen whether Rahul Gandhi's presence in Rajasthan will come before or after the change of guard in the desert state. Exercising increased caution in view of the crisis during the nomination of the party's presidential candidate, Congress is likely to wait till Gujarat elections and then change the leadership in the desert state based on the state assembly result, a senior Congress worker said. Some others said that Pilot will be made the CM after the Congress presidential polls. Another worker said the Gehlot government's two ministers Shanti Dhariwal and Mahesh Joshi and RTDC chairman Dharmendra Rathore who were issued notice for an anti-disciplinary move for calling parallel meetings of MLAs to official CLP meetings, have returned from Delhi without any positive response. "This indicates there is insecurity somewhere and hence we are keeping fingers crossed that all goes smooth during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan," he added. Meanwhile, amid all the apprehensions, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has inaugurated a flyover and named it as Bharat Jodo setu. Further, there is another set of workers who expressed their optimism towards this procession. Swarnim Chaturvedi, Congress spokesperson in Rajasthan, said, "The worker on ground is quite optimistic with this yatra, He is the one who stands with firmness whenever required against opposition's policies. "When a major protest was staged in Delhi during the questioning of Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate, the majority of the workers were from Rajasthan. The party is making full preparations for the rally. This Yatra will have an impact on all 200 seats in Rajasthan." Chaturvedi added: "Our ground-level workers want the government to repeat; they are toiling hard; post the Congress president's election, a meeting will be held to allocate responsibilities to workers." He concluded by saying that the yatra will surely instill a new vigour in the Congress and connect with the masses. Bhopal, Oct 15 : About a year will be left for the state Assembly elections after the Bharat Jodo Yatra passes through Madhya Pradesh in the last week of November. The state Congress leadership therefore is all set to use the opportunity to launch its poll campaign. Though the Bharat Jodo Yatra would cover just seven districts (around 66 assembly seats), the state unit of the party has planned to make the presence of this Yatra felt in all the 230 Assembly seats. The party has decided to launch as many as 17 supportive or sub-yatras from different parts of the state, that will merge with the Bharat Jodo Yatra at one point - Burhanpur. These 17 supportive yatras will cover a total of 6,440 km in 35 days. Yatras from each district and block will proceed keeping in mind that all 17 yatras reach Burhanpur at the same time to merge with the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The yatras will proceed from one to another district, and the leading yatra will carry the 'Constitution of India', which will be handed over to the person leading the yatra in another district. They will also carry soil from each village on the route and also water from each small and big river on the way. According to senior Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, the strategy of these sub-yatras has been made in a way that it can make a huge impact in the upcoming assembly elections in November-December 2023. A senior Congress leader said that Rahul Gandhi had addressed two campaign rallies ahead of the 2018 assembly elections, while the Bharat Jodo Yatra will cover more than 60 assembly seats, during which he will interact with the people. Congress leaders said the main objective of the Bharat Jodo Yatra is to mobilise the people of all segments, castes, religions to fight to protect the decades old democratic values, for which people have sacrificed their lives. "The way people are supporting the Bharat Jodo Yatra, indicates that people are fed up with the BJP rule. In Madhya Pradesh, people had given the mandate to the Congress because they are fed up with fake promises of the BJP government. "If the BJP hatched a conspiracy against the Congress government in 2020 to gain power again, it was disrespect of public mandate. People will give a reply in the 2023 elections," said Chandraprabhash Shekhar, a former minister and one of the key functionaries in the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee. Another reason why the Congress unit in Madhya Pradesh claimed that the Bharat Jodo Yatra will make a huge impact in the assembly elections in the state, as Shekhar explained, was that a campaign like "Ghar Ghar Chalo" had energised the party's cadre at the lower level, it gave positive results in the municipal elections. Also, making this yatra a mass movement has become the sole aim of each Congress worker, Shekhar added. The Congress claimed the results of the municipal elections were a semi-final and people have given a solid reply to the BJP, especially those feeling betrayed by the party. The Congress won five mayoral seats including Gwalior and Morena, while two mayoral candidates lost the elections with a margin of less than 500 votes. The ruling BJP, which had all 18 mayoral posts, was restricted to just nine municipal corporations. "The party was already energised under former chief minister Kamal Nath's leadership and the results of two elections (assembly polls in 2018 and urban body elections in 2022) are a clear example. But, when it become a mass movement in the presence of the party's top leadership, it works as an energy booster for the party's cadre especially at the lower level," said Jitendra Mishra, a senior Congress spokesperson in Madhya Pradesh. However, the BJP leaders in the state countered the Congress' claims, alleging that the Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra has become a platform for those who often speak against the country and raise Pakistan slogans at public rallies. "I don't think Bharat Jodo Yatra will have any impact in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, because they have seen Rahul Gandhi's leadership in the past also. They are making changes in their plan every day, which indicates that they are still confused," said a senior functionary in the Madhya Pradesh BJP. Bengaluru, Oct 15 : As he marched ahead on his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi noticed an old woman standing with two cucumbers in her hand and struck up a conversation with her. The woman explained that she had grown the cucumbers in the land allotted to her under 'Land to the Tiller Policy' at the time when Rahul Gandhi's grandmother, Indira Gandhi, was Prime Minister. He looked visibly moved towards the end of their conversation. Karnataka is one of the few states where the policy under which the land was given to a poor farmer who tilled it, was very effectively implemented. The then Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs ensured distribution of land to poor tillers from landlords who owned hundreds of acres. Lakhs and lakhs of beneficiaries of this policy still keep a photo of Indira Gandhi in their homes and have deep respect for the Congress party for giving them a new lease of life through ownership of land, which remained a distant dream for generations. The Bharat Jodo Yatra has been successful in reminding the people of one of the greatest achievements of the party. The youngsters who are observing the tumultuous developments in the state are taking note and researching about the social revolution which was brought without bloodshed nearly five decades ago. The yatra entered Karnataka through Chamarajanagar, considered as one of the most backward districts. Then it reached Mysuru district during Dusshera and passed through Mandya, Tumakuru and Chitradurga. It is now passing through Ballary district. While Rahul Gandhi has claimed that the party would win the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called the Congress leader "a small boy who is treating senior leaders according to his whims and fancies and they are readily dancing to his tunes". In a similar remark, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa also called Rahul Gandhi a "bachcha" (child). Karnataka State Congress President D.K., Shivakumar who was summoned to attend an inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) amid the Bharat Jodo Yatra, was also used by the party to its advantage. Shivakumar stated that he is being troubled to disturb the rally and attended the inquiry in New Delhi. The yatra which will be taken up for 21 days in Karnataka will cover 511 km. The Grand Old Party is also confident of making an impact in the state's north and the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. In response to the yatra, BJP leaders in the state have launched tours, with Chief Minister Bommai announcing one under his leadership. Congress leaders confide that the unity shown by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when Rahul Gandhi is around, is maintained till the Assembly elections so that they can wrestle power. Lucknow, Oct 15 : Every political party that wants to make an impact in Parliament makes sure it has a presence in Uttar Pradesh that sends 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha. The Bharat Jodo Yatra of the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi, interestingly, almost completely ignores Uttar Pradesh. The yatra will make a brief stopover in Bulandshahr in early January for three days before moving out. Of the total 3750 kilometres yatra, UP will get only about 105 kilometres and Rahul Gandhi will touch just one of the 75 districts in the state. The Congress has already touched its nadir in the 2022 assembly elections with just a 2.3 per cent vote share and two seats in the state assembly. The party has just one Lok Sabha seat from UP - Rae Bareli. With this performance -- that too, when the party campaign was being led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra -- one expected the Congress to put in renewed efforts to regain lost ground in the next general elections. "The message is clear -- the wedge between 'Rahul Congress and Priyanka Congress' in UP has widened beyond repair. Apparently, Rahul does not wish to interfere in his sister's domain and has, therefore, kept UP almost out of his itinerary. How else does one explain that the yatra was in Kerala for almost 18 days and will be in UP for barely three and a half days," said a veteran Congress leader who did not wish to be named. Another senior leader said that the yatra route was decided by Rahul's team and senior leaders from UP were not consulted and many were not even informed. "This is the new Congress where decisions are taken by a core group and senior leaders are left out. Even the list of party leaders who will accompany Rahul Gandhi in the UP phase, does not include any former UPCC president. What can we do except watch helplessly?" he asked. There is also resentment in the party cadres over the selection of 'padyatris' who will accompany Rahul Gandhi, which excludes many dedicated party men. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput, however, demolished all such allegations and said, "If you look at the yatra route, it is a straight line from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. If the yatra was made to tour UP extensively, it would have taken much more time. There is no question of ignoring UP. The yatra is not extensively touring states like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh where elections are round the corner. The yatra is not focusing on elections, it has a larger purpose." Zeeshan Haidar, a former Congress leader who recently quit the party, said, "The Congress managers have chosen states where the party has a presence and have shrewdly avoided states where the party is in poor shape. Actually, the yatra should have focused on states where the Congress is weak so that the cadres could be mobilised." Besides, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is in charge of UP, has not made any efforts to create a buzz about the yatra. In fact, she has visited UP only once, and that too for a few hours, after the Congress debacle in the assembly elections in March this year. Srinagar, Oct 15 : A Kashmiri Pandit was shot at and injured by terrorists on Saturday in J&K's Shopian district. Police sources said that the Kashmiri Pandit identified as Puran Krishan Bhat was shot at and injured in Choudhary Gund village of Shopian district by militants on Saturday. He was immediately taken to hospital. The area has been cordoned off for searches. New Delhi, Oct 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate "PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022" on October 17 at Indian Agricultural Research Institute in the national capital. During the event, the PM will release the 12th installment amount of Rs 16,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer. More than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1500 agri startups will assemble to witness the event. Officials said that more than one crore farmers, from various institutions are expected to attend the event virtually. The sammelan will also witness participation of researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders. The Prime Minister will inaugurate 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Under the scheme, the fertilizer retail shops in the country will be converted into PMKSK in a phased manner. PMKSK will cater to a wide variety of needs of the farmers and provide agri-inputs (fertilizers, seeds, implements); testing facilities for soil, seeds, fertilizers; generate awareness among farmers; provide information regarding various government schemes and ensure regular capacity building of retailers at block/ district level outlets. More than 3.3 lakh retail fertilizer shops are planned to be converted into PMKSK. During the event, the Prime Minister will launch Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana - One Nation One Fertilizer. Under the scheme, the PM will launch Bharat Urea Bags, which will help companies market fertilizers under the single brand name "Bharat". Under the scheme, eligible farmer families are provided a benefit of Rs 6000 per year in three equal installments of Rs 2000 each. So far, eligible farmer families have received benefits of more than Rs 2 lakh crore under PM-KISAN. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Agri Startup Conclave and Exhibition. About 300 startups will showcase their innovation related to Precision Farming, Post-Harvest & Value Add Solutions, Allied Agriculture, Waste to Wealth, Mechanisation for Small Farmers, Supply Chain Management, Argi-Logistic, among others. The platform would facilitate startups to interact with farmers, FPOs, agri-experts, corporates etc. Startups will also share their experience and interact with other stakeholders in technical sessions. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bengaluru, Oct 15 : Karnataka police have made their first arrest in connection with the forceful religious conversion in the city. The accused had forced his wife to convert to his religion, police said on Saturday. According to the police, 26-year-old Syed Muyeen has been accused of forcing a Hindu girl to follow Islam. The accused was in love with a 18-year-old girl, a native of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh living with her family in the silicon valley. The accused had allegedly pressured the girl to get converted if she wished to marry him. Police said that the girl had gone to a mosque and got converted to Islam. The girl's father, a painter by profession, and her mother were suspicious about the movements of their daughter and had asked her not to make a hasty decision. On October 5, the girl did not return home. She appeared before the police a week later. The parents had lodged a case under the Anti-Conversion law in Yeshwanthpur police station in Bengaluru. After taking up the investigation, police have arrested the accused for forceful religious conversion of the girl. Home Minister Araga Jnanendra has stated that he would get all details of the case. Visakhapatnam, Oct 15 : In a massive show of strength in support of three capitals for Andhra Pradesh, the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) organised a rally here on Saturday. Braving rains, thousands of people from various parts of north coastal Andhra attended 'Visakha Garjana' which was addressed by ministers and other leaders of the ruling party and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed to fight for three capitals. They called for development of three state capitals to ensure decentralisation of development and slammed the opposition parties for insisting on development of Amaravati as the only state capital. Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, JAC leaders, intellectuals and people from various walks of life participated in the rally from Ambedkar Circle to YSR statue at Park Hotel. The participants were carrying placards in support of three capitals. There were also cultural performances highlighting the backwardness of north coastal Andhra. Assembly speaker Tammineni Seetharam, ministers Botsa Satyanarayana, Dharmana Prasad Rao, Gudivada Amarnath, R. K. Roja, V. Rajini, TTD Chairman and YSRCP North Andhra coordinator Y.V. Subba Reddy were present on the occasion. The speakers at the rally came down heavily on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader and actor Pawan Kalyan and alleged that they are against the development of north Andhra. Roja, who is also an actor, targeted Pawan Kalyan. "Pawan Kalyan needs Visakhapatnam for shootings and cinema collections. He also needs Visakhapatnam to contest elections but he does not want the state capital here," she said. She alleged that Pawan Kalyan is supporting "paid artists". She was referring to the participants in ongoing padyatra by Amaravati farmers. The minister called upon people of north Andhra to teach a lesson to the actor. The ministers and YSRCP leaders questioned the opposition parties for opposing Visakhapatnam as the administrative capital. They claimed that the YSRCP government wants development of all three regions and hence it mooted the idea of three capitals - Visakhapatnam as administrative capital, Kurnool as judicial capital and Amaravati as legislative capital. The ministers alleged that TDP is behind the ongoing Padyatra in support of Amaravati as the state capital. They were referring to the ongoing Maha Padyatra by farmers of Amaravati. Demanding that Amaravati be developed as the only state capital, farmers from the region last month launched Maha Padyatra from Amaravati. It is passing through coastal districts and is scheduled to conclude next month at Arasavalli in Srikakulam district in north coastal Andhra. It will pass through 16 districts and cover nearly 1,000 km. After coming to power in 2019, the YSRCP had reversed the decision of the previous TDP government to develop Amaravati as the only state capital and decided to develop three state capitals. The ruling party defended the move on the ground that this will ensure decentralisation of development. On petitions filed by farmers and others challenging the trifurcation of the capital, Andhra Pradesh High Court in March this year had directed the government to develop Amaravati as the capital and handover developed plots to farmers in lieu of the lands they surrendered. The YSRCP leaders alleged that the padyatra by Amaravati farmers is an attempt by Chandrababu Naidu to protect his interests as he and his supporters had acquired vast lands in Amaravati. Chennai, Oct 15 : The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu on Saturday organised a state-wide protest, led by party's youth wing secretary and MLA, Udhayanidhi Stalin, against imposion of Hindi. Udayanidhi Stalin is the son of Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, and wields considerable influence in the DMK. Across the state, the party conducted protest marches against a recommendation of the Union Government's Parliamentary panel headed by Home Minister Amit Shah to make Hindi a medium of instruction in Central educational institutions in Tamil Nadu. During the anti-Hindi agitation in Coimbatore, DMK leader and Urban District Secretary of the party, N. Karthik said that in 2024 Lok sabha elections, BJP would be wiped out from Tamil Nadu. He said, "By the concept of one nation, one religion, one language, the Union government is trying to destroy the diversity of the country." Karthick said that the DMK was always at the forefront of any threat to the Tamil language and reminded the Union government of the anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu during the 1930s and in 1965. DMK leader and former minister Pongalur N. Palaniswamy said that the idea of mooting Hindi as an official language must be stopped at the preliminary level itself. Protests were held across the state against the imposition of Hindi in the state. Vijayapura : , Oct 15 (IANS) A case of honour killing has been reported in the Tikota police station in Vijayapura district of north Karnataka, police said on Saturday. The police have arrested the father and uncle of the girl and investigating the case. The police have recovered the body of Mallikarjuna Bheemanna Jamakhandi, a resident of Ghosanagi village in Tikota taluk three days ago. The body of the boy was staked in a gunny bag and it was in a decomposed state. Police explain that the body was dumped on the banks of Krishna River near Hadarihala village in Bagalkot district. The parents have identified the body with the t-shirt of the boy. However, it is not known whether the girl is alive or she is killed. Preliminary investigation has indicated that the girl also might have been killed. Mallikarjun studied in second year BA and went to college in bus from his village. He fell in love with a girl studying class 12. They used to spend time together in Vijayapura city. The matter had reached the family of the girl and they had warned her not to continue the relationship with the boy. The boy was also warned not to disturb the girl. However, both ignored elders diktat and continued to meet. The parents of the boy had even changed his college. However on September 23, the boy and the girl did not return home. The parents thought that they had eloped together. The parents had lodged complaints with Tikota police station. The police who had taken up investigation found the body of the boy on October 10. The boy's family had alleged that the affluent girl's family had got their son killed and lodged a complaint in this regard. Further investigation is on. Ahmedabad, Oct 15 : Four policemen were among eight people arrested for gambling in Gujarat's Ahmedabad city. A team of the State Monitoring Cell, headed by Superintendent of Police Nirlipt Rai, on Friday evening raided a gambling den and arrested eight persons. The arrested included Police Sub Inspector Dharmendrasinh Parmar, Kheda, Ahmedabad crime branch's Assistant Sub-Inspector Hitendrasinh Champawat, Hitendrasinh Takhatsinh serving at Naroda Police station and Ahmedabad city police control room constable Kishorsinh Anupsinh. Police have recovered Rs 1.80 lakh cash, a car and two two-wheelers during the raid. The Monitoring cell officer said that the said gambling den is run by Lakshman Rawat alias Babu Dabhi, who is a habitual offender. Babu Dabhi was operating the den from his house in Sabarmati area, the police added. Hyderabad, Oct 15 : The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) have slammed the Narendra Modi government over Indian slipping further on Global Hunger Index (GHI). "Yet another day & yet another amazing achievement of the NPA government," tweeted TRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao taunted the government, terming to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government as "NPA (Non Performing Alliance)" government. "India slipped from 101st to 107th rank in the Global Hunger Index. Instead of accepting failure, am sure BJP jokers will dismiss the report as anti-Indian now," wrote Rao, who is also state minister for industry, commerce and information technology. KTR, as the TRS leader is popularly known, was reacting to a report that on GHI, India fares worse than all countries in South Asia barring war-torn Afghanistan. According to the report, India ranks below Sri Lanka (64), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84) and Pakistan (99). KTR also retweeted a tweet by a TRS leader, who pointed out that in 2014, India was ranked at 55 in GHI and it has now slipped to 107. AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi also tweeted that India is the second worst on GHI in south Asia. The MP from Hyderabad said while Prime Minister Narendra Modi can blame Mughals, under his rule, 69 per cent of child deaths were due to malnutrition. "Hungry Indians increased from 19 crore to 35 crore. Over 50 per cent kids Aand women are anaemic. But government has done zilch," Owaisi wrote. Dehradun, Oct 15 : The Uttarakhand government has approved a proposal to replace the antiquated revenue police system in the state with regular police, in a phased manner. Presently, Uttarakhand is the only state in the country where the revenue police, popularly known as 'patwari police', operates, wherein the revenue staff double up as police officers in the hill districts. Six new police stations and 20 new police outposts will be set up in the revenue police areas which have witnessed a rise in tourism and commercial activities. The six police stations to be opened in areas earlier controlled by the revenue police are: Yamkeshwar in Pauri district, Chham in Tehri, Ghat in Chamoli, Khansaun in Nainital, and Deghat and Dhaulcheena in Almora district. Besides, 20 new police outposts (chowkis) are being opened at Lakhamandal in Dehradun, Beeronkhal in Pauri, Gaaja, Kandikhal and Chamiyala in Tehri, Nauti, Narayanbagad and Urgam in Chamoli, Chopta and Durgadhar in Rudraprayag, Saankri and Dhauntri in Uttarkashi, Okhalkanda, Dhanachuli, Hedakhal and Dhari in Nainital, Majikhali, Jageshwar and Bhaunkhal in Almora, and Barakot in Champawat. During the British period, due to the specific social conditions and the negligible crime rate, a different type of administration was implemented here unlike the rest of India in which the patwari police system was also included. Now after the Nainital High Court rebuked the Uttarakhand government, the latter has started preparing to end the over the nearly 150-year-old revenue police system and hand law and order responsibilities to the civil police just like in other parts of the country. Since this transfer will not be smooth and considering life in the hills, the High Court order could not be implemented earlier. However, now in connection with the Ankita Bhandari murder case, where it will be difficult to punish the culprits, the patwari police has been dealt a severe blow. The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government has taken significant steps towards the deployment of civil police in the revenue areas of the state. The patwari police is not just a law and order machinery but also a part of the Pahari (hill) society. Due to the unique cultural environment, the administration of Uttarakhand was run under the Scheduled Districts Act, 1874, similar to tribal Assam and accordingly the patwaris were given police powers. The credit for the patwari police system goes to British officials, G.W. Trail, who created 16 posts of patwaris and assigned them police work, revenue collection, land records etc. During the rule of the East India Company, a police station was opened in the hilly region of Almora in 1837 and in Ranikhet in 1843. The revenue police system is in force in the area since 1874. At present, this system is applicable in about 61 per cent of the state. In this system, the patwaris, kanungos, naib tehsildars, tehsildars, pargana adhikari, District Magistrates, and Commissioners have to do the work of the police along with revenue. It is the responsibility of the revenue police to investigate crimes, register cases and apprehend criminals in Uttarakhand. For some time now, the demand for handing over the revenue areas to the civil police has been rising. The reason behind this is that the revenue police do not have a solid system to prevent crime and due to lack of technical knowledge, they cannot investigate crimes effectively. After the Ankita Bhandari murder case, the functioning of the revenue police again came in for criticism. The Chief Minister then decided to merge the revenue police with the regular police in a phased manner without delay. With this decision, there is hope of getting timely justice for the villagers in the revenue areas from the new police stations and outposts. As many as 7,500 villages of the state are under the purview of the revenue police. Earlier there was no need of the civil police in the hilly areas of the state because there had never been a serious criminal case here. After the Ankita Bhandari murder that came to light recently, this demand gained momentum and the government also felt the need for deployment of civil police in the revenue areas. Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar said, "The proposal to open six new police stations and 20 police posts in nine districts of the state has been passed in the cabinet meeting. After the issuance of the mandate, the framework for opening new police stations and outposts will be prepared. With the opening of police station posts in these areas, the problems of the common man will be resolved on time. There has been an increase in the number of non-locals and tourists and business activities in many revenue areas which has led to rise in crime cases." Srinagar, Oct 15 : A lone terrorist was responsible for the killing of local Kashmiri Pandit, Puran Krishan Bhat, in his native village in Shopian district on Saturday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said. Deputy Inspector General of Police, South & Central Kashmir range, Sujit Kumar told some reporters that although the detailed investigation is still going on, preliminary reports indicate that a lone militant was responsible for the killing of the Kashmiri Pandit in Chaudhrigund village. Asked about the Kashmir Freedom Fighter (KFF) group that has claimed responsibility for the killing, the DIG said it is just a fake proxy group of militants. He said if any security lapse comes to light during the investigation, those guilty of such a lapse would be punished. Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya visited the village and said that all assistance would be provided to the family. The body of the deceased is being taken to Jammu for the last rites. Chennai, Oct 15 : Close on the heels of the success of director Mani Ratnam's magnum opus, 'Ponniyin Selvan' which talks about the rule of Cholas, comes the news that another Tamil film which speaks about the greatness of the Pallavas is now getting made. Titled 'Nandivarman', the supernatural mystery thriller has been directed by debut filmmaker Perumal Varadhan, who said that he chose to name his film after the Pallava dynasty's most accomplished king, Nandivarman. Arun Kumar of A. K. Film Factory is producing this movie which features 'Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban' fame Suresh Ravi in the lead with Asha Gowda playing the female lead character. The others in the star cast include Nizhalgal Ravi, Bose Venkat, Aadukalam Murugadoss, Gajaraj, Ambani Shankar, Mullai Gothandam, Meesai Rajendran, Asuran Appu, Bommi Rajan, J.S.K Gopi and many more prominent actors. The story revolves around a team of archaeologists who arrive in a place called Hanumanthapuram to excavate a region believed to be once ruled by King Nanidvarman of the Pallava dynasty. King Nandivarman was killed by deceit almost a 1000 years ago and soon after that, the land that he ruled began witnessing supernatural and paranormal events after 6 p.m. every day. People dwelling in these lands don't step out of their homes after 6 in the evening. It is at this juncture that the team of archaeologists arrive at the place to excavate the land to know more about Nandivarman and his kingdom. However, the team members start getting mysteriously killed one by one... This forms the crux of this story that is narrated with engrossing thriller moments laced with historic reference and entertaining elements. Director Perumal Varadhan said: "While visiting the Senji Fort, I came across an old man, who shared his paranormal encounters in that specific area. This instilled in me the curiosity to know more about it. "The next day, I went to the same place, and heard another person sharing the same facts about this place. Significantly, many residing in that location shared the paranormal encounters that happened there. I came to know that the Pallavas ruled that region, which got me even more interested. I did research and learnt about supernatural incidents. Eventually, I got to know about five Pallava Kings among whom I considered Nandivarman to be the most important. Hence, I chose to name this my movie after him. "I didn't want this movie to be a mere supernatural thriller, but to showcase the beauty of the Pallavas. You can find some pillars at Pondicherry beach, which were carried from the Senji fort. The emblems and history of the Pallavas have been destroyed and one among them is the pillars. "Mahabalipuram was the first declared tourist spot in India, but we are still unaware about the great Pallavas and their contribution towards the people and society. We have tried projecting some of it in this movie." New Delhi, Oct 15 : As the US and India join hands to address semiconductors supply chain challenges, the Joe Biden government's offer to provide assistance to India to build up its semiconductor manufacturing capacity appears to be just lip service, Chinese state-run publication Global Times has said. US deputy assistant secretary, South and Central Asia, Afreen Akhter, during her visit to India this week, said they will help India boost its semiconductor manufacturing capacity. Akhter led a semiconductors trade mission to India and met top government officials in the Capital. According to Global Times, the announcement is designed to "lure India into a geopolitical game to exclude China from the global chip industrial chain, rather than a commitment with real investment plans to support India's chip manufacturing." The report mentioned that the CHIPS and Science Act, that aims to provide $52 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturers to build fabrication plants in the US, is an attempt to build up an industrial chain focused on the interests of the US, "which is unlikely to bring benefits to India." India has introduced a series of preferential policies to attract chip companies to invest in production in the country. Last year, the government announced a Rs 76,000 crore performance linked incentive (PLI) scheme in the semiconductor sector to boost local manufacturing. As India and the US double down on domestic semiconductor manufacturing, China witnessed its biggest-ever monthly decline in chip manufacturing in August owing to Covid restrictions and weakening demand. That was also the second consecutive month of decline for chip manufacturing. In July, the output nosedived 16.6 per cent to 27.2 billion units. Meanwhile, the Gujarat government has partnered Vedanta and Foxconn, aiming an investment of Rs 1.54 lakh crore to achieve self-reliance in the field of semiconductor manufacturing. India's semiconductor component market is likley to reach $300 billion in cumulative revenues by 2026, as 'Make in India' and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes will boost local sourcing of semi-components in the coming years, according to the report by the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) and Counterpoint Research. The report further said that as India wants to become a chip powerhouse, it "should not take the bait laid by American diplomats in the hope that the US will provide it with important resources." "First, the assistance that Akhter said the US would provide to India may not be delivered on," it added. "Even as the US chose India as a partner in semiconductor cooperation in geopolitical calculations, this doesn't mean it will really help India to boost the semiconductor sector," the report mentioned. The real question India faces is if it wants to upgrade its chip manufacturing sector and move toward the upstream industrial chain, "it must build up a solid industry basis, instead of pinning its hope on US lip service". Hyderabad, Oct 15 : BJP candidate Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy faced protest from supporters of Congress, TRS and CPI on Saturday during the campaign for Munugode Assembly by-election. The protesters raised slogans against Rajagopal Reddy for imposing a by-election on the people of Munugode after bagging Rs 18,000 crore contract from the Centre. They stopped the vehicle of Rajagopal Reddy and other BJP leaders and questioned him about his move to quit as MLA and resign from Congress party to join the BJP. The Congress workers alleged that Rajagopal Reddy betrayed the people after they voted and elected him in the 2018 elections. The incident occurred in Kothulapuram in Samsthan Narayanpur 'mandal' (block) when Rajagopal Reddy was campaigning. Rajagopal Reddy is at the receiving end ever since he admitted during an interview to a television channel that his company bagged Rs 18,000 crore contract six months ago. He resigned from Congress and also as MLA in July and joined the BJP in August during a public meeting addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Munugode. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Congress have been targeting him for switching loyalties for the sake of contract. TRS leaders have alleged that Rajagopal Reddy promised to Amit Shah that he will spend Rs 500 crore to win the by-election. Wall posters targeting the BJP candidate over the contract have already appeared in the constituency. Fresh posters were seen in the constituency on Saturday. Unidentified persons pasted the posters on behalf of people of Huzurabad and Dubbak constituencies. They appealed to voters of Munugode not to get cheated like them. The BJP had won Dubbak and Huzurabad seats in the by-elections in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Meanwhile, BJP MP K. Laxman alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was afraid of defeat in Munugode. He said out of this fear, Chief Minister KCR joined hands with the Communist parties. He said KCR had once described the Left parties as waste parties but has now joined hands with the same parties. The Rajya Sabha member predicted that like in Huzurabad and Dubbak, the TRS will face anti-incumbency. The BJP leader said the fear of TRS is also reflected from the fact that all ministers and 86 MLAs were camping in the constituency. New Delhi, Oct 15 : Supreme Court judge Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Saturday recommended law graduates incorporate feminist thinking in the way they deal with the law. In his address at the 9th convocation of National Law University, Delhi, where he was the chief guest, he, at the beginning of his address, expressed awe at the number of gold medals bagged by female students in the university. He said it is just an indicator of the times that we live in and the times that are going to come. "But I was also struck by the fact that almost all gold medals have been instituted by Shri so and so. And that's an indicator of the times which were of a male dominated, patriarchal profession and society we live in....," he added. "We must understand the rule of law does not depend merely on the Constitution or on legislation; it largely depends on the political culture and the citizens, especially young legal professionals like you." He said laws can only do so much until all of us are willing to participate in its endeavour and a law is not an antidote to prevailing social values, rather, it is a means to forge a new future based on the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. "We live in a society governed by rule of law. Rule of law if understood and implemented properly is a defense against oppressive structures such as patriarchy, casteism," he said. Justice Chandrachud advised law graduates: "I would like to particularly advise you to incorporate feminist thinking in the way you deal with the law." He added that as a junior judge of Bombay High Court, he used to sit in the criminal roster with Justice Ranjana Desai and they heard diverse criminal appeals. Justice Chandrachud said sitting with a colleague who add more diverse exposure to realities of gender gave him the necessary feminist perspective. He also urged students to look beyond the self-centred vision of their own existence and they must strive to make the legal profession more inclusive and accessible and that there was sufficient creativity in the law. Justice Chandrachud said women lawyers may especially find it challenging to work in a male dominated profession and one of the great learnings of the pandemic is that when we went virtual in our court hearings, the number of women lawyers who were appearing in the court dramatically increased. "So, technology has been a great enabler in liberating young women today in their access to the legal profession," he said. Chennai, Oct 15 : Popular Telugu star Vishnu Manchu has trashed rumours that claimed he had come down heavily on the teaser of Prabhas-starrer 'Adipurush'. Posting the picture of a rumour being spread, Vishnu Manchu on his timeline called it 'fake news'. The actor, according to rumours being spread, had allegedly said that he felt cheated by the makers of 'Adipurush' and actor Prabhas. "You got to prepare the audience. The visuals of Adipurush teaser look cartoonish. If you don't prepare and cheat the audience, then this is the reaction you will get, " memes put out by rumour mongers quoted the actor as having said. Trashing all these rumours, actor Vishnu Manchu quoted a rumour meme and said, "Fake News! As expected, some item raja trying to spread negative news just before 'Ginna' release! I want nothing but the best for my darling brother Prabhas." 'Ginna', which is gearing up for release shortly, has been directed by Surya and features Vishnu alongside Payal Rajput and Sunny Leone in the lead. Kolkata, Oct 15 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Sukanya Mondal, the daughter of Trinamool Congress strongman and the party's Birbhum district president, Anubrata Mondal to Delhi to question her in connection with the multi-crore cattle smuggling scam, an official said on Saturday. Sukanya Mondal has been asked to be present in Delhi's ED headquarters on October 27. However, it could not be yet known if she would be going to Delhi and appear for questioning. ED sources said that they want to especially question her on the companies wherein she is the director as well as the rice mills in which she is the "partner". Already, two companies, namely ANM Agrochem Private Limited and Neer Developer Private Limited are under the scanner of both ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that are conducting a parallel probe into the cattle smuggling scam. In both the firms, Sukanya Mondal is one of the two directors and the central agency sleuths believe that these two corporate entities are basically shell companies meant for channelising the crime proceeds. "We also want to question her on certain properties which were registered under her name, and were purchased at prices much lower than the prevailing market rates only to be sold off later at much higher prices," an ED official said. CBI sleuths had earlier questioned Sukanya Mondal in this connection. However, during the questioning, she had claimed "total ignorance" and said such matters were mainly dealt with by her father's personal accountant, Manish Kothari. During the questioning, she also appeared clueless about the fixed deposits in her name. Karachi, Oct 15 : Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Saturday that Pakistan has summoned US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome for an official demarche following US President Joe Biden's remarks about the country's nuclear assets, media reports said. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said: "I have discussed it with the Prime Minister and we have summoned the Ambassador of the United States to Pakistan Donald Blome to the Foreign Office of Pakistan for an official demarche," Express Tribune reported. "As far as the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear assets are concerned, we meet all, each and every international standard in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," he added. Citing India's accidental firing of a missile into Pakistan on March 9, the Pak Foreign Minister said: "As far as I'm concerned in our neighbourhood, if there is any question as to nuclear safety and security then those questions should be directed to our neighbour India who very recently, accidentally, fired a missile into Pakistani territory. That is not only irresponsible, that is not only unsafe but raises genuine concerns about the safety of nuclear-capable countries." "I am surprised by the remarks of President Biden... I believe this is exactly the sort of misunderstanding that is created when there is a lack of engagement. Luckily, we have embarked on a journey of engagement. We have just marked the 75th anniversary of our bilateral relations in a very engaging manner at the State Department, and the at level of Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. If this was such a concern, I imagine that it would have been raised in that meeting with me," he added, Express Tribune reported. The statement by the Foreign Minister comes after President Biden said earlier that Pakistan may be "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" as the country has "nuclear weapons without any cohesion", it was reported on Saturday. The US President made the comments while addressing a Democratic congressional campaign committee reception on Thursday. "And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," Biden was quoted as saying in a transcript of the address, published on the White House's website. New York, Oct 15 : A Purdue University student, who was accused of fatally stabbing his Indian-origin roommate with a knife, has been charged with murder by the prosecutors. Ji Min Sha, a 22-year-old cybersecurity major from Seoul, South Korea, faces one count of murder in the killing of Varun Manish Chheda, 20, from Indianapolis earlier this month. Sha could face 45-60 years behind bars if convicted of the one count of murder. He is being held without bond. The prosecutors alleged that Sha stabbed Chheda, a data science major, multiple times in the head and neck with a folding knife that officers found on the floor near the chair where Chheda's body was discovered, according to the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Indiana. When the officers arrived at the scene on the West Lafayette campus in Indiana on October 5, they found Chheda dead in a chair with the knife on the floor near him, reports said. The cops found Sha wearing clothes with blood on them before he was arrested, prosecutors were reported as saying. Making his first court appearance last week before Tippecanoe County Magistrate Sarah Wyatt, Sha claimed "I was blackmailed" when asked why he killed Chheda, but did not elaborate further, according to local reports. He also said he was "very sorry" when asked if he had anything to tell the victim's family. Quetta, Oct 15 : Former chief justice of Balochistan High Court (BHC), Justice Muhammad Noor Meskanzai, has been killed in a gun attack in Kharan, media reports said. Meskanzai was shot dead while offering Isha prayers at a mosque. The Quetta Bar Association has announced three-day mourning and a boycott of the courts, Geo News reported. "The former chief justice came to offer Isha prayers at a mosque near his residence located in Gazai area of Kharan where unidentified miscreants opened fire at him," Nazir Ahmed Kurd, DIG, Rakhshan Division, told Geo News. "Being critically injured with gunshot wounds in the abdomen area, he was rushed to the civil hospital for treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries," the DIG said. One of his relatives, Mumtaz, was wounded in the attack. In response, the police cordoned off the area and began a search operation for the attackers. Meskanzai took oath as the chief justice on December 26, 2014 and retired on August 31, 2018. Later, he was appointed as the chief justice of the Federal Shariat Court and served until 2022. Both the governor and chief minister of the province have expressed grief at his death. London, Oct 15 : UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has sacrificed her Finance Minister and closest political ally just weeks into her premiership in order to save her own skin, media reports said. On Friday morning, Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, was summoned a day early back to London from the US straight to Downing Street, where he was relieved of his duties. Kwarteng being gone, however, does not mean that Truss is out of the woods, CNN reported. The pair had written about their shared view of a low-tax, high-growth Britain in a book authored by a group of Conservatives as far back as 2012. Kwarteng and Truss were in lockstep in their vision for Britain; removing him from office is a tacit acceptance that her economic plan has failed, it said. Truss swiftly replaced Kwarteng with Jeremy Hunt, a former cabinet minister of multiple briefs who has stood for the leadership twice. She described him as "one of the most experienced and widely respected government ministers and parliamentarians". Views are mixed on whether the new Chancellor will be a stabilising influence on either the party or Truss. Some Conservative MPs think that Hunt, who served as Health Secretary, Foreign Secretary, and Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary under previous governments, will bring unity to a party that is still recovering from the summer's bruising leadership contest. He is respected by both the left and right of the party and has a calm, reassuring and familiar nature that appeals to a certain type of Conservative. However, he is also easy for the opposition Labour Party to attack. Hunt-skeptics point out that his record in government is patchy, CNN reported. What Conservative MPs are most worried about is that Truss's credibility is blown and her authority gone. She has appointed a Chancellor whom she cannot blame for any future hiccups, and now looks seriously weak in the face of a reenergised opposition Labour party, which is surging ahead in the opinion polls. The next general election doesn't constitutionally need to take place until January 2025, though no one is suggesting Truss will survive anywhere near that long. Yet getting rid of the party's fourth leader in just over six years in the short-term would be difficult, even if things continue to go south, CNN reported. Some of her law makers fear that crowning another leader without consulting the public - just months after replacing Boris Johnson in a similar fashion - could make the party look even worse in the eyes of the public. All of which means that for now, Truss and her party are stuck. And unable to make major reforms, without key allies and reaching across the party for the sake of unity, Truss's government runs the risk of looking like a caretaker government that is simply waiting for someone else to take over, CNN reported. Chennai, Oct 15 : Ace director Mani Ratnam, who has come in for a lot of praise for getting the looks of almost all his characters in his magnum opus, 'Ponniyin Selvan 1', right has now disclosed the secret of how he was able to achieve this incredibly difficult feat. In an interview that was released as part of a BTS video by the makers of the film on Saturday, Mani Ratnam says the unit based their looks on the illustrations of Maniam. "Kalki's 'Ponniyin Selvan' was the first big novel I've read in Tamil. How I got interested in it is that there is a lending library called Eswari Lending library on Lloyd's Road. That's where I picked up all five parts of the novel. "Those editions with Maniam's illustrations. I read it all in one stretch. I was reading it with a smile. Be it the landscapes, the horses or the two Pazhuvettayarars with their big moustaches. These images never left my mind. "Kalki's writing style is such that he constantly talks to us. 'We left him mid-way. Let's go and see what Vanthiyathevan is doing.' It felt like we were travelling with him. "Without Maniam's sketches, people wouldn't have read 'Ponniyin Selvan'. Maniam was the base. Sub-consciously we know that Alwarkkadiyan Nambi should look like this -- crouched on a wall with a pony tail with only his head visible. The Aandal hair knot was required for Nandhini. He defined those things. "He did not sketch these visuals just like that. He researched and interpreted based on that period. So, we never went away from his illustrations but we made our interpretations of them," the ace director disclosed. Bengaluru, Oct 15 : With assembly elections due in a few months, the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party have got into pre-poll mode in Karnataka. On the one hand Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is criss-crossing the state as part of his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. On the other, the ruling BJP has launched its 'Jana Sankalpa Yatra'. The arrival on the scene of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), though, is widely expected to change the contours of the forthcoming elections which has so far seen a three-cornered fight between the BJP, the Congress, and the Janata Dal (S). "While the others are doing Bharat Jodo and Jana Sankalpa Yatras , we are working very quietly because people see through these gimmicks. When Covid struck nobody cared. When people died due to potholes nobody cared, when people struggled with floods nobody cared. So only by starting yatras people's perceptions are not going to change," AAP Karnataka convenor Prithvi Reddy told IANS. After its sensational electoral victories in Delhi, the AAP went on to sweep the Punjab assembly polls and has set its eye on the just announced Gujarat polls. Down south, the party is making concerted efforts to stand out as a viable option in Karnataka. Currently, the two principal parties in the state - the BJP and the Congress - are busy attacking each other on the corruption issue, something which the AAP is looking to capitalise upon. Reddy elaborated: "People of Karnataka had the choice of three parties but the choice of only one kind of politics. The 40 percent corruption charges are not random charges but these are very serious accusations made by a cross-section of people like contractors association, pontiffs of mutts, the private schools association." "The opposition parties in any other state would have taken the ruling party to the cleaners, whether it's raising the issue of floods or issue of potholes in Bengaluru or the farm laws. If the government has failed, the opposition has failed equally. So Karnataka needs an Opposition. Though we are small we are growing. I believe that what was an aspiration for good politics will become a necessity today because it started affecting people's lives today." Prithvi Reddy says it's definitely going to be a four-cornered fight in Karnataka this time. However he clarifies that the ideological lines are clearly drawn between the AAP and the others. "We're not here to fight the BJP or the Congress. We're here to fight their politics. In essence it's a two way fight between their politics which has three parties and our politics. So it's a two way fight between two different politics and philosophies." Faced with the massive electoral machinery that the existing players have in place in Karnataka, the AAP has set out to strengthen its grassroots presence ahead of the assembly polls due sometime around May 2023. Prithvi Reddy says that the AAP will field candidates in all the 224 constituencies of Karnataka. To begin with, the party has launched a program to put in place 10-member booth committees in 58,000 polling booths across the state. "Our reading is that people want change. We believe in the Delhi model as against the Gujarat model. Whether the goodwill we have will convert into votes, only time will tell. Because whenever you launch a product no matter how good or bad it is, you need people to buy it," Reddy pointed out. "So from what ground reactions we are getting, we are positive. There is goodwill but we need to convert it into votes and that's what we are doing today," he concluded. Gandhinagar, Oct 15 : The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) search for young and new faces lasted for almost ten years. Its present team is led by faces who have at some point led one or the other agitation against the ruling party in Gujarat. The party's state convener Gopal Italia is a former government employee. He quit the job for justice to the thousands of youths serving in the Lok Rakshak Dal and aspiring candidates. Even before he joined politics his actions had made him a newsmaker. For example, he had hurled a slipper at Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja, raising the issue of corruption. His telephonic conversation with Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel over poor implementation of the prohibition policy had become the talk of the state three years ago. Italia comes from a humble background, but his thoughts are more of rebellion and revolutionary. He represents the Patidar community, but is not as influential as Hardik Patel. The Patidars dominate on 52 assembly seats. The other big face of the AAP in Gujarat is Isudan Gadhvi, a journalist-turned-politician, who has served as editor of one of the leading regional news channels. Having ambitions of becoming a politician, he joined the AAP. Sources in the AAP say he was selected by the party's national leaders because they were looking for a public face, his prime time programme was garnering good TRPs and he had a good number of followers on social media pages. The Gadhvi community has a negligible presence in the state's vote share, and dominates merely on one or two assembly seats. Yuvrajsinh Jadeja, a student and youth leader, came into the limelight when he led the LRD aspiring candidates movement. He exposed the competitive exams loopholes, on four to five occasions he shared details about how papers leaked in exams, because of which the government had to cancel the exams. He has a huge fan following on social media and belongs to the Kshatriya Rajput community, which dominates on at least half a dozen seats with just 6 percent representation in the vote share. Jadeja has followers cutting across castes and among the youth. The AAP's other faces are Pravin Ram, a M. Tech graduate who had first led an agitation in Junagadh district against the corrupt practices in cooperative societies and is president of the Jan Adhikar Manch. Later he led the aspiring government candidates movement on the reservation issue. Sagar Rabari is the farmers movement's face, he had fought for MSP for crops, for crop insurance. He had moved a petition in the Gujarat High Court, and he was one of the leaders of the agitation against Becharaji Chemical Special Investment Region. Though all of them have clean backgrounds, they lack influence among all castes and creeds across the state. That is why the AAP wants to encash the party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal's popularity, and the Delhi model of governance. Its campaign slogan is 'One chance to Kejriwal'. This was challenged by Congress spokesman Pawan Khera during his recent visit to Gujarat. He has demanded that Arvind Kejriwal should announce from which assembly seat he is going to contest in Gujarat, and if he is not contesting, why is he appealing to vote for him. Shimla, Oct 15 : After its maiden resounding win in neighbouring Punjab in February, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fast-tracked its political activities in poll-bound Himachal Pradesh. But as the assembly elections in the BJP-ruled state draw closer, its momentum in the hill state, where it is yet to field a credible mass face, has been slowing down with the top leadership focusing on strengthening its vote bank in poll-bound Gujarat. Politically, a bright spot for the AAP at this point of time is the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) announcement to extend support to the party on the seats it is not contesting. The CPI-M has a lone legislator in the 68-member Himachal assembly. Barring social media campaigns, the party's central leadership has not been seen on the ground for over a month now, a political observer told IANS. He said the political momentum lost steam with the arrest of Delhi minister and the party's state in-charge Satyendar Jain. A section of AAP leaders told IANS that Jain's arrest impacted the party's forays into the state's political landscape that is divided between the traditional parties -- the Congress and the BJP, which have ruled the state alternatively since 1985. The BJP won 44 of the 68 assembly seats in 2017 with a vote share of 48.8 per cent, up from 38.47 per cent in 2012. Its rival the Congress won 21 seats with a vote share of 41.7 per cent, down from 42.81 per cent in 2012. In 2017, the CPI-M had fielded 14 candidates but could get only the Theog seat where Rakesh Singha had won with a slender margin of 1,983 votes. That was the party's first win after 24 years. In the upcoming polls the party has fielded 11 candidates till date. Taking the lead, the AAP, which is projecting itself as the third alternative in the well-entrenched bipolar system, announced its first list of candidates for four constituencies. BJP rebel Rajan Sushant is the AAP's Fatehpur assembly segment candidate, Umakant Dogra from Nagrota Bagwan, Manish Thakur from Paonta Sahib and Sudarshan Jaspa from Lahaul-Spiti, a reserved seat. With a political career spanning four decades, largely with the saffron party, Sushant recently rejoined the AAP after quitting it six years ago. In 2020, he had floated his own outfit, Hamari Party Himachal Party. He has been a four-term legislator and one-time MP. Manish, who joined the AAP in March, was the Youth Congress national secretary and its state president, while both Jaspa and Umakant are social workers. Aiming to woo the electorate on the pattern of Punjab and Delhi, the AAP's pre-poll 10 guarantees include employment to the six lakh youth, Rs 3,000 unemployment allowance, Rs 1,000 per month to women aged above 18, corruption-free governance and a Rs 10 lakh annual grant for every panchayat. Fearing a dent in its vote share with the AAP raining freebies, BJP's Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur took to populist announcements of providing free electricity up to 125 units, up from the existing 60 units, and a 50 per cent concession in bus fare for women. He justified the decisions by saying Himachal Pradesh is a power-surplus state and the concession for women is a step towards their empowerment. Sensing a threat in a state that follows the two-party system with no space for a third one, the saffron party is trying to weaken the AAP's base by inducing its top state leadership into the party fold. In April, the AAP's state president Anup Kesari, state women wing chief Mamta Thakur, state general secretary Satish Thakur and Una district chief Iqbal Singh were among those who joined the BJP. Political insiders told IANS that the AAP is relying largely on dissidents from both the BJP and the Congress. Once the allocation of tickets by both the parties will start, those who are denied the party nomination will start changing loyalties. Initially, thousands of supporters have come forward to work for or join the AAP, which was unusual in the past. "But the party is leaderless. It has to come with a Chief Ministerial face well in advance along with its prospective candidates," a political observer said. Chief Minister Thakur, in whom the central leadership reposed faith by bringing a generational change in the state politics, believes the AAP is not an alternative as people have previously rejected a third front in the state. "Long ago an attempt was made to form a third political alternative. It failed despite the tallest state leader heading it," he told IANS in a recent interview. A political observer believes that the AAP is posing more of a threat to the Opposition Congress than the ruling BJP. "In every poll, the victory gap in vote percentage traditionally remains four to six per cent in the state. If AAP manages to cut a two-three per cent vote share of a party, the damage seems more to the Opposition than the ruling party owing to the absence of Congress veteran late Virbhadra Singh. So the AAP's maiden foray in the assembly polls makes the political landscape smoother for the BJP," added the observer. The AAP made its debut in the state in 2014 by fielding candidates for all the four Lok Sabha seats. The leaders, who joined the AAP then, were keen to contest the 2017 Assembly elections, but the AAP leadership decided not to enter the fray. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) Gandhinagar, Oct 15 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is aggressively campaigning in Gujarat for the first time in ten years. It has become a talking point for political parties and voters. The party has been able to create a perception about its successful models and leadership, but this is a double edged sword and will either dent one political party's prospects or of both, say political analysts and a sociologist. There is little possibility that committed voters will shift in one election, but fence-sitters can get swayed with freebies and be influenced with the Delhi and Punjab models of governance and vote for the AAP. This can bring a 4 to 5 percent vote swing in favour of AAP, opines Hemant Shah, political analyst and economist. Even if the AAP plays the soft Hindutva card it is less likely to eat into the BJP votes, because the BJP has not only reached the voters' minds, but even their families, daily life and festivities, feels sociologist Kiran Desai. The Bharatiya Janata Party has the copyright and patent on Hindutva in Gujarat, where other parties or leaders have no place, he adds. But Desai sees that freebies and the Delhi/Punjab models will attract voters towards the AAP. Its cadres are going in the field with confidence and raise public issues. The only question is will it be enough to bring about a change of guard in the state, or will it just prove to be a storm in a teacup. The question then arises who will suffer the maximum damage because of the AAP's entry? Answering this question political analyst Janak Purohit says, "AAP is a double edged sword, in the rural areas it will dent the Congress vote bank, and if it's freebies' promises influence the urban voters, it can dent the BJP vote bank too." There is a class, an intellectual or elite society in the urban areas, who are staunch supporters of the BJP and have been voting for the party since long. They have an allergy to the Congress, but they are seeing the AAP as a like minded party and have started shifting towards it. This has panicked the BJP, which is why Gopal Italia's rationalist video clips are circulated to pull back such voters, is the reading of political analyst Naresh Variya. It is a myth that only if a party has an army of workers can it bring voters to the polling booths. Once a voter decides to vote for a particular candidate or party, one does not need party workers to bring him out, and this can happen with the AAP too this time, explains Shah. Belagavi : , Oct 15 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday that he will go to Delhi to discuss the cabinet expansion with BJP President J.P.Nadda and other senior leaders. Talking to reporters at Sambra Airport during the ongoing Jan Sankalp yatra, he said everyone will be informed when the high command gives permission for the cabinet expansion. Asked about the Shiv Sena opposing the construction of Kannada Bhavan at Kaneri Mutt in Kolhapur, he said already there are Kannada Bhavans of various associations and organisations in temples and Yatri Nivas. In these issues, state or language barriers must not come. Bommai said he was happy with the 75th birthday celebrations of KLE Society Foundation Chairman Prabhakar Kore who is quite popular in north Karnataka for making rich contributions in the fields of education, health, agriculture and cooperative fields in the last 40 years. Kore is gifted with the strength to work relentlessly and is always friendly, he said. New Delhi, Oct 15 : In a latest development in connection with the DHFL loan fraud case of Rs 34,615 crore, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed a chargesheet against 75 accused persons, including private companies, before the Rouse Avenue Court here. The chargesheet has been filed against Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan, both then CMD of DHFL; Harshil Mehta, its ex-CEO; Ajay Vazirani, advocate; Jayesh Khona, then Vice President (accounting), DHFL; Dinesh Bansal, Director of DK Realty (India) Pvt Ltd; Sunny Bathija, Director of Sunblink Real Estate Pvt Ltd; Ajay Navandar and Jignesh Mehta, CA of Chaturvedi & Shah LLP; Amit Chaturvedi, Partner of Chaturvedi & Shah LLP; and others. In July, the CBI had sezied a helicopter parked in a hanger at the premises of Avinash Bhosale, one of the accused, at Baner Road in Pune. "It came to light that RKW Developers Pvt Ltd (a company owned by the Wadhawan family) allegedly has stakes in Varva Aviation (an Association of Persons) which owns an AW109SP GrandNew helicopter (an AgustaWestland helicopter) which was allegedly purchased in 2011. "RKW Developers Pvt Ltd joined the Association of Persons in 2017, contributing towards cost price and maintenance of the said helicopter. ABIL Infraprojects Ltd, a company owned by Avinash Bhosale, allegedly has stake in the said helicopter. As it was allegedly apprehended that the funds used for making payment towards the stake in Association of Persons were sourced from loan funds sanctioned by different banks, therefore we seized the helicopter which was parked in a hanger at the premises of Bhosale at Baner Road, Pune," the CBI had said. Earlier the federal probe agency had sezied two paintings by F.N. Souza (1964) and by S.H. Raza (1956) worth Rs 5.50 crore; two watches of Jacob & Co & Frank Muller Geneve make worth Rs 5 crore and jewellery worth Rs 2 crore. The CBI had said that the promoters had acquired expensive items using the diverted funds. DHFL Directors Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhwan, who were arrested by the agency, were subsequently brought to Delhi from Lucknow. Earlier on July 8, the CBI had recovered paintings and sculptures worth Rs 40 crore. The case was registered on June 20, 2022 based on an FIR registered by Vipin Kumar Shukla, DGM and branch head of Union Bank of India, Nariman Point, Mumbai. It was alleged in the complaint that Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd (DHFL), its then CMD Kapil Wadhawan, Dheeraj Wadhawan, Sudhakar Shetty and other accused persons had entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat a consortium of 17 banks led by Union Bank of India. "Wadhawan and others induced the consortium of banks to sanction huge loans aggregating to Rs 42,871.42 crore and siphoned off and misappropriated a significant portion of the said funds by falsifying the books of the DHFL and dishonestly defaulted on repayment of the legitimate dues of the said consortium of banks. Thet caused a wrongful loss of Rs 34,615.00 crores to the consortium lenders," said the CBI. The FIR was lodged against DHFL, its former CMD Wadhwan, MD Dheeraj Wadhwan, present Director Sudhkar Shetty, Amaryllis Realtors LLP (ARLLP), Gulmarg Realtors LLP (GRLLP), Skylark Buildcon Pvt Ltd, Darshan Developers Pvt Ltd, Sigtia Constructions Pvt Ltd, Creator Builders Pvt Ltd, Township Developers Pvt Ltd, Shishir Reality Pvt Ltd, Sunblink Real Estate and other unknown persons, including public servants. The official said that it was found that the promoters had allegedly diverted the funds and made investments in various entities. It was also alleged that the promoters had acquired expensive paintings and sculptures worth about Rs 55 crore using the diverted funds. Earlier, searches were conducted on June 22 at 12 locations in Mumbai at the premises of the accused persons, which led to recovery of incriminating documents. Hyderabad, Oct 15 : Hyderabad police on Saturday arrested two persons running a film distribution firm for cheating gullible people on the pretext of investment in film distribution. According to police, the Nagam Uma Shankar and Kongara Anjamma, running a film distribution firm in the name of Shankar Films, induced over 25 innocent people on the pretext of investments in the film distribution. A police officer said the accused collected about Rs 6 crore from the gullible public by luring them of good profits. Later, they neither paid the principal amount invested nor the profits to the investors, thereby cheating them. The Central Crime Station of the Detective Department had booked the accused under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 506 (criminal intimidation) r/w 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) and Section 5 of Telangana Protection of Depositors of Financial Establishments (TSPDFE) Act 1999. Police said both the accused were arrested and produced before a court. The police have appealed to people not to fall prey to such fraudsters. It is highly impossible for anyone to give or return more than 8-10 per annum consistently on any kind of investment, it said. New Delhi, Oct 15 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reaffirmed India's resolve for open, free and rule-based maritime borders in the Indo-Pacific region. Singh underlined that India, throughout history, has been a peace loving society which has never invaded a foreign land and has always respected universal human values & territorial integrity of other countries, while treating them as equal partners. While addressing the 18th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) here on Saturday, the Defence Minister stressed that oceanic space should be respected as a global common for the benefit of all humanity in an environmentally sustainable way. "We stand for open, free, rule-based maritime borders in Indo-pacific, in which no nation, how-so-ever big, may be allowed to appropriate the global common or exclude others from its fair use. We are always ready and forthcoming to work with all the like-minded partner countries across various forums towards this endeavor," Rajnath Singh said. The Defence Minister stressed that India's shared vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth of All in Region), Sustainable Development Goals and 'Rule Based Order at Sea' complement the focused Indian approach of inclusive growth and lasting collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted India's focus towards blue economy, and strongly advocated the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs and preserving the health of ocean ecosystem. Rajnath Singh voiced India's commitment to implement international regulations; enact legislations for maritime safety and security; establish cooperative mechanism with nations and engage in capacity building of maritime law enforcement agencies. He emphasised that India is also encouraged by the effectiveness of agreements like Regional Cooperation Agreement for Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia and considers mutual cooperation alone as the most effective way for ensuring safety and security at sea. He called for sparing no efforts while promoting such cooperative mechanisms. Calling for effective collaboration among maritime nations to deal with challenges to maritime safety, he said "With continued growth in marine traffic, the potential risk of marine pollution and requirement of Search and Rescue consequent to any unwanted maritime incidents have also grown manifolds." The recent oil spill incidents have raised concerns about maritime environmental and the attendant life hazards. Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to threaten long term ocean sustainability. Smuggling, drug trafficking and human trafficking through ocean routes has made maritime law enforcement more challenging. Successful response strategy against threats is the need of the hour, he said. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is hosting 18th HACGAM in coordination with HACGAM secretariat from October 14-18, 2022. A total of 55 representatives from 18 countries and two International Organisations - Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) & United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime- Global Maritime Crime Programme (UNODC-GMCP) - are participating in the meeting. The HACGAM is a multilateral forum of 23 countries viz. Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, Vietnam and one Region i.e. Hong Kong (China). Additionally, two international organisations viz. The 1st HACGAM was hosted by Japan Coast Guard in 2004 at Tokyo. This is the only forum where all the heads of Asian CG agencies congregate. Islamabad, Oct 15 : Former Pakistan Premier and PTI Chair Imran Khan has held the incumbent government responsible for the controversial statement by US President Joe Biden about Pakistan's nuclear programme, terming it a failure of the "imported" government's foreign policy, media reports said. Biden has alleged that Pakistan's nuclear programme lacks "cohesion" and referred to the country as "one of the most dangerous countries in the world" while he was speaking about the "aggressive attitude" of Russia and China at a democratic congressional campaign committee reception in California, "Did anybody think we would be in a situation where China is trying to figure out its role relative to Russia and relative to India and relative to Pakistan?" Biden asked. With the Foreign Office yet to issue an official response to Biden's remarks, the former Premier said in a tweet that the federal government has broken all records of incompetence, The News reported. Terming the US President's comments an "unwarranted conclusion" of Pakistan's nuclear programme, he asked about the information Biden got to make such a statement on the country's capability, and added: "... having been PM, I know we have one of the most secure nuclear command & control systems". "Unlike the US, which has been involved in wars across the world, when has Pakistan shown aggression esp post-nuclearisation?" he further asked. The PTI Chairman also slammed the incumbent government and said the Biden statement shows the total failure of the imported government's foreign policy and its claims of a reset of relations with the US, The News reported. "Is this the 'reset'?" he asked. This govt has broken all records of incompetence, he further said. New Delhi, Oct 15 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked the leaders of the scientific community to adopt 'one person one lab' approach to help boost scientific research and development. The Prime Minister, who is the president of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) chaired the meeting of CSIR Society at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Saturday. He appreciated the efforts of the CSIR in the past 80 years and urged them to develop a vision for 2042 when CSIR turns 100 years old. He also highlighted the significance of documenting the journey of the past 80 years, which can help take a review of progress achieved and identify areas of lacunae which can be addressed. PM Modi emphasized that for technology to reach the common man, an integrated approach of scientific, commercial and social components must be pursued. He asked the leaders of the scientific community to adopt a one person one lab approach to help boost scientific research and development through such a focussed approach. He also suggested that a virtual summit of all labs can be held regularly in which they can learn new things from each other's experience. The Prime Minister called upon the scientific community to come up with technological solutions to increase protein content in cereals and new varieties of millets to improve the yield and also the nutritional content. He asked scientists to develop a catalogue of high nutritional value of indigenous food products, which will help enhance their global acceptability. He called upon the industry and academic and research organisations to work seamlessly with greater integration and focus on addressing India's energy needs and also fostering a circular economy and developing economically viable solutions towards sustainable development. The Prime Minister called for India to develop technologies not only for India but for the world and pursue novel approaches for addressing energy needs focussing on Green energy. He highlighted the need to use scientific approach and technology such as AI in various fields ranging from traditional knowledge to mapping students to their interest, skill sets and competencies which will make them better suited to meet the demands of future India and the world as we move towards Vision 2047 with the aim of India being a global leader. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, who is the Vice President of CSIR; and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal were present in the meeting along with other CSIR Society members who include eminent scientists, industrialists and Secretaries of scientific and other ministries in the government. Aizawl, Oct 15 : In a significant success, the Mizoram police have rescued 140 exotic animals and seized drugs worth Rs 34.18 crores and arrested four persons in this connection, the police said on Saturday. The police said that the exotic animals and seized drugs were smuggled in from neighbouring Myanmar and smugglers from both the countries were involved in the clandestine trade. Officials said that the police in a joint operation with the Excise and Narcotics Department personnel intercepted three vehicles (two Boleros and one Scorpio) and rescued 140 wild animals and birds on Saturday in eastern Mizoram's Champhai district. The rescued wild animals included 30 tortoises, four monkeys, 22 pythons, 18 Sumatran water monitors, 55 crocodiles (hatchlings), four Flame powerbirds, four Servel cats, and one Albino wallaby. Three persons were arrested in connection with the biggest ever seizure of wild animals. They have been identified as Lalemruata (38), Tinkhuma (38) and E. Lalmuanpuia. They were handed over to the Superintendent of Customs Preventive Force, Champhai, for further legal proceedings. In another incident, heroin weighing 6.836 kg valued at Rs 34.18 crore was seized from a vehicle at Champhai. The police said that the consignment was concealed in 500 soap cases. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested. "While all the agencies are working in tandem in our relentless quest for a 'Drugs Free Mizoram', we are immensely thankful to the partner agencies, NGOs and individuals for providing accurate intelligence inputs," a government statement said. Mizoram shares a 510 km unfenced border with Myanmar. Kolkata, Oct 15 : The office of the Director General of Audit (Central) has sent a set of queries to the authorities of Visva-Bharati University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore in Santiniketan in West Bengal's Birbhum district, over several important posts lying vacant in the central varsity. University sources said the posts under question include pro-vice chancellor, registrar, finance officer, internal audit officer, chief security officer and librarian. The office of the DGA (Central) has asked whether appointment for these posts have been made, and if not, what are the reasons for that. It is learnt that the appointment for the post of pro-VC is mandatory as per the provisions of the Visva-Bharati Act, 1961. However, sources confirmed that although the queries came almost a couple of weeks back, no reply has been submitted yet by the university authority. All attempts made to contact the university's vice chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty failed as he was unreachable. Visva-Bharati is the only central university in the country which has the Prime Minister of India as its chancellor. Meanwhile, the Visva-Bharati University Faculty Association (VBUFA) had informed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan almost five months back about the vacancies in the said posts, and it is perceived that the queries from the office of DGA (Central) came as an after-effect. VBUFA had also pointed out that although Ashish Agarwal was appointed as the registrar in December 2021, he resigned in March this year. VBUFA had also alleged that Agarwal's resignation was prompted by his disgruntlement for not being allowed to operate freely in resolving certain differences between the university authorities and the students. VVUFA president Sudipto Bhattacharya said that without proper investigation and intermediation of an independent authority, such internal problems can never be resolved. "We, on behalf of VVUFA, have been vocal on such issues. But nothing has worked out so far," he said. New Delhi, Oct 15 : The Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI on Day 3 saw noted designers like Gauri and Nainika, Amit Aggarwal, Saaksha and Kinni, among others launch their latest collections. Designer duo Gauri and Nainika collaborated with R|Elan to churn out their Spring/Summer 2023 collection called 'Midnight Botanica'. The collection is entirely biodegradable. The line consisted of glamorous evening wear made with eco-friendly fabrics like R|Elan's EcoGold that breaks down into natural elements, GreenGold that is made from 100 per cent post-consumer used PET bottles and Freeflow that provides fluidity and has a luxurious fall and drape. The collection, which combined both dark and dreamy looks with contrasting hues of the night, reflected botanical inspirations in the form of rose prints and florals which are a staple for them. Airy chiffons, crepes and organza's were used to create flowy silhouettes like dresses, jumpsuits and evening gowns. The colour ranged from fiery red to ivory with strong jewel tones. Halters, off-shoulders, one-shoulder with rouching and detailing created that ultra-glam collection designed for all body shapes. Fashion influencer Masoom Minawala turned showstopper for them, wearing a pristine white, will-power, corset gown with an intricately draped back that flowed showing off her baby bump. Amit Aggarwal collaborated with Realme to create his latest contemporary collection 'ONYX' that combined fashion with technology. Taking inspiration from the design of the racing flag of realme GT NEO 3T phone, the designer presented a perfect fusion of technology and sculptural styles for which he is known for. The collection blurred black, white and silver in sheared fabrics that interacted with light and shadows, micro hemlines that morph into party-ready, rubber corded bodices, and short dresses. The menswear comprised embroidered jackets in structured polymer to asymmetrically hand-corded tuxedos that were cut with the interjection of a classic man suit with deeply metallic and fluid forms. Designers Saaksha and Kinni launched the collection 'Prism' which they called a "celebration of style and technology with geometry, colour and mirrors". It is for Gen Z and working millennials with pops of colour. The designers were inspired by prints that moved through the tie and dye craft and then continued onto geometrics and abstract flowers, which represented the states -- Gujarat and Rajasthan. There was intricate hand embroidery, mirror work, thread work, tassels and metals used for surfacing of the outfits. The collection includes pinks, purples and yellows in easy silhouettes. The designers extensively used hand micro-pleating on silhouettes like dresses, skirts and jackets. Layering was an important aspect of the look as different weights of light chiffon, hand-woven cotton and satin were cleverly balanced with heavy denim and drill. Men's wear featured trench coats, trousers, shirts, Bermuda shorts, blousons, mirror work tunics, soft unstructured jackets, gilets, striped robes, co-ord sets and even a ballooning, drawstring poncho. Actress Sobhita Dhulipala turned showstopper for the show, wearing in a rust, long skirt with a fitted hip silhouette, paired with crinoline. The tiny, mirror work, racer back top was the perfect addition. Moreover, the day saw many other Bollywood stars walk the ramp for different designers. Actress Malaika Arora dazzled on the ramp for the label Limerick, wearing a printed, figure-hugging maxi skirt, tiny bralette and a flowing, long cape. Chitrangada Singh closed the show for Eshaa Amiin. She wore a multi-hued, printed, backless maxi with a fringed hemline and thigh high slit, and fringed cape. Rhea Chakraborty walked for Guapa, wearing a colourful, fluid, printed, backless maxi with side cut-outs and floor-sweeping sheer veil. Kalki Koechlin was spotted in a heavily, encrusted, backless red-carpet gown with a trail and a thigh-high slit, designed by designer Abhishek Sharma. Actor Vijay Verma strolled down the runway for label Nirmooha, in comfy, baggy, pleated trousers, cool Tee and a multicoloured, abstract, print long robe. Islamabad, Oct 15 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday hit back at US President Joe Biden for calling Pakistan "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" while raising doubts over the countrys nuclear security, media reports said. In a tweet from his official handle, Sharif 'unequivocally reiterated' that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state, adding that the country's nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements, Express Tribune reported. In a separate statement issued by the PM House, Sharif termed the US President's remarks as 'factually incorrect and misleading', the report said. "Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system. "Pakistan has also consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of its nuclear-weapons capability, marked by a very strong commitment to global standards, including those of IAEA on non-proliferation, safety and security," the statement said. Sharif said the real threat to international peace and security is posed by ultra-nationalism, violation of human rights in regions that are struggling against illegal occupation, violation of global norms by some states, repeated nuclear security incidents and arms race among leading nuclear weapon states and introduction of new security constructs that disturb regional balance. "Pakistan and the US have a long history of friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. At a time, when the world is confronted by huge global challenges, it is critically important that genuine and durable efforts are made to recognise the real potential of Pakistan-US relationship, while avoiding unnecessary comments. It is our sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security," the Prime Minister was quoted as saying, Express Tribune reported. Earlier, Biden had said that Pakistan may be "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" as the country has "nuclear weapons without any cohesion". "And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," Biden was quoted as saying in a transcript of the address published on the White House's website. Islamabad, Oct 15 : In Pakistan, it is said, more seriously than in jest, that political power flows through the barrel of the army's gun. For the first time, the post and the persona of the army chief and his likely successor are fair game. They have actually become a major part of the political conundrum. President Arif Alvi is the newest entrant in the raging debate over who should be the next army chief, when and how, confusing and compounding an already murky situation. It only reinforces the role of the all-powerful military in the South Asian nation's political affairs. Alvi has sought a role for his office, actually himself, in the decision-making process involving the selection of the next army chief to succeed incumbent, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who, as per schedule, is to retire on November 29 this year. In an interview with journalist Asma Shirazi on Aaj TV, the President desired that "a summary of the appointment be sent to him after the consultation has been completed", Dawn newspaper reported. Pakistan's Constitution, however, does not provide for a role for the President who is actually a titular head of a government that follows the parliamentary system and has a government headed by a Prime Minister. It is the incumbent's sole prerogative to tick the name of the officer of his choice from the list sent by the Defence Ministry, or even a general not on that panel. Alvi on October 10, asked that "broader consultation" on the appointment of the chief of army staff (COAS) was "a must so that a consensus could be developed". With the call for "broader consultations", political analysts said, Alvi was seeking a role for the principal opposition leader, Imran Khan, the former prime minister voted out in April and who has since been agitating for a snap poll. Alvi was elected President during Khan's tenure and belongs to Khan's PTI. In his interview, though, he said he had left behind his political affiliation. However, he had delayed and had been reluctant to swear in the incoming government in April this year. Alvi has been known to hold meetings of various stakeholders and as per media reports, has brought about one between Khan and Gen. Bajwa. He claims these are his "efforts in a personal capacity". After that meeting, media reports say, Khan has lowered his attacks on the military, especially personal attacks on Bajwa. Khan has been demanding a snap poll and is assuming that he would win it. He wants to be the one to select Bajwa's successor. Anyone other than him - he calls the present government of "thieves" -- would select one of the "corrupt" generals to suit political objectives. Although said to be divided in its support of Khan, against the Shehbaz Sharif government, the military brass has been upset with Khan for casting aspersions on serving top officers. Bajwa last week confirmed that he would be retiring when his tenure, with a three-year extension, ends next month and that he does not desire a second extension. Khan has, however, suggested that Bajwa be continued in office till after the elections are completed. This in effect means giving him another extension. This came after he had a "secret" meeting with Bajwa at Alvi's initiative. Even without the President's initiatives, the post and the persona of the next army chief have become controversial as never before and a part of the political tug-of-war. Analysts say the army, which backed Khan in 2018, is unable to rein him in, but is at a loss how to resolve the political slugging when the country is facing a deep economic crisis. While Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has announced that the selection of the next chief would be done this month, Khan has opposed it and has called for a "Long March", a street protest. The media speculation now is that the government, which has put the selection process underway, may announce the name prior to the Long March. Expressing apprehensions over the Long March prospects, Najam Sethi writes in an editorial in The Friday Times (October 11): "What if the confrontation in Islamabad leads to blood on the streets? What if PTI-triggered civil strife spreads to other parts of the country? Given the dismal state of the economy and the devastation caused by the floods, will General Bajwa stand by and allow the country to plunge into chaos and anarchy?" Pakistan's past record in such situations has been the military seizing power on three occasions. Patna, Oct 15 : JD-U Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha said that BJP was an untouchable party in the country and Nitish Kumar made it touchable. "It was the virtue of Nitish Kumar and George Fernandes, BJP is in power and running the government in the country," Kushwaha said. "Everyone knows how leaders of BJP behave when it comes to power. There is not a question of becoming apologetic for impersonator jibes on Narendra Modi. Due to Samata Party of Nitish Kumar and George Fernandes, who went to the Mumbai meeting of BJP and made this party from untouchable to touchable," Kushwaha said. "The BJP leaders are giving a statement that the doors for Nitish Kumar are closed now. I want to tell them who is going at your door. For BJP, the door of the country will be closed soon," he stated. "We have decided to start a Sadbhav Yatra having the tag line of Desh Bachao from Buxar and will point out the wrong doings of BJP before common people," Kushwaha said. Meanwhile, reacting to the 'impersonator' jibe of Lalan Singh, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said that Nitish Kumar and Lalan Singh are the real impersonators of the politics. "Both Nitish Kumar and Lalan Singh joined hands with Lalu Prasad Yadav and ended the reservation of the extremely backward caste. Nitish Kumar is the biggest impersonator who has changed his face many times in the last 25 years and everyone knows about it," Sushil Modi said. Kolkata, Oct 15 : Flagging-off of the Agartala-Khongsang Jan Shatabdi Express by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday is a tribute to the 30-odd Indian Army Terriers killed in a landslide in Manipur's Tupul in June this year, the Army believes. The Agartala-Khongsang stretch may be a mere 54-km stretch but it is a huge step towards connecting India's northeastern states with the rest of the country. This line will extend till Imphal, the capital of Manipur. It took India 75 years after Independence to get Manipur into the country's railway map. Tupul, where troops of the Territorial Army (Terriers) laid down their lives in June, is about 50 km from Imphal. Their job was to protect railway engineers, contractors and labourers from militants who delayed this project through wanton killings and extortion attempts. These are the same outfits that claim they are fighting for development of the region. Indian Army Terriers were also deployed while work was on between Agartala and Khongsang. It was only after the state police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel were unable to curb the militancy that the Indian Railways sought help from the Army. "Thanks to the brave Terriers, the stretch between Agartala and Khongsang has been completed and people from villages like Oinamlong, Kambiron and Thingou are looking forward to cover the 300 km (between Agartala and Khongsang) in relative comfort in barely seven hours. The road distance is 600 km and it takes nearly 19 hours to cover. Khongsang is about 56 km from Imphal and the entire stretch is expected to be commissioned in December 2023," an Indian Army official said. Till now, the stretch has 19 tunnels and 9 major bridges. It passes through the picturesque valleys of Barak and Makru. It will certainly attract tourists and tourism can do wonders for states where other industries can't be set up due to various reasons such as ecological concerns. "Tupul is barely 6 km from Khongsang. Terriers of the 107 Territorial Army Battalion, attached to the 11 Gorkha Rifles were deployed to provide security to railway personnel, contractors and their workers. In the past, there have been killings, kidnappings and extortion attempts by militants. Contractors and workmen fled the area in fear till our Terriers came in. Since their induction, no militant has dared to attack the railway project. The June 30 incident was unfortunate. Apart from our jawans, several civilians also lost their lives in the landslide. The only way to pay tribute to them is to complete the project on time. This will be egg on the face of organisations inimical to development of the region," another officer said. Hyderabad, Oct 15 : Hyderabad police have arrested two foreigners for cheating a city-based woman after developing friendship over Instagram. The Cyber Crime Police arrested Allote Peter alias Chibuza of Ghana and Romance Joshua of Nigeria from Delhi. According to police, the arrested were made after a woman from Begumpet area lodged a complaint that she was cheated to the tune of Rs 2.2 lakh. The victim told police that a person developed online friendship. He introduced himself as Oscar Leone, a doctor from the US. They latter chatted on WhatsApp and he informed her that he was sending a parcel which has gold jewellery, electronic gadgets, and some cash. Later, the woman received a call from another man, who introducing himself as an official from Customs Department of Delhi International Airport. He asked her to pay the customs duty for the gifts she received from Leone. Police said the accused collected Rs 2.2 lakh from the victim citing various charges. During the course of the investigation, the Cyber Crime police found the accused to be in Delhi and arrested them. On interrogation they revealed that they visited Delhi on student visa, created fake profiles over Instagram and Facebook using the photos of white people, and sent follow/friend requests to women. Later they chatted with mobile numbers starting with in +1 and +44 numbers and made the victims believe that they are chatting with foreigners. After developing friendship with the victims and after gaining their confidence, they inform the victims that they are sending a gift as a token of their friendship. To make the victims believe their word, the accused were sending photos of gold jewellery, cellphones, laptops, cash, etc. Later their associates called up the victims and introduce themselves as officials from customs department of Delhi international airport, and collected money from the victims in the name of customs duty, income tax, RBI charges, conversion charges, etc. Police have advised people to take care in accepting friend/follow requests from unknown people over Facebook and Instagram. People have also been advised not to entertain telephone calls from those impersonating Customs Department officials. New Delhi, Oct 15 : India is endowed with flora and fauna. Wildlife conservation is one of the key goals of the Indian government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his commitment on many global platforms promoting environmental and wildlife conservation. After achieving the target of doubling the number of tigers ahead of time, PM Modi has now given a target of conservation and protection of big cat species, including 50 cheetahs, in the country during the next five years to the ministries and agencies concerned. The result of this effort is that eight cheetahs have arrived in India. This is the world's first inter-continental large carnivore translocation project. With the arrival of eight cheetahs from Namibia in Madhya Pradesh's Kuno National Park, India has become the only country where all five members of the big 'cat species' are now present. These cheetahs were brought to India from Namibia by special aircraft. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the cage and released them on the occasion of his birthday. On this occasion, PM Modi said: "Very few such opportunities come to humanity when the cycle of time gives us a chance to rectify the past and build a new future. Luckily we have one such moment before us today. Decades ago, the age-old link of biodiversity that was broken and became extinct, today we have a chance to reconnect it. Today the cheetah has returned to the soil of India. And I would also say that along with these cheetahs, India's nature-loving consciousness has also been awakened with full force." The last cheetah in India was found dead in Chhattisgarh in 1947 and was officially declared extinct in 1952. The cheetah is one of the oldest species of big cat species that has been recorded in India from as far back as the BC era. Records of cheetahs being caught date back to the 1550s. Pictures of cheetahs have been found in the rock paintings of our ancestors in the Chaturbhuj Nala of Gandhisagar Sanctuary and Kharbai in the Raisen district (Madhya Pradesh). There are also written documents in which it is said that the British had declared a reward for killing cheetahs in the year 1871, due to which the crisis of cheetahs increased further. The last cheetah was killed during British colonial rule in 1947 in Chhattisgarh. It is part of Prime Minister Modi's efforts to revive and diversify India's wildlife and wildlife habitat. The eight cheetahs released, including five females, are from Namibia and have been brought under an agreement signed earlier this year. Cheetah re-introduction work is being done under Project Cheetah. They will be kept in quarantine for 30 days before their release in the wild. Cheetahs will help restore the open forest and grassland ecosystem in India. This program will help in the conservation of biodiversity. This will help in improving ecosystem processes like water security, carbon absorption and soil moisture conservation, which will benefit society at large. To increase livelihood opportunities for the local community through eco-development and eco-tourism activities. With the arrival of these cheetahs, India has become the only country where the five members of the 'big cat' species - tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard and cheetah are present. In the 19th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav unveiled the action plan for the rehabilitation of cheetahs in India. In India, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has notified animals like tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, lions, etc. as endangered species, which have been given the highest degree of protection. India is part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife and Flora, the South Asian Wildlife Enforcement Network, which coordinates with international agencies in the control of wildlife crime. Washington, Oct 15 : President Joe Biden's remarks calling Pakistan "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" because of its nuclear weapons, demonstrated that the US remains concerned about the safety of Pakistan's warheads and whether they could fall into the hands of terrorist groups that Islamabad has long hosted, nourished, and deployed. Biden himself had expressed these fears before, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary said on Friday, without making any effort to walk back the President's remarks. Speaking about China's President Xi Jinping at a Democratic party fundraiser on Thursday, the US President said: "This is a guy who understands what he wants but has an enormous, enormous array of problems. How do we handle that? How do we handle that relative to what's going on in Russia? And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan." "Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," he had added. A day after, the White House Press Secretary said in response to a question from a reporter: "He's made those comments before, so that is nothing new, that what you heard from him last night." But she did try to soften the blow, adding: "But you, again, he believes in a secure and prosperous Pakistan, and so he believes that's important to our own interests here in the US." Islamabad naturally did not feel reassured, and has summoned the US Ambassador, in a move to convey its displeasure. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto sought to play it down at the same time. "As far as the question of the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear assets are concerned, we meet all - each and every - international standard in accordance with the IAEA," he said at a news conference in Islamabad, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the global watchdog. Questions about Pakistan's nuclear weapons have long troubled American officials and leaders. "We have huge... national-security interests in making sure that Pakistan is stable and that you don't end up having a nuclear-armed militant state," President Barack Obama sad at a news conference in 2009 after 100 days in office. The US, he went on to say, could "make sure that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is securea"primarily, initially, because the Pakistan Army, I think, recognizes the hazards of those weapons' falling into the wrong hands." The Federation of American Scientists, which tracks nuclear weapons around the world among other things, say Pakistan currently has the sixth largest arsenal with 165 nuclear warheads. And Pakistan has been growing the arsenal rapidly, according to reports. With in two days of the September 11 terrorist attack in the US, Pakistan's military had relocated nuclear weapons components to six new secret locations, according to press report and shortly thereafter, Gen. Pervez Musharraf fired his intelligence chief and other officers and detained several suspected retired nuclear weapons scientists, in an attempt to root out extremist elements that posed a potential threat to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Seymour Hersh, an American journalist reported in 2009 about secret negotiations between Obama's officials and Pakistani military officials to reach a "sensitive understandings". According to his report published in The New Yorker, "These (understandings) would allow specially trained American units to provide added security for the Pakistani arsenal in case of a crisis. At the same time, the Pakistani military would be given money to equip and train Pakistani soldiers and to improve their housing and facilities", which were goals long-desired by the Pakistani's then Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani." Though the arrangement was never made public, Hersh noted that the same year US congress approved a $400 million request for what the administration called the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund, providing immediate assistance to the Pakistan Army for equipment, training, and 'renovation and construction'. Biden's remarks reveal fears about Pakistan's nuclear arsenal remain, and that the President expressed them despite - and amidst - recent improvements in bilateral ties that had been plunged into new lows by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's baseless allegations that Biden had engineered his ouster. There have been some signs of an improvement including a proposed $450 million US package for the maintenance of Pakistan's F-16s, brief meeting between Biden and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and visits by American officials and political leaders. Bengaluru, Oct 15 : Dabang Delhi put together a five-star performance to beat Telugu Titans 46-26 in the second game of the day at the Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here on Saturday. Dabang Delhi rode on the raiding of Naveen Kumar (12 points), Manjeet (9 points) and a superb defensive performance by Ravi Kumar and Ashu Malik to inflict a crushing defeat on the Titans and stay unbeaten this season. The pre-match build-up had built the match up as a clash between the Titans' defence and the Delhi offence, but within minutes it was clear that Dabang Delhi were not taking their defensive duties lightly. They raced into a 7-point lead before the Titans could even open their account. With barely six minutes gone, Delhi had already inflicted the first All out of the match, taking an 11-2 lead. The Titans regrouped, but Delhi, and in particular Naveen's ability to keep collecting bonus points and Manjeet's razor-sharp raid, meant their lead was never truly challenged. It wasn't just the Dabang raiders though, and the statistics laid bare the brilliance of their all-round performance. Dabang had eight tackle points in the first half, compared to the Titans' one. And they went into the break holding a deserved lead at 24-10. Telugu Titans' substitute Mohsen Maghsoudlou offered them a ray of hope as the second half began. On a Do-or-die raid, the Iranian managed to get the Titans a crucial point to chip away at the lead. Immediately though, Delhi snatched back the initiative. Manjeet, on his very next foray, initiated a Super raid, touching out Nitin, Mohit and Mohsen. The lone man standing, Vinay, was caught out as the team from the capital city inflicted their second All out to take a massive lead at 30-12. Despite the huge lead, Delhi did not slow down, and at the other end the Titans' errors kept coming. By the end, it was just a matter of not how or when but by how much Delhi would win. The answer was 20 points, the second time they inflicted this margin on an opponent this season. Patna, Oct 15 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reportedly suffered minor injuries after the steamer in which he was in rammed the pillar of JP Setu here on Saturday. Nitish Kumar, along with officials, was inspecting the ghats of the Ganga ahead of the Chhath Puja. When the steamer reached the JP Setu near Digha, it collided with one of the pillars, as the helsman lost control of the vessel due to the higher level and speedier flow of water in the river. However, the state Public Relations Department denied any collision. In a press release, it said that there was a technical glitch in the steamer on which Nitish Kumar and the officials were on, and it had stalled in the middle of the Ganga. Another steamer was then sent to bring them back to the shore. Nitish Kumar inspects all ghats of Patna more than three times every year. In Patna, there are 105 ghats from Danapur located on the western side to Malsalami in eastern side of the city. Patna DM Chandrashekher Singh directed the authorities to submit reports about the preparation of Chhath Puja on the banks of the Ganga river. Bengaluru, Oct 15 : The Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra led by former party president Rahul Gandhi has completed 1,000 km on Saturday. The rally is currently passing through Karnataka's Ballary district. On Saturday, at a convention in Ballary, Gandhi continued his attack on the ruling BJP government in the state. Addressing a huge gathering, Rahul Gandhi criticised the ideology of the BJP and the RSS. "By this (their ideology) the country is being divided. This is an attack on Hindustan. This is not patriotism, this is anti-national," he said. "Through the Bharat Jodo Yatra, we are passing from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. This is a 3,500 km journey. It started from Kanyakumari and reached Karnataka. In the beginning, we assumed that walking 3,500 km was a tough task. But, later, it went on to become an easy task," the Congress leader added. "Whenever we felt fatigued, a certain force encouraged us and made us march ahead. The words of small children, physically challenged, aged and poor served were sources of inspiration. The padayatra was taken up a month ago, people belonging to different religions, backgrounds are together putting steps ahead," he said. "This ideology of togetherness as proposed by Basavanna, Ambedkar, Narayana Guru is found during padayatra. This nature is in the blood of Kannadigas, this can't be clinched away," he added. Slamming the Basavaraj Bommai-led Karnataka government, he questioned: "Why there are 2.5 lakh vacancies in Karnataka?" He further said if the youth want jobs in police, they need to pay Rs 80 lakh. "The ruling BJP in the state is against Dalits and the people of backward communities. The atrocities on Dalits have risen by 50 per cent. The fund of Rs 8,000 crore reserved for the development of people of this section has been utilised for other purposes," he said. Rahul Gandhi also said that his family shared a special bond with Ballary and he would do everything possible for the people of the region, once his party comes to power. Silchar, Oct 15 : A court in Assam's Karimganj district has directed that a case be registered against a police inspector after two persons who were apprehended in a case of theft had lodged complaint of torture in custody, officials said on Saturday. Chief Judicial Magistrate Nur Md. Abdullah Ahmed Majumdar has ordered to register a case under the Indian Penal Code against Neelambazar police station Officer-in-Charge and Inspector Deepjyoti Malakar after the two individuals alleged that they were tortured in custody after being arrested on Wednesday night. Rososindhu Dutta, a lawyer, who was representing the arrested persons, claimed that following Malakar's instruction, policemen brutally tortured them. Malakar, however, denied the allegations, claiming that it was a trick of the two suspected thieves to "get away" even as police have proof of their offences. According to the complaint of the detainees, one of them was tortured in different methods, including rubbing of chilli powder on private parts and pouring petrol on his body followed by a threat to set him afire. A policeman, present during the trial, has reportedly confessd to the custodial torture before the court. Ankara, Oct 16 : The death toll rose to 40 in an underground coal mine explosion in the northern Bartin province of Turkey that trapped 110 workers, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said. The Minister confirmed that 110 workers were in the mine when the explosion occured 300 metre below ground on Friday evening in the town of Amasra, Xinhua news agency reported. Among them, 58 later managed to get out on their own, 11 others were injured and hospitalised, and the status of one remaining miner was unclear, he told reporters on Saturday. The explosion occurred at 6:15 p.m. local time at the Amasra Hard Coal Enterprise, Bartin province said in a statement on Friday. Preliminary findings indicated that the blast was likely caused by firedamp, said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez. The fire in the gallery was largely under control, he said, noting "all search and rescue teams are on duty". Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was travelling to the scene. In 2014, as many as 301 people died in Turkey's worst mine disaster in a fire inside a coal mine in Soma town of western Manisa province. The Q Magnets team is delighted to be exhibiting at this international medical acupuncture conference and having the opportunity to meet the participants in person. The Q Magnets team is delighted to be exhibiting at ICMART 2022 international medical acupuncture conference and having the opportunity to meet the participants in person. At the exhibition, you can meet the co-founder and managing director, James Hermans and experience some of the products. Also from Australia, Dr. John McDonald, Ph.D. will be presenting The proposed use of static magnets to enhance treatment effects in acupuncture therapy at 3 PM, 15th Oct (Hall 1 SAVOIA). Q Magnets produce an optimised field and provide the acupuncturist with an additional modality to target acupuncture points, dermatomes, trigger points and meridians in a way that is safe, specific, simple to use and provides a 24/7 application option. Research shows that the peak pain relief effects can be experienced in under 5 minutes. Q Magnets are a listed medical device in Australia and are designed to help provide comfort or temporary relief of minor aches and pains (e.g., from muscle soreness/stiffness, arthritis). So far Q magnets have been shipped to 56 countries and counting. About Neuromagnetics Australia Pty Ltd Neuromagnetics Australia Pty Ltd is a world leader in the research, design and manufacture of static magnet medical devices that generate magnetic flux field gradients. Q Magnets are manufactured by Neuromagnetics Australia since 2009. Each device is listed with the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration as a Class I Medical Device. Please contact us here to get in touch. Georgina Jacobson Real estate expert Georgina Jacobson extends unparalleled market knowledge and unrivaled expertise to clients all over Orange County and beyond. Real estate expert Georgina Jacobson extends unparalleled market knowledge and unrivaled expertise to clients all over Orange County and beyond. 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She is also a member of the American Osteopathic Association, American College of Osteopathic Physicians and the New Jersey Osteopathic Physician Association. Dr. Deborah Ann Lozito is currently accepting new patients. To learn more about Dr. Lozito, please visit: https://njtopdocs.com/nj-doctors/drdeborahannlozito/ About Us NJ Top Docs is a comprehensive, trusted and exclusive healthcare resource featuring reviewed and approved Top Doctors and Dentists in New Jersey online in an easy to use format. NJ Top Docs only reviews and approves providers based on merit after they have been extensively vetted. NJ Top Docs is a division of USA Top Docs which allows patients to meet providers online before making their appointment. For more information, please click here to contact us or visit http://www.NJTopDocs.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. Bird & Bean Coffee House, Dothan, Alabama "I believe Crimson Cup is like nothing else in the coffee industry..."I might have a coffee shop, but it wouldnt be the amazing place that it is without all that Crimson Cup has done to help us!" - Christy Keyton, Owner, Bird & Bean Coffee House, Dothan, Alabama Want to learn how to open coffee shop in Alabama? Get tips on starting a profitable business in The Heart of Dixie from the coffee shop startup experts at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea. Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year has taught over 300 entrepreneurs in 30 states how to open a coffee shop. Now, the companys 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team has added to its series of state-level coffee shop startup guides with, How to Start a Coffee Shop in Alabama. Alabama is a terrific place to start a coffee shop! said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. In fact, Alabama ranks 30th among the states in the number of coffee shops per capita, with fewer than one coffee shop for every 6,371 residents. That leaves a lot of Alabamans without a local coffee shop. The program is based on Uberts book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, which he wrote to help customers develop profitable businesses by mastering all aspects of successful coffee shop operations. We help entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience become owners of thriving coffee shops serving their local communities, he said. From choosing a terrific location and writing a strong coffee shop business plan to buying and laying out equipment, hiring and training staff and more, our team is here to guide you. To hear about the book in Uberts own words, download a free recorded introduction on Soundcloud. At 144 North Foster Street in Dothan, Alabama, Bird & Bean Coffee House has crafted the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a cup of coffee with friends or a favorite book. "Good coffee, great atmosphere, and friendly people are what drives us!" said Owner Christy Keyton. "We want to be the 'Cheers' of coffee in Dothan!" The cozy coffeehouse sits next door to Keyton's Naomi & Olive home decor and gift shop in beautiful downtown Dothan. "I already owned a thriving retail business in a historic building, and I love coffee," she said. "When we bought another historic building next door, opening a coffee shop seemed like a terrific opportunity." "We put an arched entrance between the buildings, and the two businesses complement each other perfectly." The serial entrepreneur knew a lot about home decor and gifts, but not about the coffee business. Keyton turned to Crimson Cups 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program to learn how to open and run her new venture. "I believe Crimson Cup is like nothing else in the coffee industry," she said. "They make sure that you know what you are doing and that you are successful. You never feel alone!" "I dont know where we would be without the incredible work, planning, training, and support that Crimson Cup has given us," she added. "Someone is always available to answer questions and help us work through issues that come up." "I might have a coffee shop, but it wouldnt be the amazing place that it is without all that Crimson Cup has done to help us!" She found Step 5, Focus on Training, especially valuable. "The training and follow up was stellar," she said. "I also like that there is ongoing training if you choose to take advantage of that. "I love the marketing that is provided as well. It saves me so much time!" Keyton invited everyone in Dothan, and Dale, Henry, and Houston counties to visit Bird & Bean. "We extensively train our baristas just like Crimson Cup taught us to produce an amazing cup of coffee every time!" She said the exposed brick walls and abundant seating make Bird & Bean a comfortable place to get together with friends, read a book, work or just relax. "Our building is over 100 years old and has a lot of original features including old heart pine floors," she said. Come see us!" Follow the Bird & Bean Facebook Page for updates on hours, menus, and events. Besides the Alabama guide, Crimson Cup recently published guides on How to Start a Coffee Shop in Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia, Missouri, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Iowa. Although the fundamentals of coffee shop operation remain the same from state to state, the economic opportunities, business formation, and licensing requirements vary widely, Ubert said. Were excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs expedite their startup journey. He invited anyone who is thinking of opening a coffee shop in any state to call Crimson Cup for guidance. If you run into any roadblocks or just want to discuss your vision with a coffee expert, you can reach our startup team by calling 1-888-800-9224. About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support, and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster, and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup driven by meaningful relationships, honesty, and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities. Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into coffee shop startup costs. Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, colleges and universities, restaurants, and food service operations across 30 states, Guam, and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram. Most Wanted on the Do Not Flush List Consumers can look for the Do Not Flush symbol on the front of wipes packaging to determine proper disposal practices, said Lara Wyss, president of the Responsible Flushing Alliance. Just because an item can physically clear the toilet does not mean it should be flushed. The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA), a non-profit association dedicated to providing consumers with educational materials about what should and should not be flushed, released its first in a series of Most Wanted items that shouldnt be flushed. Baby wipes, cleaning wipes, and makeup removal wipes are at the top of the list of wipes that should not be flushed as they are not designed to easily break down in water. Other culprits include medications, period products, paper towels, dental floss, as well as fats, oils, and grease (FOG). The aim of the RFA is to educate consumers to identify the Do Not Flush symbol on the front of wipes packaging to determine proper disposal practices, said Lara Wyss, president of the Responsible Flushing Alliance. Its important to remember that just because an item can physically clear the toilet does not mean that it should be flushed. According to The Cost of Wipes on Americas Clean Water Utilities report from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), an estimated $441 million a year in additional operating costs were incurred by U.S. clean water utilities. In addition to expensive cleanup, flushing wipes and other non-flushable items can cause a negative impact on the environment. The U.S. EPA estimates that up to 75,000 sewer overflow incidents occur every year, dumping 850 billion gallons of raw sewage. The RFA Most Wanted poster features caricatures of whats clogging our nations sewage infrastructure: The Clog Monster: He is the mastermind behind fatbergsthose large cement-like clogs that can cause millions of dollars in damages to municipal wastewater systems. When non-flushable wipes mix with other items not meant for flushing or the drain (i.e., period products, diapers, paper towels, cotton swabs, rags, trash, etc.) and then congeal with fats, oils, and grease to clog up the works. General Cleaning Wipe: Handy for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces but because cleaning wipes are made with long, often synthetic fibers, they are meant for the trash and not the toilet. Toilet Cleaning Trickster: Cleaning the toilet is never fun but disposable products at least make it easier. Be sure to check the package for proper disposal, though. Dusting Wipe Delinquent: With seasonal allergies lasting longer, using dusting wipes helps keep homes clean and dust free. Toss in the trash after use. Medical Mobster: The FDA recommends looking for drug take back locations as the best way to safely dispose of most types of unused or expired drugs. Dental Flosser: Critical for proper dental hygiene but since dental floss doesnt break down in water, it can clog pipes and sewers by wrapping around pumps. This year, California, Washington, Oregon, and Illinois enacted laws requiring the Do Not Flush symbol to be prominently displayed on the front of packaging of disposable wet wipes not intended for flushing. The labeling of non-flushable wipes that are primarily used in a bathroom setting makes it easier for consumers to know how to appropriately dispose of the product. All Wipes are Not Created Equally Its worth recognizing what kind of wipes are causing clogs, including non-flushable baby wipes and cleaning wipes versus flushable toilet wipes, Wyss said. Non-flushable wipes have the Do Not Flush symbol on packaging as those types of wipes are made with long, often synthetic fibers that are meant to be durable. Flushable wipes, in contrast, are made of short, all-natural fibers that are made to disperse in water, similar to toilet paper. # # # About Responsible Flushing Alliance The Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization dedicated to consumer education focused on what not to flush. RFAs goal is to change consumer behavior to help reduce damage to our nations sewage systems caused by objects and materials not designed to be flushed. For more information, visit https://flushsmart.org or on Facebook and Twitter. Click here for old website You know, its been 17 years, and only one other time did we have rain, and one other time wind, but not rain and wind, Carolyn Greer recalled over Zoom, a week after the remnants of Hurricane Ian brought scattered downpours and heavy winds to New York City. The storm forced the Brooklyn Book Festivalthe citys largest free literary festival, which Greer launched with Liz Koch in 2006to move all of its planned outdoor events for Festival Day, held October 2, indoors. That also meant canceling the festivals beloved outdoor marketplace. It was a serious disappointment for both the organizers and the many publishers that had planned to sell their books to Brooklyn crowds, but the show was left with little choice. After all, as Koch put it, the combination of rain and books for outdoors is a match made in hell. This years festival also marked the end of an era: it was the last the two will run together. Next year, Greer will take a step back from the festival, with Koch set to organize the event herself. The festival staff is small: just Greer and Koch run it full-time, with the year-round help of a part-time administrative assistant and a handful of summer interns, plus a contracted production crew during the month before and through the festival. (A volunteer literary council is also instrumental in running the festivals programming.) To fill out the staff, Koch will look to bring aboard something of a successor to Greer, albeit not a replacement. Were not looking to clone Carolyn, because we cant, Koch said. Shes this DNA of the festival that cant just be found anywhere. Before finding a successor, though, the festivals team must take care of the remaining complications from this years rained-out weekend. There was some rain on its Childrens Day, held October 1, but the event went on mostly as planned. No parent wants to be stuck inside on a rainy day with their kids, and kids love rain, they were out there jumping in puddles and having a great time, Koch said. Adults dont jump around in puddles quite as much. By Festival Day, the winds had kicked up, making weathering the weather impossible, so Greer and Koch and their team scrambled to secure wind-blown tents and to bring all the programming that was to be held on the grounds outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall inside several local venues. It was a tough last-minute pivot, but the festival staff and the community that has coalesced around it over nearly two decades pulled it off, moving boxes of books, stacks of programs, and all planned outdoor panels into spaces provided by such partners as Brooklyn Law School, the Brooklyn Public Librarys Center for Brooklyn History, and Borough Hall itself. We had to take the main stage and the center stage inside Brooklyn Borough Hall, that historic building, and we were one room short, Greer said. They just put out chairs right in the middle of that rotunda, where people are usually circling back and forth. Everybody who knows and loves the festival helped us keep it going. The show went on, though moving the events to Borough Hall meant fewer book sales for the authors and publishers attending the fair, due to regulations regarding sales on government property. But the biggest loss for the publishers in attendance was the literary marketplace itself, which many small publishers in particular cherish as a venue to meet attendees face-to-face, selling books to readers old and new alike. The festival, Greer said, is insured against potential weather issues, and has offered to refund all who paid to run booths at the festival, or to roll over the payments to cover exhibitor fees for next years festival. Some presses also opted to donate some or all of their fees to the festival, to help recover from this years losses and bolster next years programming. The bad weather also meant that lots of books, as Greer said, didnt even get off the trucks, forcing her and Koch to ship them back box by box. Were learning new skills this year, Koch said, with the book shipping. Outdoor fairs like the Brooklyn Book Festival are considering how they can better plan for the future, given the less predictable weather patterns caused by climate change. Koch and Greer agreed, though, that the primary goal is to find a way to keep the main event out in the open air. After all, Greer said, theres a big difference between having a book festival in a place like the Javits Center and what that feels like, and the kind of spirit of celebration that is in the air when people are outside with 200 publishers under trees on a beautiful day. What is the metaverse? The term was first used by Neal Stephenson in Snow Crash: the 1992 story of a hacker who travels from a totalitarian society to a virtual world called the Metaversea place in which his avatar is legendary. Today, we dont really have a common definition of the metaverse, though many definitions point to a fully immersive internet where we can visit virtual reality and augmented reality, VR and AR, worlds through the use of PCs, smartphones, and headsets. Despite the massive focus on business and gaming, some argue that the real story is that the metaverse will give students access to a better tool for learning. In the near future, we will see a huge improvement in how we teach STEM, history, social sciences, art, and languages. Imagine youre a student. Picture yourself standing with your class in the school yard. You tune in on the history reality channel, and suddenly youre surrounded by Neanderthals. They appear to be really there, hiding behind the park bench and passing your fellow students. Gradually, your school and the surrounding buildings disappear, and instead you find yourself surrounded by plants and animals that lived in Eurasia 60,000 years ago. Multiply this kind of educational channel by 1,000, and youll find history lessons with dinosaurs or pharaohs, or STEM lessons with David Attenborough or with Marie Curie. All of these experiences can be shared globally, with the potential to make learning authenticand most of all, fun. Though the examples are far from the classroom experience most students are accustomed to, this reality is not that far away. To give an idea of whats possible today, take the example of Aschehoug Publishing Company from Oslo, Norway. Together, Aschehoug and Ludenso are bringing textbooks to life by adding live 3-D models to print textbooks, allowing students to explore a topic in AR through their mobile devices. This allows students to explore countless abstract concepts in a more tangible way, such as showing the magnetic field around the earth, or conducting virtual physics lab projects. Another way of utilizing the potential is, as SAGE Publishing is exploring, to add a layer of audio on top of the book pages. This way nursing students can listen to the difference between a sick and a healthy lung while reading about how to use a stethoscope. The ability to communicate complex concepts visually makes AR and VR powerful, and it is therefore not surprising that an increasing number of scientific publications are highlighting the impact these technologies have. AR and VR have proven groundbreaking effects on understanding, engagement, and curiosity. Though Meta has created a lot of hype around the metaverse, they are not building it alone. Tech giants like Microsoft, Samsung, and Apple are all investing heavily in the potential, forecasted by Bloomberg to be a multitrillion-dollar opportunity. Looking back to 2007 when Apple introduced apps to the mass market, we saw how tech companies jumped on the opportunity of creating educational apps. By 2015, there were more than 80,000 of these apps, most built by experts on gamification, not on learning. According to the Brookings Institute, 50% of the most popular paid apps for education were of low quality, and only a tiny number of apps were seen as high-quality. This is evidence that technology providers, scientists, and educational experts were not collaborating. At this moment, as the metaverse is upon us, it is crucial that we cocreate the new realities of learning together, with pedagogical principles and learners at the center. This way we can empower more learners, while also having more fun! Ingrid F. Skrede is the cofounder and CMO of Ludenso in Oslo, Norway. Return to main feature. Earlier in her career, when she focused mostly on poetry, Dunya Mikhail swore she would never write a novel. When others asked if she would ever consider it, she told them, I can say all I want to say in one page. More recently, though, Mikhail, who was born in Iraq in 1965, has found a subject that has demanded not only more than one page but two separate full-length works. In 2018 she published The Beekeeper, a nonfiction book about the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and, in particular, the sexual slavery and forced labor endured by women at its hands. This December, she will follow with The Bird Tattoo (Pegasus), a novel that chronicles one Yazidi womans harrowing capture by ISIS and the efforts of her community to rescue her and other women. What happened in 2014, Mikhail says via Zoom from her home in Sterling Heights, Mich., referring to the rise of ISIS, was unbelievable. To me, it was a shock, a humiliation, it was an insult. She tried to write poems about it, but it was not enough. I needed more space. The Beekeeper, which Mikhail co-translated from the Arabic with Max D. Weiss, and which was nominated for the National Book Award for translated literature, centered on a Yazidi man who, along with a network of helpers and smugglers, undertook the rescue of female captives from ISIS. That man reappears in The Bird Tattoo, but the novel largely revolves around Helen, a young woman who is captured by ISIS and then repeatedly raped, sold, and shunted between various grim living quarters. Shes based on a real woman Mikhail met after shed completed The Beekeeper. The womans story occupied my mind day and night, Mikhail says. I felt that was a call, for me as a writer. Mikhail comes to this subject matter with personal experience of state oppression. She began her writing career in Iraq, where she worked as a journalist and translator at the Baghdad Observer. She left the country in 1995, living for a year in Jordan and then settling in the U.S., when she came under the scrutiny of Saddam Husseins government. Her coverage of Iraqs invasion of Kuwait conflicted with the states preferred jingoistic narrative. I didnt like how everything was us and them, enemy and victory, she recalls. She felt the governments supposed enemies were created to make people busy enough not to think of the problems inside themselves and inside their country. Mikhail employed oblique antiestablishment irony in her commentary, at one point writing, I wonder if there will ever be a post-war poetry in Iraq and not only war poetry. And she dared to challenge the countrys militaristic, hypermasculine self-image. I tried to show our soldiers as human beings, she says. They have fear, theyre not heroes, theyre like everybody else. She was later included on a list of traitors for leaving the country without permission. After arriving in the States, Mikhail received a masters in Near Eastern studies from Wayne State University. In the years since, she has published several collections of poetry as well as a memoir, Diary of the Wave Outside the Sea (co-translated with Elizabeth Winslow), that touch on themes of exile, gender, and Iraqi politics and history. She currently teaches as a special lecturer in poetry and Arabic language at Oakland University in Michigan. If Mikhails experience as a journalist served her in the writing of The Beekeeper, her background as a poet informed the writing of The Bird Tattoo. She wanted to capture the suffering of women under ISIS in nonfiction first, she says, because the reality was stranger than fiction. She needed readers to know this actually happened. But revisiting the material in fiction opened up new imaginative possibilities. She was able to employ patterns of imagery, such as birds (in Kurdish, helen means birds nest), and to develop the kind of rich interior lives for her characters that a journalist cant always develop for interview subjects. I wanted to liberate the captives artistically, Mikhail says. I felt my poetry more present in it. Indeed, one of the most striking things about The Bird Tattoo is that, for all the brutality of the tale it tells, it includes so much affection. A large portion of the novel is devoted to backstory detailing Helens upbringing in her Yazidi village, an Arcadian mountain community abounding with fig trees and sheep; her courtship with her future husband, Elias; and the early days of their marriage in Mosul. It was very important to try to create some balance, Mikhail says. Not only for the reader but even maybe for me, for the characters themselves. When the story moves back to the present, and ISIS destroys the way of life Helen and her loved ones have known, the readers horror is absolute. Walking down a street in newly occupied Mosul, Helen observes the desolation: Gone were the scents of tea, spices, and perfume. The sellers who displayed their items on the sidewalks, street vendors, and cafe-goersall disappeared. Mikhail published the novel in Arabic in 2020it was released simultaneously in Iraq and Lebanon by Dar al-Rafidainand decided to translate it into English herself, partly because she missed the characters. She wanted to write the story once more. I was nostalgic, she says. And she continues to see reminders of the story today, notably in the ongoing Mahsa Amini protests in Iran, named for a woman who died after being detained by police for not wearing her hijab in accordance with government standards. The Persian translator of The Bird Tattoo, Mikhail says, told her that Amini was the Helen of Iran. Mikhail sees much common ground between Iran today and Iraq under ISIS. They have one singular story, she says, and they dont accept any alternative. When authoritarian governments succeed in imposing their story, she adds, those who represent the other side of the storythey will die after the passage of time, and their collective memory disappears with them. For Mikhail, this is what makes literature so important. Art transfers the memory of those oppositional voices, she says, from the past to the future. In both The Beekeeper and The Bird Tattoo, Mikhail saw it as her duty to speak for women whose stories might otherwise be lost. They had no voice, they had no names, they had only numbers on bodies, she says. My hope was to help them bring back that voice as much as I could. Mikhail is committed to doing this work through a range of artistic approachesshe says she feels a mandate to respond in all genres to the atrocities shes observed. But after writing The Bird Tattoo she has warmed to the seductive possibilities of fiction, to the liberties that it affords and that real life so often denies. In a novel, she says, you are free. Daniel Lefferts is a writer living in New York. His debut novel, Ways and Means, is forthcoming from Abrams/Overlook. In June 2020, author Emily Lockhart got an unexpected text from one of her children. It linked to a TikTok video of a reader talking about her 2014 bestseller We Were Liars. Now a YA classic that influenced many other authors writing for teens, the book, nonetheless, had been out for six yearseons in a category in which books come and go at lightening speed. Lockhart says the video stood out from others shes seen because of the reviewers tears. It was a different kind of book conversation than what Ive seen on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. The following month, We Were Liars was back on the bestseller list, a rebound almost unheard of at the time. I was shocked, she says. The TikTok shed viewed was just one of many We Were Liars videos that came out on BookTok that month, driving the books resurgence. Lockhart isnt the only YA author whose backlist titles have gotten new life through the platform. Adam Silveras 2017 They Both Die at the End; Leah Bardugos Six of Crows series, which debuted in 2015; and Victoria Aveyards Red Queen books, also released in 2015, are among the other books getting a second life and multiple new printings thanks to oh-so-brief BookTok videos that have gone viral. Adult author Madeline Millers Song of Achilles got a two-million-copy bump 10 years after it was released, believed to be driven by teen BookTokkers. Publishers remark that these sales resurgences arent blips on the screen but are sustained over months or even over a year, another surprising outcome. For authors, BookTok appears to offer tantalizing access to readers. The platform has helped launch new careers. Books going viral arent necessarily debuts or A-list books from big publishers. Highly anticipated releases arent typically the books reaching peak sales. Best known for this kind of unexpected midcareer success is adult romance author Colleen Hoover, whose sales have skyrocketed thanks to BookTok. Alex Asters middle grade Curse of the Night Witch released in 2020 to modest success, but her August 2022 YA release Lightlark hit the BookTok jackpot. TikTok has changed my life, she says. It helped Lightlark sell nearly 25,000 copies in its first week. A little more than two years since the #BookTok hashtag gained traction, TikTok videos have, in some cases, impacted book sales much more than traditional reviews or promotion on other social media platforms. They have had a marked impact on in-store sales and paperback sales for retailers as well. TikToks vast reachmore than a billion usersand its unique algorithm have created an environment where reading communities flourish. Theres no need to search by subjectbooklovers get recommended videos right in their For You page. Some communities are centered on a genre, but others focus on a single book, a theme, a trope, or even an emotion. Many of the books that found big audiences in 2020 were books that made people cryeven though their genres were wildly different, Lockhart says. That outcome gets at the heart of what some call BookToks secret sauce: emotional engagement. Videos are brief, seemingly unrehearsed, and appear to come from the heart. TikTok isnt follower dependent, so anyone has a shot at going viral. BookTokkers can sell out a title both online and in brick-and-mortar stores within days of a seconds-long video. Theres no need to search for content; the apps For You page delivers what users say are spot-on recommendations. The platform is credited with hooking nonreaders and making them into readers, restoring a love of reading for some of those whod lost it, drawing in teens from diverse backgrounds, and producing crossover hits. Given that kind of dramatic (and unpredictable) success, its no surprise that TikTok has begun to affect many aspects of publishing, from acquisitions to marketing. Publicity departments are increasingly looking to the platform for insight into what readers and reviewers want. Publishers and authors alike wonder how the buzz achieved by the biggest BookTok hits can be replicated. The answer is that it cant be, at least not reliably. Its an organic, reader-driven platform over which top-down marketing efforts seem to have questionable influence. This reality has inspired enthusiasm and sown frustration across the industry. While no one objects to surprise hits, trying to anticipate whats next has become a major preoccupation for industry professionals. And for authors, how to make a book go viral on TikTok has become a common search term. A community of readers While Twitter remains the platform on which authors and publishing professionals talk shop, in recent years YouTube has solidified as a site for reviewers and Instagram as a place where both authors and readers have connected through hashtags like #bookstagram. But each platform has its limitations and detractors. Authors link to their books in their bios and push sales on Instagram, but some say that leads to authors having overly curated presences on the platform. For reviewers to have influence on Instagram, they need a robust number of followers, which can take significant time to develop. Many have commented that TikTok feels the way Facebook did 15 years ago and Instagram did 10 years agonew and full of promise. On Instagram, some of us just share our recent reads, cats, or book tour outfitsand let me tell you, even that takes significant time every weekwhile other authors really use it as a creative outlet to excellent effect, Lockhart says. On TikTok, I think the writers who are creating content that stems from genuine engagement with the platform are seeing loyalty from readers. Bestselling YA author Tiffany D. Jackson, whose fifth novel, The Weight of Blood, came out last month, had a similar journey from Instagram to TikTok. Ive actually been on TikTok for a long time, she says. But mostly to watch kids just be their silly, joyful selves, especially during the early days of the pandemic. It made me so happy. Then a friends teen daughter encouraged me to start posting. It took a while to get the hang of it and now I love it. It reminds me of the early carefree days of Twitter. For Aiden Thomas, whose 2020 YA novel Cemetery Boys was longlisted for the National Book Award, TikTok is a natural fit. TikTok is probably my favorite platform because its so fun and chaotic, and I am also fun and chaotic, they say. Most of the time I spend on TikTok Im actually watching videos made by readers and commenting on and sharing them, even ones that arent about me or my books. I also think its a great tool for authors who dont know what the modern teen is like or what they think is funny. Because of the sheer number of users, I absolutely interact with readers the most on TikTok. Not only that, but its a platform for young adults, so its my target audience. Aster shares Thomass enthusiasm. I show my personality a lot more on TikTok, she says. Whether its documenting a day in my life, using a trending sound to showcase my book, highlighting a big moment in my career, or posting bookish thoughts I have as a reader, I try my best to show my sense of humor or my genuine excitement for things that are happening. Unlike other platforms, she notes, TikTok does feel like more of a conversation between me and readers. I try to respond to the first 100 comments, and readers can tag me in videos they want me to see. Im also able to duet their videos, or respond to a comment with a video, which is a fun way to engage. Authors: Give us a break But while BookTok has been a place for some books and authors to thrive, for many others, the industrys fervor to crack the BookTok code has exposed the increasing promotional demands publishers are placing on authors. You have one book or author go viral and hit the bestseller list because of BookTok and suddenly theres the potential that any book can do the same, says Jenny Elder-Moke, who debuted in 2020 with the historical YA fantasy novel Hood. Which is not really true, as weve seen play out, but thats the perception of it. Emma Berquist, who made her YA debut in 2018 with the dystopian alternate history Devils unto Dust, says, Some authors do genuinely enjoy TikTok and the reach it gives them, and they have the personality and temperament for it. Personally, Im not super comfortable with being on camera. Id much rather be behind a computer screen, which is why I became an author to begin with. So, for me, it feels like a burden. I think an audience can tell when you feel that way, so I dont use it. But then I also feel guilty for not trying harder, because I could be losing out on book sales. For me it feels like a lose-lose situation. Jackson urges authors to resist that sense of obligation. If you dont feel up to it, dont do it, she says. Despite what publishers say, TikTok is not for everyone. I have a hard rule that whenever youre forced to do something, it ultimately shows. Ive seen countless authors try and they just look painfully uncomfortable. Some are straight-up cringy and corny. Stick to your strengths and your craft, beloveds. Thomas agrees. People can always tell if youre being disingenuous on social mediaespecially young adults, they say. Youre going to spend so much time promoting your books, and if its on a platform you dont like, its going to be torture for you. Even if making videos is fun, mixing it with commerce isnt for many authors. I dont enjoy promoting my book on TikTok, says Xiran Jay Zhao, whose sci-fi fantasy Iron Widow was a bestseller in 2021, with much of its success credited to their social media platforms. Id rather make TikToks that amuse myself. If you see me promoting my book, respect the hustle. Its tough out here for a queer Chinese author writing very queer Chinese books. I feel like I get named as one of the prominent examples of TikTok authors and used as a case study for why authors should put more effort into social media. But that is publishers learning all the wrong lessons from my case, and it frustrates me deeply. I happen to have the right skill set to do well on social media because of years in the cosplay and fandom communities. This skill set has nothing to do with my writing, and therefore most authors dont have it. If theyre expected to lipsync to random sounds on TikTok for sales, thats just cutting into their precious writing time. The real lesson from my case shouldve been, dont be afraid to acquire a book just because its in a genre that hasnt been selling well, even though your editors loved it. Elder-Moke says the misalignment between reality and publishers expectations about authors social media presence is all the more stark considering that we all know how little authors can actually impact their sales in a significant way via social media. The primary role of writing rightly leaves little time to devote to the extras that seem increasingly to fall to authors, who dont have the time it takes to learn and invest in being really good at every platform, she adds. Im lucky to have a team at Feiwel and Friends that really supports my social media style and helps me generate graphics and content for events Im doing and for my books, Thomas says. But I know that isnt the same for everyone. Elder-Moke says that much of the work of publicizing and marketing books has been offloaded to the writers. Authors have to be available online somewhere, and social media can be a powerful tool for authors to keep interested readers updated. But its also not really what social media is for. Social media is to socialize, not to sell. The people who have learned to take advantage of these platforms for sales are dedicating their entire existence to itlike social media influencersand thats not who authors are. Berquist says, Publishing in general has such a problem with expecting unpaid labor from everyone involved, and its only going to get worse as houses keep consolidating. It feels like authors have no choice but to take on responsibilities that arent ours. I hope were reaching a breaking point where theres some pushback, but its so difficult because of course we want our books to succeed, and most of us are willing to do anything that will move that needle. For authors of color, the uphill road to BookTok success seems even steeper. In a widely shared tweet, romance author Rebekah Weatherspoon wrote, I dont care about Colleen Hoover. Like sell your nine billion books, girl. I care that publishers, especially for adult romance, handed their marketing efforts over to the collective will of TikTok. So many debut authors of color didnt stand a chance. Even for those who are successful, theres toxicity to contend with. When you have a big platform, people tend to treat you like youre not human anymore, Zhao says. Its exhausting. Ive enjoyed making friends all across the world and am extremely grateful for the opportunities I never wouldve had without a big platform. But I would shut down all my accounts if not for those friends and the messages from the Chinese diaspora telling me theyve felt more connected to our culture because of my content. Book bloggers and reviewers are feeling the BookTok effect as well. Briana of the review blog Pages Unbound, who prefers not to use her last name publicly, says, Ive been blogging since 2011, and there is a real feeling among bloggers that publishers have moved towards prioritizing influencers on other platforms, especially TikTok. Some publishers dont even include an option to say youre a book blogger if youre filling out their forms to request ARCs. She argues that bigger is not always better. Book blogs simply dont have the same numbers in terms of followers and views as BookTok, but it doesnt mean bloggers have no reach. BookTok is great for reaching a large audience, including people who might not even describe themselves as readers, but there should be some thought about engaging all the super readers who are not on the platform but very ready to spend money on and promote great books. Focusing on the work While its tempting to view the dazzling results some authors have seen through BookTok as a path to success, for now at least the platform remains primarily a spot for readers to share books they love outside the highly curated bounds of Instagram and the ad-driven sphere of YouTube. BookTok has publishing in such a death grip that theres this expectation from publishers for every author to become a TikTok star, which I vehemently disagree with, Zhao says. It makes no sense that authors, of all people, should be expected to become influencers to succeed in publishing, especially traditionally published authors. Publicity is our publishers jobthey should be the ones putting in the work. Or why are they making all that money from our books? And authors need a place to unwind just like everyone else. TikTok is my happy place and I refuse to use it just for business, Jackson says. We cant make everything about work. We all deserve to let loose and have fun. Besides, Elder-Moke says, the readers are the stars of the platform, citing that BookToks most popular videos are always made by the readers, not the authors. I think its far more important for authors to reach those passionate readers, to build a strong readership base, than to dance to coordinated videos hoping theyll go viral. Ive gone viral on Twitter before, and I promise its not the life-changing experience you would think it is. It turns out I still had to just write the next thing no matter how many likes and retweets I got. Ultimately, many in and around publishing feel that BookTok is a place for the readers, and that while some authors have had success with engagement and selling books, the magic happens when readers make connections with each other. We can do our part, but its a rare novelist who wants to be a video star, and an even rarer one who is especially good at it, Lockhart says. I think its beautiful the way readers are finding each other and discussing literature on global social media platforms that engage their creativity the way that TikTok does. Joanne OSullivan is a journalist, author, and editor in Asheville, N.C. Toronto-based Rakuten Kobo is arguably the only true global competitor to Amazon when it comes to selling e-books on a mass scale to consumers in multiple international markets. The company CEO, Michael Tamblyn, will be interviewed at this years Frankfurt Book Fair on Wednesday, October 19, 23 p.m. as part of the Global 50 CEO Talk 2022, organized by the Austrian publishing consultant Ruediger Wischenbart. Tamblyn shared his thoughts with PW about how the company is facing new challenges as readers emerge from the pandemic, and shared his outlook for the future. What has been the arc of e-book sales around the world from the start of the pandemic until now? The stay home and read advice that we shared as the pandemic began in Italy and France continued worldwide, causing a huge upward spike in digital book sales and digital reading. We were among the lucky companies with a product or service that people wanted or needed during the pandemic, where escape and self-directed learning was especially helpful. Throughout Covid, Rakuten Kobo saw unprecedented global growth in both the time our readers devoted to e-books and sharp increases in unit sales. While we dont report on sales by country, during the pandemic we saw 80% to over 200% increases in reading activity compared to numbers before the pandemic; and depending on the market, the company also saw year-over-year increases in unit sales ranging from 35% to 130%, excluding the 15 million free titles that we provided to readers during the crisis. Has that spike in sales tapered off now that people are no longer stuck at home? Since shutdowns have ceased and people are able to travel and see each other more, theres been a decline from the pandemic highs. Nonetheless, the overall digital market for us is well above prepandemic levels. The pandemic introduced many people to e-books and audiobooks, and a lot of those people have stayed with the format. Canada had some of the longest lockdowns in the worldhow did that impact sales at home? Canadians read voraciously through the pandemic, with the average time spent reading increasing by 33.7% since 2019. When it comes to the kind of books Canadians are reading, two strong themes emerge: reading to escape, which is understandable in the circumstances, and reading to reflect and educate. And Canadians continue to love reading on Kobo even as lockdowns unlock. Canadians spent on average 21% more time reading in 2021 versus the global average. July and August continue to be prime time for reading, with Canadians spending a total of over 1.8 billion minutes reading in the peak of summer. Plus, more and more Canadians are exploring new formats for reading. According to a BookNet Canada study, approximately 1 in 10 people read every single day with an almost equal likelihood of reading print books, e-books, or audiobooks. The gap between these formats has progressively closed over the past few years as more and more Canadians are adopting digital reading habits. Are you seeing any new trends in the e-book space? Yes, with reading and sales both up versus prepandemic times, e-books attracted people who previously were reading print who now appreciate the ease and convenience of digital. So the biggest trendthe steady transformation of reading from print to digitalis macro rather than micro. Now, about 20% of all books purchased for personal reading are delivered digitally. Its a different pace than music or videoevolutionary rather than disruptivebut inexorable all the same. If you agree with the idea that we probably wont be pressing ink into dead trees to do most of our reading 50 years from now, then all we have to argue about is the slope of the curve. The evolution of the e-reader is also changing the type of e-books people are buying, too. For us, e-book sales are still heavily weighted toward fiction, although we are seeing a shift as we add stylus-capable devices that allow easier highlighting, markup, and note-taking. On our regular e-readers, fiction represents 80% of first purchases. On our read-and-write devices, such as the Kobo Elipsa or Kobo Sage, about 60% of first books purchased for those users are nonfiction. Kobo is now a Japanese-owned company, but is there anything distinctly Canadian about the way you run the business? Being Canadian matters, not just in terms of the books that we sell but how we approach partnership and our role in the market. The Canadian book market, to me, has always embodied a certain culture of collaborative competition: we face challenges collectively as well as individually. In our case, that has meant approaching the digital evolution of the book industry as equalizers rather than obliterators; collaborators that enable competition. As we have expanded internationally, being Canadian has been a distinct advantage. We work well in countries where culture is a protected national asset rather than just another industrial output. We get the idea of trying to protect and support local booksellers and publishers, and can work well within those environments. And we come from a country where being international is essential rather than optionalCanada just isnt big enough a market to stay at home. Kobo launched in 2009 in partnership with Indigo Books & Music [Canadas largest bookstore chain]. How has the relationship developed over the years? I think we have evolved well together. Indigo, more than most book retailers globally, has been fearless in its willingness to experiment with what it means to be a bookstore, and what a retail experience can look like for someone who loves books and reading. Just as Indigo was early to embrace that a bookstore could be both aggressively online and enthusiastically bricks-and-mortar, it has recognized that a reader can move back and forth between print, digital, and audio continuously throughout their reading life. We just renewed our partnership again, and Im thrilled to continue working with such a great team. What is next for Rakuten Kobo? Any exciting developments? Kobo Plus has become an incredible engine of growth for us. The idea of unlimited reading, of paying a single monthly price and being able to read as much as you want, as often as you want, is very compelling to a certain kind of reader. What I find most fascinating about it is that people become more adventurous readers within a subscription. New authors, unknown authors, deep backlistbooks that dont get purchased nearly as often in single copies. It makes sense. Each book purchase is a betAm I going to like this? If you can only afford to place one bet a week or a month, you bet on the sure thing: the book that is on the bestseller list, or has just been given a great review, or the author you already know. All-you-can-read services like Kobo Plus escape that paradigm. Start a book, see if you like it, and either keep going or try something new. It has cracked open discovery in a way that publishers had always hoped. And the surprising thing is that it doesnt appear to cannibalize single-copy sales at all. It attracts a customer who would otherwise go to the library or some other source of reading altogether. The arrival of stylus markup to e-readers with Kobo Sage and Kobo Elipsa has also been fascinating. E-books have always been a fiction-first environment, to the point where publishers almost treat it as a fiction-only market. But it turns out that if we could meet the needs of nonfiction readersto engage with their books, to highlight and make notes, and mark them upthat we could bring a whole new category of reader to e-books: the person who reads nonfiction for information, personal growth, or education. Its a huge shift. Ed Nawotka is bookselling and international editor at Publishers Weekly. Read more from our Frankfurt Digital Spotlight Feature: How Book Publishing Startups Have Fared An upcoming report tracks trends in tech-based newcomers over the past 15 years. Going Viral In the past few years, TikTok has transformed book promotion. Library E-books Have Leveled Up With increased demandand rising priceswhat does the future hold for the library e-book market? U.S. to Require Open Access by 2025 The publishing industry is strongly opposed to the governments decision. The Metaverse Meets Publishing Hybrid learning with immersive technologies is coming soon. Small-Batch Publishing Publerati offers an independent publishing model to authors from an island in Maine. Digital Transformation for a Better Tomorrow The need for accessibility, automation, security, and sustainability is pushing digital players and their publishing clients forward. Compro Technologies Showcasing its cloud-based software-as-a-service (Saas) learning platform ComproDLS Engage is Compro Technologiess main agenda at Frankfurt. Impelsys Transforming user experiencespecifically, in the four areas of content, outcomes, reach, and engagementis the focus at Impelsys. Ingenta Ingenta Folio is the name of the web-based version of Ingentas Contracts, Rights, and Royalties, and the company has been rolling it out this year. Newgen KnowledgeWorks Newgen KnowledgeWorks is putting its Nova publishing platform in the spotlight at Frankfurt. Klopotek Focuses on Sustainability and Cybersecurity Recent months have seen Klopotek investing in architectural changes related to the hosting of its software. Enhancing Publishing Offerings at knk Software At knk Software, broadening cloud offerings and helping clients to move to cloud-only solutions were major activities in the past two years. In a major milestone for the open access movement, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, or OSTP, has directed all federal departments and agencies to make the results of taxpayer-supported research available to the American public at no cost. But how quickly that policy directive is implemented remains unclearand the publishing industry remains strongly opposed to the move. The announcement came in an August 25 memorandum. In a release, OSTP head Alondra Nelson said the administration would work with agencies to update their public access and data-sharing plans by mid-2023, with the expectation that all agencies will have updated public access policies fully implemented by the end of 2025. Publishers, who have strongly opposed such efforts in the past, expressed concern over the new policy. In a no-embargo environment, in which private publications will be made immediately available by the government for free, our primary concerns are about business sustainability and quality, said Shelley Husband, AAP senior v-p for government affairs. As we work with the administration and Congress in the days ahead, our focus will be to preserve our nations leadership in research and innovation, and to ensure that we continue to have a vibrant independent industry for scholarly publications. The new policy is the culmination of a nearly 20-year effort by public access advocates and comes after numerous administrative and legislative actions over the years to make taxpayer-funded research available to the public for free. And while the policy could certainly change or be delayed again, either by legislation or by a new executive mandate, Nelson said she was confident the current timeline gives all stakeholdersagencies, researchers, publishers, and scholarly societiesample time to plan and some flexibility in crafting new access policies that will ensure that taxpayer-funded research is publicly accessible, without an embargo or cost. The American people fund tens of billions of dollars of cutting-edge research annually. There should be no delay or barrier between the American public and the returns on their investments in research, Nelson said in announcing the policy. When research is widely available to other researchers and the public, it can save lives, provide policymakers with the tools to make critical decisions, and drive more equitable outcomes across every sector of society. Return to main feature. Global K-pop sensation BTS returned to the stage Saturday with a free concert in front of more than 50,000 delirious fans even as questions swirl about the future of the band and the impending military duty that may force them out of action. ADVERTISEMENT The concert, called BTS Yet to Come in Busan, was held in support of a bid to host the World Expo in 2030, an event that South Korea's second largest city is going all out to capture. Busan Metropolitan City officials estimated that 100,000 people took part in the concert and related events, including large outdoor viewing screens. Saturday night's show was a return to form for BTS, who last performed in their home country in March under COVID-19 restrictions that led to half-full stadiums and restrictions on audiences singing, cheering and dancing. This time, fans were in full voice as stage pyrotechnics heralded their idols' entrance, screaming and waving light sticks that blinked and changed colors in stadium-wide sync. BTS came roaring out of the gate with 2017's "Mic Drop," followed by "Run BTS" and "Run." The energy level remained high for the majority of the 90-minute show, with hip-hop and dance-oriented songs from earlier in the band's career surrounding global mega-hits such as "Boy With Luv," "Butter," "Idol" and "Dynamite." The mood turned more introspective as the evening came to a close, however, with tracks "Young Forever" and the melancholy "Spring Day" leading into the finale "Yet to Come," the lead single off of the 2022 anthology Proof. Almost a decade after their debut, speculation has been rampant that Saturday's show may be the last for BTS for the foreseeable future. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve in the military for at least 18 months, and Jin, the oldest member of the group, is turning 30 in December -- the age limit for enrolling unless BTS is granted a special exemption for its contributions to promoting South Korea's international image. The law currently allows exemptions for athletes, classical musicians and dancers who win prizes at prestigious global competitions, but there are no standards in place for pop stars and the issue remains a heated and divisive one in the country. The band's conscription is being reviewed by military authorities within the framework of alternative services, with Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup saying in August that the band may still be able to perform concerts internationally even after joining the military. Partly as a response to the uncertainty, BTS announced in June that it would suspend performing as a group and instead focus on solo projects. On Saturday, the septet's members asked their fans to keep the faith. "If you believe in us and trust us, we will keep going and continue to share music with you," RM, the band's leader, said in a closing comment. "Please have faith in us." "Don't you think we should have 30 or 40 more years together?" Jimin added. Fans who attended the concert raved about the performance, but some were pessimistic about what the future may hold. "It was great, awesome, overwhelming." Park Hyang-Kyun said after the show. "It was nice to see all seven members together. I truly sense this could be the last time. That's why I had to come." Others felt that any interruption would be temporary. "It was not a goodbye," Kayla King, a teacher from the United States, said. "It was more that they were telling us to wait." In the days leading up to the show, Busan was transformed into a BTS showcase with landmarks around the city bathed in purple, the band's official color, as tens of thousands of die-hard fans arrived from all over the world. The city of 3.4 million is looking to leverage the massive global reach of the boy band to give it the edge in its bid to host the World Expo in 2030 over competitors Rome, Riyadh and Ukraine's Odessa. The expo, held every five years, runs for six months and attracts tens of millions of visitors. Busan city planners believe it will offer both an economic windfall and a boost to the city's global reputation. "BTS are some of the biggest idols in the world," Jung Eun-jin, deputy director of Busan's 2030 World Expo committee, told UPI. "We want to show that Busan is able to hold big concerts and big events that attract people from all over the world. Busan has the ability, but its name value in the world is still not very high." Logistical concerns and price-gouging by hotels ahead of the show drew criticism for the city but the concert went off without any obvious major snags, aided by purple-vested volunteers, and the mood surrounding the entire event was unmistakably festive. BTS management company HYBE, which footed the $4.9 million price tag for the free concert alongside other corporate sponsors, also contributed to the city's festivities with several projects including a customized theme park overhaul, an interactive museum-style exhibition and a pop-up merchandise store that had eager fans camping out overnight. The concert was livestreamed globally by Korean platform Weverse. Thousands of BTS lovers who weren't able to get their hands on free tickets turned up outside the stadium venue on Saturday night just to take part in the atmosphere. "They inspire me so much," said Shaira Aisarova, a 19 year-old from Kazakhstan studying in Busan. "Their message of 'Love Yourself' helped me so much," she added, referring to a series of albums and concerts by the band. "They made me want to learn Korean and study here. I don't know if this will be their last show, but I'm sure we will still be talking about BTS for years." China declared it had eliminated extreme poverty in 2020, but rural residents and research tell a different story An elderly man sits outside his house in a small rural village near the city of Wanzhou November 2, 2007. The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which convenes in Beijing on Oct. 16, is expected to grant an unprecedented third five-year term to Xi Jinping, the CCP general secretary and state president. In the run up to the congress, RFA has examined the 69-year-old Xi's decade at the helm of the world's most populous nation in a series of reports on Hong Kong, foreign policy, intellectuals, and civil society. In the summer of 2022, a Chinese video blogger had a viral hit with what he intended as an inspirational tale of his great uncle, a resourceful elderly relative who made a living as a carpenter, and was still working well into his eighties. But the narration also carried a sting in the tail: "Second Uncle really wants to earn a little retirement money for himself ... but my grandmother can't take care of herself any more, even telling me 'I don't want to live any more,' and that she once hung up a noose ready on the doorframe." As ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping gears up to seek an unprecedented third term in office at the 20th party congress on Sunday, he will be claiming among his achievements the "eradication" of extreme poverty in China. China declared in November 2020 that it had eliminated extreme poverty, claiming success for one of Xi's key policy goals ahead of the CCP's centenary the following year. Yet as government-backed employment schemes have focused on getting younger people to seek jobs in cities, elderly people in rural areas have been left to eke a meager living from government subsidies, without the younger generation around to help, and without enough money for decent medical care. Many are deciding such a life isn't worth living any more. New research published in July 2022 and cited by state news agency Xinhua showed that the suicide rate among elderly people in rural areas has risen fivefold over the last two decades "When you go to the countryside, you often hear that someone died, and when you ask about it, they often tell you it was pesticides [which means] suicide," former NGO worker Yao Cheng, who has researched women and children's rights in rural China, told RFA. A scene from the film Second Uncle, which is about a man in his 80s still making a living as a carpenter. Old bachelors "In 2011, a German journalist and I went into a mountainous area of Hunan, where basically everyone in the village had left," Yao said. "It took two hours walking through the mountains to get there." "The younger people in the village had all gone to find work ... and everyone left behind were old bachelors in their 60s and 70s," he said. "A lot of them were living on monthly subsistence payments from the government of less than 100 yuan [currently 170 yuan/month]." "They didn't want to die in pain; I heard that they would hoard extra sleeping pills because they wouldn't have the strength to hang themselves if they were sick," he said. "Another common suicide method is drinking pesticides." "They don't feel that they can carry on living any more." A resident of a village in the eastern province of Anhui, who gave only the initial L, said at least two elderly people from his hometown have ended their lives during the past three or four years, often because of illness. "The most urgent need in rural areas is medical care: general medical care; chronic disease care and treatment for serious illnesses," L said, adding that his mother-in-law currently struggles to find money for her glaucoma medication. While her medical insurance once reimburse half of the 3,000 yuan annual cost, now she gets nothing at all, prompting L to wonder whether the funding has been taken up by the constant COVID-19 tests required under Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy. U.S.-based rights activist Chen Guangcheng, who has represented rural residents trying to defend their rights through legal channels, told a similar story. "Elderly people in rural areas are actually forced to choose suicide by their circumstances," Chen said. "They are ultimately still dependent on the small amount of food they can produce from the land." "Without mobility, they have nothing," he said. Lack of economic security Yu-Chih Chen, an assistant professor in social work and social administration at the University of Hong Kong who researches healthy aging, said China's elderly are fundamentally insecure. "There's a saying in rural China that goes 'put off the small stuff, suffer through the big stuff, and don't go to hospital till you're at death's door'," Chen said. "This is a reflection of the general lack of economic security and people's inability to meet their medical needs." Data from China's 2020 national census found that nearly 24 percent of the rural population is now over 60, with more than 100 million elder people now living alone in the homes where they once raised their families. Social isolation is also a major driving force behind suicide in this group, according to Chen Yu-Chih. "Social isolation has been proven to drive mortality in academic studies," Chen said. "The impact on health is similar to the effect of smoking 15 cigarettes a day." Conversely, a 2021 study by population researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that the suicide rate among older adults fell by 8.7 percent during the Lunar New Year holiday, when grown children return to their parental home. Chen Guangcheng says the issue could be solved by better government policies. "The CCP shouldn't misallocate its social resources," he said, adding that there is a huge imbalance in government spending across rural areas and cities. More than 500 million people currently live in rural areas, around 36 percent of the population. Yet they depend for their healthcare on just 1.35 million rural clinics, of which only around 690,000 are staffed by certified doctors and healthcare workers, a ratio of one healthcare worker to more than 700 people. A doctor walks along a road through the village of Jianhua, located on the outskirts of Shuangcheng in Heilongjiang province, China, March 29, 2011. Credit: Reuters Mental health crisis Figures from 2021 showed a 40 percent drop in the number of people holding rural doctor certification, from 1.26 million in 2011, with an official study citing low pay and lack of security for old age and retirement as major factors behind the fall. Yao Hao, a psychiatrist at the Shanghai Mental Health Center, penned an article earlier this year in the officially backed English-language media outlet Sixth Tone, sounding the alarm over a mental health crisis in rural areas. "At present, the responsibility for caring for those with mental illnesses is shared between families, communities, and institutions, with families bearing the brunt of the burden," Yao wrote. "In China [there is a] social obligation for families to take care of members who are unwell." "This obligation puts a huge amount of pressure on families, especially in poorer communities," he wrote. "Once that pressure exceeds the familys ability to cope, problems are likely to arise; for example, patients are sometimes left in the hospital or locked in their homes." Recent figures from China's National Aging Office, the ministry of civil affairs and finance ministry indicate that there are also 40.63 million disabled and semi-disabled elderly people in China, with just 44,000 qualified elder care workers in the entire country. The lack of care workers often leaves rural elderly residents to rely on friends and neighbors for support, according to Chen Yu-Chih. "But these resources aren't sustainable," Chen said. "They are unreliable and unstable." A Beijing resident who gave only the initial C, whose grandmother took her own life, said lack of money is often enough of a reason for elderly people to take their own lives. "Some people say that the elderly don't want to commit suicide; they just need pensions," C said. "Maybe Beijing and Shanghai have more in the way of pensions for the elderly, but in most areas, as far as I know ... there are actually very few pensions for the elderly." "After my grandma passed away, the local government didn't respond in any way," C said. "I was pretty shocked. It's obviously due to a problem they created. How can they be so unjust and indifferent?" Back in Anhui, L wanted to know why rural communities have always had to shoulder the burden of political, social and economic change in China. "My grandfather had high blood pressure and had to take various medications for diseases of the elderly," L said. "It cost 800-900 yuan a month, adding up to around 10,000 yuan a year." "That cost was astronomical for him, an old man living alone in the countryside." "Ever since the [People's Republic of China] was founded in 1949, it has always been the rural areas and farming communities who have made the biggest sacrifices, including through the [post-1979] economic reforms," L said. "They have always had inadequate education, medical care and pensions ... This is a huge segment of the population, and yet [those in power] can't tell that they are suffering, or they don't know why?" "Haven't they suffered enough?" Translated and edited by Luiseta Mudie. To critics, Manasseh Sogavare is an autocrat in waiting; to others, a brawler chasing benefits for his country. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (right) reviews the honor guard during a welcome ceremony with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct. 9, 2019. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has maneuvered himself to the center of U.S.-China rivalry in the Pacific, stirring debate about his aims. To some, hes an autocrat in waiting, and to others, a smart operator seeking to maximize aid for his volatile and economically-lagging nation. A Seventh-Day Adventist who has a martial arts black belt, Sogavare is also a political brawler whose fortunes have fluctuated over the years alongside the frequent strife of Solomon Islands politics. After rising through the civil service in the 1990s, he is now in his fourth stint as prime minister. His first term, from June 2000 to December 2001, followed a coup, though he was elected by parliament part of a chaotic period that resulted in a years-long military intervention in the Solomon Islands led by U.S. ally Australia. Over time, Sogavare has become more adept at marshaling the levers of power in his favor, researchers say. Earlier this year he pushed a constitutional amendment through parliament that allowed elections, set for 2023, to be delayed on the basis the country couldnt afford a national vote and a major sporting event the Pacific Games in the same year. He is totally driven by the desire to remain PM forever, said Matthew Wale, leader of the opposition in the Solomon Islands parliament. He grants the demands of anyone who will help him achieve that. Sogavare, 67, has increasingly tilted the government of the South Pacific archipelago of some 700,000 people towards China. In 2019, he switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan an unpopular move in the countrys most populous province, Malaita and earlier this year, he signed a security pact with Beijing. China is helping to bankroll the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara next year and is training the countrys police. Last weekend, more than 30 Solomons police officers headed to China for a months instruction in policing methods. Meanwhile, Sogavare signed up to a pact between Pacific island nations and the United States at a summit in Washington last month, in what one observer described as a pragmatic move. Solomon Islands, and Sogavare himself, needs good relations with traditional partners, despite Solomon Islands growing security ties with China, said Mihai Sora, a Pacific analyst at the Lowy Institute and former Australian diplomat in the Solomon Islands. Its not zero-sum for Sogavare, rather its about maximizing the potential benefits he can bring to his country. So pragmatism is the main driver, but there is also a personal element when push comes to shove. Mercurial and perplexing Sogavare can seem a mercurial and perplexing figure to outsiders, and even for researchers and others who have spent years in the Solomon Islands. His office didnt respond to a request for an interview. At a regional meeting in July, Sogavare effusively greeted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with a hug following months of tensions with Australia, the largest donor to the Solomon Islands. But within weeks, Sogavare was threatening to ban foreign media from the Solomon Islands, after critical Australian coverage of its China links, and lashing out at perceived Australian government interference. Canberra had offered, clumsily, some analysts say, to pay for the Solomon Islands elections. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) meets with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum, in Suva, Fiji July 13, 2022. Credit: Pool via Reuters In his address to the United Nations General Assembly last month, Sogavare said the Solomon Islands had been vilified in the media for joining most other countries in recognizing China. He also urged the United States to end its embargo on Cuba and thanked the Cuban government for training Solomon Islands medical students. Sogavare credits his formative political ideas and skills to Solomon Mamaloni, a charismatic Solomon Islands leader who died in 2000. A staunch nationalist and man of the people who chewed betel nut and drank heavily, Mamaloni distrusted the West, Australia in particular, and U.S.-dominated institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Sogavare became Mamalonis protege in the late 1990s. Sogavare believed he was in contact with Mamaloni after his death, according to a biography of Mamaloni by Christopher Chevalier, and other sources. He was like a father to me, I was like his son and he taught me many things, American anthropologist Alexis Tucker Sade quotes Sogavare as saying of Mamaloni in her 2017 doctoral dissertation on the Solomon Islands. Seances with spirits In an interview with Tucker Sade, Sogavare described a four-hour encounter in his government office with Mamalonis spirit, one of a number of supernatural encounters with the former prime minister that Sogavare claimed to have had in the decade following his death. He also acknowledged being a heavy drinker around the turn of the century. Nowadays, he is widely said to abstain from alcohol. Sogavares seances are not out of the ordinary in the Solomon Islands, where strong traditional beliefs are mingled with Christianitys emphasis on the afterlife, said Chevalier. He is his own man. But I dont think he has forgotten the lessons of Mamaloni, Chevalier said. He has obviously learned how to strategize and how to bring people on board in the very complex horse-trading that goes on. Not everyone in the Solomon Islands views the connection with Mamaloni positively. The former leader sought a strong and independent Solomon Islands, but his legacy, which at the time of his death included a country mired in corruption and ethnic strife, is debated. Some people may say Mamaloni is some kind of a political savior to them, said Celsus Irokwato, an adviser to the premier of Malaita province. I see him as one of those who have set the stage for the failures of Solomon Islands. Sogavare stands out because he is unpredictable and doesnt conform to local cultural norms for leadership, based on respect earned from constant community involvement, said Clive Moore, an emeritus professor at the University of Queensland and author of an encyclopedia of the Solomon Islands. Sogavares parents were missionaries from the island of Choiseul in the Solomons, but he spent much of his early life in Papua New Guinea, where he was born in 1955, and in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara. He doesnt behave in a traditional manner. Hes a bit of a bully, I think, in the way that he yells at people, the way he yells in the parliament, said Moore. With his tilt to China, Sogavare may reap short-term political benefits such as from a successful staging of the Pacific Games, Moore said. But he could be storing up crises if increased Chinese involvement in the country results in economic domination rather than new skills, jobs and higher living standards for Solomon Islanders. Eventually he is going to cause a big problem for another prime minister or for another government, he said. BenarNews is an RFA affiliated news service. When tens of thousands of Russian troops poured across the border into Ukraine at the start of Russia's unprovoked invasion in late February, including from Belarus, Alena felt more than just fear. "He is my air, the meaning of life," she said of her only son, who was conscripted into Belarusian military service in May 2021. "I felt more than just fear for my son. I don't even know how to describe it. It was wild horror. I was hysterical, just sobbing in the restroom at work." RFE/RL is using pseudonyms and withholding details of all the women quoted in this story to ensure their safety and that of their families. Without providing evidence, Lukashenka accused Ukraine and its Western allies of "planning strikes on the territory of Belarus" that could include "sabotage, terrorist attacks, and...a military mutiny in the country." Thankfully, Alena said, her son reassured her that he was safe. And a "zampolit," the Soviet-era term for political commissars within Belarus's military, soon told her that no one was sending any Belarusians anywhere. As it turned out, Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka was allowing Russia to use Belarus as a staging ground for the invasion, including for a failed ground offensive aimed at capturing Kyiv. But Minsk has firmly maintained that its troops have not directly participated in any of the fighting. Now, nearly eight months and tens of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian casualties later, as Moscow's invasion grinds on and the rest of the region girds against the spread of the conflict, Alena and thousands of other mothers of Belarusian conscripts again fear for their sons' safety. Belarus has long been reliant on Russia for energy supplies, as well as economic and political support, and Lukashenka's dependence on Moscow has skyrocketed amid a clampdown on the opposition following a flawed presidential election two years ago. After a weekend meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenka this week accused Ukraine, Poland, and NATO of "trying to drag us into a fight." But moves by him and other Belarusian officials this week have sparked public fears that they are planning a hushed mobilization as pressure from Moscow grows on Minsk to more actively support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Speaking as the mother of a fighting-age Belarusian amid fresh rumors of mobilization, Alena said, "The unrest in us all was, and will be, and won't be going anywhere." More Than Rhetoric Russia's military campaign has by most outside accounts proceeded poorly, highlighting political and intelligence failures, weaknesses in military command and logistics, rampant corruption and incompetence, and a reliance on ill-trained troops and mercenary forces. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. Putin last month announced a "partial mobilization" that the Kremlin says is aimed at conscripting at least 300,000 fresh troops to reinforce tens of thousands of Russians already in Ukraine -- a move that many analysts said was a sign of the Kremlin's increasing desperation to alter the course of the war. This week, without providing evidence, Lukashenka accused Ukraine and its Western allies of "planning strikes on the territory of Belarus" that could include "sabotage, terrorist attacks, and...a military mutiny in the country." Then he announced the creation of a joint "regional military group" comprising Russian and Belarusian troops. Following Lukashenka's comments, the Defense Ministry announced an inspection of Belarus's armed forces. G7 leaders and NATO publicly urged Belarusian authorities to avoid contributing to "Russia's war of aggression" against Ukraine. Days later, on October 14, Lukashenka doubled down with a heightened state of terrorism alert and specified that up to 15,000 Russian troops would be arriving in Belarus to man the joint military group, near its southern border with Ukraine. The first of those Russian soldiers arrived in Belarus on October 15, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced, alongside images of troops being welcomed with bread and salt by women in traditional Belarusian clothing. The deputy chief of Belarus's military general staff, Viktar Tumar, said the force was "purely of a defensive character," with the Belarusian and Russian soldiers as its "backbone." He said its aims are to "ensure a parity of military security and to support peace." Out Of Touch? Lukashenka's lack of popularity could make any mobilization effort challenging. Maria told RFE/RL's Belarus Service this week that her son "has been on the run from the military commissar for three years," since his expulsion from university. He doesn't live at his registered address and so far, she said, he's mostly managed to "simply ignore the military commission, and that's it," despite repeated summons. Maria said that after the announcement of the Russian mobilization last month, "all women began to worry -- for their sons [and] for their husbands." WATCH: Residents of the Ukrainian village of Moskali, in the Chernihiv region, are worried there could be a new attack from Belarus after reports of a buildup of Russian troops near the border.The village was occupied for more than a month when Russian forces invaded on February 24. Many of them are carefully studying ways to avoid conscription into military training, she said, including through deferrals for disabilities or other medical conditions. Belarusian lawmakers recently drafted legislation to cancel a deferral of conscription for young Belarusian students abroad. Tatsyana told RFE/RL that despite her son's desire not to go abroad to study, she and her husband are now trying "to hustle so that our son can go study abroad while it's still possible." Their attempt to get him a visa recently failed. "There are intermediaries," she said, "[but] they charge a lot of money." They are now exploring other avenues "because staying here for my son is not an option." 'Political Suicide' Belarusian opposition leaders forced into exile by the crackdown after Lukashenka declared himself the winner of a sixth presidential term two years ago have linked the political fates of Ukraine and Belarus. Lukashenka's main challenger in that election, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, told RFE/RL this summer that "without a free Ukraine, there cannot be a free Belarus." She has accused Lukashenka of "treason" over his actions with respect to Ukraine. This week, amid the mobilization rumors, Tsikhanouskaya said Lukashenka would be committing "political suicide" if he entered the war directly. WATCH: The Ukrainian Army, National Guard, and State Border Guard Service have been conducting joint exercises near the border with Belarus. These exercises have been going on since Ukrainian forces liberated the Chernihiv region from Russian troops. Beyond other signs of the widespread unpopularity of Russia's war in Ukraine among the Belarusian public -- whose views are especially difficult to track amid the current crackdown on dissent -- hundreds of Belarusians inside the country and more abroad are believed to have enlisted to fight alongside Ukrainians against Russian troops. Dozens of people have been detained for allegedly organizing or participating in a campaign to damage Belarusian railways to impede the progress of Russian troops and supplies of arms into Ukraine since the start of the war. Some of the alleged "railway guerrillas" have been given long prison sentences. Lukashenka's unpopular concessions so far to Moscow in the Ukraine war haven't been lost on the mothers of young Belarusians. Margarita, whose son is serving in the Belarusian Army and is currently deployed near the Ukrainian border, told RFE/RL this week that she instructed him to "run in the opposite direction or surrender" if he is ordered to fight Ukrainians. She said mothers worried about their own sons amid rumors of an imminent call-up should "hide them somewhere." "You just need to not go to the military office and hide the children," Margarita said, "so they're not going to fight for other people's interests." Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service. U.S. President Joe Biden has called on Iranian leaders to end the violence against their own citizens who have taken part in antiestablishment protests in past weeks triggered by the death of a young woman following her arrest by the morality police in Tehran. Women "should be able to wear in Gods name what they want to wear," he said on October 14 during a speech in California. "Iran has to end the violence against its own citizens simply exercising their fundamental rights." Biden said he was "stunned" by the mass protests in Iran, which has seen its biggest wave of demonstrations in years following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Many have taken to the streets in the past four weeks, chanting, "Death to the dictator!" while calling for women's rights and freedom. "I want you to know that we stand with the citizens, the brave women of Iran," Biden said. "It stunned me what it awakened in Iran. It awakened something that I don't think will be quieted for a long, long time," Biden said in his remarks. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the courage of anti-government protesters in Iran as he met on October 14 in Washington with activists originally from the country. The protesters have shown "remarkable displays of courage throughout Iran as women, young people, and many others continue to stand up for the fundamental rights that continue to be denied them by the Iranian regime, Blinken said as he opened a meeting with activists at the State Department. Participants in the meeting included the actress Nazanin Boniadi, writer Roya Hakakian, and gender equality activist Sherry Hakimi. Subscribe To RFE/RL's Watchdog Report RFE/RL's Watchdog report is a curated digest of human rights, media freedom, and democracy developments from our vast broadcast region. It arrives in your in-box every Thursday. Subscribe here. "In the wake of Mahsa Amini's death and the spontaneous demonstration of outrage that this has produced, I think we are seeing something that is quite remarkable throughout the country, led primarily by women and young people," Blinken said. Human rights organizations have said at least 201 people have been killed in a crackdown by security forces. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has accused the United States of whipping up the protests to destabilize Iran. "If that's the case, if they genuinely believe that, they fundamentally -- fundamentally -- do not understand their own people," Blinken said. Blinken was joined by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Rob Malley, the U.S. envoy to Iran who has led months of talks in a bid to restore a 2015 nuclear accord. Hakakian said the group urged the United States to halt the talks. "Our suggestion unanimously was to stop the nuclear talks until the violence stops. And I think everybody heard us loud and clear," she told National Public Radio after the meeting. With reporting by AFP and Reuters Russia's use of Iranian-made drones to attack Ukraine shows that Russia is both politically and militarily bankrupt, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on October 18 after saying that Russian air strikes in the past week had destroyed almost one-third of Ukraine's power stations. 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. Zelenskiy said for decades Russia spent billions of dollars on its military-industrial complex, "and in the end they bowed to Tehran to get rather simple drones and missiles." Speaking in his nightly address, he said strategically, this will not help Russia in any way. "It only additionally proves to the world that Russia is on a losing path and is trying to draw someone else into its accomplices," he said. "We will definitely ensure an appropriate international reaction to this." Iran denies supplying drones to Russia, and the Kremlin said it had no information about whether Iranian kamikaze drones were used. But British intelligence early on October 18 identified the drones used by Russia as being Iranian-made, and the U.S. State Department assessed that Iranian drones were used on October 17 in an attack on Kyiv. White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre accused Tehran of lying when it said Iranian drones were not being used by Russia in Ukraine. Jean-Pierre on October 17 told reporters that the White House strongly condemns Russias missile strikes and said the attacks continue "to demonstrate Putins brutality. The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, said Washington would "not hesitate to use sanctions or take actions" against companies and countries working with Iran's drone program. State Department spokesman Vedant Patel also said a deepening alliance between Russia and Iran "is something the whole world -- especially those in the region and across the world, frankly -- should be seeing as a profound threat." Moscow began the recent wave of air attacks last week, hitting residential areas in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Zelenskiy tweeted early on October 18 that the attacks had caused massive blackouts across Ukraine and that there was "no space left for negotiations" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv's prosecutor office said two people were killed in the October 18 strikes in Kyiv after five others lost their lives in the drone attacks of the previous day in the capital. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance will deliver air-defense systems to Ukraine in the coming days. Speaking at a security conference in Berlin, Stoltenberg said the systems would help Ukraine defend itself against attacks, including by drones made in Iran. Earlier on October 18, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Ukraine's presidential office, said there had been three Russian strikes on an unspecified energy facility in northern Kyiv. "The situation is critical now across the country. It's necessary for the whole country to prepare for electricity, water, and heating outages," Tymoshenko told Ukrainian television. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack was on "critical infrastructure." The northern Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr was left without water and electricity supply after Russian air strikes, but its mayor told RFE/RL that the services had been largely restored. "Around noon, we connected the main sewage plant, and the water supply was more or less operational. Currently, approximately 80 percent of the city has electricity, but the central part of the city remains without it," he said. Russian troops also shelled energy facilities in Dnipro and blasts were reported in Kharkiv. Explosions also shook the cities of Kriviy Rih and Mykolayiv, local officials said, a day after Russia launched waves of kamikaze drone strikes that killed at least seven people, four of them in Kyiv, and damaged infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital and several other cities across the country. "Kriviy Rih. Explosions in the northern part of the city. We are in shelters," Oleksandr Vilkul the head of the central Ukrainian city's military administration said on social media, adding that so far there were no reports of casualties or damage. In the southern port of Mykolayiv overnight shelling killed at least one person, Mayor Oleksandr Sienkovych said early on October 18. The Russian-appointed head of the Kherson region announced on October 18 that the civilian population will be evacuated from part of the region as he warned of an expected escalation of hostilities. Vladimir Saldo on October 18 announced an "organized, gradual displacement" of civilians from four towns on the right bank of the Dnieper River. The new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, Sergei Surovikin, said the situation in Kherson "is difficult," telling state-owned Rossia-24 television news channel in an interview, "The enemy is deliberately striking infrastructure and residential buildings in Kherson." With reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, and AFP Iran has once again rejected allegations that it has supplied Russia with weapons to be used in the war in Ukraine, its Foreign Ministry said on October 15. Kyiv and Washington have accused Tehran of supplying drones to Russia to use in its unprovoked war against its neighbor. The topic is expected to be discussed by European Union foreign ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg on October 17. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian "emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not and will not provide any weapon to be used in the war in Ukraine," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "We believe that the arming of each side of the crisis will prolong the war," the Iranian foreign minister said in a call with his Portuguese counterpart, Joao Gomes Cravinho. "We have not considered and do not consider war to be the right path either in Ukraine or in Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen." Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Iranian drones were used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian cities. Last month, Kyiv said it is significantly reducing its diplomatic relations with Tehran over arms deliveries to Russia. Iran said the decision was "driven by baseless information provided by foreign media propaganda. In a separate phone call with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on October 14, Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran's official stance of neutrality over the war, which started nearly eight months ago. "We have defense cooperation with Russia, but our policy regarding the war in Ukraine is not sending weapons to the conflicting parties, stopping the war, and ending the displacement of people," he said. He also criticized the European Union for protests in Iran sparked by the death in custody of a 22-year-old woman. The EU reportedly plans to impose sanctions on Iran next week for suppressing the protests. For his part, Borrell said he had urged Iran to stop the repression of protesters and to release those that have been detained in recent weeks. People in Iran have the right to peaceful protest and to defend fundamental rights," Borrell said on Twitter on October 14. "Violent repression must stop immediately. Protesters must be released. Internet access and accountability are needed." With reporting AFP and Reuters Scattered protests are being reported in several cities across Iran where protesters have taken to the streets while chanting antiestablishment slogans, according to amateur videos posted online. The protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after her arrest in Tehran by the morality police enter a fifth week despite a violent state crackdown and severe Internet cuts. Support! Support! chanted a group of protesters in Rasht in northern Iran, calling on citizens to join them, according to a video published by the activist Twitter account @1500tavir. RFE/RL could not independently verify the footage. The BBC published a video in which a group of women chanted Death to Khamenei! in Shahin Shahr in the central province of Isfahan. Protests were also reported in Hamedan and Ardebil amid a heavy security presence. Students also reportedly staged protests actions in Tehran, Karaj, and Isfahan. Online monitor NetBlocks on October 15 reported a "new major disruption" to Internet traffic in Iran. Earlier, activists issued an online appeal for a huge turnout for protests on October 15. They called on people across Iran to show up at spots where the security forces are not present and to chant "Death to the dictator. Human rights organizations have said at least 201 people have been killed in a crackdown by security forces. The unrest has continued despite what Amnesty International called an "unrelenting brutal crackdown" that included an "all-out attack on child protesters" -- leading to the deaths of at least 23 minors. The crackdown has drawn international condemnation and sanctions on Iran from Britain, Canada, and the United States. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has accused the country's enemies, including the United States and Israel, of fomenting the "riots. With reporting by AFP A video of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon complaining to Russian President Vladimir Putin about his lack of respect for the countries of Central Asia that were once part of the Soviet Union has struck a nerve on social media, where it has been viewed millions of times. Rahmon, addressing Putin directly, said that Tajikistan and other countries in the vast region have been treated like outsiders and indicates that the region deserves more investment from Moscow. Rahmon made the comments on October 14 at a summit of leaders from the former Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana. Putin appears uncomfortable in the seven-minute video posted on YouTube, where it has been viewed around 4 million times. The video also also shows the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan looking on silently. We have always respected the interests of our main strategic partner, Rahmon said, referring to Russia. We want respect, too." At one point, Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev asks him to stop, but Rahmon refuses, saying, "We came to talk." Touching on a subject that Putin himself has cited, Rahmon said both he and Putin witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. I was there in those meetings in the room when the Soviet Union collapsed, he said. Then like now -- and you have to forgive me for saying this -- not enough attention was paid to the small republics, the small nations. Putin has called the collapse of the Soviet Union "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the [20th] century." Rahmon said the neglect of Tajikistan and the other countries of Central Asia, which he said were only used for their raw materials during the Soviet era, was one of the reasons for the collapse. Putins response, according to TASS, was that during the Soviet era books were published in national languages, theaters were opened, and culture and the economy were developed. Rahmon said Central Asian countries are not asking for many investments, adding that Russia should invest and that even billions invested can be recouped in a very short period. He suggested this would be reasonable in light of the Central Asians who travel to Russia to work. Some of the YouTube users who commented on Rahmons statement congratulated him for speaking the truth to Putin. But others criticized Rahmon, who has ruled the tightly controlled former Soviet republic for three decades. Many said if he had provided decent living and working conditions for Tajiks, his relationship with his people would be different and Tajiks would not have to leave the country to find work. Rahmon is one of Putins main allies, and Putin in June made his first public foreign trip since Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine to Dushanbe for talks with Rahmon. Heres a drilldown on the tires the pros were riding in Kona. Lets talk about the style of tire first. Is tubeless still the thing? The short answer is yes. When T.O. goes tubeless you know the pro field has capitulated. To be sure I havent spoken to Tim, but Im pretty darned sure it was a Continental GP 5000 TT graphic variously called a hot patch, hot stamp, heat stamp I saw on the side of his tire. This is a tubeless tire there is no tubed version and these are (according to my notes) what he had mounted on his Bontrager 75 wheels and I cant imagine him riding those tubed (though riding that tubeless tire tubed is, from what I hear, exactly what Magnus Ditlev did). Tim was one of the few tubular (sew-up) tire riders last time in Kona. There were only 3 riders in the mens field who I know for sure were not riding tubeless: Joe Skipper, Michi Weiss and Ditlev. Certainly there were others because I cant see whats inside a tire. But the list in the mens pro field not riding tubeless is pretty short. Skipper was the most old school, with a 23mm tire in front (the only 23mm I saw in the race), and a 25mm in the rear. Skipper rode Michelin Power TT tires with latex tubes. He maintains they tested fastest for him, and he has had bad luck with flats on tubeless. Okay. As for Weiss, he along with Skipper rode latex tubes and Ditlev as well I must assume. I know for a fact that 30 of the male pros, out of the 50 in the race, were on tubeless tires, such as Continentals GP 5000 S TR, which is shown in the pic above on the bike ridden by Daniela Ryf. As to all the other riders minus the 3 above I could not tell because the tires were some version of Continental GP 5000 that could have been tubeless or tubed. But Im confident the large majority were riding tubeless and when I talk to the tech tire folks who were in Kona servicing their pro athletes they agree with me that the percentage of pros riding tubeless was probably in the 80 percent range. Continental was the tire used by 22 of the 50 male pros; and 10 male pros were on Schwalbe. A pair of riders in the mens field were on Hutchinson (more below on this brand), and 3 men were on Vittorias. There were a couple of Vittoria riders in the womens race as well. All the Vittorias were the hyper fast and hyper not durable Corsa Speeds except one woman rode the very practical (for this race) Corsa N.EXT. Pirelli had a set of tires on one bike and watch out for this brand in a couple of years. There is a new Schwalbe with a gray tread and sidewall and a red heat stamp and I think it was a prototype. I could not see a label, as hard as I looked, with a model name. But lo! When perusing the images taken by a camera I finally did see a tone-on-tone graphic showing the model and you can see it above, on Daniela Bleymehls tire. Sebastian Kienle is the smartest gearhead I know among the pros and he was riding a set of these. So were Patrick Lange, Florian Angert, Maurice Clavel, Braden Currie and Daniel Bakkegard. Kienle and Angert were riding this tire in its 28mm width, and perhaps others in this width. Where Schwalbe absolutely ruled was in the womens race. Five of the top 6 were riding these prototype Schwalbe Pro One TT tires or the in-line gumwall versions (gumwall pictured above). Thats pretty remarkable because there were only 9 total women on Schwalbes in that race. More than half the field of 44 women starters were riding Continental. If tire use in the women's event was scored like a cross country race Schwalbe wouldve won by a mile. I dont know how many non-Schwalbe riders, men or women, were on a 28mm tire. HED report placing none of its 12 athletes (5 men, 7 women) on anything but 25mm tires. It seemed like everybody who could get their hands on the Continental GP 5000 TT did so. This is a tubeless tire that debuted at this years Tour de France. Half the womens field who were riding Conti tires were riding the TT and in the mens field Conti TT riders included Sanders, Chartier, Appleton, Von Berg, Svensson, ODonnell, Chevrot, Hanson, Wurf, and the Norwegian duo of Iden and Blu. It would be interesting to know what Hutchinson is up to. Max Neumann was aboard a set of tires with a heat stamp saying Hutchinson Racing Lab (pictured below), as was Chris Leiferman. This makes sense as Hutchinson sponsors the BMC team. What I could not find was a heat stamp on the tires of womens race winner (and BMC team member) Chelsea Sodaro. Ive asked her what tires she was riding and I dont yet have an answer back. On the one hand, when theres no brand thats a sign that it could be a tire other than one made by your tire sponsor. On the other hand, below is a pic I took of her bike in the transition area. That tire looks like it could be a Hutchinson. The best tire set ups in the race? Obviously whatever Sodaro and Laidlow were riding were quite good! Schwalbe had 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in the womens race, but Continental took the top-3 spots in the mens race. My favorite set up in the mens race was Kienle in his final race who always wins on equipment and if he gets beat its for some other reason. He was riding Zipp 858 NSW and Schwalbes new proto in a 28mm. Why is that my best of show? Because the wheel was optimized for 28mm, tests fastest on 28mm, and Kienle decides based on facts not tradition. In the womens race its someone who finished in the middle of the pro field, Elisabetta Curridori, who had one of the most interesting set-ups in the race, male or female. Hers is a remarkable bike that I'll write about more in future articles, but limiting our best of show to things that roll... Elisabetta rode a HED Vanquish 6 in the front and the Jet 180 in the back, with Vittoria Corsa Speed tires and Vittoria foam inserts. This gets the award because the inserts are a royal PITA to mount and dismount. You probably have to cut the tires off to get them off. But Elisabetta was the one person in the race who had the fastest known tire (the new Conti TT or Schwalbe Pro One TT prototype might be faster but we dont know yet), along with the one known ride-it-in system if your sealant doesn't solve your puncture. If youre going to travel from Italy to Hawaii and pay for 2 weeks of that VRBO, you might as well go all-in. Congrats to Elisabetta and her team for thinking this through. PHOTOS: These are cropped shots from the large format images taken by Aaron Palaian. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! David Handley, the founder of the popular Sculpture by the Sea which returns next Friday after a three-year hiatus, had never heard of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol until February 2021. Kyiv-based Port. Cultural Projects Agency CEO Katya Taylor knew about the worlds largest free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition, which attracts as many as 450,000 visitors over a three-week period, and got in touch. It was between COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, which forced the cancellation of the annual two-kilometre coastal sculpture walk, that had become a regular fixture on the Sydney Spring cultural calendar. Three Ukrainian sculptors Oleksii Zolotariov, and twins Egor and Nikita Zigura. Credit:Brook Mitchell Handley got excited about an international co-pro which was slated for August 2021. He could see many similarities between Sydney and the Ukrainian port city, located at the mouth of Kalmius River and on the coast the Black Sea at the Sea of Azov. But as power bills soar, do the numbers stack up already? Do the costs of installing panels outweigh the ongoing savings? Loading Lets start with the costs: to get solar panels, you must pay upfront for not only the panels but also an inverter and installation costs. According to the SolarQuotes website, run by engineer and former CSIRO employee Finn Peacock, you can expect to pay between $5500 and $9000 for the full installation of a good quality 6.6kW solar panel system (the minimum Peacock recommends for most households) across Australia. For a 10kW system, which may be big enough to also charge your electric vehicle in future decades, you could expect to be paying between $8,500 and $13,000 today. These prices are after the federal governments STC rebate is applied currently worth just under $3,000, but set to fall in value each year until it runs out in 2030. Victorians can knock another $1,400 off these prices thanks to the Victorian governments recently introduced solar rebate. So, could installing solar panels now be the answer to alleviating future power bill pain? Credit:Wolter Peeters So thats the cost. But what about the benefits? The financial advantages of installing solar are twofold. Firstly, you get access to a free ongoing energy source during the day when the sun is shining. If youre a household that spends a lot of time at home during the day or can modify your lifestyle to be so, thats the best way to save on your power bills. You cant beat free. Compare that to the current average cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity from the grid, which is in the region of 25 to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. But what about at night? No sun, no solar, of course. If you can afford the upfront cost, rising power bills mean the economics of solar have definitely swung in the direction of being something to seriously consider. Unless that is, you also install a battery to hold your power. Battery prices have been improving but still cost around $10,000. So, thats a decision to make that could greatly affect the time it takes for your ongoing energy savings to offset your initial outlay for the panels. The second financial benefit is, of course, that if your panels generate excess energy above what you can use during the day, you can sell it back into the grid through your retailer under a so-called feed-in tariff. Its worth noting the attractiveness of these feed-in tariffs has diminished enormously in recent years. In the late 2000s, state government subsidies boosted earnings for solar panel owners as high as 60 cents per kilowatt-hour in some cases. Those high rates have, however, since rewound and fallen closer to 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. Loading So today, the real advantage of solar lies not in earning those sweet, sweet feed-in tariffs although they still help but in being able to access free solar power throughout the day (and possibly through the night if you buy a battery). So, how do the costs stack up against the benefits? Im sorry to squib a simple answer, but like many things in personal finance the answer is: it depends. General estimates of the payback period for solar can vary from as little as two years to six years or even higher. Australian Federal Police operations targetting drug imports and cartel figures from Colombia have been hampered by a lack of translators, agents to monitor phone taps and IT problems, a massive leak of classified data reveals. I am now hitting my head against the table to reinforce the lessons learned, the head of the AFPs Colombia office wrote in an email, expressing frustration with translation and technical issues. Emails to and from agents assigned to the TCNT-AFP support group, which conducts transnational investigations with the support of the AFP, are among millions taken from the Colombian attorney-generals department by hackers, and made available on a password-protected database. The Technical Corps of Criminal and Judicial Investigation (CTI) work with the AFP in Colombia. Credit:Facebook The frustrations felt by senior police in Bogota and agents in the field are evident in several emails contained in the hack. Millions of customers data has been exposed in a major data breach at an online shopping site owned by retail giant Woolworths. The company said a compromised user credential was used to get access to customer information from the MyDeal website. MyDeal was in the process of contacting an estimated 2.2 million customers who were affected in the breach, the Woolworths Group said in a statement on Friday. Woolworths subsidiary MyDeal has revealed a data breach. Credit:Peter Rae The details exposed included customer names, email addresses, phone numbers and delivery addresses, as well as birth dates for people who had to verify their ages when buying alcohol. Queensland dam releases water to avoid flooding emergency Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss They [the VRC] got what they wanted, it was quite inappropriate that it happened but they managed to convince the government at the time, Rice said. The VRC said at the time you couldnt possibly have the Cup carnival interrupted. It just says to me the level of influence that the gambling industry has on Victoria. When the flood wall was approved, Melbourne Water produced modelling to show that it wouldnt increase the risk to people and property if certain mitigation steps were taken. Melbourne Water will conduct an investigation into the flood but said it was the result of significant rainfall associated with La Nina weather conditions. The construction of the flood wall was subject to a range of additional flood mitigation measures as well as ongoing maintenance and management of these assets, a Melbourne Water spokesperson said on Saturday. Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said the racecourses management had some clear questions to answer. I dont know what their strategy was, and Im sure it was to preserve the racecourse and fair play to them. But the more land there is to absorb the water, the less water there is in the area. But the damage has now been done, Tran said. The outrage flared after former VRC chief executive, Dale Monteith, now chairman of Harness Racing Victoria, took to social media to praise the flood wall on Friday, posting then and now pictures of previous flooding at the racetrack. Took five years with process and build, he posted. Pretty happy that we have left a legacy for future of Flemington. Was always going to happen but ignored previously. Flemington Racecourse submerged by floodwaters in 1974. Credit:The Age Archives The tweet has since been deleted. Local residents and social media users were quick to voice their disapproval. Are you ... actually bragging about building a wall that is currently redirecting flood water away from a natural flood plain and onto/into peoples streets and homes, Abigail Lewis posted. Just like the residents you steamrolled at the time warned you it would? James Hutcheon posted: Ah yeah as a resident of the area its so fantastic that the racecourse is fine while all the local roads are under a metre of water. Tran said residents had expressed concerns about the potential impact of the wall on the severity of flooding. Many friends have voiced their concern about it, he said. Thats their view. My perspective is I am more worried about getting residents out and making sure they were safe. I wasnt worried about what Flemington Racecourse was doing. But Im sure if they were questioned, they would have a lot to answer for. Tran said about 80 houses in his council had been significantly damaged by floodwaters, leaving about 400 people homeless. A lot of families have been forced to take the bare minimum: phones, laptops, medications. But family heirlooms, family photos, all those memories have been lost, he said. A lot of families really just want to go home to get photos not even their clothes, just photos. On Saturday, the head of the State Emergency Service, Tim Wiebusch, said that it was not clear whether the flood wall surrounding the racecourse had made the situation worse for nearby houses. Whether that has contributed to some of the flooding is something probably that we will need to refer to Melbourne Water to talk through how that plays out hydrologically, he said. Wiebusch said that he was not aware of anyone from the emergency services raising issues with the flood wall in the past. Properties and gardens left damaged on Saturday after the flooding of the Maribyrnong River. Credit:Scott McNaughton When the project was approved, Delahunty said: The flood protection works and racetrack upgrade will ensure that major horse racing events at Flemington, such as the Cup or the Victoria Derby, cannot be affected by major flooding of the Maribyrnong River. However, Maribyrnong councillor Bill Horrocks warned of the future impact on residents. So when the inevitable happens and our community is knee-deep in water, we hope the minister is ready to take the heat, he said at the time. The VRC declined to comment when contacted by The Age on Friday and Saturday. Maribyrnong residents began the arduous task of cleaning out their water-logged, mud-filled homes on Saturday after the river peaked on Friday. Hoang Nguyen and wife Lam Luong cleaning up their home in Maribyrnong on Saturday. Credit:Marta Pascual The roads and footpaths are covered in several inches of mud, and neighbours are using brooms and rakes to sweep it away from their driveways and gardens. Damaged household goods, furniture and clothes are piled up on the footpaths along Oakland Street. If director, producer and writer Michael Jenkins is blushing from all the attention of late it is likely thanks to the reboot of his hit Australian television series Heartbreak High, currently among the most-watched shows on Netflix. But his home in Tasmania is also set to excite lovers of fine real estate when it hits the market in coming days. Jenkins and his partner Amanda Robsons home, Trial Bay House, is the landmark property that scored architectures top gong, the Robin Boyd Award for best residential house in 2010, making it the first time a house in the state won the prestigious Australian Institute of Architects accolade. Trial Bay House in Tasmania won the Robin Boyd Award for best residential house in 2010. When the couple purchased the property on its 17-hectare, waterfront site overlooking Bruny Island in 2002 it was a 1970s pitched-roof house designed by architect Ray Heffernan in need of work. For a split second on the famous Royal Randwick rise, a jockey is aiming for a narrowing gap and, in racing parlance, the door is about to shut. Craig Williams has a choice to make: take it or not? His horse, Giga Kick, is ready to burst through it and the stakes have never been higher, but its not an exaggeration to say these decisions, which riders make hundreds of times around Australia each day, are life and death. He waits until the perfect moment and screeches into the clear. Game-changing solutions showcased at five HKTDC tech fairs HONG KONG, Oct 14, 2022 (ACN Newswire) The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is hosting five autumn technology fairs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 13 to 16 October. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and many other exhibitors are showing an array of cutting-edge solutions that enhance hiker safety, boost search and rescue efficiency, detect hill fires, kill viruses, eliminate odours, detect rodent activities and enable automated parking, among other benefits. The fairs are signature events that encourage exchange among industry professionals and promote the application of innovative technologies across different sectors, aiming to improve people\-s quality of living. Positioning system improves safety of hikers and rescuers Themed \Innovations for Better Living\, this year\-s fairs have brought together more than 1,100 exhibitors. At the HKTDC International ICT Expo, the OGCIO has set up two pavilions the Smart Government Pavilion (1E-A02) and the Hong Kong Innovation Pavilion (1E-A22) under the theme \Smarter Hong Kong\ to showcase a number of technological solutions. Among them is the Government Wide-Internet of Things Network (GWIN) developed by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) since 2019 and based on LoRa (Long Range) wireless technology. Last year, under the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong 2.0, the EMSD developed a trial system based on GWIN to provide location tracking and an SOS function for use in areas with weak or no mobile network coverage, aiming to enhance the safety of hikers. A \GWIN-on-drone\ has also been developed to support the location-tracking application of the trial system. The department collaborated with the Civil Aid Service and the Fire Services Department, in 2021 and 2022 respectively, to try out the system and test the drone\-s location tracking at Plover Cove Country Park in Hong Kong\-s New Territories. Alongside the EMSD, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is presenting its own rescue technology. The HKPF\-s Information Systems Wing has created a \3R\ rescue solution with a digital platform that combines R-Map, R-Watch and R-Cam. The solution can provide accurate locations of rescue teams and transmit high-definition video footage of rescue scenes to the control centre using live mapping and GPS positioning. The overall aim of the system is to increase the efficiency of rescue operations and monitor the status of rescue team members to ensure their safety. Another smart development on display is the hill fire surveillance system developed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Installed at the Tin Fu Tsai Fire Lookout in Tai Lam Country Park, the system uses infrared thermal detection technology, video analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technologies. It can detect hill fires and send an alert to the AFCD\-s Fire Control Centre, along with real time fire data, to help in its deployment of firefighting operations. Environmental problems addressed by rodent detection and deodorisation tech Other exhibitors at the fairs are showcasing a variety of solutions and products to address environmental problems and improve people\-s living environments. Among them is the Care222 solution developed by Ecobay Technologies Limited (Booth: 1D-C02), an exhibitor at the B4B Challenge pavilion. The technology uses filtered Far-UVC light to disinfect both the air and surfaces and is effective against coronavirus. The solution also includes a special filter that blocks the UV-C band, which is harmful to human skin and eyes, to ensure it is safe. The Care222 solution has already been deployed at Hong Kong International Airport and in other public organisations. Ecobay is also exhibiting its ozone deodoriser, Radica, which works by generating low-concentration ozone. The product is safe to use not only in unoccupied environments, such as garbage rooms, but also locations where people congregate such as hospital waiting rooms and welfare facility rooms, effectively eliminating odours in these spaces. Datax Limited (Booth: 1D-E02), an exhibitor at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks pavilion that provides AI and data solutions to Hong Kong businesses, is showcasing a thermal rodent detection system that is battery-powered and equipped with 4G connectivity. The system requires no external power or internet connection and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It uses AI to estimate rodent infestation and generate heat maps and other reports to help in rodent eradication planning. Meanwhile, Smart City Consortium pavilion exhibitor Yee Fung Technology (Booth: 1E-A22) is displaying an automatic parking system that is intended to alleviate Hong Kong\-s shortage of parking spaces and congested car parks. The system uses robotic pallets and autonomous navigation technology to send the vehicles to parking spaces and accurately park them. At the same time, it analyses big data on parking times and car owner habits to reduce the time required to park and retrieve vehicles. The solution helps to increase the number of parking spaces while reducing energy consumption and exhaust emissions. The five technology fairs have all adopted the HKTDC\-s brand-new EXHIBITION+ hybrid model. In addition to attending the physical fairs, exhibitors, buyers and industry professionals can participate in smart business matching through the Click2Match platform from now until 23 October. *The five autumn technology fairs are the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), electronicAsia (organised by the HKTDC and MMI Asia Pte Ltd), the HKTDC International ICT Expo, HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo. Websites Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition): https://hkelectronicsfairae.hktdc.com electronicAsia: www.electronicasia.com International ICT Expo: https://ictexpo.hktdc.com Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition): https://hklightingfairae.hktdc.com Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo: https://hkotlexpo.hktdc.com Highlight product lists: https://bit.ly/3rc6pLp Photo download: https://bit.ly/3g6iyj0 About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong\-s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn Media enquiries Please contact the HKTDC\-s Communications & Public Affairs Department: Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4537, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org Welcome To SpoilerTV We bring you a comprehensive and up to date spoiler service on all the major US TV shows and Movies. You can find specific show content by clicking the menu system at the top of the screen. We scour the Internet for spoilers as well as posting our own exclusive spoilers (Scripts, Casting Calls, Set Photos etc) as well as recaps and other fun articles and polls. We hope you enjoy your stay. Shahid El-Hafed, 13 October 2022 (SPS) - The Arab Coordination for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People hailed the attachment of the Sahrawi people to their right to dignity and freedom, on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Declaration of National Unity on Western Sahara, celebrated by the Sahrawis on Wednesday. The Arab Coordination for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People presented, Tuesday, its best wishes to the Sahrawi people, its state and the Polisario Front on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Declaration of National Unity on Western Sahara, an occasion that proved the attachment of the Sahrawi people to its right to dignity and freedom, as well as to its legitimate and unique representative, the Polisario Front. The Coordination reviewed, during a meeting, a series of points including the participation of the member of the Coordination and president of its office in the United States, Lediba Saeed in the general debate of the Fourth Committee of the UN (decolonization committee) where she made an intervention on the situation of the Sahrawi people who struggle for freedom and independence. Created on February 24, 2022, the Arab Coordination of Solidarity with the Saharawi People is an NGO whose aim is to support the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination in accordance with international resolutions and UN charters. It is open to all Arab citizens wishing to join. 062/T New York (United Nations) 14 October 2022 (SPS)- Zimbabwes Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador A.R. Chimbindi, called on the two parties to the conflict, Morocco and Polisario Front, to implement the OAU-UN Settlement Plan of 1991, in his statement before the UN 4th Committee on Decolonisation on Thursday. In the case of Western Sahara, my delegation urges both parties, Morocco and the Frente POLISARIO, to implement the commitments made under the 1988 UN-OAU Settlement Plan that was approved by the UN Security Council. He said. Zimbabwe, as a former colony, he adds is deeply concerned that the people of Western Sahara have not been afforded the opportunity to decide on their future, and urges the General Assembly and the Security Council to fully and effectively assume their responsibilities and take concrete steps to put finality to this long outstanding matter in line with the Settlement Plan, the relevant UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, and those of the OAU/AU. On another hand, he recalled the judgment of the European Court of Justice that, in part, importantly, indicated that Western Sahara had clearly defined territory, which should remain one and indivisible. On this same legal aspect, he also recalled that on 22 September 2022, the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights delivered a judgment concluding that Moroccos occupation is a violation of the right to self-determination and independence of Western Sahara, and that all States have an obligation to assist the Sahrawi people in the full realization of their right to self-determination and independence. The position of Zimbabwe is that we have to afford the people of Western Sahara the opportunity to freely choose, under the auspices of the already agreed referendum, the future they want. Zimbabwe will gladly welcome the sovereign will of the people of Western Sahara. To that end, the diplomat adds Zimbabwe urges the parties, the Security Council, the General Assembly, and the rest of the international community to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to re-launch the peace process. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) New York (United Nations) 15 October 2022 (SPS)- The Deputy Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN, Amb. Youseph Kassaye, affirmed in his statement before the UN 4th Committee on Thursday, that Ethiopia stands firm in support to the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. Ethiopia supports the inalienable right of the people of Western Sahara to Self determination in line with General Assembly resolution he said. Ethiopia further calls on the parties to resume direct negotiations and pursue an African solution to this matter. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) Gaborone (Botswana), 15 October 2022 (SPS) - President of Botswana, Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi, has reaffirmed his country's historical position in support of the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, liberation and independence. This came in a letter of reply addressed Friday by the President of Botswana to the President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Mr. Brahim Ghali, in which he reiterated his country's firm position in support of the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence. The letter of the President of Botswana was in response to a congratulatory letter sent to him by President Brahim Ghali on the occasion of Botswana people's celebration of their independence. The President of Botswana thanked his Sahrawi counterpart for his good wishes to the Government and the people of Botswana, reiterating Botswana's firm and continuous position on the Saharawi people's cause and their right to self-determination in conformity with the relevant United Nations and African Union resolutions. 062/T His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church welcomed His Excellency Mr Reuven Azar, the State of Israels ambassador to Romania, at the patriarchal residence on October 12, 2022. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel complimented Ambassador Azars extensive diplomatic work and emphasised the positive ties between Israel and Romania. The pilgrimages to the Holy Land that the Romanian Patriarchate arranges through the Basilica Travel Agency in the hopes that they will experience a notable revival after the challenging time of limitations brought on by the new coronavirus pandemic serve as an eloquent illustration of these relationships. At the same time, His Beatitude expressed his wish for the quickest possible restoration of the Romanian settlement on the Jordan River so that it might be added to the circuit of pilgrimages in the Holy Land. The Israeli Ambassador thanked the Patriarch of Romania for the warm welcome and expressed his contentment and honour at visiting the Romanian Patriarchate, mentioning that Israels tourists favour Romania as one of their top travel destinations, which serves as an impetus for even closer collaboration with the Pilgrimage Agency of the Romanian Orthodox Church, according to basilica.ro. Additionally, His Excellency emphasised how impressed he is with Romanias robust religious faith in comparison to other European countries. The Patriarch of Romania believes that the Romanian peoples religiosity results from the preservation of religious traditions and historical identity that have persisted despite decades of hostile atheism, demonstrating that Christianity outlasts all ideologies. The new sociopolitical and economic context after 1989 prompted the adoption of suitable pastoral and missionary methods, including the establishment of new Romanian Orthodox communities in Western Europe, on the American continent and in other parts of the world. Ambassador Azar appreciated the significant role played by the Romanian Orthodox Church as a factor of social peace both in the past and in the present in preserving the ethnic and religious identity of the Jewish community in Romania by establishing good relations with the members of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania over the years. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel concluded by wishing the Ambassador a successful diplomatic mission in Bucharest. A special place in the city of Iasi's cultural and scientific landscape is located on Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, which still retains the scents of the evening parties organised by personalities of yore, is the Poni-Cernatescu Museum where the public get access to the fascinating world of arts and sciences. "On this street, the nostalgia of the past envelops us through the presence of brothers Pastorel and Ionel Teodoreanu, who lived right at the end of the street and whom we seem to hear whispering to us from their writings. Going down the street, the compositions of Enrico Mezetti surround us with their harmonies and remind us of the glamorous evening parties of Matilda Poni, where they would sing romances composed by Eduard Caudella, Ciprian Porumbescu, Carol Decker, or the philologist Grigore Scorpan, one of the tenants of the street. Some more steps up the street was Mihail Kogalniceanu's house, where personalities of his time would congregate in the oval lounge. On winter holidays, the most beautiful Christmas tree in Iasi was decorated there. Across the street from the Kogalniceanu house was the residence of the literary critic Petru Comarnescu, whose members are descendants of the Poni and Cernatescu families. Also in this street is the house of the philologist Alexandru Phillippide, and at the intersection of Kogalniceanu and Buna Vestire streets lies a house where George Topirceanu lived for a while," says museographer Oana Florescu. On Mihail Kogalniceanu Street, science has important representatives: the chemists of the Poni and Cernatescu families, biologist Nicolae Leon - none other than the older brother of Grigore Antipa, engineer Aurel Cernatescu, doctors Varnav, Ciobanu, and Martu, told Agerpres. "If our steps stop in front of the college building that bears, since 1960, the name of the poet Mihai Eminescu, we remember that there was Mavrocordat Palace, known as the Royal Court of Sararie. This is where the Moldavian ruler Alexandru Mavrocordat moved his residence in 1786. This is also where the Peace of Iasi was signed, following the Russo-Turkish war of 1792. In 1869, the building became a private high school, founded by Iasi university professors, including scholar Petru Poni, who taught chemistry to the students of this educational establishment. First it was called the Academic Institute, then the United Institutes. In 1909 it became the Oltea Doamna Boarding School for girls," explains Florescu. Across the street from the Mihai Eminescu National College is a building built in 1839, near the Church of the Annunciation, for the family of Metropolitan Bishop Veniamin Costachi. Twenty years later, circa 1859, the building on the street now named 9 Mihail Kogalniceanu was inhabited by Nicolae Goncescu, who sold it to Metropolitan Bishop Calinic Miclescu. In 1874, the house was bought by the lawyer Dimitrie Telemaque, who in turn sold it to Professor Petru Poni. In 1880, the building, adjacent to the property of the great Mihail Kogalniceanu, became the property of the family of the scholar Petru Poni, who in 1876 married Junimea author Matilda Caterina Cugler. "Men of science and letters often visited this building. During walks on Aleea Academiei, Petru Poni consulted with his former students Emil Racovita, Nicolae Iorga, Nicolae Costachescu, Petru Bogdan and many others. Being a member of the Junimea literary society, Matilda Poni would hold literary meeting where our national poet, Mihai Eminescu, as well as Ioan Slavici, Veronica Micle, Ion Creanga, Ciprian Porumbescu and many others participated many times," says museographer Oana Florescu. In 1925, after the death of Petru Poni, the house on 9 Kogalniceanu Street belongs to the heirs and later the rights of succession are sold to two daughters. Under the same deed, part of the land was transferred to Aurel Cernatescu. After the death of the writer Matilda Poni, her two daughters, Margareta and Lucia, lived together with their grandson, Radu Cernatescu. During WWII, Margareta Poni and Lucia Poni, together with Radu Cernatescu, took refuge for two years in Alba County, with the house being left in the care of the family of close relatives. "On the night of June 5-6, 1944, Iasi was heavily bombed, especially the areas of Copou, Pacurari and the train station. The house in Pacurari of professor Radu Cernatescu burned down that night, and the house of the Poni family sustained major damage. In 1971, the last tenant of the house, Margareta Poni, donated to the government the residence of the scientist Petru Poni with the aim of being transformed into a memorial museum dedicated to the Poni family and the chemists of Iasi. Other important objects for preserving the memory of the members of the Poni family were added through donations to the mobile assets of the future museum," says Florescu. Transforming the house into a memorial museum was not easy at all. "In order to round up the mobile assets of the new memorial museum, the Faculty of Chemistry, through the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi transferred to the Moldova Museum Complex twenty-nine laboratory objects used by professors Petru Poni and Radu Cernatescu over the years. The residence of the Poni family became a museum after a long period of time, approximately 15 years. The restoration of the house was completed in 1990, with part of the interior design being assigned, by auction, the Decorativa Bucharest enterprise. On November 7, 1991, the Petru Poni Chemistry Museum in Iasi opened its doors to visitors, an institution that still pays tribute to the memory of some personalities in the field of chemistry," Florescu added. Six of the building's rooms are included in the tours of the museum: the reception hall, the dining room, the office of Professor Petru Poni, the Radu Cernatescu room, the room of personalities from the higher chemical education establishments of Iasi and the room of the local chemicals companies. "In the memorial rooms, authentic assets of the Poni family are on display: furniture, photographs, paintings, pieces of decorative art and clockwork. Later, the Iasi chemical education room was thoroughly reorganised and turned into a lounge dedicated to the memory of the poet Matilda Cugler-Poni. The Chamber of Local Chemical Enterprises received another destination with the setting up of an exhibition dedicated to Iasi City chemistry notables. In 1994, the museum became known as Poni-Cernatescu. The name of the kiosk was given by Professor Poni to distinguish it from the academy alley, a place of intellectual pilgrimage, where the famous chemist held discussions about matters that had nothing to do with poetry, with the agronomist Ion Ionescu de la Brad (his uncle), with the philologist Ion Bianu, with the chemist Constantin Istrate, with the historians A.D. Xeonopol, Nicolae Iorga and with the mineralogist Vasile Butureanu. In 1998, a bust of Professor Petru Poni was cast in bronze and mounted near the house," explains Florescu. The current permanent exhibition of the "Poni-Cernatescu" Museum was inaugurated in 2012. "Both the architecture and the construction techniques are specific to that period and are based on brickwork. The living room displays solid oak furniture, art objects, photographs. The library and the office keep specialist and fiction books, school textbooks, collections of magazines. The most important works are those that prove the contribution made by Poni in the fields of petroleum chemistry, mineralogy, meteorology, agriculture and history. International recognition as a scientist is emphasized by the diploma of member of the French Order "Legion d'honneur," received by Petru Poni in 1902, the diploma of a member of the Imperial Academy in Moscow, for the comparative study of Romanian, American and Russian petroleum chemistry, the Grand Cross of the Order of "Franz Joseph," which was awarded to him in 1903 by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Order of "St. Sava," which was awarded to him by the Kingdom of Serbia and the "Star of Romania" Order bestowed upon him in 1905," mentioned Oana Florescu. In the room dedicated to Matilda Cugler-Poni, furniture and decorative art objects that belonged to the poet are displayed, among them a silver-plated box for jewelry, a writing kit for the office, the volume of poems called "Poems," edited by Casa Scoalelor [House of Schools - editor's note] in 1927. Matilda's verses were a source of inspiration for the composers Ciprian Porumbescu, Eduard Caudella and Grigore Scorpan, who wrote romance scores. In the room dedicated to academician Radu Cernatescu, there are furniture items, the piano for the orchestra, "His master's voice" gramophone with the ebonite discs and specialized books that emphasise the passion for chemistry and music. Equipped with work tables and various substances, glassware and utensils necessary to carry out some fun experiments, the chemistry laboratory in the house on 9th Kogalniceanu street is equipped with a smart-TV with a touch screen and a chemistry software, showcases that present documents, specialist books, diplomas, photographs and personal items that belonged to renowned scientists such as Nicolae Costachescu, Anastasie Obregia, Constantin V. Gheorghiu, Ilie Matei, Gheorghe Alexa, Mihai Dima, Ion Zugravescu, Cristofor Simionescu. Chemistry and physics textbooks from 1869 and 1874, authored by scientist Petru Poni, are also presented. "Students used these textbooks, physics and chemistry for almost forty years. They were famous for their method of presenting information. A special place is occupied by the first PhD thesis in the field of chemistry in Romania entitled "Gases Contained in Salt and in the Mud Volcanoes from Romania," held at the Faculty of Sciences in Iasi, by Nicolae Costachescu, in 1905, under the guidance of Petru Poni," explains museographer Oana Florescu. In the basement, in the vaulted rooms that have never been open to visitors before 2012, an exhibition of minerals was set up that corroborates Petru Poni's interests in this field. "In the space that includes two large rooms, a mining atmosphere has been recreated to suggest the place from which these minerals are extracted. The mineral collection includes more than a hundred specimens of mine flowers, minerals and ores extracted from the Banat and Maramures areas and which are divided into nine classes. Through the field addressed, besides the memorial value, the museum also has an educational role through the museum pedagogy workshops offered to the public," concluded Oana Florescu. David Nicklaus David Nicklaus is a business columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow David Nicklaus 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 As a graduate student, Erica Barnell knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur but wasnt sure her dream could happen in St. Louis. She saw few female role models among the high-profile startups that were raising money here. And, as recently as 2019, an American Express survey ranked St. Louis near the bottom for the success of women-led businesses. Now, Barnell is part of a wave of entrepreneurs who are upending the regions male-centric image. Pitchbook, a firm that gathers data on venture capital, recently reported that investments into female-founded firms were growing faster in St. Louis than in any other metro area. Pitchbook compared money raised in the last two and a half years with the total between 2008 and 2019. Women-led startups here achieved 187% growth, compared with 164% in second-place Phoenix and 102% in Silicon Valley, the venture capital industrys epicenter. In St. Louis, 40 firms founded or co-founded by women have raised $494.5 million since 2020. That is smaller than Phoenixs $626 million, and a pittance compared with Silicon Valleys $30 billion, but it represents progress. It also represents dreams realized. Geneoscopy, the company that Barnell and her brother, Andrew, co-founded in 2015, raised $105 million last year to push its colorectal cancer screening test into clinical trials. The test is based on research Barnell began at Washington University, and the company expects to have enough data soon to apply for Food and Drug Administration approval. Raising money as a female entrepreneur was sometimes challenging, Barnell said. Some potential investors asked, Whats the difference between you and Elizabeth Holmes? (Holmes, the disgraced founder of blood-testing startup Theranos, was convicted of fraud in January.) A supportive St. Louis ecosystem, Barnell said, helped Geneoscopy get to the point where it could attract investors. Washington Universitys Skandalaris Center provided early advice, BioGenerator provided lab space and Arch Grants handed the company $50,000 in 2016. All those resources led to the ultimate success, Barnell said. That infrastructure needs to be in place and accessible to companies, and even to people who dont have a real company yet. Mary Jo Gorman, a veteran St. Louis health-care entrepreneur, sees two reasons for the regions improved ranking: the persistence of longtime investment groups such as BioGenerator and the St. Louis Arch Angels, and an intentional focus by Arch Grants and others on backing women and people of color. Historically it was harder to raise money in St. Louis in general, and it was also relatively harder for women than for men, Gorman said. On all of those counts, St. Louis has gotten much better. Martha Schlicher is executive chair of one agriculture technology startup, Plastomics, and chief executive of another, Impetus Agriculture. Both successfully raised money last year. Schlicher says her gender hasnt been a barrier, partly because she had good mentors and strong executive experience at Monsanto. She and other female members of the St. Louis Arch Angels are trying to help other entrepreneurs follow the same path. There are women investors who will reach out and help you practice your pitch, Schlicher said. There are a lot of women reaching out to other women. Women have a long way to go to achieve parity with men in the high-stakes startup world. Nationally, just 2% of venture capital goes to female-founded companies. St. Louis at least appears to be on the right track. As Barnell, Schlicher and others succeed, they can start a virtuous cycle by being the female role models and mentors that were rare until recently. FRIDAY, Oct. 14, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- New trial data show that Pfizer's updated COVID-19 booster shot is more powerful against omicron subvariants than the original shot, the company announced Thursday. "These early data suggest that our bivalent vaccine is anticipated to provide better protection against currently circulating variants than the original vaccine and potentially help to curb future surges in cases this winter," Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a company news release. Blood samples taken from 80 people one week after they received their updated boosters showed "a substantial increase" in their neutralizing antibody response against the two omicron subvariants, BA.5 and BA.5, that now account for 93 percent of all new U.S. COVID-19 cases. The researchers did find that the antibody response in people over 55 was "more limited" when faced with the omicron variants. The company is conducting a similar comparison among younger adults. Pfizer has also been testing the updated booster in mice. In that research, it found that the new shots provided at least "incremental benefit." While Moderna, the only other company with an updated COVID-19 booster shot, has released results from its own mouse study, it has not commented on when it will have updated effectiveness data from human clinical trials, CBS News reported. When the federal government approved the boosters in September, they did so with the hope of getting ahead of a winter surge of the virus. At that time, advisers on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory panel shared reservations they had about allowing boosters without the data in humans. Still, U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials stressed that other vaccines are tested in the same way. Anna and Matt Bukhshtaber spent more than two years searching for the perfect home in which to raise their growing family before deciding to have one built exactly as they imagined it. "We knew what we wanted, and it wasn't out there," Anna says. The couple had spent seven years living in historic Lafayette Square in the city, but more and more they realized their life outside the home was farther west. Matt's office is in Clayton, his parents live in Frontenac and the kids were going to school in the county. They chose Ladue as a perfect central location and purchased a lot in August 2019. Once they had the land, they reached out to NJL Custom Homes after reviewing the portfolio of owner Nick Liuzza and seeing homes similar to what they had in mind. He connected the Bukhshtabers with architect AJ Catlett with Thomas Alan Group, who set to work designing their dream home based on their list of must-haves. That list included: tall ceilings throughout the first level, lots of molding, plenty of natural light, hardwood floors and a large outdoor room for three seasons. Anna worked closely with Catlett and NJL picking out all of the finishes and doing all of the interior design work herself while documenting the process on Instagram at @homeandstylewithanna. "I've always loved fashion and design. The environment you surround yourself with and what you wear I think helps you feel a certain way. This was our first project that I got to delve into that intuition and sense of creativity, and it really sparked in me the desire to continue with it," says Anna. "I loved the process so much I'm working on an interior design certification now." The Bukhshtabers moved in to the completed 5,500-square-foot home on New Year's Eve 2021. The design, Anna says, was inspired by French modern style with loads of custom details and millwork. Twelve-foot ceilings in the foyer and living room and a wall of windows overlooking the pool provide the "wow factor" upon entering the space. Arched doorways and wide-plank floors in white oak add to the old-world feel. "I wanted it to feel like it's not a brand new home timeless," Anna says. "It feels grand but cozy at the same time and inviting. I don't want anything to just look pretty, but I want it to be truly useful and used and lived in. That's what makes a house a home. I think we achieved that." The couple worked with Kenrose Kitchen Kabinets out of Arthur, Illinois, in Amish country on all of the cabinetry in the home including the kitchen cabinets, a wall of built-ins in the living room and a wine storage wall in the dining room. "That's craftsmanship that you don't really see anymore," Matt says of the pieces that resemble fine furniture. The chef's dream kitchen features a huge center island that's great for both family meals and entertaining. At 11 feet, it was the largest they could make it using a single slab of dolomite. Another wish list item was the 48" stainless steel range by ILVE, an Italian appliance maker. White glazed clay Zellige subway tile by Riad Tile gives the backsplash a unique uneven texture. The kitchen is open to the living room and an adjoining breakfast room, which leads through sliding glass doors to a complete outdoor three-seasons room. The outdoor living area includes retractable screens and heaters as well as a separate outdoor kitchen/grilling area. The swimming pool and oversized spa are a couple steps down. A wing off the living room houses the first-floor primary suite. Its vaulted 12-foot ceiling, walls framed in molding and door opening to the pool create a luxurious vibe. Anna went with pale dove gray paint on the walls and pure white linens on the bed. "I just wanted it to feel calm," she says. "Our own private oasis away from the kids and the home." The adjoining primary bathroom includes a heated herringbone marble floor, separate vanities, an elegant freestanding tub and separate glass enclosed steam shower. The bath leads into a large dressing room/closet that resembles a hip boutique with custom shelving designed by California Closets. Now that they've been in the home for nearly a year, Anna says, "I feel like it turned out even better than we could have imagined. Every detail we look at and think, we love that, and it makes it that much more special that we chose everything ourselves. It's really a reflection of our own personal tastes." Anna and Matt Bukhshtaber Ages Anna is 33, and Matt is 41. Occupations Matt works in commercial real estate for CBRE; Anna is an occupational therapist and stay-at-home mom Home Ladue Family The Bukhshtabers have three children: Bennett, 7, Kai, 4, and Toby, 1, as well as the family dog, an Australian Labradoodle named Leo Bill McClellan Bill McClellan is a columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Bill McClellan 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 I was alone in the car, watching the road but lost in thought, when I heard a voice. As hard as this is to believe, it seemed to be coming from my own heart. It was a womans voice. Bill? I have never agreed with the notion that when confronted with terror, we have two instinctive responses fight or flight. I think the third response is to do nothing, to just freeze. That has generally been my go-to move in the past, and it is what I did when I heard the voice. I quit breathing. Then the voice from my heart repeated itself. Bill? I am not a religious person, but I am a seeker. Almost half a century ago, when I was starting out in the newspaper business, my first city editor, a man who wore green eye shades and drank heavily, called me to his desk and showed me a photograph. It had come from the Maharishis commune outside of Phoenix. It seemed to show several people levitating. Go see what this is about, he said. I looked at the photo and thought, If this is real, Im going to stay at the commune. But the followers of the Maharishi had not figured out a way to defy gravity. They were not levitating, but hopping. It was still pretty cool, but not cool enough to make me quit my job. But I would have. Thats the point. I am a seeker. I envy the people who just happen to see miracles. Imagine the lucky people who were at the wedding in Cana of Galilee when the party ran out of wine, and Jesus, who was a guest, turned six pots of water into wine. And not just wine. Good wine. Hey, you saved the good stuff for last, people said to the groom. They were kidding, of course. Everybody was probably thinking the same thing Thank you, Jesus. Had I been at the wedding, Id have become a disciple. Maybe its natural to think big thoughts as you get older. I had a semi-spiritual thing happen to me not long before the voice. I was headed north on Interstate 55. I had the cruise control set at 75. A woman in an old Cadillac zipped past me. She looked to be about my age. Her hair had that just done look like she was coming from the beauty parlor. (I love the idea of a beauty parlor, but I understand its an outdated concept. The woman in the Cadillac had just been to her stylist.) She did not look at me as she passed. A few minutes later, I passed her, and then a few minutes after that, she passed me again and got off at the next exit. Oh, Maybellene, I thought. Is there a woman of my generation who drives a Cadillac fast on the open road and doesnt think of herself as Maybellene? She got off at Mason City. Thats a small town. I wondered what it is like to be Maybellene in a small town in central Illinois. Its good, I hope. Of course, those were just musings and the voice was real. I was more scared than awed. Maybe everybody hears the voice in the end. She might not be delivering good news. Bill. This is Patsy. Patsy is one of my wifes sisters. She is an artist. She lives in Texas. She drinks whiskey sours. I realized her voice was coming from the phone in my shirt pocket. I have a smart phone because my son works for Apple, and it wouldnt be right for me to stubbornly resist the benefits of having a smart phone. I get it. But how and why was Patsy speaking to me? She said I had called her. You must have butt-dialed me, is what she said. Maybe I chest-dialed her. That does not seem possible, but I was there, and Im telling you, it happened. I realized it was a miracle. As miracles go, maybe it wasnt that great. Maybe some scientist at Washington University could explain the physics of it. Or the electro-magnetics of it. But it does not seem rational. How did I chest-dial my sister-in-law? I have never called her. She is on my contact list, but that is because I inherited the phone from another member of the family. I have contacts I dont know. I occasionally get calls more often messages from some of these unknowns. I ignore the messages and get impatient with the callers. You have reached the 20th century, I tell them. Dont call again. Let me give you some perspective on my miracle. I once visited George Washingtons winter headquarters on the Hudson River. It was a stone cottage. He lived there with Martha and several aides. He dictated letters to the aides and they then delivered the letters orders, really to Washingtons far-flung generals. It was a terribly inefficient way to run a war. The orders were usually outdated by the time Washington wrote them, and then his aides would gallop off with the outdated orders looking for the generals, who had often already moved their armies. Usually, they were on the run. That is the way things worked when a message no matter how urgent could be delivered no faster than a man on a horse. It had been that way since we domesticated horses. If I were somehow able to talk to Washington at his cottage and tell him I heard a voice when I was alone, he likely would have figured that the Almighty talks to those who are willing to listen. But if I explained to him that it wasnt the Almighty, but my sister-in-law who drinks whiskey sours, and I had accidentally called her with a device in my pocket, and that device lets me talk to people hundreds of miles away, and if a person knows how to use the device, he can even see the person he is talking to and that person can see him, How does that work? an astounded Washington might ask. I have no idea, Id say. Most people have no idea. And I didnt even mean to call her. I chest-dialed her. Thats a miracle, hed say. ST. LOUIS Two 16-year-olds and a 13-year-old were shot in separate incidents across the city between Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning. All survived. Police first responded around 1 p.m. Friday to the 5100 block of Northland Avenue west of Kingshighway for a call about a 13-year-old who had been shot in the thigh. Police said the 13-year-old and his 18-year-old cousin were "play fighting" when the older cousin pointed a loaded handgun at the 13-year-old and pulled the trigger. Then, around 11:40 p.m., police were called to the 3000 block of Franklin Avenue south of Martin Luther King Drive in the city's Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood. A 16-year-old and 12-year-old said they'd crashed their vehicle at the scene. Another person driving a silver sedan pulled in front of them, got out of the car and pointed a handgun at them, police said. The two youths started running toward an apartment building when they heard gunshots. The 16-year-old was struck in the leg. The 12-year-old was not shot. Roughly an hour later, police arrived at the 3300 block of Louisiana Avenue near Gravois Avenue between Benton Park West and Tower Grove East. While canvassing the area, they heard about a 16-year-old who had been shot and had arrived at a hospital, police said. The teenager told police he was at a birthday party when he stepped outside, heard a gunshot and then felt pain in his thigh where he'd been shot, police said. As of Oct. 10, 18 children had died in 2022 by gunfire across the St. Louis metropolitan area. At least 72 others had been injured in shootings. Nearly all of them were in the city. PINE LAWN Investigators are running out of leads in a double shooting in Pine Lawn that paralyzed a new father in September. Detectives have worked a lot of leads, but its dried up, police Maj. Ron Martin said Friday. Martin is with the North County Police Cooperative, which patrols Pine Lawn and is investigating the Sept. 16 shooting at 6103 Grimshaw Avenue. A 27-year-old man and his brother, 21, were shot after getting out of a minivan and heading to the porch of the home on Grimshaw. The older brother, who was father to a baby born a week earlier, is now paralyzed, Martin said. The younger brother was shot in the leg and is recuperating. Martin released video to the Post-Dispatch on Friday that shows the brothers walking to their porch about 4 p.m. as a black pickup truck pulls up. A passenger in the pickup gets out and opens fire. The gunman then returns to the truck, it pulls forward a bit, but the gunman steps out to toss the gun into a storm drain. Then he returns to the truck and it drives away. The video is from a business surveillance camera a half-block away. Martin said the brothers told police they didnt know who shot them and police arent speculating on a motive. Police recovered the gun from the storm drain and swabbed it for DNA. Martin said investigators are waiting for results from the crime lab to see if they have a match. The North County Police Cooperative is asking for the publics help in finding the gunman. CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. The gunman shown in the video was wearing designer jeans and bright red shoes. The truck has a silver running board and a hard shell over the pickup bed, upgrades that arent seen on most trucks. Somebody knows this truck, Martin said. Its not your typical truck. To submit an anonymous tip, people can call 866-371-8477, complete an online form, or use the P3 app. ST. LOUIS A jury on Friday awarded $177 million to a woman who was sexually assaulted at a downtown hotel in 2016 by a security guard who used his master key to enter her room while she was sleeping. The woman, a sheriff's deputy from New Jersey, was attending a crime scene investigation seminar in St. Louis and staying at the Hyatt Regency hotel on Chestnut Street when a colleague called to ask for someone to check on her, according to the complaint. The hotel's security guard, David A. White, used his master key to enter her room, found her sleeping, then left. He returned soon after and assaulted her. White pleaded guilty in 2018 to first-degree burglary and misdemeanor sexual abuse and was sentenced to probation. But the woman's attorneys with Kansas City-based Davis Bethune & Jones argued in court documents that the Hyatt should also be held liable for hiring and not adequately supervising him. "Hyatt broke its own rules in hiring and supervision allowing a sexual predator (to become) a Hyatt security officer," attorney Scott Bethune said. After a four-day trial this week, a jury ruled in favor of the woman and awarded $177 million in damages, including $149 million in punitive damages, of which half will go to the state of Missouri for a tort victim's compensation fund. "We must hold corporations accountable when they so blatantly violate safety rules and cause a sexual assault," said attorney Wes Shumate. Hyatt, for its part, argued in court documents it shouldn't be held responsible for White's conduct. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. ST. LOUIS The exact language varies, but the Facebook posts all tell a similar story: St. Louisans are crowdsourcing information to find their stolen cars. 2020 Silver Kia Soul S stolen from Yale Ave in Maplewood at 4:14 a.m. Police report has been made and insurance notified, read one post. Black 2015 Kia Soul stolen from my house in Bevo Mill, south city two nights ago....pride sticker on the back. IL plates. Let me know if you see it, read another. Most of the posts can be found in a Facebook group called gotStolen St. Louis, a page to which Dutchtown resident Benjamin Thomas recently posted in an effort to find the owner of an abandoned Kia in his neighborhood. He told the Post-Dispatch he frequently sees Kias and Hyundais dumped behind a house hes rehabbing in the 4000 block of California Avenue in south St. Louis. Sometimes, he said, teenagers come back to take the cars on joy rides, and he sees them speeding through stop signs and running into fixtures. Rates of stolen Kias and Hyundais have exploded in recent months in the St. Louis area a trend thats also been seen nationally because of a viral TikTok video that shows how to break into and drive off in the South Korean-made vehicles using just a screwdriver and a USB charging cable. The method can be used on some of those cars because certain models are not equipped with engine immobilizers, an anti-theft security device. And despite police efforts to prevent thefts, rates of stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles continue to increase in St. Louis County, setting a new single-month high in September. And in the city, where rates are even higher, monthly numbers have remained relatively stagnant. Car manufacturer Kia recently gave St. Louis County police 506 steering wheel locks, said Adrian Washington, a county police officer. Police began distributing the locks this week for free to residents with proof of Kia or Hyundai ownership. County police have also put officers on extra patrols in an effort to deter thefts. Still, St. Louis County reported 145 stolen Kias and 142 stolen Hyundais in September both single-month highs. Year over year, the county has seen about a 1,090% increase in thefts of those two models. Last year, 93 were stolen through the end of September; this year, that number is 1,014. The story is similar in the city, which has already surpassed its 2021 total number of vehicle thefts by 1,200 and continues to see high monthly rates of Kia and Hyundai thefts. In September, the department reported 325 Hyundai thefts and 334 Kia thefts. Rachel Mosqueda spoke with the Post-Dispatch in August about how thieves broke into her white 2014 Kia Sportage on July 27 and damaged the wiring under the steering wheel, jammed the ignition and left the undrivable vehicle where it was parked. Recently, she said her car has been broken into two more times once on the evening of Sept. 15 and then again just six hours after she got her car back from the shop following the second theft attempt. It wont be fixed this time for several months because all the parts are on backorder, she wrote in a message. (I) cant sell it because its not worth anything. And were several insurance claims in now. In a letter sent to Kia and Hyundai on Aug. 19, St. Louis city counselor Sheena Hamilton argued that the companies should take responsibility for the thefts because the cars dont have engine immobilizers. The letter threatened a lawsuit if within 30 days they did not make satisfactory progress toward addressing the defect that makes some of their cars easier to steal. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said engine immobilizers are considered standard equipment on nearly all similar vehicles by other manufacturers, Kia and Hyundai attorneys noted in their response to the city that the technology is not federally required. The manufacturers argued their vehicles are not responsible for skyrocketing rates of theft in St. Louis and nationwide and insisted theyve taken steps to assist car owners and municipalities by providing free steering wheel locks to local police departments. In September, when 30 days had passed since the city sent its initial letter, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said in a statement that city attorneys would meet with the manufacturers to discuss their ideas and determine next steps. Spokesperson Nick Dunne said in an email Friday that city officials are continuing to review the manufacturers responses. Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors, but the two operate independently. Meanwhile, Thomas, of south St. Louis, said hes worked to get the cars back to their owners through social media posts and has managed to reunite multiple people with their stolen cars. I feel for the police. Theyve got their hands tied because theyre minors. What are they supposed to do? Thomas said. Its just a no-win situation at this point. It seems like the city is falling apart. ST. LOUIS A man was shot and killed in a flurry of gunfire Friday morning in the city's Walnut Park East neighborhood. The man, in his 40s, was found on a porch in the 4700 block of Wren Avenue just after 6:53 a.m. surrounded by bullet casings. He has not been identified, police said. The final Jan. 6 insurrection committee hearing on Thursday presented what, in any other historical context, would have been a series of major bombshells. But in this shell-shocked nation, numbed by years of daily Trumpian outrages, the idea of a president and his advisers colluding to organize a violent coup no longer seems to spark the sustained outrage it deserves. Americans should be outraged nevertheless because the evidence is clear: Donald Trump worked actively to subvert an election and seize power through a violent attack on Congress. An astonishing number of Americans still dont grasp why that was such a bad thing, as if its OK to take up knives, guns, bear spray, battering rams, and military-style body armor to invade the Capitol simply because an election didnt yield the desired result. Evidence abounds that Trump knew weeks ahead of the November 2020 election that his defeat loomed, and he colluded with outsiders to stay in the White House anyway. Contacts were established with right-wing militias to lead a military-style assault on the Capitol. Trump advisers Roger Stone and Steve Bannon helped with coordination. Bannon, chief White House strategist in 2017, said in an audio recording more than a week before the election: What Trumps gonna do is just declare victory, right? Hes gonna declare victory. But that doesnt mean hes a winner. Hes just gonna say hes the winner. If Trump is losing by 10 or 11 oclock at night [on Election Day], its going to be even crazier. Because hes going to sit right there and say, they stole it. Stone, in separate video footage, stated that if the election result was still undecided on election night, the key thing to do is to claim victory. In a subsequent clip, he stated bluntly regarding a Trump loss, F*** the voting, lets get right to the violence. Well have to start smashing pumpkins, if you know what I mean. Bannon used a broadcast to warn on Jan. 5: All hell is going to break loose tomorrow. Its all converging and now were on, as they say, the point of attack, right, the point of attack tomorrow. Trump consulted with a close adviser, Tom Fitton, about declaring victory before the votes were counted. Fitton told the House committee that preparations for a victory declaration, even if Trump were to lose, began four months before the election. The insurrection was premeditated, with Trump playing an active role in the planning. The question is whether Attorney General Merrick Garland has the intestinal fortitude to prosecute. The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated in a ruling in another Trump case that it would not intervene to rescue the ex-president. If Trump isnt held accountable, he or someone inspired by his wanton display of criminal conduct will almost certainly try it again. What would they have to lose? SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE: PINS) will release financial results for the third quarter 2022 on Thursday, October 27th, 2022 after market close. The company will host a Q&A conference call to discuss these results at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) on the same day. A live webcast of the conference call and related earnings release materials can be accessed on Pinterests Investor Relations website at investor.pinterestinc.com. A replay of the webcast will be available through the same link following the conference call. Disclosure Information Pinterest uses and intends to continue to use its Investor Relations website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the companys Investor Relations website, in addition to following the companys press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. About Pinterest Pinterest is the daily visual inspiration platform people around the world use to shop products personalized to their taste, find ideas to do offline and discover the most inspiring content. People have saved more than 390 billion Pins across a range of interests from building a home office to cooking a new recipe and planning a vacation. Headquartered in San Francisco, Pinterest launched in 2010 and has more than 400 million monthly active users worldwide. Available on iOS and Android, and at pinterest.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221014005544/en/ Press LeMia Jenkins [email protected] Investor Relations Neil Doshi [email protected] Source: Pinterest, Inc. SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The 4th Shanghai International Artwork Trade Week will be held at Shanghai Exhibition Center from November 10th to November 14th, 2022. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221012005511/en/ The 9th ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair Since 2019, Shanghai has held three consecutive "International Art Trade Months". Each year it attracts more than 100 global art institutions to participate, holding more than 100 art activities in a concentrated manner and sealing over 10 billion art trade deals. The concentration, identification, and global influence of Shanghai's art industry have been significantly enhanced as a result of such events. The 3rd International Art Fair Month hosted a unique "Cultural Relics and Art section of the import fair with a turnover of 760 million yuan, far exceeding the previous turnover of 2.2 million yuan achieved through their five exhibits in 2020 and becoming Chinas entrance for international cultural relics and art. This time around, in conjunction with the art season, it will launch the "Shanghai Art Exhibition" and organize 96 art galleries in Shanghai to hold more than 140 exhibitions and a number of public education activities. "Art Shanghai" will be implemented for the first time, linking art collection with art aesthetic education. With the theme of GLOBAL ART IN SHANGHAI ", this Shanghai International Art Fair will gather three major art fairs: The 1st China International Antiques and Fine Art Fair, ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair, and West Bund Art&Design, with a total of more than 200 exhibitors, 6,000 exhibits, and an estimated value of over RMB 5 billion. At the same time, high-quality art activities such as Shanghai Dialogue, Art Bund, and Hues of Shanghai The Fine Art Exhibition Season will be held to create the Golden Week of Shanghai cultural relics and art trade. In the global art trade period, this November will be fixed as "SHANGHAI TIME", which is internationally influential and recognized by the cultural relics and art industry and focuses on cultural relics and art trade. On the afternoon of November 10th (Thursday), the opening ceremony of the 4th Shanghai International Artwork Trade Week will also be held in the Friendship Hall of Shanghai Exhibition Center. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221012005511/en/ Media: Shanghai International Artwork Trade Week Liu Xiangyu +(86)13621972328 [email protected] Source: Shanghai International Artwork Trade Week Brussels, Oct. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, the Group of 77 (G77) and China and the Africa Group at the UN have once again tabled resolution drafts, which would bring reform of international tax rules to its rightful institution and enshrine international cooperation in tax matters on the basis of equality and fairness. The Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) joins other members of the Civil Society Financing for Development (CS FfD) Group in its support for the draft resolutions, and launches a statement endorsing the call of the African Ministers of Finance for a UN Tax Convention. An initiative of the Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), in collaboration with the Red de Justicia Fiscal de America Latina y el Caribe (RJFALC) and Tax and Fiscal Justice Asia (TAFJA) members of GATJ the statement was signed by 228 civil society organisations worldwide. The statement reflects the wide support the call for a UN-based and Member States-led intergovernmental process has, as the only inclusive and democratic alternative to reform international tax rules. We are ready to mobilise and raise the pressure on UN Member States to overcome the blockage of OECD countries and work collaboratively to pass these resolutions, said Dereje Alemayehu, Executive Coordinator of GATJ. Luis Moreno, member of RJFALC and Chair of the GATJs Coordination Committee said: OECD countries have been pursuing a two-pronged approach regarding reform of international tax rules. They have been trying to impose binding reforms that serve mainly their interest at the cost of developing countries, as well as to lock them into agreements that will perpetuate the denial of their international taxing rights. In their first approach, the OECD-led process is failing to reach any conclusion. However, they have so far succeeded in their second approach: blocking the start of an intergovernmental process at the UN. The resolution drafts of the G77 and China and the Africa Group at the UN are first steps to end this blockage. We call on all developing countries, and in particular those in Latin America and the Caribbean, to firmly support these resolutions. Alvin Mosioma, Executive Director of TJNA said: Illicit financial flows and other forms of tax abuse by multinational corporations and wealthy individuals are draining an increasing amount of resources much needed for recovery and development. Developing countries, where the need for resources is greater, are deprived of them. This outflow of resources is multiple times higher than inflows in the form of official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI). Unless the failures of the international tax system are urgently addressed, developing countries will continue to lose billions of dollars due to illicit financial flows and other forms of tax abuse. This situation has to be brought to an end. The G77 and China and the Africa Group at the UN are leading the way. Developing countries should unite to stop the blockers from thwarting a member state led process. Jeannie Manipon, member of the Coordination Committee of TAFJA and GATJ said: Besides usurping the role of reforming international tax rules, the G7 has not moved an inch in curbing illicit financial flows (IFF) and reducing tax abuses. There is thus no improvement to expect if tax rule making is left with the G20. Many OECD countries have a big share of the responsibility in tax abuses of all forms because they are the destination of IFF and host of enabler institutions. That is why they are not taking measures to close down tax havens and to sanction enablers of tax dodging and IFF. On the other they are blocking the reform of the global tax system through an inclusive intergovernmental process at the UN to address these challenges. The resolution drafts forwarded by the G77 and the Africa Group at the UN should be endorsed and translated into action urgently. The OECD countries must stop blocking a UN-based inclusive and transparent intergovernmental process to democratise global tax governance in which all countries participate on an equal footing. We call on all G77 countries to withstand the bullying and divide and rule tactics of OECD countries and actively collaborate in their fight for a Member States-led elaboration of a UN Tax Convention, for an improved and equitable international tax cooperation. NOTES TO THE EDITORS The G77 and China resolution published this week: https://undocs.org/A/C.2/77/L.8 Africa Group resolution published this week: https://undocs.org/A/C.2/77/L.11 Statement by TJNA, RJFALC, TAFJA and GATJ in support of the call by African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for a UN Tax Convention: https://globaltaxjustice.org/libraries/statement-support-for-the-call-by-african-ministers-of-finance-for-a-un-tax-convention/ The G77 and China and its members have been calling for a UN intergovernmental tax body for over two decades. This database developed by the CS FfD Group tracks statements by governments supporting this call: https://csoforffd.org/2021/10/27/database-governments-supporting-an-intergovernmental-un-tax-body-and-or-un-tax-convention/ Building on the call by G77 and China, in 2019 a call to develop a UN Tax Convention was first put forward by the Africa Group at the United Nations. The following year, it was included in a Menu of Options produced as part of a UN process to consider how the international community could respond to the COVID-19 crisis. In February 2021, the FACTI Panel which had been set up by the President of the UN General Assembly (at the time Nigeria) and the President of the UN Economic and Social Council (at the time Norway) also included the proposal for a UN Tax Convention as a key recommendation in its final report. In May 2022, the African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development reiterated the call at their 54th session in Dakar. The Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) and the European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad) launched in March 2022 a civil society proposal for a UN Tax Convention, which responds to these calls and a number of other concerns that have been raised regarding the existing international tax system: https://globaltaxjustice.org/news/ground-breaking-civil-society-proposal-for-a-un-convention-on-tax-is-published/ ABOUT THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR TAX JUSTICE The Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) is a South-led global coalition in the tax justice movement. Together we work for a world where progressive and redistributive tax policies counteract inequalities within and between countries, and generate the public funding needed to ensure essential services and human rights. Created in 2013, GATJ comprises regional tax justice networks in Asia (Tax & Fiscal Justice Asia), Africa (Tax Justice Network Africa), Latin America (Red de Justicia Fiscal de America Latina y el Caribe), Europe (Tax Justice-Europe) and North America (Canadians for Tax Fairness & FACT Coalition), collectively representing hundreds of organisations. Attachment Lays Ushirobira Global Alliance for Tax Justice +34 685 200 591 [email protected] Source: Global Alliance for Tax Justice RALEIGH, N.C. (Tribune News Service) A 29-year-old Raleigh police officer was among the five people killed in a mass shooting Thursday in northeast Raleigh. Officer Gabriel Jesus Torres was off-duty at the time of the shooting, but was on his way to work when he was shot and killed the Hedingham neighborhood, Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said Friday morning. Torres was not in uniform or in his patrol car when he was shot, she said. Patterson said Torres had been with the department for 18 months. Before that, Torres served as a Marine at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville. He was a Marine from November 2016 to February 2021, reaching the rank of sergeant, according to information provided to The N&O by the United States Marine Corps. Torres leaves behind his wife and one child, Patterson said. In a statement posted to Facebook, the Raleigh Police Protective Association said the organization is committed to Officer Torress family and are in the process of setting up fundraising efforts that are approved and authorized by the family. We ask all of you to please pray and keep in your thoughts Officer Torres and the other victims of this senseless act of evil, the association said. News of another law enforcement officers death rattled the community still reeling from the fatal shooting of Wake Sheriffs Deputy Ned Byrd in August. Byrd, a K-9 officer, was killed while on-duty. Patterson said Thursdays shooting adds to the stress and trauma that officers are facing. Its been 20 years since a Raleigh Police officer was killed. That was Sept. 10, 2002, when Officer Charles R. Paul hit a guard rail on Interstate 40 as he attempted to catch up to a speeding vehicle, The N&O reported. Torres, a Marine veteran As a sergeant, he was part of Combat Logistic Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. His military awards include a Good Conduct Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal and a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. His military occupancy specialty was as an electrician. His last assignment was at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He moved to Raleigh in May 2021, public records show. GoFundMe organized for family Back the Blue NC, an organization of proud residents from North Carolina who support our local, state, and federal Law Enforcement, has organized a GoFundMe fundraiser for Torres family. The Raleigh Police Protective Association shared a link to the online fundraiser on the organizations Facebook page, and told The N&O that the fundraiser is official. Lindsay LiCausi, founder of Back the Blue NC, told The N&O that she had authorized the fundraiser with Torres wife. The fundraisers description says that 100% of the proceeds collected will be delivered directly to the surviving family. The fundraiser is available at gofundme.. News of a Raleigh officers death was delivered next to the citys police memorial Anna Johnson and David Raynor contributed to this story. 2022 Raleigh News & Observer. Visit newsobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Tribune News Service) The Navy responded to three water main breaks on its Oahu system Friday, urging water conservation and issuing a boil-water advisory to the 93, 000 people served by the system. Capt. Mark Sohaney, commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, told reporters during a Friday news conference that the breaks had affected joint base facilities, housing, child development centers, schools, the Navy Exchange and some of our non- Department of Defense customers. Child development centers and public schools were closed for the day. Sohaney set up an Emergency Operations Center to deal with the situation. He didnt have a timeline for when the breaks will be repaired, but said he hopes to fix the problem swiftly. I think the question on everyones mind is, When will it be safe to drink the water again ? Sohaney said. So weve got repair crews on-site doing an assessment, and that all will drive the timeline. In the meantime, water distribution sites have been established at the Hickam Main Exchange parking lot near Burger King and the main Navy Exchange parking lot for JBPHH military family housing residents affected by the water main breaks. The sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice, the Navy said. Sohaney said the Navy is working with the state Department of Health to address any concerns about water quality once repairs are completed. In a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, DOH spokesperson Kaitlin Arita-Chang said, We are the regulator, not the operator of the system. Its incumbent on the Navy as the operator of the system to fix the breaks and restore service, just like how other public water systems like the Board of Water Supply fix their own breaks. Navy officials say that while there is no indication of contamination at this time, the breaks could potentially open up the system to contaminants. Any time you have a main break, theres obviously going to be a void in the water, and weve lost pressure and theres a possibility of infiltration, Sohaney said. So out of an abundance of cautionthis is normal practice of protocol for any type of break like thisI issued that boil-water advisory to make sure folks remain safe. The Navy is removing fuel from the pipe system connecting its underground Red Hill fuel storage facility to JBPHH, the first step in ultimately defueling and shutting down the facility permanently. In November, fuel from the facility made its way into the Navys water system, leading to contamination that sickened hundreds of residents. The facilitys underground storage tanks sit 100 feet above a critical aquifer that provides drinking water for the majority of urban Honolulu. The incident has strained relations between Navy officials and military families on base, as well as state officials and residents in surrounding communities. Though both the Navy and DOH say the Navys water system is now safe to drink again after extensive cleaning efforts, many residents fear residual contamination. Im not concerned about fuel whatsoever, Sohaney said. What Im concerned about is potentially soil and bacteria. Its a low possibility, but I want to make sure that our water is safe. On Oct. 7, Tripler Army Medical Center experienced a water main break, forcing the hospital to cancel patient appointments for the day. The hospital ultimately called the Honolulu Board of Water Supply requesting additional water. Navy officials told reporters Friday they did not think that would be necessary to address the current water main breaks. We dont meet the conditions in which we would call them for additional water ; were OK for now, Sohaney said. But when reached for comment by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the BWS said the Navy had reached out with a preliminary request to send water to its system. The BWS has asked the Navy to provide more information about their water needsincluding the amount of water and duration of assistance being asked forto adequately determine if we can accommodate the request without negatively impacting the BWSs system and its customers, said BWS spokesperson Tracy Burgo. The BWS has been dealing with its own water supply challenges resulting from the shutdown of three of its own sources due to the Navys 2021 Red Hill facility fuel leak. The Navy had asked residents of its bases to scale back water use in the aftermath of the contamination and the loss of its Red Hill water well, which is undergoing remediation efforts. The Navy has since had to rely on its Waiawa shaft for water, but in June the Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management warned the Navy that it was over-pumping that well. According to the Navy, the first main break Friday occurred at about 4 :15 a.m. at the Waiau Hawaiian Electric power station off Kamehameha Highway. Then about 30 minutes later, a car crashed near a Naval Exchange around Pearl City. Apparently, that vehicle struck a riser and created a leak as well, and that leak has been secured and isolated, Sohaney said. He said the third leak, at the Navys West Loch Annex, was an anticipated effect of efforts to contain the first two leaks. What we did is we isolated both of those, and when you isolate the main break ... (and ) divert that water, now youre bringing a lot of pressure back into the system. We expect other potential weak areas in the system to potentially have a leak, he explained. And thats what we have : We have a smaller line leak that is not a major concern. NAVY WATER DISTRIBUTION Residents of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam military family housing affected by the water main breaks can pick up 1 gallon of water per person, per day. A valid military ID is required.Where : Hickam Main Exchange parking lot near Burger King and the main Navy Exchange parking lotWhen : 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further noticeOther information : The Navy is urging water conservation and notes that a boil-water advisory remains in effect for affected areas until further notice. (c)2022 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Tribune News Service) Submarine crews from World War II were honored with a memorial at the Naval Reserve center near Lehigh Valley International Airport in 1985. Hundreds of people attended the dedication, including local submarine veterans. Today, there are few submarine veterans left from that war. And their memorial is gone now, too. The reserve center, on Postal Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, is closing as the Naval Reserve consolidates operations. As it winds down, the center is removing government property including the 21-foot-long, 2,700-pound torpedo that was the centerpiece of the monument. The torpedo has been put on a crate to be shipped out, destination unknown. Two plaques that were part of the memorial were given to members of a local submarine veterans organization, the Lehigh Valley chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. They have asked for the torpedo, too. Their intention is to find a suitable place to rebuild the memorial. So far, their request has been denied. Nowadays, they should be putting memorials up, not taking them down, said Bill Reightler of Catasauqua, who served from 1951 to 1955 on the USS Blackfin, which earned three battle stars for its operations during World War II. Reightler and other local submarine veterans believe the torpedo is owned by the residents of the Lehigh Valley. They say the Navy has no right to send it elsewhere. They point to language on one of the plaques that was with the torpedo. It says: Mark 14 torpedo, Model 3A, Serial 92516, donated by the United States Navy to the residents of Lehigh Valley, Pa. The plaque says the torpedo was presented to the citizens of the Lehigh Valley in memory of its servicemen who gallantly gave their lives for the cause of freedom. Im saying we own the damn torpedo, Reightler said. The Navy dont own it. They gave it away. That sounds logical, based on the language on the plaque. It hasnt been easy determining who owns the torpedo. Cmdr. Jeff Gray of the Naval Reserve Great Lakes Readiness Command near Chicago said that while the plaque says the torpedo was donated by the Navy to the residents of the Lehigh Valley, it is government property. They dont give government property away, he said. The Navy loans items, classified as artifacts, to qualifying organizations, Gray said. But the Navy still owns the property. He said it would be up to the Naval History and Heritage Command, which manages artifacts, to determine what happens with the torpedo. The History and Heritage Command said it does not own the torpedo, and referred questions about it to the Naval Reserve. Gray said on Oct. 10 that officials were reviewing the matter. The plaque with the torpedo says it was restored by members of the Lehigh Valley chapter of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. The congressionally chartered organization disbanded its national chapter in 2014 amid dwindling membership; only about 1% of the 16 million Americans who served in the war are still alive. The other plaque that was at the former memorial lists the submarines that were lost during World War II, and the number of crew who went down with them. Altogether, 3,505 service members died on 52 subs. A local World War II submarine veteran of 36 years, Martin Schaffer of Allentown, was the driving force to build the memorial at the Naval Reserve center. He became master chief of the center and then president of the Lehigh Valley chapter of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II. Schaffer, who passed away in 2002, likely obtained the torpedo from a connection in the Navy, said his grandson, John Graver, who served in the Navy and now is an Air Force colonel in Colorado. Graver said he suspects that is the origin of the torpedo because thats how his grandfather obtained another torpedo for another memorial to a submarine lost at sea, the USS Wahoo, in Williamsport. An article in The Parkland Press in 1997 explains how Schaffer got that torpedo from a Navy chief in Norfolk. After retiring from the Navy Reserves and Bethlehem Steel in 1980, Schaffer dedicated a lot of time to ensuring submarine veterans were not forgotten. He even helped to get a memorial for the USS Wahoo built in Japan in 1995. At the request of the younger brother of a sailor lost on the Wahoo, Schaffer traveled to Japan to learn as much as he could about the sinking of the submarine near that countrys coast in 1943. All 80 crew members perished. Schaffer met and befriended a Japanese pilot, sailor and shore artilleryman who had fired on the submarine during the battle. That was a big deal to be able to connect the dots for all the families, providing closure and a memorial to their sons dedication to the nation, Graver told me. Everything Martin Schaffer did to memorialize the submariners lost at sea in World War II was through kindness and reuniting people. Graver said he hopes the Navy will agree to leave the torpedo in the Lehigh Valley so it can be restored to its intended use as a tribute. He said he shared that information with Cmdr. Gray at the Naval Reserve Great Lakes Readiness Command. He said he was told that if the local U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc. wants the torpedo, it will have to apply for it to be loaned through the artifacts program at Naval History and Heritage Command. The good news is the Navy wants artifacts to be out there and seen by the public to tell the Navy story, Graver said. U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc., which is open to all submarine veterans, is now the predominant organization for honoring submarine history. As of last year, it had more than 11,000 members in more than 165 chapters. Members of the local organization have lobbied Congresswoman Susan Wild to help keep the torpedo in the Lehigh Valley. James Dal Maso of Emmaus, vice commander of the local chapter, wrote to Wild last month seeking help. Our organization would like to take possession of it for a future memorial to be determined at a later date in Lehigh County, wrote Dal Maso, who served on the USS Trutta from 1961 to 1964. Wilds office is trying to keep the torpedo local, said communications director Olivia Taylor-Puckett. Theres no good reason it should go elsewhere, she told me. There sure isnt. This dilemma shouldnt be difficult to solve. The Navy should work with the local veterans group to keep the torpedo in the Lehigh Valley. And the local group should commit to properly maintaining and displaying it. 2022 The Morning Call. Visit mcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. HAMILTON, Bermuda - The idea was to bring Bermuda's drug laws into the 21st century. The cannabis laws in Britain's oldest overseas territory harmed Black islanders disproportionately, Attorney General Kathy Lynn Simmons said, and represented the "stain of colonialism." So the government in this Atlantic archipelago of 64,000 people approved legislation to liberalize the code. All that remained to enact it was the assent of the governor, the British monarch's representative in the territory - usually a formality. But some 3,300 miles away, in Mother Britain, there was a problem. The foreign secretary had concluded that the bill would put Britain in violation of international drug control treaties that forbid signatories from permitting the recreational use of cannabis. And so Rena Lalgie, the crown-appointed governor of Bermuda, said last month she had "received an instruction" issued on "Her Majesty's behalf, not to assent to the bill as drafted." The denial came despite warnings by Bermudian Premier E. David Burt that it would "destroy" the territory's relationship with Britain. It has sparked worries about a constitutional crisis and charges of undue interference by London in a territory where talk of independence has long ebbed and flowed. Simmons said the decision was "disappointing, but not surprising, given the confines of our constitutional relationship with the U.K. government and their archaic interpretation of the narcotic conventions." If not surprising, it was unusual. Peter Clegg, a professor of politics and international relations at the University of the West of England, Bristol, said he couldn't remember another instance in which a territorial governor has withheld assent from a bill approved by the local government. It's a "very controversial" step, he said, "because it goes to the heart of a territory's autonomy and democracy." Lynne Winfield, the secretary of Citizens Uprooting Racism Bermuda, has a name for it. "I think . . . it's a form of new colonialism," she said. Momentum to legalize cannabis is picking up speed around the world. Recreational use of the drug, with some restrictions, is legal in countries such as Canada, Mexico and South Africa. Germany's coalition government plans to join that list. In the United States, federal law prohibits the possession or use of cannabis. But more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia have legalized its recreational use. And President Biden this month announced plans to pardon anyone convicted of a federal offenses for simple possession of the drug, and urged governors to do the same at the state level. Bermuda decriminalized the personal possession of up to seven grams of cannabis in 2017, but stopped short of legalizing the drug. Burt's Progressive Labour Party won reelection in a landslide in 2020 on a platform that included a pledge to liberalize cannabis laws still further. Under the bill approved by the territorial legislature, a "cannabis licensing authority" would grant licenses to grow and sell the drug for personal and commercial purposes and regulate the new industry. It set the minimum age to apply for a license at 21, and would allow for cannabis to be consumed in public only at cannabis retail shops or specific cannabis events. Burt's government sought initially to introduce legislation that was narrower and focused on legalizing medicinal cannabis, but it changed course after it heard from members of the public that its proposal didn't go far enough. Backers of legalization here say that's still the case. The government says its cannabis regime could help fuel the post-pandemic economic recovery while addressing systemic racism in the territory amid a broader hemispheric reckoning over the sins and legacies of colonialism. It intended to issue the first licenses to people who have been negatively impacted by prohibition, including those with convictions for simple possession. When Simmons introduced the bill, she said laws barring cannabis use had been used by the territory's colonial government and the police during civil uprisings in the 1960s and 1970s to "quell that disquiet and to systematically criminalize Blacks on the front lines of the racial progress movement." "If Black lives truly do matter," she said, "you should not hasten to recognize, deconstruct and reform laws, institutions and systems that are racialized and harmful to Blacks. . . . The unjust colonial legacy of our local laws has not been fully dismantled." Bermuda's 36-member House of Assembly passed the bill in 2021, but the Senate rejected it. Under the territory's constitution, the lower house can pass a new bill identical to the old one a second time and present it to the governor for assent, even if the Senate blocks it a second time. Lalgie reserved assent in May, and refused it last month. She said she was open to working with Bermuda "on reforms within the scope of our existing international obligations." A spokeswoman for the governor told The Washington Post that "the offer of discussions remains open." Bermuda, a 21-square-mile archipelago with pink sand beaches, is the oldest of Britain's 14 overseas territories. It has its own constitution and parliament. Britain is responsible for its defense, foreign policy and security. A playground for the wealthy, home to the descendants of enslaved people brought here centuries ago by British colonists, Bermuda is the most recent overseas territory to hold a referendum on independence. About 73 percent of voters in 1995 opted to remain a territory. Many other jurisdictions that have liberalized their cannabis laws - including Canada, a commonwealth realm in which, like Bermuda, King Charles III is head of state - are in contravention of the U.N. treaties that Britain is worried about, said Damon Barrett, a lecturer at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The treaties bar states from cultivating and exporting cannabis outside of medical or scientific purposes. But enforcing those treaties requires diplomatic will from member states, Barrett said, and there's not "a lot of desire to expend political capital on that." When Simmons introduced the bill, she acknowledged that its provisions would go beyond what the treaties allow. But it would be "disingenuous," she said, for international bodies to sanction Bermuda for easing its cannabis prohibitions when it has rebuked but not punished countries such as Canada. "Even though we are officially represented by the U.K. government at the international level," she said, "Bermuda's own voice on issues which affect all political, economic or financial interests must be represented." One Bermuda Alliance, Bermuda's main opposition party, did not support the bill. It has charged that the government knew the governor would refuse assent, but pushed forward to force a clash with London with the goal of ginning up support for independence. Political strategist Corey Butterfield said the government could work around the issue by reclassifying how cannabis is scheduled under its drug laws. That would not require parliament's approval. "So the real question is why not do that?" he asked. "Why set up the fight in the first place in parliament?" Tina Evans, a spokeswoman for Bermuda's government, declined to respond to questions sent by The Post. She said the "matter continues to evolve," but did not elaborate. Relations between Britain and its overseas territories can be thorny. A British government proposal this year to impose direct rule from London on the British Virgin Islands after a public inquiry detailed systemic corruption in the territory drew recriminations across the Caribbean and accusations of overreach. Britain eventually backed down. Clegg said disagreements between Britain and its territories have stemmed mostly from London seeking to impose changes, such as recognizing same-sex marriage or abolishing the death penalty, on its overseas possessions. Bermuda's governor in 2018 granted assent to a bill that reversed the right of same-sex couples to marry. The British government said it disapproved of the law, which was condemned by LGBTQ advocates and human rights groups, but couldn't step in. In 2019, a parliamentary committee in Britain said the government must be prepared to "intervene" in territories where same-sex marriage was illegal or restricted, as it did in 2001 when it decriminalized homosexuality in the territories. So far, Britain hasn't gone down that road. On cannabis, the question now is what comes next. "Constitutionally, the U.K. does have the authority not to give assent," Clegg said. "But what happens if Bermuda makes the change anyway? That could be unchartered waters, but might be a way of testing the U.K.'s resolve." (Tribune News Service) The United States has drafted a United Nations Security Council resolution that will encourage the "immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force" to Haiti to address the nation's worst security and health crisis in decades, according to a copy of the resolution obtained by McClatchy and the Miami Herald. The draft resolution, confirmed by multiple U.S. and U.N. officials, comes in response to a call by U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week for the establishment of a rapid reaction force to assist the Haitian National Police. Over the past four weeks, powerful armed gangs have all but sent the country into anarchy, blockading the country's largest fuel terminals and cutting off its critical roadways. It is the first public indication so far that the Biden administration is willing to participate in a military force in Haiti although the resolution does not specify what role various nations would play. A U.S. source familiar with the drafting of the resolution said that the multilateral force would not be under the supervision of the U.N. or assembled under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, which endorses the use of force for the maintenance of peace. The violence and lack of governance in Haiti has led to a shortage of potable water and a burgeoning cholera outbreak, alarming the international community and forcing the Biden administration long reluctant to intervene in Haiti militarily to acknowledge last week that the status quo has become untenable. If the draft resolution remains unchanged, and the Security Council adopts it, the U.N. would encourage "the immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force to support the (Haiti National Police) as recommended in the Secretary-General's letter," according to the draft. It is still unclear whether China or Russia, two permanent members of the Security Council, will support the resolution. China has been critical in recent months of the international community's approach to Haiti and has called for a stronger arms embargo on the Caribbean nation. The United States is also seeking a U.N. mechanism that will levy international sanctions against Haiti's gang leaders. This week, the U.S sent an elite disaster assistance response team to Port-au-Prince, deployed a major Coast Guard vessel to patrol the Haitian coast and issued visa restrictions on prominent Haitians involved in the violence. On Saturday, flights from both Canada and the U.S. are expected to land in at the Port-au-Prince airport carrying critical security assistance, including armed vehicles ordered by the Haitian police, according to two sources familiar with the matter. 2022 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. HUALIEN, Taiwan - From a young age, Wang You-cheng and his friends debated what seemed like a theoretical question: If China were to attack, would they be willing to fight to protect their home? Growing up in Hualien, where half a dozen military installations guard Taiwan's east coast, the boys became accustomed to the sounds and sights of preparation for a war that seemed like it would never come. Airtight windows at schools blocked out the boom of F-16 fighter jets; military trucks mixed with mopeds in traffic. Wang and his friends played survival games and learned to shoot BB guns. Their games have now morphed into the basics of civil defense as they realize war looms closer than they thought. "Taiwan is actually one of the most dangerous places in the world," said the 17-year-old, seated in an air-gun shop with his childhood friends, Liao Hong-yu, 17, and Chen Yi Hsiang, 18. It's a reality dawning on more of the island's 23 million people as Chinese leader Xi Jinping's determination to "resolve the Taiwan question" grows in tandem with his ambition to realize China's place at the top of the global order. Xi's pursuit of these goals risks a wider military conflict that would pit China against the United States and its allies in Asia. President Biden reiterated last month that American troops would defend Taiwan if China invaded, even as White House officials said his remarks did not signal a change in the U.S. position of strategic ambiguity toward the island. Xi is expected to secure a third term next week, granting him an extended reign and more latitude to realize the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation." Unification with Taiwan, by force or negotiations, is a core part of that vision. For decades, Chinese leaders have pledged to take Taiwan, where Kuomintang military forces and hundreds of thousands of Chinese fled and set up a rival government after their 1949 defeat by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Generations of Chinese students have been taught that Taiwan is an inviolable part of their country, separated by an accident of history. Under Xi, that is no longer mere propaganda. "He doesn't regard it as just a slogan. It's an action plan that must be implemented," said Chang Wu-ueh, a professor focusing on cross-strait relations at Tamkang University and an adviser to Taiwan's government. "Before, leaders talked about unification as something to be achieved in the long run. Now, it's number one on the agenda." In the uneasy stalemate since China stopped shelling Taiwan's offshore islands in the 1970s, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have only moved further apart. While Taiwan transitioned into a multiparty democracy and its citizens increasingly identified as Taiwanese rather than Chinese, Beijing has grown more adamant that they and the rest of the world recognize the island - which the CCP has never governed - as part of China. The uncompromising approach has led China to cut off official communication with the Taiwanese government of President Tsai Ing-wen, ending years of exchanges and economic cooperation that Chinese officials thought would lead to unification and that Taiwan officials hoped would stave off conflict. Chinese military aircraft now ignore the median line of the strait, an unofficial border that both sides largely respected for decades. Export bans punish Taiwanese farmers and businesses, while Beijing officials vow "resolute punishment" for anyone seen as supporting Taiwan independence. In Hong Kong, the model for the "one country, two systems" formula that China proposes for Taiwan, a sweeping national security law has crushed civil society and much of the city's autonomy. Repulsed by the hard-line approach, Taiwan's voters reelected Tsai in a landslide in 2020 after she highlighted Hong Kong's fate as a reason to reject Beijing's overtures. Xi, who turns 70 next year, now finds himself with narrowing options to accomplish his mission peacefully - increasing the chance that Beijing may eventually resort to military action. He has termed unification "inevitable" and said that he will use force if necessary. In a speech Monday marking Taiwan's National Day, Tsai was equally resolute. "The broadest consensus among the Taiwanese people is that we must defend our national sovereignty and our free and democratic way of life," she said. "We have no room for compromise." Taiwan's defense minister said this month that any intrusion into Taiwan's airspace by Chinese military aircraft or drones would constitute a "first strike," an action the ministry previously defined as an attack by artillery and missiles. For residents in Hualien, a picturesque coastal town closer to Japan than to China, that warning took on new meaning as the seemingly faraway tensions of the Taiwan Strait landed on their doorstep. In August, in retaliation for U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei, the People's Liberation Army fired missiles over Taiwan and carried out drills to simulate a blockade of the island, including for the first time firing missiles that landed in the sea off the coast of Hualien. The once-regular intervals of Taiwanese F-16 fighter jets suddenly became unpredictable, as planes roared day and night to intercept Chinese aircraft. When the exercises began, Bao Jhih-jia, 33, who runs a cafe built out of an old pillbox fortification, debated with his wife whether they should run or hide in the event of an attack. "Of course, we don't agree with unification," he said. "But right now, if there was a war, Taiwan for sure could not win." Taiwan's government has been building up military assets in Hualien and along the east coast since 2016, when relations with China worsened following the initial election of Tsai, leader of the Democratic Progressive People's Party, which Beijing sees as supporting Taiwan independence. New fighter aircraft are being stationed in Hualien, where a hangar built out of a cave system in the mountains can store 200 jets, protected from enemy missiles, according to Kolas Yotaka, a former presidential spokesperson who is running for governor of Hualien county. New reconnaissance drones and anti-ship missile systems are also to be installed along the east coast, according to government announcements. "We cannot be so naive as to think China will not attack," Yotaka said. "The front line is no longer just in the west, in Kinmen and Matsu," she said, referring to the Taiwan-controlled islands closer to China. "Now the east coast is a front line." Across Taiwan, citizens are thinking more seriously about the possibility of war, inspired in part by Ukraine's resistance against Russia. Former soldiers, politicians and nongovernmental organizations hold training sessions in self-defense and first-aid, as well as talks on how an attack by China might unfold. An annual four-day air raid drill in July was expanded to require some residents to hide in shelters. For many, the question is when, not if, Beijing will make good on its threats. Having seen the crushing of Hong Kong's democracy movement, residents like Wang and his friends in Hualien have little faith in Beijing's promises of autonomy under a similar two-systems arrangement. "Nothing they say is believable," Liao said. "We need to learn more to save and help ourselves." A full-scale invasion of Taiwan would involve an amphibious landing, necessitating the transportation of huge numbers of soldiers, armor and supplies across the notoriously rough, 100-mile-wide strait. Military experts say the People's Liberation Army is not yet equipped to pull it off, although China's military capacity is growing. While Taiwan's presidential election next year could affect Beijing's calculus, national security officials and government advisers in Taiwan cite two particular dates on the calendar. By 2027, the Chinese military may be capable of launching a full attack on Taiwan, according to congressional testimony last year by the then-commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Adm. Philip Davidson. The year 2049, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, is Xi's target deadline for realizing China's "great rejuvenation." "We don't have much time to prepare ourselves, and our resources are far less than China's. It's an extreme imbalance," said Lee Hsi Ming, former chief of general staff of Taiwan's armed forces. Xi is constrained by the fact that an attack would be a huge gamble, potentially miring China in a costly war with the United States. Despite increasingly aggressive posturing, Beijing has taken steps to prevent fraught U.S.-China ties from worsening. Xi and Biden, who spoke by phone before Pelosi's visit, are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in November. Short of a full-scale attack, Xi has other options. These include ramping up sanctions on Taiwanese businesses, escalating gray-zone tactics - coercive actions that stop short of conflict but exhaust the island's military - and further isolating Taipei on the global stage. "It's a constant warning to Taiwan and the U.S. that China could do more, that it could go further," said Bonnie Glaser, director of the German Marshall Fund's Asia program. "They want to squeeze the ability of Taiwan to exercise its own sovereignty until, eventually, the people of Taiwan say, 'Our lives aren't going to get better until we agree to be part of mainland China.' " Yet, as China applies increasing pressure, Taiwan's people see themselves as ever more distinct from those across the strait - and by extension, less inclined to accept rule by the People's Republic. After the PLA fired missiles close to Taiwan in March 1996 in retaliation for then-President Lee Teng-hui's visit to the United States, the percentage of people who identified solely as Taiwanese shot up to 34 percent in 1997 from 25 percent two years earlier, according to an annual survey by the National Chengchi University. By 2020, those expressing Taiwanese identity reached 64 percent following the crackdown on Hong Kong. The figure has hovered around that level since. "For Taiwanese people, every time they experience China's provocations, it just adds to a sense of opposition - that we're not the same," said Liya Chen, an independent journalist and host of the podcast "One Story in Taipei." "If someone is pointing a gun at you, would that make you want to join them?" For teens Wang, Chen and Liao, the answer to how they would respond to a call to fight China is simple: They would have no choice. Watching China's efforts to pressure Taiwan and noting the risks of their homeland being caught between two major powers, China and the United States, they believe it's possible they will see war in their lifetimes. They wonder if adults are too busy working to think about these issues. Ukraine has been an instructive example. "In the 21st century, there can still be this kind of war . . ." Liao started to say. "Where a big country would go to war just for the sake of a small piece of land," Chen added. "Humans never learn their lessons," Wang said, shaking his head. The Washington Post's Pei-Lin Wu contributed to this report. TALLINN, Estonia Moscow-installed authorities in Ukraine's occupied southern region of Kherson urged local residents to evacuate to Russia on Friday, as Kyiv's forces pushed their counteroffensive deeper into the region. The move, announced a day before, indicated that Ukrainian military gains along the war's southern front are worrying the Kremlin, which is struggling to cement its hold on areas illegally annexed from Ukraine last month. Russian authorities immediately promised free accommodations to anyone who heeded the recommendation to leave Kherson. The region's Moscow-installed leader, Vladimir Saldo, told Russian state TV on Friday night that hundreds of people asked to be evacuated. "We're advising those who are scared of incoming missiles, in order not to get in the way of the Russian military, to depart to the Russian Federation," he said. Saldo said Thursday the evacuations would take place from four cities, including the regional capital Kherson and Nova Kakhovka. The latter lies almost on the contact line between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with the Ukrainians advancing closer and closer. The Russian-installed officials in the region tried to downplay the seriousness of the situation, describing the evacuations as "humanitarian," "wellness" and "vacation" trips to Russia that were voluntary. For those willing to leave, buses and ferries were being provided, according to Saldo. But residents painted a much less pleasant picture. Konstantin, a Kherson city resident who spoke on condition of having his last withheld for safety reasons, told The Associated Press on Friday that columns of military trucks had begun to move around the city and eventually leave. All schools were closed, and most state institutions and local administrative bodies had moved to reduced working hours, he said. "The mood in Kherson is not cheerful. The city is now in suspense. Primarily the Russian military from the headquarters and the family of collaborators are leaving," Konstantin told the AP. "Everyone is discussing the imminent arrival of the Ukrainian military and preparing for it." Russia has characterized the movement of Ukrainians to Russia or Russian-controlled territory as voluntary, but in many cases it is the only route residents of the occupied areas can or are allowed to take. Reports have also surfaced that some were forcibly deported to "filtration camps" with harsh conditions. In addition, an Associated Press investigation found that Russian officials deported thousands of Ukrainian children - some orphaned, others living with foster families or in institutions - to be raised as Russian. Ukrainian military expert Oleh Zhdanov attributed the announced evacuation to "uncertainty as to whether the Russians will be able to hold the city" and lessons from when Kyiv's troops penetrated the defenses of the occupying forces in northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region last month. "The Russians are afraid of a repetition of the stampede from the Kharkiv region in Kherson, when military equipment and archives were abandoned, and therefore they are preparing to leave in advance," Zhdanov said. Zhdanov said the Russians might be concerned about Ukraine doubling their stockpile of HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems by the end of the month, which "would have a significant impact on the nature of the fighting in the south." "The pace of the Ukrainian advance in the Kherson region slowed down a little, but this only gives the Russians a little more time to evacuate. It does not stop the counterattack on Kherson and the region," Zhdanov said. "It's a question of a few weeks, a month maximum." Reports of preparations for civilian evacuations also came from the city of Melitopol, located in the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region, which neighbors Kherson to the east. Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov told reporters Friday that security officers, people working with the Russian-installed authorities and building managers "have already received information about the need for evacuation" and "have been given evacuation routes." Fedorov said the Russians were not allowing Ukrainians to depart from the occupied areas to Ukrainian-controlled territory through the key Vasylivka checkpoint, where more more than 1,000 cars and more than 4,000 people were lined up Friday. "The situation is definitely not improving. Every day, it is getting worse and worse because the number of people who want to leave is increasing every day, and the (Russians) simply don't let them out," Fedorov said. Melitopol, with a pre-war population of 150,000, was one of the first big cities to fall to the Russian forces in March. Military analysts predicted Melitopol and Berdyansk would become main targets for the Ukrainian army in the coming days. "The Russians are very much scared that the Ukrainians might build up a reserve and move from Zaporizhzhia to Melitopol, and if it is successful, the entire southern part held by the Russians will collapse and all the achievements and victories of Putin will evaporate," Ukrainian analyst Zhdanov said. WASHINGTON The Pentagon is exploring strategic communications options for Ukraines military amid fears that the vital satellite internet system Starlink could be pulled from the battlefield. A senior U.S. defense official said Friday that the Pentagon was in ongoing talks with SpaceX, the rocket company that operates Starlink, and is also discussing partnerships with other satellite communication companies to keep Ukraine online as it tries to beat back Russias invasion. SpaceX has indicated it could stop funding Starlink due to mounting costs, raising alarm that Ukrainian troops main mode of communication could be in jeopardy. I dont think you can overestimate or overemphasize the impact that being able to communicate has, said a senior U.S. military official speaking on condition of anonymity. One of the first things you try to do in a fight is to reduce your opponents ability to communicate. Russian forces have repeatedly jammed signals and phone service on front lines in Ukraines eastern and southern regions to disrupt communication and hamper Ukrainian defense operations. Elon Musk, SpaceXs owner, said Friday that his company cannot indefinitely fund its Starlink internet service in Ukraine, pointing to expenses of nearly $20 million a month. The 20,000 Starlink satellite units donated to Ukraine have cost $80 million for SpaceX and will exceed $100 million by the end of the year, he said. "SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely *and* send several thousand more terminals that have data usage up to 100X greater than typical households. This is unreasonable," Musk wrote on Twitter. The U.S. military official said the Starlink communications network has been "exceptionally effective on the battlefield and is a huge tool for planning and coordination. It also serves as a crucial lifeline for civilians in combat zones where cell phone and internet service have been destroyed. Lets be honest. Like it or not, @elonmusk helped us survive the most critical moments of war, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wrote Friday on Twitter. [Urkaine] will find a solution to keep #Starlink working. We expect that the company will provide stable connection till the end of negotiations. Pentagon officials declined to disclose whether discussions with SpaceX are related to payment but said talks with the company predate Thursdays report by CNN that SpaceX is asking the military to contribute tens of millions of dollars per month for Starlink. Were assessing our options and trying to do what we can to help keep these SATCOM communications, to ensure that these communications remain for the Ukrainian forces, the senior defense official said. Theres not just SpaceX, there are other entities that we can certainly partner with. The official said she was unaware if the U.S. government has paid for Starlink since the war began in February. SpaceX has implied it donated the service to Ukraine as a charitable gesture. The Pentagon is scrambling to shore up Ukrainian communication capabilities as Kyivs forces continue to press multiple counteroffensives, most notably in the Kherson region. Troops are advancing toward the southern city on three lines and are forcing Russians to make some decisions in terms of how they choose to defend, said the senior military official. The Kremlin continues to retaliate this week for its military setbacks with hundreds of missile attacks on civilian targets across Ukraine, including electricity substations, bridges and other infrastructure, the official said. Ukraine has managed to intercept much of the barrage and on Thursday either partially or fully shot down four missiles fired from Russian ships in the Black Sea. The Secret Service had warnings earlier than previously known that supporters of President Donald Trump were plotting an armed attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to records revealed in a congressional hearing Thursday. Secret Service agents in charge of assessing the risks around the protests had been tracking online chats on pro-Trump websites and noted that rallygoers were vowing to bring firearms, target the Capitol for a siege and even kill Vice President Mike Pence. As early as Dec. 26, Secret Service officials were sharing one tipster's warnings about extremist groups coming to the Capitol with murderous plans. "They think they will have a large enough group to march into DC armed and will outnumber the police so they can't be stopped," the tip read. "Their plan is to literally kill people," the tipster wrote. "Please, please take this tip seriously and investigate further." The evidence presented at the hearing adds the Secret Service to a long list of national security agencies who received prescient warnings about the assault protesters planned for Jan. 6, yet failed to respond with urgency or cohesion to prevent the riot. Committee member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said the new details - retrieved in internal emails from a trove of more than a 1 million records the Secret Service provided the Jan. 6 committee - raise questions about how the agency shared its intelligence and whether officials have been forthright about their knowledge of the warnings. "As we have seen, the Secret Service and other agencies knew of the prospect of violence well in advance of the president's speech at the Ellipse," Schiff said during the hearing. "Despite this, certain White House and Secret Service witnesses previously testified that they had received no intelligence about violence that could have potentially threatened any of their protectees on January 6th, including the vice president. Evidence strongly suggests that this testimony is not credible." In a statement, Secret Service Deputy Director Faron Paramore noted that the agency is not a "member of the Intelligence Community" and said it had shared its information widely with others. "In the weeks leading up to Jan. 6, Secret Service was in constant communication and sharing information with our law enforcement partners in the Washington, D.C., area regarding available protective intelligence and open-source information concerning potential violence," said Paramore. Much of the intelligence cited in Thursday's hearing was alarming in its specificity. One Secret Service unit, Schiff said, flagged a social media account on a pro-Trump site that threatened to bring a sniper rifle to Washington. "Intelligence about this risk was directly available to the U.S. Secret Service and others in the White House in advance of the speech, in advance of the march to the Capitol," Schiff said. In a Dec. 30 email, a Secret Service agent warned of Trump supporters' online threats, noting the U.S. Marshals Service was "seeing a lot of violent rhetoric directed at government people, entities, in addition to our protected persons." The protected person most targeted for attack: the vice president. On the morning of the rally, Schiff noted, the Secret Service knew many of the protesters in the crowd on the Ellipse had weapons, but it's unclear what steps the agency took as a result. It is a crime to carry a firearm on federal property. Trump was scheduled to speak a little after noon. Secret Service units shared reports from police that morning that they had seen rallygoers with firearms, including a Glock, a pistol, and a rifle. They knew D.C. police had reportedly detained a person carrying an assault rifle. At the same time, they were getting reports of death threats against Pence, who had just entered the U.S. Capitol that morning to perform his role in certifying the election. "Alert at 1022 regarding VP being a dead man walking if he doesn't do the right thing," one Secret Service email warned at 10:39 a.m. By 12:36, as Trump took the stage, one Secret Service employee emailed another about the barely hidden threat all around them. "With so many weapons found so far, you wonder how many are unknown" one Secret Service employee wrote to a colleague. "Could be sporty after dark," he wrote, referring to the chance for gun battles. "No doubt," his colleague wrote back. "The people at the Ellipse said they are moving to the Capitol after the POTUS speech." JUNEAU, Alaska Ben Stevens, a former Alaska Senate president and a son of the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, has died. He was 63. The Alaska State Troopers said they responded to a report Thursday evening of a hiker having a medical emergency on the Lost Lake Trail near Seward. The hiker was later identified as Stevens, the troopers said. The troopers' statement said a medical service reached the scene around 6:40 p.m. and that lifesaving measures were unsuccessful. Erec Isaacson, president of ConocoPhillips Alaska, where Stevens worked as vice president of external affairs and transportation, said in a statement Friday that the company was "deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our friend and colleague, Ben Stevens." Stevens joined the company in early 2021 after working as chief of staff to Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy. "I will always cherish the time he was my Chief of Staff; his knowledge and political acumen were significant assets in my administration," Dunleavy said on social media. A message seeking comment was sent to the Ted Stevens Foundation. Ted Stevens, who died in 2010, was a Republican U.S. senator for Alaska for 40 years. Ben Stevens, a Republican, was appointed to the state Senate in 2001. He was Senate president in 2005 and 2006 but did not seek reelection after that. His office was among at least six state legislative offices raided by federal agents in 2006 as part of a corruption probe. Stevens was never charged with a crime. He denied any wrongdoing. Former Alaska Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, on social media said he had spent time twice this week with Stevens and that the news of his unexpected death was "surreal." Members of Alaska's congressional delegation called Stevens a friend. U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat whose time in the state Legislature overlapped with Stevens', said Alaska has lost a "great leader who worked tirelessly for our entire state." U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski on social media said Stevens' death "leaves a hole in our Alaskan fabric." U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said Stevens "always fought with Ted Stevens-like zeal for our state's interests." Alaska Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich said there were times that he and Stevens agreed on policy and times that they sparred. Stevens "was a bulldog, but when it came down to it, we always had the ability to work with one another to determine how best to move this great state forward. Ben helped shape Alaska as Chief of Staff to the Governor, as Senate President, as an activist and as an Alaskan," Begich, an Anchorage Democrat, said in a statement. State Senate President Peter Micciche, a Republican, said "politics and a fierce commitment to serving Alaska was in Ben's blood." Stevens is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their children. WASHINGTON The Biden administration will send Ukraine a new $725 million package of weapons and other military assistance, the White House said Friday, as the U.S. added to a flurry of aid announcements from European allies this week. The announcement comes on the heels of meetings at NATO, where defense leaders from Europe and around the world pledged weapons and air defense systems to Ukraine as Russia heightened its bombardment of Kyiv and other regions. Officials said there are no major new weapons in the U.S. package. Instead, the U.S. aid is largely aimed at restocking thousands of rounds of ammunition for the weapons systems Ukraine has been successfully using in its counteroffensive against Russia, as the war stretches into its eighth month. The new package includes rounds for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, known as HIMARS, a critical weapon that has improved Ukraine's ability to strike ammunition depots, bridges and other key targets that erode Russia's ability to resupply troops. The U.S. has already sent 20 HIMARS to Ukraine, and has promised 18 more that would be delivered in the coming years. The aid announcement caps a string of commitments from allies this week. One after another in the last two days, countries large and small detailed new contributions to Ukraine's fight, underscoring the persistent fears among European nations that they could be Moscow's next target. "Russia's latest assaults have only deepened the determination of the Ukrainian people and further united countries of goodwill from every region on Earth," said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a meeting of defense leaders this week. "Our resolve and steadiness of purpose has only been strengthened." A senior defense official told reporters at the Pentagon that Ukraine's immediate needs continue to be additional air defenses. The official said that, for example, Russia fired more than 80 missiles at Ukrainian targets during one recent 24-hour period, and Ukrainian air defenses were able to intercept about half of them. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. assessment of the war, said that the intercepts use a lot ammunition because its likely Ukrainians fired more than one round at each incoming missile. The British government said last week it would provide missiles for advanced NASAM anti-aircraft systems that the Pentagon plans to send to Ukraine. Britain also is sending hundreds of drones and 18 howitzer artillery guns. Germany has sent the first of four promised IRIS-T air defense systems, France pledged more artillery, anti-aircraft systems and missiles, the Netherlands said it would send missiles, and Canada is planning to send winter equipment, drone cameras and satellite communications. Russia has intensified its attacks, hitting the Kyiv region with kamikaze drones and firing missiles elsewhere at civilian targets, including a hospital, a kindergarten and other buildings in the town of Nikopol, across the river from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The strikes have been described as Russian payback for the bombing of a strategic bridge linking Russia with annexed Crimea. Kremlin war hawks have urged Putin to escalate the bombing campaign even more to punish Ukraine for Saturday's truck bomb attack on the landmark Kerch Bridge. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack. The surge in Russian attacks also represents an urgent effort by Moscow to regain its footing as Ukraine's fierce counteroffensive has taken back towns and territory that Russia had overrun in the earlier days of the war. Since the war began on Feb. 24, the U.S. has committed more than than $17.5 billion in weapons and other equipment. WASHINGTON More than 90 veterans and advocacy groups and 55 Democratic lawmakers signed two letters showing support for efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide abortion services for veterans and urge the agency to do more. We urge VA to do everything it can so that any eligible veteran can seamlessly access the abortion care they are entitled to without barriers. Every veteran who needs abortion care to protect their health and life must be able to rely on VA for such care, according to the letter from the veterans and advocate group dated Oct. 11 and addressed to VA Health Undersecretary Shereef Elnahal. Veteran groups that signed the letter included Minority Veterans of America, Service Womens Action Network, Veteran Legislative Voice, Vet Voice Foundation, and Wall of Vets Georgia. The VA said Elnahal has not received the letter, though it can be found on the Federal Register. In September, the VA said the agency would provide veterans and beneficiaries of child-bearing age access to abortion counseling and an abortion in special cases such as rape, incest, and if the persons life is at risk. The decision by the VA came two months after the U.S. Supreme Court in June overturned Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed a federal right to abortion for nearly 50 years. Veterans have faced unique barriers to reproductive health care, said Jackii Wang of the National Womens Law Center which also signed the letter. Moving forward, we urge VA to do all it can to ensure that all veterans can access the abortion care they need, without barriers. Another letter signed by 55 Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, was sent last week to Michael Shores, director of the VAs General Counsels Office of Regulation Policy and Management. The letter, dated Oct. 7, offered support for the VAs efforts with abortion services. But the letter also expressed concern for veterans who live in states where abortion is banned or restricted and must travel to other states where VA medical facilities or VA-contracted community care providers offer abortion services. The [VA decision] did not fully address the extent to which VA will cover travel expenses for veterans who need abortion care, or whether the department will cover travel expenses for a nonveteran to accompany a VA patient for abortion care, the letter reads. While many veterans in need of abortion care are already eligible for VAs existing Beneficiary Travel Program because they have VA disability ratings of 30% or greater, or because their income is below a certain threshold it is reasonable to expect that some veterans who need to travel for abortions will not qualify for travel reimbursement under VAs existing rules. The Vet Voice Foundation, an organization that focuses on training veterans to become civic leaders and policy advocates, sent an analysis this week to the VA about the agencys ability to expand its efforts on abortion services. The foundation argued the VA can and should go further to provide all abortion care to pregnant veterans and beneficiaries in the agencys Civilian Health and Medical Program. Now is not a time for half measures, said Janessa Goldbeck, a Marine Corps veteran and CEO of the Vet Voice Foundation. We need the department to go all in and do more to ensure veterans have access to abortion services. Because as veterans, we didnt serve and protect this nation around the world just to have our rights stripped away here at home. We hope the department will review this memo and adopt its recommendations. Veterans and advocates in September marched and held a news conference in Washington to urge the VA, Defense Department, and lawmakers to do more to provide abortion and reproductive health care services for veterans and service members, which they said could affect national security, recruitment and retention. The Defense Department also provides service members and beneficiaries access to abortion counseling and the procedure in special cases such as rape, incest, and if the life or health of the person is at risk. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., an Army veteran, spoke at the news conference and said what the VA and Defense Department are doing was an important step forward, but it was not enough since many women in the military dont have a choice of duty stations and can be assigned to bases in states where they cannot have an abortion such as Texas. The letter from the lawmakers urges VA Secretary Denis McDonough to move quickly to issue clarifying guidance about the VAs beneficiary travel authority and how it relates to abortion services. This is a long-overdue step in improving care for women veterans, and in furthering VAs ongoing efforts to build trust with women veterans, who for decades have had to independently find, coordinate, and finance life-saving medical care that should have been provided by VA, the lawmakers wrote. Women veterans have earned and deserve access to these comprehensive reproductive services no matter where they live. We strongly support this regulatory action because it is simply the right thing to do to ensure veterans who have served our country have the opportunity to be fully informed partners in their own health care decisions. In August, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs announced it had begun a new initiative to focus on veterans reproductive health care. The announcement came after House committee members visited VA medical centers in Texas and Oklahoma and heard from women veterans and health providers on access to reproductive health care. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., chairwoman of the House VA Committees subpanel on health and the Women Veterans Taskforce, will lead the initiative. (Tribune News Service) For years, a Georgia pharmacy ran a lucrative scheme, government prosecutors alleged. It skirted federal restrictions on the sale of compounded pain creams to members of the U.S. militarys health system, making millions of dollars in profits. Prosecutors said the drugs were compounded in mass quantities and peddled by sales agents equipped with pre-printed prescription pads. To boost sales, the government alleged, the company used a fake charity and other ruses to waive required co-pays, then billed the government at exorbitant rates. At times, a product sold to cash-paying patients for $30 was billed to the government at more than $600. Now, that company, DermaTran Health Solutions, an insurance company and others accused of defrauding the government will pay more than $6.8 million to settle the civil case, without admitting liability. A whistleblower who brought the case to the governments attention will receive about $1.4 million of that amount. The scheme goes back to 2012, when DermaTran opened in Rome for the purpose of making and selling custom compound pain creams, court documents say. At the same time, the government says, another company, Pharmacy Insurance Administrators (PIA), was ostensibly created to handle the billing, though in practice it allegedly operated as a call center for DermaTran to help patients to fill and refill their prescriptions. When various auditors began to catch on to the problems and terminate DermaTran from its networks, the company began selling its out-of-network prescriptions to pharmacies in Texas and Alabama that were in-network. Court documents show that State Mutual Insurance Company, which has its headquarters in Rome and does business in more than 40 states, played a role in the scheme. Its related businesses, PIA, Gulfcoast Administrators and Insurance Administrative Solutions, are among the defendants. Individuals accused in the lawsuit include Delos H. Yancey III, who is chairman and president of State Mutual; Sam R. Moss of Rome; and Robert Gussenhoven of Alabama. No one immediately responded to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution request for comment from Yancey or State Mutual Insurance. The AJC could not reach Moss or Gussenhoven for comment. A former accountant for DermaTran blew the whistle, filing a lawsuit in 2017 under the federal False Claims Act and bringing the case to the governments attention. The FBI will not stand by when there are allegations of companies operating corporate wide schemes to illegally line their pockets, said Keri Farley special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Atlanta, with investigative help from inspector generals at the U.S. Postal Service, the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Health and Human Services. Under the settlement, PIA will pay $6.5 million of the $6.8 million. The Texas and Alabama pharmacies or their owners will contribute much of the rest. DermaTran is no longer operating and was sold last year for $40,000, with the proceeds turned over the government as part of the settlement. 2022 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Tribune News Service) The Department of Veterans Affairs Pacific Island Health Care System on Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the opening of its Center for Aging, a 60-bed facility on the grounds of Tripler Army Medical Center that provides both short-term health care and long-term assisted living to senior veterans. In remarks to staff and veterans assembled for the occasion, VAPIHS Director Dr. Adam Robinson Jr. said, Were here to make sure that we can continue the traditions of honoring our veterans. He added, This is something that doesnt happen because I say it and it doesnt happen because we want it. It only happens if were committed to standing up and actually getting ourselves involved in making sure that our veterans receive the care that they needwhen, where and how they need it. Currently headquartered at Tripler, VAPIHS is responsible for providing care for veterans across Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. But with few facilities of its own in Hawaii and the Pacific islands, the VA leans on partnerships with community hospitals and clinics to serve veterans spread across the islands. Before the Center for Aging took shape, the VAs presence here was essentially contained to one floor in the federal building in downtown Honolulu, recalled Dr. James Epure, who has managed the center since its doors opened in 1997. Regarding the anniversary, he said, Were actually celebrating the beginning of something that really expanded after these buildings were built and opened and started providing services to the veteran. In 1991, before plans were drawn up to build new VA facilities on the grounds of Tripler, Hawaii and Alaska were the only states where the VA owned no facility of its own. This is what planted the flag for VA to have its own dedicated facilities in Hawaii, said Craig Oswald, who joined the VA in Hawaii in 1991 and oversaw construction of the center. Three years after the center opened, the VA followed up with the opening of the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center in Honolulu, and in December broke ground for a $120 million clinic in Kalaeloa named for the late U.S. senator and World War II veteran Daniel Akaka. Expected to begin operations in late 2023, the roughly 66, 000-square-foot clinic will provide primary care, mental health services, audiology, womens care, physical therapy, dental serv ices, and prosthetic and other specialty care for vets on Oahus Leeward Coast. Jesse Sotelo, 74, has been resident of the Center for Aging for 12 years. Born and raised in Honolulu, Sotelo served in the Army for 30 years as an infantryman. His service included three tours during the Vietnam War, in which he was a member of long-range reconnaissance patrols, small teams that operated deep into enemy territory. He said that growing up he used to hear stories and watch movies about the World War II and Korean War generations and particularly looked up to the members of the famed 442nd Infantry Regiment, which included many Hawaii-born Japanese Americans in its ranks. When he became a VA center resident, he met several of the men he looked up to and talked with them about his experiences. Sotelo said that while some of his fellow residents and other patients had served as senior officersgenerals and admiralsin the facility rank matters less than the shared experiences they have as veterans. Now were meeting people from Desert Storm ... the new generation, Sotelo said.The bonding between all of us here, all the veterans here, is close. Sotelo praised the care he has received at the facility, particularly during the spread of COVID-19 before widespread vaccination was available. Nobody got sick during the COVID, and were doing all right, he said. Now its slowly coming back to how it was pre-pandemic. Addressing the anniversary celebration, Robinson said that caring for kupuna needs to be a top priority and that the VA has excelled in that regard. He said, I do not know of any other integrated health care system in the United States that has as one of its foundational platforms a program that actually cares for those men and women who are aging, and who should be aging not only with honor, but with grace and with proper health care, and with proper respect. (c)2022 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. It was alleged both parties attempted to walk away with the jacket without any money being exchanged. A young man arranged to meet another teenager through a mobile app to buy a designer jacket, then beat him and robbed him of it, it is alleged. Brandon Lulendo (19) also allegedly stood on the teens mothers glasses, breaking them during the struggle over the jacket on Luas lines in central Dublin. The case was adjourned at Dublin District Court for Mr Lulendo to consider how he intends to plead. The accused, of Richmond Road, Drumcondra, is charged with robbery, assault and criminal damage. The prosecuting garda told the court the accused had previously been charged with attempted robbery. However, that charge was withdrawn by the State and the new counts were instead brought against him. Mr Lulendo made no reply after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets. The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the case being dealt with at district court level subject to the issue of jurisdiction being considered. Outlining the prosecutions case, the garda said the accused arranged to meet the alleged victim via a mobile phone app to purchase a Canada Goose jacket from him. The victim, who was aged 18, went to the arranged meeting point at Georges Dock with his mother. At the meeting, it was alleged both parties attempted to walk away with the jacket without any money being exchanged. It was alleged the accused punched the other teen a number of times in the head and took the jacket. There was a struggle on the Luas line as the alleged victim tried to retrieve his jacket and the accused punched him one more time before leaving the scene. The damage charge related to the alleged victims mothers glasses which were stood on during the incident, the garda said. The jacket was worth 900 but there was no valuation on the damage to the glasses. Judge Bryan Smyth accepted jurisdiction for the case to remain in the district court. He extended bail to the new charges and ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence, to include a copy of the accuseds garda interview video, and any CCTV footage. The case was adjourned to November 8. Court hears jury will be able to return a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity on autistic son Patrick Dunne in 2013, who is accused of the murder of his mother Susan Dunne, inset A 29-year-old man admits killing his mother "without any lawful justification" by inflicting five fatal blows to her head with a hatchet as she lay in her bed, a murder trial jury has heard. It was during the opening of the trial of Patrick Dunne at the Central Criminal Court today that a prosecuting barrister said that expert psychiatrists for both the prosecution and defence are in agreement that the accused was insane "as defined by law" at the time of his mother's death. Patrick Gageby SC, defending Mr Dunne, made a number of admissions of fact to the court today on behalf of his client. These included that the accused killed his mother Susan Dunne and had done so "without any lawful justification". Mr Dunne, from Ballingeragh, Lixnaw, Co Kerry, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court today, having pleaded not guilty to murdering his mother Susan Dunne (62) between November 26 and 27, 2013, at the same address. Opening the case for the prosecution today, Dominic McGinn SC said that this was "quite an unusual trial" as a lot of it will involve statements being read to the jury. Outlining the facts of the case, Mr McGinn said Ms Dunne's body was found in her bedroom between 11am and 11.30am on the morning of November 27. Ms Dunne, who was already dead by the time she was found, had sustained at least five blows to her head, he said. Counsel told the jury that Ms Dunne's son, Patrick, was 19 years old at the time and had been diagnosed with autism at a relatively young age. The accused required additional care "on top of the usual parenting requirements", he added. The prosecution barrister went on to tell the court that the Lixnaw and Listowel communities were used to the sight of Ms Dunne driving around in her car with her son Patrick in the back seat. Detailing the evidence that will be heard, Mr McGinn said one of the regular things that Ms Dunne did was to collect her son's disability allowance from the post office. "She looked after his social welfare card. Patrick would withdraw the money and then Susan would give him 5 for himself," he explained. What raised concern on November 27, the lawyer said, was that Patrick arrived alone at the post office, withdrew the money himself and was seen to be driving around unaccompanied in his mother's car. "Because of that, various neighbours were alerted and they went around to the Dunne house," he said. There will be evidence, Mr McGinn said, that neighbours found the front door of the Dunne house unlocked but one of the internal doors was locked. The barrister further stated that one of the neighbours had opened a window and looked inside. The neighbour made a decision to force open the bedroom door, where he found Ms Dunne's body. The neighbour called the emergency services immediately and when the ambulance crew arrived, they found Ms Dunne without a pulse and cold to touch. Ms Dunne was formally pronounced dead at 11.51am that morning. Outlining the circumstances of the deceaseds death, Mr McGinn said that state pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster conducted a full postmortem and confirmed that Ms Dunne had sustained six wounds to her head, five of them were a significant size and situated behind her right ear. Dr Bolster found multiple fractures and fatal trauma to the deceased's brain underneath the wounds. "She certified that brain trauma was the cause of death and that the wounds were consistent when Ms Dunne was lying in bed in the position that she was found," he continued. Mr McGinn said the evidence will be that a hatchet used for chopping wood was found in the kitchen. Dr Bolster found the wounds to Ms Dunne were consistent with having been inflicted by the hatchet. Counsel also indicated to the jury that gardai found the hatchet next to the fridge in the kitchen, that the blade was clean but there was some blood-staining on the rear of it, which matched the accused's DNA profile. A DNA profiling was also conducted on the handle of the hatchet and the major profile matched the accused's DNA, he said. The court heard further evidence will be gardai interviewed witnesses over the next few days, who had encountered Patrick that morning, to ascertain a pattern of what took place. Mr McGinn said a man had encountered Mr Dunne at 9.30am that day when the accused arrived at his home and began asking for his sister. The man's sister had worked at the accused's former school and Mr Dunne had developed "an attachment" to her, he said. The barrister said Mr Dunne was also seen driving alone in his mother's car that morning by a local woman. The accused had been in the post office at 10.30am that morning where he withdrew his disability allowance, said Mr McGinn. Staff realised there was something unusual and contacted the family's neighbours, he added. There will also be evidence, counsel said, that the accused spoke to a man who worked in a shop in the town centre and had let Mr Dunne borrow his mobile phone. The accused then contacted a woman he had met through his former school to attempt to arrange a meeting with her in Listowel that morning. "She said she wasn't available until later that day but Patrick went to the Listowel Arms Hotel that morning and said he was there to meet a friend," he said. The accused, counsel said, was later seen on the street at 11am and told another man that he was in town with his mother who was shopping. At 11.30am, the lawyer said, Mr Dunne went to Listowel Community College, where he was attending once a week, had a cup of tea and spoke to members of staff. By this stage, counsel said that Ms Dunne's body had been found and gardai were alerted. Evidence will also be heard that Garda Declan McDonagh noticed Ms Dunne's car parked on Market Street in Listowel and went over to it. The garda said he told Patrick Dunne that his mother had been found dead when he saw the accused approach the car. The garda also suggested to Mr Dunne that he accompany him to Listowel garda station as he was probably the last person to have seen her. Gda McDonagh arrested Patrick Dunne after being notified that the accused had been identified as a formal suspect in the case. The court will also hear evidence, the lawyer said, that the accused's key worker told gardai that Mr Dunne suffered from autism and some other issues. He was examined by a local GP and a consultant psychiatrist, who both said the accused was fit to be questioned. Mr Dunne sat through a series of interviews and the jury will hear the details of the account the accused gave in due course, he said. "He did accept that he had struck his mother with a hatchet, that he had left the hatchet in the kitchen and he explained the reasoning behind that," said Mr McGinn. The court will also hear, the barrister indicated, what had happened to make Mr Dunne strike his mother and the various events unfolding before and after the assault. The accused was released from garda detention and then formally charged with the offence of murder in November 2013. The barrister said there had been a delay since 2013 as the accused was assessed by a psychiatrist and it was determined that he was not fit to stand trial. Counsel added: "He didn't have sufficient capacity to understand what was going on and was remanded for treatment to a psychiatric facility. That has been the position in the interim since 2013 and in more recent times he has been deemed fit to stand trial." Ms Dunne had sustained six blows to her head with the hatchet and five of them were fatal, said Mr McGinn, adding that the natural and probable consequences of inflicting this is that at the very least a person would suffer serious harm or would probably die. The lawyer told the jurors that this was an "unusual case" as a special defence was available which allowed them to return a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity based on an assessment by the professional psychiatrists in the case. In summary, Mr McGinn told the jury that they will hear evidence from two psychiatrists, who both agree that the accused was insane as defined by law at the time of his mother's death. He said it was for the jurors to determine whether "the psychiatrists determination" can be accepted and that the important evidence in the case would come from the psychiatrists. Mr Gageby told the court it was accepted that matters had been properly investigated by the authorities and said the "sole issue" in the case was whether the accused was not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial resumes this afternoon before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of five men and seven women. It is expected to last three days. Cooper had 79 convictions and was once jailed for false imprisonment and robbery, the court heard. A drug dealing father-of-four caught selling sleeping tablets on a Dublin city centre street has been spared jail. Jeremy Cooper (56) was given a six-month suspended sentence after a court heard he was caught with six trays of the drugs and cash in a sock after gardai saw him in a transaction. Cooper, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply. He also admitted a related charge of simple possession of drugs. Dublin District heard gardai were on patrol at Amiens Street in the north of the city on May 9, 2020. They saw Cooper engaged in a drug transaction, handing over a tray of zopiclone tablets to a drug addict. The garda pulled the patrol car over and identified himself to Cooper, who he detained for a search. Six trays of zopiclone were found. He also had 150 in cash in a sock. Cooper had 79 convictions for offences including sale or supply of drugs. He was also once jailed for false imprisonment and robbery, the court heard. Cooper, who was unemployed, had been a drug user for the last decade by his own admission, his lawyer said. He had never dealt with the probation service before and his lawyer asked Judge Bryan Smyth to consider requesting a probation report. Judge Smyth said Cooper had extensive previous convictions for serious offences. He said he would not go down the probation route and instead suspended a six-month sentence for three years. The defendant had claimed one of her staff had bought it earlier in the day for 300. A 52-year-old woman who used a stolen generator to run a chip van at Balbriggan market has been jailed for three months. Gabriella Toroczcoi admitted having the 700W generator in her possession when gardai visited the market. She claimed it had been purchased by one of her employees earlier that day for 300 after their generator broke down . The defendant, of Blackthorn Hill Close, Rathcoole, County Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property on May 15th this year. The court presenter said gardai attended Balbriggan Sunday Market at 10am on May 15th this year after receiving reports that a generator had been stolen on May 7. At the market gardai observed a generator which matched a picture of the stolen one being used at a food van. They spoke to the defendant who told them one of her staff had bought it earlier in the day for 300. The court presenter said the generator involved, a 700w Senci power generator, was worth 2,600 and Toroczcoi accepted this was its true value when it was put to her by gardai. Defence solicitor Siobhan McNeilis said the accused now works part-time in a different food van for her aunt. She said on the date in question, while in the process of working in the food van, the generator broken down and after making enquiries if there would be one to buy someone offered them a generator for 350. The solicitor said the sale then took place, although there was no receipt for it. Toroczcoi had been very naive on the day, Ms McNeilis added. She said the generator was in full view on the date in question when gardai visited with full identification marks on it and there was no deliberate attempt to hide or obscure it. Toroczcoi has no previous convictions, was co-operative with gardai and made admissions, the solicitor said, adding the defendant occasionally works in security and was asking the court to leave her without a conviction if possible. Judge Dermot Dempsey said the defendant expected the court to believe her tall story that a generator just happened to be for sale the day hers broke down. He said Toroczcoi was not being honest and imposed a three month prison sentence. "I think its more likely that international law enforcement will bring them to book, he said. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that the Kinahan Organised Crime Gang are not likely to be arrested on Irish soil. Speaking at a lunch hosted by the Association of European Journalist, he said that the gang are more likely to be arrested abroad. The prospect of them gripping a rail here in Dublin, Im not sure, he told the Irish Examiner. "I think its more likely that international law enforcement will bring them to book. "And thats fair enough, that somebody brings them to book somewhere. Whenever you engage with people internationally, you just have to set aside any sort of selfish regard, it doesnt really matter. All things balance out and youll get your own success in time, he added. He said that An Garda Siochana has to think whats our best percentage chance of bringing down the mob. The best percentages are probably with international law enforcement. Its probably in respect of flows of cash, the illicit movement of money, illicit business transactions, and drug trafficking. In April, at a press conference held in Dublin, the US Department of State announced a $5 million reward in return for key information leading to the dismantlement of the Kinahan OCG. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris was joined by Assistant Commissioner John ODriscoll, who is in charge of Serious and Organised Crime, as well as speakers from the Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA), and US Customs & Border Control. At the briefing, US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin told the media that the US government is offering the reward for information "leading to the financial disruption" of the Kinahan transnational group, or the arrest and conviction of its leaders. The three leaders of the gang are named by the authorities as Daniel Kinahan, who runs the day-to-day operations, his father Christy Kinahan Snr who organises property purchases, and Christy Kinahan Jnr who oversees their finances. On Thursday, the High Court in Dublin granted an order for the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) to seize a mansion in Saggart owned by Daniel Kinahan. Daniel Kinahan The news was monumental as the property at 10 Coldwater Lakes, is the first to be seized from Kinahan after it was found to be the proceeds of drug trafficking. Evidence was previously heard that the luxury home was given to Kinahan in partial repayment by Jim Mansfield Jnr after the businessman failed to invest 4.5m for the crime gang. The cash was handed over in two suitcases for payment of four townhouses in 2009 but the deal never went ahead after the Mansfield fortune deteriorated. Evidence about Kinahan was also given in an affidavit from Det Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland, of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. He said that Kinahan played an "integral part" in importing drugs and firearms to Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe, as well as money laundering. The senior detective also said Daniel Kinahan is an individual who "sanctioned a number of murders" as part of the Hutch/Kinahan feud. Efforts to serve CAB papers on Kinahan at two addresses in Dubai have also been unsuccessful. Alicia Brough (20) was stabbed to death along with another woman and two children in 2010 Alicia Brough, who was murdered in 2010 by John Geary The mother of murder victim Alicia Brough has said people with homicidal tendencies should be allowed to talk about their desire to kill. Alicia Brough (20) was stabbed to death in 2010 by a man after he had just murdered his ex-partner, Sarah Hines (25) and two children aged three and five months old. Alicia was attacked and killed by John Geary when she arrived on the scene after the brutal killings. Her mother, Maria Dempsey, who has spent years campaigning about domestic violence and crime prevention told The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk that her radical approach to dealing with homicide might be controversial. It really distresses me every time I see a domestic homicide - theyve lost a child and they dont even know at this point what theyre going to face in the future, she said. I think we have to start thinking of different ways that we might be able to help and one of the things that I think, maybe, we should talk about and give opportunities for people to talk about having thoughts of maybe committing murder. John Geary. Picture: Press 22 I know its controversial but it just makes so much sense, she added. Once upon a time people didnt talk about suicidal thoughts and people still have suicidal thoughts but Im sure that the loneliness is not the same as it would have been when it was illegal to discuss how they were feeling. When asked by Pat Kenny about how a professional should respond if someone admitted their urge to murder, to which she said she doesn't know. I dont have that experience. I definitely think we should be talking about those thoughts and the thoughts of hurting people. Another preventative method, Ms Dempsey said, is to have tougher sentencing. John Geary, who was convicted of four murders, is serving four life sentences concurrently, instead of consecutively, one after another. I always thought if he was convicted it would have been four life sentences, Maria said. Hes serving all four as one sentence - which poses a huge problem for anybody or any family who have been involved in multiple murders. She believes however that he should be treated more harshly. Basically he gets all the same rights as somebody who has murdered one person, she added. Which means he had the [option of] parole at seven years which was seven years from the start of his remand back in 2010. So having waited for the trial and the inquest to be dealt with, basically it was only four years since he was allowed his first appeal. Since Geary was sentenced in 2013, the law has changed. Since August, those serving time for murder in Ireland must have served at least 12 years before they become eligible for parole. Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker called on the community to work with the police investigation. Police at the scene of incident in the Woodside Park area of west Belfast. (Picture by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott A murder investigation has been launched after a 54-year-old man was stabbed in Poleglass in west Belfast on Friday night. Police have arrested a 33-year-old woman. Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuiness said: "Police received a report shortly before 10.05pm last night, Friday 14th October, that a man had been stabbed at an address in the Woodside Park area. "The man was taken to hospital, but sadly died from his injuries a short time later. "The 33-year-old woman was arrested for murder and possession of a Class B controlled drug. She remains in police custody at this time. I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist detectives with their investigation to contact us at the Major Investigation Team at Ladas Drive Police Station on 101 quoting reference 2045 14/10/22. PSNI officers were observed guarding the scene in the quiet cul-de-sac overnight. Flowers left at the scene Kevin Scott Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker called on the community to work with the police investigation. Mr Baker said: A police investigation is underway at Woodside this morning into a very serious incident, which occurred in the area last night. I am calling on people to avoid the area if they can and I urge anyone with information which might assist the investigation to bring it forward to the police. The local community are devastated by the events of last night and my thoughts are with those impacted by this tragedy. Plain-clothes police pounced as the mafia don left his home in Fuengirola on Friday morning on his bike Johnny Morrissey is led away after his arrest The leader of a notorious Italian mafia gang has been arrested in the same Costa del Sol town where Gerry The Monk Hutch was lifted while out for a cycle. Plain-clothes police pounced as the mafia don left his home in Fuengirola on Friday morning on his bike. The Policia Nacional say the man is a member of the Calabrian Ndrangheta mafia gang who has been on the run since 2015. It is alleged that the mafia boss has four international arrest warrants out for his arrest for drug trafficking, moneylending, corruption and forgery of documents. Johnny Morrissey is led away after his arrest He is believed to be the main organiser of shipments of cocaine from Columbia to Italy through his connections in South America. He is referred to as the main point of contact for the various Calabrian mafia gangs that operate in the Southern province of Reggio-Calabria. In particular, he had made contact with the notorious Morabito gang that enabled him to organise cocaine suppliers to smuggle the drugs into Italy in shipping containers and by air. According to the Policia National, the operation to arrest him is linked to the seizure of 800 kilos of cocaine in Italy in recent months. Investigators had first located the suspect in Barcelona but he was later confirmed to be living in Fuengirola where he was arrested after offering great resistance. The Costa del Sol resort town is where Gerry 'the Monk' Hutch was arrested in a restaurant on August 12, 2021 by the Guardia Civil. The crime lord was detained as he was about to order dinner at the Limoncello eaterie following a five-month manhunt involving Spains top anti-fugitive police unit. The dramatic arrest of Gerry Hutch in April Kinahan Cartel member Johnny Morrissey and his wife Nicola had also chosen to move to Fuengirola where they became neighbours from hell after swapping their 5m mansion for a downsized 300,000 hideaway apartment. The couple scaled back to a modest rented 1,200-a-month top-floor flat in Fuengirola after US authorities publicly named Morrissey as a key member of the Kinahan Cartel. Neighbours revealed how they quickly got on the wrong side of other expats and locals after moving in. One local said: They had dogs, including an Alsatian, and they used to hose down the poop the animals did on the outside corridor leading up to their front door so it ran off the edge and onto the properties below. It was totally unacceptable behaviour. They quickly got a reputation as the neighbours from hell. Morrissey was about to be ordered to take down a camera over the front door of the three-bed penthouse flat when he was arrested. The community managers had been asked to tell the former Cork restaurant owner it was illegal to have the camera pointing out onto the street, and other areas used by his neighbours. The camera meant he could tell who was outside the main entrance to the gated block, if anyone tried to get into the enclosed area. But it failed to alert him to the well-planned police operation because he was fast asleep when they moved in. Officers from an elite Spanish Civil Guard unit the GAR gained entry to his apartment. They had keys to the entrance gate to the block and are understood to have reached the third floor where Morrissey lived from a basement garage. They smashed down a gate and the front door to his flat before surrounding him in his bed at gunpoint. The speed and efficiency of the police operation meant some residents at the apartment block were still unaware yesterday of the arrests. The management company had been asked for keys to the entrance gate three days before the detentions, but police had not given them any details about why they needed them. One local said: I heard a huge bang which was probably the moment they stormed the flat but nothing after that and I went back to sleep. It was really early, around 6.40am. In April, Johnny Morrissey was one of seven people, including Christopher Kinahan Sr and his son Daniel, who were hit with sanctions by the US department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The US authorities said: John Morrissey has worked for the Kinahan Organised Crime Group (KOCG) for several years, including as an enforcer, and facilitates international drug shipments for the organisation from South America. John Morrissey is also involved in money laundering. La Guardia Civil, who led the operation against Morrissey through its elite UCO unit with support from An Garda Siochana, Britains National Crime Agency and the powerful US DEA law enforcement agency, say they believe he allegedly helped crime gangs launder more than 200m in the 18 months their investigation lasted. The 21-year-old England forward was arrested on suspicion of rape, assault and making threats to kill in January The Man United star Mason Greenwood has been arrested on suspicion of breaching bail conditions by contacting his alleged rape victim. The 21-year-old England forward was arrested on suspicion of rape, assault and making threats to kill in January. Greenwood was initially bailed on February 2, and was due to answer the bail on April 30, but this was pushed back following a court hearing in June. Now, it has been reported that officers arrived at his mansion this morning and arrested him on suspicion of contacting his alleged victim in a breach of conditions imposed part of his bail. "Greater Manchester Police are aware of an allegation regarding a 21-year-old man breaching his bail conditions and an arrest has been made on Saturday 15 October 2022, police say. Enquiries are ongoing at this time." The Bradford-born forward joined the clubs youth academy at the age of six and was just 17 when he made his first-team debut. Greenwood, who was capped by England in August 2020, has not featured for United since January when he was suspended. Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood still on bail as rape probe continues He is still receiving his salary, pending any outcome of the criminal investigation. A statement released by the club said there has been no change in Masons status after some supporters noticed that Greenwood's name still appeared on United's website. We removed his profile from the club app soon after he was removed from the squad in January. This was in order to remove Mason from interactive elements of the app, such as team predictions etc, the statement reads. However, his profile was never removed from the website as he remains a Manchester United player, albeit not currently part of the squad while the legal process unfolds. Greenwood has dropped by sponsors Nike and has been removed from games such as FIFA 22. Senior Old Trafford sources confirmed to British media that the club had been informed of the latest development. But United will not be making any comment on the matter while the police continue with their investigation. 10 days after the murder, they were arrested by the Irish Gardai in the Republic of Ireland and, after an extradition process Hair dye, masks and a wig were on a shopping list found by police who arrested two murder suspects in County Mayo after they allegedly fled the UK in the wake of brutal shopping centre killing. Kane Hull, 29, and 33-year-old Liam Craig Porter were helped by friends who booked accommodation and provided them with stolen cars after a man was knifed to death in Carlisle, Cumbria, on September 18 last year. Carlisle Crown Court heard how Hull and Porter were detained after a three-night stay at Grandads Place, Carracastle 10 days after the death of 24-year-old Ryan Kirkpatrick. This was when officers recovered the shopping list seen by jurors which included hair dye, glasses, hat/wig, masks. Yet more attempts to evade the police, prosecutor Tim Evans alleged to a jury. Hull and Porter deny the alleged murder and manslaughter of Mr Kirkpatrick. Jurors were told he was pronounced dead at the scene of an attack which occurred outside a bar and restaurant at Carlyles Court in central Carlisle in front of bystanders just after 8-45pm. Mr Kirkpatrick had earlier attended a christening. Hull and Porter, meanwhile, had been together at pub in the city suburbs which they left in a blue Volvo about 8pm. Prosecutor Tim Evans said there had previously been bad blood between Hull and Mr Kirkpatrick. CCTV at Carlyles Court captured Hulls arrival before an initial incident in which he picked up a glass, tossed out its contents and walked towards Mr Kirkpatrick before a confrontation and failed glassing. Soon after, Hull and Porter left Carlyles Court. Fifteen minutes later, the Volvo is said to have returned to the complex with two men getting out. These men were wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered. One man alleged by the prosecution to be Hull was carrying a knife which was clearly visible on CCTV. He ran directly up to Mr Kirkpatrick and stabbed him multiple times before the two masked men fled, leaving in the Volvo. Tragically, despite the best efforts of his friends, and then the police and then paramedics, Mr Kirkpatrick was pronounced dead at Carlyles Court at 9-22pm, said Mr Evans. He alleged the fatal stabbing was at the hand of Hull who was allegedly identified by a witness despite his disguise attempt and that Porter was there as a party to, supporting the plan to stab Mr Kirkpatrick. They were, in other words, in it together, alleged Mr Evans. They came to the bar together with the joint plan that Ryan Kirkpatrick was to be stabbed. They came together, say the Crown, they acted together and after the stabbing they fled together. Jurors heard a vehicle matching the Volvo S40 was found completely burned out near marshland north-west of Carlisle, soon after the incident. It was alight minutes before Mr Kirkpatrick had been pronounced dead. As he opened the case, Mr Evans also alleged: You will hear that in the days following the murder, these defendants helped by friends took significant steps to evade the police and not be arrested. These steps involved changing their phones multiple times; checking into new addresses they were not connected to multiple times; acquiring multiple different vehicles and, on 22nd September of last year, travelling first to Northern Ireland via ferry from Stranraer. Mr Evans alleged Hull and Porter, after a couple of days, fled next to the Republic of Ireland which was, he said, where their flight ended. On September 28, 10 days after the murder, they were arrested by the Irish Gardai in the Republic of Ireland and, after an extradition process, were brought back to the UK to be put up for trial before you. Barristers representing Hull, of no fixed address, and Porter, of Fulmar Place, Carlisle, say the pair accept presence at the initial Carlyles Court incident but not the second, during which Mr Kirkpatrick was fatally stabbed. Toby Hedworth KC, for Hull, said: It is denied that Kane Hull was present at Carlyles Court at around 8-47pm on that evening or was in any way involved in inflicting violence on Ryan Kirkpatrick at that time. It is accepted that, fearing that he would be wrongly accused of inflicting violence on Ryan Kirkpatrick, Kane Hull thereafter took steps to avoid arrest. The trial, which is due to last up to three weeks, continues. Window cleaner John Steele fell 50 feet to his death after he was struck on the head by a pallet falling from a bonfire he had helped build. A LEADING loyalist whose pal was killed in a bonfire fall has condemned South East Antrim UDA as drug-dealing thugs. Daniel Crawford recently quit his home in Larne to build a new life for his family in England. Until he upped sticks and left two weeks ago, the 31-year-old father of two was known to have close links to loyalist groups. Daniel is still extremely well-known on the towns Craigyhill and Antiville estates, where he was born and raised. But speaking to the Sunday World yesterday, Daniel said he was so sickened by the tragic death of his life-long friend John Steele last July that he decided to turn his back on his native town for good. I was there the night John died. I didnt actually see him fall, but I saw what happened afterwards. Johns death was the final straw for me, he said. No doubt theyll be saying it was me who was speaking to the press last summer but anyone who knows me knows that is nonsense. One thing is right though the Sunday Worldarticles about John Steele and the Larne bonfires last summer were spot on. Window cleaner John fell 50 feet to his death after he was struck on the head by a pallet falling from a bonfire he had helped build. John Steele The huge pyre on the towns Antiville estate was pulled down days after the tragedy which ripped the heart out of the close-knit community in the seaside town. Last July after a visit to the Craigyhill and Antiville estates, the Sunday World revealed how youngsters were forced to help build huge towering inferno bonfires or face a beating. And we also revealed how boys on the estates were forced to chip in 25 per head to buy pallets and then an additional 20 each for the hire of a crane. We learned that father-of two John died when he fell 50ft after he was struck on the head by a flying pallet which had been accidentally dropped from above. Up until that point, details of Johns death had remained a closely guarded secret, known only to UDA members. Daniel Crawford said he remained a committed loyalist, but he became completely sickened by what the UDA did to the Co Antrim town he loved. I loved growing up in Larne and I loved the loyalist people who lived in Antiville and Craigyhill. As youngsters, we couldnt wait until it was time to collect wood for the bonfire. It was the same every summer. My parents used to threaten me: You better eat your dinner or you wont be going to the bonfire. To tell you the truth, the bonfire was the most important thing in our lives. The community spirit in the town at that time was fantastic. But I became sickened by what happened in Larne. Why did we have to have the biggest bonfire in the world? Its a lot safer for the community if its a small one. Around three years ago, I began questioning what it was all about. I came to realise the SEA UDA had taken over the bonfire culture for its own ends. If they own the bonfire, then they own the community. And when they own the community, they control the sale of drugs. Thats what the bonfire became. It was just part of the drugs business. It dawed on me that my kids deserved better. I mentioned to my wife that I wanted out and she agreed. Its the best decision we ever made. Our boys are settled into a new school and they are very happy. The transformation in us a family is fantastic. The stress of living in Larne became too much. I lived there for 31 years since I was born. And the people living there are the most decent people I know. But the paramilitaries ruined the area and it wont change until theyre gone, he insisted. The Larne man maintained he was still deeply committed to the loyalist cause, but he felt there was no need for loyalist paramilitary groups any more. The Troubles are over and theyre not coming back, he said. I mean its not as if a united Ireland is around the corner or anything like that. Im still a loyalist and I do more for Northern Ireland over here than any of them do back home. Daniel maintained that Larne was in danger of becoming a drug-dependent town unless action was taken soon. And he was highly critical of police procedures aimed at tackling the growing drugs problem in the town. If the police were serious, they could sort out Larne in a year. They must know who, what and where the drugs are coming into Larne. The people are sick and tired of the drugs and they deserve a lot better, said Daniel. Western Bay of Plenty jobseekers who are interested in exploring different kinds of jobs can strap on a headset and do so through virtual reality next week. Ministry of Social Development has joined forces with Toi Ohomai Te Pukenga to host a Spring into Work Hiring and Recruitment Day in Tauranga at Toi Ohomai Te Pukenga, Windermere Drive Campus, H Building - Atrium Restaurant. VR is an innovative and fun way of connecting jobseekers to local employers and giving people a taste of work in various industries through simulating actual tasks. From 9.30am to 2pm on Wednesday, October 19, VR users can explore different jobs and career paths. They will also be able to complete their Site Safe Passport, an industry recognised health and safety certification for anyone wanting to work in construction or infrastructure. Healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, horticulture, and hospitality employers will be on hand during the day to talk about work opportunities in their industries. Anyone keen on study can take a campus tour at 11am and 3pm. Bay of Plenty Social Development regional commissioner Mike Bryant says MSD is committed to supporting local business owners find people for their workplace. MSD offers a range of services to help employers with their recruitment needs. The recruitment day is free to attend so just pop down. The Spring into Work Hiring and Recruitment Day is one of three hosted across the Bay of Plenty during October. WeatherWatch reports that a ridge of high pressure covers New Zealand today bringing mainly settled weather. "A big low to the northeast of the North Island looks to stay away but it will bring light showers in the east," says a WeatherWatch spokesperson. For Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, the weather forecast is partly cloudy with southeasterly winds, tending southwest in the evening. Northland has a few showers especially in the east. Temperature highs today for these four regions is between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius. Western North Island (including Central North Island) Sun and some high cloud, southeasterly winds. Afternoon westerlies for north Taranaki. Highs: 12-16 Eastern North Island A mostly cloudy day with a few showers or drizzle patches, drying out in the evening. Southeasterly winds, winds tend more easterly for Wairarapa. Highs: 13-15 Wellington Plenty of high cloud, some mid level cloud too. East to southeasterly winds. Highs: 14-15 Marlborough & Nelson Mid and high level cloud, easterlies for Marlborough, afternoon northerlies for Nelson. Highs: 14-15 Canterbury Morning cloud breaks to sun and high cloud, east to northeasterly winds quite fresh about the coast in the afternoon, perhaps even strong. Highs: 13-19 West Coast Mostly sunny, some high cloud for North Westland / Buller. Fiordland has some cloud which thickens northwards later in the day or overnight. A few light showers eventually move into Fiordland. Light winds. Highs: 15-18 Southland amd Otago Sunny, some high cloud later in the day. Light winds tending onshore in the afternoon, fresh afternoon northeasterlies for coastal Otago. Highs: 15-21 The first cruise ship of the New Zealand summer season has docked in Tauranga harbour on Saturday morning, bringing many smiles to locals. The Majestic Princess arrived at the Port of Tauranga from Tahiti at 5.30am today, October 15 and will depart at 5.30pm with up to 3,560 passengers on board. The cruise ship is heralding the return of an industry that has traditionally contributed millions of dollars to the countrys economy each year. A haka pohiri was performed during a welcome for passengers and crew of the Majestic Princess. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford. Passengers were welcomed with a haka pohiri from Te Reo Whakakoko o Mauao as they disembarked the ship at 8am. The group is affiliated with Tauranga Moana mana whenua from Ngaiterangi, Ngati Ranginui, Ngati Pukenga and other iwi. Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell was also at the port early to welcome the passengers as they stepped off the Majestic Princess. The first person to enter NZ this season aboard a cruise ship is Harold Ilg, from Naples, Florida, USA. "I'm keen to find an ATM and then go on a bus around Tauranga," says Harold, who has visited Tauranga before. MP for Tauranga Sam Uffindell welcoming Harold Ilg, the first cruise ship passenger to enter New Zealand this summer season. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford. "It's absolutely fantastic to have cruise ships back in Tauranga," says Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell. "We need this tourism boost and I'm sure businesses in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty wil be more than happy to see them." Tourism Bay of Plenty had guides ready to assist passengers with information, and an information kiosk is available. The vessels arrival signals the start of what is expected to be a significant cruise season for New Zealand and the coastal Bay of Plenty, with many cruise companies reporting their strongest sales to date. Information kiosk at the port to assist passengers. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford. Tourism Bay of Plenty General Manager and New Zealand Cruise Association Board member, Oscar Nathan, says its a privilege to host the first of New Zealands summer cruise manuhiri (visitors) and to impress them with the manaakitanga that the region is renowned for. Its a Bay tradition to acknowledge and celebrate these impressive ships and their passengers, so were encouraging people to celebrate cruise ships being back in our waters by farewelling the Majestic Princess from vantage points such as Pilot Bay and Mauao. With approximately 171,000 cruise ship manuhiri and almost 73,000 crew members expected for the 2022/23 season, there will be a real buzz around the region with more people exploring the beautiful Bay of Plenty, which will be fantastic to see, he says. Tourism Bay of Plenty information guides Jan Innes, Julie Rau and Angela Sheppard. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford. The financial impact of the two-year absence of cruise ships has been felt across New Zealand. The cruise industry injected $547 million into the countrys economy in the 2019/20 cruise season, with most of that spend benefitting the tourism, transport, and retail sectors. Port of Tauranga Chief Executive, Leonard Sampson, says the port is delighted to welcome cruise ships again. In total, 103 cruise ships are expected to dock in Tauranga this season. Cruise ship passengers are an important source of revenue for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato tourism industries, which have really suffered during the pandemic. They are also a spectacular sight for locals as they enter and depart Te Awanui Tauranga Harbour, he says. The Majestic Princess will be leaving Tauranga at 5.30pm on Saturday October 15, a sight enjoyed by many from Pilot Bay. Photo: Katie Cox. The coastal Bay of Plenty has typically enjoyed the countrys second-highest share of cruise spend, behind Auckland, with the last full summer cruise season (2018/19) contributing $89m to the local economy. Recent research (August 2022) by Nexus Research shows that 76 per cent of Tauranga residents are happy to welcome cruise ship visitors because of the significant economic benefit and the vibrancy and cultural diversity the passengers and crew bring. Majestic Princess arriving at Port of Tauranga on Saturday morning. Photo: Kelly Hunt. "Wanted: the next generation of professionals ready to push boundaries, challenge the status quo and do something extraordinary with their career," says Western Bay of Plenty District Councils Head of People and Capability Darren Crowe. The council is offering eight paid internships in their 2022/23 Summer Student Programme. "Were looking for students that want to do something extraordinary in their careers and make a difference. For our people. For our communities. For each other," says Darren. The programme offers an exciting opportunity for students to learn just how important Councils mahi is in the community, and gain invaluable experience for their CV. The 2022/23 internship intake has roles in a range of areas in Council, from engineering, building services and summer ambassador roles. Darren says that the summer students are an important part of the Western Bay whanau. This programme is designed to help build up passionate and skilled professionals who will shape the local government sector, and our communities, in the future. Whether you love engineering, horticulture, design, technology, writing, working with animals or people we have a career pathway to get you started. Were on a journey to become a District with strong and sustainable community partnerships, that embraces the diversity of the area and is bold in its vision for change. The next generation will play a huge role in creating new solutions that make our communities lives better and you can start now. Darren says in return the council offers the summer students "a supportive learning environment and great mentorship opportunities from our experienced team", as well as the chance to work in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment. "Whether our teams are out in the community or working in the office no two days are the same," says Darren. Darren encourages rangatahi studying relevant qualifications to put themselves out there and apply for the positions. On-the-job experience is the best way to learn, and an internship with us gives you an insight into what Council does, a taste of the career opportunities in local government and potential career paths you could follow. And often internships lead to permanent positions here at Council, so its definitely worth giving it a go! Roles available for summer 2022/23: Engineering Assistant Summer Student (two positions) to assist our engineers with various stormwater, water and wastewater projects. The role will include undertaking site investigations, gathering information, analysis and reporting. Building Assistant Summer Student (two positions) to assist with building compliance and the building consents applications and notifications processes. These roles provide great opportunities and exposure to different aspects of building compliance and consents processes, providing an understanding of the statutory obligations Council is required to administer and monitor. Summer Ambassador (four positions) assisting our compliance team, the Summer Ambassadors will visit Western Bay's freedom camping spots, parking areas and beaches over summer to make sure everyone is enjoying their stay and to educate campers on the District's freedom camping opportunities. "Go on, do something extraordinary this summer," says Darren. Apply now at www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/vacancies "Our summer student roles close on Sunday 30 October 2022 and our Summer Ambassador roles close on Sunday 20 November 2022." To find out more, please contact Paige Marshall in the council's People and Capability team, on 0800 926 732. Helping parents and carers to relieve their childs anxiety before an operation is the focus of a new information campaign launched on Friday. The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Anaesthesia and Children: Caring for your kids campaign is aimed at guiding parents, carers and their children so they can understand what they can expect before, during and after their childs operations. Mindful of the workforce and resourcing pressures faced by hospitals in New Zealand ANZCA is encouraging hospitals to support the campaign if they can. ANZCA President Dr Chris Cokis says some children may need reassurance ahead of having an operation or procedure in hospital. Children of all ages, including newborn babies, may require anaesthesia when having an operation or medical procedure. This years National Anaesthesia Day campaign on Monday 17 October is about creating awareness of the vital role anaesthetists play in keeping children safe and pain-free during their operation. Its also about helping parents, carers and children through the process, says Dr Cokis. Sometimes children may be anxious about having to go to hospital for an operation so were encouraging parents and carers to speak with their anaesthetist ahead of their childs operation to ensure theyre well prepared and also so everything runs as smoothly as possible. ANZCA has created a short animated video for children with the Society for Paediatric Anaesthesia in New Zealand and Australia that anaesthetists and hospitals can use as part of a suite of online resources which also includes posters and fact sheets at anzca.edu.au. "New Zealand is one of the safest places to have a surgical procedure involving anaesthesia, and our anaesthetists are among the most highly trained specialist doctors on the planet," says Dr Cokis. ANZCA, as one of Australia and New Zealands largest specialist medical colleges with 7500 specialist anaesthetists (fellows) and 500 specialist pain medicine physicians, is responsible for the training, examination and specialist accreditation of anaesthetists and pain medicine specialists and for the standards of clinical practice in Australia and New Zealand. Three lucky Lotto players one from Invercargill and two from Auckland - will be on cloud nine after each winning $333,333 with Lotto First Division in Saturday night's live Lotto draw. The winning tickets were sold at Four Square Newfield in Invercargill, and on MyLotto to the two players from Auckland. Powerball was not struck on Saturday and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $15 million. Two Strike players will also be celebrating after each winning $100,000 with Strike Four on Saturday night. The winning Strike tickets were sold at Countdown Ashburton in Ashburton and on MyLotto to a player from the West Coast. Thirteen lucky Lotto players will be feeling on top of the world after each winning $23,058 with Lotto Second Division in Saturyday's live Lotto draw. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location Countdown Tikipunga Whangarei MyLotto (x3) Auckland Diorella Superette Auckland Pak N Save Pukekohe Chartwell Lotto Hamilton Countdown Gisborne Gisborne Levin Mall Lotto Levin Countdown Masterton Masterton Pak n Save Blenheim Blenheim New World Ferry Road Christchurch MyLotto Dunedin Anyone who bought their ticket from the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the Lotto NZ App. With 100 per cent of Lotto NZs profits supporting thousands of great causes, every time you play one of Lotto NZs games, youre a Kiwi helping other Kiwis. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. 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. maverick6106 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Sagar Posts: 3 Thanked: 11 Times Re: 45-lakh budget | Preowned or New luxury car? Quote: asit.kulkarni93 Originally Posted by Before you start shortlisting cars, Visit the FNG near your place. Discuss with the owners, what premium vehicles they have worked on, if they are equipped with basic diagnostic tools and how much time do spare parts normally take to arrive. I am sure you know plenty of people around Sagar who have premium cars and they can give you a feedback on the overall experience. Do not go by numbers, Many cars with stiff suspension wouldn't bottom out easily. If GC is still a concern then it's best you look at the Q5/X3 or the last gen X5 or diesel Q7. Quote: revsperminute Originally Posted by With your requirements, I dont see a sedan being the car for you. Look at SUVs like the X3, GLC. However finding one within company warranty will be a task. Quote: GTO Originally Posted by As Asit said, you have to first check if there is a good independent garage for luxury cars close to your place. If yes, awesome. Then consider a used X3, GLE etc. Or a 630d if you can manage with the GC. But I don't think a low-slung sedan like the 530d will be a good choice for a small city like Sagar. If you don't have a competent luxury car specialist, just buy a Fortuner or Tucson and close it. The 2022 Tucson compares favourably with the entry-level German luxury cars. Fantastic engine + gearbox, luxurious enough, better reliability than the Germans and you have a local Hyundai dealer for support. Fortuner if you can live with the body-on-frame SUV compromises. Quote: EV NXT Originally Posted by The new Tucson is very unhyundai. It handles well, is fast, and rock steady at high speeds. Feels solid, has enough features to keep you happy and is very comfortable too. If you can live with the badge this is a german in disguise. Quote: androdev Originally Posted by As long as you are being realistic with your expectations, you can surely consider a premium luxury in a small town. The prestige of owning these brands in a small town would be at another level - which can be a pro or con depending on your point of view. Go for a new car. I know the numbers look tempting but when you consider the big picture (your intention to own it for many years, sentimental aspects of buying for parents and all the nice intangibles that come with a new purchase), you should absolutely consider a new car. I would even go to the extent of saying that your family/parents would appreciate and remember the car buying and delivery process more than the car itself. More importantly, with a new car you will have a honeymoon period of initial 60-70K km at least whereas with a used car, you are likely to hit rough weather pretty early and it will ruin the whole project. Most people who confidently buy used luxury cars are very experienced with selection and servicing of such cars. If you go with a new car, you just need to go through the hassle of servicing the car once a year (assuming your usage will be less than 15K km per year). Luxury car service centres will mostly oblige to send their driver to your place or arrange a flat bed to get your car serviced. It will cost few bucks but you have to accept it as the price for living in a small town. Given the far off location of the service centre, the downtime will be a bit longer than usual during which time you will have to manage with other cars in your garage. Keep in mind that BMW follows condition-based servicing which might not be convenient and skipping service will void warranty. My recommendation would be to go with Mercedes, they are very established players and surely have familiarity with serving many clients from smaller cities. Current C class would be as good a package as previous gen E class, so you won't be getting any less car if your budget allows you to buy a new car from one segment lower. The current generation Mercedes cars look really upmarket and would delight parents and family. Visit the showroom and test drive to see what appeals to both heart and pocket. Lexus is another good option assuming local Toyota can service the car. Since you said the car will be driven by you or your dad, I would say go with the German brands. They are certainly more enjoyable to drive, esp on highways, and worth the hassle of dealing with far off service centres. Camry and Tucson are very good cars and will be pragmatic choices but the laws of risk vs reward always apply in life. If you want to explore pre-owned options, limit your search to "within warranty" cars from official pre-owned sales divisions of MB, BMW, Audi, etc. Don't buy from open market unless the seller is a known person. Ultimately owning a luxury car in a big city itself is a demanding exercise (both money and effort) and suitable only to those who fancy such indulgence. Many HNIs neither desire such cars nor willing to put up with the hassles. Things get amplified when you are in a small town (both the good and the bad) and it's up to you to decide if you enjoy such a car ownership to justify the hassle. Another way to look it is, do it once as indulgence. If the experience works out great, you would be pleased with your decision. Otherwise, cut your losses and don't repeat :-) As for annual servicing i visit Bhopal twice a year so it can be taken care of then. I have heard from multiple owners that Mercedes are the most well built but their maintenance costs are also very high at the official centers. It is indeed an indulgence, more of a heart over head decision otherwise Toyota Camry would have been the clear choice as it ticks most of boxes apart from fun to drive factor , GC and badge value. Yes a preowned Lexus would be a good choice (assuming local Toyota centre can service) it but it doesn't have same performance as the six cylinder diesels and from what I have read scrapes it belly very easily.Is the current C-class as well built and has similar NVH levels as W212/V213? Quote: IshaanIan Originally Posted by I suppose the C-Class is like the Brezza of the entry level luxury car market. It is the obvious choice and has been for nearly a decade now for anyone considering a luxury car. The car definitely served us 3rd world markets well by elevating itself in 2014 in the W205 guise. Ever since, the C-Class has seemed like good value (not a word one usually associates with entry level luxury products). +1 and shocked to not see more mentions for this car.I suppose the C-Class is like the Brezza of the entry level luxury car market. It is the obvious choice and has been for nearly a decade now for anyone considering a luxury car.The car definitely served us 3rd world markets well by elevating itself in 2014 in the W205 guise. Ever since, the C-Class has seemed like good value (not a word one usually associates with entry level luxury products). Quote: zandot Originally Posted by I am also in a similar conundrum to you, same budget and same no 1. And 2. Vehicles shortlisted. I already have a 2022 mg zs ev as my daily and was contemplating a used luxury a secondary. Sadly theres such few decent second hand vehicles available in the market at the moment in Mumbai at least that most dealers are offering Pune registered or ex factory registered vehicles (Mercedes) floating around. Will be watching this thread closely! Yes some the horror stories behind procurement of spare parts for luxury brands is definitely a tun off. The competence of local fngs is limited at best.Yes SUVS seem like the logical choice. However sedans are the only body style in consideration as of now since we already have a hatchback and a MUV.Badge value is important to us. We feel that the Fortuner does not exactly portray an image of sophistication. Also it is a fairly common vehicle in these parts. The only reason why Toyota Camry is in contention is because of local sales and support. Local garages don't even have OBD scanners but i feel that they will be be able to change engine oil, brake pads filters when required. Do such routine tasks require the codes to be cleared? 630d is at the top of my consideration set. The only issue is finding ones in warranty at that budget. Most of the examples are likely to be 4-5 years old. Mentally I am fine with spending 1-1.5 L per year on maintenance. The only thing that worries me is the downtime for the vehicle.Since it is more of an emotional purchase, it has to be a luxury brand.If we consider a new vehicle; BMW 3 series, Audi A4 and Toyota Camry are within our budget. I feel that the entry level vehicles in BMW and Audi might not be as well built like the 5 series/A6. There are many luxury vehicles running around in my city mostly BMW X3, Mercedes Benz GLE and Audi Q5. Most of them are SUVS and sedans are very rare here.As for annual servicing i visit Bhopal twice a year so it can be taken care of then. I have heard from multiple owners that Mercedes are the most well built but their maintenance costs are also very high at the official centers. It is indeed an indulgence, more of a heart over head decision otherwise Toyota Camry would have been the clear choice as it ticks most of boxes apart from fun to drive factor , GC and badge value. Yes a preowned Lexus would be a good choice (assuming local Toyota centre can service) it but it doesn't have same performance as the six cylinder diesels and from what I have read scrapes it belly very easily.Is the current C-class as well built and has similar NVH levels as W212/V213?I feel that the C-class is a bit over priced now and does not have a very usable boot.What are ex-factory registered vehicles? Demo cars? The search for preowned is frustrating and it the hardship is compounded by the fact that i cannot physically visit the dealers. Most of them decline to provide service history and invoice of the vehicle electronically. Till date out of 7-8 vehicles that I have shown interest in only 1 delaer has provided a service history. I feel that making a physical visit without background checks being complete would just be a waste of my time. Interestingly there are a lot of Audi A6 and Mercedes E class floating around in the open pre owned market and even on the certified channels. We should maybe go in for 3-4 years old cars in warranty and hope that we get all issues are sorted out before warranty expires in 1-2 years. Chethan B G Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,625 Thanked: 1,855 Times View My Garage Re: Honda Jazz ZX CVT | Practical family city hatch! Quote: jaysheth Originally Posted by Also it was a pleasant surprise that you got 15" spare steel wheel rim for less than INR 2k. Does it fit properly in the spare wheel slot or does it protrude a bit? Is the weight too much compared to the 14" stock one (these are 2 of the reasons the manufacturers typically quote these days, that we want to keep it light and save space for you in the boot). Perfect fit. Absolutely no change. If I had purchased 185mm width, it would have been probably difficult. OEM steel rim was a 14 inch 5.5J, which was replaced with a 15 inch 5.5J. Difference in weight is negligible for emergency use. When you compare Alloys to Steel RIM, the weight difference can be considerable. But between steel / steel OR alloy / alloy of the same size, weight difference will be negligible, particularly when it is considered for emergency use. Quote: jaysheth Originally Posted by The manager further said that they are deliberately giving 1" smaller wheel so that we make it a point to use it strictly as a spare. It it was of the same size, folks would continue driving with it which gets risky as the tyre wear will be quite uneven compared to the other 3 tyres in this case. 1. A spare wheel is a spare wheel, used for emergency purpose only. Period. 2. Who would like to have 3 alloys and 1 steel wheel on his car for the long term? I have not seen even a single car like that on road. 3. If the Company is so much concerned, it should provide a regular alloy so that it will be the most convenient for the customer. Space in the boot is good enough for the alloy too, as the standard alloy is also a 5.5J. Quote: jaysheth Originally Posted by He was quite surprised, he said the company is selling this at INR 6,489 for Jazz 2022 models, lot of folks have been buying it. He said this is a new learning for them as well and if the older (INR 2199) sump guard fits Jazz 2022, you have a lottery He repeatedly asked if your friend really has a Jazz "2022" model where he fitted the INR 2199 sump guard, as it was quite surprising for them, and I said yes indeed! Hi Chethan, sharing some surprising update:He was quite surprised, he said the company is selling this at INR 6,489 for Jazz 2022 models, lot of folks have been buying it. He said this is a new learning for them as well and if the older (INR 2199) sump guard fits Jazz 2022, you have a lotteryHe repeatedly asked if your friend really has a Jazz "2022" model where he fitted the INR 2199 sump guard, as it was quite surprising for them, and I said yes indeed! I was aware that there were two types of engine guard and the prices were different. Infact, particularly for this reason, I wanted to make sure before sharing the information. After 2015, there has been no changes in the chassis and therefore, engine guard should match. Face lift in the subsequent years has been only cosmetic. In my opinion, all Honda Jazz sold after 2015, both diesel and petrol variants, should be able to take this same engine guard. Perfect fit. Absolutely no change.If I had purchased 185mm width, it would have been probably difficult.OEM steel rim was a 14 inch 5.5J, which was replaced with a 15 inch 5.5J. Difference in weight is negligible for emergency use.When you compare Alloys to Steel RIM, the weight difference can be considerable. But between steel / steel OR alloy / alloy of the same size, weight difference will be negligible, particularly when it is considered for emergency use.I won't buy this argument.1. A spare wheel is a spare wheel, used for emergency purpose only. Period.2. Who would like to have 3 alloys and 1 steel wheel on his car for the long term? I have not seen even a single car like that on road.3. If the Company is so much concerned, it should provide a regular alloy so that it will be the most convenient for the customer. Space in the boot is good enough for the alloy too, as the standard alloy is also a 5.5J.I was in touch with Ronak @ CarTrends @ 9718382187. He took my car's VIN and suggested the relevant engine guard.I was aware that there were two types of engine guard and the prices were different. Infact, particularly for this reason, I wanted to make sure before sharing the information.After 2015, there has been no changes in the chassis and therefore, engine guard should match. Face lift in the subsequent years has been only cosmetic. In my opinion, all Honda Jazz sold after 2015, both diesel and petrol variants, should be able to take this same engine guard. Potenza BHPian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 101 Thanked: 355 Times Re: Spectacular Scotland Day 7 continued and Day 8- The last of the Highlands We reached Inverness at around 4.00 pm and immediately set of for the city centre. This was our last evening in the highlands and we obviously wanted to make the most of it. Inverness Castle- which is now a courthouse. We had heard of this lovely book store called Leakey's and decided to pay a visit. Its Scotland's largest second-hand book shop and was definitely worth seeing. Their collection of books was mind-boggling. Post Leakey's we wandered around a bit in the city centre and then decided to pay another visit to Bella Italia for their heavenly Lasagne. Day 8- This was to be our last day in the magical Highlands. The plan was to visit Inverness Castle (courthouse) in the morning followed by a quick visit to the Cathedral and then leave for Edinburgh. The day started with a lovely breakfast at our hotel's restaurant. One thing we repeatedly experienced in Scotland was how friendly everyone was (more on this later). Post breakfast, we loaded our massively heavy bags in the Merc for one last time and headed out to the Castle. As mentioned earlier, Inverness Castle is used as the local courthouse now. Its not really a castle anymore. Inverness Clock Tower. While we were at the castle it started snowing. It was the second time we encountered snow on this trip, and this time it was proper snow. After enjoying it for a while and getting drenched we decided to take shelter in the car. We then left for the Inverness Cathedral. Inverness Cathedral was a simply beautiful place. It was simple, but really regal and elegant with lovely stained glass and perfect lighting that really brought out its beauty. As with most places in Scotland, the cathedral had its own little cafe. We were pretty much frozen after getting wet in the morning snow and had some nice warm coffee with some Victoria Sponge before leaving for Edinburgh. We continued on to Edinburgh and stayed there for five more nights and visited Glasgow as well before leaving for Mumbai with massively heavy hearts. And that concludes this travelogue of the magnificent Highlands. But before I leave you, in true Team-Bhp style let me recap what we liked and disliked from our beautiful vacation. Likes: - Breath-taking landscapes. The Highlands are filled with vistas which just take your breath away. There's not a single place in the Highlands where we didn't feel like spending more time than we did. And this is after spending almost eight days there. Frankly, I don't know how people can manage to see or even get a flavour of the highlands in a day-trip or even in 3-4 days. - The most amazing people. We've travelled a fair bit to Europe, for work as well as leisure. We've never met locals who are so friendly with tourists. Hotel staff, restaurant guys, or even just locals on the street were super friendly. The most amazing example was in Oban, where an elderly person who was reading a newspaper in a cafe offered us his table because we wanted to have breakfast and there was no place to sit. - No racism. On our travels, we've encountered racist behaviour from locals/hotel staff/immigration people etc. on quite a few occasions in a fair number of countries. Sometimes its very overt and obvious, other times its not. Rome is one such place where we've experienced rampant in-your-face racism very frequently. In our entire two weeks of staying in Scotland we didn't experience it even once. It was simply amazing to see how nice people were. It was truly refreshing. - Lovely Weather. Like in most countries in that part of the world, the weather was lovely. We prefer travelling in cold weather rather than summer and it was just perfect for us. - No midges. The Scottish Highlands are infested with this bee like thing which is called a midge. Apparently they are quite irritating. But they are only present in the summer. Since we travelled towards the end of winter there were no insects around. - Food. All the food that we had was prepared with a lot of passion. The cakes from small Scottish cafes were to die for, the Scones with clotted cream and jam were delightful and in general the stuff from small bakeries was delicious. Every hotel serves a wide variety of hot dishes and their egg preparations are lovely. Very different from the hot breakfast which is served in hotels which is basically just eggs to order. - Sparse traffic. We didn't really encounter any notable traffic in all the days that we drove there. Sure, February is not really high tourist season but even then I dont think the Highlands would be very crowded except during peak summer. Dislikes: - Well nothing really, but if we were to nit-pick the only thing that needs to be improved was the availability of washrooms at Skye. Most of the sights at Skye are remote and the lack of washrooms can be an issue. And with that we come to an end of this travelogue. I hope it helps someone plan a holiday to this truly wonderful place on earth. Thank you! We reached Inverness at around 4.00 pm and immediately set of for the city centre. This was our last evening in the highlands and we obviously wanted to make the most of it.Inverness Castle- which is now a courthouse.We had heard of this lovely book store called Leakey's and decided to pay a visit. Its Scotland's largest second-hand book shop and was definitely worth seeing. Their collection of books was mind-boggling.Post Leakey's we wandered around a bit in the city centre and then decided to pay another visit to Bella Italia for their heavenly Lasagne.Day 8- This was to be our last day in the magical Highlands. The plan was to visit Inverness Castle (courthouse) in the morning followed by a quick visit to the Cathedral and then leave for Edinburgh.The day started with a lovely breakfast at our hotel's restaurant. One thing we repeatedly experienced in Scotland was how friendly everyone was (more on this later).Post breakfast, we loaded our massively heavy bags in the Merc for one last time and headed out to the Castle.As mentioned earlier, Inverness Castle is used as the local courthouse now. Its not really a castle anymore.Inverness Clock Tower.While we were at the castle it started snowing. It was the second time we encountered snow on this trip, and this time it was proper snow. After enjoying it for a while and getting drenched we decided to take shelter in the car.We then left for the Inverness Cathedral.Inverness Cathedral was a simply beautiful place. It was simple, but really regal and elegant with lovely stained glass and perfect lighting that really brought out its beauty.As with most places in Scotland, the cathedral had its own little cafe. We were pretty much frozen after getting wet in the morning snow and had some nice warm coffee with some Victoria Sponge before leaving for Edinburgh.We continued on to Edinburgh and stayed there for five more nights and visited Glasgow as well before leaving for Mumbai with massively heavy hearts.And that concludes this travelogue of the magnificent Highlands. But before I leave you, in true Team-Bhp style let me recap what we liked and disliked from our beautiful vacation.- Breath-taking landscapes. The Highlands are filled with vistas which just take your breath away. There's not a single place in the Highlands where we didn't feel like spending more time than we did. And this is after spending almost eight days there. Frankly, I don't know how people can manage to see or even get a flavour of the highlands in a day-trip or even in 3-4 days.- The most amazing people. We've travelled a fair bit to Europe, for work as well as leisure. We've never met locals who are so friendly with tourists. Hotel staff, restaurant guys, or even just locals on the street were super friendly. The most amazing example was in Oban, where an elderly person who was reading a newspaper in a cafe offered us his table because we wanted to have breakfast and there was no place to sit.- No racism. On our travels, we've encountered racist behaviour from locals/hotel staff/immigration people etc. on quite a few occasions in a fair number of countries. Sometimes its very overt and obvious, other times its not. Rome is one such place where we've experienced rampant in-your-face racism very frequently. In our entire two weeks of staying in Scotland we didn't experience it even once. It was simply amazing to see how nice people were. It was truly refreshing.- Lovely Weather. Like in most countries in that part of the world, the weather was lovely. We prefer travelling in cold weather rather than summer and it was just perfect for us.- No midges. The Scottish Highlands are infested with this bee like thing which is called a midge. Apparently they are quite irritating. But they are only present in the summer. Since we travelled towards the end of winter there were no insects around.- Food. All the food that we had was prepared with a lot of passion. The cakes from small Scottish cafes were to die for, the Scones with clotted cream and jam were delightful and in general the stuff from small bakeries was delicious. Every hotel serves a wide variety of hot dishes and their egg preparations are lovely. Very different from the hot breakfast which is served in hotels which is basically just eggs to order.- Sparse traffic. We didn't really encounter any notable traffic in all the days that we drove there. Sure, February is not really high tourist season but even then I dont think the Highlands would be very crowded except during peak summer.- Well nothing really, but if we were to nit-pick the only thing that needs to be improved was the availability of washrooms at Skye. Most of the sights at Skye are remote and the lack of washrooms can be an issue.And with that we come to an end of this travelogue. I hope it helps someone plan a holiday to this truly wonderful place on earth.Thank you! Last edited by Potenza : 14th October 2022 at 15:43 . Advanced processors readily available to the research community opened up many possibilities for AI applications. From advanced warfare to driverless food deliveries, artificial intelligence has undoubtedly profoundly impacted how humans approach contemporary issues. As a result, the medical community has also affirmed that artificial intelligence will have a significant impact on patient care in the near future. This assertion is supported by a study that assessed health professionals' awareness of AI technologies and investigated their attitudes toward AI applications in medicine. The study also revealed that healthcare workers' cooperation is critical for integrating AI into clinical practice and that without it, the medical community may miss out on a tremendously rewarding opportunity. The Future of Medical Artificial Intelligence Numerous advantages come from incorporating AI into the healthcare ecosystem, including automating processes and analyzing large patient data sets to provide better healthcare more quickly and affordably. Based on a VentureBeat report, AI integration with modern medicine could be a double-edged sword with numerous opportunities and risks. According to the report, medical AI can augment human efforts by extending its capabilities beyond what humans are capable of and providing a level of care that is otherwise out of reach. The same report says that AI has a lot of potential in helping to develop the field of medical care. To name one example, AI algorithms are capable of analyzing complex systems if given sufficient and relevant historical data to begin with. AI algorithms are programmed to extract valuable insights from hundreds of data readings by focusing on data. AI, which is indefatigable, may be able to focus more effectively than humans. Read Also: Amazon Collaborates With Blue Apron, Access a Meal Kit Delivery Service Without Needing to Sub Furthermore, AI applications may have access to data that humans do not. As per a Science Daily report, many deaths could be avoided if medical professionals used electronic sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor and treat vulnerable patients in ways that improved outcomes while respecting privacy. AI is also entirely data-driven; biases in data are inconceivable in this area of technology. This type of approach to medical care has the potential to combine the best of human and machine intelligence. A Look at AI Risks Warnings and panic-stricken concerns about fast-evolving AI tech are voiced frequently. Sometimes the fears might seem exaggerated or like a conspiracy theory, but they might be justified at other times. We are not talking about robot world dominance and other conspiracies straight out of a Stephen King novel. AI may cause issues such as imperfect sensors and databases and trigger tight regulation, which may be just as concerning. According to Health IT Analytics, despite its potential to unlock new insights and streamline the way providers and patients interact with healthcare data, AI may pose significant risks of privacy issues, ethical concerns, and medical errors. Despite these concerns, the majority of AI experts believe that a combination of human experience and digital augmentation will be the natural settling point for AI in healthcare. Related Article: Oxford, AstraZeneca's Nasal COVID Vaccine Failed to Deliver-Going Back to Development Phase? 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. United Launch Alliance (ULA) has delayed the debut launch of their Vulcan Centaur rocket until early 2023. However, it will carry an important new payload by that time: the first two prototype satellites of Amazon's planned space-based internet constellation, named Project Kuiper. Most Divisions Are Running Late Behind the Schedule Before rescheduling it, the new heavy-lift class rocket from ULA's launch facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida was expected to fly this year. ULA issued a statement on Wednesday, Oct. 12, explaining the timeline change. It said it was necessary since neither the payload nor the launch vehicle would be ready to fly by the end of the year. The pushback in the launch date is in response to a request by Astrobotic, the company that will be sending the Peregrine lunar lander to the Moon as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The company's Vulcan rocket production is likewise running behind schedule. According to the report, it will be another month before a flight-ready version can be shipped to Florida. Blue Origin, the space corporation founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, supplied the rocket's BE-4 engines, but the rocket is currently stranded at ULA's plant in Decatur, Alabama, awaiting installation. Related Story: 'Star Trek' Veterans Ashes Including Nichelle Nichols to Fly with Celestis via ULA's Vulcan Centaur Amazon Is Joining the Vulcan Centaur Rocket After establishing a multi-launch agreement with ABL Space Systems in November 2021, Amazon planned to launch its prototype KuiperSat-1 and 2 satellites early the following year. However, the new launch business will not be able to get the satellites into the air on time because the RS1 rocket is still in the prototype stage. With the first two prototypes completed by the end of the year, Amazon wants to produce more than 3,000 satellites capable of beaming space-based internet connectivity to consumers in unserved and underserved locations around the world. While Amazon still plans to retain two launches with ABL Space Systems, per the terms of the original launch agreement, the company has shifted its focus to ULA in order to launch the first prototypes of its internet-beaming satellites. Reportedly, having a variety of rockets at their disposal allowed them to meet the program's goals better while also lowering the risks associated with launch vehicle stand-downs. The Project Kuiper Amazon has contracts with several launch providers, including ABL Space Systems, ULA, Blue Origin, and the French company Arianespace. "We couldn't be more delighted to join the inaugural launch of ULA's Vulcan Centaur," Rajeev Badyal, The vice president of technology for Amazon's Project Kuiper, Rajeev Badyal, said in a statement released on Wednesday that they are delighted to join the inaugural launch of the Vulcan Centaur. "We've already secured 38 Kuiper launches on Vulcan, and using the same launch vehicle for our prototype mission gives us a chance to practice payload integration, processing, and mission management procedures ahead of those full-scale commercial launches," Badyal said via Florida Today. Read Also: China's Rocket Engine Launch a Success, More Powerful Than NASA's Artemis This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Trisha Kae Andrada 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, Fold 3, and Note 20 users could now get their hands on Android 13 as the South Korean phone maker dishes out its One UI 5 Beta to these mobile phones. But how about its latest foldable devices, including the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the Z Fold 4? (Photo : JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images) A person checks South Korean tech giant Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 smartphone, in the MWC (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona on March 1, 2022. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip/Fold 3, Note 20 Start Getting One UI 5 Beta Based on Android 13 The renowned phone maker, which currently reigns in the foldable phone market, has begun expanding its One UI 5 beta to more devices, other than its Galaxy S22 and S21 lineups. The Samsung Android 13 beta program is now available to its older foldable devices and its high-end Note series. As per the latest news story by GSM Arena, Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 3 users could now dive into the Android 13 beta offering of Samsung, under the One UI 5 sleeve. Not to mention folks with Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra could also get their hands on the new beta update. (Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 7: A man uses the stylus on the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10 smartphone during a launch event at Barclays Center on August 7, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The online news outlet notes that the One UI 5 based on Android 13 is now available in these mobile devices not only in the US, but also in the home base of the phone maker, South Korea. According to a recent report by 9to5 Google, the latest beta update is also available in India for the Galaxy Fold 3 and the Flip 3. It is worth noting that Samsung initially offered the beta version of its mobile operating system to its primary flagship lineup, the Galaxy S21 series and the latest Galaxy S22 devices. But this time, it looks like more Samsung users could test out Android 13 thanks to the expansion of the One UI 5 beta release. Read Also: Samsung Electronics Announces Expanded Partnership with Google to Elevate Smart Home Experiences What to Expect from One UI 5 Beta The expansion of the One UI 5 Beta comes a day after Samsung announced what its new Android 13 based software offers. (Photo : JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images) A visitor looks at a Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone at a showroom in Seoul on September 6, 2019. - Tech giant Samsung launched its hotly anticipated first foldable smartphone on September 6, months after faulty screens forced an embarrassing delay of its release. 9to5 Google notes that the new update brings a couple of visual refinements, along with new features. For instance, the changelog of the latest beta release notes that it offers the version of Samsung for the Material You design of Google, which goes by the name "Color Palette. It also provides stacked widgets. And if you receive tons of calls in a day, you might want to check out that customizable incoming call backgrounds feature. Related Article: Samsung One UI 5: Bixby to Debut Text Call Feature if You Do Not Feel Talking when Taking a Call-Like Google's This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Starlink is to stop offering its free internet service to the conflicted country of Ukraine, especially as the company already operated mostly out of its own pockets which caused them $80 million. Private funders and donations were already spent to keep the service up for Ukraine's needs, especially as it saw a massive advancement with the famed satellite internet's availability. However, in the future operations of Starlink for Ukraine, it may need to tap the United States Pentagon for funding, or it may ask for payments. Starlink to Stop its Free Internet for Ukraine, 'Unreasonable' for Musk (Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images) SpaceX and Starlink are reportedly trying to ask the US Pentagon for additional funding for its operations in Ukraine to provide the country with the satellite internet service it needs. Musk said that Starlink is not trying to recuperate the amount it spent from its pockets to help Ukraine get back on its feet and have reliable internet for their access. However, the tech CEO said that it cannot fund the internet service on its own, indefinitely, especially as either side is not backing down from the other in the present. Starlink is continuously sending terminals and operating in the country without asking them for much, but continuing further without the funding it needs is "unreasonable," says Musk. Read Also: Elon Musk: Starlink Terminals May Provide Internet Uplink via Cell Towers for More to Connect in Ukraine SpaceX is not asking to recoup past expenses, but also cannot fund the existing system indefinitely *and* send several thousand more terminals that have data usage up to 100X greater than typical households. This is unreasonable. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 14, 2022 Starlink Needs Pentagon for Ukraine Service The top billionaire claimed that Starlink's operations in Ukraine now have cost the company a massive $80 million, and it did not come from any payments from Ukraine or private entities. Only a small percentage was paid to the company from donations. Bad reporting by FT. This article falsely claims that Starlink terminals & service were paid for, when only a small percentage have been. This operation has cost SpaceX $80M & will exceed $100M by end of year. As for whats happening on the battlefield, thats classified. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2022 However, if this is to continue, it will cost Starlink more than $100 million by the end of this year. With that, reports now claim that SpaceX and Elon Musk are tapping into the US Pentagon for funding to continue their efforts. Starlink and Ukraine The famous satellite internet service from Elon Musk played a significant role in helping Ukraine earlier in the year, and it is from its CEO's pledge to help their cause and the country affected by the war that Russia brought. The efforts began in April this year, sending terminals to the country to receive the internet signals and positioning its satellites for a strengthened connection. Musk and Starlink's efforts helped Ukraine get back online, especially with key areas and cities like Irpin to reconnect to the modern world. Additionally, Ukraine is heavily reliant on Starlink's internet after Russia attacked their communication and network which initially rendered the country helpless and unavailable to contact the outside world. The attacks kept Ukraine in the dark, but help from many countries and companies gave Ukrainians a chance in these trying times. However, Ukraine already cost Starlink and Elon Musk a lot from their operations from April until the present, and it needs an additional budget for the company to continue its operations. Starlink is trying to tap into the Pentagon for its needs and funding to continue its help for Ukraine, something Elon Musk and the company cannot do alone. Related Article: Ukraine's Vice PM Thanks Starlink for Help to Restore Connections After Missile Attack from Russia This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Isaiah Richard 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. After having no expansions despite being launched for over a decade, Google Fiber just announced its new plans for 2023. Google Fiber Offers Faster Internet Based on a report from Engadget, Google Fiber just announced that it will be expanding its offerings in early 2023 with 5Gbps and 8Gbps plans. This will cost $125 and $150 per month. Both will include symmetric upload and download rates, a WiFi 6 router, and up to two mesh network extenders. Through these upgrades, no lags and jittering to a bare minimum when transferring massive files. Despite its country-wide release in 2023, current customers from Kansas City, Utah, and West Des Moines can already avail of these plans as soon as November. To purchase, customers will have to sign up, and Google will review your registration to see if you are eligible or not. Adding to this, The Verge reported that the company would also be asking "trusted testers" about their expectations and reasons for usage regarding the extra bandwidth. Director of Product Management Amalia O'Sullivan stated, "with the help of content partners and device manufacturers, we're excited to usher in the next generation internet experience for Google Fiber customers." She added that Google plans to offer a video quality that was never seen before, virtual experiences that are close to real life, and faster gaming experience. All of these are right around the corner and are currently in the works. As stated on Google Fiber's blog, the vision of the company aligns with its commitment to delivering fast and great internet to its users. Expanding to the New States The only downside of this news is that despite having great upgrades, the service is only available in limited cities as it is only available to: Atlanta, Georgia Austin, Texas Charlotte, North Carolina Huntsville, Alabama Kansas City, Missouri Nashville, Tennesse Orange County, California Provo, Utah Salt Lake City, Utah San Antonio, Texas The Triangle, North Carolina West Des Moines, Iowa Google will be expanding its service to several cities in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nebraska, and Nevada, according to a report from XDA-evelopers. The last time Google rolled out its service to new areas was in 2015, which is already seven years from now. The expansions were on hold last 2016, which made its users confused about the fate of the service. Chief Executive Officer Dinni Jain stated that after not releasing updates with the service, his team is now ready to build velocity after sharpening operations. Also read: Google Fiber To Go Wireless? Underground Fiber Optic Cables Proving Too Expensive And Time-Consuming ArsTechnica also reported that Google experienced lows for the past years, including layoffs last 2016 that resulted in reassigning staff and pausing operations in ten cities like Louisville, Kentucky, and more. This was also the same year when its former Chief, Craig Baratt, resigned from his position. Related Article: Google Fiber Ditches Traditional TV Service: But How About Existing Subscribers? This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Inno Flores 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Trevor Milton, founder and former executive chairman of Nikola, was found guilty of three counts of fraud for deceiving Nikola's investors about its operations and technological capabilities, according to a report by Reuters. He was convicted of two charges of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud. He was also cleared for one count of securities fraud. His sentence has been scheduled for January 27, 2023. He might serve up to 20 years behind bars. Painted as a "Con Man" Prosecutors painted Milton during the trial in federal court in Manhattan as a "con man" who intended to mislead investors about the EV maker's technology, specifically its electric and hydrogen-powered trucks starting in November 2019. Last year, a federal grand jury indicted Milton on these allegations. The prosecution noted multiple alleged lies, many of which were reportedly told on Twitter, in interviews, and several media appearances. The prosecution said that he had lied about "nearly all parts of the business" in an effort to boost stock of Nikola. According to them, some of Milton's false claims included building an electric and hydrogen-powered "Badger" pickup from the "ground up," developing batteries internally despite knowing that the company was buying them elsewhere, and having early success building a "Nikola One" semi-truck that he was aware did not function at all. Additionally, he was accused of defrauding the owner of a Utah ranch who agreed to sell Nikola stock options as part of the purchase price based on Milton's statements regarding the business. Both the defense and the prosecution made closing statements to the jury on Thursday in a trial that started on Sept. 13. The prosecution said that Milton was too focused on the company's stock price that he manufactured statements to boost his net worth. Read also: GM Reconsiders $2 Billion Deal with Nikola Following Fraud Claims that Led to Former CEO Trevor Milton's Resignation, Stocks Drop by 60% "Elaborate Ruse" After Hindenburg Research publicly accused Nikola of performing an "elaborate ruse" to deceive the public about the progress of its electric semi, Nikola One, the SEC opened an investigation into the business in 2020. Hindenburg claimed the truck had actually been "towed to the top of a hill on a remote stretch of road and simply filmed it rolling down the hill" despite the company's video showing the truck "cruising on a road at a high rate of speed." In the end, the business paid $125 million to resolve the SEC civil penalties in 2021. Milton's defense attorney said during the trial that the video just had "special effects" and that it's not a "crime" to use them. However, the prosecution also brought up several false claims made by Milton that led to his guilty conviction. After Milton was found guilty, Nikola announced in a statement that it was glad to put this chapter behind and that it would keep pursuing shareholder value creation. Related Article: Elon Musk Admits Not 'Biggest Fan' of Nikola Tesla-- the Man Behind His Car Brand This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. At least 30 people were this week from Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure across Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin accused its foe of attacking a bridge connecting to Crimea, a Black Sea peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. Several cities, such as the capital Kyiv and Lviv, which both serve as an IT hub in the west, experienced disruptions from the barrage of attacks. According to Bloomberg, this was a safe area for IT professionals to continue their jobs despite the ongoing conflict. But with the recent attacks, the sector may be struggling to survive. Oleksandr Ruban, the CEO of a company based in Odesa that offers communications technology services, was one of those who were severely affected by the strikes after one of his offices went offline. As per Bloomberg's report, Ringostat's four employees in Cherkasy relied on a diesel generator and their Starlink terminal to cater to their customers in Canada and Kazakhstan. Bloomberg further noted that the IT sector has managed to continue its productivity amid the war but the ongoing disruptions may further limit the capacity of businesses to continue their operations. Uncertainty Looms Starlink satellites have been crucial for many Ukrainians as it is their only way to connect to the internet when there are electricity outages. But the future of the service looms with uncertainty since SpaceX CEO Elon Musk threatened to halt his financial backing to the war-torn country after Ukrainian officials criticized his peace proposal for the war. Musk tweeted a four-point plan for peace, but it included Kyiv conceding to Moscow and remaining neutral. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky did not take this lightly and tweeted a poll asking his followers which Musk they prefer, one who supports Russia or one that supports Ukraine. Read also: Elon Musk Denies Speaking with Russia's Putin About Ukraine But Claims Space, Rocket Conversation Is the Sector Resilient? According to a study written by Johannes Wachs, a researcher at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, a ban on conscription-age men leaving the nation may have been a factor in why the IT sector appears to be resilient. The study discovered that compared to their Ukrainian colleagues, Russian software developers were more likely to have relocated after the war broke out. Before the war, 1.1% of Ukraine's workforce was employed in the sector, and sales have increased this year. As the country's overall economy is predicted to contract by almost a third in 2022, the sector has emerged as a significant source of foreign cash, as per Bloomberg. According to central bank figures, IT companies generated more than $5 billion in export sales in the first eight months of the year, increasing their contribution to the nation's export earnings to 14%. The International Monetary Fund noted that Kyiv would require financing of at least $3 billion per month starting next year to make up for its wartime deficit. The IT sector has continued to thrive despite the conflict, according to Stepan Veselovskyi, CEO of the Lviv IT cluster, a group of more than 200 IT companies. "If we lose it as well, due to power outages or internet disruptions, we'll be forced to seek even more money from other nations," Veselovskyi said in a statement with Bloomberg. Related Article: Western Forces Will Send Air Defense Systems to Ukraine After a Nuclear Plant Blackout This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Japan's commercial moon launch is expected to overlap with NASA's first Artemis mission. Will their time frames create conflict? (Photo : Photo credit should read FRANK RUMPENHORST/DPA/AFP via Getty Images) A man frames with his hands the moon standing in a partial lunar eclipse on August 7, 2017 in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Frank Rumpenhorst / Germany OUT Both the ispace, a Japanese commercial moon lander builder, and NASA are expected to launch their own moon missions in November. Because of this, space experts believe that the world is entering a new space race. This is because the rivalry between NASA and China has been the main one well-known across the globe. Now, it seems like NASA will have a new competitor when it comes to exploring Earth's natural satellite. Japan's Commercial Moon Launch to Overlap With NASA's Artemis Mission According to Mashable's latest report, ispace plans to launch a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket between Nov. 9 and Nov. 15. (Photo : Photo by EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/AFP via Getty Images) NASAs Artemis I Moon rocket sits at Launch Pad Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 15, 2022. - NASA is aiming for June 18, for the beginning of the next wet dress rehearsal test of the agencys Space Launch System (SLS) at the Kennedy Space Center, with tanking operations on June 20. Also Read: NASA's Robo-Balloon Prototype Completes Test! Aerobot Reaches an Altitude of 4,000 Feet SpaceX's spacecraft will specifically carry the Hakuto-R Mission 1. It will be launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. On the other hand, NASA's Artemis 1 will be carried by SLS on Nov. 14. If this schedule doesn't work, the international space organization has back dates of Nov. 16 and Nov. 19. Based on these details, the Japanese commercial moon launch and NASA's Artemis mission will not visit Earth's natural satellite on the same days. Thanks to this, their schedules will not really affect each other's moon missions. What is Hakuto-R? Via its official website, ispace explained that the new Hakuto-R program would focus on two moon missions. These include a lunar landing before 2022 ends and a lunar exploration in 2024. "We aim to land on the moon and explore the lunar surface with the onboard rover," said ispace. The Japanese space agency further explained that the 2022 mission would verify information on Earth's natural satellite and construction tech for Earth-moon transportation services. In other stories, China's moon missions in the next decade could be better than NASA's lunar explorations. Meanwhile, the NASA TESS mission was put in safe mode after a computer glitch. For more news updates about moon space missions and other related topics, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: NASA, China to Have Same Moon Landing Locations; Will This Be A Problem? Here's Why They Overlapped This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Griffin Davis 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Can a smartphone become an at-home heart monitor? This is what health experts want to know as they check built-in smartphone microphones. (Photo : Photo by Bruce Adams/ROTA/Getty Images) NANTWICH, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: (NO UK SALES FOR 28 DAYS) A heart shaped Dorstone cheese is seen after being presented to the Prince of Wales by floristry instructor Sarah Parker on February 14, 2005 in Nantwich, England. In a new study, medical researchers decided to assess the efficiency of smartphone microphones in recording heart sounds. King's College London and Maastricht University experts published their new study titled "Smartphone as an electronic stethoscope: factors influencing heart sound quality" in the European Heart Journal. Smartphone as At-Home Heart Monitor? According to Medical News Today's latest report, new research revealed that smartphones could also be used as at-home stethoscopes. (Photo : Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images) A man uses a smartphone on the first day of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) on February 26, 2018 in Barcelona. - The Mobile World Congress, the world's biggest mobile fair, is held in Barcelona from February 26 to March 1. (Photo by Pau Barrena / AFP) Also Read: MIT Uses IoT, AI, and VR Systems to Aid Unsupervised Physical Therapy "This research proves that mobile technologies are a viable way of recording heart sounds," explained Dr. Pablo Lamata, the study's co-author. He added that doctors could use heart sound recordings on smartphones in the future. Dr. Lamata further explained that medical experts could rely on them to check for the existence or progression of heart conditions. Regarding the actual results, the new study showed that around 80% of participants (1,148 between May 21 and October 4, 2021) were able to record quality heart sound recordings using their smartphones. On the other hand, 75% of their recordings were good enough to be processed to obtain medically relevant data. Heart Beat-Collecting App Has Been Developed Aside from checking smartphones' built-in microphones, involved researchers also created a new application that can effectively collect heart sounds. Thanks to the efforts made by Cellule Design Studio, British Heart Foundation, and Evelina Children's Heart Organization, the new Echoes app has been developed. This new medical app works by placing the smartphone on the user's chest. After that, they need to press the "record" button. Then, the application will filter the heart sound recordings so that any background noise can be removed. You can click this link to learn more about the new Echoes app. Previously, a disease-diagnosing AI that can work based on speech was confirmed to be under development. Meanwhile, mini-brain organoids were created using stem cells. For more news updates about other health topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Apple Watch Detects Woman's First Sign of Pregnancy, Thanks to its Heart Rate Monitor This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Griffin Davis 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Elon Musk confirmed that he plans to bail out SpaceX's Starlink internet service in Ukraine if Pentagon does not shoulder the costs. (Photo : Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) This photograph taken on September 25, 2022, shows an antenna of the Starlink satellite-based broadband system donated by the US tech billionaire Elon Musk in Izyum, Kharkiv region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) In February, the independent space agency decided to donate around 20,000 Starlink WiFi terminals in the country to support it during the Ukraine-Russia conflict. But SpaceX explained that it could no longer provide its Starlink internet service for free. The Wired reported that a leaked letter confirmed SpaceX's plan. Elon Musk Starlink Bail Out: Pentagon Assessing Alternatives? According to The Wired's latest report, the leaked documents confirming SpaceX's plan to pull out its Starlink service in Ukraine were dated Sept. 8. (Photo : Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images) Elon Musk, CEO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp, speaks during a news conference at the National Press Club April 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. Elon Musk, CEO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) and Tesla Motors, held the news conference to announce SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket. Also Read: SpaceX's Starlink Flat High Performance Arrives! Here's Why This Square Antenna is a Big Deal for Sea Vessels The aerospace company reportedly asked Pentagon to pay for its Starlink terminals if the U.S. wants Ukraine to use it continuously. Because of this, Pentagon has no choice but to look for broadband service alternatives. The Japan Times reported that U.S. Defense Department spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, confirmed that other options are now being checked. She explained that the U.S., Ukraine, and allies are all assessing more options with other communications companies. But, the official clarified that they are still talking with SpaceX. Will SpaceX Really Pull Out Starlink? As of press time, SpaceX hasn't confirmed when it will pull out its Starlink service in Ukraine. The space agency also hasn't intended to remove its internet service abruptly. However, Pentagon still needs to pay for the remaining months of 2022. Although SpaceX is not asking for the overall cost, the aerospace firm wants around $120 million before 2022 ends. On the other hand, SpaceX said that the U.S. needs to shoulder $400 million for the next 12 months after 2022 if they want Starlink to stay in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Starlink's 2.4GHz spectrum access request was recently criticized by Globalstar. Previously, the SpaceX Starlink Antarctica expansion began. For more news updates about Starlink and other internet services, keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: SpaceX Requests Pentagon to Pay for Starlink Service in Ukraine; Elon Musk Finds Ambassador Andrij Melnyk Rude This article is owned by TechTimes Written by Griffin Davis 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Television shows dont come much bigger than House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power. HBOs Game of Thrones prequel and Amazon Prime Videos Lord of the Rings spinoff are among the most expensive TV shows ever made, and industry figures have been waiting to see if the gamble pays off: will they draw big numbers? And which show will reign supreme? It turns out that finding out the answer is almost impossible, because the metric used to determine which TV shows came out on top ratings doesnt make sense in the current era of streaming. That doesnt mean the streamers arent watching the numbers with hawk-like vigilance. It simply means they arent sharing them with the wider world, except when it suits their interests to do so. Prime and Binge (which has the local streaming rights to House of the Dragon) both declined to share any data for this article. Ring of fire: Is The Rings of Power or House of the Dragon winning the battle of the blockbusters? Credit:Amazon/HBO The day after it dropped the first two episodes of its most-expensive-series-in-history, Prime trumpeted its success, claiming the Tolkien adaptation had attracted more than 25 million global viewers on its first day, breaking all previous records, marking the biggest premiere in the history of Prime Video. In the six weeks since, though, it has been noticeably silent on how it is performing. The number of beaches, lakes and lagoons frequently exposed to troubling levels of pollution and sewage has doubled since 2019 after a year of record rains swamped waterways with floodwater. About one in five swimming areas were rated poor or very poor in the latest State of the Beaches report released by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, double the one in 10 areas susceptible to pollution in the 2019-2020 report. Water rushing from Narrabeen Lagoon in March. The lagoon was rated as poor for pollution in the latest State of the Beaches report. Credit:Brook Mitchell Environment Minister James Griffin said this years results were a slight decline on the previous year. Which is not surprising, given NSW just experienced the wettest summer in a decade and Sydney is experiencing its wettest month on record, he said. Read more on the issue of repairing the budget here. See all 5 stories . If you could take a year off work, on close to full pay, and potentially return to the same job in 12 months, would you jump at the chance? As of the end of last month, 1615 bureaucrats had done just that under an early retirement scheme intended to shrink a Victorian public service that has grown by 60 per cent since the Andrews government came to power. Treasurer Tim Pallas is encouraging bureaucrats to take an early retirement package to reduce the size and cost of the Victorian Public Service. Credit:Nine Figures provided to The Age by the Department of Premier and Cabinet show a steady take-up of the scheme announced last year by Treasurer Tim Pallas, with the largest exodus coming from the governments social services omnibus, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The government has also set a target to reduce the number of public service executives to 2018 levels by the end of this financial year. Older people can remember 1946, when bridges across south-west Victoria were swept away, five members of a single family drowned near Macarthur when their horse-drawn cart toppled off a flooded track and every fencepost that wasnt altogether underwater had a tiger snake curled at the top. Fewer can recall the catastrophic flood of 1934. More than 140 millimetres of rain fell over two days in Melbourne, and more than double that in Gippsland. From Warburton to Melbourne the Yarra has become a series of vast lakes connected by swirling rapids, The Argus reported on December 3, 1934. Thirty-six people died, and many thousands of people were left homeless. On Thursday, householders along the valley of Melbournes other significant river, the winding Maribyrnong, went to sleep on Thursday evening content that their homes were safe. Many of them were to learn that when the sky opens up over a rivers higher catchments, safety is not a reliable word downstream. But to have imagined the extent of what peril might occur they would need to have consulted the record of 1906, when Footscray and Kensington were hit by a flood that measured 5.18 metres on the Maribyrnong gauge. Flooded streets in Melbournes west after the banks of the Maribyrnong River burst. Credit:Chris Hopkins The course of the Yarra has been altered over the years to spill its waters more readily into the sea and to reduce the risk of flooding. By Friday afternoon, however, even residents along the Yarra from the high reaches of the Yarra Ranges to suburbs like Kew and Balwyn and Abbotsford were being warned to keep a close watch on their rivers rising waters. Those living north already knew all about the meaning of emergency. By midday Thursday at Echuca, where the swollen Goulburn and Campaspe rivers spill into the Murray itself running hard and wide, its giant feeder dams upstream overflowing residents were told to boil their water because stormwater had overflowed into their drinking water storage. Loading It was an inconvenience rather than the tribulation engulfing other towns on Victorias river systems, where hundreds in places like Seymour and Rochester were being rendered homeless and some towns such as Benalla were split clean in two by rising waters. Back in Melbourne, where the Melbourne Cup carnival is scheduled to begin with the Victorian Derby on October 29 just 14 days away a 3.5-kilometre flood mitigation wall built early this century to protect Flemington Racecourse managed to hold back the encroaching waters spilling over the banks of the Maribyrnong. However, a popular feeder event to the carnival, the Avoca Cup in western Victoria, scheduled for Saturday, was abandoned because of flooding. An anxious Racing Victoria announced it will continue to monitor forecasts and its potential impact on scheduled race meetings, with significant rainfall predicted in parts of Victoria. Truth is, the weather gods began setting up Victoria for its current flooding disaster months ago. The state was delivered rainfall 12 per cent above the average from January to September. And then, during September itself, some areas of the state, from Manangatang in the far north-west to Lake Eppalock near Bendigo in central Victoria, experienced the highest rainfalls ever recorded for the month, according to the bureau. Several other districts, in a sweep from Kyabram in the north-central down through Elmore, north of Bendigo, Redesdale east of Maryborough and Blackwood near Ballarat, copped their biggest September rains for 20 years. Minor to moderate flooding was recorded during September in numerous catchments through northern and central areas. Late in the month, the states biggest water storage, the Dartmouth Dam, full to the brim with snow melt and high country inflow, began spilling over its wall for the first time since 1996. Most of Victoria also experienced below-average temperatures over September. High rainfall meant the soil became sodden, unable to absorb further rainfall. The cool weather denied the land the relief of evaporation. And, of course, it happened to be Australias third La Nina year in a row. Loading Could La Nina yet reprise the catastrophe it delivered in early 2011? That event, weather watchers would recall, was the culmination of a two-stage shock that began in September the previous year. The disaster of January 2011 across western and central Victoria occurred on land already saturated by widespread flooding in September 2010. It inundated more than 1730 properties in 51 communities, forced the closure of hundreds of roads, destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of crops and pasture and killed thousands of sheep. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In the early hours of the morning on October 1, 1999, as neighbours along Rembrandt Drive were sound asleep, the sounds of muffled screams and a car speeding off echoed through the quiet Melbourne street. Police equipped with spotlights patrolled the suburban street at the crack of dawn, looking for signs of foul play. But without a specific address to doorknock or obvious signs of a disturbance, they drove off before daylight. Slumped on the front porch of one of the Wheelers Hill homes, undetected by the bright lights, was the body of Hilary-Anne Stevens. She had been stabbed four times in the back. Hilary-Anne Stevens. She had attempted to ward off the vicious attack with her arms to no avail and succumbed to her injuries by the time her flatmate found her hours later. On the night of her murder, Stevens - an outgoing 21-year-old who worked as a security guard - had gone out for dinner at a Malaysian restaurant near Mount Waverleys Pinewood Shopping Centre with a man 20 years her senior, a married hospital orderly she had been seeing on and off for several months named Colin Earl Graham. He would later be found guilty of her murder and sentenced to 18 years in jail. The murder made brief headlines at the time, but almost two decades later the man responsible became the suspect in a different case: the fatal stabbing of a recently widowed nurse at her Ringwood home in 1986. Advertisement Like Stevens, 25-year-old Ina-Doris Warrick had gone out for dinner with Graham on the night of her death. She, too, had been brutally stabbed in the back with a knife and left for dead at her home, some 13 years earlier. Ina-Doris Warrick, Colin Earl Graham and Hilary-Anne Stevens. Both women had met Graham through their work, Warrick at the hospital where she nursed and Stevens during her time as a security guard. More than 30 years later, in September this year, a Supreme Court jury found Graham not guilty of Warricks cold case death after less than a day of deliberation. Under the rules of evidence, the jurors were not allowed to be told of the killers past, with the details excluded to ensure Graham - now 67 years old - was given a fair trial. They were also unaware that a jury had been unable to reach a verdict in the same case earlier this year, necessitating this second trial. The second jury was unaware of Grahams imprisonment for murdering Stevens in 1999. Or that hed dropped her home in his VT Holden Commodore before repeatedly stabbing her in the back with a large knife he hid in the drivers side pocket of his car. Advertisement Comments from Justice Bernard Teague during Grahams sentencing for Stevens murder about her killers tendency to lie in that trial were also withheld. At times, you merely twist the truth; at other times you are a brazen liar, Teague said. During a week-long trial in September, the jury in Warricks case was privy to evidence from 19 witnesses, including Gregory Stewart, an anaesthetist the 25-year-old nurse was having an affair with. They heard that in March 1986 Graham was aged 30 and living in a modest four-bedroom Ringwood home on Herbert Street he and his wife Robyn had purchased for $35,000 years earlier. Four kilometres away on Oban Road, Warrick was living alone and mourning the loss of her late husband Allan, confiding in friends she was struggling with her new life as a single woman. Graham and Warrick both worked shifts at Box Hill Hospital and when he dropped by her home on the afternoon of Friday, March 21, 1986, he invited the widow out for a pizza dinner. Advertisement Warrick was due to work the late shift, so Graham told police he dropped her home about 8.45pm, walking her to the front door but never entering. But the young nurse never arrived at work that night and was reported dead to police days later, after neighbours grew concerned about her overflowing mailbox and dared to peek inside. There, they found Warricks bloodied body unmoving on her back on the bed, her feet resting on the floor. Shed been stabbed twice in the back, one blow puncturing her lung. She was still dressed in the faun-coloured slacks and blouse she was wearing on the night of the pizza dinner. No defensive wounds were found. Ina-Doris Warrick worked as a nurse at Box Hill Hospital. Credit:Victoria Police In the weeks and months following her brutal death, police narrowed in on two key suspects - Graham and Stewart, the anaesthetist who was in the throes of an affair with Warrick. When police first interviewed Stewart on April 2, 1986, he told homicide investigators hed spent the Friday afternoon with Warrick but returned home to his wife to later learn of his lovers death on the television news. Advertisement In the days that followed his story began to crumble, and investigators soon learned he had stopped by her house on the Saturday to leave a note wishing her luck for work that evening, before returning on the Sunday. Knock em dead at Box Hill, he wrote on a Post-it Note. Ina-Doris Warrick. Credit:Victoria Police On the Sunday, he later admitted, he ventured in and found Warrick dead on her bed before fleeing the scene in his white BMW, later returning to remove the handwritten note but failing to tell anyone what hed found. Insufficient evidence existed to bring any charge against Stewart. Warricks death went largely uninvestigated for a decade before it was re-examined in 2000 and again eight years later. Graham was eventually arrested and charged with a single count of murder on November 30, 2018. During the recent trial, three witnesses testified that Graham had confessed he was responsible for killing Warrick, with one recalling being told: When he killed her, he never felt so alive in his life, and that no woman would ever say no to him. Colin Graham arrives at the Supreme Court of Victoria in March. Credit:AAP Advertisement Senior public servants took thousands of domestic business class flights over the past year at a cost of more than $3.7 million to the taxpayer, sparking calls for departments to tighten up their policies. The fares included hundreds of trips between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, revealing the fact that there is no consistent policy for domestic travel across the Commonwealth public service. Public servants are taking hundreds of business class flights between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Credit:Paul Rovere Based on figures from 11 Commonwealth departments for the 2021-22 financial year, bureaucrats took more than 4000 business class flights. This masthead had applied for the figures from 14 government departments through Freedom of Information laws. NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns will stand on bread and butter Labor causes in his fight to seize government, revealing dual policies to address teacher shortages and domestic manufacturing when he fronts the partys state conference on Sunday. In its first term, a Labor government would convert 10,000 teachers from temporary to permanent positions in NSW public schools, Minns will say. Labor will also build new trains in NSW and begin procurement to replace the ageing Tangara fleet in its first four years, promising to create at least 1000 long-term jobs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called on party faithful to secure a NSW Labor government in 2023. Credit:Rhett Wyman Minns will pledge the commitments to the party faithful when he addresses the NSW Labor conference on Sunday, backing up Saturdays rousing reception for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who urged the true believers to help secure a Labor victory in the 2023 state poll. Hundreds of Melbourne homes could have been saved from flooding in recent days if the former state Labor government had backed a push to dam the Maribyrnong River, hydrology experts say. Hydrology and flood warning expert Geoff Crapper, who was responsible for Melbournes flood warning service at Melbourne Water from 1989 to 2003, lobbied the Bracks government to build the infrastructure project at Arundel ahead of the 2006 election, but it was rejected on environmental grounds. The aftermath of the flooding in Maribyrnong. Credit:Scott McNaughton According to a presentation by Crapper provided to the government at the time, the infrastructure project would also have eliminated the need for a controversial flood wall protecting Flemington Racecourse, and reduced the reliance on Melbourne Waters flood warning system. Crapper told The Sunday Age that the dam, which was proposed six kilometres upstream from Keilor at Arundel, would have likely prevented the flooding on Friday of hundreds of houses in Melbournes western suburbs from floodwaters. Roads were blocked and people were cleaning up in the aftermath of Melbournes floods, but the auction market continued on, with a four-bedroom house in Thornbury selling under the hammer for $2,615,000. The auction for the updated Victorian at 21 Mansfield Street was brought forward by a week as interested parties stepped forward and made offers prior to the auction. The Victorian home had been renovated and extended. The home, which originally had a guide of $2.1 million to $2.3 million, received an offer of $2.45 million before the sell-off, with that offer becoming the opening bid on Saturday morning. Jellis Craig Northcote director and auctioneer Sam Rigopoulos said three bidders, including the woman who had previously made the $2.45 million offer, competed for the home. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Rain and snow showers in the morning transitioning to light rain late. High 46F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Steady light rain in the evening. Showers continuing late. Snow may mix in. Low around 35F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Abbott voluntarily recalled certain lots of 2 fl. oz./59 mL bottles of Ready-to-Feed liquid products. (Courtesy of Abbott Nutrition) Abbott Nutrition Recalls Some of Its Liquid Baby Formula Abbott Nutrition on Friday announced its recalling some of its baby formula products sent to hospitals and retailers in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean because of the risk some may be spoiled. The company said the voluntary recall is for certain lots of its two fluid-ounce bottles of Ready-to-Feed liquid products for infants and children. The problem is that the caps of some bottles in the recalled lots may not have been sealed completely, which the company said could result in spoilage. Spoiled products if consumed could cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. We take our responsibility to deliver high-quality products very seriously, Joe Manning, executive VP of nutritional products at Abbott, said in a statement. We internally identified the issue, are addressing it, and will work with our customers to minimize inconvenience and get them the products they need. The company said the impacted brands include Similac Pro-Total ComfortTM, Similac 360 Total Care, Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive, Similac Special Care 24, Similac Stage 1, Similac NeoSure, Similac Water (Sterilized), and Pedialyte Electrolyte Solution. Impacted Products Less than 1 percent of the bottles in the lot have been identified with this problem, the company said. Other Abbott Nutrition liquid or powder formula brands are not included in the recall, including any amino acid-based formulas or metabolic nutrition formulas. This recall equates to less than one days worth of the total number of ounces of infant formula fed in the U.S. and is not expected to impact the overall U.S. infant formula supply, the company said. Hospitals and health care providers will continue to be able to acquire Similac 2 fluid ounce (59 milliliters) Ready-to-Feed liquid formula products, which the company said are from a different production line. Similac infant formula will continue to be produced in alternative product sizes and formats for delivery to retail locations, in addition to increased production throughout our global manufacturing network, the company said. The recalled products were mostly distributed to hospitals, some doctors offices, distributors, and retailers in the United States, including Puerto Rico. One lot of products was sent to Barbados, Bermuda, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Two other lots were sent to Canada, Curacao, Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago. Abbott advised parents and caregivers not to use any products identified in the recall. The company provided a detailed list of impacted products and instructions for local contacts in the countries the product was sent to on its website. Earlier this year, Abbott issued a larger recall for its powdered baby formula products from its Sturgis, Michigan, facility, leading to a nationwide baby formula shortage, after four infants reportedly became ill with a rare infection. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. appears in New York Criminal Court for his sentencing hearing after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of forcibly touching a woman at a New York nightclub in 2018, in Manhattan in New York on Oct. 13, 2022. (Mike Segar/Reuters) Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. Avoids Criminal Record in Manhattan Sex Abuse Case Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleaded guilty on Thursday to a single count of harassment under an agreement with prosecutors sparing him any jail time while disposing of a criminal case that stemmed from allegations by several women of sexual misconduct. The second-degree harassment citation, classified as a non-criminal violation in New York states penal code, akin to trespassing, will remain on Goodings record, but his guilty plea in April to a more serious criminal misdemeanor of forcible touching will be expunged, a spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney said. Gooding, 54, was permitted to withdraw his earlier plea after prosecutors affirmed in court that had met the terms of Aprils conditional plea deal by remaining in court-ordered alcohol and behavior modification treatment for six months with no further arrests. As part of his original plea, which stemmed from forcibly kissing a woman at a nightclub in September 2018, Gooding also admitted to subjecting two other women to non-consensual physical contact in October 2018 and June 2019. The Oscar-winning actor is accused of rape in a separate civil lawsuit filed in federal court. Gooding has denied the rape allegations. One of Goodings lawyers, Frank Rothman, told Reuters that Goodings harassment plea in Manhattan benefits his client by avoiding a criminal record as well as sparing him further jail time. There were three victims that resulted in six counts in an indictment. Charges relating to two out of the three were dismissed outright, and the third ended up in a plea to harassment as a violation, Rothman said. At the time original plea deal was reached in April, Assistant District Attorney Coleen Balbert said in court that the agreement came after lengthy discussions between the defense, myself, and the complaining witnesses in this case. Balbert said the plea deal would spare the accusers from having to testify or face cross-examination at a trial. But one of Goodings accusers, Kelsey Harbert, expressed outrage at the outcome of the case during an online news conference with her lawyer, Gloria Allred. Ive waited three years for the opportunity to speak about the injustice of Cuba Gooding Jr. I had hoped to do so in the context of a trial in which he would be held accountable to the irreparable damage he did to me one summer night in 2019, Herbert said. Illegal immigrants from Central and South America load into vans near the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris after being dropped off in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) AG Karl Racine Opens Investigations Against Republican Governors for Busing Illegal Aliens Into DC District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine is opening an investigation into whether Republican governors are misleading illegal immigrants into transporting them to places like Washington. According to a report by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, Racine told the outlets that his investigators interviewed illegal aliens who talked persuasively about being misled, with talk about promised services by the trip organizers before boarding buses for Washington. Racine did not offer any further explanations or specifics about the nature of the inquiry. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently revealed that over 11,000 illegal immigrants have been transported to New York, Chicago, and Washington offering much-needed relief to overwhelmed border communities, with the majority, over 8,000, going to Washington. And last week, Abbott dropped off immigrants near the Washington home of Vice President Kamala Harris. While Republican governors maintain that policymakers in Democrat-run self-proclaimed sanctuary cities must bear the consequences of the immigration rules they support, Democrat administrators have denounced the move without blaming the Biden administrations border policies. According to a report released in August, almost 5 million people have crossed into the country since Biden became president. Following Abbotts lead, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey transported 2,170 illegal immigrants to Washington on about 60 buses, according to Duceys spokesperson, C.J. Karamargin, reported The Texas Tribune. In September, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared an emergency due to the surge of illegal immigrants, while Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an emergency disaster order and deployed the National Guard. Brianne Nadeau, a member of the Council of the District of Columbia, told reporters that while the governors of Texas and Arizona have created this crisis, the federal government has not stepped up to assist the District of Columbia. NYPD Ticketing Buses Transporting Illegal Immigrants New York City resources are under pressure from an overwhelming flow of more than 17,000 illegal immigrants, which prompted Mayor Eric Adams to declare a state of emergency. According to a report from the New York Post, NYPD officers have begun flagging down buses that bring in illegal aliens from across the country into the state. The outlet claimed police were pulling over buses and searching them meticulously for possible infractions, including tire treads, logbooks, and even windshield wiper placement. Some of the drivers were given court appearance tickets, in what looked like excuses to prevent them from coming back. I dont care if the NYPD inspects us, well keep making this trip because the moneys too good, one of the drivers, who only gave the name Misael, said to the outlet, after receiving four pink court-appearance tickets, including one for a loose seat. Im with [Texas Gov.] Greg Abbott all the way. I dont want migrants in my state. If [President Joe] Biden wants the borders open, the Democrat states can take them. NYPD Chief of Department Ken Corey said that the buses were stopped only after they dropped off the illegal immigrants, and were inspected to ensure that they were in compliance with federal regulations. Adams said in a press briefing that the New York City Police Department and whatever entity is being used, Im hoping they are out there doing their job correctly, because were concerned about the safety of asylum seekers and the safety of New Yorkers. The influx of illegal immigrants into the city is expected to cost $1 billion by the end of the fiscal year, has strained the homeless shelter system, and forced officials to turn 42 hotels into emergency shelters. Candles are seen in front of a picture of Amanda Todd during a memorial for her in Surrey, B.C., on Oct. 19, 2012. (The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward) BC Judge Sentences Amanda Todds Online Tormenter to 13 Years in Prison The man who tormented British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd before she died by suicide has been sentenced to an unprecedented 13 years in prison by a judge who branded him an internet sextortionist. Justice Martha Devlin of the B.C. Supreme Court said Friday that Aydin Cobans calculated conduct caused the girl mental anguish and social isolation, contributing to her suicide after he told Todd he would ruin her life. The sentence is longer than the 12 years suggested by the Crown, but Devlin said Cobans conduct called for sharp rebuke. He enjoyed his victims escalating distress, she said. Mr. Cobans blameworthiness falls at the extreme end of the spectrum. Aydin Coban is shown in this handout photo from the time of his arrest by Dutch police, entered into an exhibit at his trial in British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster. (The Canadian Press/Dutch Police) Arguments presented at the sentencing hearing heard that the highest term in Canada so far for similar offences has been about eight years. The story of 15-year-old Todd gained worldwide attention when she posted a video about her torment weeks before her death in 2012. She used flash cards to explain how she was harassed and extorted by an anonymous online predator. The video has since been viewed many millions of times. Todds name is known around the world for exposing the dark corners of the internet where predators lure vulnerable children, Devlin said. The judge said Coban used an arsenal of fake social media accounts and went to great lengths to search out Todds family members and friends to maximize the harm after she pleaded for him to stop. Coban, who was extradited to Canada to face trial, is already serving an 11-year sentence handed down in the Netherlands for similar crimes involving 33 youth. Devlin said the 13-year term will be served after Cobans Dutch sentence ends in August 2024. Coban has refused rehabilitation and theres a likelihood he will reoffend because theres nothing to indicate he has any insight into his behaviour, the judge said. She said she wasnt sure rehabilitation is a viable option because Coban doesnt appreciate the seriousness of his crime. Cobans offending was relentless, he knew Todd was only 12 years old when he started harassing her, and he preyed on her by hiding behind 22 aliases using sophisticated technology, the judge said. Todds family should be considered the secondary victims in the crimes, having experienced profound harm and ongoing suffering, she said. During the sentencing hearing this week, Cobans lawyer Joseph Saulnier asked for a two-year sentence, saying additional time on top of the sentence Coban is already serving would be crushing. Devlin said the extortion conviction should be considered sextortion when its against children, reflecting societys deepening understanding of the offence. Child pornography images depicting Todd repeatedly violated her, Devlin said. She could not escape the images or videos. It was a never-ending story,' she said, quoting from Todds own description of her ordeal in the 2012 video. Carol Todd, Amandas mother, told the House of Commons status of women committee earlier this month that the country has learned a lot since her daughters death a decade ago, but police need to take online harassment more seriously. She said victims should not be shamed into believing they are responsible. Todd said the government also needs to re-examine its legislation against cyberbullying that received royal assent in 2014. The bill made it a crime to share intimate images without consent, and to clarify that Criminal Code offences, such as harassment, can also be committed online. California Approves $140 Million Desalination Plant in Dana Point The California Coastal Commission approved Oct. 13 the construction of a $140 million desalination plant at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point to turn 5 million gallons of ocean water into drinking water per day, as the state grapples with a persistent drought. The Doheny Desalination Project is estimated to be functional in 2027. This is an extremely important project for the city. Water independence is critical to the continued prosperity of Dana Point, Mayor Joe Muller of Dana Point told The Epoch Times. The significance of coastal water suppliesaccording to the South Coast Water District, the water management agency for Dana Pointis access to an emergency supply if imported water is cut off due to a natural disaster. The land allotted for this project is already owned by the agency, which significantly reduces costs and impacts of construction, according to the agency. In May, the California Coastal Commission rejected a desalination plant in Huntington Beach due to concerns surrounding the environmental impact. The design was set to dump millions of gallons of salty brine into the ocean. There were additional concerns that its water intake system would harm marine life. The plant in Dana Point will collect seawater from beneath the seafloor to provide source water to the facility, using what are called slant wells buried underground, which completely avoids impacts to marine life during facility operations., according to a commission staff report. By accessing the water underground, the Dana Point project completely avoids impacts to marine life during facility operations, according to the staff report. According to the South Coast Water District, the Doheny project is the first to be fully accommodating with the California Ocean Planwhich regulates the construction of desalination facilities to ensure environmental soundnessout of 12 other desalination plants currently operating along Californias coast. The plant can eventually generate 15 million gallons of drinkable water a day. But an increase in volume would require further review and a larger pipeline, according to the commission. Senate Democrats are calling for more poll workers ahead of the midterms amid a shortage. The COVID-19 public health emergency gets extended again. The Biden administration says they are bracing for potential spikes this winter. Some leading medical voices in this country are voicing concern over vaccine side effects. The inventor of the mRNA technology used in the COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Robert Malone, joins us to discuss. Huawei, the China-based telecom giant, is under fire again in the United States. Officials eye a wide-reaching ban on its new equipment. The Epoch Times latest documentary The Final War is an in-depth view of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) quest for global dominance.. We sat down with one of the films contributors, China expert Casey Fleming, to hear what he says about the war that has already been waged by the CCP. With key races throughout the country, some high-profile debates have just wrapped up. Well take a look at Michigans highly contested race for governor. Follow CapitolReport on social media: Twitter https://twitter.com/capitolreport Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CapitolReport/ Gettr https://gettr.com/user/capitolreport Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. BUY Jan 6 DVD: The Real Story of Jan. 6 Documentary102 Minutes, Color), Promo Code [Steve] for 20% off. Political cartoonist Wong Kei-kwan (Zunzi) published a cartoon in a newspaper alluding to the school principal involved in a student suspensions incident calling the police for a trivial matter. The cartoon aroused "grave concern" comments from the Hong Kong police, claiming that it would damage the image of the police. (Adrian Yu/The Epoch Times) Cartoon Poking Fun at Hong Kong Police Leads to Political Reactions Freedom of creation left is in doubt When students at a Hong Kong secondary school were recently accused of disrespecting a flag-raising ceremony and suspended for three days, public controversy arose. Political cartoonist Wong Kei-kwan (pen name Zunzi) has been serializing satirical political cartoons in Hong Kong Ming Pao Daily for more than 40 years. He depicted police officers wearing riot gear in a caricature, which upset the police and attracted comments from pro-communist politicians and lawmakers. How did the campus controversy turn into a political debate? People accused School officials of punishing students for a minor infraction. A student from the secondary school involved told the Epoch Times on Oct 10, that the school had suspended 14 students from class for three days on the grounds of disrespecting the flag-raising ceremony. Some of the students were dissatisfied with the schools action due to insufficient evidence. On the day of the incident, the school reported to the police that a sign at the school gate had been destroyed. The schools vice-principal said that if this incident happened somewhere outside, it would likely violate the national security law. Some of the punished students criticized the school for announcing at the morning assembly that the students had violated the national security law. Students wondered why the school changed its characterization after they were punished and said that the students only violated the school rules. Some parents felt that the schools approach was overly strict and were disgusted with its actions. Zunzi, who is famous for satirical political cartoons, published a cartoon in Ming Pao on Oct. 11, depicting a policeman in riot gear asking the principal about the situation when he arrived at the scene. Some students in Class 6A spoke foul language, some students in Class 5C had their erasers missing, students in Class 3D found laser pens in their school bags, and some students in Class 2A contradicted the teacher for allegedly intimidating The cartoon remained on the Ming Pao website until Oct. 12. Police Contact Ming Pao Hong Kong Assistant Commissioner of Police (Public Relations) Chan Tung sent a letter to Ming Paos Executive Chief Editor Lam Chung-yeung on Oct. 11 expressing his strong concern over the content of Zunzi Comics. In the letter, Chan pointed out that the cartoon may lead readers to the report on the Tsuen Wan St. Francis Xaviers School Incident that Ming Pao reported on the same day, emphasizing that the school had called the police because a sign at the school gate was destroyed, and the police classified the case as criminal damage. The letter also stated that the cartoon will lead readers to mistakenly believe that the police will deploy a riot squad when schools request help, resulting in a wrong perception that will create pressure and even harm the principal, teachers, and students, and will damage the image of the police force and damages police-community cooperation and crime-fighting effectiveness. Zunzi responded on Oct. 12, saying that the cartoon was not aimed at the police, and believes that the school should try to teach and guide students untiringly, and should not treat incidents with a heavy hand. Daily cartoons, like other comments, are only the artist making general comments and observations about social customs. The editorial department of Ming Pao said that it received the letter from the police and thanked them for their opinions, and will continue to provide readers with accurate and credible news content in a professional manner and support columnists in providing professional work. Pro-Communist Politicians Scramble to Show Allegiance However, after the incident subsided, some pro-communist politicians immediately pointed the finger at Zunzi and even the students. Leung Chun-ying, former city leader and vice chairman of the Communist Partys (CCP) rubber stamp legislature, scolded Zunzi on Facebook for his selection of topics that have targeted the CCP and the Hong Kong government for a long time, and asked him, Does the American police teach and guide students? Leung also pointed out that Ming Pao, similar to Apple Daily, had hired Zunzi to draw cartoons for a long time. Ming Pao is a big problem. Leung Chun-ying, former city leader and vice chairman of the CCP rubber stamp legislature. (Sun-Mingguo/The Epoch Times) Another member of the pro-communist group, Joephy Chan Wing-yan, scolded the 14 students for not only not admitting their mistakes but also accepting an interview with Ming Pao, saying that the students involved refused to attend the assembly when the national flag was raised, [The school] will not raise the flag without warning! Chan joked that Ming Pao has always been known as a secret news, claiming it became dominant after the pro-pan-democratic media, such as, toxic Apple [a derogatory term for Apple Daily] ended. Chan said that these cartoons have a very strong infiltrating power. The power must not be taken lightly, and she believes the police are also keeping an eye on Ming Pao. Zunzi: National Security Law Killed Hong Kong and One Country, Two Systems When Zunzi held an exhibition in 2018, he said that the establishment of more politically restricted areas by those in power is an attempt to create a chilling effect, and if cartoonists or critics usually restrain themselves or not do it on their own, it is exactly falling into the trap (set by the authorities), he believes that it is even more necessary to get tough (stand firm) and redouble his efforts to raise his objections. On the day after the national security law went into effect, he drew a cartoon depicting the CCP party secretary wearing a red apron, holding a wave candy, and smashing to death a bird taken out of the HKSAR bird cage with a frying pan in front of multiple cameras. The banner read Global Live Broadcast Xi Got Talent Too! and symbolized the CCPs insistence on implementing the national security law as if putting Hong Kong and one country, two systems to death. Freedom of Creation Withered Under Brave New Hong Kong Hong Kong residents have always enjoyed creative freedom, and political cartoons are one of the symbols of a civil society. Political cartoonist Justin Wong Chiu-tat once calculated that after the anti-extradition movement broke out in 2019, as many as 6,000 political cartoons or illustrations were created in Hong Kong. In 2019, when Zunzi participated in the anti-extradition protest, he pointed out that the revision of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance would bring about cultural stifling and once it passed, would pose a major psychological threat to Hong Kongs cultural circles. He described the CCPs judicial system as terrifying. After the CCP bulldozed the national security law through in 2020, the Hong Kong government has repeatedly suppressed freedom of speech, the press, and creativity, in an attempt to create a chilling effect and spread white terror for the CCP. The authorities have hunted down dissidents, and the street demonstrations and satire in Hong Kong have all but disappeared. A number of active Hong Kong artists, including Justin Wong Chiu-tat, A Tu, VA Wong Sir, and Hong Kong Worker, have seen a sharp narrowing of free space in Hong Kong. Zunzi has witnessed the changes in Hong Kong society in recent decades. He once said that he would draw until the day no one would publish his cartoons so that everyone can continue to look for reflections on political and current affairs with a knowing smile. (L) Two protesters who have thrown tinned soup at Vincent Van Gogh's famous 1888 work Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London on Oct. 14, 2022. (Just Stop Oil/PA Media) R: A Just Stop Oil protester is led away by police after spray painting a sign outside New Scotland Yard in London on Oct. 14, 2022. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media) Climate Activists Plead Not Guilty After Throwing Soup on Van Goghs Sunflowers Two female climate activists who threw soup on one of Vincent Van Goghs most famous paintings pleaded not guilty to criminal damage charges on Saturday. A third female climate activist also pleaded not guilty at a separate hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court. She was charged with criminal damage after spraypainting the sign outside the Mets headquarters in London on Friday. Both incidents were part of the ongoing anti-fossil fuel campaign organised by the climate activist group Just Stop Oil. On Friday morning, Anna Holland, 20, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Phoebe Plummer, 21, from Clapham, London, threw two tins of Heinz Tomato soup over Van Goghs Sunflower at the National Gallery in London. They then glued their hands onto the wall below the painting. The multi-million dollar 19th-century painting was protected by glass. Holland and Plummer were charged with criminal damage to the frame of the painting. Lora Johnson, 38, from Southwold, Suffolk, was charged with criminal damage to the sign outside New Scotland Yard. A Just Stop Oil protester spray paints a sign outside New Scotland Yard in London on Oct. 14, 2022. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media) Appearing in the dock together, Holland and Plummer spoke only to confirm their name, date of birth, and addresses and to enter pleas of not guilty to criminal damage to the value of less than 5,000 ($5,585). Prosecutor Ola Oyedepo said the pair threw the orange substance knowing there was a protective case over the actual painting, though damage was caused to the frame. Oyedepo said it is unclear at this stage what the value of the damage is but said it is significantly below the 5,000 cost threshold. Katie McFadden, defending, said the prosecution needs to prove that damage had been caused, adding, the extent of the damage would be relevant to the proportionality assessment in weighing up their right to expression. District judge Tan Irkam released the pair on bail on the condition they do not enter galleries or museums and do not have paint or adhesive substances in a public place and set their trial for Dec. 13 at the City of London Magistrates Court. Police officers detain a Just Stop Oil protester outside New Scotland Yard in London on Oct. 14, 2022. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media) Meanwhile, Johnson, who appeared in the dock for a separate hearing, also spoke to confirm her name and address and enter a not-guilty plea. Prosecuting Johnson, Oyepedo said she was part of a protest group that gathered at the New Scotland Yard building on Friday afternoon. They glued themselves to the floor while she went up to spray the sign, she said. The prosecutor said 4,750 ($5,300) has been spent trying to remove the paint from the sign and the ground under it. Johnson was on bail on the condition she does not have paint or adhesive materials in a public place. Her trial is set for Nov. 23 at the City of London Magistrates Court. The court will not prevent you from lawfully protesting, Irkam said. Some 28 arrests were made in relation to Fridays protests, the Metropolitan Police said, while 25 others have been bailed pending further inquiries. PA Media contributed to this report. Flood water breaks a river bank and overflows into a settlement in Lokoja, Nigeria, on Oct. 13, 2022. (Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters) Death Toll From Nigerian Floods Tops 500: Ministries LOKOJA, NigeriaWidespread flooding has killed more than 500 people in Nigeria, left around 90,000 homes under water, and blocked food and fuel supplies, two government ministries said on Friday. The floods have hit 27 of Nigerias 36 states and impacted around 1.4 million people, the ministries for humanitarian affairs and for disaster management said in an online posting. Nigerian authorities said flooding caused by heavier than usual rains had been building since early summer and intensified after water releases from the Lagdo dam in neighboring Cameroon. The scale of the disaster is colossal, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, director general of the National Emergency Management Agency, added in a statement. On Thursday, drone footage in Lokojawhich sits in the north-central Kogi state at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and has suffered weeks of floodingshowed dozens of submerged homes and businesses. I have never seen such a thing, resident Khalid Yahaya Othman told Reuters as he looked at his submerged fuel tanks and nearby waterlogged streets. When this water was coming, we never envisaged that it will come and over cover the tank, he said State oil company NNPC blamed the floods, which blocked a key road out of Lokoja, for a fuel shortage in the capital, Abuja. Federal Road Safety official Koton Karfe said the floods had impeded traffic for at least two weeks. Cameroonian power company Eneo said last month it would release water from the dam in September and October after its reservoir hit 91 percent capacity. A renowned British educator has urged Australian teachers to take back control of the classrooms amid concerns over Australian students worsening discipline and behaviour. Katharine Birbalsingh CBE, British teacher and education reformer and head teacher of Michaela Community School, called for a clear focus on discipline, improved classroom management skills for Australian teachers, and a more cohesive learning environment. Londons Michaela Community School, which is well-known for its strict behaviour policy, achieved among the best GCSE results in the U.K among its first cohort of students. Birbalsingh encouraged Australian teachers to adopt the conservative approach to teaching, managing students behaviour and setting expectations instead of what she said are many of the approaches teachers think would help students and will actually harm them in the long term. Discipline is a dirty word in most schoolswhich is a mistake, says Birbalsingh, whos dubbed Britains strictest headmistress. And educators first duty is to provide students a calm place where they have the best chance to learn. Birbalsingh will address the Centre for Independent Studies in a public event on Oct. 23. Alarming Track Record Australia has among the least orderly schools in the world, according to the International Student Assessment (PISA) data by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Programme (OECD). The disciplinary climate index shows Australia occupies 70th place out of 77 school systems. In a survey of 15-year-old students, two in five say their classmates dont listen to what their teacher says, and nearly half say theres noise and disorder in most or all lessons. In Australias capital, one Canberra schools teachers have called their work environment a war zone over increasingly aggressive and disorderly behaviour from students. Calwell High School in Canberra was issued with a WorkSafe Act prohibition notice on April 4, after workplace health and safety inspectors found that there were a growing number of Year 7 and 8 student mobs who would physically target and assault other students and teachers. This came after the school was forced to ban the Year 7 and 8 cohorts after school inspectors found they were allegedly subjecting teachers and administration staff to abuse and sexualised violence and behaviour daily. One teacher reportedly was left with a dislocated shoulder, several broken teeth, welts to the lower arm, and bruising to the back after allegedly being assaulted while trying to break up a fight between two students. Graduate Teachers Lack Confidence Meanwhile, the majority of graduate teachers lack confidence in managing the classroom, according to the OECDs teaching and learning international survey. In 2016, an Australian study into school experience shows that the least orderly disciplinary climate is in low SES public schools, and the most orderly is in high SES private schools. Birbalsingh also added that along with building disciplined school culture, teachers, not pupils, should be the authority in the classroom. More students can overcome the educational odds, but it will require a fundamental shakeup to the orthodoxy in the education system. Teachers need support to implement what works, she said. Put simply, poor students will remain poor if they dont get the schooling they need. Weve shown that disadvantage doesnt need to be destiny. Schools in Australia in fact, anywhere in the world can do the same. The comment comes after the New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet called for a back to basics approach toward teaching in schools. While the federal Labor government promised at the election that it would deal with the declining academic result by investing $440 million in building better ventilation, building upgrades, and mental health support. It also said it would offer extra 20,000 university places and a fee-free TAFE. Victoria Kelly-Clark contributed to this report. Brand new Tesla cars sit in a parking lot at a Tesla showroom in Corte Madera, Calif., on June 27, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Electric Vehicles Catching Fire After Hurricane Not an Isolated Event: Federal Traffic Safety Authority Incidents of electric vehicles (EVs) catching fire after being submerged in saltwater are not uncommon, a federal traffic safety authority said. We are tracking Florida EV fires through news reports, fire department social media sites, and other sources, and we can confirm your experience in North Collier with reignition is not an isolated event, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wrote in a letter to Jimmy Patronis, the chief financial officer of Florida Department of Financial Services. NHTSA made the statement in response to a letter from Patronis. Patronis mentioned in his letter to the traffic safety agency an incident in North Collier, Florida, where an EV ignited and kept re-igniting after Hurricane Ian. I joined North Collier Fire Rescue to assess response activities related to Hurricane Ian and saw with my own eyes an EV continuously ignite, and continually reignite, as fireteams doused the vehicle with tens-of-thousands of gallons of water, he wrote. I was informed by the fire department that the vehicle, once again reignited when it was loaded onto the tow truck. I am very concerned that we may have a ticking time bomb on our hands, he added. NHTSA said it first observed EV fires after a hurricane in October 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. The fireswhich are caused by the lithium-ion batterycan happen right after the vehicle was submerged in saltwater or several weeks after being submerged. The traffic safety agency also instructed related parties to follow a 2014 interim guidance and not store a severely damaged vehicle with a lithium-ion battery inside a structure or within 50 feet of any structure, vehicle, or combustibles. Tons of Waterlogged EVs Catching Fire Patronis warned on Oct. 6 of the increased number of incidents in which electric vehicle batteries have corroded after Hurricane Ian. Theres a ton of EVs disabled from Ian. As those batteries corrode, fires start. Thats a new challenge that our firefighters havent faced before, Patronis said. At least on this kind of scale. In this aerial photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, damage from Hurricane Ian is seen on the causeway leading to Sanibel Island from Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2022. (Gerald Herbert/AP Photo) Patronis shared a video alongside the tweet showing firefighters from the North Collier Fire Rescue (NCFR) attempting to put out smoke stemming from an EV in the middle of a busy road. Theres a ton of EVs disabled from Ian. As those batteries corrode, fires start. Thats a new challenge that our firefighters havent faced before. At least on this kind of scale. #HurricaneIan pic.twitter.com/WsErgA6evO Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) October 6, 2022 A woman can be heard saying that firefighters have already doused the vehicle with 1,500 gallons of water but that the smoke has persisted. That goes to show how dangerous these fires are, the woman states, adding that firefighters will now continue to drown the vehicle with water until it cools off. Another man in the video can be heard saying that the vehicle will likely continue pouring out smoke for days. Katabella Roberts contributed to the report. SpaceX founder Elon Musk during a T-Mobile and SpaceX joint event in Boca Chica Beach, Texas on Aug. 25, 2022. (Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images) Elon Musks Special Administrative Zone Remarks Anger Taiwans Military, Says No More Tesla Purchases Days after Elon Musk suggested that Chinese leader Xi Jinping should figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan, the Taiwanese minister said its military would not buy more Tesla Inc. cars. Taiwans Minister of Board of Military Operations Chiu Kuo Cheng told a legislative session that the Taiwanese army will definitely not make any more purchases from Musks company, reported Radio Free Asia. The procurement of equipment must be in accordance with the needs of the army and in line with government policy guidance, Chiu said. The national army currently has no need to purchase additional Tesla vehicles, he added. The military officials also reportedly turned off all the cameras of the cars it uses for security reasons, as each Tesla car has eight cameras that can relay footage back to the company. The report noted that Taiwans military currently has seven Model 3s and uses them for administrative purposes. This came after Musk, in a new interview, discussed China and Taiwan issues and said, My recommendation would be to figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable, probably wont make everyone happy. Following this, Taiwans de-facto ambassador came down heavily on the Tesla CEO and said, Taiwan sells many products, but our freedom and democracy are not for sale. By Navdeep Yadav 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Epoch Cinema Documentary Review: Dog Man Remembering an animal training pioneer who helped others bring out the best in their dogs Commentary I recently had the pleasure of watching a near-hour-long documentary, Dog Man, about a fascinating person named Dick Russell. This gentleman not only had a very unique personality, but also a profound love for animals, which he trained throughout his life. The filmmakers include a plethora of interesting interviews with many people who knew Russell, including the owners of the many dogs he trained, fellow trainers who learned a wealth of information from him, his neighbors, his brother L.H. Russel, and others. Interwoven with the interviews are a bevy of newspaper articles, old photos, television clips featuring Russell showing off his training techniques, and lots of scenes from both his six-week dog obedience training course and his expansive field socialization courses (more on that later). The film begins by showing Russell interacting with both dogs and their owners as they stand around him in wide circles within parking lots, usually during early dawn hours. Right away, it becomes evident that although Russell is a no-nonsense, straight-shooter type of guy, he also has a shrewd sense of humor that frequently elicits plenty of guffaws. Then the film pulls back a bit to describe Dicks upbringing. According to his brother, Russell began teaching himself how to train his own young dogs as a child. They both worked whatever jobs they could get as youths, such as working at the local A & P food stores, paper routes, and the likewhatever it took to make a buck, he remarks with a smile. When his brother returned home from the U.S. Army in 1962, Baton Rouge was in an economic tailspin and jobs were hard to come by. When Russell found a job at the local Ethyl plant, it was as if hed found a lifeboat in the tumultuous economic waters. But the large plant became yet another example of the further decline of manufacturing jobs in South Louisiana during the mid-1980s when it closed its doors for good. Up to that point, Russell had become accustomed to working the long regular hours at the plant. However, the closing of the plant caused him to rethink things. Eventually, he embraced his inner entrepreneur and went for what he really wanted to do in lifebecome a dog trainer. Baton Rouge veterinarian Dr. Craig Alberty recalls how quickly Russells business took off and became super-popular during the 1980s. Russell would teach his six-week dog training course to people in various parking lots scattered around Baton Rouge. Part of his early success was due to his being extremely passionate about and caring deeply for animals. Another positive aspect of his emerging business was that Russell would guarantee that an owners dog would be trained, no matter what. In other words, if a pet parent paid for one of his classes, they were allowed to keep bringing their pet back whenever they could. He didnt want financial difficulties to ever be a roadblock for owners who wanted help with their pets. Although Russell passed away from cancer by the time this documentary was completed, he left quite an impressive legacy behind. Its estimated that by the final years of his life, hed successfully trained over 30,000 dogs in Southern Louisiana utilizing ground-breaking techniques. Each course was packed with dozens of dogs and their owners from different parts of the country. One of the things youll hear repeatedly from interviewees is that Russell was teaching people how to train their dogs, instead of training the dogs. He emphasized that owners should reward good behavior and obedience through not only treats (he mainly used chopped-up hot dogs) but also petting and verbal praise. Even his philosophy on petting was extraordinaryhe stressed that petting shouldnt simply involve the act of rubbing your hands on your pet, but rather, a feeling of love should begin in ones heart and emanate through ones hands. Another major aspect of Russells unique training methodology was his field socialization course. On certain weekend mornings, pet owners whod already taken his obedience course were free to come out to his five-acre ranch. There, the dogs were free to mix and mingle with each other without any barriers or restraints, such as leashes. These get-togethers were incredibly effective for dogs since they allowed the canines to develop their social skills and also find their place in the packsomething natural to them. Incredibly, even some of the most aggressive dogs were able to benefit from these socialization exercises, merely by being around so many other dogs in a foreign (and natural) environment. I found this 57-minute documentary to be well-paced and structured. As an animal lover myself, I also thought it not only endearing but even learned a bit by watching snippets of Dicks training. No wonder so many folks say theyd wished they could have taken his coursesI do too. Dog Man is a thoroughly engaging and charming documentary about a man who followed his heart and passion, and in doing so, was able to touch the lives of so many other people in positive ways. Watch Dog Man on Epoch Cinema here. Dog Man Director: Richie Adams Running Time: 57 minutes MPAA Rating: Not Rated Release Date: Oct. 17, 2015 Rated: 4.5 stars out of 5 Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Police and SIU investigators gather at the scene where two police officers were killed in Innisfil, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Arlyn McAdorey) Federal Freeze on Importing Firearms Does Nothing to Curb Gun Crime: Toronto Police Association President Light sentences and lenient parole, bail decisions part of the problem, Jon Reid says On the heels of the fatal shooting of two police officers in Innisfil, Ont., the president of the Toronto Police Association (TPA) says firearms trafficking and violence are increasing and Ottawas efforts to curb gun violence are missing the mark. The proliferation of firearms up here in Canada from the U.S.it is out of control in my opinion, Jon Reid told The Epoch Times. The volume of guns here in Toronto, its prolific. Theres so many firearms out there right now that it concerns me. Const. Morgan Russell, one of two officers fatally shot in the line of duty in Innisfil, Ont., on Oct. 12, 2022, is shown in a South Simcoe Police Service handout photo. (The Canadian Press/South Simcoe Police Service) Reid said that an overwhelming majority of guns used to commit crimes in Canada are illegally smuggled into the country from the United States. He says the federal governments move to freeze the importation of handguns starting Aug. 19 was pointless. Freezing the importation of legal firearms does nothing to stop the flow of the illegal ones, so thats the first problem there, he said. When Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino announced the handgun freeze, he said the measure will stop nearly all individuals and businesses in Canada from importing handguns. On Oct. 12, two police officers were fatally shot while responding to an evening disturbance call in Innisfil, less than an hour north of Toronto. Prior to that in September, Toronto police officer Andrew Hong was shot and killed in what was described as an ambush attack, with related shootings spanning three Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area cities in a single afternoon. Meanwhile, there have been 320 shootings in Toronto so far this year, based on data available up to Oct. 9, according to the Toronto Police Service. The fact that Torontos police force has not kept pace with the citys growing population and higher crime rates adds to the problem, Reid says. Were down 400 officers over the last 10 years. Reid noted that the TPA, which represents almost 8,000 uniform and civilian members of the Toronto Police Service, has offset some of that loss with civilian personnel, but he said the city needs more police. Gun Trafficking In February, Mark Weber, national president of the Customs and Immigration Union, told the House of Commons public safety committee that just one one-millionth of all rail cargo is inspected before crossing the Canadian border. In other words, theres almost a zero percent chance that any illegal weapons entering the country via rail will ever be found, Weber said on Feb. 1. As things stand, not only is Canadas ability to prevent smuggling lacking, but its capacity to gather reliable and sound data is also inadequate. Mendicino said in August that 2021 was a record year for seizing illegal firearms at the border. Federal data shows that the Canadian Border Services Agency seized over 1,200 firearms at the border in 2021, which is more than double the number seized in 2020. However, Reid said such massive numbers of illegal firearms have been pouring over Canadas border for years and their full effect is now being felt. What you need is increased enforcement at the border, increased scrutiny, increased powers to search, he said. Jenny Hong, wife of Toronto Police Const. Andrew Hong, and her children Mia and Alex bow at his casket during his funeral service in Toronto on Sept. 21, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn) Part of the problem, Reid said, is that far too many perpetrators of gun crimes get easy sentences, allowing them to get out of jail sooner and repeat similar crimes. He called the governments rolling back of certain mandatory minimum sentences inexcusable. The Senate is currently reviewing Bill C-5, the Liberal governments proposed legislation that aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in order to repeal 20 mandatory minimum sentences, mostly for certain drug and gun offences. Bill C-5, which passed third reading in the House of Commons in June, would also give judges the power to grant more conditional sentences, meaning that those convicted of the certain drug and gun offences targeted by the legislation will have a greater chance of serving time outside of prison, on bail. If somebodys involved in trafficking firearms, they need to go to jail for a long, long time, Reid said. The publics rights should be the prioritynot the rights of these people that are committing these criminal offences. Bail reform is sorely needed, he said, noting that even some gun criminals who receive relatively tough sentences are granted parole far too easily. We had one recently, he said. A young male was caught doing carjacking with a firearm. Caught, released on bail. Once hes released on bail, he then goes and cuts his ankle bracelet. I dont know if hes been apprehended yet. Reid said far too many unreformed criminals receive bail, which then increases the chance of innocent civilians suffering the consequences. If youre caught with a loaded illegal firearm, you [should] not be getting bail, he said. Underlying Factors Darryl Davies, a criminology professor at Carleton University, thinks the cause of rising gun crime in Toronto runs far deeper than cross-border smuggling. An expert in the areas of youth gangs, policing, and criminal justice policy, Davies says the combination of broken families and low-quality education brings about more inner-city gangs, noting that some gangs consist of just two or three young members. Were talking about kids who are out of school, kids who have no parental supervision, kids who are basically being ignored by society or theyre on the streets or doing drugs, he said. We are seeing young offenders act out violently in ways weve never seen before. Davies says gun-control legislation completely misunderstands the underlying factors that cause crime. You cannot legislate away gun violence, it is impossible, he said. More importantly, it doesnt recognize the systemic, or what I call the etiology, of crime, and that is the root causes, which governments have always politically ignored. He says the only way to solve the problem is to focus on reviving strong family units. The only avenue in criminology that empirical evidence shows is effective is investing in families, dysfunctional familiesimproving housing, improving education, he said. The Canadian Press and Lee Harding contributed to this report. Kentish SES volunteer Maxine Douce monitors water level at a bridge on Dowbiggin Street in Railton, Tasmania, Thursday, October 13, 2022. Heavy rain that began on Wednesday night is expected to continue into Friday morning across the northern half of the island state. (AAP Image/Phillip Biggs) Floods Tipped to Break Records in Tasmania Flood-hit communities in the north and northwest Tasmania have entered a danger period as waters rise, with evacuation orders for areas around several rivers and part of Launceston. Heavy rain that began on Wednesday night started to ease on Friday morning. Records were broken in parts, with the Great Lake region registering 398 millimetres in about a day. Evacuation orders are in place for people living along the swollen Mersey and Meander rivers, downstream of Lake Isandula dam and in the Launceston suburb of Newstead. There is also a move-to-higher-ground emergency warning for the St Patricks River. This is actually the danger period. Our messaging to the Tasmanian public at this point in time is dont be complacent, State Emergency Services acting director Leon Smith told the ABC on Friday. All of that rain thats fallen at the higher altitudes still needs to make its way down through the riverine systems. This flooding will be sustained. Smith said it would take several days for the waters to subside. Emergency services rescued a family of six who became isolated on their property, while a man and woman were helped to safety after driving through floodwaters in their 4WD. Just because youre in a larger vehicle, doesnt mean the flood waters wont either sweep you away or stop your vehicle, Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said. Authorities warned river peaks in some parts could reach levels seen in mid-2016 when flooding claimed three lives and caused $180 million worth of damage. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts record highs for the Meander and Macquarie rivers. The north copped 50-150mm of rain, in places breaking October daily records that have stood for more than a century. Peter Freshney, mayor of Latrobe Council, which sits along the Mersey River, said some properties had been inundated ahead of an expected flood peak on Friday. At this stage (the flood level is) below 2016. Well see what happens when the peak arrives. Theres still a bit of anxiety about thats for sure, he told AAP. The river is flowing really rapidly. Theres a lot of debris, trees and the like. The SES issued an emergency evacuation alert on Thursday night for 42 homes south of the dam at Lake Isandula after being advised it was at risk of failure. TasWater manager Tony Willmott said the dam filled more rapidly than expected, with an inflow of 70,000 litres per second and was within half a metre of overtopping. The dam is now considered stable and will be assessed further. About 70 homes in Newstead were evacuated overnight, with the SES receiving 147 calls for assistance in flood-hit areas. Thousands of people were without power across the state on Friday morning, and some could be cut off for days. Balancing and harmonizing the internal system is the basis of maintaining overall good health in traditional Chinese practice. Shutterstock 8 Herbal Tea Recipes for Brightening and Removing Dark Spots and Scars In a review under the evidence-based complement alternative medicine section, published by the National Library of Medicine in 2004, researchers found a large amount of traditional Chinese herbal formulae were documented. Yi Yeong-Deug and Chang II-Moo, researchers from the Natural Product Research Institute at Seoul National University, jointly write in the review, On world medical history, traditional Chinese medicine was one of the more advanced medical sciences until the late 17th century. Many medical kinds of literature and classics have been recorded; however, over 12000 medical classics are still scattered in libraries throughout China. With many combinations and available herbs, can you imagine how complex it is to formulate a Chinese herbal prescription? For thousands of years, documents show that traditional Chinese medicine has been used for beauty. Emperors and Empresses often asked their doctors in the palace to discover new herbs or new formulas to reverse aging or help them stay beautiful and young longer. That is due to a common concept in traditional Chinese medicine practice that what is wrong internally will first appear externally: on your face. Ritsugaku Ken, a traditional Chinese medicine physician at the Japan Toyo Medical Association and president of the Heisei Acupuncture Clinic at Kurashiki Heisei Hospital, said in an interview, There is a considerable number of herbal prescriptions in traditional Chinese medical books of the past. Each covers various dermatologic needs of modern women, such as removing freckles, rejuvenating or brightening ones skin. The Japanese practitioner said the secret to beauty is even more pertinent to the human body than western cosmetic history. Dr. Ken shared the following eight DIY Chinese herbal drinks to make at home for anti-aging, nourishing skin, and scar lightening, which you can enjoy at home with evident improvements. 1. Nourishing Almond Tea Youll need 12g (0.43 oz) of ground almonds, 6g (0.22 oz) of osmanthus flowers, and rock sugar to taste. Function: Maintain youthful skin and remove scars. Directions: 1) Bring a pot of water to a boil. 2) Place almonds and let them cook for 15 minutes. 3) Pour the osmanthus flowers and cook for another 10 minutes. 4) Sieve and remove the mixture of flowers and almonds when timed. 5) Add some rock sugar to your preference for sweetness in the hot drink before serving. Note: This tea is unsuitable for people with loose stool, menstruation, or pregnancy. Sweet, Scented, Osmanthus, Milk, Jujube, Stewed Peach Gum. Shutterstock 2. Brightening Melon Seed Tea Youll need 6g (0.22 oz) of winter melon seeds, a bowl of clean, sliced wintermelon, and 800ml (27 fl oz)of water Function: brightening, moisturizing Directions: 1) Put the winter melon seeds in medicine or a refillable tea bag. Set aside. 2) Clean wintermelon. Cut in slices with the skin on. 3) Place all ingredients in a pot and bring them to a boil. 4) switch to low heat and cook for 10-15 minutes 5) Sieve the Tea. 6) Cool before serving. Consume once a week Note: This Tea is unsuitable for people with frequent urination, pregnancy, or chronic digestive illnesses. 3. Anti-aging Tea Function: nourish liver qi and eyesight, relaxing, anti-aging, and moisturizing the skin. Youll need: 2g (0.07 oz) Goji berries, 2g (0.07 oz) cinnamon, 2g (0.07 oz) hawthorn, 2g (0.07 oz) chrysanthemum Directions: 1) Put everything in a cup. 2) Pour 300 ml (10 fl oz) of water into the cup. 3) Let it brew for two minutes. 4) It is ready to serve. 5) You can have a second cup by refilling the hot water. Note: This Tea is not suitable for people with pregnancy or excess stomach acid. 4. Stay Youthful Rose Tea Function: Increase Qi and nourish the blood, enhance weight loss, regulating the liver and stomach. Youll need: 10g (o.35 oz) rose, 10 (0.35 oz) of motherwort Directions: 1) Place all ingredients in. a cup. 2) Pour hot water and let it brew for 10 minutes. 3) Best if you cover the tea with a lid while brewing. Note: This Tea is unsuitable for people with pregnancy, menstruation, and blood and qi deficiency. 5. Dark Spot Removal Tea Function: Strengthen the spleen, Lighten dark spots, and reduce edema. Youll need 8g (0.28 oz) of Poria Cocos or FuLing, 12g (0.42 oz) of lotus seeds, 12g (0.42 oz) of barley Directions: 1) Clean all the ingredients. 2) Turn to low heat and simmer to about 600ml. 3) Cool before serving. Note: This Tea is not suitable for pregnant women. 6. Complexion Boost Tea Youll need 3g (0.11 oz) of winter melon kernel, 2g (0.07 oz) of Tao Ren (Prunus Davidiana seeds), 2g (0.07 oz) of dried orange peel, 3g (0.11 oz) of green Tea, and 3g (0.11 oz) of rock sugar. Directions: 1) Put the wintermelon kernel, Tao Ren, and dried orange peel in a pot of 500ml water. 2) Bring it to a boil. 3) Switch to low heat and cook for 15 minutes. 4) Sieve and remove the ingredients. Set Tea aside. 5) Add green Tea to the hot Tea. Add rock sugar to taste. 6) Serve warm once a day. 7. Honeysuckle Acne Removal Tea Function: Antibacterial, remove heat and toxins. Remove acne. Youll need 6g (0.21 oz) of honeysuckle Directions: 1) Put honeysuckle in a teacup. 2) Add boiled water. 3) Cover with a lid and brew for 5-10 minutes. 4) Serve immediately. Note: This Tea is unsuitable for people with weak spleen and stomachs. 8. Wrinkle Removal / Liver-boost Tea Function: Nourish liver and kidneys, moisturize and prevent wrinkles. Youll need 8g (0.28 oz) of Huang Jing (Polygonatum sibiricum), 12g (0.42 oz) of goji berries, 12g (0.42 oz) of Tu Si Zi or Cuscuta Chinensis Seeds Directions: 1) Clean all the ingredients. 2) Add to 1000ml (2.1 pints) water and bring to a boil. 3) Switch to low heat and simmer down to 600ml (1.26 pints). Note: This Tea is unsuitable for people with spleen deficiency and diarrhea. After looking at the secret beauty tea recipes, which one would you like to try? The data collected from Israels adverse events reporting system showing that some women experienced menstrual disorders for more than 12 months after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine raises concerns, according to Dr. Shelly Cole, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Texas. Looking at the Israeli data is very concerning, Cole told The Epoch Times. Of the 282 Israeli women who reported menstrual abnormality following COVID-19 vaccination, 88 reports contained information on the duration of the condition. And of the 88 reports, 83 disclosed that the menstrual problems lasted over a week. Some of the womens problems had still not resolved. All but one of the reports were from adults. The single child report detailed a disorder lasting between one and six months. Of the other 82 reports, 11 reported that their condition lasted between one week to one month, 42 that their condition lasted one to six months, 22 that they suffered for six to 12 months, and seven that their condition lasted for over 12 months. The reports were from women who received a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The reports were submitted between December 2021 and May 2022. They were discussed during a secret meeting over the summer. A screenshot of a graph showing the distribution of the duration of the menstrual disorders that lasted over a week after a COVID-19 mRNA shot. (Ministry of Health of Israel/Screenshot by The Epoch Times) Health experts say the actual number of menstrual cases is much higher than what is being reported to the system and others like it. Many women may have thought that their condition was not vaccine-related, been unaware of the reporting system, or not been encouraged by their doctor to lodge a report. Cole said that she wasnt surprised that women were complaining of irregular menstruation, including abnormal bleeding following vaccination. Shes seen it throughout the pandemic in her clinic and discussed the matter with other doctors. She was still shocked when she learned Israels Ministry of Health (MoH) presented a lower risk of menstrual abnormality than what the adverse event reports showed in a public report (pdf) published in August, two months after the closed-door meeting. The MoH used the total vaccine doses administered since the shots were clearedover 18 millionas a denominator to calculate the risk of adverse events. The shots were cleared in late 2020, but the new reporting system was not launched until December 2021. They took the 18 months of doses of the Pfizer vaccination and they only looked at the side effects for six months, Cole said. So how can this be even remotely valid? That minimized the calculated risks of the adverse events reported, including menstrual abnormalities. And they included doses given to males when calculating risks despite men not menstruating. They minimized menstrual irregularity by implementing men in the data, Cole said. The MoH did not respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. The reported phenomena are known phenomena in the professional literature and were also found in the previous reports of the Ministry of Health, and there was no observation of an increase in a new phenomenon (new signal), the ministry said in the report. That statement was false, according to the presentation in the secret meeting. Presentation The MoH commissioned a group of researchers to analyze reports of adverse events submitted to their new reporting system following vaccination from December 2021 to May 2022. The researchers found that the duration of some events, including menstrual disorders, were not short-lived or mild as health authorities claim. The researchers also said that Pfizer officials informed them that the company was unaware of any long-term symptoms. Pfizer didnt return multiple emails requesting comments. Sasha Zhurat, the main presenter at that time, said that many of the complaints of menstrual abnormalities lasted for several months and not the couple of days that is mentioned in the brochure distributed to vaccine recipients. But compared to the leaflet where it says that the symptoms go away after a few days, we saw that there were many reports, and only 5 percent had symptoms that lasted between two weeks and a month, all the rest were much longer, Zhurat said. She added that over 90 percent of the reports in which there appears some kind of topic of duration and long-term changes, 60 percent reported a change lasting three months. In 10 percent of these women, Zhurat said that they experienced the same menstrual issue following additional vaccine doses, a phenomenon known as rechallenge. Rechallenge is one factor to establish causality between a vaccine and an adverse event when the re-administration of the same vaccine causes the reoccurrence of a side effect that had gone away. Some side effects are officially recognized by vaccine makers and health authorities, such as heart inflammation. But the researchers discovered that some others were also caused by the shot. The meeting was recorded without the participants knowledge and leaked to Israeli journalist Yaffa Shir-Raz, who broke the story in August. The Epoch Times has reviewed the full recording. Some of the findings, including the finding of rechallenge, were omitted from the MoHs report to the public. A resident receives a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine at a nursing home after Israel approved it for people over 60 in Tel Mond, Israel, on Jan. 6, 2022. (Amir Levy/Getty Images) Studies After the rollout of the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines, many women around the world also began reporting menstrual changes. One study found that the vaccines were linked to increased menstrual bleeding in about 39,000 women who responded to a survey that was launched in April 2021. The study was published in Science Advances in July 2022. In this sample, 42 percent of people with regular menstrual cycles bled more heavily than usual, while 44 percent reported no change after being vaccinated, the authors wrote. Among respondents who typically do not menstruate, 71 percent of people on long-acting reversible contraceptives, 39 percent of people on gender-affirming hormones, and 66 percent of postmenopausal people reported breakthrough bleeding. A different study published in the British Medical Journal on Sept. 27 found that vaccination can extend a womens menstrual cycle. Researchers said that women who received any COVID-19 shot experienced a 0.71-day increase in their period following the first dose, and a 3.91-day increase in cycle length in those who received two doses. The authors called for further studies on post-vaccination changes to a womans menstrual cycle and to determine the causes of the changes. Lia Onely contributed to this report. The Albertsons logo is displayed in front of an Albertsons grocery store in Los Angeles, Calif. on Oct. 14, 2022. Top grocery retailer Kroger has agreed to acquire rival Albertsons for $24.6 billion. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) Kroger, Albertsons Announce $25 Billion Merger Deal LOS ANGELESGrocery giants Kroger and Albertsons have confirmed a merger agreement that would create a mega-chain of about 5,000 stores across the nation, assuming the deal escapes an antitrust review from federal regulators. Under the deal announced Oct. 14, Krogerthe parent company of Ralphswill obtain Albertsons Cos. for roughly $25 billion. According to Kroger, the combined new company will include nearly 5,000 stores, 66 distribution centers, 52 manufacturing plants, 3,972 pharmacies, and 2,015 fuel centers. It was unclear what impact the deal will have on the more than 710,000 employees who work for the two companies. Local chapters of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union that represent grocery workers issued a statement expressing concern about the deal, saying it will create a monopoly that will harm employees and consumers. The proposed merger of these two grocery giants is devastating for workers and customers alike and must be stopped, Kathy Finn, acting president of the workers union, said in a statement. Just as our UFCW workers stood together to negotiate landmark new contracts with both Kroger and Albertsons/Safeway last year across the western U.S., we will stand united to fight for access to nutritious food, safe shopping experiences, and investments in good jobs in our communities. Essential UFCW grocery store workers emerged stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, winning improved protections against the virus, store violence, and other threats. Standing together, we know our voices are stronger than the corporations anti-worker rhetoric. Some analysts noted that the combined company would position Kroger to become more competitive with industry leader Walmart, and suggested the larger organization would have more purchasing power that could lead to lower costs for consumers. But the merger of the two companies could also draw the attention of the Federal Trade Commission over antitrust concerns. Kroger and Albertsons are the second and third leading grocery chains in the country, behind Walmart. Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO, said in a statement the proposed merger will bring superior value to customers, associates, communities, and shareholders. Albertsons Cos. brings a complementary footprint and operates in several parts of the country with very few or no Kroger stores, McMullen said in a statement. This merger advances our commitment to build a more equitable and sustainable food system by expanding our footprint into new geographies to serve more of America with fresh and affordable food and accelerates our position as a more compelling alternative to larger and non-union competitors. McMullen will continue to serve as chairman and CEO of the combined company. In its statement announcing the deal, Kroger officials said the combined company anticipates divesting some stores. Those stores will be spun off into a new standalone company established by Albertsons named SpinCo, which is expected to include between 100 and 375 affected store locations. Company officials said that the divestment of hundreds of stores would help allay antitrust concerns from federal regulators. Cargo ships sit backlogged outside the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) LA Port Reports Spike in Emissions During Cargo Ship Backups The backup of cargo ships waiting to deliver goods to the Port of Los Angeles last year caused a spike in greenhouse gas emissions, a new report shows. In 2021, the port recorded a 39-percent increase in greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere. Emissions from port-related sources spiked during the height of the supply chain crisis as ships carrying goods from Asia waited for days and sometimes weeks to deliver to the busy seaport. Compared to 2020, emissions of diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur oxides increased 56, 54, and 145 percent respectively, according to a report released by the port Oct. 6. The environmental impact of a congested supply chain was evident last year, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a release. The backlog of ships sitting outside San Pedro Bay was significant. In response to the congestion, the industry created a new queuing system in November 2021 designed to reduce the number of cargo ships anchored near the port or drifting under their own engine power. Vessels line up to offload containers into the Port of Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 27, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) The new volunteer system assigns arriving ships a time and date at the dock based on when they left their last port and their expected arrival time. Previously, ships headed directly to the port received a docking time once they were within 25 nautical miles off the southern California ports. Those participating in the new program were spread out across the Pacific Ocean and off the coast of Mexico. The ships are now required to slow steam, or operate below their maximum speed, toward the San Pedro Bay and wait at least 150 miles offshore instead of waiting outside the breakwater. Emissions began to decrease at the port following the implementation of the new program, but 2021 measurements were significantly impacted by the backup, Seroka said. Were working hard to address these issues and improve results, Seroka added. We are now providing incentive funding for zero emission trucks, testing a range of new green technologies and working internationally to decarbonize ocean shipping between Los Angeles and China. At the same time, the port has reduced the backlog of ships waiting to enter the San Pedro Bay by more than 90 percent and are looking at more measures, Seroka said. Ships wait access to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles off of Long Beach, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times) Despite the emissions increases, most long-term clean air gains in the San Pedro Bay complex, which also includes the Port of Long Beach, were on track, he said. Emissions of diesel particulate matter and sulfur oxides continued to meet 2023 clean air goals, with diesel particulate matter reductions at 85 percent below 2005 levels. Sulfur oxide emissions were 95 percent below 2005 levels. Nitrogen oxides emissions, however, no longer meet the 2023 clean air goals, reaching only 44 percent below 2005 levels. The goal was for them to drop 59 percent, Seroka said. At the height of the ship congestion in January 2022, 109 cargo ships waited at anchor or in holding areas, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California. That has now been reduced to fewer than 10 on an average day. The drop in traffic is partly a result of carriers diverting ships to East and Gulf coast ports to avoid the backup. The Coalition for Clean Air, based in Los Angeles, pushed the ports in November to reduce their emissions, Policy Director Bill Magavern told The Epoch Times. A study released in November 2021 by the California Air Resources Board showed the increase in cargo ship traffic during the height of the pandemic in 2020 pumped about 20 tons of additional nitrogen oxides, the key ingredient of smog and soot, into the Los Angeles region, Magavern said at the time. Americans are leading lonelier lives than ever before Over 20 years ago, Robert Putnams Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community posited that Americans had become increasingly disconnected from families and friends, and were joining fewer organizations than they once did. Social media increased contact between people, but these digital interactions proved an inadequate substitute for flesh-and-blood encounters. With its lockdowns and closures of businesses, schools, and churches, the COVID pandemic only deepened this sense of isolation. Statistics back up these observations. In 2020, for instance, a survey conducted by the health insurance company Cigna revealed that three in five Americans described themselves as lonely, reporting feelings of being left out, being poorly understood and lacking companionship. Heavy social media users feel more isolated than those who visit these sites less often, and members of the Gen Z generation (ages 18-22) scored highest on the loneliness chart. Such data have caused some commentators to declare that America is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. Interestingly, the artist who perhaps best captured the essence of American loneliness on canvas died 55 years ago. Alone Edward Hopper (1882-1967) was shy, somewhat of an introvert, and a loner. As a boy, he was an inveterate reader, a habit that necessarily brings solitude, and remained a lifelong lover of the printed word. During his three visits to Paris while in his twenties, Hopper ignored modernist movements like Expressionism and Cubism, preferring to follow his own path as a representational painter. Generally working alone there, he became enamored with the effects of light, studying various works in galleries and noting the ways sunlight struck the streets and buildings. For years afterwards, Hopper struggled to make a name for himself as a painter, earning most of his living from commercial art, but once his works attracted the attention of critics and the public, he gained a reputation for his silences. Sometimes talking with Eddie is just like dropping a stone in a well, his vivacious wife Jo once remarked, except that it doesnt thump when it hits bottom. Hoppers fascination with solitude, a mark of his lifetime portfolio, can be easily discerned in his depictions of solitary men and women. In Automat, for example, a woman sits alone at a marble-top table in a cafe, full-lipped, blush on her cheeks, dark-eyed, her face in a shadow cast by her yellow felt hat. One hand is bare, the other gloved, as if she intends to drink her coffee quickly and return to the darkness outside, yet she stares pensively into her cup. Some thought or emotion has captured her attention, delaying her departure. The title selected by Hooper for this painting deepens this impression of solitude. An automat was a restaurant where food and beverages were served up by vending machines, eliminating the need for human workers. Though we see no sign of this automation, the paintings name highlights the alienation caused by an increasingly mechanized culture, a phenomenon that influenced much of Hoppers art. In Morning Sun, we again find a lone woman, this time sitting on a bed and staring out an open window. (The model for this painting, as was true for nearly all of Hoopers work, was his wife.) The sun bathes her with light, though the woman seems to take little comfort from its warmth. As in Automat, her expression is again a study in mystery, encouraging the viewer to guess at her thoughts. Except for the bed, the room and walls of this room are bare of any furniture, pictures, or other decoration, causing viewers to focus all their attention on the woman. Beyond the window we see a brick factory and what appears to be a water tower, again signs of industrialization and a mechanized culture. Does she work in the factory? Does the contrast between the sunlit human figure and the factory with its row of uniform black windows send a message? Again, we take what we want from the painting. Alone With Others Even some of Hoppers paintings where two or more people appear together reflect a vision of souls confined in the self, of moments when the subjects seem to have arrived at an impasse as to what to say or are oblivious to those around them. In Hoppers 1940 piece, Office at Night, the story is again ambiguous. A secretary stands beside a file cabinet, half-turned toward her employer, who is seated at his desk examining some documents. A paper on a chair and another on the floor seem to indicate theyre working hard, but what are the intentions of this sultry woman? Is she asking her boss a question, looking at the document in which hes engrossed, or is she engrossed in him? In this painting by Edward Hopper, Is the woman asking her boss a question, looking at the document in which hes engrossed, or is she engrossed in him? Office at Night, 1940, by Edward Hopper. Oil on canvas; 22.2 inches by 25.1 inches. Walker Art Center. (Public Domain) In her book Edward Hopper: The Art and the Artist, Gail Levin notes the apparent psychic tension between the curvaceous woman and the man who ignores her, but also adds that Hopper himself stated that the painting will not tell any obvious anecdote, for none is intended. Together with Others In a few of Hoppers pictures, people do mingle, but even here a sense of separation breaks into the scene. In Hotel Lobby, a distinguished older couple seem engaged in a conversation in the lobby, perhaps waiting for a cab before going out for the evening. Across the room sits a young blonde absorbed in a book. The couple stands in shadows, while a brighter light illuminates the reader. Also creating a separation between them is the broad green stripe of the carpet. In addition, the ease and maturity displayed by the older couple stand in sharp contrast to the unintended sensuality of the girl. Often cited as an example of Hoppers focus on isolation, his most famous painting, Nighthawks, puts the viewer on a sidewalk looking through the curved glass window of a cafe. Inside are four people, a man sitting alone at the counter with his back to the viewer, a couplethe man wears a hat, coat, and tie, the red-haired woman a red dressand a counter man. This second man and the cafes employee seem engaged in a conversation while the woman is distracted, perhaps looking at her fingernails. As is the case with so many of his works, light plays a major role in the drama of the painting. The lone man sitting on the periphery is shrouded in shadows; the couple and the counterman are more brightly lit. The Dialogue of Sunlight and Shadow Hopper is also noted for his paintings of houses and other buildings, and here too the interplay of light and shadow invite the viewer to draw conclusions from the canvas. Dotting the landscape near our major highways are old homes built before the coming of cars and expressways. Some of these are relics of those bygone days, abandoned and forlorn, slowly falling apart. Others stand in defiant resplendence, maintained by their owners in spite of the intrusions of four-lanes and speeding traffic. One of his best-known paintings, Hoppers House by the Railroad gives us such a mansion. With a railroad track in the foreground, this once-beautiful home with its columns and concave mansard has some open windows, leading us to believe the house is occupied, but the light and shadows lend a feeling of decay to the property, as does its location. The eerie pale colors of the sky seem to be swallowing up the bit of blue at the top right-hand corner of the painting, as if to signal the structures demise and that of the natural world. Dull colors seem to indicate the one-impressive house has fallen into decay. The House by the Railroad, 1925, by Edward Hopper. Oil on canvas. 24 inches by 29 inches. Museum of Modern Art. (Public Domain) Most critics agree that Hoppers buildings, like his people, reflect a sense of alienation and loneliness. The Heart and Mind of the Beholder By now, readers unfamiliar with Edward Hoppers work may be thinking, Theres enough sadness and loneliness in the world without looking for it in a painting. Thats one perspective. But we can approach Hopper in other ways as well. Those accustomed to solitude and who spend a great deal of time alone may find beauty in these paintings. They may even find meanings that push against critical analysis. Nighthawks, for example, is generally accepted as a portrait of modern alienation or loneliness. The reticent Hopper himself hinted at this interpretation, but some might look at this brightly lit cafe on a dark city street and regard it as an oasis of warmth and safety. Then there are the individuals deep in their own thoughts or activities, like the woman in Automat or the reader in Compartment C. Car. We might see such pictures as expressions of loneliness, but anyone who has observed a reader bent over a book in a cafe may have noted the sometimes ethereal beauty present in that captivated face, a calm exterior possibly concealing a whirlwind of thought and emotion. And finally, Hoppers work sends a strong message to our own age of alienation, digital or otherwise. By underscoring this condition in his work, he not only reveals a troubled culture, but perhaps encourages us to go a step farther and seek to break the bonds of that alienation. Man Gets 86 Years in Prison for Murder of Pastors Wife INDIANAPOLISA man found guilty of murder, robbery, and other charges in the 2015 killing of an Indianapolis pastors wife during a break-in was sentenced Friday to 86 years in prison. Larry Jo Taylor Jr. in September also was convicted after a four-day bench trial of burglary, theft, criminal confinement, and carrying a handgun without a license in the slaying of Amanda Blackburn. He was acquitted of a robbery charge. His two jury trials ended in mistrials, most recently in June. Nearly seven years after this tragic and senseless murder, justice has been secured for Amanda, Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. I commend the Blackburn family and the community for the tremendous amount of patience and grace they have shown throughout this process. We hope that todays resolution provides finality to a very difficult chapter. Taylor was one of three men police say were involved in a string of November 2015 home invasions on Indianapolis north side that ended when Amanda Blackburn, 28, was fatally shot in her home while 12 weeks pregnant with her second child. She was slain two years after she and her husband, pastor Davey Blackburn, moved to Indianapolis from South Carolina to found Resonate Church, which was shuttered in 2019. Taylors two co-defendants accepted plea deals on the condition they would cooperate in his prosecution. Jalen E. Watson pleaded guilty in 2017 to robbery and burglary charges. He was sentenced in March 2021 to 29 years for the robbery charge and 20 combined years for the burglary charges, and ordered to serve the sentences concurrently. Diano Cortez Gordon pleaded guilty in 2018 to robbery resulting in serious bodily injury and burglary charges. Gordon was sentenced in September to 30 years in prison, with five years suspended. Murder Probe as Girls Body Found in Trunk in Paris A major police investigation was launched in Paris late on Saturday after the body of 12-year-old girl was found in a trunk. The remains were found in the courtyard of a building in the 19th district of the French capital. According to French media, a local girl had been reported missing by her parents earlier in the day. They also reported that three people had been arrested overnight and a fourth one on Saturday morning. The office of the Paris public prosecutor has opened an investigation into the murder of a minor under the age of 15. A gun owner holds a sign during a rally organized by the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights against the government's new gun regulations, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 12, 2020. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) New Brunswick Joins Prairies in Opposing Use of Police for Ottawas Gun Confiscation Program Yukon legislature also passes a motion against diverting territorial policing resources to assist in Liberals' plan New Brunswick has joined forces with Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to oppose the federal governments gun buyback program. The Yukon Legislature also recently passed a motion against the measures. In a joint statement on Oct. 14, New Brunswick, together with the Prairie provinces, called on the Liberal government to halt plans to use scarce RCMP and municipal police resources to confiscate more than 100,000 legally acquired firearms from Canadians. The joint statement was issued following a discussion on Ottawas firearms buyback program at the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Justice and Public Safety in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14. The Prairie provinces had already written to their respective RCMP divisions, indicating that no provincial funding should be used to confiscate legal firearms. Instead, funding should be used to fight the criminal misuse of firearms by tackling border integrity, smuggling, and trafficking, the statement said. The Epoch Times sought comment from Public Safety Canada, which replied that it had forwarded the request to Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicinos office. No response was received by publication time. The governments buyback program comes on the heels of 2020 legislation banning more than 1,500 models of what it termed assault-style weapons, including AR-15s. Ottawa has said the buyback program will be mandatory and will require anyone who owns guns banned under the new legislation to sell them to the government at prices determined by the feds, or else have them lawfully disposed of. Expensive and Inefficient Alberta Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro said the Liberal government contradicted its earlier claim that it would not have law enforcement administer the program due to high costs. Two years ago, the federal government said that using police resources would be expensive and inefficient. Now the federal government has resorted to using police resources to seize firearms from Canadians, Shandro said in the joint statement. He was referring to former federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair who testified before the House of Commons Public Safety Committee in November 2020 that using police resources would be a very expensive and, in my opinion, a very inefficient way to do it. Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro answers questions at a news conference in Calgary on Sept. 3, 2021. (Todd Korol/The Canadian Press) Make no mistake, the federal firearms confiscation program will cost us billions and will not improve public safety, Shandro said, adding that the Alberta government is not legally obligated to provide the resources and will not do so. Alberta was the first province to announce its opposition to the buyback on Sep. 26. Following Shandros announcement, Mendicino said on CTVs Question Period that Albertas attempt to challenge the constitutionality of the federal firearms prohibition is a political stunt. [Shandro] knows full well that the regulatory powers, when it relates to firearms, fall squarely within the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government, he said. Fair Buyback Program In his testimony before the Public Safety Committee on Oct. 4, Mendicino said he will focus on plan A when asked by Conservative MP Tako Van Popta if he has a plan B in place should provinces refuse to participate in the buyback program. Advancing a fair buyback program that will compensate law-abiding gun owners for the assault-style rifles that they originally purchased lawfully is consistent with keeping our community safe, and we will always be collaborative with our provincial and territorial partners, Mendicino said. My door will always be open to working with them in a wide variety of priorities to achieve that goal. Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Oct. 4, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) Saskatchewan adopted Albertas position on Sept. 28. In the joint Oct. 14 statement, Christine Tell, the provinces minister of corrections, policing, and public safety, and Bronwyn Eyre, minister of justice and attorney general, said they are supportive of going after illegal guns, but not guns from law-abiding owners. While we fully support crime initiatives that focus on the issues related to the criminal use of illegal firearms, preventing and combating gang violence, and addressing the issue of illegal or smuggled guns in our province, we dont support those that impact law-abiding hunters, sport shooters, ranchers, farmers, and Indigenous people who use firearms for lawful and good reasons, they said. On Oct. 13, the Yukon Legislative Assembly adopted a similar position as the Prairie provinces by passing a motion that urges the Yukon government to ensure that territorial policing resources are not diverted to assist in the implementation of the Government of Canadas gun buy-back program. Little Impact on Criminals Manitoba, which joined in pushing back on the feds buyback program on Sept. 28, said in the statement that the confiscation will have little impact on criminals but will further erode policing resources in the province. Manitoba has consistently stated that 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, said Kelvin Goertzen, minister of justice and attorney general. In Manitobas view, any buy-back program cannot further erode our scarce provincial police resources already suffering from large vacancy rates, and away from focusing on investigation of violent crimes. New Brunswicks Public Safety Minister Kris Austin wants the RCMP to focus on policing instead of using their limited resources to participate in the buyback program. New Brunswicks bottom line is this: RCMP resources are spread thin as it is. We have made it clear to the Government of Canada that we cannot condone any use of those limited resources, at all, in their planned buyback program, Austin said. Peter Wilson and Rachel Emmanuel contributed to this report. Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands during their meeting on sidelines of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) summit, in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Oct. 13, 2022. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) No Waiting: Turkey, Russia to Act on Putins Gas Hub Offer ANKARA, TurkeyTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that Turkey and Russia have instructed their respective energy authorities to immediately begin technical work on a Russian proposal that would turn Turkey into a gas hub for Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin has floated the idea of exporting more gas through the TurkStream gas pipeline running beneath the Black Sea to Turkey after gas deliveries to Germany through the Baltic Seas Nord Stream pipeline were halted. Erdogan said Russian and Turkish energy authorities would work together to designate the best location for a gas distribution center, adding that Turkeys Thrace region, bordering Greece and Bulgaria, appeared to be the best spot. Together with Mr. Putin, we have instructed our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the relevant institution on the Russian side to work together, Erdogan was quoted as saying. They will conduct this study. Wherever the most appropriate place is, we will hopefully establish this distribution center there. There will be no waiting, Erdogan said in his first statement on the Russian proposal. The Turkish leader made the comments on Thursday on his return from a regional summit in Kazakhstan where he met with Putin. His words were reported by Hurriyet newspaper and other media. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Putin proposed shipping gas to European countries that want it via Turkey because he no longer considers Nord Stream 1 and 2 to be reliable conduits. In this picture provided by Swedish Coast Guard, a small release from Nord Stream 2 is seen, on Sept. 28, 2022. (Swedish Coast Guard via AP) The minister said, however, that the Russian proposal needs to be studied well. There are investments that need to be made, they need to be examined, he said during a joint news conference with his Qatari counterpart. This is a matter of supply and demand. How much of Europe is ready to buy gas from such a project? This needs to be worked out together. Cavusoglu added that Turkey wanted to alleviate Europes energy crisis. The weakening of Europe in all aspects is not in Turkeys interest. On the contrary, it is against (Turkeys interests,) Cavusoglu said. Turkey has long aspired to become an energy hub. Energy analysts have, however, questioned the likelihood of the proposal to ship gas to Europe via Turkey getting off the ground, with European leaders criticizing Russias reliability as an energy supplier and calling Russias cuts in natural gas a political bid to divide them over their support for Ukraine. Asked to comment on an assertion by Putin that Russia had foiled an attack on the TurkStream gas pipeline, Erdogan said Turkey was taking every step necessary to secure the pipeline. NATO-member Turkey, which depends on Russian for its energy needs and tourism, has criticized Moscows actions in Ukraine but has not joined U.S. and European sanctions against Russia. It has maintained its close ties with both Moscow and Kyiv and positioned itself as a mediator between the two. Ankara recently helped broker key deals that allowed Ukraine to resume grain exports and led to a prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia. By Suzan Fraser Orange Coast College Launches Career Mentorship Program College students will have the opportunity to learn about and prepare for future career paths through Orange Coast Colleges new career mentor program. The community college, located in Costa Mesa, announced last month it is partnering with Mentor Collectivean organization that connects students with one-on-one mentorsto bring this program to its students for free. Director of Workplace Development and Career Services Ginger Neel said the program is designed to set students up for employment after graduation. A key measurement of student success is how students navigate the path from higher education to employment, she said in a statement. We want to help our students overcome any barriers that may exist between them and their chosen careers. What better way to do that than to match them up with a mentor who can show them the ropes? Mentors will be recruited from pools of Orange Coast College alumni, local industry partnerships, and advisory boards, according to a statement from the college. They are then matched with students based on students career interests and goals. Mentors will work with students to set goals in preparation for their future careers and are expected to check in on their mentees progresseither virtually or in personat least once a month. According to Mentor Collectives website, the program is helpful in preparing students for critical workforce skills they might not learn in classrooms, such as developing a growth mindset, improving public speaking skills, networking, and navigating workplace dynamics. In addition, a retention case study by Mentor Collective found that the implementation of their program at the University of Florida increased student retention by 6 percent. Relationships shape the experience and outcomes of a students journey through higher education, the website reads. Some students will find these relationships among faculty and advisors; however, many more will struggle to forge the long-lasting relationships that drive student success and open doors. At Mentor Collective, we seek to make life-changing relationships a feature of every students college experience. Mentor Collective has partnered with more than 150 colleges and universitiesincluding the University of CaliforniaRiverside, Santa Clara University, the University of Florida, and Rice Universityto match students with mentors. Neel said in the statement that the program set a goal to match 100 students with mentors for the fall 2022 semester. Zhang Peng's social media posts condemning the Korla No. 2 People's Hospital, Xinjiang, for delaying medical treatment of his son and leaving the baby's body on the ground for 28 hours. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) Parents Hold Xinjiang Hospital Responsible for Death of 6-Month-Old During Lockdown The Chinese regimes draconian zero-COVID policies have allegedly caused another babys death in Chinas western Xinjiang region. The parents of a six-month-old boy accuse a hospital in Xinjiang of causing the death of the infant because its zero-COVID policies delayed access to medical treatment. Baby Zhang Lingrong and his mother Zhao Xiulian were locked in a room in Korla No. 2 Peoples Hospital for four hours and her baby was not given any medical treatment. Mom and baby were transferred to Bayingolin Prefecture Hospital, where the baby died. Zhao says her sons body was left on the ground for 28 hours after his death. Zhao and Zhang Peng, the father, are residents of the Rose Manor residential compound in Korla City. Zhao is a nurse at Korla No.2 Peoples Hospital, but being an employee didnt help in this case. The parents posts on Chinese social media platforms about the babys death went viral for a short period of time. However, local authorities quickly removed the parents reporting the hospital for malpractice and banned them from speaking about the incident. A relative of the couple said the local police threatened people who know the family to not repost or comment on the sad couples posts. Tightened Censorship Zhao posted a video online, holding her ID card as proof of her identity. She said that her residential compound prohibited her from leaving so she could get to the hospital with the baby. She said it was the Korla No. 2 Peoples Hospital delaying proper medical treatment that caused her sons death. She categorizes the incident as medical malpractice, and demanded an explanation from the hospital for the cause of her sons death. The video is no longer available on Chinese social media platforms. The Epoch Times managed to access the video clip, but Zhao and Zhang were not able to talk freely with the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times on the phone when the publication contacted them on Oct. 11. Mr. Lin (pseudonym), a resident of Korla city, told the Epoch Times that all the posts and video clips uploaded by the babys parents had been removed. The Korla authorities tried every means to block the news, for fear that the situation would go out of their control, Lin told The Epoch Times on Oct. 11. A netizen reposted Zhang and his wifes Twitter post. Mr. Li (pseudonym), a close relative of the family, spoke on behalf of the silenced couple. He recounted the last two days of the babys life and what the parents went through. Zhang Peng now has no institution that he can turn to for help, and hes closely monitored by the authorities, Li told The Epoch Times on Oct. 11. Mom Breaks Out of Residential Compound According to Mr. Li, the baby had been very healthy and had not required any medication since he was born. But at 8 a.m. on Oct. 6, he suddenly fell ill with a fever and vomiting. The babys father was working in Hotan, which is 600 miles from Korla. The baby boy was living with his mother and grandmother. Zhao called the hospital she worked for and begged them to admit her baby. But the hospital refused, saying that it didnt admit babies during the lockdown. The medical staffers suggested some medicines Zhao should give the baby. Zhao tried to cool down her sons body temperature, but his symptoms didnt improve. He vomited all night, and his temperature went up to 101.3 . Social media posts by the babys mother. The last sentence of the post reads: Mom waits for you in her dreams. The paradise is definitely beautiful. (Screenshot via The Epoch Times) The next morning, on Oct. 7, the baby started convulsing. At 9 a.m., Zhao decided to take the baby to the hospital, no matter what. However, the security guards of the residential compound wouldnt let her exit. The desperate mother drove her car at the fences, knocked them down, and sped to the hospital. Waited for Over an Hour to Enter Hospital Li said that when Zhao arrived at the gate of Korla No.2 Peoples Hospital at 9:20 a.m., she was not allowed entry. They told Zhao that they didnt take any pediatric patients during the lockdown, Li said. Zhao knelt at the gate and begged the guards to let them in, but in vain. Meanwhile, the father of the baby was driving back from Hotan City. Zhao kept calling the Korla health commission and the pandemic prevention and control center, but her calls were not answered. In the end, she had to call the local police, who coordinated with the hospital to admit the baby. It was 10:30 a.m. when they finally entered the hospital. By then, the baby was in critical condition. Locked in a Hospital Room for 4 Hours Upon entering the hospital, the medical staffers immediately locked the baby, his mother, and grandmother in a room in the Fever Outpatients Department. They waited for over 40 minutes before medical staffers came to check on the baby at 11:10 a.m. But the medical staffers only took a blood sample from the baby and gave him an injection for the convulsions. At 12:20, the baby was in critical condition and his grandmother banged on the door, yelling for help. Someone came and took the baby for a CT scan and then said that the baby had an imbalance of potassium and sodium. However, the hospital staff did not start any treatment. At 1:30 p.m., Zhang called the hospital, urging them to treat the baby. But the doctors said they were taking a nap and would see the baby after that. When the doctors went back to work, they expelled the phlegm from the babys trachea and gave him a sedative. But that was the only treatment. At 2:40 p.m., the hospital told them that they could not treat the baby and arranged for an ambulance to transfer mother and baby to the Bayingolin prefecture hospital. Things didnt improve after the transfer. The doctors at the prefecture hospital told them that the baby had an electrolyte imbalance and began an intravenous drip. At 5:02 p.m., the baby passed away. Neither Hospital Explained Babys Death The prefecture hospital issued a death certificate and said that the treatments were ineffective. The death certificate did not state what had made the baby ill. It only said respiratory and cardiac arrest in the death certificate, Li told The Epoch Times. The Korla No. 2 Hospital gave no explanation, either, according to Li. After the baby passed away, the prefecture hospital wouldnt send him to the mortuary, Li said. Zhang was driving from Hotan City to Korla, and the babys mother and grandmother stayed in the room, with the babys body on the ground, as there was no place to put him. They stayed there for 28 hours, Li wept, No one even looked at them. No One Held Accountable Neither the local authorities nor the hospitals have investigated the incident or held anyone responsible for the babys death. The No. 2 Peoples Hospital in Korla only says that this is medical malpractice, but nothing else, Li said. The local police warned the babys parents not to post anything on the internet. Everything Zhang Peng posted has been blocked, Li told The Epoch Times. The police also called their relatives, friends, and kind people who reposted for them. The police threatened them: Dont spread rumors. Dont repost or like [Zhangs posts] until the matter has been investigated,' said Li. The Epoch Times has access to a voice recording of another resident in the familys residential compound. The police officer in the recording warned the resident not to repost the incident to Douyin [Chinese version of TikTok] or other social media platforms. Delete your Douyin posts [of the babys death] immediately, the officer said in the recording. The resident replied: The pandemic doesnt kill, but the lockdown does. We have been locked in for over two months. You are getting paid. But who pays us? Who pays for my rent, my food, and my car loan? The Epoch Times reached out to the Korla No. 2 Peoples Hospital, and a woman answering the phone refused to give her name and declined to comment. The Epoch Times contacted the Korla health commission and had not received any reply as of press time. In August, a 17-month-old died in a hospital in the Yili City of Xinjiang due to a delay in medical treatment caused by the lockdown policies. Xinjiang has been under stringent lockdown since August amid a recent flare-up of the pandemic. Some cities literally have locked down residents when outside their residences. Zhao Fenghua and Hong Ning contributed to the article. In a rare public protest in Beijing, people were standing up against Chinas zero-COVID-19 policy, even condemning Chinese leader Xi Jinping by name. Following the protest, the word Beijing was put on Chinas censorship blacklist. Internet police appear to be working overtime. Controversies are brewing over a New York nonprofit and its having funded a Wuhan lab tied to the Chinese military. Now its getting federal research dollars. Tensions are rising on the Korean Peninsula, with another missile launch and military aircraft close to the North-South border, alongside nuclear threats. An expert gives his take on whether the United States would send troops to Taiwan if China invades. Topics in this episode: Rare Protest in Beijing Ahead of Key CCP Meeting China Quashes Social Media Posts About Protest A Year of Protests Signals Dissent in Xis China How Chinas Xi Amassed Power and Why It Matters NIH Resumes Funding for Controversial Nonprofit S. Korea Scrambles Jets as N. Korea Sends Aircraft Flying near Border S. Korea Should Cooperate w/ Allies: Fmr Deputy FM Expert on the Best Way the U.S. Can Help Taiwan Chinas Military Cannot Overcome the U.S.: Expert Have other topics you want us to cover? Drop us a line: chinainfocus@ntd.com And if youd like to buy us a coffee: https://donorbox.org/china-in-focus Subscribe to our newsletter for more first-hand news from China. Follow China in Focus on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChinaInFocusNTD Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@chinainfocus Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/chinainfocus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTDChinainFocus Gab: https://gab.com/ChinaInFocus Telegram: https://t.me/ChinainFocusNTD Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV BUY Jan 6 DVD: The Real Story of Jan. 6 Documentary102 Minutes, Color) , Promo Code [Tiffany] for 20% off. Both documents underscore our intention to further our long-standing ties. El Canciller @CesarLanda0 y el Alto Representante de la UE @JosepBorrellF suscribieron un Acuerdo de Participacion del Peru en Operaciones de Gestion de Crisis y un Memorandum de Entendimiento Peru-UE, dos importantes instrumentos que fortaleceran las relaciones bilaterales. pic.twitter.com/vkOhXern77 El Alto Representante de la Union Europea @JosepBorrellF recibio al Canciller @CesarLanda0, en la sede del @eu_eeas, donde discutieron sobre el escenario internacional, la relacion bilateral y el fortalecimiento de la cooperacion con la Union Europea. pic.twitter.com/6zk7zJ6uHE Sleep is important for health and well-being, but it can also be elusive. Work and social lives can play havoc on peoples sleep schedules, and it is important to be able to adjust in order to maintain an acceptable amount of rest for the mind and body. COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted many peoples sleep cycles, allowing those who might not usually sleep inbecause of their lengthy commute to work or routine for getting ready to go outa few more minutes to hours of rest. As the world returns to office work and in-person socialising, many people are struggling to re-establish a sleep schedule that co-operates with their new daily routine. Shifting Your Sleep Schedule In an email to The Epoch Times, the Director of the Centre for Sleep Science at the University of Western Australia, Jennifer Walsh, PhD, said that light is the best way to reset the sleep schedule. If you are trying to shift your sleep time to later in the evening, you should expose yourself to bright light in the evening hours, Walsh said. If you are trying to shift your sleep time to earlier in the evening, you should set your alarm to wake closer to the desired wake time and expose yourself to bright light for at least 30 mins, ideally longer. If planning to shift the sleep schedule more than a few hours, either way, it is best to consult with a sleep professional to ensure that you will not cause significant disruption to the circadian rhythm. Sleep Health Foundation Board Member and Senior Sleep Scientist in the Adult Sleep Laboratory at Newcastles John Hunter Hospital, Gemma Paech PhD told The Epoch Times that light exposure includes not only devices but all house rooms. Youd want to make sure that youre not exposing yourself to a lot of lighting, particularly when its dark outside and then trying to have a sleep schedule thats fairly consistent across all days of the week, she said. And over time, if you sort of stick to your sleep schedule and you stick to reducing your light exposure at night and maximizing your light exposure in the morning, well sort of adapt to a specific schedule. Most people will anyway. Furthermore, Walsh said that light therapy with portable glasses is an emerging therapy that is good for resetting sleep schedules. She also said that morning exercise could be beneficial when shifting sleep time to earlier in the evening. Traditional incandescent light bulbs are sintered at a light bulb factory in Chongqing Municipality, China, on March 7, 2007. (China Photos/Getty Images) Sleeping Medication: Not Always a Good Idea Both sleep experts said that while medication such as melatonin is able to help reset a sleep schedule, it should only be taken under the guidance of a sleep professional. Paech said that melatonin is sometimes called the sleeping hormone and that it essentially signals to the brain when it is tired. She said that a lot of the medications that are used for sleep are either melatonin and sedating medications or sleeping tablets to help individuals sleep at night. Both of these things are really sort of more short-term temporary uses, particularly sleeping tablets. Theyre really being shown to not be effective in the long term, Paech said. If people are struggling with insomnia-type symptoms, behavioural treatments are really sort of the gold standard for that, and an avoidance of medication is ideal. Habits that Impact Sleep Walsh said that sleep can be negatively impacted by habits such as not exercising regularly, not experiencing regular light exposure throughout the day, and consuming too much caffeine, alcohol or nicotine or having it late in the day. Sleep can also be impacted by not adhering to a consistent sleep schedule and pre-sleep routine, for example, showering, brushing teeth, and reading just before sleep. People are not getting enough sleep during the weekdays, and then theyre sleeping in a really long time on Saturday and Sunday mornings, said Paech. This can sort of create a phenomenon that we call social jetlag where, come Sunday night, they struggle to fall asleep early, and so then they have a short sleep on Sunday night and then it kind of rolls over into the rest of the week. And then they get to the weekend, and they sleep in really late on Saturday and Sundays. Paech said that it is really important for people to try and maintain a regular sleep routine throughout the whole week. She said that if people feel the need to supplement their sleep a little bit during the weekends, they should do this through a short daytime nap, rather than sleeping in. Walsh said that sleep can also be scared away by doing things that provoke stress such as working or reading stressful stories before trying to sleep. Paech said that having large meals can also impact sleep. However, she said that sometimes there is other things that people cannot necessarily control. Parents that might have young children, sometimes their children wake them up at night and during the night or early mornings, and that will impact their sleep, Paech said. I guess one thing that people should just sort of keep in mind is that its quite normal to have a little bit of poor sleep every now and then. Its just that we want to make sure that poor sleep stays at every now and then and doesnt become the regular. Natural Sleep Preference Walsh said that there is no evidence that sleeping against natural preference is detrimental to health. However, she said that, in theory, its likely that people whose natural sleep preference aligns with when they are able to sleep, according to their daily schedule, are more likely to have less negative health outcomes. Meanwhile, a person that sleeps outside of their natural preference, for example, someone that forces themselves to turn in at 9 p.m. to be up early for work, despite preferring a later bedtime around midnight, is more likely to have poor health outcomes. It is considered best to sleep and wake at consistent times each day, allowing adequate time for sleep, she said. Some people are more naturally drawn to sleeping at earlier times, others prefer to sleep at later times, and some people are in the middle. Paech said that there isnt really a golden rule for everyone that fits. She said that a lot of the time, a persons sleep schedule is dependent on their work schedule. If you have to start work at eight oclock, then obviously, in order to get enough sleep, you need to kind of go to bed early. Paech said that for some people who feel like their work schedule is really out of whack relative to their preferred sleep times, it might be worthwhile to have a discussion with their employer about flexible working hours. This would allow them to work at a time that better suited their natural sleep preferences. Walsh said that if youre trying to shift your sleep time to earlier in the evening, you should set your alarm closer to the desired wake time and expose yourself to bright light for at least 30 minutes. (Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images) When to Visit Your Doctor Paech said that if for a couple of months people have been experiencing several nights of poor sleep within a week, they should really visit their GP for some advice. She noted that visiting a GP is important for people in this situation because they may have a sleep disorder or something else might be going on, and its really critical that these get fixed before they become a problem. Paech said that insomnia is associated with increased mental health problems as well as daytime sleepiness, which puts people at a higher risk of having an accident or something like that. She said that another sleep disorder, sleep apnea, which is where people might temporarily stop breathing, can be associated with a lot of cardiovascular disorders and a higher risk of developing diabetes and obesity. They can sort of lead to other health conditions, and we know that by treating the sleep disorder, it can actually improve some of the other health outcomes, Paech said. She said that there had been many examples of this, such as the mental health problems of people which have insomnia and poor mental health, improving when their insomnia is treated. Lots of people turn to things online and Google Search sorts of information, but a lot of the time, that information isnt always the best, and its not coming from people who are sleep specialists, said Paech. People really need to be cautious about these; these real quick fixes to solve your sleep problems are usually not very effective. A restaurant in New York will not only send you down memory lane but also transport you to different countries with its specially created dishes from grandmothers around the world. At Enoteca Maria, in Staten Island, they celebrate cultural diversity as nonnas (the Italian term for grandmothers) from different cultures whip up dishes with authentic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. Nonna Nancy making weisswurst. (Courtesy of Jody Scaravella) Several years ago, owner Jody Scaravella, 67, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, came up with the idea of opening his own restaurant as he wished to share the culinary culture of Italian grandmothers. Sharing more about the inspiration for his restaurant, Scaravella said that when he was a child his parents who worked really hard were seldom at home, and his maternal grandmother, Nonna Domenica, was the de facto head of the household. She is the one who passed down to us her culture with, at its very heart, her culinary traditions, Scaravella said. Growing up, Scaravella remembers visiting the market with his nonna every day. She stopped at the vegetable shops and bit a peach or tasted a cherry, and if it [was] good she bought them, otherwise she spit it on the ground with a disgusted expression on her face, he said. I was amazed that nobody ever complained about it but after all, everybody there knew her. This experience led him to believe that his grandmother had been the repository of his family culture and identity. I found out that, like her, millions of grandmothers all over the world pass down their heritage to their grandchildren, he said. Nonna Ploumitsa from Chios, Greece with owner Jody. (Courtesy of Jody Scaravella) Being of Italian heritage, when the restaurant first opened, several Italian grandmothers from different Italian regions would cook their own special dishes on a rotating schedule. When people from different cultures visited the cozy outlet and turned up to get a taste of authentic Italy, Scaravella decided to extend his winning formula to include women from across the globe, and thus, the Nonnas of the World, initiative was born in July 2015. It just seemed to make sense to celebrate every culture, he told The Epoch Times. Enoteca Maria now has two kitchens: one for the Italian nonnas, and another one that is used by ladies from other countries such as Peru, Trinidad, Argentina, Japan, the Czech Republic, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka, and more. Around 30 women from different nationalities rotate through the kitchen. These grandmothers, often emerge from the open kitchen of the restaurant and interact with diners. They have a great time and I think its really valuable for everybody, Scaravella said. Nonna Carmen from Argentina with her Chorizo. (Courtesy of Jody Scaravella) When considering hiring someone to cook at his restaurant, Scaravella said he knows right away if the person is passionate about their food and culture. Together, they then work out a menu and discuss the ingredients that would be needed. For those ingredients that are hard to source, the women get them by themselves and are then reimbursed by the restaurant. They then schedule a day that the ladies can cook. Currently, the restaurant is only open three days a week: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Although its usually packed, the nonnas dont seem fazed. These ladies can cook in a commercial environment, said Scaravella, who is always looking for new cultures to represent. Hes been approached many times by people who would like to franchise his idea. Nonna Anna from Armenia presenting her Armenian Ikra. (Courtesy of Jody Scaravella) In fact, he said, it has of course been franchised without my permission. Theres a place in London that is starting to do Italian grandmothers and a lot of different people that see the value in the idea, and theyre running with it, and thats fine. Scaravella enjoys what he does, and his customers relish the element of nostalgia. They love the idea of having these ladies in the kitchen and they love the food, he said. Nonna Rosa from Peru presents a diner with Costillas de Cerdo. (Courtesy of Jody Scaravella) Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at: https://www.theepochtimes.com/newsletter For thousands of years, mystics have alluded to the presence of a biologically generated energy field, or aura, surrounding humans. Now scientific investigation indicates this may be more than mere mysticism and folklore. Biochemist John Norman Hansen, Ph.D., at the University of Maryland has found evidence that such an energy field could be real, lending credence to what spiritual practitioners have pointed to for eons. Dr. Hansen conducted hundreds of experiments with dozens of subjects, and his results are consistently replicable. Other scientists have also reproduced his results, including Willem H. van den Berg of the department of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania, and physicist William van der Sluys at Gettysburg College, who published their study in the Journal of Scientific Exploration on March 15. Previous investigation of human bioenergy fields has used photon sensors. Dr. Hansen took a different approach. He wondered whether a bioenergy field, if it exists, would have enough force to push a torsion penduluma device sensitive enough to be moved by a subtle force. He hung the pendulum above the subjects head and saw a clear change in the pendulums momentum. He hung the pendulum above the subjects head and saw a clear change in the pendulums momentum. After conducting control experiments to rule out effects of air currents and other artifacts, it is concluded that the effects are exerted by some kind of force field that is generated by the subject seated under the pendulum, he explained in his 2013 study, titled Use of a Torsion Pendulum Balance to Detect and Characterize What May Be a Human Bioenergy Field, also published in the Journal of Scientific Exploration. We know of no force, such as one within the electromagnetic spectrum that can account for these results. It may be that a conventional explanation for these surprising results will be discovered, but it is possible that we have observed a phenomenon that will require the development of new theoretical concepts. One of the outstanding observations was that the effect of the human presence continued for some 30 to 60 minutes after the human subject had already left. With other forces, such as air currents, the pendulum would immediately return to its classic, non-driven motion. The mental state of a subject can strongly affect the behavior of the pendulum. Every subject had roughly the same power to influence the pendulum indicating that the effects on the pendulum require neither unique talent nor practice, wrote Hansen in a synopsis of a talk he gave at the 34th annual Society for Scientific Exploration conference at the end of May 2015. However, it has been observed that some subjects, especially ones that have pursued a meditative practice for many years, exert very different effects during a meditative state compared to a non-meditative state which shows that the mental state of a subject can strongly affect the behavior of the pendulum. Is There a Conventional Explanation? Van den Berg and van der Sluys used the same pendulum deviceas Hansen has made the design public, encouraging others to replicate his resultsand observed the same change in its movement when in proximity to a human head. They wondered, however, if this change may have been due to a change in air temperature from the heat emanated by a human head. The change in air temperature could cause convection currents, they said. They wondered, however, if this change may have been due to a change in air temperature from the heat emanated by a human head. They placed a layer of plastic between the head and the pendulum and found the effect on the pendulum disappeared. They suggested the plastic either cut the pendulum off from the mysterious bioenergy field, or it simply cut off the heat source. Hansen published a reply to this study, however, noting what he sees as flaws in the theory that body heat caused the pendulum movement. For starters, Hansen said, If you were to place a thick plastic shield between the subject and the pendulum, the pushing force [of the bioenergy field] would initially be against the shield, and the pendulum would only respond to whatever pushing force remained after pushing against the shield. For the pushing force to survive passage through the shield and then push against the pendulum would violate fundamental principles of physics; i.e. you can only use a force once, and if it is utilized to push against the shield it cannot subsequently push against the pendulum. Another factor Hansen said that van den Berg failed to take into account is the persistent aftereffects. Hansen wrote: A fundamental principle of pendulum physics is that if the pendulum is driven by an outside force and the force is removed, then the pendulum will immediately return to classic non-driven motion. Any accumulation of heated convection currents would quickly dissipate after the subject left. So convection currents could not explain these aftereffects. Hansen described the effects of the subjects bioenergy field as being somehow imprinted on the pendulum. He said the van den Berg study also failed to acknowledge the varied frequencies with which the pendulum oscillates in the presence of a human subject. The pendulum oscillates with a single frequency when the subject is absent. It oscillates with many new frequencies when the subject is present, and for some half an hour or more after the subject has leftsomething not explained away by convection currents caused by air temperature variations. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter Tyson Hampton, who is accused of killing Las Vegas police officer Truong Thai, appears in court for his initial hearing at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 14, 2022. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) Suspect in Vegas Officers Death Held Without Bond The suspect in the fatal shooting of a Las Vegas police officer appeared in court Friday morning. In the brief appearance, Tyson Shawn Jordan Hampton, 24, was ordered held without bail. Hampton was arrested several blocks away shortly after the shooting that killed Officer Truong Thai early Thursday not far from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, authorities said. The tragic part about this is [that] from the evidence, this defendant was being investigated for a misdemeanor, District Attorney Steve Wolfson told reporters. Thats why its a sad day. It didnt have to happen. This officer didnt have to lose his life. Hampton made an initial court appearance Friday before a hearing master who found probable cause to keep him jailed without bail pending arraignment Tuesday on eight felony charges including murder and attempted murder. He also faces a misdemeanor domestic battery count. Hampton, of Las Vegas, was temporarily represented by a deputy public defender and did not speak in court. He is expected to have an attorney appointed to his defense on Tuesday. He is being held at the Clark County jail in Las Vegas. Wolfson said Hamptons girlfriend and her mother summoned police, and Thai and another officer responded at about 1 a.m. Thursday several blocks east of the Las Vegas Strip. Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo said Thursday that both officers fired shots during the exchange. The other officer has not been identified. He was placed on paid leave pending district attorney and departmental reviews of the shooting, the department said. Thai, who was wearing a ballistic vest, was shot in the torso and died at a hospital, police said. The Clark County coroner ruled Thais death a homicide. The injured woman was not identified. Police said her wound was not life-threatening. Records show that Hampton pleaded no contest in April 2021 in Las Vegas to a misdemeanor charge of displaying a weapon in a threatening manner during a domestic argument. A felony assault with a weapon charge was dismissed, and Hampton complied with court orders including probation and the surrender of a 9mm handgun. Wolfson said Friday that witnesses in that case refused to cooperate. In 23 years as a Las Vegas police officer, Thai, 49, served as a patrol and training officer, financial crimes investigator and firearms instructor, the department said. Gas emanating from a leak on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea on Sept. 27, 2022. (Swedish Coast Guard via Getty Images) Sweden Opts Out of Joint Probe Into Nord Stream Leaks, Declines to Share Findings, Citing National Security Sweden has opted out of a proposal to set up a formal joint investigation team with Denmark and Germany to investigate the recent leaks of the Russian-owned pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2. Mats Ljungqvist, the Swedish prosecutor involved in the countrys criminal investigation of the leaks in the Swedish economic zone, told Reuters that the country wouldnt join a joint investigative team from the judicial cooperation agency Eurojust. According to Eurojust, a joint team is one of the most advanced tools used in international cooperation in criminal matters, comprising a legal agreement between competent authorities of two or more States for the purpose of carrying out criminal investigations. Such teams are established for a fixed period thats typically 12 to 24 months. Doing so would mean that Sweden would have to share confidential information from its Nord Stream probe that has been withheld. Ljungqvist told Reuters that the information subject to confidentiality is directly linked to national security. Ljungqvists remarks come after German news website Der Spiegel reported a similar situation, citing unnamed German security sources. It said that Sweden had rejected the idea of sharing information with Germany and Denmark, saying that the confidentiality level of the results of its investigation was too high to share them with other states. Ljungqvist noted that outside of the proposed formal investigation team, Sweden had otherwise been cooperating with Denmark and Germany in investigating the Nord Stream leak. Per Reuters, a Swedish Security Services spokesperson said the security police were cooperating closely with other authorities, also internationally, as part of the Swedish criminal investigation. A German Interior Ministry spokesperson told reporters on Oct. 14 that the German Federal Police have completed their part of investigating the alleged sabotage on the pipelines and handed over their findings. Days earlier, on Oct. 11, Swedens outgoing Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said that the country cant share information about its investigation of the Nord Stream leaks with Russia. In Sweden, there is secrecy around the preliminary investigation and that also applies in this case, she said, The Associated Press reported. Before that, the Swedish Security Service had announced on Oct. 6 that, based on its preliminary investigation, leaks from the Nord Stream pipelines were likely caused by serious sabotage and that detonations likely caused the leaks. 4 Leaks A total of four leaks were detected on the Nord Stream pipelinestwo on Nord Stream 1 and two on Nord Stream 2in late September, sparking widespread suspicion and concern, including from NATO, of sabotage. While both Nord Stream pipelines, which travel through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany, werent in operation, both were filled with gas that leaked to the surface of the water. Nord Stream 1 had recently stopped supplying gas and Nord Stream 2 never began operating. The fourth leak, off southern Sweden, was reported by the Swedish coast guard on Sept. 29. The earlier three leaks were reported on Sept. 26. Nord Stream AG, the operator of the network, issued a statement that flagged the close timing of the three leaks. It told reporters, The destruction that occurred on the same day simultaneously on three strings of the offshore gas pipelines of the Nord Stream system is unprecedented. Prior to reports late last month about the three leaks, explosions were recorded along the Nord Stream pipelines. A first explosion was recorded by seismologists 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. The chief of Russias Foreign Intelligence Service told the Russian TASS news agency on Oct. 14 that the agency had intelligence data related to sabotage at the two pipelines, but didnt elaborate. Nord Stream 1 had been the main source of Russian gas to Europe until late Aug. 19, when Russian state-owned oil and gas firm Gazprom shut off the gas for maintenance. In early September, Gazprom announced it had abandoned plans to restart gas flows through the pipeline to Germany indefinitely, saying that an oil leak in a critical turbine wasnt yet fixed. Russia has blamed international sanctions over the war in Ukraine for deterring the pipelines routine maintenance. Meanwhile, Nord Stream 2 never came into operation. Germany in February halted the certification of the gas pipeline shortly prior to Russias invasion of Ukraine. At the time, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the refusal to certify the pipeline was in response to Russian President Vladimir Putins recognition of the independence of two Russian-backed breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tennessees New AG: Good for the State, Great for the Country Commentary Dont confuse states attorneys generalwho can be good, especially in red stateswith the George Soros-backed big city DAs dominating those cities and helping turn them into crime-ridden hellholes. Encourage those red-state AGs, because they can be our saviorsat least to some extent. Unfortunately, they are limited in what they can do in the ever more crucial crime area that is under the control of those city ideologues who have more sympathy for criminals than their victims. Nevertheless, the state AGs role can be a significant counterweight, and possibly more. Take my home state of Tennesseean odd but interesting case. By dint of its constitution, this states attorney general is not elected by voters but appointed by its Supreme Court, and for the lengthy term of eight years. That might not sound all that democratic, but sometimes the stars are in such alignmentor the deity really is blessing America in her time of needthat the person appointed is better than we all could have elected or even hoped for. That was my impression when I sat down with Tennessees new attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti in his office in the John Sevier Building, a tomb-like edifice in downtown Nashville. He is a personable fellow with the requisite bona fides, undergraduate degrees from Oxford and George Washington University, and a law degree from Harvard. The latter is not quite as impressive as it used to be considering how woke and supportive of cancel culture our most vaunted law schools have become. But it was obvious Skrmetti would have no part of that. We discussed a number of issues I will get to, but my only hesitation with the AGs admirable views was one many have with all public figures, appointed or elected. Yes, he can talk the talk, but will he walk the walk? Well, he already did. In the 10 or so days since I met with him, he has taken the legal lead on two issuesnationally. The most recent concerns what is arguably the most controversial hot-button issue of our time, the supposed rise in gender dysphoria and the concurrent disturbing increase in transgender surgeries among our children. Critics of this trend were recently able to get a halt to an epidemic of such surgeries at Vanderbilt University Hospital, which were, not inconsequentially, highly remunerative to the institution and its doctors. Shortly thereafter, Skrmetti wrote the following letter, dated Oct. 12. 2022, on behalf of a coalition of thirteen, and hopefully growing, red state attorneys general to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. It begins: We, the undersigned State Attorneys General, write to express our deep concern with the recent letter you received from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and the Childrens Hospital Association asking you to investigate and prosecute people who question the medical establishments current treatment of children struggling with gender dysphoria. You cannot and should not undertake such investigations or prosecutions. We emphatically agree that anyone engaged in violent crime or threats of violence should be investigated and prosecuted by the appropriate authorities. But the medical organizations are asking you for much more than that. They are asking you to direct the criminal enforcement power of the federal government not only at those committing or threatening violence but also at those whose speech may provoke such threats. We respectfully demand that you stand down and allow the national conversation to continue. Now is a time for more speech, not less. Amen. You may think, Well, this is only a letter. And thats true. (The Tennessee Star has the full letter.) But we are in an era when lawfare has become the national bloodsport, all too often with the citizens bearing the brunt of its results, while having no say (no vote) in how those results came about. Skrmetti has stepped forward to do legal battle on our behalf in a country that has, heaven help us, 75 percent of the worlds lawyers. According to the American Bar Association, there are currently 1,116,987 attorneys practicing in the United States. Good grief! (By comparison, there are only 276,986 plumbers.) He is also up against Garland, who is arguably the most extreme-left attorney general our country has ever had. Winning a lawfare battle with him, when Garland has the odds heavily stacked in his favor, will not, to say the least, be easy. But it must be joined. Just after my meeting with him, Skrmetti also took on Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on the not-unrelated subject of proposed legislation regarding Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), this time with the backing of 20 (!) red state attorneys general. From a press release, Skrmetti notes that the Departments proposed redefinition of sex to include gender identity would deviate from the language of the statute, promote sex-based discrimination, threaten constitutional rights, and create unnecessary obstacles for healthcare providers. As we all know, language counts. Thats why the left is always changing it. Here are excerpts (recorded verbatim with the most minor corrections) of other areas I discussed with Tennessees new attorney general. 1. On how the DAs role has become more important than that of the mayor in the life of a city. I think a bad DA can kill a city more than a bad mayor can. Crime takes over. The economic engine of the city stalls out, you know. If you have crime and education problems, your citys gonna die. You cant let that happen. And obviously, you know, we have a few big cities in Tennessee, Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville. And there are some significant crime issues that have been increasingly prominent, of course. Memphis a few weeks ago had its worst week since Martin Luther King was assassinated, right? It was horrible and you know, you have a DA there who ran on a very criminal justice reform-oriented platform. 2. On the politicized FBI and military. We need everybody to be proud of the fact that we have an FBI and a military thats completely divorced from the political tides of the day. And there has to be a commitment to both institutionswhether its the bureau or the militaryto the country, and people need to recognize that a life of public service is a life of sacrifice and they are giving all of the opportunities that they would have in other sectors up so that they can serve, and serve an important and meaningful role. And I think weve lost a lot of that culture as people are concerned about potential media fallout, potential media opportunities. Everybody wants to write a book and then, you know, find jobs that leverage what they did and, you know, you end up kowtowing to whoever the cultural powers in the elite spheres are, rather than focusing on an absolute and unyielding commitment to the law. 3. On how a state attorney general can help return education to an impartial experience. So theres some legislation we have thats crafted to limit supercurricular or extracurricular commentary by educators that would propagandize students. It was very hard fought. There have been a lot of concerns about First Amendment issues there. But I dont know that that covers all of the concerns that youre raising. I think school choice potentially provides an avenue of relief there and weve been defending the states laws. With respect to school choice, weve got a pretty limited pilot program right now thats been the subject of fierce litigation. Incredible opposition to the idea of allowing even the most disadvantaged students in the school districts, who have had the most difficulties, to have any alternatives. So were fighting that fight. Its up to the policymakers whether or not they want to expand that opportunity. And then at the collegiate level, weve got some legislation that seeks to limit the ability to propagandize. We also have some very strong free-expression legislation thats consistent with and maybe even more robust than the First Amendment protections. Personnel is policy. 4. On the consolidation of corporate power and ESG. Were really concerned with the consolidation of corporate power, and with efforts by big corporations, especially big international corporations, to decide social policy. ESG [environmental, social, and corporate governance] is the main label now. Some people call it woke capital. I dont think either of those sufficiently captures the dynamic. I think we need to start talking about it as just an oligarchy. Youve got people who control tremendous amounts of the market and tremendous amounts of wealth. They have a lot of leverage. And let me frame this by saying its a free countryif youve got a bunch of money, God bless you. But what you cant do is use the leverage you have to rewrite how society functions. Were seeing in the environmental sphere, where you have corporations pushing hard to limit the available financing for fossil fuels for the internal combustion engine, where they have these longer-term social engineering goals involving the energy sector that are divorced from providing their current customers with what they needa decent life. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Peoples' Democratic Party's Zuleyha Gulum holds a banner "Truths cannot be obscured" as she stands with a covered mouth, in protest over a new media law that could lead to up to three years of jail for spreading "fake news" by reporters and social networks users, at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkey, on Oct. 13, 2022. (Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images) Turkey Adopts Legislation That Could Jail Journalists for Disinformation Measure heads to president for final approval Turkish lawmakers have voted to adopt a law that aimed at preventing disinformation in the media and online, despite widespread concerns about the measures potential to quash free speech. Lawmakers from President Recep Tayyip Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which together have a majority, voted in parliament on Oct. 13 to approve the legislation. The bill now goes to Erdogan for final approval. While government officials have said the highly controversial bill is needed to combat fake news and disinformation, opposition members of parliament as well as European countries and media rights activists have called to scrap it. Many have taken issue with Article 29 in the measure, saying that it may be used to enforce censorship and quash free speech, as well as threaten independent journalism, since the Turkish government currently controls a majority of major news outlets in the country. Article 29 says that people who are found guilty of spreading false information online intended to create fear and disturb public order could be punished with a prison sentence of one to three years. The measure also stipulates that if anonymous accounts are used to spread the alleged disinformation, sentences can be increased by up to half. Critics also said there is no clear definition of false or misleading information and courts could abuse the law. The new legislation comes amid dwindling support for Erdogan and his AKP, ahead of the countrys general elections in June 2023. A coalition of 22 press freedom organizations said the bill has a vaguely-formulated definition of disinformation and intent, adding that it will put millions of internet users at risk of criminal sanction and could lead to blanket censorship and self-censorship in the run-up to the 2023 elections. The Venice Commission, which advises the human rights group Council of Europe, has said it is particularly concerned about the consequences of the bills prison provision, namely the chilling effect and increased self-censorship ahead of the elections. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Oct. 12 urged the Turkish government not to enact the new disinformation law. The Turkish Journalists Union (TGS), which comprises seven leading journalist organizations in the country, condemned how the Turkish government had consulted the opinion of the U.S.-based digital media companies in preparing the bill, but failed to seek the views of the journalism organizations in Turkey who will be directly affected. It is a basic requirement of democracy for politicians to establish a dialogue with the leading professional organizations and civil society while preparing such legal regulations that directly concern the right of the society to obtain and receive information, the group said. We condemn the violation of this democratic principle. The measure would enable the government to further censor and silence critical voices ahead of Turkeys upcoming elections and beyond, under the guise of fighting disinformation, Guney Yildiz, a regional researcher at Amnesty International, said in a statement. [T]he laws vaguely defined provisions facilitate further the prosecution of those who allegedly publicly disseminate false information and could see people facing jail terms of up to three years merely for a retweet, Yildiz said, adding that the measure opens new avenues for the authorities to extend their draconian crackdown on freedom of expression and increase the chilling effect that fear of criminal prosecution brings. According to the Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index for 2022, Turkey ranks 149th out of 180 countries. Katabella Roberts and Reuters contributed to this report. The entrance of the mine in Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin, Turkey, on Oct. 14, 2022. (IHA via AP) Turkey Confirms 41 Dead in Coal Mine Blast, 11 Injured A coal mine explosion in northern Turkey on Friday killed at least 41 workers Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday. An explosion occurred at 6:45 p.m. at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin, trapping 110 miners underground at the time. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Saturday that 58 miners got out safely, another 10 miners were hospitalized while one worker was discharged from the hospital. Soylu said that rescuers worked through the night to pull trapped workers to the surface. Energy Minister Fatih Donmez stated that while rescue attempts were completed and the mine fire was largely confined, fire isolation and cooling activities were still ongoing. Donmez said that prosecutors are investigating the cause of the explosion, while preliminary assessments indicate that it was likely caused by firedampa reference to flammable gases found in coal mines. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan canceled a planned visit to the southeastern city of Diyarbakir and traveled to Amasra to coordinate the rescue operation. Several rescue teams, including those from neighboring provinces, rushed to the area, according to Turkeys disaster management agency AFAD. Our hope is that the loss of life does not increase further, that our miners are saved, Erdogan said in a statement. All our efforts are geared in that direction. Separately, Turkish police said in a statement that legal action would be taken against 12 people who allegedly shared provocative content about the mine explosion on social media. Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tesla CEO Elon Musk looks up as he addresses guests at the Offshore Northern Seas 2022 (ONS) meeting in Stavanger, Norway, on Aug. 29, 2022. (Carina Johansen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images) Twitters Claim Elon Musk Under Federal Investigation Is a Misdirection Says Attorney Elon Musks attorney on Saturday said Twitters claim in a court filing that the billionaire is under federal investigation is a misdirection and that its actually executives of the social media company being investigated. Twitters executives are under federal investigation. This misdirection was sent by Twitter to try and uncover which of their assorted misconduct they are under investigation for, Musks attorney Alex Spiro said in a statement to The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times asked Twitter for comment. An Oct. 6 court filing unsealed on Thursday revealed that Twitter said Musk is under investigation with respect to his conduct during his bid to buy Twitter for $44 billion, according to Reuters. The filing reportedly didnt say by which federal authority Musk is said to be investigated, nor the scope or focus. Alex Spiro, leader of Elon Musk attorneys team, talks to the press as he leaves the U.S. District Court, Central District of California in Los Angeles, on Dec. 6, 2019. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images) Twitter Asks Judge to Release Communications According to the filing, Twitter sought months ago to find out from Musks lawyers about communications they had with federal authorities, Reuters reported. On Oct. 6, Musks lawyers claimed investigative privilege to avoid handing over documents related to the lawsuit, according to the filing. This game of hide the ball must end, Twitters attorneys reportedly wrote in that filing. The social media company urged Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, head of Delawares Court of Chancery, to order Musk to release the relevant documents. The documents in question reportedly include email drafts dated May 13 to the Securities and Exchange Commission and a presentation to the Federal Trade Commission, which promotes antitrust law and consumer protection. Twitters interest in these documents is unclear. The companys Oct. 6 filing was submitted the day the judge delayed the takeover trial between the two parties after Musk indicated that he would go ahead with the deal. Legal Dispute Musk and Twitter have been locked in a legal dispute for months after Musk first made his takeover offer in April then withdrew it in July and finally renewed it in October. Twitter sued Musk in July to force him to close the deal after the worlds richest man attempted to back out amid questions about the number of spam-bot accounts on the platform. Musk asked Twitter to disclose information about fake accounts, but unsatisfied with the outcome he sought to cancel the deal before ultimately changing his mind and renewing his bid shortly before a trial for the takeover was due to take place in mid-October. On Oct. 6, the same day Twitter submitted its filing in which it claimed Musk was under investigation, the judge agreed to delay the takeover trial originally set for mid-October, allowing some time to close the deal. Twitter tried to prevent this, arguing that Musks motion to stay the case was an invitation to further mischief and delay. Elon Musk on a smartphone placed on printed Twitter logos, on April 28, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters) In a win for Musk, who argued the need for the trial was moot in light of his renewed offer, McCormick said the deal needs to be closed by Oct. 28 or the trial will happen in November. After the judges ruling, Twitter indicated it wants to close the deal by Oct. 28 for $54.20 a share, which Musk first offered on April 25. Musk said hed close for the original price if Twitter drops its legal action, but Twitter was dubious about his motives and doesnt seem to want to drop the legal action until the deal is closed. The company previously accused Musk of refusing to accept his contractual obligations. A TV screen shows file images of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 13, 2022. (Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo) US Remains Open to Dialogue Despite North Koreas Repeated Missile Launches: Official The United States remains open to dialogue with North Korea despite the growing tensions caused by the latters missile launches and warplanes deployment near the border of South Korea, a U.S. official said Friday. North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the sea and blasted about 560 artillery shots into the maritime buffer zones between the two Koreas on Friday, South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. On that same day, South Koreas military scrambled fighter jets after spotting 10 North Korean warplanes staging menacing flights near its border. There were no reports of clashes between the two countries. I would reiterate again that our position on diplomacy and dialogue remains the same, even in the light of these recent developments, Vedant Patel, the U.S. State Departments principal deputy spokesperson, told reporters. Patel said that Washington condemned North Koreas recent ballistic missile launches and urged the Kim Jong-un regime to cease all provocative actions and return to diplomacy. We continue to believe our ultimate goal is the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and we continue to remain open to diplomacy and dialogue as a step towards getting there, he added. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said Friday that North Koreas artillery launch into buffer zones violated a 2018 inter-Korean agreement, which called for the cessation of hostile military activity between the two countries. Were building a readiness posture against North Koreas provocations without leaving any gaps and by doing our best, Yoon told The Korea Times while emphasizing the need for his people to have a firm awareness of North Korea. South Korean Air Force F-15Ks and U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly over the Korean Peninsula in response to North Koreas intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launch earlier in the day, on Oct. 4, 2022. (South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images) North Korea Vows Overwhelming Military Countermeasures The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday published a statement from a spokesperson for the communist regimes Korean Peoples Army (KPA), who warned of overwhelming military countermeasures against enemies. The South Korean army would be well advised to stop at once its reckless provocation inciting the military tension in the front areas, KPAs spokesperson said. North Korea has escalated its missile launches and dispatched warplanes in retaliation for South Koreas joint military drills with the United States on the Korean Peninsula, which it regards as an invasion rehearsal. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said that his country has no intention of engaging in dialogue with enemies posing military threats to the hermit nation as he felt no necessity to do so. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said last month that Washington has attempted to engage North Korea in dialogue for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but the Kim regime has refused to cooperate. This offer of dialogue and diplomacy has, at least so far, been met only with additional provocations, Price said at a press briefing on Sept. 26. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting with the U.S. secretary of state in Kyiv on Sept. 8, 2022. (Genya Savilov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) US Sending $725 Million More in Weapons to Ukraine The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced that the United States will provide $725 million in additional security assistance to meet Ukraines critical security and defense needs as it battles a Russian invasion. This authorization is the Biden Administrations 23rd drawdown of equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. The United States has delivered unprecedented security assistance to Ukraine and will continue to work with allies and partners to ensure Ukraine has the support it needs, the DOD said in an Oct. 14 statement. As part of the assistance, the United States will hand over 23,000 155-millimeter (mm) artillery rounds, 5,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems, 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, and additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Ukraine will also receive 5,000 anti-tank weapons, more than 200 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs), small arms and more than 2 million rounds of small arms ammunition, and medical supplies. Since January 2021, the United States has committed more than $18.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, of which $17.6 billion was spent after Russia invaded the country in late February. Since 2014, the United States has spent more than $20.3 billion on Ukraines security. The DOD announcement follows Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austins meeting with defense ministers from almost 50 nations at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group last week in which the leaders committed to providing the war-torn country with necessary security assistance. Spain has committed to offering four HAWK launchers to boost Ukraines air defense while Germany has delivered the first of four IRIS-T air-defense systems it has promised to Kyiv. Ukraines Cost of War, NATO Application During the recent Second Ministerial Roundtable Discussion for Support to Ukraine in Washington, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva praised Ukrainian authorities for having done an impressive job in managing the countrys economy at a difficult time. Ukraines financing needs are expected to remain strong throughout the year. The external financing requirement will remain large as long as the war is ongoing. Our current thinking is that the financing requirements will be around US$3US$4 billion per month in 2023, Georgieva said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to international donors for more contributions. The country is in need of roughly $38 billion to $55 billion to cover the estimated budget deficit next year. Deputy Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Alexander Venediktov has warned that admitting Ukraine into NATO could trigger a third world war. On Sept. 30, Zelensky announced that his country has applied to join the NATO military alliance. The application came after Russia annexed the four partially occupied Ukraine regions of Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhya. The government and pharmaceutical companies know that some people have severe reactions to vaccines. Thats why they created a compensation program for victims. But so far, not a single cent has been paid out, despite receiving over 7,000 vaccine injury claims (as of Sept 1). Why is that? Whats at work behind the scenes? Our two guests explain the ins and outs of the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) that covers Emergency Use Authorization vaccines like the COVID shots, as well as its counterpart for other vaccines, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP). Were joined by attorney Robert Krakow whos been practicing vaccine injury law for 20 years; and by Wayne Rohde, author of The Vaccine Court 2.0: Revised and Updated: The Dark Truth of Americas Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Finally, after 8 months and nearly $17 billion in military aid, in America Q&A we ask if you think the US should continue to arm Ukraine, no matter how long the war lasts. * Click the Save button below the video to access it later on My List. Follow EpochTV on social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EpochTVus Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/EpochTV Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@EpochTV Gettr: https://gettr.com/user/epochtv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EpochTVus Gab: https://gab.com/EpochTV Telegram: https://t.me/EpochTV BUY Jan 6 DVD: https://www.epochtv.shop/product-page/dvd-the-real-story-of-january-6, Promo Code Cindy for 20% off. Voters in Virginia's 7th District wait in line to vote at the Henrico County Registrars office in Henrico, Va., on Sept. 18, 2020. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Virginia County Election Official Resigns Amid Dispute MANASSAS, Va.The top election official in one of Virginias biggest counties resigned earlier this month, less than a year after he took the job, citing health concerns and a dispute between political parties and the electoral board. Eric Olsen, the registrar of Prince William County, said he would stay through the current election. The deciding factor in my decision is serious health concerns that I need to focus on at present, Olsen wrote in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times. They have been exacerbated by the highly partisan environment in which we currently find ourselves and a lack of support for people who do this work. A Virginia law gives local political parties oversight into who serves as election officers. For the first time in decades, each party has balanced representation overseeing polling places, Olsen said, although party officials are pushing for more. Prince William County, with more than 300,000 registered voters, is an important battleground for both parties, as a majority in Congress likely hangs in the balance. Most of the voters are in the 7th Congressional District, where the race of Democrat incumbent Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican challenger Yesli Vega is highly competitive. Some voters reside in the 10th Congressional District, where Republican nominee Hung Cao takes on Democratic incumbent Rep. Jennifer Wexton. Bipartisan Letter on Party Designation On Sept. 22, Denny Daugherty, the countys Republican Party chair, and Tonya James, Democratic chair of the county, jointly requested an emergency meeting to address party designation issues. Per the boards decision on Sept. 9, the two parties vetted the election officers who applied after February. And they also wanted to review the list approved on Feb. 3, but were told by Olsen that the list was final, according to the joint letter. We submit that the law contemplates the determination of party affiliation is committed to the parties, the joint letter said. Instead of granting the meeting request, the board responded that they would discuss the issue at the next board meeting on Oct. 7, and Olsen announced his resignation during that meeting. He said he obtained his medical diagnosis in between the last two board meetings. A day before the meeting, Gary Lawkowski, an attorney representing the Prince William County Republican Committee, issued a letter to the electoral board expressing concern over precinct chiefs and assistant chiefs. It is a fundamental principle of freedom of association that political parties themselves, not government bureaucrats, get to decide who represents them, he told The Epoch Times in an email. State law calls for the chief and assistant chief election officers to be representatives of the two major political parties whenever feasible. The Registrar should follow the law rather than asking citizens to rely on the assurances of government officials that people who repeatedly voted in Democratic primaries are actually Republicans. On Oct. 5, the Virginia Department of Election (ELECT) reissued a 2019 guidance and advised local election offices to ensure that they disallow individuals to self-designate party affiliations. Also keep in mind that neither an individual nor electoral board can designate a party affiliation, even if an individual has historically represented a specific party or indicated a willingness to represent either party, according to the advisory. Daugherty proposed replacing assist chiefs in 29 precincts with Republicans so that no precincts would have both leaders from the same political party, a nonaffiliated (assistant) chief when a Republican was available, or self-identified Republicans whose affiliation he wouldnt endorse. The county has 103 precincts in total. Im not trying to get an advantage for Republicans or Democrats. I am trying to make sure that the election is an honest one, Daugherty told The Epoch Times. Party Parity on Election Officers Daugherty said he appreciated that Olsen recruited more Republican election officers by inviting those who voted in the Republican primaries in May and June to apply. According to Olsen, the county had, in 2020, 466 Democrat election officers and 201 Republicans. This year, the numbers are 399 for Democrats and 402 for Republicans. He said, I think we are meeting the standards of the law better than any time in decades because of targeted recruitment efforts to equalize our partisan representation, despite little support from the party. To Olsen, the experience of election officers takes priority. Assigning individuals with no election experience to leadership positions endangers fair, accurate, and honest elections. It is one of the reasons the Virginia Code specifically states when practicable over and over again, he old The Epoch Times in an email. I am responsible for the election. I take that job extremely seriously as a nonpartisan official governed by a bipartisan board. Daugherty agreed with the overall parity achievement but wanted to see parity among precinct leaders. To respect Olsens consideration over experience, Daugherty proposed that Republicans replace assistant chiefs and not chiefs, who run the election at each polling place. Given that all election officers only work one day a year on Election Day, Daugherty was comfortable with training his nominated election officers to take the responsibility of assistant chiefs. This election is the first time Virginia allows same-day voter registration and the second year that no ID is required to vote. In Daughertys view, these new rules make the parity issue more important for securing a fair election. Clara Belle Wheeler, a senior fellow with the Virginia Institute for Public Policy, a conservative advocacy group, told The Epoch Times that the local bipartisan agreement was amazing. What happened in Prince William is that they got more chiefs as Democrats than Republicans, and they had polling places where the chief and the assistant chief election officers were both from the same party. And the Democrat and the Republican chairs agree thats not right, and they need to change it, he said. Wheeler has decades of election experience and was on the Virginia State Board of Elections (SBE) from 2015 to 2018. She says the regular operation for getting precinct chiefs and assistant chiefs ready is to start with mandatory training for these leadership positions only. Its normal to shift assignments during the training period, she added. Then, the leaders are encouraged to join the following election officer training sessions to meet with the poll workers in their precincts. The minimum number of election officers at each precinct required by Virginia code is three, Wheeler said. In a large precinct, a chief may manage a dozen election officers. The Prince William County Office of Elections confirmed with The Epoch Times that this years chief and assistant chief training would span multiple sessions between Oct. 12 and 29. Campaign signs outside the Fairfax County Government Center, a main early voting site, in Fairfax, Va., on Oct. 7, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times) Next Steps Democratic chair James told the Virginia Mercury that she felt the concerns were valid but didnt see the urgency to address them in the current election cycle, just a few weeks from Election Day. As for the next steps, Olsen said in an email, Im awaiting instruction from my Board regarding any changes to our staffing. In Wheelers view, the county has sufficient time to change chief and assistant chief assignments as these election officers only work on Election Day on Nov. 8. She said SBE should put the issues on the agenda for discussion in a public meeting. Still, she didnt expect the current SBE to take any action. Daugherty said he had encouraged the county electoral board chair London Steverson, also a Republican, to seek an opinion from the Virginia attorney generals (AGs) office. In early September, Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the establishment of a new election integrity unit of 20 attorneys, investigators, and paralegals from his office. Wheeler said the current SBE wouldnt provide any guidance. She thought the new election integrity unit in the AGs office was a wonderful idea. I know that many election law questions need to be answered by the AGs Office. They need an official opinion, she said. Steverson, SBE, and the AGs office didnt respond by press time to The Epoch Times inquiries. This article was updated to include further comments from Olsen. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 12, ARMENPRESS. Head of the Migration Service of Armenia Armen Ghazaryan is in Vienna on a working visit to participate in the Vienna Migration Conference 2022, organized by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) from October 11 to 12, the Migration Service told Armenpress. During their opening remarks Austrian Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner and ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger have expressed their concerns over ongoing conflicts, large-scale displacements, natural hazards, rising costs of living, labor shortages and ongoing epidemics in Europe and around the globe, attaching importance to the multilayered and comprehensive discussion of migration processes in this context. The Conference is being organized since 2016. It gathers politicians, high-ranking officials, government experts, civil society and academy representatives and media outlets to discuss the important sides of the migration policy development. Migration Service chief Armen Ghazaryan had a meeting with Martijn Pluim, ICMPD Director for Migration Dialogues and Cooperation, and Radim Zak, Coordinator of Region Eastern Europe and Central Asia at ICMPD. The sides discussed the current partnership, as well as the cooperation opportunities in the context of the creation of Migration and Policy Service in Armenias upcoming Ministry of Internal Affairs. Sixteen Nigerians have been deported from Ghana for allegedly engaging in cybercrimes in their host country. The Controller, Seme Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) made this known during a press conference in Lagos on Friday He said the affected Nigerians claimed that they were deceived, while some intentionally went out of the country in search of greener pastures. Ghanas Financial and Intelligence Agency accused them of cybercrime but from our preliminary investigation, we discovered that some of them were lured into these criminal activities due to the get-rich syndrome our youths are developing. Some of them are victims because they were deceived that they can make money if they leave Nigeria. Unfortunately, they dont get the actual thing they bargained for in Ghana. Further investigation also showed that most of them left the country through illegal routes or through the sea to other West African countries, he said. Emeka added that it was painful to see young Nigerians getting involved in some unholy activities when they were supposed to be building their talents for their future. While urging Nigerians to always travel with valid documents, the Controller added that they should live and do their businesses according to the law of the land they had travelled to. The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, has assured that the party would soon release a supplementary list for its 2023 presidential campaign council. He made this known after the conclusion of the party's Expanded National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Friday. The leadership of the party had met to review its political activities in recent times in order to make some resolutions and adjustments. The National Chairman said Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Presidents, Ayuba Wabba and Festus Osifo have been removed. He also confirmed that name of the retired General John Enenche, ex-Director of Defence Information and Coordinator of Defence Media, has also been expunged. The chairman noted that the trio were removed from the campaign council because they were erroneously included. We acknowledge some omissions and misplacement of some names in the team. This will be corrected and a supplementary list released before the inauguration of the council. Also corrected is the erroneous inclusion of Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress members in the Campaign list. Reacting to the criticisms against the list, Abure reaffirmed that the party remains committed to gender, youth and social inclusion. UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced that the three top winners of this years National Essay Competition (NEC) will get educational grants worth N10.5m to study in any African university of their choice just as it has stated that students now have up to October 28th, 2022 to send in their entries. The first prize winner will get a N5m grant, which represents a significant increase by 40% from last years winning prize which was a N3.5m grant. The second and third winners will each get N3 million and N2.5 million educational grants respectively up from N2.5m and N2m which was given out last year. Apart from the cash prizes, the writers of the 12 best essays will go home with brand new Laptops and other educational tools to help them with their tertiary research work and other studies The annual National Essay Competition (NEC) is part of UBA Foundations education initiative which is aimed at promoting literacy and encouraging healthy and intellectual competition amongst senior secondary school students in Nigeria and across the African continent. The essay topic for this year is: ASUU Strikes have often cost Nigerian students time. Advise the Nigerian government on how they can reach an agreement with ASUU to improve tertiary education in the country. The Foundation encourages students from Senior Secondary Schools across Nigeria to participate in this years essay competition as they can now submit their entries with ease from the comfort of their homes or schools through the UBAF NEC digital submission portal: https://www.ubagroup.com/national-essay-competition/ . For ease of submission, students can also walk into any UBA Branch across the country and ask that their handwritten essays be scanned and uploaded on the portal for them. All essays must be handwritten (not typed) and students now have up until October 28th, 2022 to upload the scanned copies of their handwritten entries as well as their IDs on the digital portal as no physical copies will be accepted this year. The NEC has also been rolled out in other African countries where UBA operates, in order to open the opportunity for more African children. UBA Foundation embodies the UBA Groups CSR objectives and seeks to impact positively on societies through several laudable projects and initiatives. The Foundation through its Education pillar has donated hundreds of thousands of books to students across Africa under the Read Africa initiative aimed at encouraging and promoting the reading culture in African youths. An illegal crude oil pipeline has been uncovered by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, behind military security post in Delta State. This is coming barely a week after Tompolo announced that 58 illegal oil points had been discovered in Delta and Bayelsa States. This latest illegal pipeline found this week and situated behind a military security post, is less than a kilometer from the Forcados Export Terminal in the Ogulagha community. It was learnt that the pipeline was attached to the 48-inch Trans Forcados Export Trunkline in Burutu Local Government Area. A source told reporters that the line also links to another abandoned pipeline within the defunct AGIP Petroleum Company Limited. The oil bunkerers were said to have used the AGIP abandoned facility to ferry the crude to the sea for loading and movement out of Nigeria. The Forcados Trunkline has a capacity to export about 400,000 barrels per day. It is supplied by the Forcados Oil Pipeline System, the second largest pipeline in the Niger Delta after the Bonny Oil Pipeline System. Recall that the Nigerian Federal Government had recently awarded a multi-billion naira pipeline protection contract to Tompolos Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. Meanwhile, Tampolo, a former Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) leader, accused the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy of protecting oil thieves. The deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, has expressed his worry for the next president that will take over from incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. He stated this with regards to the depleted state of the economy, debt rate and subsidy. The vice chairman of Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency stated this while addressing notable politicians in Kaduna on Saturday at an Investment programme titled, Building a resilient economy. Sanusi said Nigerias economy has been tied to the oil and gas sector and subsidy removal is fast mitigating the economys growth. Nigeria has continued to be a rentier state. It does not exist for development but as a sight of rent, and extraction to make those who control the state rich turning them into billionaires overnight. In 2023, if we have an election, we cannot continue to have the trend. Because any continuation will lead to insecurity and might get us to Mali, Burkina Fasos situation. We cant keep towards pushing the brink; we have to come back, he added. Citing data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said only 50% of states in the country generated enough revenue to cover their wages, overheads and debt services. He noted that the cost of servicing debt in Nigeria with the Federal Government was N2.597 trillion whereas revenue was N2.4 trillion. In other words, debt service is now 108 per cent of revenue. Every naira the Federal Government earns goes to service debt and it is not enough, (as the FG) has to borrow to service the debt. And then begin to borrow to build roads, pay salaries and overheads. We are leaving a mountain of debt for our children. They (children) might curse us because we are taking all the money borrowed to subsidise petrol and enjoy it cheaply. We see the problem and we are going to continue. Im sorry for the next president who comes in June and says Im removing fuel subsidy after day one, he said. Beginning of the end: Iran activists call for mass protests IRAN: Iranian activists called for fresh nationwide protests on Saturday (Oct 15) over the death of Mahsa Amini, as the movement entered its fifth week despite a crackdown that has killed dozens. By AFP Saturday 15 October 2022, 11:30AM Activists in Iran call for more protests as demonstrations enter fifth week. Photo: AFP Outrage over the 22-year-olds death on Sept 16, three days after she was arrested by Irans notorious morality police, has fuelled the biggest wave of street protests and violence seen in the country for years. At least 108 people have been killed in the Amini protests, and at least 93 more have died in separate clashes in Zahedan, capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, according to Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights. There were fewer reports of people taking to the streets over Aminis death on Friday, but hundreds of men were seen protesting after weekly prayers in Zahedan, in online videos verified by AFP. They have called on people across Iran to show up at spots where the security forces are not present and to chant Death to the dictator. In response, one of Irans main revolutionary bodies, the Islamic Development Coordination Council, has called on people to join a counter-demonstration after evening prayers on Saturday to express their revolutionary anger against sedition and rioters. The bloody crackdown has drawn international condemnation and new sanctions on Iran from Britain, Canada and the United States. US President Joe Biden on Friday said he is stunned by the mass protests in Iran and that the US stands with that countrys brave women. The US president said at a college in Irvine, California, during an address to a group of protesters holding Free Iran signs: I want you to know that we stand with the citizens, the brave women of Iran. It stunned me what it awakened in Iran. It awakened something that I dont think will be quieted for a long, long time. Iran has to end the violence against its own citizens simply exercising their fundamental rights, he added. On Friday, his government condemned French President Emmanuel Macron for remarks in which he expressed solidarity with the protests sparked over Aminis death. He said it was surprising that France was condemning Irans security forces for dealing with "violent people and rioters when it was threatening to use force in response to labour strikes in the oil and gas sector at home. In response to the protests, the security forces have carried out a campaign of mass arrests that has netted young activists, journalists, students and even minors. In a rare show of accountability, the Tehran police department said Friday that it would investigate the conduct of an officer following allegations of harassment during the arrest of a woman protesting Aminis death. Some voices of support for the protesters have come from inside the country. The Iranian authorities have organised their own rallies attended by women clad in black chadors, garments that cover their heads and bodies. Long weekend hoped to bring Phuket B2bn tourism boost PHUKET: The ongoing four-day weekend is expected to boost tourism revenues for the island by some B2 billion, predicts Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Director of the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). tourismeconomics By The Phuket News Saturday 15 October 2022, 10:00AM According to bookings data collected by her office, 152,691 visitors were expected to arrive in Phuket over the long weekend, which began on Thursday (Oct 13), Ms Nanthasiri said. In total, 24,370 international passengers were booked to arrive on 137 flights operated by 29 airlines. A further 28,038 domestic passengers were booked to arrive on 217 flights operated by seven domestic airlines, she said. The load factor for the flights arriving over the four days ranged from 70%-90%, Ms Nanthasiri added. Altogether, the volume of tourists landing on the island over the break was expected to generate about B2.19bn, Ms Nanthasiri said. However, the room occupancy rate during the four days was still expected to remain fairly low, at 39.16%, with the average room stay hovering at about 2.3 nights per person, she added. Phukets beaches remained a key attraction, as did the Sino-Portuguese style buildings in Phuket Town, Ms Nanthasiri said. Tourists are coming to swim in the sea and walk along the beach. There are beach guards to take care of the safety of tourists at every beach, she said. In Phuket Town, in addition to seeing the beauty of the local architecture, people also come for shopping, to buy local products and souvenirs, she added. The islands piers were busy with visitors visiting local islands, Ms Nanthasiri noted. Especially Chalong Pier, which has both Thai and foreign tourists embarking on boat trips to the nearby islands, such as Coral Island, Racha Island, among others, she said. Phuket food handouts continue to mark World Food Day PHUKET: The Phuket branch of the Scholars for Sustenance Foundation organised thousands of food handouts to vulnerable communities across the island yesterday (Oct 14) under a campaign to mark World Food Day. healthcharityeconomics By The Phuket News Saturday 15 October 2022, 02:36PM At the main campaign location, at Saphan Hin, 1,700 meals were handed out to people in need, with many hundreds more handed out at similar events held across the island. In Karon, Karon Municipality, led by Deputy Mayor Jaroon Udomkitwiboon, oversaw the handing out of 500 meals in boxes in front of the municipality offices. Joining the occasion were Karon Municipality Council Chairman Trin Thipmongkol, members of the Karon Municipality Children and Youth Council, along with officials from the Phuket Office of Social Development and Human Security and other government agencies. In Rawai, officials from Rawai Municipality, led by Mayor Aroon Solos, oversaw the handing out of 450 meals in boxes. A similar collection of officials from various government agencies were also present for the occasion. The Rawai event was held at Rawai Pier, near the sea gypsy village. All meals handed out yesterday were approved as halal to ensure no segments of the community would be left out. The Scholars for Sustenance Foundation in Thailand ramped up their food rescue efforts in Phuket amid the height of the tourism shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation describes its mission as to enhance the food system in the country to minimize needless loss of surplus food and improve food equity by redistributing high quality surplus food from food related businesses such as hotels, grocers, restaurants, and other suppliers to communities in need in Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai and other places in the country every day. To date, Scholars of Sustenance Thailand programmes have rescued approximately 2 million kilogrammes of surplus food, served 8.7mn meals to 426 communities, and reduced 3.9mn kilogrammes of C0 2 creation if the food were wasted in landfills, the foundation notes on its website. The food handouts in Phuket yesterday continued the foundations efforts to help people in need, specifically helping those still suffering dire financial hardship. Storeroom at Phuket school catches fire PHUKET: Panic was averted by firefighters this morning (Oct 15) after a fire broke out in a storage room at a school on the north side of Phuket Town. police By Eakkapop Thongtub Saturday 15 October 2022, 03:08PM Lt Col Sakchai Chunyong of the Phuket City Police said officers were alerted to the fire at 11am. Three fire trucks from Phuket City Municipality and Ratsada Municipality responded to the call, arriving soon after at the scene, Thepamnuay Wittaya School located opposite Wat Kosit Viharn on Thepkrasattri Rd, north of Phuket Town. Firefighters took 20 minutes to bring the fire under control, which had broken out in a storage room on the second floor of a three-storey building at the school. Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading and used a large fan to direct the smoke out of the building to prevent any further harm being done. The storage room that caught fire was used to keep clothes that were being held in order to be donated later. Also destroyed by the fire were two electrical fans. An eyewitness at the scene said that the fire was identified by the smoke pouring out of the room. Attempts to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher were unsuccessful, prompting the call to the fire department. Following initial investigations, police believe that a short circuit from one of the electrical fans in the storage room was responsible for starting the fire. Police are continuing their investigation. Thepamnuay Wittaya School made headlines in September when its director had a formal police complaint filed against him for hitting a 9-year-old boy and repeatedly pushing the boys head into a wall. The director denied the allegations. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. US President Joe Biden has ordered to allocate additional military aid of up to $725 million to Ukraine, TASS reports citing the statement of the White House. The document said that Biden "delegated to the Secretary of State <...> to direct the drawdown of up to $725 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Ukraine. This new package includes over 200 Humvees (HMMWVs), ammunition for HIMARS rocket systems, anti-tank weapons, artillery shells. The Pentagon specified that Washington had committed to provide Kiev with a total of $18.2 billion worth of weapons since January 2021. Tourisms October boon BANGKOK: More than 3.1 million tourists are expected nationwide during the two long holiday periods this month, generating more than B12 billion. tourismeconomics By Bangkok Post Saturday 15 October 2022, 11:10AM Travelers use Chiang Mai airport in Chiang Mai province on Friday (Oct 14). Photo: Panumet Tanraksa / Bangkok Post The four-day holiday began on Thursday, the anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Greats passing, as both Thai and foreign tourists have been flocking to major tourist destinations, reports the Bangkok Post. The other holiday period from Oct 22-24 is also expected to see large numbers of tourists. Oct 24 is a holiday in lieu of King Chulalongkorn Day, which falls on Oct 23. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Tourism Authority of Thailands (TAT) Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, said tourism is expected to bounce back over the two periods. Moreover, the rainy season is nearing an end and will usher in the cool season, which is the high season for tourism starting next month, she said, adding the TAT is also rolling out tourism promotional campaigns for the North and Northeast. There will be an estimated 3,161,134 tourists travelling this month, generating more than B12.9 billion, Ms Thapanee said. In Phuket, TATs office director Nanthasiri Ronnasiri said that the four-day holiday that began on Thursday is expected to generate more than B2bn in revenue from tourist spending on the island province. There will be 24,370 international passengers on board 137 flights from 29 airlines arriving in Phuket from Oct 13 to 16, plus 28,038 domestic passengers from 217 flights operated by seven domestic airlines. She predicted that hotel room occupancy during the four-day holiday period would be 39.16%. The average room stay was expected to be 2.3 nights per person. About 152,691 visitors are expected in Phuket during the period, generating around B2.19bn, said Ms Nanthasiri. During the period, the Thanyapura Trail Run 2022 event will be held tomorrow (Oct 16), she said. In Surat Thani, Nanthawan Siriphokphat, director of the TATs Surat Thani office, said some 51,488 tourists are expected in the southern province between Oct 13-16. Of them, 20,647 will be domestic travellers and the rest will be foreign visitors. She said that hotel room occupancy during the four-day holiday period would be 46.42%, generating B676 million in revenue. Thai tourists are expected to spend B2,788 each while foreign visitors will spend B4,295 each, she said. The main events that attract tourists include the Chak Phra festival involving the procession of hauling a Buddha image on a decorated carriage, and boat races between Oct 7-15, as well as the renowned Full Moon Party at Had Rin on Koh Pha-ngan on Tuesday, Ms Nanthawan said. Ferry services have been increased to meet rising demand. Meanwhile, there are about 28-30 daily flights between Bangkok and Surat Thani with 4,000-4,700 passengers each day, Ms Nanthawan said. In Pattaya, Thai and foreign tourists have reportedly been flocking to Koh Larn and Jomtien Beach. In Chiang Mai, Wichit Kaewsaithiam, director of Chiang Mai international airport, said that as of Wednesday, more than 19,000 passengers, mostly domestic travellers, flew to the northern province. He said this was the highest number since the pandemic hit the country over two years ago. Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Partly cloudy early followed by some light rain later in the day. High 53F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to occasional showers later during the night. Low 42F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Johnny Morris, center, receives an award recognizing Bass Pro Shops exemplary service and decades-long commitment to supporting veterans and the U.S. Army community. The award was presented by AUSA President and CEO Gen. (retired) Robert Brooks Brown (left) and AUSA Vice President, Brigadier Gen. (retired) Jack Haley. Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2022) The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) today announced the awarding of its prestigious National Service Award to Bass Pro Shops and its founder, noted conservationist Johnny Morris. Presented in recognition of exemplary service and demonstrated enduring support to the American Soldier and the United States Army community, the National Service Award honors Johnny and Bass Pro Shops decades-long commitment to supporting veterans. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The Grand Council of the Swiss Canton and Republic of Geneva adopted a resolution on October 14, which is calling on the Swiss Federal Assembly (parliament) to condemn Azerbaijans latest aggression against Armenia and take measures so that the actions of Azerbaijan are not funded from the revenues received from the sale of Azerbaijani raw materials in Switzerland. The resolution also calls for recognizing the right of Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination and doing everything possible for the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war. The resolution entitled For the Survival of Armenia has been initiated jointly by a number of members of the Social Democratic Party and the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland. Funerals for the miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey have begun as officials raised the death toll to at least 41 people FILE - Police officers from towns across Connecticut stand at the scene where two police officers were killed, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, in Bristol, Conn. The deaths of two Connecticut police officers and the wounding of a third during an especially violent week for police across the U.S. fit into a grim pattern, law enforcement experts say. Even as the number of officers has dropped in the past two years, the number being targeted and killed has risen. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File) In charge: Julian Dunkerton pictured with his fashion designer wife Jade Holland Cooper Superdry shares soared as founder and chief executive Julian Dunkerton increased his stake. The businessman spent 2m on shares, taking his holding 21.7 per cent to 23.9 per cent. Shares jumped 9.8 per cent, or 10.8p, to 121.6p. Last week, the business said it had swung to a 21.9m profit for the year to the end of April. It had booked a 12.6m loss a year earlier. Dunkerton, who co-founded the business in 2003, is carrying out a revamp of Superdry's stores and clothing range. After leaving the business in 2018, the 57-year-old became chief executive again in a boardroom coup a year later. His turnaround plans were thrown off track by Covid and now faces a hit from spiralling costs. He said: 'These are exceptional times for retail and for the economy more generally, and like all brands we're having to work harder than ever to drive performance.' Dunkerton is Superdry's biggest shareholder followed by the firm's co-founder James Holder, with 7 per cent. When gilts hit the headlines its a clear sign that trouble has not only been brewing but has been unleashed. Government bond yields only tend to break through into the mainstream when things arent going well and they have been firmly in the spotlight since Kwasi Kwartengs ill-fated mini-budget. But what is a gilt, why does its yield matter, whats that got to do with prices and why do we worry about such things? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Lee Boyce and Simon Lambert, take a step back from the maelstrom to explain gilts, why investors worry about government bonds, whats causing ructions in the pensions industry and what this all means for normal people. Chancellor Kwarteng has now departed in fact, news of his imminent exit from the job while the team were recording the podcast, triggering a breaking news style interruption but will Chancellor Jeremy Hunt fare any better (and last longer)? The team discuss why the mortgage market is key to the answer to that and also look at what first-time buyers should do in this scenario. There are some for whom the current rapid rate rises arent bad news though and that is savers. We now have a top savings rate above 5 per cent for the first time in many years, but is it worth taking? It requires locking in for five years, but thats the sort of return knocking on what could reasonably be expected from the stock market, where you also have to take the risk of losing money. And finally, investors are hunkering down at the moment, but when share prices fall the stock market is on sale and if you look at some investment trusts there is a double sale going on, as discounts have widened to 13 per cent on average. Should you be greedy when others are fearful, as Warren Buffett is often quoted as saying, or exercise some caution rather than having your head turned by knockdown prices? Out the door: Kwasi Kwarteng's short but eventful stint as Chancellor of the Exchequer is over YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenias delegation led by Deputy Minister of High Technological Industry Davit Sahakyan will depart for Moscow on October 17-19 to take part in the session of the CSTO Interstate Commission on Military-Economic Cooperation. The respective decision has been signed by Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Hambardzum Matevosyan. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Hambardzum Matevosyan received on October 13 Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot, the deputy PMs Office said. In his remarks Deputy PM Matevosyan highly valued the dynamics of the bilateral relations which, he said, is demonstrated both by high-level political dialogue and active ongoing partnership in different directions. Touching upon the cooperation framework set by the Armenian-French Economic Cooperation Roadmap 2021-2026, the deputy PM specifically highlighted the importance of boosting French investments and commercial cooperation in Armenia. In her turn the Ambassador touched upon the further opportunities to strengthen the Armenian-French inter-regional partnership. In this respect she attached importance to the results of the 4th Armenian-French Decentralized Cooperation Conference held this year in June. Coming to the latest aggression of Azerbaijan against Armenias sovereign territory this September, the deputy prime minister highly appreciated the addressed and impartial statements of France, attaching great importance to the French efforts, as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country, for the establishment of peace in the region. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A developing local crime story is now part of a disputed local narrative . . . Quick recap . . . A local blog quoted a "bishop" regarding a local serial killer. The KCPD responded and debunked their claims. Point of fact and like it or not . . . It's important to reference backstory and "real estate history" when dealing with many local preachers. However . . . A recent Excelsior Springs investigation of a horrific kidnapping case earned national "SEX DUNGEON" headlines and reignites the argument. And this brings us to a recent post . . . In fairness, here's the highlight from the KC Defender blog . . . "While the investigation remains early and more details will follow, there are now three major confirmed facts which clearly dispute KCPDs earlier statements; (1) a Black woman was kidnapped, raped and tortured, (2) she was picked up on Prospect Avenue in early September (during the exact time-frame that community members began expressing concerns of numerous missing and murdered Black women in this exact area, (3) she said her friends did not make it out and were killed by Timothy Haslett Jr." Credit where it's due . . . The bloggers now quote KCPD and police offer perspective . . . Kansas City Police Department: We base our investigations on police incident reports of criminal activity. We do still maintain that there is no indication that what you guys reported was accurate and there was no indication that there was anything that supported that claim. We share what information we can publicly, many times from the scene, of incidents of violent crimes when there is a report or an investigation underway, there had and has not been anything that corresponded to your reports on social media and the web which is why we refuted that report and said that the claims were unfounded. As for TKC . . . We'll wait and see what the investigation uncovers. Sorry, but a great many of our friends on the East side ALSO choose to wait and VERIFY what a controversial Bishop has to say before taking it on faith alone . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . KCPD Said Missing Black Women Reports In KC Were "Completely Unfounded." Less Than A Month Later, One Escaped After Being Kidnapped From Prospect & Tortured in a Basement For Over A Month - Kansas City Defender The bombshell revelations and horrifically tragic events explicitly disprove KCPD's earlier statement that there are no missing Black women from this area and that the potential of a KC serial killer is "completely unfounded." The woman also told investigators her friends "didn't make it out" and had been murdered by the man. Better than blog coverage . . . Woman who escaped Missouri sex dungeon claims captor had other victims Missouri police are investigating whether the sicko who allegedly held a woman captive for a month as his sex slave tormented other victims, a report said. The development was revealed after the 22-year-old woman who escaped Timothy Haslett Jr.'s sex dungeon last week claimed to her rescuers that the suspect killed two of her friends, the Daily Mail reported. Developing . . . I'm almost uncomfortable quoting this passage from a newspaper column today but it's worth a peek just to document the hyperbolic and deeply personal opposition of the newspaper against GOP politics. Here's the word and another prog blog reference thereafter . . . If you killed Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, and the trial was in the Senate, nobody would convict you, his colleague Lindsey Graham famously once said. One of the furthest-right U.S. senators, Cruz furiously opposes womens personal reproductive rights, wants to repeal marriage equality, has repeatedly blocked raising the ludicrous $7.25 federal minimum wage, opposes birthright citizenship (even though he was born in Canada and his father is a Cuban immigrant) and has fought to dismantle the Affordable Care Act the program he signed up for himself after he was no longer eligible under his wifes insurance plan. And of course, he objected to the Senate certifying the perfectly legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election even after Donald Trump had attacked Cruzs wife for her appearance . . . And this is the national leader Adkins is hitching her wagon to? If the Kansas GOP hopeful wants to convince 3rd District voters that she wont be a Tucker Carlson-courting bomb thrower, appearing on a stage next to Ted Cruz is a weird way to do it. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . What message is Amanda Adkins sending Kansas by campaigning alongside Ted Cruz? OPINION AND COMMENTARY It might be Maya Angelou's most famous quote: " When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. " So is the company Amanda Adkins keeps her own Show and Tell? On Friday, the Kansas Republican looking to unseat Rep. Sharice Davids joined Sen. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz slams Democrats, touts Adkins and promises big GOP wins in November - Kansas Reflector OTTAWA - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz delivered a scorched-earth political speech Friday during a bus-tour pitstop to outline shortcomings of Democratic leaders that made him feel like weeping in grief for the country and celebrating an emerging opportunity for Republicans. You decide . . . YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces-First Deputy Defense Minister, Major-General Edward Asryan received today members of the EU technical assessment mission. Welcoming the missions visit to Armenia and expressing the readiness of the Armed Forces to cooperate with and assist the mission, Edward Asryan presented the current situation resulting from the September 13th large-scale Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia. During the meeting the main goals and issues of the EU mission were presented to the Chief of the General Staff. The sides also discussed technical and organizational issues relating to the operation of the mission. This evening we notice local media downplaying allegations of racial targeting in the trail of a suspected serial killer. Let's not forget that this story earned national headlines when it was discovered that the alleged killer once exclaimed: "Kill All Whites." Here's a quick update on the story this evening . . . Fredrick Scott is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Steven Gibbons, John Palmer, David Lenox, Timothy Rice and Michael Darby. The five men were killed along Indian Creek Trail in 2017. He is also charged with first-degree murder for the death of Karen Harmeyer. She was killed in Grandview. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Trial for accused Kansas City serial killer to begin in January KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The trial for an accused serial killer is scheduled to begin early next year. Fredrick Scott is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Steven Gibbons, John Palmer, David Lenox, Timothy Rice and Michael Darby. The five men were killed along Indian Creek Trail in 2017. Trial of accused Indian Creek Trail killer set to move forward in January KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The trial of accused Indian Creek Trail killer Fredrick Scott is set to move forward in January. During a status hearing Friday morning, attorneys for the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office and Scott said they are ready to proceed with the trial that is now set to begin Jan. Developing . . . Three residential break and enters were reported in the citys East York district from Oct. 11 to Oct. 17, according to Toronto Police Service. Thats up from one reported during the previous week. "Marashlyan" photo studio branch has been operating in Stepanakert for a year. October 15, 2022, 10:30 Marashlyan studio, opened in Artsakh after the war, continues contributing to the preservation and popularization of national traditional values STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 15, ARTSAKHPRESS: In an interview with "Artsakhpress", the founder of the studio, Emma Marashlyan, stated that the purpose of opening the studio in Artsakh was to create such an environment where it would be possible to learn more about the Armenian Taraz (the national dress). "One of the goals was the creation of national photography, through which we can contribute to the preservation and popularization of national traditional values. We wanted to open the studio in Shushi. We had quite interesting ideas in this regard and had already started the work. After the 44-day war, all my hopes and dreamswere dashed. After the war, we quickly made a decision and opened the studio in Stepanakert. Although we have suffered heavy losses, I think that every such step towards the preservation and presentation of our culture is important at this time," said E. Marashlyan. She noted that many families visit to take photos in national costumes, which gives them strength to keep the doors of the studio always open. The founder assured that they will continue to operate in Artsakh, serving the purpose for which the photo studio has been opened in Stepanakert. An 18-year-old Adelaide woman accused of spitting and hitting McDonalds workers has apologised for the feral attack, footage of which went viral earlier this week. In one clip, Mia Miller can reportedly be seen yelling at staff members while hurling food orders from behind the counter, including a full cup of drink, at employees early on Sunday morning. The beautician, who was arrested two days after the incident, has now spoken out, saying she is disgusted by her behaviour. Thats not ladylike at all. Its feral, she told 7News. Thats not me. Im not that type of person and I dont do that type of stuff. Video of a young woman throwing drinks and allegedly spitting at McDonald's staff went viral earlier this week. Source: Instagram The 18-year-old claims the brawl began when a McDonalds staffer grabbed her arm, but says she is genuinely really sorry about her reaction. They couldve just gave me the cup of free water and none of this wouldve happened but I shouldve just accepted it and walked off, she told the publication. Ms Miller says she now fears getting locked up after being charged with disorderly behaviour, two counts of aggravated assault on a shop worker and commit a prohibited act with human biological material. She is the first person to be charged under new laws introduced by the state government enacting tougher penalties on those that assault retail workers. Mia Miller has apologised for her behaviour, saying she is 'disgusted' with herself. Source: 7News The maximum penalty for a basic assault has been raised from two years in prison to five. Ms Miller, who is on bail, said she would like to apologise to the McDonalds workers herself but is prohibited from doing. She will face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 24 November. McDonald's: 'Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated' In a previous statement to Yahoo News Australia, McDonald's said its employees acted in accordance with emergency response procedures and called police immediately. Story continues The health and safety of our people and customers is our top priority, a spokesperson said. Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated in our restaurants and we expect our people to be treated with respect at all times. We will always do our best for our customers, but we won't accept abuse, intimidation, threats or violence towards our employees. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Corruption and poor conditions remain one of the underlying causes of Russias failures in Ukraine. Thats according to an update by the British defense intelligence agency, released by the countrys Defense Ministry, Ukrinform reports. As contingents of mobilized Russian reservists have been deployed to Ukraine over the last two weeks, their average level of personnel equipment is almost certainly lower than the already poor provision of previously deployed troops. Many reservists are likely required to purchase their own body armour, especially the modern 6B45 vest, which is meant to be on general issue to combat units as part of the Ratnik personal equipment programme. This vest has been selling on Russian online shopping sites for 40,000 roubles (approx.. USD $640), up from around 12,000 roubles (approx.. USD $190), the report reads. In 2020, the Russian authorities announced that 300,000 sets of Ratnik body armour had been supplied to the Russian military, which was ample to equip the force currently deployed in Ukraine. Endemic corruption and poor logistics remain one of the underlying causes of Russias poor performance in Ukraine, the report concludes. As reported by Ukrinform, Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 21 announced partial mobilization. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said 300,000 reservists would be called up as part of the move. On September 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed documents on the accession into the Russian Federation of the puppet entities "DPR", "LPR", as well as the territories of Kherson and Zaporizhia regions of Ukraine temporarily captured by the Russian army. The Armed Forces have already eliminated 64,700 Russian military servicemen since the full-scale invasion. Thats according to Ukraines General Staff, Ukrinform reports. From February 24 to October 15, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 64,700 Russian aggressors, which is 400 more than the previous day, the report reads. Read also: Ukrainian aircraft launch 13 strikes on enemy positions in southern Ukraine Also, Ukraines destroyed 2,524 Russian main battle tanks (+3 in the past day), 5,179 (+7) armored combat vehicles, 1,582 (+16) artillery systems, 365 (+3) multiple rocket launchers, 186 air defense systems, 268 aircraft, 242 (+2) helicopters, 1,210 (+11) operational and tactical-level UAVs, 316 cruise missiles, 16 warships/cutters, 3,951 (+7) trucks and fuel tankers, and 142 units of specialized equipment. Incoming data on enemy losses is being further verified. The Netherlands has joined the INTERFLEX initiative to train Ukrainian military recruits on British soil. This was reported by the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Kaisa Ollongren, who spoke in an interview with ArmyInform, seen by Ukrinform. "The main aspects of the military support of the Netherlands include supply of weapons systems, training of the Ukrainian military, and provision of food. In general, we do not disclose any specifics regarding deliveries. The exceptions are howitzers, anti-aircraft missiles, and training in the UK," Ollongren said, according to a report released in Ukrainian. Read also: Ukrainian service members undergo urban operations training in UK She emphasized that for Ukraine's fight to continue effectively, not only the supply of military ammunition, but also the training and preparation of troops are of the utmost importance. "We joined the initiative of one of our most valuable partners the training of the Ukrainian military in Great Britain. Operation INTERFLEX is a unique multi-national training program created in the UK that gives you trained soldiers throughout the year. International in its nature from the very start, the INTERFLEX operation is supported not only by the Netherlands, but also by Canada, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, and Finland," explained the minister. She added that the European Union had decided to launch the EUMAM program, which will provide training for the Ukrainian military in Poland and Germany, and that the Netherlands will also participate in the program. Read also: Canada renews training of Ukrainian soldiers on British soil As Ukrinform reported earlier, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Tiny Kox is convinced that the PACE decision to recognize the current Russian regime as terrorist will be heard in other international organizations Russian intelligence agencies are planning a terrorist attack on Russian territory, for which they intend to blame Ukraine. Thats according to Guildhall, referring to a source in Ukraines intelligence community, Ukrinform reports. At the moment, several options for the execution of an act of terror are being considered, including explosions targeting public transport, the downing of a civilian airliner, and an attack on nuclear infrastructure facilities or nuclear weapons storage sites. Several options may as well be employed. In this way, the Kremlin hopes to give the Russian audience the impression that Ukraine is a threat to their very existence, which is supposed to contribute to the process of a military call-up. Also, with the help of a terrorist attack, the Russian leadership may try to justify the use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine. As reported earlier, after the failure of the first stage of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in April the Kremlin was plotting a false-flag provocation at one of the facilities of the Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces, to blame Ukraines forces. Other possible scenarios considered, along with the capture of objects, included inflicting a fire strike or carrying out an act of sabotage on such an object under the Ukrainian flag. A probable object of the Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces on which such a provocation could be implemented is Object S, one of the central nuclear arms storage, located in Belgorod-22, bordering (Ukraines - ed.) Sumy region, Oleksandr Danylyuk, chief of the Center for Defense Reforms, said referring to Ukrainian intelligence data. In Kharkiv region in the past 24 hours, one person was killed, another one was wounded in Russian shelling. In addition, a man was seriously injured in a mine explosion. Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, reported this on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. "According to the regional Center for Emergency Medical Aid, a 66-year-old civilian was killed in enemy shelling of Kharkiv districts border community. A 74-year-old man with injuries was hospitalized in Kupiansk district. In Chuhuiv district, a 65-year-old man was seriously injured after his car ran over an enemy mine," Syniehubov wrote. According to the regional administration, the enemy shelled Kharkiv city and settlements of Kharkiv, Izium, Kupiansk and Chuhuiv districts in the past 24 hours. The enemy shelling destroyed a private house in Vovchansk, an unused store building in Izium, as well as non-residential and commercial buildings, fires broke out. As reported, the liberation of Kupiansk district continues. iy The National Police of Ukraine has opened 31 new criminal proceedings on the facts of war crimes committed by the Russian military in Kherson region. This was reported by the press service of the National Police on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. "In Kherson region, the Russians attacked the communities of the Beryslav district. There are casualties among the civilian population. The army of the Russian Federation massively shelled the villages close to the contact line," the report reads. It is noted that the Russian military used Grad MLRS, heavy artillery and mortars to shell the district. As a result, private houses and farm buildings were damaged, fires broke out. In the past 24 hours, the police of the Kherson region received 37 reports from citizens, including 31 reports related to war crimes committed by the Russian military against the civilian population, the press service of the National Police said. As Ukrinform reported, the Russian forces struck the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk region overnight. Two people were injured, a transport company, shops, and offices were damaged. iy New president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, says it is her priority to obtain access for ICRC mission to Ukrainian prisoners of war, in particular in Olenivka. Egger made a corresponding statement during a video call with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, the President's press service reports. Yermak congratulated Egger on the recent assumption of office and expressed hope that the ICRC would successfully overcome complex humanitarian problems, in particular those caused by Russia's war against Ukraine, under her leadership. The Head of the Presidents Office said that the current human rights situation in the occupied territories of Ukraine is unprecedented for Europe and the world over the past decades. The same is true of the treatment of Ukrainian POWs and civilians in places of detention. Yermak urged Egger to do everything possible to send the ICRC mission to the penal facility in Olenivka in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region, where more than 50 defenders of Ukraine were killed in a Russian terrorist attack at the end of July. According to him, Ukraine is ready to facilitate this mission in every possible way. "Today is a critical moment. This war is a test for everyone: for Ukraine, for international organizations," he said. The Head of the Presidents Office believes that ICRC representatives should arrive at the contact line in the east of Ukraine on October 17. This would be a very important step. Egger pointed out the importance of ICRC staff having access to prisoners of war, particularly in Olenivka. "Its my priority. And we will continue to demand access," the ICRC President said. As reported, on the night of July 29, a powerful explosion occurred in the territory of former penal facility No. 210 in the town of Olenivka, in the building where Ukrainian prisoners of war were kept. According to the Russian side, about 50 Ukrainian defenders were killed, and more than 70 were seriously injured. The Ukrainian military personnel, who left the surrounded Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol under the guarantee of international organizations so that they could be exchanged in the future, were held in the penal facility in Olenivka. President Zelensky called on the ICRC to act more decisively and put pressure on Russia to be granted access to Ukrainian prisoners. The ICRC stated that they "share the frustration regarding our lack of access to all prisoners of war held in the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine." The organization asked for immediate and unimpeded access to all prisoners of war. On October 13, Yermak demanded the ICRC send its mission to the penal facility in Olenivka in the coming days. ol Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis has called for the creation of a coalition to finance the work of the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine or to find an alternative supplier. According to Ukrinform, he reported this on Twitter. "Ukraine's internet connectivity is too important to be left in the hands of one private individual. Let's find a way to form a coalition of Ukraine's allies to pay for Starlink, or let's find an alternative supplier," Landsbergis wrote. The minister also added that Lithuania is ready to contribute. Billionaire Elon Musk earlier confirmed that his rocket firm SpaceX wants to stop funding the Starlink satellite internet service in Ukraine. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, said that Ukraine would find a solution to continue the operations of the Starlink system and expects Musk's SpaceX company to provide a stable connection until the negotiations are over. The Romanian government will transfer $1.4 million to the NATO Trust Funds to strengthen the defense of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Jordan. According to Ukrinform, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said this on Twitter. "Glad to announce that Romania allotted up to $1.4mln as voluntary contribution to NATO Trust Funds for enhancing resilience & defense capacities of our partners in Black Sea & beyond: Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Jordan," he wrote. According to the tweet, $400,000 will be transferred to a special NATO trust fund for Ukraine. Moreover, Romania will allocate $600,000 for Moldova, $300,000 for Georgia and $100,000 for Jordan. HANOVER, GermanyOn Oct. 5 7, Svakom attended eroFame in Hanover, Germany where it successfully promoted new product lines, celebrated its tenth anniversary, and was presented with the Outstanding Charitable Contributions Award. Commented Svakom ambassador Iker Perez, "we had a lot of great traffic to our booth, being situated so close to the entrance. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Svakoms 10-year anniversary, surrounded by people in the industry talking shop and just having a great time. Amazing, really, it was. We put so much work into seeking new ways to give back and finding new opportunities to help, at Svakom we really take sustainability and outreach opportunities seriouslyits been a big part of our discussion throughout 2022. To be recognized for this is well, its simply brilliant. We hope we can live up to this honor and continue helping to make peoples lives better." During the event, Svakom was presented with the Outstanding Charitable Contributions award, which honors its commitment to sustainability, outreach, and charity collaborations. Visitors to Svakoms booth frequently commented on the design, stating that it was "one of the best-looking booths at eroFame, and marveled at the sleek, modern design showcasing Svakoms latest Pulse Technology. Added Perez, "On top of being crowded the majority of the time, due to our desirable location, we heard lots of 'who built your booth? Its gorgeous!' from visitors. They really loved the design. Which, of course, gave us the opportunity to show off our upcoming products for 2023!" The newest additions to Svakom, Pulse Pure, and Pulse Union, proved to be popular with visitors to the Svakom booth. Svakom expresses its gratitude towards the organizers of the exhibition, commenting that the event was "one of the best weve been to yet. Truly, it was filled with interesting talks, seeing new and old faces, and witnessing everything the industry has to offer." Visit svakom.com and follow the company on Twitter. For any inquiries, contact [email protected]. Saudi Arabia will provide USD400 million worth of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Thats according to a report by the countrys national news agency SPA following Prince Mohammed bin Salmans phone call with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky. The president expressed his gratitude for the Saudi leadership's decision to offer an additional humanitarian aid package for Ukraine in the amount of (400 million dollars) which will contribute to alleviating the suffering of Ukrainian citizens in the wake of the crisis. He emphasized that these humanitarian aid initiatives are evidence of HRH the Crown Prince's keenness to alleviate the human suffering of the Ukrainian people, which they will never forget and which proves the Kingdom's friendship to Ukraine, the agency wrote. The Crown Prince stressed that the Kingdom's vote for the UN resolution condemning the Russian annexation attempt targeting Ukrainian territories emanates from its commitment to the deep-rooted principles in the UN charter and international law, and its commitment to the respect of state sovereignty and the principles of good neighborliness, and resolving conflicts by peaceful means. As Ukrinform reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman the issue of cooperation for the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war and the provision of financial assistance to Ukraine. Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman mediated in the release from Russian captivity of a number of foreign nationals. Ukraine's Minister of Finance Sergii Marchenko as part of his working visit to the United States met with his counterparts from the Netherlands and Japan to discuss the needs of the country's state budget for 2023. That's according to the press service of Ukraine's Ministry of Finance, Ukrinform reports. During the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Sigrid Kaag and her deputy Christiaan Rebergen, Marchenko thanked the Dutch government for supporting Ukraine's budget this year. "I am sincerely grateful to the Government of the Netherlands for supporting Ukraine and providing $110 million in credit guarantees. These funds helped to ensure the priority social expenditures of the State Budget of Ukraine during martial law. Now we can provide only the most necessary expenses, but it should be taken into account that we provide the financing of military needs at the expense of our own revenues," Marchenko said. At the same time, he noted that the need for additional financing of the state budget remains. The deficit next year will reach $3.5 billion per month, therefore there is a need for a rhythmic flow of funds to the state budget of Ukraine during 2023 to eliminate this gap. According to the Ministry of Finance, the Netherlands provided $89 million in loan guarantees to Ukraine as part of a World Bank program. The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved more than $489 million in development policy loans entitled Financing of Recovery from Economic Emergency in Ukraine - FREE Ukraine between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). $21 million was received as part of the Public Expenditures for Administrative Capacity Endurance in Ukraine (PEACE) Project of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). During Marchenko's meeting with the Minister of Finance of Japan, Shun'ichi Suzuki, both parties discussed the financial situation in Ukraine, the needs of the state budget for 2023 and the restoration of damaged critical infrastructure. Marchenko also thanked the Japanese side for providing preferential financing to overcome the economic consequences of the war. According to the report, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Japan has granted Ukraine a loan on concessional terms in the amount of $581 million. The funds were directed to the state budget of Ukraine to finance priority social and humanitarian expenses. Marchenko noted that according to a joint assessment of the government, the World Bank and the European Commission, Ukraine needs $17 billion for rapid infrastructure restoration, and Kyiv is counting on the support of foreign partners. Eight countries, including Ukraine, joined the Council's decision on the eighth package of sanctions against Russia, adopted at the beginning of October. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Ukraine, the potential candidate country Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this Council Decision, reads the press release of the Council of the EU. As noted, these countries will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision. The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it, says the press release. As reported, on October 6, the Council of the EU reached an agreement on the eighth package of sanctions against Russia which provides for oil price caps, new bans on the import and export of steel, wood, machinery, aviation, plastics, chemicals worth 7 billion euros, as well as sanctions against new individuals and legal entities and companies involved in the war with Ukraine. ol | By Office of Communications and Public Affairs The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $1.1 million grant to the University of Maryland Schools of Pharmacy (UMSOP) and Medicine (UMSOM) to create a training program to enhance diversity in the biomedical workforce. Initiative for Maximizing Student Development studen The five-year Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program strives to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups in the doctoral programs in UMSOPs Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PSC) and UMSOMs Graduate Program In Life Sciences (GPILS). I am exceedingly proud of this new initiative to enhance the numbers of diverse graduate students in the sciences at the Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine and of what it means for the future of academia and research, said Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FAAPS, FCP, dean and professor at UMSOP. As only the second African-American to earn a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences at the School of Pharmacy, I fully support initiatives like ours that seek to break down barriers, provide access and support, and create opportunities for all students to succeed on their chosen career path. Increasing Diversity The IMSD programs goal is to train a diverse pool of PhD students across the biomedical research spectrum, which is why UMSOP and UMSOM are jointly hosting this program. Students will apply for admission to the graduate programs in PSC or GPILS. A team of faculty leaders from both schools will then select students for the IMSD training program, which will take 10 students per year five in PSC and five in GPILS. This award is not only an opportunity to increase the platform for underrepresented minorities on campus, but is also a chance to expose all our students to a diverse environment, said Angela Wilks, PhD, the Isaac E. Emerson Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UMSOP and one of four principal investigators (PI) of the grant. We want to prepare our students to work in environments where diversity, equity, and inclusion are hallmarks of whatever they do. Mandy Oglesby, PhD, associate professor of PSC at UMSOP and PI of the grant, said she wants to help build a biomedical workforce that looks more like its community and the country. Diversity is incredibly important to the success of every industry, Oglesby said. When you have a diverse group of people working on a solution for a problem, you have more creativity and more representation in public health perceptions. Recruitment and Retention Lisa Jones, PhD, a former faculty member at UMSOP who helped write the NIH proposal, says recruitment and retention are two major factors when it comes to diversification in biomedicine. Some students dont think they can be scientists because of a lack of role models who look like them, Jones said. Our goal with the IMSD is to provide students with programming and mentoring to help them deal with issues that are unique to underrepresented populations. The IMSD grant aims to provide funding to address recruitment and retention gaps. It will cover first-year stipends for graduate students accepted into the program, conference travel, social events, and programming. The grant is also directed by PIs Dudley K. Strickland, PhD, associate dean for Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies and professor of surgery at UMSOM, and Tonya J. Webb, PhD, assistant director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and associate professor of Microbiology and Immunology at UMSOM. This grant affords us the opportunity to create a graduate school experience that is uniquely tailored to the needs our students, in which they know that their opinions are respected, their cultural identities and connections are valued, and their intellectual curiosities are nourished, said Webb. We aim to cultivate a space of mutual respect and expect our students to develop lifelong friendships during their studies. Strickland said, The awarding of this grant to UMB will allow us to continue to recruit and support the best and brightest students in the country with an objective of providing scientific training that will enhance and increase diversity in all fields of science. UMSOP and UMSOM are working collaboratively to develop the programs content, which will be catered to the IMSD students, including workshops on topics as wide-ranging as scientific writing to dealing with microaggressions to the various career tracks in the STEM fields. The grant is further supported by program administrators in each school Kristina San Juan at UMSOP and Sharron Graves, DBA, at UMSOM. The IMSD program emulates and derives from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Countys Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program, a multi-year IMSD partnership with UMB. Other institutions implementing the NIHs IMSD program include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Emory University, and the University of Arizona. An election ballot drop box is shown outside Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center in downtown Phoenix on Sept. 25, 2020. Photo by Brandon Quester | AZCIR Fringe anti-government groups are planning to watch drop boxes and the polls in Arizona, spurred by conspiracy theories. The groups sometimes violent rhetoric has advocates worried, and some local politicians are stirring the pot. We know where you are. You see us everyday and you better believe we are watching you, one video says on a website that advocates for watching of drop boxes, run by an anonymous Arizona resident who has fallen deep into COVID and election conspiracy theories. Dont sleep too soundly. That noise you hear might be one of us. DSouzas film alleged that they were able to track ballot mules using purchased geolocation data who were paid to stuff ballot boxes with completed ballots. The practice, pejoratively referred to as ballot harvesting, is illegal in Arizona. Now, groups are organizing events to keep an eye on drop boxes in Arizona in an attempt to watch for alleged mules or other instances of wrongdoing in the Arizona general election. One of those groups is connected directly to the Arizona chapter of the Oath Keepers, an anti-government extremist group. The Yavapai County Preparedness Team is the Arizona chapter of the Oath Keepers and is working with a group called the Lions of Liberty on what they call Operation Drop Box. On its website the group members describe themselves as conservative patriots who say the country has been hijacked and undermined by global elites, communists, leftists, deep state bureaucrats, and fake news. Jim Arroyo, the leader of the Arizona Oath Keepers chapter said in a video of their July meeting that the group sent out an email to everyone in the groups roster, which included 1,000 people. For the November election we would like to post people there in addition to the cameras to have eyes on target to be able to notify law enforcement, Arroyo said in the meeting, referring to the cameras the Yavapai County Recorders Office has already installed on the drop boxes around the county. We have already coordinated with Sheriff Rhodes and he told us that if we see somebody stuffing a ballot box and if we get a license plate they will make an arrest and there will be a prosecution. Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes has spoken to the Arizona chapter of the Oath Keepers on two separate occasions, the Arizona Mirror confirmed. Ive got to tell you, this is one of my favorite groups. It is great to be with friends, Rhodes said in an August 2021 meeting, also noting that his predecessor was in attendance and had spoken during previous meetings. Sheriff Rhodes has zero to do with their effort to watch the drop boxes, Yavapai County spokesperson Kristin Greene told the Mirror when asked about coordination between the Sheriff, Lions of Liberty and the Oath Keepers. Previous versions of the Lions of Liberty website stated the group would get in touch with Rhodes; those references have now been removed. Rhodes again spoke to the group in late September, a meeting which the Sheriffs Office said was to educate the group on what was legal and what was not legal for the group to do. The Yavapai County Sheriffs Office told the group members that as long as they stay 75 feet away from the drop boxes, they are within their legal rights, but any closer and they could be violating the law. Any intimidation by anyone, of any voter is something this office takes seriously, Greene said. Yavapai County Recorder Michelle Burchill told the Mirror that the 75-foot limit may not be enforceable, however, the office is continuing to work diligently to make sure the cameras installed on all the drop boxes are working properly, a preemptive measure taken to get ahead of likely impending legislation. We kind of foresee that the future of the legislature is going to request or require cameras so we felt that we should get ahead of it and if it gives our voters one more sense of security, Burchill said of the cameras. Burchill called the Lions of Liberty concerned citizens feeling they are doing their civic duty, but she is concerned that voters may feel uncomfortable or intimidated. She urged anyone who feels that way to contact law enforcement or their office directly. If there is something of actual concern or something that needs immediate attention [The Recorder] would direct them to the Sheriff department, Burchill said. The county is also at the center of another effort led by former Graham County Sheriff Richard Mack, who leads the anti-government extremist organization the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. Mack met with the Arizona Oath Keepers this month to discuss election integrity and an initiative led by the group behind DSouzas flawed film and Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, according to CSPOAs website. Macks group has been investigating alleged voter fraud with far-right Sheriffs across the country often attempting to do things outside of their duties and jurisdictions such as impounding voting machines. CSPOA and the Oath Keepers have long had close ties, according to researchers. Greene said that Sheriff Rhodes is not a member of CSPOA. Every sheriff is a constitutional sheriff, Greene said. Others share Burchills worries but also have concerns about the Oath Keepers watching the polls and drop boxes, especially given their history. I certainly have some concern given the reputation of the Oath Keepers and given the language of some of these organizations, Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the voting rights program at the Brennan Center for Justice told the Mirror. Many groups over the history of the United States have engaged in poll watching, both partisan and non-partisan, but more recently in the 1980s, poll watching led to a consent decree being placed on the Republican National Committee for decades due to a number of activities, including sending armed off-duty police to polling locations. The important question is the effect it has on the voter, Morales-Doyle said, adding that standing around a drop box if done in a passive manner might be OK but when paired with certain rhetoric, it creates larger concerns. GOP Secretary of State nominee Mark Finchem in a recent interview pushed for people to download a smartphone application that encourages users to take photos and videos of alleged election fraud to create a national database. You can take a picture of a fictitious ballot, you can do video of somebody who is walking up to a ballot box and stuffing it with ballots, you can take a picture of their license plate on their car, Finchem said. Everyday citizens, if you see something, take a picture and say something. Finchem is far from alone in pushing residents to do similar actions. Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Apache Junction, in a hearing about evidence of alleged voter fraud found by the group behind the flawed DSouza movie, Townsend called on vigilantes to camp out on drop boxes. I have been so pleased to hear about all you vigilantes out there that want to camp out at these drop boxes, Townsend said at the end of a nearly two-hour legislative hearing by True the Vote, a conservative group that supports restrictive voting laws to combat what it says is massive voter fraud. Were going to have hidden trail cameras, we are going to have people parked out there watching you and they are going to follow you to your car and get your license plate, so dont try it. Dont try it anymore, Townsend said. Lake Havasu Republican Sonny Borrelli has also made similar calls while at an election security forum. We need to be force multipliers, Borrelli told the crowd in Tempe. We need to have people camped on unmanned drop boxes and camp on those and keep an eye on them and take down that data, license plates, pictures and so on and so forth. It is not their job to be sort of vigilante law enforcement, Morales-Doyle said of poll watching. Local law enforcement may not be the best option for a voter to turn to if they do end up feeling intimidated at the polls, according to Morales-Doyle. He suggested going to local election officials, the election protection hotline or federal law enforcement. Voter intimidation is a federal crime, one that is enforced by the FBI and Department of Justice. When asked for comment about the situation in Yavapai County, the FBI Phoenix Field Office referred the Mirror to a link about what the FBI can and cannot do in regards to election-related crimes. Enough with the election deniers and fear-mongers, who only seek to undermine our democratic process, United States Attorney for Arizona Gary Restaino said in a statement to the Mirror. Im proud to live in a state that endeavors to remove barriers to voting, and that has long believed in vote-by-mail. Working in partnership with our state and local election officials, the Department of Justice will do its very best to ensure that every eligible voter who chooses to vote can do so easily and efficiently, without interference or discrimination. U.S. Attorneys Office spokesperson Yvette Cantu said the office could not comment about any specific cases or matters when asked about the Oath Keepers in Yavapai County When asked if that meant there was an investigation into the Oath Keepers, the office did not respond. While voting rights advocates like Morales-Doyle say there is cause for concern due to the countrys changing political landscape, increased threats to election officials and fewer restrictions on partisan activity, most voters shouldnt be worried. I do think that the vast majority of polling places across the country and Arizona, voters are going to have a typical experience in 2022 and voters are not going to have anything to worry about, Morales-Doyle said. Dropbox watching efforts in Maricopa County have already been inconsistent. [Voters] shouldnt let the kind of rhetoric that is driving this conversation keep them from participating in our democracy, Morales-Doyle said. For information on early voting in Arizona, go here. ULAN BATOR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Oct, 2022 ) :A total of 1,746 cases of lumpy skin disease in cattle have been reported in Mongolia so far this year, and 1,255 of them have been slaughtered, local media reported on Thursday. So far, the eastern province of Sukhbaatar and southern provinces of Dundgovi and Dornogovi have been quarantined due to the disease, said the report, citing the country's General Authority for Veterinary Services. Lumpy skin disease is a viral infection of cattle characterized by fever, enlarged superficial lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membranes. The livestock sector is a main pillar of the Mongolian economy with around 70 million heads of livestock in the country with a population of around 3.4 million. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2022 ) :Cases of dengue virus in the province surged on Saturday and 496 new cases were reported; however, no death was reported due to the virus during the last 24 hours. According to the Health Department, a total of 10,915 cases of dengue virus had been reported in the ongoing year so far, while 13 people died of the virus and 1,030 patients were under treatment in different hospitals of the province. The Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department reported 220 cases of dengue in Lahore with highest number in the province, while 96 cases were reported in Rawalpindi, 67 in Gujranwala, 43 in Multan, 11 in Faisalabad, seven in Kasur, six each in Rahim Yar Khan and Khanewal, five in Sheikhupura, three each in Hafizabad, Okara, Attock, and Muzaffargarh, four in Sialkot, two each in Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Narowal and Jhelum, one each in Sahiwal, Mianwali, Chakwal, Lodhran, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Mandi Bahauddin and Chiniot during the last 24 hours. All suspected cases of dengue were under surveillance and their tests were being conducted. The anti-dengue squad destroyed dengue larvae at 3,269 places in the province during the daily surveillance. The squad conducted surveillance at 446,122 indoor and 116,704 outdoor places to detect dengue larvae during the last 24 hours. The health department urged people to adopt precautionary measures and keep their environment clean and dry to protect themselves from dengue. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) China has deployed a Yaogan-36 Earth sensing satellite into orbit, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) said on Saturday. A Long March 2D launch vehicle carrying the Yaogan-36 satellite lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China's southwest province of Sichuan at 3:12 a.m. local time on Saturday (19:12 GMT on Friday). The Yaogan satellites are designed for scientific experiments, monitoring and management of land resources, monitoring of agricultural resources, environmental monitoring, and disaster prevention. Saturday's launch was the 444th mission by the Long March rocket series. In 2021, China set a new national record of 55 space launches per year. The previous record of 39 launches was first registered in 2018 and then repeated in 2020. Meanwhile, the record holder for the number of space launches per year is the Soviet Union, with 108 flights registered in 1982. It is followed by the United States with 77 launches in 1966. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) Denmark needs to strengthen its presence in the Baltic Sea region after the sabotage at Nord Stream pipelines, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Saturday. "The Baltic Sea is gaining more and more importance when we talk about defense and security policy. Thus, the government considers and draws the attention of the parties in the Danish parliament that in the future defense settlement close attention should be paid to the Baltic Sea... We need to know more about what is happening in the Baltic Sea region. Therefore, the government recommends strengthening monitoring and presence at sea and over the sea," Frederiksen said, as quoted by Danish broadcaster DR. In late September, leaks of fuel were registered on the pipelines of the Nord Stream network in the Baltic Sea. The network plays a key role in the transit of Russian gas to Europe. The Swedish and Danish authorities suspect that the incident was the result of sabotage. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office is investigating the pipeline incidents as acts of international terrorism. Denmark and Sweden have barred Russia from investigating the attack. On Friday, German media reported that Sweden, Denmark, and Germany refused to jointly investigate the explosions at Nord Stream pipelines. On the same day, the German Interior Ministry said that the Federal police "finished establishing the circumstances" of sabotage at Nord Stream, and investigators would take over to study their findings. The European Union will continue to respond to Russia's actions in Ukraine, but the bloc needs to be patient to let the sanctions, which have been imposed against Moscow, work, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Friday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th October, 2022) The European Union will continue to respond to Russia's actions in Ukraine, but the bloc needs to be patient to let the sanctions, which have been imposed against Moscow, work, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said on Friday. "We will react and we have reacted very clearly with eight sanctions packages, but we need this kind of strategic patience to let the sanctions ... do their work and have the effect," Schallenberg told reporters at a joint press conference with his Slovak counterpart, Rastislav Kacer, in Vienna. Schallenberg also urged Russia to "end the human suffering" in Ukraine and create the conditions for meaningful negotiations. On October 6, the EU announced its eighth package of sanctions against Russia in response to its military operation and incorporation of territories in Ukraine. The new measures include the implementation of the G7 oil price cap and an expansion of the ban on the import and export of goods, as well as new individual sanctions. On Wednesday, EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano said that the EU might further expand sanctions against Russia. Update: 15-10-2022 | 16:43:44 The Thai government plans to spend at least 23 billion THB (about 610 million USD) to help those affected by recent flooding. According to deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, at a cabinet meeting this week, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered all related agencies to speed up efforts to take care of victims of ongoing floods around the country. PM Prayut affirmed that the government has prepared a flood relief budget initially estimated at 23 billion THB, which will be taken from the central budget for fiscal 2023. He said overall spending on a flood relief budget could not be determined until details of flood damage are supplied by all related agencies. Heavy seasonal rains again pounded much of Thailand on October 9, causing continued widespread flooding, particularly in the northeast. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, almost 20,000 people have been moved into 85 temporary shelters as floodwaters overwhelmed more than 1,000 villages. The provincial Chamber of Commerce estimated 5 billion THB (131 million USD) of economic damage from the flooding./. VNA (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) After a devastating landslide swept through a city in northern Venezuela last week, a local music production team shared with Sputnik how they narrowly escaped the deadly disaster. A young artist who has released seven new songs on popular music streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music over the past year, Sergio Nadra is one of the rising stars of Venezuela's music industry. Following the successful release of the music video for his single "Me Voy" in May on YouTube, Nadra and his music production team hoped to take advantage of this momentum by releasing his next single "Ensename" in the near future. While Nadra's music production crew were busy filming the new video for "Ensename," a scheduling conflict made it impossible for them to shoot a scene in the city of Maracay in northern Venezuela. To make sure they could release the video as planned, Nadra's team decided to return to his hometown of Las Tejerias to film the scene last week. The crew's experiences in Las Tejerias ended up being much more than they had bargained for. "We started to film the music video in a house and some parts of the town at around 11 am on Saturday. At around 6pm, we decided to leave the house to shoot some scenes at a pedestrian crossing. But it started to rain shortly after, and we decided to return to the house. And all of a sudden, the electricity went out," Inry Rosa, an independent audiovisual producer who was filming the new music video for Nadra, told Sputnik. What happened next made Rosa realize how close his team came to a tragic disaster. "A few minutes later, some relatives came knocking on the door of our house. They desperately asked us to go up to the third floor of the house because it could be flooded by the rising water in the river nearby. But I had parked my car in front of the house and it had all my photographic gear for the video shoot in it. I had to rush downstairs to move my car and retrieve my gear," Rosa said. After they waited on the third floor for about one hour, the rain stopped. Rosa and his team decided to go out to find out what had happened. "At around 9-10pm, we walked around and saw everything that was damaged by the landslide. The pedestrian crossing where they were filming was only about 100 meters away from the 'hoyada,' which was the worst hit area during the landslide. Everything there was destroyed," he said. The musician shared several pictures that showed the damage caused by the landslide in the area. The whole neighborhood was filled with mud and trees that had been swept away in the floods. All the cars that were parked in the streets were completely submerged and destroyed. Large numbers of massive tree trunks had smashed into various houses and caused serious damage to buildings. The house Rosa and his team were staying at was actually Nadra's grandmother's home. Fortunately, Nadra and his family members were not hurt during the landslide. "There was a small community medical center in front of the house. It received a lot of injured and deceased victims," Rosa said. Venezuelan officials have raised the death toll caused by the landslide to 43, with at least another 56 people missing. "The worst hit area was a place with a large number of small businesses. When the landslide happened, there were still many vendors who were running their businesses and many shoppers as well. Some were able to escape to safety, but others were not so lucky," Rosa said. When the producer and his team went to visit the worst affected areas the next morning, they could still see locals making desperate efforts to rescue the victims who were buried or trapped under the debris. Every few minutes, they could see a body covered in mud being retrieved by volunteers working around the clock. "The whole neighborhood was still working hard to search for those who disappeared during the landslide. There were hundreds of volunteers who were trying their best," he said. Rosa returned to Maracay earlier this week, but Nadra stayed in Las Tejerias to support his family during this difficult time. According to Nadra, power has been restored in the city and the national government has provided food, water and clothing to those affected by the landslide. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro visited Las Tejerias on Monday and vowed to rebuild "each and every home" in the city. As someone who grew up in Las Tejerias, the tragic disaster was very personal for Nadra. "The theme of the song is about heartbreak. We want to make a dedication at the end of the video to honor all the affected victims," Rosa said. The team hopes to release the new music video, which includes scenes from Las Tejerias, by the end of October or in early November. (@FahadShabbir) The International Rescue Committee said on Saturday that one of its employees was killed and another injured in an attack in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region Addis Ababa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 15th Oct, 2022 ) :The International Rescue Committee said on Saturday that one of its employees was killed and another injured in an attack in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region. "The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is saddened to confirm the reports of the death of one of our colleagues who died from injuries sustained during an attack yesterday in Shire Town in the Tigray region of Ethiopia," the US-based humanitarian organisation said. "Another IRC staff member was also injured in the attack, and two other civilians were reportedly killed and three injured as a result of the incident." The employee was "delivering life saving humanitarian aid to women and children". "Aid workers and civilians should never be a target," said the IRC, which helps people affected by humanitarian crises. Shire, in northwest Tigray, has been bombarded by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces for several days in a joint offensive against rebels from the region, diplomatic and humanitarian sources say. The city of some 100,000 people has been "subjected to continuous heavy artillery and air strikes all this week" which has caused casualties and property damage, a humanitarian source in Shire told AFP. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Saturday said he was "horrified" by reports of civilians being targeted in Shire and called for international law to be respected. Ethiopia and its allies have been fighting rebels from Tigray for nearly two years in a brutal conflict that has killed untold numbers and unleashed a humanitarian disaster in the north of the country. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) The artillery fire by the North Korean troops was part of the response measures to the actions of the enemy, aimed at warning against continuation of hostile actions, the Korean Central news Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday, citing the statement of the General Staff Department of the Korean People's Army (KPA). "The counter-demonstration fire conducted by the frontline units of our forces in the afternoon of October 14 is aimed at sending another clear warning to the deliberate repeated provocation by the enemies in the front areas," the statement said. North Korea will not allow any provocation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and will retaliate all attacks, the KPA said. "In the future, too, our army will never allow any provocation by the enemies escalating the military tension on the Korean Peninsula but take thorough and overwhelming military countermeasures. The South Korean army would be well advised to stop at once its reckless provocation inciting the military tension in the front areas," the statement said. On Friday, Pyongyang conducted artillery fire twice toward the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. First, North Korea fired 200 artillery shells toward the Yellow Sea and 40 toward the Sea of Japan. Later in the day, Pyongyang fired another 130 artillery shells toward the Yellow Sea and 40 toward the Sea of Japan. There were no shells recorded in the territorial waters of South Korea. North Korea also launched a ballistic missile on the same day, which flew about 650 kilometers (404 miles) at a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers before falling outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Japan issued a protest to North Korea through diplomatic channels via its embassy in Beijing. Pyongyang has carried out eight test launches since September 25 and over 25 since the beginning of 2022. North Korea has emphasized that its test launches are being carried out in response to the refusal of the US and South Korea to stop joint military drills, which Pyongyang believes threaten regional stability. Poland has integrated its Patriot missile defense systems into the national air defense system, Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Friday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) Poland has integrated its Patriot missile defense systems into the national air defense system, Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said on Friday. "We have achieved the goal. Polish Patriots are being integrated as we proceed to build a multi-layer, based on components produced by the Polish armament industry, air defense system," Blaszczak said following the system's test as quoted by the Polish defense ministry on Twitter. Poland tested its first Patriot missile defense system on Friday at its base camp Torun. Poland plans to create an intermediate-range air defense system in the country based on Patriot missile defense. Under the contract Warsaw signed with the US in 2018, the first two batteries of Patriots were delivered to Poland earlier this year. The Polish military also said it was going to purchase six additional batteries. Warsaw and Washington have numerous programs intended to boost their military cooperation and increase US military exports to Poland, including the Patriot program, the HIMARS program for M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and the program for the purchase of F35 fighter jets, as well as the recently started program for the purchase of Abrams tanks. After the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, the US decided to deploy an additional 4,700 American troops to Poland on top of the nearly 5,000 military personnel which are routinely located in the country. UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) Russia and Belarus have been taking into account NATO's expansion when discussing countermeasures, Russian Deputy Representative on Disarmament in the United Nations First Committee Kosntantin Vorontsov said. "What we are hearing is more and more calls for the development of NATO's infrastructure and its deployment further and further to the east. In Poland, for many years, they have been talking about full involvement in joint nuclear missions," Vorontsov told the members of the First Committee on Friday. NATO expansions has been taken into consideration by Russia and Belarus when discussing countermeasures, Vorontsov added. Earlier on Friday, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said Minsk is considering tough retaliatory measures in response to the potential deployment of nuclear arsenals on the territory of Poland and other neighboring countries. Polish President Andrzej Duda recently said the absence of nuclear weapons in his country was a "problem" and the issue of deploying US nuclear weapons there was open. At the same time, Duda said he believes Poland could take part in the Nuclear Sharing program under which European NATO member states host and store US nuclear weapons. On October 6, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Poland had long ago agreed with the United States on the deployment of nuclear weapons arsenals on its territory. UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) Russia has no plans to transfer technology to Belarus on converting existing systems into carriers of nuclear weapons, Russian Deputy Representative on Disarmament First Committee Konstantin Vorontsov said. "However, technologies that would allow weapons to be equipped, carry nuclear weapons, that's not in the cards," Vorontsov told the members of the United Nations First Committee on Friday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) Two of the people accused of assassinating Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia have been sentenced to 40 years in prison, The Times of Malta reports. The two brothers, Alfred and George Degiorgio, 57 and 59 years old, respectively, pleaded guilty to all six charges they faced on Friday, according to the newspaper. Judge Edwina Grima sentenced the Degiorgio brothers to 40 years in prison. They were also ordered to pay 43,000 Euros ($41,800) each in expenses within three years. The equivalent of around 50,000 euros will also be confiscated from each of the brothers in criminal proceeds, The Times of Malta specified on Friday. Daphne's son Paul Caruana Galizia confirmed the sentencing on Friday. "A break in the clouds. Guilty: Degiorgio brothers admit killing Daphne in sensational turnaround," he said on social media. Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who had investigated corruption in the country, died in a car explosion in October 2017. Alfred and George Degiorgio are three of the seven men accused of conspiring to carry out the assassination. (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th October, 2022) The United States still believes that Riyadh and Washington have multiplicity of mutual interests, US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Friday. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that The Kingdom affirms that it views its relationship with the United States of America as a strategic one that serves common interests of both countries. When asked whether he believes that the relationship with Saudi Arabia is of mutual interest and Riyadh is a partner when it comes to countering terrorism or ending the war in Yemen or confronting Iran, Patel said, "Absolutely." "We continue to have a multiplicity of interests as it relates to our bilateral relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Patel said. "And of course, a big piece of that is a security relationship, one that is important towards regional stability, but also, approximately or more than 70,000 American citizens live in that Kingdom. And so we continue to keep in mind, their safety but also the broader national security interests of the United States in the region and ensuring that the steps that we take do not infringe on those interests either." The OPEC+ alliance agreed last week to cut oil production by 2 million barrels per day from November and will take production levels agreed for August as a reference point. The move was made in response to uncertainty in global oil market outlooks, in part caused by Western sanctions on Russian energy deliveries and the G7 plans to introduce a price cap on Russian crude. The decision was met with a backlash from the United States, which demanded an increase in production to combat rising domestic prices. On Thursday, the Saudi foreign ministry denied that the OPEC+ decision to cut oil production was politically motivated against some states. European Bishops issue a strong appeal to Russia to immediately suspend hostilities against Ukraine, and urge all parties to work towards a solution to the conflict. By Linda Bordoni A powerful statement, which comes in the wake of and in full communion with Pope Francis reiterated pleas and prayers for peace in Europe, gives voice to the appeal and concerns of EU Bishops, and expresses their closeness to the suffering people of Ukraine. Sadness and concern Saying they feel deep sadness for the horrific human suffering inflicted on the people of Ukraine by the brutal military aggression initiated by the Russian authorities, the Bishops also voice their concern that recent actions may risk a further expansion of the war with disastrous consequences for humanity. The statement, issued at the end of the 2022 Autumn Plenary Assembly of the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), appeals directly to Russia to suspend hostilities against Ukraine. Negotiations The bishops also urge all parties to open themselves up to negotiation of serious proposals for a just peace, to work towards a solution to the conflict, which respects international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine. And they convey the closeness of their Dioceses to the millions of refugees and to all those who suffer because of this madness of war. European unity Following an in-depth discussion on the war in Ukraine and its increasingly dramatic socio-economic implications affecting citizens in Europe and beyond, the EU Bishops stress the deep value of the European Union and its founding vision." They also strongly encourage political leaders to maintain their unity and to remain committed to the European project. The Assembly During the Autumn Plenary Assembly that was held from 12 to 14 October, the Bishops welcomed three guests with whom they shared opinions and ideas. They were Klaus Welle, Secretary-General of the European Parliament, Philip McDonagh, Director of the Centre for Religion, Human Values and International Relations at Dublin City University, and Pascal Lamy, former Director General of the World Trade Organisation and Coordinator of the Jacques Delors think tanks networks. Pastor Christian Krieger, President of the Conference of European Churches, also participated. Mass for Europe On the first day of the Assembly, Holy Mass, presided over by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, President of COMECE, was celebrated at the Church of Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon to pray for Europe. The Mass was concelebrated by the Bishops Delegates of the 27 EU Member States. The next Assembly The Assembly of COMECE is composed of the Bishop Delegates by the EU Episcopates. The next Plenary Assembly will take place in Rome and will feature the election of a new COMECE Presidency. Update: 15-10-2022 | 04:41:55 A Vietnamese diplomat emphasised the importance of decolonisation and respect for equal rights and self-determination of peoples in non-self-governing territories while attending a session of the 77th UN General Assemblys Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) on October 13. Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN. (Photo: VNA) In her remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, held that it is necessary to boost constructive political dialogue and seek durable peace on the basis of respecting fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly, including Resolution 1514 on the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. The UN also needs to ensure that activities of administering states do not negatively affect interests of the peoples in non-self-governing territories while assisting them to resolve emerging challenges and promote development in these territories, she added. At the session, many countries also shared the view on the need to promote the current decolonisation process. The Special Political and Decolonisation Committee, one of the six main committees of the UN General Assembly, is tasked with considering some special political and peacekeeping issues, including decolonisation. There are 17 non-self-governing territories under the administration of administering states and the scope of the Fourth Committee, namely Western Sahara, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Montserrat, Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, American Samoa, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Pitcairn, Tokelau./. VNA Hungary says persecuted Christians need to receive more support, in comments made at an international conference in Slovakia on the protection of religious freedom. By Stefan J. Bos Hungary's State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program, Tristan Azbej, says Hungary has supported hundreds of thousands of persecuted Christians worldwide. He spoke after briefing representatives of the Visegrad Group: Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The state secretary told the conference in Slovakia's capital Bratislava that he has spent six-years working to expand the Hungary Helps program to persecuted Christians in more than 50 countries. But he expressed concern about the "disinterest and denial" Hungary encountered earlier when seeking cooperation with other countries. Mr. Azbej noted that while over 300 million people are discriminated against because of their Christian faith worldwide, in his words, some Western politicians try to deny that fact. Religious persecution He stressed that Hungary works directly with local churches and religious organizations and has helped more than 500,000 people worldwide. Mr. Azbej met with Pope Francis on 25 August as part of the delegation of Hungarian President Katalin Novak. Earlier in Budapest, the state secretary praised Pope Francis for supporting Hungary's program helping persecuted Christians, including those in Iraq. "I was able to greet the Holy Father briefly in Mosul during the papal visit to Iraq in March 2021, he said. And while standing in front of Pope Francis in Mosul and starting to tell him my prepared speech about the Hungary Helps program, the Syriac Catholic bishop intervened and summarized it in one sentence. He said: 'Holy Father, if it weren't for some Catholic charity organizations and the Hungarian government who came to assist us in 2016, then there would be no Christian presence in Iraq'," Azbej recalled. He noted that the initiative is now gaining support among other governments within the Visegrad Group countries, and says cooperation has also started with neighboring Slovenia. Florida homeowner Shaniqua Rose is used to fielding offers to sell her home in the historically Black community of Parramore in Orlando. I actually got text messages three times in the last month from the same phone number, asking to purchase my home, says Rose, who grew up in Central Florida and purchased a home in Parramore in 2018. As a homeowner, Rose is in the minority among her neighbors. Only 10% are owners, she says. I would say at least 80% of the homes that are here are an investor property. The housing situation in Parramore isnt unique. Its being repeated in major U.S. cities across the country. More than 13% of all homes sold in 2021 were sold to investors, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). First-time homebuyers are 30% of the market right now. In a healthy market, 40% of buyers are first-time homebuyers, NAR says. It's been very difficult for homebuyers to find affordable or starter homes. And when they're buying lower cost homes, they're competing with investors who are coming in with cash offers and that's difficult to compete with, says Anne Ray, a researcher at the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies at the University of Florida. Its a trend that accelerated during the pandemic, according to NAR. We have seen, during the pandemic especially, that investors, whether it's a mom-and-pop investor or an institutional investor, are coming into the marketplace for rental properties, says Jessica Lautz, NARs vice president of demographics and behavioral insights. Investors are jumping into the market understanding there's demand for rental properties and this allows them to actually increase rents and to have this as an investment property that can be income generating. And technology is making it easier for investors to buy affordable homes on a large scale. I think what's relatively new is these large investors picking up lots of properties and using a lot of automated tools and working at scale to acquire properties, Ray says. That used to be harder to do. When prospective buyers cant afford to buy, the ripple effect can extend to the rental market. It also makes it more difficult for other people to find affordable rental housing, Ray says, because people who would have moved on from a rental to an ownership unit are staying in the rental unit. Among the homes most desired by investors are those in mainly Black zip codes, like Roses property. The Washington Post analyzed 40 major U.S. metropolitan areas and found that Black neighborhoods have been heavily targeted. Investors are more likely to be purchasing more affordable properties, ones that are 26% below the median home price, says Lautz. The higher concentration of institutional investors is seen in lower-income and racially diverse, especially predominantly Black, household areas. Investor activity is especially high in southernmost states, from Arizona to Florida, which comes as no surprise to Rose, who sees the change happening around her. Gentrification is here in Parramore. You can't stop it, she says. What is not happening, in my opinion, is there's not a concerted effort to increase financial opportunities for the individuals who live here so that they can afford to stay here. Communities have done it, where they redevelop, and they've been able to keep those same people there. One solution could be to develop more community land trusts, which are nonprofits that acquire homes and land with the purpose of keeping the housing permanently affordable. Often in these trusts, equity in the home is split between the nonprofit and the homeowner once the homeowner sells the property at an affordable price. They've (community land trusts) been particularly successful in preserving affordable homeownership in neighborhoods that are threatened with gentrification, often in traditional African-American neighborhoods that are near downtown where gentrification has taken place, Ray says. That preserves affordable units for the long term and allows the neighborhood to be more economically diverse. Rose, who founded an organization called Change for the Community shortly after buying her house in Parramore, would like to see additional home ownership opportunities for communities of color. If you continue to build apartments, which I find is happening in predominantly African American communitieswith no condos, you're not creating generational wealth in any way, shape or form, Rose says. You're continuing the cycle of renting. So I think governments, especially here locally, need to start looking at how do we create ownership opportunities? China's ruling Communist Party's 20th party congress will run for one week from Oct. 16-22 and will amend the party's constitution, a party spokesperson said Saturday. President Xi Jinping is poised to win a third five-year term as the party's general secretary at the congress in Beijing and become the most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. The congress will be held in the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square, opening Sunday and concluding next Saturday, party spokeperson Sun Yeli told reporters. Sun said the congress would amend the party's constitution, but he didn't give any details. The congress will conclude with the introduction of the next Politburo Standing Committee, the elite body that now numbers seven and that Xi has come to dominate. The congress comes at a tumultuous time, with Xi's adherence to his zero-COVID policy battering the economy, while his support for Russia's Vladimir Putin further alienating China from the West. As Achut Deng lay in her apartment bedroom in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, sickened alongside hundreds of her co-workers at a South Dakota meatpacking plant, she worried she was going to die. It wasn't the first time she felt the imminent threat of death. Her childhood, shattered by war in South Sudan, had been filled with it. But as she focused on building a new life for her family filled with long hours at the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant she kept those traumatic memories to herself. In the spring of 2020, however, she spoke out to tell of the fear gripping the Sioux Falls workforce, adding to pressure that prodded the plant to implement new safety protocols that helped protect Deng and her colleagues. Now, Deng is telling her whole story from fleeing massacres to the trauma she experienced as a refugee in the United States through a memoir that she hopes will bring awareness of both the hardships, as well as the healing, for refugees. Deng's book for young adults, co-authored with Keely Hutton, draws its name from the words Deng's grandmother uttered as they fled when their village came under attack: "Don't Look Back." For decades, she followed that advice to survive. The book details her grandmother's sacrifice to literally shield Deng from bullets during a 1991 massacre, to a refugee journey where a deadly river, a snake bite and malaria all nearly killed her. And even after arriving in the U.S., Deng writes, she suffered sexual abuse from a male guardian as well as accompanying suicidal thoughts. "I'm tired of being strong. I'm done being embarrassed. I'm done being ashamed of what I've been through," Deng, now 37, told The Associated Press in an interview at her home in Sioux Falls. For years, she quietly kept her story buried beneath her work at the plant, a side hustle of catering sambusa and caring for her three sons. "There's a reason why I created this busy schedule because I don't want to have time to myself so that I can think of the past," she said. The hard work allowed Deng to achieve the life she dreamed of when she came to the U.S. as a teenager. She saved for a down payment on a home, paid for family vacations and even sponsored her parents' immigration to America. When COVID-19 infections spread among Deng's colleagues, however, her dreams came under attack once again. Sickened by the virus, she worried her sons would find her body and be left with only the stories others told about her. Deng was still haunted by finding that her own grandmother had been struck and killed by the bullets that might have hit Deng during that 1991 massacre. "I found myself at the very lowest point again," Deng recounted. In the past, she had quietly focused on survival. This time, she spoke out. Deng appeared twice on The New York Times' "The Daily" podcast. She described in compelling detail the suffering and fear among her colleagues many of them immigrants as the pork processing plant became one of the country's worst hot spots for infections in the spring of 2020. Four of her colleagues died after being infected. Many workers at the time worried about the consequences of speaking with reporters, but Deng says she was only describing her own experience and that she does not blame Smithfield for the coronavirus. She says the plant requires hard work, but Smithfield also provides the wages, benefits and a schedule that allow a single mother to provide for her family. When a publicist at Macmillan Publishing heard Deng on the podcast, it sparked talks that led to the memoir. Deng wrote the book with Hutton, her co-author, in between working 12-hour shifts at Smithfield and ferrying her sons to school. She often slept just four hours between her overnight job as a supervisor and video calls with Hutton. Delving into the trauma of her past was difficult, Deng said, and required therapy sessions. Then, every Sunday, when Deng had a day off, she would sit with her sons around their dining table and read the draft of the latest chapter. "We cry together; we talk about it; then we put it behind; then we start the new week," Deng said. She hopes that readers will come to understand refugees have their lives upended and are traumatized by forces beyond their control, but show incredible resilience by choosing to come to the U.S. She described the book's cover, illustrated with the face of a girl overlaid by a night sky, as capturing her feelings at publication. "She's wounded but fearless," Deng said. "You can see the pain in her eye. But she's not afraid." Six people, including two army colonels, were condemned to death by a DR Congo military court Friday for the killings of two Chinese mine workers. Four other military personnel were sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Ituri Military Court. All but one of those receiving the death sentence were members of the military. The two colonels were accused of planning an attack on a convoy in March, with the aim of stealing four gold bars and $6,000 in cash being transported by the victims, who were returning from a gold mine. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, death penalties are regularly handed down but then systematically commuted to life imprisonment. "This must serve as an example for the black sheep in the armed forces," Lieutenant Jules Ngongo, a representative for military operations in the gold-rich Ituri province, told AFP. Attacks on Chinese-managed mines and Chinese workers are not uncommon in resource-rich eastern DRC, which has been ravaged by militia violence for decades. Last year, the DRC government placed security officials in charge of the administration of Ituri and the neighboring North Kivu province in a bid to curb violence. However, the measure has failed to stop attacks. The defense team said it would appeal. Egypt's energy minister says gas supplies in the Mediterranean region are probably sufficient to meet Europes need if investments are made to exploit gas fields in the area. Egyptian TV reported Saturday that Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades thanked Egypt for its efforts to jointly coordinate the exploitation of regional undersea natural gas resources by putting together the East Mediterranean Gas Forum last June. Arab media also reported Saturday that Egypt's energy minister, Tarek el Molla, who attended the one-day conference bringing together several nations in Cyprus Friday, said that gas supplies in the East Med region will be what he called a life-saver for Europe at a time of crisis," and "could eventually meet Europe's gas needs if the proper investments are made." Egypt has been critical in the past of European and international finance institutions for being unwilling or unenthusiastic about making investments in regional oil fields to share the burden of bringing gas production in several undersea fields online, which is frequently very costly. Egyptian political sociologist Said Sadek told VOA that the current international crisis resulting from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could eventually subside and "if Russian gas was again pumped to Europe, it would make some East Med gas fields less profitable to exploit." Sadek pointed out that a number of East Mediterranean gas fields are fraught with problems linked to regional rivalries and conflicts between Egypt and Turkey over fields near Libya and Greece and Turkey over fields in Cypriot territorial waters, and in fields between Greece and Turkey. "The Mediterranean is full of gas ...enough to export, but the trouble is the struggle, especially the problem with Libya is problematic and it will take time, [and] the Cana field in Lebanon was not ready, he said. Turkey wants a piece of the pie and they tried to harass Greece (in a variety of ways)." Sadek noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly told his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, when the latter visited Moscow recently, that he should "extend the TurkStream natural gas pipeline going from Russia to Turkey into Eastern Europe." Sadek added that such a move "angered a number of countries and that it would take several years to do, in any case." U.S.-based energy analyst Paul Sullivan concurs with Sadek, pointing out that "there is a lot of gas in the eastern Mediterranean region [but] it takes a long time to develop gas fields and transport infrastructure to get the gas to market." He stressed that "over time the East Mediterranean gas fields could bring much more gas to Europe and other places." "Investing in these fields," he added, "includes financial and even political and physical risks," as well. In a remote village in India, a siren can be heard from the local temple every night at 7 p.m. signaling the commencement of a daily digital detox. For the next 90 minutes, the population of 3,000 in Sangli districts Mohityanche Vadgaon lays aside all the electronic gadgets in the vicinity, including mobile phones and television sets. The second siren goes off at 8:30 p.m., indicating the end of the intermission. Until then, the villagers are encouraged to focus on activities such as reading, studying and engaging in verbal conversation with one another. Proponents of the initiative carried out at a village in the Maharashtra state of India say it is the solution to the screen addiction afflicting residents in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and brings back the value of human connection. The tactic was devised by Vijay Mohite, the sarpanch (Indian head of the village council) at Mohityanche Vadgaon. Jitender Dudi, the chief administrator of district development in Sangli, brought Mohites idea into fruition. 'Mobile phone addicts' Jayawant Mohite, who retired from teaching at school in the village two months ago said that the children turned into what he called mobile phone addicts after the COVID-lockdowns started and they were made to attend classes online, using mobile phones, in 2020. Students were found engrossed in their mobile phones for hours, even after online classes ended for the day. Once regular offline classes began last year, most of them were very inattentive in the classes and were found losing interest in academics, the former teacher told VOA. After interacting with the families of the students, we discovered that they were still spending long hours on their mobile phones before and after school hours. We counselled them and their families, but could not wean the students off their mobile phones. Finally, we approached the sarpanch of our village and apprised him of the situation, Mohite said. The concerned schoolteachers of the village also told the sarpanch that if the habit of overusing or misusing mobile phones by the students was not controlled swiftly, the future of the students would be doomed. Dr. J.R. Ram, a clinical psychiatrist in Kolkata, said, extended screen time can result in several adverse effects, but during the pandemic, the forced incarceration of young people at home has amplified its impact. He said that it becomes an obstacle for students progress in learning. Surfing on the internetthat is, multi-tasking deprives students of their ability to concentrate for longer periods when they need to study, Ram said. They get used to scrolling on social media, watching videos and exchanging text messages during classes. Such a situation can have negative consequences on ones cognition or thinking ability. Sarpanch Mohite told VOA that he held meetings with other village leaders and started devising strategies to stop the misuse and overuse of the technology by the students. Some leaders said that it was impossible to distance the children from their mobile phones, adding that they had never heard of any community that had succeeded in such an initiative. Some other leaders said that we should try to do something. Theres nothing to lose, in case we fail, they said, Mohite said. The villagers, however, were won over by the collaborative awareness program orchestrated by the village council employees, retired schoolteachers, anganwadi (rural childcare center) workers and members of Accredited Social Health Activist- a nation-wide community health service network, or ASHA, composed of female community health workers. The women in the village played a crucial role in the digital detox initiative. We gathered the village women, including the mothers of the students, and explained to them how the misuse of mobiles was destroying the future of the children, Sarpanch Mohite told VOA. When we proposed the idea of a digital detox, they all agreed with our concerns about the children and supported our idea, too. ASHA workers, who were also instrumental in persuading the villagers to embrace the idea of a digital detox, are local women trained to create awareness on health issues in their communities, according to the National Institute of Health and Welfare, India. 'Mandatory practice' The daily digital detox is now observed as a mandatory practice by the residents of Mohityanche Vadgaon, with a locality-wise team ensuring that every villager is adhering to the discipline. In August, we made a public announcement, requesting the villagers to help implement the No Mobile, No TV, for 1.5 Hours Daily proposal. On August 15observed as Independence Day in Indiawe introduced Digital Detox at our village in our style. Initially, some families were not cooperating. But, in such cases, their neighbors would report the cases to our village leaders, and our volunteers would immediately arrive at the houses of those families to convince them otherwise. Every family at the village is now complying with our digital detox rule, Vijay Mohite told VOA. After we have got a very good response from the villagers, we are pondering over an idea to extend the No mobile, No TV time to two or even 2.5 hours in near future, the sarpanch added. Word on the initiative at Mohityanche Vadgaon has traveled fast that five other villages in Sangli district have emulated Mohites concept and implemented similar steps. Rajubhai Mujawar, a resident of a nearby Nerli village, said that a daily ban on mobile and TV for 90 minutes will be introduced where he lives soon. The children have become mobile addicts. We have decided to introduce the rule of No mobile, No TV for 1.5 hours daily in our village soon, following what Mohityanche Vadgaon village has done, he said. Iran has once again rejected allegations that it has supplied Russia with weapons "to be used in the war in Ukraine", its foreign ministry said Saturday. Kyiv and many of its Western allies have accused Moscow of using Iranian-made drones in attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks. The topic is expected to be discussed by European Union foreign ministers in a meeting in Luxemburg on Monday. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian "emphasized that the Islamic republic of Iran has not and will not provide any weapon to be used in the war in Ukraine," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "We believe that the arming of each side of the crisis will prolong the war," the Iranian foreign minister said in a call with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho. "We have not considered and do not consider war to be the right path either in Ukraine or in Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen." In a separate phone call with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday, Amir-Abdollahian reiterated Iran's official stance of neutrality over the war that started nearly eight months ago. "We have defense cooperation with Russia, but our policy regarding the war in Ukraine is not sending weapons to the conflicting parties, stopping the war and ending the displacement of people," he said. On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Iranian drones were used in Russian attacks on energy infrastructure in several Ukrainian cities. Last month, Kyiv decided to significantly reduce its diplomatic relations with Tehran over alleged arms deliveries to Russia. Iran said the decision was "driven by baseless information provided by foreign media propaganda". In September, the United States slapped sanctions on a company it accused of helping deliver Iranian drones to Russia for use in Ukraine. For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in Russias war on Ukraine. All times EDT. 10:25 p.m.: Russia's attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian cities away from the front lines will complicate the dire economic situation facing the country, which has seen a tenfold increase in poverty this year, a top World Bank official said on Saturday. Arup Banerji, World Bank regional country director for Eastern Europe, said Ukraine's rapid restoration of power after this week's large-scale Russian attacks on energy facilities reflected the efficiency of the wartime system, but Russia's shift in tactics has elevated risks. "If this continues, the outlook is going to be much, much harder," he told Reuters in an interview. "As winter really starts biting ... certainly by December or January, and if the houses are not repaired ... there may be another internal wave of migration, of internally displaced persons." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week told international donors that Ukraine needed about $55 billion: $38 billion to cover next year's estimated budget deficit, and another $17 billion to start to rebuild critical infrastructure, including schools, housing and energy facilities. 9:22 p.m.: Ukrainian investigators have completed the exhumation of soldiers in one of two mass graves discovered after Russian troops retreated from the town of Lyman in eastern Donetsk region, police said on Friday. "Police have removed the bodies of 34 Ukrainian defenders from the mass grave," Donetsk regional police said in a statement, according to Reuters. "Work continues at a second location where more than 120 civilians are buried. The fate of each person who died will be determined." The soldiers' bodies have all been transferred to a morgue and will be returned to their relatives for burial once they are identified and the cause of death is determined, the police said. Since Sept. 29, Donetsk police said they had found the bodies of 144 people, 85 of them civilians, with 108 exhumed from makeshift graves, and the rest found in buildings or on the streets. Some of the civilians, they said, "have signs of violent death, in particular shrapnel injuries." 8:54 p.m.: French President Emmanuel Macron has backed a proposal to train up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the country, Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu told newspaper Le Parisien on Saturday, according to Reuters. "They will be assigned to our units for several weeks," he said, adding that military training for the use of Caesar howitzers had previously been offered to Ukrainian soldiers. "But now it's a change of scale," Lecornu said. The minister said France had delivered 18 Caesar howitzers to Ukraine and that talks were going on to send six more. On top of these, France is also weighing the delivery of ground-to-ground missiles, Lecornu said. He also pledged that France would provide Crotale short-range anti-air missiles, which are used to intercept low-flying missiles and aircraft. "The number (of Crotales) is being determined with the Ukrainians, but it will be significant to allow them to defend their sky," Lecornu said. 7:44 p.m.: A fuel depot in Russia's Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, caught fire after shelling on Saturday, its governor said, without specifying the origin of the shelling, Reuters reported. Russian border regions including Belgorod have accused Ukraine of attacking targets, including power lines and fuel stores, since Moscow sent its armed forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv. "We have another shelling. One of the shells hit an oil depot in the Belgorod district. Emergency services are already battling the fire. There is no danger of [the fire] spreading," the governor of Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said on social media, posting a picture of flames and black smoke rising into the air. 7 p.m.: Elon Musk said earlier Saturday that his rocket company, SpaceX, would continue to fund its Starlink internet service to Ukraine, Reuters reported. But it wasnt clear that he was serious. But he later appeared to indicate it was. When a Twitter user told Musk "No good deed goes unpunished," he replied "Even so, we should still do good deeds." Musk said on Friday that SpaceX could not indefinitely fund Starlink in Ukraine. The service has helped civilians and military stay online during the war with Russia. 6:20 p.m.: Kyiv region Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba said a missile that hit a power site Saturday morning didn't kill or wound anyone, The Associated Press reported. Citing security, Ukrainian officials didn't identify the site, one of many infrastructure targets the Russian military tried to destroy after an October 8 truck bomb explosion damaged the bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Ukrainian electricity transmission company Ukrenergo said repair crews were working to restore electricity service but warned residents about further possible outages. 5:25 p.m.: Regions of southern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed saw more heavy fighting Saturday as Ukrainian soldiers pressed a ground campaign, The Associated Press reported. To the north and east of Kherson, Russian shelling killed two civilians in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Gov. Valentyn Resnichenko said. He said the shelling of the city of Nikopol, which is across the Dnieper from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, damaged a dozen residential buildings, several stores and a transportation facility. Officials said the Russian military carried out a number of strikes with Iranian-made kamikaze drones and S-300 missiles in the Zaporizhzhia region. Dmytro Pocishchuk, a hospital medic in the Zaporizhzhia region's capital who has treated dozens of people wounded during Russian attacks in recent weeks, said people sought safety outdoors or in his building's basement when the familiar blasts started at 5:15 a.m. local time on Saturday. If Ukraine stops, these bombings and killings will continue. We cant give up to the Russian Federation," Pocishchuk said several hours later. He put a small Ukrainian flag on the broken windshield of his heavily damaged car. 4:30 p.m.: Two volunteer soldiers on Saturday fired at other troops at a Russian military firing range near Ukraine, killing 11 and wounding 15 others, before being killed, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The ministry said in a statement that the shooting took place in the Belgorod region in southwestern Russia that borders Ukraine. It said that the two volunteers from an unnamed ex-Soviet nation fired on other soldiers during target practice and were killed by return fire. The ministry called the incident a terrorist attack. The shooting comes amid a hasty mobilization ordered by President Vladimir Putin to beef up Russian forces in Ukraine a move that triggered protests and caused hundreds of thousands to flee Russia. 3:45 p.m.: The Ukrainian armed forces' general staff said in a Facebook post that troops had on Saturday repelled a total of 11 separate Russian attacks near Kramatorsk, Bakhmut and the town of Avdiivka, just to the north of Donetsk, Reuters reported. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces, which rained cruise missiles on several Ukrainian cities on Monday, had hit targets in seven regions over the last two days. "Some of the missiles and drones were shot down but unfortunately, not all of them. Unfortunately, there is destruction and casualties," he said. Kyiv said on Friday that it expected the United States and Germany to deliver sophisticated anti-aircraft systems this month. Zelenskyy also said almost 65,000 Russians had been killed since the February 24 invasion, a figure far higher than Moscow's official September 21 estimate of 5,937. In August the Pentagon said Russia has suffered between 70,000 and 80,000 casualties, either killed or wounded. 3: p.m.: Ukrainian troops still hold the strategic eastern town of Bakhmut despite repeated Russian attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday. Zelenskiy, speaking in an evening address, also said Russian missiles and drones had continued to hit Ukrainian cities, causing destruction and casualties, Reuters reported. Although Ukrainian troops have recaptured thousands of square kilometers of land in recent offensives in the east and south. But as Kyiv's forces meet more determined resistance, fighting has become particularly intense in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk provinces bordering Russia. Russian forces have repeatedly tried to seize Bakhmut, which sits on a main road leading to the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, both in the Donetsk region. "Active fighting continues in various areas of the front. A very difficult situation persists in the Donetsk region and Luhansk region," Zelenskyy said. "The most difficult (situation) is in the direction of Bakhmut, as in previous days. We are holding our positions." 2:30 p.m.: Elon Musk tweeted on Saturday that his rocket company SpaceX would continue to fund its Starlink internet service in Ukraine, a day after he said it could no longer afford to do so. It was not immediately clear whether Musk's offer was genuine. 1:45 p.m.: Russian forces shelled the Ukrainan city of Nikopol wounding at least seven people, reports The Kyiv Independent . Yevhen Yevtushenko, head of the Nikopol district military administration, said two people were injured during the night and five people were wounded in the Saturday morning attack. He said that the attacks were focused on maximum damage to civilians. More than 50 Russian shells were fired into Nikopol overnight, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Valentyn Reznichenko said on Telegram. 12:40 p.m.: Ukraines military General Staff reports that Russia has lost nearly 64,700 troops since February 24th. The report found Russian forces had also lost 2,524 tanks, 5,179 armored fighting vehicles, 3,951 vehicles and fuel tanks, 1,582 artillery systems, 365 multiple launch rocket systems, 186 air defense systems, 268 airplanes, 242 helicopters, 1,210 drones, and 16 boats. 11:33 a.m.: Ukrainian troops have launched an offensive in Kherson Oblast reports the Kyiv Independent. Kirill Stremousov, a deputy head of the Russian illegal occupation government in Kherson Oblast, said that the Ukrainian military is trying to launch an offensive near the village of Dudchany. The Ukrainian government has not confirmed the military action, but the offensive was reported by several pro-Kremlin war journalists, including Yevgeny Poddubny and Alexander Kots. 10:57 a.m.: Saudi Arabia will provide $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The announcement from the oil-rich country comes amid criticism for its decision to side with Russia on a deal to cut global oil production. Saudi Arabias agreement to cut oil production was criticized by U.S. President Joe Biden who has since called for a re-evaluation of ties with the kingdom. The United States has sought to isolate Moscow and believes that a rise in oil prices from decreased production will provide Russia with more oil revenue to fund the war in Ukraine. 9:50 a.m.: Power has again been restored at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, reducing worries about an accident at one of the wars most sensitive sites, reports the New York Times. Ukrainian engineers continue to operate the plant under the watch of Russian soldiers. Moscow recently said it was nationalizing the facility. The nuclear plant sits in one of four Ukrainian provinces that Russian President Vladimir Putin declared had been annexed to Russia this month. 8:40 a.m.: A Russian missile strike seriously damaged a key energy facility in Ukraines capital region, the countrys power system operator said, as reported by the Associated Press. Kyiv region Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said the strike did not kill or wound anyone. Electricity transmission company Ukrenergo said repair crews were working to restore power but warned residents about possible outages. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidents office, urged Kyiv area residents and people in three neighboring regions to reduce their energy consumption during evening hours of peak demand. 7:52 a.m.: The first Russian soldiers to take part in a new joint force with Belarusian troops have arrived in Belarus, Minsk's defense ministry said on Saturday. The first convoys of Russian servicemen from the regional force group have arrived in Belarus, the ministry said, adding that their mission was exclusively to strengthen the protection and defense of the border." Images from the ministry showed soldiers being welcomed by women wearing traditional costumes and greeting them with bread and salt. The deployment raised fears that Belarusian troops could join Russian forces in their offensive in Ukraine. Minsk said that the contingent was purely defensive. 5:32 a.m.: The latest intelligence update from the U.K. defense ministry said contingents of mobilized Russian reservists have been deployed to Ukraine over the last two weeks. Their average level of personal equipment is almost certainly lower than the already poor provision of previously deployed troops. Many reservists are likely required to purchase their own body armor. Endemic corruption and poor logistics remain one of the underlying causes of Russias poor performance in Ukraine, the update concluded. 4:34 a.m.: The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think tank, said in its latest Ukraine assessment that Ukrainian and Western officials continue to reiterate that they have observed no indicators of preparations for a Belarusian invasion of Ukraine, despite alarmist reports in the Belarusian information space that President Alexander Lukashenko has introduced a counter-terrorist operation regime. The assessment said Russian troops conducted limited ground attacks west of Kreminna and in northwestern Kherson Oblast in order to regain lost positions. Russian troops also continued ground attacks around Bakhmut and Donetsk City. 3:22 a.m.: Hungary on Friday published a national consultation survey asking citizens to agree or disagree with the government's opposition to European Union sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reported. "We believe that the sanctions are destroying us," reads a statement on the government's Facebook page, where the taxpayer-funded, seven-question survey is published. The survey has no legal implications. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has sought close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent years, has frequently railed against the sanctions. Budapest, highly dependent on Russian oil and gas and currently seeing record inflation, has already secured an exemption from EU sanctions on Russian crude oil imports via pipelines. 2:31 a.m.: Sweden's coast guard said Friday there were no longer any visible leaks from the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. "During their latest flights over the Baltic Sea, coast guard aircraft have not been able to see any roiling on the sea's surface," the coast guard said in a statement, citing two flights Thursday and Friday, Agence France-Presse reported. Preliminary underwater inspections back up suspicions of probable sabotage, Sweden says. Although the pipelines were not in operation, they contained gas before falling victim to the apparent sabotage. 1:21 a.m.: Ukraine's central bank chief said on Friday he plans to ask the global financial crime watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to expel Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported. Newly appointed central bank governor Andriy Pyshnyi said on Facebook that he would make the request on behalf of the bank in a letter to the FATF before the organization's plenary session on October 18-21. Russia is a member of FATF; Ukraine is not. Pyshnyi accused Russia of "creating serious threats to the security and integrity of the world's financial system" and demanded that Moscow be made to "feel the price" for its invasion of Ukraine. 12:02 a.m.: The shareholders of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on Friday elected Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko to chair the boards of governors of both institutions in 2023, Reuters reported. The unanimous decision, which came during the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Washington, means that Marchenko will also chair next year's annual meeting of the institutions, which is scheduled to be held in Morocco. It marks the first time that Ukraine will lead the institutions since it joined 30 years ago, Marchenko said in a statement released by the Ukrainian finance ministry. Some information in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Israel's military carried out an arrest raid in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank and killed two Palestinians in gunbattles Friday, according to Palestinian reports, and the army said later it killed a Palestinian who carried out a shooting near a settlement, wounding an Israeli civilian. It was the latest bloodshed in what has become the deadliest year in the territory since 2015. Palestinian militant groups claimed both slain men in the Jenin refugee camp as members, though there were conflicting statements about the circumstances surrounding the death of one of them, a hospital doctor. The Palestinian Health Ministry said Dr. Abdullah al-Ahmed was on duty, attending to the wounded outside his hospital, when he was shot. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, an armed offshoot of the secular Fatah party, claimed he was a member. In a poster announcing his death, the group said he died "in an armed clash" with Israeli forces "defending the homeland." The poster showed him posing with two assault rifles. The second man killed Friday was identified by the militant group Islamic Jihad as a field commander. The camp is a stronghold of Islamic Jihad, a Fatah rival, and has been a frequent flash point for confrontations. Five people were wounded in the fighting, including two paramedics, as an ambulance was caught in the crossfire, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. Video showed an ambulance trapped in a narrow alley of the camp trying to retrieve a dead body as gunshots rang out. The Israeli army said it entered Jenin on Friday to arrest a wanted Hamas militant who had carried out recent attacks against Israeli security forces. Diaa Muhammad Yusef Salama, 24, was armed with an M-16 assault rifle as Israeli security forces apprehended him and two other suspects, it added. The raid set off a gunfight between soldiers and armed Palestinians. Photos showed smoke billowing from the camp after militants apparently detonated explosives. The army said it opened fire on the armed men and warned uninvolved residents that they were risking their lives by being in the area. At one point, a firefight erupted outside the local hospital, witnesses said. The doctor who worked in the licensing department was shot in the head as he left the building to tend to a wounded man in the hospital yard, said hospital director Wisam Bakr, adding he knew nothing about reports al-Ahmed belonged to a militant group. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned Friday's shootings as "extrajudicial killings." "The Israeli government has crossed all the red lines," he said. Violence in settlements On Friday evening, the Israeli military said it killed a Palestinian attacker who opened fire and wounded a civilian near Beit El settlement, outside Ramallah town. It said a search was underway for more suspects. Also on Friday, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian houses in the village of Hawara in the northern West Bank, Wafa reported. Videos circulated online by witnesses showed settlers from a nearby Jewish settlement throwing rocks at a house in the village. Other videos showed Israeli soldiers scuffling with villagers who tried to protect the houses from the settlers. Palestinian medics said 66 people were injured during clashes with Israeli forces, two of them with live bullets. The majority sustained breathing difficulties because of tear gas, they said. A day earlier, settlers from the nearby Yitzhar settlement rampaged through the village. More than 120 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and east Jerusalem this year, making 2022 the deadliest year since 2015. The fighting has surged since a series of Palestinian attacks in the spring killed 19 people in Israel. Israel says most of the Palestinians killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed. Israel says the raids are needed to dismantle militant networks at a time when Palestinian security forces are unable or unwilling to do so. The Palestinians say the raids undermine their security forces and are aimed at cementing Israel's open-ended 55-year-old occupation of lands they want for their hoped-for state. Hundreds of Palestinians have been rounded up in such raids, with many placed in administrative detention, which allows Israel to hold them without trial or charge. The tensions spilled over into east Jerusalem this week, as Israeli police fired live rounds, tear gas and stun grenades on Palestinians throwing stones and fireworks across several neighborhoods in the contested city. Two Israelis were hurt in the confrontations, Israeli police said on Friday, adding that security forces arrested 18 suspects on charges of disturbing public order. The police said they scaled up their presence at flashpoint areas across the city. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. Hi, I once had some friends mainly from USA, Australia. I knew them by Yahoo Messenger, but Yahoo Messenger was gone a few years ago, so I lost touch with them. The info what I have now is their addresses,but no phone numbers or email addresses. Who could imagine that Yahoo Messenger vanished into thin air with the development of other chat rooms...... Now I have two ideas as follows: 1) Who can help me to find those friends? 2) Are there any chatrooms I can make a registration so that I might have a slim chance of finding them? Please note that I am a Chinese and live in China. I cannot visit some websites (for instance, google, youtube, twitter,facebook, etc....) from abroad because of something. Thanks in advance! Police recruit Nancy Laroche would once have considered herself an unlikely candidate to wear a badge. Growing up in a trailer park in Minnesota, Laroche thought police officers were the bad guys. I also thought police officers jobs were to go around making peoples lives harder because they werent hard enough. I know there is a large number of people in America who also believe that, Laroche said. Laroche is one of several recruits whom VOA interviewed at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, outside Washington, who say they want to build a better, kinder force. Like many other parts of the country, the Washington area is suffering a shortage of officers, a problem blamed on a tight labor market and a negative perception of the job after a spate of incidents in which officers killed unarmed Black people. Laroche chose to work for Arlington, Virginias police department because she thinks its values best reflect hers. They are extremely involved in the community, making sure that different people, groups are being reached making sure that those communities that need law enforcement get exposure to the police before a crisis happens, she said. Laroche said she was also impressed by how the department recruited her nearly a year ago. It was around the holidays and department staffers reached out with warm wishes, making her feel like part of their police family, even before she was hired. Such personal touches and extra efforts are becoming the norm as police departments across America struggle to meet recruiting goals. Patrick Loftus, director of strategic engagement for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, says recruiters are having to dig deep to find good talent, adding that negative perceptions of policing are also hindering recruitment. If you look at things that have happened over the last few years there has been a lot of anti-police sentiment out there, Loftus told VOA. Theres been negative coverage in the media. Theres been negative things on social media, and really that anti-police climate has really hurt our recruiting and not just us here. We talk to departments across the country and everyone is struggling to recruit. The shortage of police in the nations capital is acute. Officials say a fully staffed Washington Metropolitan Police (MPD) Department would have 4,000 members. The force currently has 3,400. MPD has innovated to attract candidates. Theyve taken to the skies, with planes pulling banners above beaches advertising the departments $20,000 signing bonus. They place ads on TikTok. They have also run a recruiting campaign in the New York City subway system urging foodies and influencers to become Washington police officers instead. The department helps some with college tuition costs, and rental assistance is offered to officers who decide to live in the city and not its suburbs. We are continuing to try to come up with just creative ways to attract the best candidates that we can, Loftus said. Meantime, theres still an active movement in the United States to defund the police. Its ranks swelled following high-profile deaths of Black men at the hands of law enforcement, such as the 2020 death of George Floyd in police custody in the state of Minnesota. The issue has split Democrats, with some, like President Joe Biden, demanding accountability for police actions but rejecting calls to slash law enforcement funding. Others, like New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, want police funding redirected. Affluent white communities already live in a world where the[y] choose to fund youth, health, housing etc more than they fund police, Ocasio Cortez said in a statement after Floyds death. Why don't we treat Black and Brown people the same way? Republicans have seized on the issue, seeking to portray Democrats as soft on crime. The Defund the Police campaign endorsed by Democrats has decimated our law enforcement, pushed them to leave their profession, and in some cases have even put a target on their backs, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of California tweeted last year. A Gallup poll released in May showed low public support for reducing police department budgets and shifting money to social programs, and minimal support for abolishing police departments altogether. There was broad support, however, for requiring officers to have good relations with the community and punishing officers who commit abuses. Change was a word VOA heard several times when interviewing recruits at training academies in Northern Virginia and Washington. Recruit John Cox said he chose to join the Alexandria Police Department because he likes how it interacts with the local community. I want to influence a little bit of change even if its just a small drop in the bucket, Cox said. Maybe we dont always make somebodys day better, but if I can influence a little positivity in the community thats kind of the ultimate goal to help people. And Loftus says police work is still exciting for those with a calling to serve. You can go from finding a lost child to a domestic violence call, he said. You can help change somebodys tire if they are on the side of the road broken down, give directions to a stranded motorist, catch a robber and thats all in one day. Authorities in Thailand say theyre planning a raft of new gun control measures in the wake of a mass shooting that has left the country reeling, though experts question how much theyll do to stop a repeat or drive down one of Asias highest firearm ownership rates. Panya Kamrab, a former police officer, stormed a child care center in Thailands northeast on October 6, armed with a gun and large knife. After shooting his way in, he went on a killing spree that left 36 dead, including 23 children, before heading home to kill his wife and son, then himself. Police said Panya had been fired from the force in June for drug abuse and was due in court the next day for sentencing on an illegal narcotics possession charge. Authorities have not revealed a motive for the attack, but the tragedy has shone a spotlight on the widespread prevalence of guns and gun violence in Thailand. The country of 69 million had 10.3 million guns in private hands over 4 million of them unregistered as of 2017, the latest year for which GunPolicy.org, a project of the University of Sydney, has data. Thats more than one gun for every seven Thais, the highest rate by far in Southeast Asia. Reacting to the massacre, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha chaired a special meeting of top officials Wednesday to try to find ways to bring down both legal gun ownership and rein in a thriving black market. Major General Achayon Kraithong, a spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said the leading proposals include adding psychological evaluations to the gun licensing process and having gun owners periodically reassessed. Police [proposed] the idea: Before you possess the gun, you have to have the certificate from the doctor of mental health, he told VOA. And when you get the gun and you get the license, maybe [every] one year or two years ... you have to prove by the doctor that you can have the right to [keep] the gun. Under the plan, a workplace supervisor or local government official would have to sign off on an applicants good character as well. 'Lack of effective enforcement' Achayon said police were also planning to step up their monitoring of illicit online gun sales and improve intelligence sharing between agencies. They also proposed an amnesty for unlicensed gun owners. The amnesty would allow owners a window of opportunity to turn in their unregistered firearms without penalties, which can run up to 10 years in jail. The spokesman said the details still had to be worked out and offered no timetable. Prayut and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda broadly backed the proposals while speaking to reporters after the meeting. Chavanut Janekarn, a criminologist and lecturer at Thailands Thammasat University and a 25-year veteran of the police force, said the plans would help keep guns out of at least some of the wrong hands. I think we should have [had] the psychological evaluation and personal evaluation for a long time before, he told VOA. It cannot resolve all the problems, but at least it is some source of [gun violence] prevention. Michael Picard, an independent firearms policy expert previously based in Thailand with GunPolicy.org, was more skeptical. He said Thailands existing gun licensing program was much tougher on paper than in practice and worried the same lax enforcement would follow any new rules. The dynamics of getting a firearms license is more that, basically, if youre willing to pay a bribe you can jump the queue and you can maybe be rushed through certain checks that would otherwise take a long time or would maybe be done more diligently, he said. So, I dont think this addresses the root cause of firearms proliferation in Thailand, which is essentially institutional corruption. Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Thailands Naresuan University, who studies the countrys security forces, agreed. Thailands largest issue regarding the law and guns is a lack of effective enforcement of the law, he said. Psychologists will become shrinks-for-hire in any state-manipulated attempt to forge a facade of gun control. Chambers also said any amnesty program would end up being poorly enforced. Chavanut said past amnesty drives in Thailand for guns and other contraband have suffered from a lack of interest, probably because the criminals believed the odds of getting caught were too low to scare them into coming forward. Question of 'overarching reform' Picard, though, is more enthused by the proposed amnesty, having seen similar drives work in Australia and New Zealand. He said Thailands own firearms amnesty in 2003 helped net some of the assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and other heavier small arms that were pouring into and through the country from the many insurgencies swirling around it at the time. Even so, Picard believes the latest proposals sidestep another fundamental flaw with Thailands gun control policies besides corruption: the way the government arms many of its police, soldiers and other officers. Under a long-running welfare guns program, many state employees can buy a variety of firearms tax free and at discounts of as much as half the market price, including soldiers and police officers, who use the program to arm themselves for work. Chavanut said officers and officials often use the program to stock up on weapons, hold on to them for the requisite waiting period, and sell them for a handsome profit, driving up the countrys gun ownership numbers in the process. Picard said his own research on Thailand suggested that many of the guns also end up on the black market. Ideally, Picard added, the government would scrap the program and issue all police and soldiers the weapons they need while on duty, as in most developed countries. But Chavanut said that was practically impossible given the massive budget rearrangement it would take. Police said the gun Panya used in last weeks attack was purchased through the discount program and legally owned, even months after he had been fired for drug abuse. Thats definitely a huge issue, and something where the government needs to ... rethink the big picture, said Picard. This isnt a question of tweaks; this is really a question of overarching reform. Iran's clerical rulers have faced the biggest protests in years since Mahsa Amini died last month in the custody of the morality police who enforce the Islamic Republic's strict dress code. Following is a timeline of events since her arrest: Sept. 13 - Mahsa Amini, from Iran's Kurdistan region, is detained by morality police in Tehran, the Iranian capital, because of her "inappropriate attire." Sept. 16 - Amini dies after falling into a coma. Police say she suffered a heart attack after being taken to a station to be "educated." Her family denies she had any heart problems. Her father later says she had bruises on her legs, and he holds police responsible for her death. President Ebrahim Raisi demands an investigation. Protests begin on social media and in the street. Sept. 17 - Protests erupt during Amini's funeral in Saqez, her hometown in Kurdistan. Security forces fired tear gas. Protests spread to the provincial capital. Chants of "death to the dictator" are heard, with some women removing headscarves. Sept. 18 - Demonstrations spread. Hundreds gather around the University of Tehran, shouting "Woman, Life, Freedom." Sept. 19 - Protests intensify, taking place in Rasht, Mashhad, Isfahan and Tehran, where security forces and demonstrators clash. Sept. 20 - An aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says he visited Amini's family to pay condolences and that Khamenei was pained by her death. An official blames terrorist groups for deaths in Kurdistan. Sept. 21 - Authorities curb access to Instagram and WhatsApp. Official sources confirm eight deaths in the unrest, including a member of the police and a member of the Basij militia. Sept. 22 - Protesters in Tehran and several other cities torch police stations and vehicles. Raisi says "acts of chaos" are unacceptable. The United States imposes sanctions on Tehran's morality police. Sept. 23 - The state organizes rallies in several cities with marchers calling for protesters to be executed. The army vows to "confront the enemies' various plots." State TV says the death toll is 35. Sept. 24 - After accusing armed Iranian dissidents of involvement in the unrest, the Revolutionary Guards carry out the first of several attacks on Iranian militant opposition bases in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. Raisi says Iran must deal decisively with protests. State TV says the death toll is 41. Sept. 27 - Security forces clash with demonstrators in dozens of cities. Despite the crackdown, social media from inside Iran continue to show protesters chanting, "Woman, Life, Liberty," while women wave and burn veils. Sept. 30 - State TV says militants fire on a police station in the southeastern city of Zahedan, prompting a shootout. State TV says 19 people are killed. The Guards say four of its forces and the Basij are killed. Amnesty International later says security forces killed 66 people, including children, in the deadliest day since protests started. Oct. 3 - In his first comments on the unrest Khamenei backs the security forces. He says Amini's death "deeply broke my heart" and calls it a "bitter incident" provoked by Iran's enemies. Defying his warning, Iranians in several cities chant "We want regime change" and "death to Khamenei." Oct. 7 - Authorities deny reports security forces killed a 16-year-old girl, saying she committed suicide. It is the second time in a week they said a teenage girl died falling from a roof. A coroner's report denies Amini died from blows to the head and limbs while in custody, linking her death to pre-existing conditions. Oct. 8 - Female students chant "get lost" as Raisi visits their university campus in Tehran. Oct. 10 - Protests spread to Iran's energy sector, according to reports on social media showing workers at Abadan and Kangan oil refineries and Bushehr Petrochemical Project demonstrating. Oct. 13 - Members of the Basij militia, troops which have been at the forefront of repressing popular unrest for decades, deploy in Kurdish areas where seven people are killed in protests. A fire broke out Saturday in Tehran's Evin prison, where many of Iran's political and dual-national detainees are held, and witnesses reported hearing gunfire. State news agency IRNA said eight people were injured in the unrest, which erupted after nearly a month of protests across Iran over the death in detention of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman. The protests have posed one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution, with demonstrations spreading across the country and some people chanting for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. An Iranian judiciary statement said a prison workshop was set on fire "after a fight among a number of prisoners convicted of financial crimes and theft." Tehran's fire department told state media the cause of the incident was under investigation. The prison, in the foothills at the northern edge of the Iranian capital, holds criminal convicts as well as political detainees. "Roads leading to Evin prison have been closed to traffic. There are lots of ambulances here," said a witness contacted by Reuters. "Still, we can hear gunshots." Another witness said families of prisoners had gathered in front of the main prison entrance. "I can see fire and smoke. Lots of special forces," the witness said. Calm restored A security official said calm had been restored at the prison, but the first witness said ambulance sirens could be heard and smoke still rose over the prison. "People from nearby buildings are chanting 'Death to Khamenei' from their windows," the witness said. Early Sunday, IRNA carried a video it said showed prison areas damaged by fire. Firemen were seen dousing the debris with water, apparently to prevent the blaze from reigniting. The prison mostly holds detainees facing security charges, including Iranians with dual nationality. It has long been criticized by Western rights groups and was blacklisted by the U.S. government in 2018 for "serious human rights abuses." Siamak Namazi, an Iranian American, has been imprisoned for nearly seven years on espionage-related charges that Washington rejects as baseless. He was returned to Evin Wednesday after being granted a brief furlough, his lawyer said. Other U.S. citizens held in Evin include environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, who also has British nationality, and businessman Emad Shargi, according to human rights lawyer Saeid Dehghan. He added that several other dual nationals are held at Evin, including French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah and Iranian-Swedish doctor, Ahmadreza Djalali. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price tweeted, "we are following reports from Evin Prison with urgency. We are in contact with the Swiss as our protecting power. Iran is fully responsible for the safety of our wrongfully detained citizens, who should be released immediately." Human Rights Watch has accused authorities at the prison of using threats of torture and of indefinite imprisonment, as well as lengthy interrogations and denial of medical care for detainees. "No security (political) prisoner was involved in today's clash between prisoners, and basically the ward for security prisoners is separate and far from the wards for thieves and those convicted of financial crimes," an unnamed official told the Tasnim news agency. The unrest at Evin prison occurred nearly a month after protests spread across Iran in the wake of Mahsa Aminis death the 22-year-old woman from the country's Kurdish region died Sept. 16 while being held for "inappropriate attire." Russian forces carried out more sporadic missile strikes Saturday in Ukraine, targeting facilities that provide power to the country and its residential areas. Kyiv regional Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said the strike damaged a key energy facility in Ukraines capital region, but no causalities were reported, and the location was not disclosed. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidents office, urged Kyiv-area residents and people in three neighboring regions to conserve energy during the evening hours of peak demand. The attack on the power transmission facility came hours after Ukrainian officials said Russia fired artillery into residential areas of Nikopol, southeast of Zaporizhzhia. Yevhen Yevtushenko, head of the Nikopol district military administration, said five people were wounded in the Saturday morning attack on the city. He said the attacks were focused on maximum damage to civilians. Russians killed at firing range At least 11 Russian troops were killed and 15 more were wounded Saturday when two Russian volunteer soldiers opened fire at a military firing range in the southwest Belgorod region near Ukraine, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Defense Ministry said the pair of volunteers were from a former Soviet nation and were killed by return fire, describing the incident as a terrorist attack. "During a firearms training session with individuals who voluntarily expressed a desire to participate in the special military operation (against Ukraine), the terrorists opened fire with small arms on the personnel of the unit," RIA cited a defense ministry statement as saying. Some Russian independent media outlets were reporting higher casualties. Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said in an interview that the attackers were from Tajikistan and had opened fire after an argument over religion, Reuters reported. Tajikistan is a predominantly Muslim nation in Central Asia. About half of Russians follow various branches of Christianity. The Russian ministry had said the attackers were from a nation in the Commonwealth of Independent States, which includes Tajikistan. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm Arestovychs comments or independently verify the casualty numbers or other details of the incident. More missile strikes Dozens of people in Ukraine have been killed and scores more wounded in the last week as Russian forces bombarded Ukrainian cities with missile strikes, hitting power stations, residential buildings, roads and recreational areas. Russias latest military campaign appeared to be in retaliation for a truck bomb that exploded a week ago, severely damaging the only bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing. Ukraines military has been concentrating its efforts on regaining territory in the south and east. It announced Saturday that its forces had repelled Russian attacks near 11 settlements. The General Staff reported that Ukrainian soldiers repelled attempted Russian advances near the settlements of Novosadove, Yakovlivka, Berestove, Bakhmut, Bakhmutske, Opytne, Krasnohorivka, Nevelske, Pervomaiske, Mariinka, and Pobieda in the Donbas region. Ukrainian officials said its military also hit five Russian command points along with seven concentrations of Russian troops and shot down six Russian drones. More US assistance The escalation in the fighting comes as the United States announced another round of military assistance for Ukraine. The White House pledged $725 million in a security package to help Kyiv. U.S. officials said the aid package does not include significant new capabilities or counterair defenses. Instead, it focuses on resupplying Ukraine with ammunition and weapons that Kyiv has been successfully using in its counteroffensive against Russia. Britains Defense Ministry said Saturday that although Russia has deployed more troops called up as part of a conscription program announced last month, the soldiers are likely poorly equipped. Russian President Vladimir Putin defended recent moves to escalate the war by sending more troops to Ukraine. Putin said Friday there was no need for massive new strikes on Ukraine and that Russia was not looking to destroy the country. At the same time, the Russian leader maintained he had "no regrets" about the war in Ukraine and the recent mobilization of 222,000 Russians reservists to fight in the conflict. Putin said Russia should be finished calling up reservists in two weeks. The Russian Defense Ministry set a goal last month of mobilizing 300,000 reservists, sparking opposition in Russia and leading to tens of thousands of men leaving the country. Meanwhile, power has again been restored at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. Ukrainian engineers continue to operate the plant under the watch of Russian soldiers. Moscow recently said it was nationalizing the facility, which is Europes largest nuclear power plant and is in one of four Ukrainian provinces that Putin declared were annexed to Russia this month. The site has come under intense rocket attacks numerous times since the start of the war setting off fears of a potential nuclear disaster. In a statement late Friday Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said employees at the nuclear plant were now facing unacceptable pressure to sign employment contracts with the Russian nuclear energy company, Rosatom. Information from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press was used in this report. Venezuelan Gilbert Fernandez still plans to cross the dangerous Darien jungle into Panama and head toward the United States over land, despite a U.S. announcement that it will grant conditional humanitarian permits only to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants arriving by air. "The news hit us like a bucket of cold water," Fernandez said Thursday, a day after the announcement, which also stated that Venezuelans arriving by land at the Mexico-U.S. border would be returned to Mexico. Fernandez spoke to The Associated Press on a beach in Necocli, a Colombian town where about 9,000 people, mostly Venezuelans, waited to board a boat to take them to the entrance of the Darien Gap connecting the South American country to Panama. From there, migrants head by land through Central America and Mexico toward the U.S. Some on the Colombian beach said they would seek other routes into the United States or give up the voyage after hearing the news. Critics noted that the announced number of humanitarian visas is just a fraction of the number of Venezuelans seeking to enter the United States. No turning back But for Fernandez it was too late to turn back. He said he sold his car and his land in Venezuela to finance the trip with his 18-year-old son and his friends, and he no longer has money for a plane ticket to the U.S. "Those of us who have already started, how are we going to do that?" he wondered. "We are already involved in this." The U.S. and Mexico said Wednesday that the Biden administration agreed to accept up to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants at U.S. airports, while Mexico agreed to take back Venezuelans who come to the U.S. over land. Venezuelans who walk or swim across the border will be immediately returned to Mexico under a pandemic rule known as Title 42 authority, which suspends rights to seek asylum under U.S. and international law on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The U.S. offer to the Venezuelans is modeled on a similar program for Ukrainians who fled Russia's invasion. The moves are a response to a dramatic increase in migration from Venezuela, which surpassed Guatemala and Honduras in August to become the second-largest nationality arriving at the U.S. border after Mexico. So far in 2022, more than 151,000 people have crossed into Panama through the jungle, the majority 107,600 Venezuelans. That already exceeds the 133,000 people who crossed in the previous year, according to official Panamanian figures. The trip through the inhospitable jungle is fraught with dangers, including thieves, human traffickers and the possibility of sexual assault. Armed groups operate in the region. Arrests of Venezuelans at the U.S. border have also increased. Authorities detained Venezuelans 25,349 times in August, making them the second most detained nationality at the border, after Mexicans. For some, the offer of 24,000 humanitarian visas is not enough given the dimensions of Venezuela's migration situation, and many consider the conditions on those visas too difficult. Maria Clara Robayo, an investigator for the Venezuelan Observatory at Colombia's Del Rosario University, said the flow of migrants through the Darien Gap might be reduced a bit but won't stop. "People will continue exposing themselves to precarious situations" crossing the jungle, she said. Reconsidering options Jeremy Villegas arrived in Necocli in a group of 30 people, most of whom are turning back or looking for other routes. He said he is still undecided and is waiting to hear from people who are farther along the route to know if it is worth the risk. Cristian Casamayor said he has decided to stop his journey through the Darien after hearing of the new U.S. policy. "I stopped out of awareness and being smart. ... They mark your passport, and you can no longer enter the United States," he said, adding that he has not decided where he will go now. All he knows is that he will not return to Venezuela. Mario Ricardo Camejo, a member of the nonprofit Colombian-Venezuelan foundation Fundacolven, said that while they appreciate any help and humanitarian visas from countries like the U.S., they worry the help comes with conditions that make it difficult on the poorest migrants. For example, having to arrive by plane and having a financial sponsor. "Automatically, a filter is created that ensures the help does not reach the people who need it most," Camejo said. Of the more than 7.1 million Venezuelans who have left their country because of the social and economic crisis, at least 4.3 million have difficulties accessing food, housing and formal employment, according to a report released Wednesday by the International Organization for Migration and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Venezuelans back in that country's capital agreed the new rules will hurt. "The people who leave by land have no money, no visa, no family there" in the United States, Jose Santana said in Caracas' central plaza. "It is useless for them to say that they are going to let many enter by plane." President Joe Biden said Friday that he was "stunned" by the mass protests in Iran, which has seen its biggest wave of demonstrations in years after the death of a young woman arrested by the country's morality police. "I want you to know that we stand with the citizens, the brave women of Iran," he said at a college in Irvine, California, addressing protesters who had gathered holding "Free Iran" signs. "It stunned me, what it awakened in Iran. It awakened something that I don't think will be quieted for a long, long time," Biden added. Earlier Friday in Washington, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with rights activists. Harris voiced her "support for the brave women and girls leading peaceful protests in Iran to secure equal rights and basic human dignity," the vice president's office said in a statement. Blinken earlier led a roundtable to listen to overseas Iranians including Nazanin Boniadi, an Iranian-born actress and human rights advocate, as well as writer Roya Hakakian and gender equality activist Sherry Hakimi. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline cleric, has accused the United States of whipping up the protests to destabilize the Islamic republic. Blinken said he expected similar accusations that his meeting showed the protests were coming from outside Iran. "If that's the case, if they genuinely believe that, they fundamentally fundamentally do not understand their own people," Blinken said of the Iranian leadership. "In the wake of Mahsa Amini's death and the spontaneous demonstration of outrage that this has produced, I think we are seeing something that is quite remarkable throughout the country, led primarily by women and young people," Blinken said at the beginning of the meeting. Blinken was joined by Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who has championed women's rights, and Rob Malley, the U.S. point man on Iran who has led months of talks in a bid to restore a 2015 nuclear accord. The protests were sparked by the September 16 death of Mahsa Amini, 22. More than 100 people have been killed since, according to the group Iran Human Rights, based in Oslo, Norway. The unrest has continued despite what Amnesty International called an "unrelenting brutal crackdown" that included an "all-out attack on child protesters" leading to the deaths of at least 23 minors. Biden spoke briefly about the Iran protests ahead of a speech on lowering costs for American families in Irvine, near Los Angeles, which has a large Iranian community. "Women all over the world are being persecuted in various ways, but they should be able to wear in God's name what they want to wear," Biden said. Iran "has to end the violence against its own citizens simply exercising their fundamental rights," he added. "I want to thank you all for speaking out," he told the local Iranian community. Russia continues to attack civilian targets in Ukraine, at times using Iranian-made drones. Experts tell VOA that Russia may be turning to Iran and North Korea for military supplies because it is running out of its own. VOA Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports Venezuelan migrants hoping to enter the United States from Mexico on Friday protested a new U.S. program granting legal entry to 24,000 people from the crisis-wracked country while deporting all those who cross the southern border illegally. In Matamoros, a Mexican city across the border from Brownsville, Texas, some 70 Venezuelans with their hands painted white marched in chains on the Gateway International Bridge, asking to be allowed on U.S. soil. The demonstrators, part of the first group of deportees under the new immigration rules, wore the uniforms of the detention centers where they were held before being transferred back to Mexico. Washington and Mexico City on Wednesday announced an agreement that would allow 24,000 Venezuelans to enter the United States if they can prove they have sponsorship, and only if they fly into the country. As part of the deal, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden said it would immediately return to Mexico any Venezuelans caught crossing the border illegally. Until now, they had been granted exceptions due to Washington's distrust of the hard-left regime in Caracas, which it says punishes political opponents. The program -- launched a month ahead of elections -- is a bid by Biden to chart a path between Democratic demands to help desperate migrants and Republican calls to stem what they paint as a "tide" of illegal migration. The deal mirrors a controversial push by former president Donald Trump to keep Central Americans fleeing poverty and violence inside Mexico while their claims are processed. On the verge of tears, some of the protesters said they were deceived by U.S. authorities as they had already been in the country for 10 days. "They deceived us, saying that we were going to [the immigration office] when it was a lie (...) they didn't tell us anything either, just walk, walk," Jonathan Castellanos, one of the Venezuelans, told AFP. Confused, Castellanos said he only found out he was back in Mexico because a woman who was waiting her turn to cross into the United States brought it to his attention. "What do you mean, Mexico? And that's when it dawned on us," he recalls. The group remained for about five hours on the bridge, which was shut down while U.S. authorities set up barbed wire barricades and deployed numerous border police. After talks with the local border patrol chief, the Venezuelans left the bridge. Some of them also accepted offers from Mexican immigration agents to be transferred to Mexico City and start their application process from there. The number of Venezuelans seeking to reach the United States has soared amid an implosion of the economy in the leftist-ruled South American country. Nearly 6 million Venezuelans have fled their country, with 2.4 million in neighboring Colombia, according to U.N. figures. 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. Documents: Florida Migrant Transport Planning Began in July Florida officials began planning to transport migrants to other states in July and told potential contractors their task would be to relocate them on a voluntary basis, according to state documents, The Associated Press reports. Bedrock of Legal US Immigration Leaves Millions Waiting for Years For decades, sponsorship through immediate families has been significantly backlogged, which immigration advocates say presents barriers to family reunification. Immigration researchers shared with VOA that it would take some pretty ambitious legislators to change the status quo. VOA's immigration reporter Aline Barros reports. US, Mexico OK Ukraine-Type Relief for Venezuelan Migrants The Biden administration agreed to accept up to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants who arrive at U.S. airports, similar to how Ukrainians have been admitted since Russia's invasion, while Mexico has agreed to take back Venezuelans who come to the U.S. illegally over land, the U.S. and Mexico said Wednesday. Effective immediately, Venezuelans who walk or swim across the border will be immediately returned to Mexico under a pandemic rule known as Title 42 authority, which suspends rights to seek asylum under U.S. and international law on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19, The Associated Press reports. Migration around the world Following Perilous Journey, Syrian Refugees Navigate EU Immigration Rules In November 15-year-old Mahmoud Seleem and his father, Mohammad Seleem, from Syria, crossed the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Italy in a rickety boat. They eventually applied for asylum in the Netherlands. They were among the fortunate: Nearly 3,000 refugees vanished last year crossing Europe's deadliest border. From a refugee camp in the Netherlands, Ruud Elmendorp reports for VOA. Pope, Calling Migrants' Exclusion 'Criminal', on Collision with Meloni Pope Francis on Sunday made an impassioned defense of migrants, calling their exclusion "scandalous, disgusting and sinful," putting him on a collision course with Italy's upcoming right-wing government. Francis made his comments as he canonized a 19th century bishop known as the "father of migrants" and a 20th century man who ministered to the sick in Argentina, according to Reuters. UN Refugee Agency Appeals for Greater Protection of People Fleeing Conflict, Persecution In an opening speech to the UNHCRs Executive Committee, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi appealed to member states to provide protection to people fleeing conflict and persecution, regardless of ethnicity and nationality. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva. After Fleeing War, Ukrainians Struggle to Settle Around Europe Ukrainians were initially welcomed with open arms into shelters and homes across Europe, where authorities skipped bureaucratic hurdles at a speed that raised eyebrows among refugees from Syria, Africa and elsewhere. Yet as the war drags into its eighth month and their hopes of a quick return recede, many feel in limbo and are struggling to make ends meet, Reuters reports. UN: Migrants in Libya Compelled to Go Home Under Threat of Abuse A new U.N. report finds migrants in Libya are subject to systematic human rights violations and abuse to compel them to accept so-called assisted returns to their countries of origin. Authors of the report say migrants in Libya are trapped in an untenable situation. They say the migrants are forced to choose between returning to the countries they fled because of unsafe or unsustainable conditions or facing continued ill treatment in Libya. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva. In pictures News Brief The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it will use the extra H-2B seasonal worker visas available in 2023 and will make available to employers an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2023, on top of the 66,000 H-2B visas that are normally available each fiscal year. The Department of Justice announced Friday a settlement with a Maryland company over immigration-related discrimination claims. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division wrote in a statement that employers cannot treat employees differently because of citizenship, immigration status, or national origin when verifying their permission to work. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the law to ensure that workers do not face discrimination when proving their permission to work in the United States. U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen, who last year declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program illegal, Friday ruled that the policy can continue with limitations that he previously set. His ruling allows about 600,000 immigrants enrolled in DACA to maintain their status and continue to renew their two-year work permit authorization and protections from deportation. However, no new applicants will be allowed, The Associated Press reports. A Billings man was sentenced to five years in prison earlier this week after sending naked pictures of himself to someone he thought was an underage girl. Martin Leo Jimenez, 28, was one of several people caught in a massive law enforcement operation targeting potential child rapists online. His sentencing Wednesday came nearly a year after his arrest. The overriding concern for the United States is that Jimenez is a true threat to public safety. The conduct that forms the basis of the offense here attempting to send an obscene image to a minor coupled with traveling to meeting that minor for a sexual encounter, reflects a true disregard for the public welfare, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus wrote in a sentencing memorandum filed in U.S. District Court. In October 2021, Jimenez responded to an online ad offering sex with a woman and her 11-year-old daughter by sending a naked photo of himself and his cell phone number, according to court documents. The exchange turned graphic, with Jimenez saying he had no limits when it came to age and described explicit sex acts that he wanted to carry out with the girl. After sending another full-frontal naked photo of himself, Jimenez agreed to meet with the two. He was arrested following this agreement. During a subsequent interview with investigators, court documents said, he admitted his intention was to have sex with the mother and daughter advertised online. The investigation which led to his arrest was the result of collaboration between the FBI, Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Attorneys Office and Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office. He was initially charged in Yellowstone County District Court with child sex abuse. County prosecutors filed similar charges against nearly 10 other people in the fall of 2021. A federal grand jury indicted Jimenez a few weeks after his arrest, and his charge in Yellowstone County District Court was dismissed. He reached an agreement with federal prosecutors in May 2022 in which he pleaded guilty to attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Before his sentencing in federal court, Jimenez had only one prior conviction for marijuana possession. Federal prosecutors asked the court for an 84-month sentence, citing a concern that Jimenez would reoffend once released from custody. Federal Defender Steven Babcock did not dispute the seriousness of the crime. He wrote in the defenses sentencing memorandum that since Jimenezs arrest in the fall of 2021, he has already started treatment for depression and trauma that he endured while growing up in the State of Washington. Emotionally and mentally, Martin is in a significantly better place compared to when the offense conduct was committed, Babcock wrote, requesting the court sentence Jimenez to five years. Along with five years in prison, U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters sentenced Jimenez to three years of supervised release following his incarceration. While in custody, Watters required that Jimenez undergo sex offender treatment. Last month, Watters sentenced a Billings man arrested in the same operation that led to charges against Jimenez to eight years in prison. Jason Robert Kroepelin, 33, admitted to federal charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor into sex and possession of child pornography. Russian forces continued to bombard Ukrainian cities, launching at least four missile strikes on the second largest city of Kharkiv as Ukraine fought back by firing artillery inside Russia and hitting an ammunition depot. Multiple explosions were reported Friday at the facility in the Belgorod region of Russia. The attack was announced by the regional governor on the social media site Telegram. Ukrainian officials have made no claims of responsibility for the attack. The fighting in Ukraine comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin defended recent moves to escalate the war by deploying more troops in the country. Putin said Friday there was no need for massive new strikes on Ukraine and that Russia was not looking to destroy the country. At the same time, the Russian leader maintained he had no regrets about the war in Ukraine and the recent mobilization of 222,000 Russians reservists to fight in the conflict. SEE ALSO: At a news conference Friday in Astana, Kazakhstan, Putin said 16,000 of the new recruits already have been deployed in units involved in fulfilling combat tasks. Russian media reported at least seven deaths among the recently drafted recruits. The casualties come as Russias defense ministry faces criticism from prominent pro-war Russian military analysts for deploying untrained recruits into combat. Despite the rising death toll, Putin told reporters his actions to launch a military offensive in Ukraine was timely and right. Hours before Putin spoke, Russian missiles and drones targeted more Ukrainian cities and towns for a fourth consecutive day. At least five people in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv were killed, officials said. Meanwhile, Ukraine's military said it had recaptured more than 600 settlements from Russian forces over the past month, according to the country's Ministry for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, as Russian forces continued to strike dozens of Ukraines cities, killing a number of civilians. Some 502 settlements have been liberated in the northeast Kharkiv region, where Ukrainian forces last month advanced deep into Russian lines and 75 localities were recaptured in the highly strategic Kherson region, the ministry said late Thursday. The ministry said 43 settlements were liberated in the Donetsk region and seven in the Luhansk region. "The area of liberated Ukrainian territories has increased significantly," the ministry said in a statement on its website. The report could not be independently verified. Civilians in the Russia-occupied Kherson region of Ukraine are expected to start evacuating Friday for Russia. Vladimir Saldo, the regions Russian-appointed leader, asked Russia for evacuation assistance. The move is an indication that Ukraines forces are advancing closer to the illegally annexed region. The first evacuees are expected to arrive in eastern Russia Friday. The announcement comes as the country marks Defenders Day to celebrate the nations fighters. Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to everyone who is fighting for it now, in a statement released Friday. In other developments, the United States warned it can impose sanctions on people, countries and companies that provide ammunition to Russia or support its military-industrial complex, as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, at a gathering of officials from 32 countries to discuss sanctions on Russia, said the department will issue guidance Friday making clear that Washington is willing and able to impose such a crackdown. In addition, the Biden administration's is set to unveil a new security assistance package for Ukraine. The military aid is expected to include munitions and vehicles but not significant new capabilities or counter-air defenses, according to two U.S. officials briefed on the $725 million package. Information from RFE/RL, Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this report. (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's miners do not expect any significant impact from the government's proposal to collect royalties in the form of refined minerals, the country's Chamber of Mines said on Monday. President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Sunday that Zimbabwe would require companies mining gold, diamonds, lithium and platinum group metals (PGMs) to pay part of their royalties in refined metal rather than cash. The Chamber of Mines, which represents major mining companies, said it was not worried about the pronouncement because it would not increase existing royalty rates. "We respect the government's position. It's their prerogative. All they are saying is they are changing payment modalities," Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Isaac Kwesu told Reuters. Zimbabwe has significant reserves of gold, lithium and PGMs, but an uncertain policy environment, power shortages and currency volatility have hobbled the country's mining industry. Foreign companies with operations in Zimbabwe include Anglo American Platinum AMSJ.J, Impala Platinum IMPJ.J, Sibanye Stillwater SSWJ.J, Alrosa ALRS.MM and Caledonia Corporation CALq.L. Impala said it was working with the Chamber of Mines to understand and respond to the new policy. "Paying royalties in U.S. dollars and or partly paying in equivalent metal product, on face value, does not materially alter the cost burden in Zimbabwe," Impala spokesperson Johan Theron said in an emailed response to Reuters. Caledonia, one of the largest gold producers in Zimbabwe, said it does not expect any significant impact from the change. "We have not seen the detailed mechanisms whereby this proposal may be implemented, but I do not think it would have any financial or operational effect on our business," Caledonia Chief Executive Mark Learmonth said in an emailed response to Reuters. Mineral royalties accounted for 2.8% of Zimbabwe's tax revenue in 2021, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority data shows. (Reporting by Nelson BanyaEditing by David Goodman) Russian forces carried out more missile strikes Saturday in Ukraine, targeting facilities that provide power to the country. The attacks damaged a key energy facility in Ukraines capital region. Kyiv regional Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said the strike did not kill or wound anyone. Electricity transmission company Ukrenergo said repair crews were working to restore power at the undisclosed location but warned residents about possible outages. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidents office, urged Kyiv area residents and people in three neighboring regions to conserve energy during the evening hours of peak demand. SEE ALSO: Dozens of people have been killed after Russia forces bombarded Ukrainian cities with sporadic missile strikes in the last week, hitting power stations, residential buildings, roads and recreational areas. Russias latest military campaign appeared to be in retaliation for a truck bomb explosion a week ago that severely damaged the only bridge that links Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. More US assistance The escalation in the fighting comes as the United States announced another round of military assistance for Ukraine. The White House pledged $725 million in a security package to help Kyiv. U.S. officials said the aid package does not include significant new capabilities or counterair defenses. Instead, it focuses on resupplying Ukraine with ammunition and weapons that Kyiv has been successfully using in its counteroffensive against Russia. Britains Defense Ministry said Saturday that although Russia has deployed more troops called up as part of a conscription program announced last month, the soldiers are likely poorly equipped. Russian President Vladimir Putin defended recent moves to escalate the war by sending more troops to Ukraine. Putin said Friday there was no need for massive new strikes on Ukraine and that Russia was not looking to destroy the country. At the same time, the Russian leader maintained he had "no regrets" about the war in Ukraine and the recent mobilization of 222,000 Russians reservists to fight in the conflict. Putin said Russia should be finished calling up reservists in two weeks. The Russian Defense Ministry set a goal last month of mobilizing 300,000 reservists, sparking opposition in Russia and leading to tens of thousands of men leaving the country. 'Ukraine is moving forward' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address Friday that Russia was in an "atmosphere of hopelessness." "Yes, they still have people to throw on the battlefield, they have weapons, missiles and 'Shaheds' [Iranian drones], which they use against Ukraine." But despite its resources, "Russia is already in the atmosphere of its defeat, already in the atmosphere of hopelessness for itself," Zelenskyy said, asserting Moscow has no chance to win because "Ukraine is moving forward." Russian-backed authorities in Ukraine's occupied southern region of Kherson urged residents Friday to evacuate to Russia. Vladimir Saldo, the region's Russian-appointed leader, asked Russia for evacuation assistance. The move is an indication that Ukraine's forces are advancing closer to the illegally annexed region. In other developments, power has again been restored at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. Ukrainian engineers continue to operate the plant under the watch of Russian soldiers. Moscow recently said it was nationalizing the facility, which is Europes largest nuclear power plant and is in one of four Ukrainian provinces that Putin declared as annexed to Russia earlier this month. The site has come under intense rocket attacks numerous times since the start of the war setting off fears of a potential nuclear disaster. In a statement late Friday Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said employees at the nuclear plant were now facing unacceptable pressure to sign employment contracts with the Russian nuclear energy company, Rosatom. Some information in this report came from RFE/RL, Reuters and The Associated Press. User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate St. Ignatius, MT (7.6 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short : Inside my tiny house, one big thump then some roll and rattle from south to north. No question an earthquake. One neighbor reported an explosion sound. | One user found this interesting. Out side Dixon (8.5 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : The house seamed to move for a second with a rumble. Thought at first something big was falling then realized nothing could cause that big of a rumble and make the house move. I was just sitting in a quiet house watching tv | One user found this interesting. ARlee, MT (13.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was istening to a you tube video with my head set on - I could hear the rumble and looked up and saw things shaking and a book vibrated off the table | One user found this interesting. Arlee, Montana (11 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short : Heard loud noise that sounded like an explosion or something crashing. Wondered if something had hit house. No rolling motion. Just like an abrupt bump. Saint Ignatius at 62006 Telcostair Lane (6.8 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s : It sounded like something blew up ! Like a really bad car wreck or a big truck hitting something. It rattled and shook the house but didnt even move the hanging plants like the last quake. 59865 (7.3 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Lateral shake like two large ripples came through the house.set off motion detractors but nothing cracked or slid. Felt like an explosion. Neighbor (1/8 mile) on a tractor didnt feel it, neighbor in his house (1/4 mile) did. Also said explosion feel. St. Ignatius, MT USA (6.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Just went inside and we all jumped and reacted wondering what it was | One user found this interesting. St Ignatius, MT (6.8 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Heard a boom and rumble. Entire house shook. | One user found this interesting. Arlee, Montana (12.1 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Felt like a bomb went off, shook the cabin. | One user found this interesting. St. Ignatius, 2 miles NE Montana. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 2-5 s : It moved west to east, shook as in someone opening outside door, then moved to items jumping on wood stove, feet on floor felt shaking. 37184 s. Valley creek rd Arlee mt 59821 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Yes, shaking glass then a big boom. We have had them before but this is the first I had ever had the boom. Dogs went nuts. Saint Ignatius, salish Addition / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 2-5 s : Felt like an explosion and our whole house shook. It literally lifted our couches and beds with full grown adults on them, our hanging frames are all crooked now. I'd describe it moderate. We thought it was a neighbor's trailer exploding from gas leak. St Ignatius, Mt / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s : It was more like an explosion. Large Windows rattled on east side of home. | One user found this interesting. Between Arlee and Ravalli (2.5 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short : A little vibration but we also heard it Ronan,MT (27.3 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Rattled dishes St Ignatius MT (6.7 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s Arlee (15.3 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : House shook and walls vibrated 1.5 miles south of Arlee Montana felt like an expl / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Concerned St Ignatius, MT / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s : Loud rumbling noise Arlee, MT / not felt St. Ignatius MT / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short : A hard jolt Saint Ignatius / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short : One boom and light shake of building Arlee mt / Light shaking (MMI IV) Volunteers of America will hold their inaugural Empty Bowl event Thursday, October 27, from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Metra Expo Center. The Billings Empty Bowl event will be an exciting opportunity to bring the community together in support of our neighbors in need. We will have live music, games for kids, and soups donated by the community. All funds raised go directly to support the life changing programs at Volunteers of America. Last year, our Veteran services programs empowered more than 3,000 Veterans struggling with homelessness to rebuild their lives. "The evening will be a wonderful way to not only raise money, but to raise awareness for those in need throughout our community. Volunteers of America would like to thank our Premier Corporate Sponsor, First Interstate Bank, as well as Sibanye-Stillwater, our newest Community Leader level sponsor, and all the other sponsors who make Empty Bowl a success," said Karl Cline, Chief Development Officer for Volunteers of America. The goal of the night is to highlight the extraordinary role each of us can play in empowering those less fortunate to build healthy and happy lives. Throughout the year, VOA provides services to more than 15,500 individuals and families because of the continued support from our communities Karl Cline added. Tickets for the event are available online at VOANR.org/EmptyBowl-Billings or at the door with costs of $30 for families (two adults and two kids), $15 for adults, and $5 for kids; children five and under are free. Purchase your tickets online now to help get attendees into the event quickly so that even more people can enjoy. Lobster works on display in Rome until 8 January 2023. Rome's Via Veneto, synonymous with the Dolce Vita era of the 1960s, has been enlivened with 12 colourful installations by British artist Philip Colbert. Born in Scotland in 1979, the London-based artist works across the mediums of painting, sculpture, digital art, fashion, furniture and design, and has exhibited in prestigious international galleries including The Tate Modern. Best known for his cheeky, satirical lobster characters, Colbert has been described in the media as "the godson of Andy Warhol" and "the crown prince of Pop art". Colbert's King Lobster on Via Veneto. Photo Hestetika. His lobsters now form part of a new public art project on Via Veneto, including the six-metre-high King Lobster which greets passersby with a royal crown and raised pincers. The Pop art works will be on display in Rome until 8 January 2023. Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share BRISTOL, Conn. A Connecticut police officer who was wounded in an apparent ambush that killed two of his fellow officers fired the shot that killed the attacker, police said. In a Facebook post Saturday, police in Bristol said Alec Iurato was hit by gunfire and returned fire on Wednesday, killing Nicholas Brutcher. The state medical examiners office said Brutcher, 35, died from a gunshot wound to the neck with spinal cord injuries. Sgt. Dustin Demonte and Officer Alex Hamzy were gunned down outside a home where they had responded to a 911 call about possible domestic violence that authorities said appeared to be a deliberate act to lure police there. Witnesses said they heard about 30 gunshots during the confrontation. Iurato was released from the hospital on Thursday. Brutchers brother, Nathan Brutcher, was wounded in the shootout. Nathan Brutcher hasnt been accused of playing any role in the attack. Advertisement The bodies of both officers were brought to funeral homes in separate processions Friday, as hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Bristol police station. In New York, the New York Yankees held a moment of silence in the officers honor before Game 2 of their American League Division Series game against Cleveland at Yankee Stadium. Police officials said all three officers were respected and had received commendations. Demonte, 35, was a 10-year veteran officer and co-recipient of his departments 2019 Officer of the Year award. His wife is expecting their third child. Hamzy, 34, worked eight years for his hometown police force. Like Demonte, he was an adviser to a police cadet program. Iurato, 26, joined the Bristol department in 2018 and has a bachelors degree in government, law and national security. Nicholas Brutcher was a divorced father of two and a gun, hunting and fishing enthusiast, according to his social media pages. In a photo posted on both brothers Facebook pages in 2016, Nicholas Brutcher is pointing a handgun at the camera while others, including Nathan Brutcher, are holding rifles. Other photos show Nicholas Brutcher with a 10-point deer he shot and with fish he caught. GiftOutline Gift Article Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share PHOENIX Arizonas Republican attorney general, Mark Brnovich, on Friday asked the FBI and IRS to look into an election integrity group that claimed to have uncovered widespread fraud in the 2020 election but never provided evidence. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight True the Vote, a nonprofit organization, has raised considerable sums of money on its claim that it had evidence of widespread fraud and may have broken federal tax laws, Reggie Grigsby, a criminal investigator in Brnovichs office, wrote to federal authorities. Leaders from True The Vote promised repeatedly over the course of a year to provide data supporting their claim that people illegally collected ballots and delivered them to drop boxes during the 2020 election, Grigsby wrote. The claim was at the center of 2,000 Mules, a debunked film that was aggressively promoted by former President Donald Trump to back up his claim he lost the presidency because of fraud. Advertisement But True the Vote Founder Catherine Engelbrecht and contractor Gregg Phillips never provided the data they promised to the attorney generals office despite claiming publicly that they had, Grigsby wrote. In June, they told state investigators they had given their data to the FBI while telling the FBI that the materials were given to the attorney generals office. Representatives from the organization did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday evening. Promises to investigate and expose fraud are a big fundraising draw among Trump supporters who believe the former presidents lies about the 2020 election. Several groups, for example, raised more than $5 million for a discredited audit of the 2020 election in Maricopa County, Arizona. That audit was conducted by Trump supporters on behalf of state Senate Republicans. Advertisement Federal and state election officials and Trumps own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the 2020 election was tainted. Trumps allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges he appointed. The referral to federal investigators is notable from Brnovich, who put his election investigations at the center of his unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate. Brnovichs campaign struggled after Trump assailed him for failing to arrest people based on discredited claims from the Maricopa County audit and the 2,000 Mules film. GiftOutline Gift Article A Virginia man pleaded not guilty earlier this week to a federal charge of trying engage in commercial sex with a child while in Billings. Mark Samuel Baker was indicted in U.S. District Court on one count of attempted sex trafficking of a minor. The 56-year-old was arrested in July of this year and initially charged in Yellowstone County District Court with prostitution of a child. Baker allegedly arranged to meet with someone he thought was a 15-year-old girl in mid-July, the Gazette previously reported. When he arrived at an agreed-upon location in Billings, police placed in him custody. On his person, according to court documents, he was carrying condoms and $375 in cash. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of prostitution of a child in Yellowstone County District Court soon after his arrest. He posted a $100,000 bond, and was allowed to return to a West Virginia residence under the condition that he surrender his passport. In September, a federal grand jury indicted Baker and a summons was issued for his appearance in federal court. County prosecutors dropped the child prostitution charge against Baker following the indictment, and he appeared in U.S. District Court in Billings on Thursday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan granted Baker a conditional release, again requiring him to turn his passport over to the court, and that he be monitored while staying in West Virginia. Baker was an employee with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the time of his arrest in July, and served as a police officer with the Winchester Police Department in Virginia for over a decade, according to the Winchester Star. If convicted, Baker could be sentenced up to life in prison, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years. In the introduction to his new essay collection, Provocations, Jeff Sparrow states he feels tremendously isolated as a socialist writer in a country as anti-intellectual as we. Like most Australian greats, Sparrow rejects the persona of ocker larrikinism that mainstream writers adopt to avoid accusations of elitism. He also admits that he reads and the breadth of references he cites is difficult to find elsewhere in Australian writing. By page three, we have heard from Aurelius, Orwell, Ned Kelly, H.G. Wells and a journalist called Bob Considine. The opening essay, A Slave State, is particularly important. Unpublished elsewhere and running almost 50 pages, here, Sparrow spreads his wings. It interrogates whether Australias blackbirding of South Pacific Islanders constitutes slavery. It comes close, with sugar plantation owners in North Queensland hoping to create a second Louisiana and not join Federation. Interestingly, opposition to this indentured non-white labour came in the spirit not of racial equality but of racial purity, a fear that the workers would pollute Australian whiteness. Many such important but uncomfortable historical discoveries are to be found here. Kanakas from various Pacific islands on a Queensland plantation during the blackbirding days early in the 20th century. Credit: Isolation does not free the writer from accolades or mainstream success. Sparrows Walkley-winning essay A Place of Punishment positions Behrouz Boochanis No Friend but the Mountains with literature of the Holocaust and poses the question: can art console the most oppressed in their darkest hour? For Boochani and the other inmates of Manus Island satirising the guards reclaims them a shred of power, but for Holocaust survivor Jean Amery mouthing poetry on his way to the IG Farben factory gives no relief. Sparrow concedes: One hesitates to invoke Auschwitz in a discussion of Australias asylum seeker detention regime, a system that for all its horrors, does not implement genocide. Surely, this makes the comparison moot. No wonder art could provide no respite to those whose day-to-day life was overshadowed by their certain death and the extermination of their race. As the European winter approaches and the energy crisis caused by Russias terrible war sets in, the smog in Poland grows progressively worse as households burn their own garbage for heat. Last month, Polish politician Jaroslaw Kaczynski told his Law & Justice Party supporters they must do whatever it takes to keep warm, Bloomberg reported. One needs to burn almost everything, except for tires and similarly harmful things, he said at a rally. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Credit:AP But it is not just trash darkening the skies. Across Europe, demand for the worlds oldest energy source, wood, is soaring and there are reports of hoarding and theft. Firewood is the new gold, a German man told the Washington Post. While waste and wood will keep some households warm, they will not sustain energy grids or industry. To do that, Europe, which has long led the world in efforts to tackle climate change, is turning back to energy sources that are rapidly warming the earth coal and gas. In many cases, they are stripping away environmental regulations in their haste to do so. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size On December 5, 2016, police agents entered a dockyard at the Port of Cartagena on Colombias Caribbean coast, searching for a shipping container labelled CAIU8547. It was the latest phase of the previously unpublicised Operation Chinos, in which Colombian law enforcement agencies, working on intelligence supplied by the Australian Federal Police, were attempting to crack a global cocaine trafficking ring. The container held a seemingly routine cargo: 100 metal drums, each containing 55 gallons of palm oil, destined for export to Spain. But each drum had a false bottom, with compartments holding a total of 212 kilograms of cocaine. Cocaine was hidden inside a compartment with barrels containing palm oil. Credit:AFP It was the largest seizure from a syndicate that had previously exported shipments of cocaine bound for Australia, Hong Kong and Europe on at least three occasions. The previous year, AFP surveillance alerted Colombian authorities to a dragonfruit shipment destined for Hong Kong. Acting on the information, customs officers in Hong Kong painstakingly sliced open nearly 2000 dragonfruit, and discovered that 98 of them had been injected with liquid cocaine. Advertisement A dozen members of the Chinese-Colombian syndicate were identified, but it wasnt until 2021 that enough evidence was gathered to issue arrest warrants. The dragonfruit shipment from Colombia containing 15kg of liquid cocaine. Credit:AFP Two days after the warrants were issued, three members of the syndicate Abeline Quintero Garzon, alias Pepe, Davier Quintero Garzon, and Hermides Quintero Garzon were killed by FARC dissidents in the Caqueta district, on the edge of the Amazon jungle. The brutal world in which AFP officers are working is exposed in a huge cache of emails and documents hacked from the Attorney-Generals department of Colombia, and revealed in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on Friday. The AFP said it is assessing the risks caused by the exposure of sensitive data in the leak, which was carried out by a group of hackers named Guacamaya. The AFP was unaware of the hack until alerted by this masthead on October 4. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was briefed about the hack and responded to questions on Friday by saying: we dont talk about AFP operations, and that is the appropriate response that I would give. The material, which contains the identities of secret agents, surveillance methods and other sensitive information, had been made available by Guacamaya on a password-protected database since August. Advertisement The AFP is working with our partners in impacted regions to mitigate any potential threats to the safety of people, or ongoing investigations, an AFP spokesperson said. The AFP is working with international partners to support Colombias law enforcement efforts to safeguard their computer systems. Altogether, the AFP was involved in 220 operations stopping drugs from reaching Australia last year. A joint operation led by the AFP resulted in the charging of six people and interception of a large amount of cocaine off the NSW coast in February 2017. Credit:AFP Its activities do not just involve the drug trade. The leaked documents also show the AFP was investigating gold exports from Colombia, and in 197 cases the destination was Australia, the 10th most common place for these exports in 2020. Revenues from these operations fuel guerilla groups like the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the dissident members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which increasingly rely on illegally mined gold to fill their coffers as an ounce of gold sells for more than an ounce of cocaine. A report from the (Colombian Army) Vulcan task force detailed a raid on a cocaine lab in 2021, where members of the ELN, Colombias largest leftist guerilla group, were guarding the lab. Advertisement The [army] unit, through an eight-day infiltration, surprised members of the armed force who were securing and processing cocaine, leaked documents show. Armed groups outside the law, such as the ELN, dissidents of the FARC, among others, greatly hinder the actions of the control organisations of the Colombian state, a leaked email said. About 70 per cent of Australias serious and organised crime threats are based offshore or have strong offshore links, highlighting the need for the AFPs long-standing and continued investment in its international network, a spokesman for the federal police said. Vessel Afalina seized by a French Navy frigate with 1500kg of cocaine on board. Credit:ACIC In 2017, French police found 1500 kilograms of cocaine in the hull of a boat near Noumea, New Caledonia. The boat was controlled by an Eastern European drug trafficking organisation and loaded with cocaine in Peru to sail to Lord Howe Island, where the drugs would be loaded onto a second ship bound for Australia. Four crew members, all from Eastern Europe, were arrested. Following a multinational investigation, the AFP determined the drugs were headed to an outlaw motorcycle gang in Australia. Despite the seizure, between 2017 and 2019 the group attempted several importations by boat from South America to Australia. However, due to navigation conditions and the fact that the criminal group noticed law enforcement interest in the vessels, the voyages were repeatedly delayed. Advertisement In 2020, two ships owned by the group were ready to go with up to two tonnes of cocaine, but because both boats had been identified by European law enforcement agencies as suspicious the voyage was cancelled. Another AFP operation featured the seizure of 500 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of two men in Sydney who were allegedly planning to import it. Phone taps attempted to link two alleged Chinese kingpins of the syndicate to the drugs, but the operation was cancelled due to a lack of evidence. Most cocaine shipments to Australia are ultimately traced back to Colombia, where corruption and coca leaf cultivation still flourish. While Colombia and Peru are US partners, coca cultivation and cocaine production in those countries are at all-time high levels, US analysis shows. Loading Coca cultivation in Colombia and Peru again reached record levels. Colombia, Peru and Bolivia are the first-, second- and third-largest cocaine source countries in the world, continuing an established trend, a 2022 report found. Advertisement But thats not why Im here at least, not today. As a marijuana user myself, Ive come to talk with Balderstone about why he loves the stuff, how it has shaped his life and whether therapeutic qualities aside he acknowledges any downsides after decades of daily use. On the morning I arrive, groups of these people symbolic of the drugs mainstream future are buying books about medicinal cannabis in the Embassy shop, downing hemp smoothies at the bar and chatting with Balderstones team of volunteers about their ailments, potential treatments and access to local cannabis providers. (The Embassy does not sell any drugs, advises its online mission statement. That trade is quite adequately catered for on the street. ) Many of these typically middle-class, law-abiding folk have been legally prescribed medicinal cannabis for a range of (TGA-approved) conditions, including pain, anxiety, depression and PTSD. But because of teething problems within the system, many medicinal users are still getting their pot from illicit sources. But after 2016, when Australia legalised medicinal cannabis (joining a global industry predicted to be worth about $75 billion by 2025), everything began to change. Not so much for Balderstone and other Nimbin denizens, but because it brought streams of medicinal-cannabis seekers to the only place in Australia where the prohibited drug has been openly available via street sellers since the Aquarius Festival in 1973. The biggest joint in the mural has been bestowed upon one-time stockbroker Michael Balderstone, president of both the Embassy and the Legalise Cannabis Australia party, former senate candidate and unofficial mayor of this little NSW Northern Rivers town, some 70 kilometres west of Byron Bay. On any given day, Balderstone, 74, can be found perched at the Hemp Bar tapping away at his iPad. For decades, most of his efforts involved campaigns to decriminalise marijuana and highlight the relentless war being waged against those who ignored its illegality. I n Nimbins famous HEMP Embassy, a ramshackle temple to the worlds most debated weed, the past and the future mingle uneasily. Attached to the Embassy is the Hemp Bar, a non-alcoholic hangout where the past or illicit cannabis is best represented by an old wall mural showing Nimbins pioneering hippie fathers and mothers (but mostly fathers) defiantly brandishing large joints against a backdrop of jungle-fringed mountains, flourishing dope crops and eternally hovering police helicopters. This seems to be true. Over the next few hours, Balderstone genially fields queries from volunteers about stock for the busy Embassy shop, the lease on the building, and the Legalise Cannabis Australia party. He also takes phone calls about The Hemp Hour, his weekly show on community radio, plans for coming themes and guest speakers at Embassy-run medicinal cannabis workshops, and a young woman who has just been arrested for something and needs his help. I explain that I dont smoke while working because its too distracting. Of course, Balderstone disagrees: I can work stoned, and there are lots of people around here who are stoned all day yet work like navvies. Balderstone rolls his first whopper of the day, I tell the recorder. My host shakes his head. We settle on a couple of wonky chairs in a sunny spot behind the Embassy, where the old campaigner in the woolly beanie gets busy making a hefty joint. At that moment, oddly enough, I notice Balderstone squinting into the sun, and that one of his bushy eyebrows has somehow tumbled down to cover his squinting eye. (All this, I swear, without touching the joint.) Does he want to move to get the sun out of his eyes? Balderstone bursts out laughing. Ive only got one eye, he says. It was [a childhood accident]. We try to distil what being stoned actually means for us. I settle for glad-heartedness; Balderstone offers richness, fullness a sense that as Aldous Huxley wrote of perception the veils have been lifted and Im seeing everything for the first time. There are heaps of bachelors around here who cant handle society and theyre living in their little shacks in the bush with their weed. And theyre happy. He stopped using cannabis several times over the years. I thought, Its a crutch! I dont need this, but always returned to the habit. Is it psychologically addictive? Yeah, probably but these days Im happy to tell people Im addicted to cannabis Its a friend, a comfort, a mate Do the kids of hippies tend to rebel and go straight? There is a bit of that, he concedes. None of my [now grown] kids will smoke dope, and they all went to university and got proper jobs, and theyre into money a bit. Between distractions, he describes his traumatic boyhood as the son of a god-fearing farmer who packed him off at age 10 to become a boarder at Scotch College, Melbourne; becoming a heavy drinker and self-important young stockbroker; being posted to London, then dropping out and hitting the hippie trail to Afghanistan, where he had his first cannabis experience with some hashish (I could see all this energy running up and down inside the orange trees! It blew my mind! ); and searching for years for the truth about God and the meaning of life in India and elsewhere, before buying a share in a commune near Nimbin and settling here with his then-girlfriend in the mid-1980s. Several partners and children later, Balderstone still occupies the same feral bush cottage on an isolated hillside. Recreational use is now legal in 19 US states. The fastest-growing user demographic: American seniors, with many abandoning prescription pharmaceuticals in favour of pots natural therapeutic qualities and diminished side effects Our joints never ache boasts one seniors website. (Cannabis contains hundreds of different compounds called cannabinoids. The therapeutic CBD compound, with no high effects, is widely used in medicinal products for the treatment of conditions including anxiety, depression, mental disorders and migraines. THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive cannabinoid that gets us stoned, but its also used medicinally for pain, insomnia, nausea and other conditions typically associated with advanced cancer. Cannabis plants can be genetically modified to produce high or low levels of both these compounds. Medical users can also ingest varying amounts of CBD and THC separately, using oils, sprays and other manufactured products.) Were interrupted by Dan (not his real name), a clean-cut young Embassy volunteer who needs to check something with the boss. Renowned for his skills in growing cannabis variations, Dan tells me he smokes every day and pretty much all day using strains high in CBD while working and switching formally to powerful THC varieties at night. Balderstone in downtown Nimbin: None of my [now grown] kids will smoke dope, and they all went to university and got proper jobs. Credit:Paul Harris Balderstone: No, no! [More laughing] The eyebrow did it all by itself! Jesus, Frank, I think this is the first time Ive been interviewed by a journo who admits to being a smoker. Its a lot more fun. A hundred years ago, he says, cannabis was in most medicine cabinets. So was opium and cocaine. Then, after [the prohibition of these substances in most Western countries], they brought in pharmaceuticals for pain, and synthetic textiles in place of hemp, and have fought like shit ever since to keep it that way. In 1993, artist Nigel Quinlan established the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party, later running as a Senate candidate under the name Nigel Freemarijuana. Balderstone became the partys president. By then he was a vocal supporter of efforts to break the stranglehold on the pain-relief market held by Big Pharma. Feeling like an extra in the worlds busiest stoner movie, I await his return while browsing old newspaper clippings in the Embassy, which opened in 1992. Balderstone ran a junk shop and then a museum in a building across the street before helping to establish the Embassy as a non-profit association whose shop and bar helps fund its cannabis law-reform activities. Distracted yet again by the phone call telling him someones been arrested Balderstone dumps whats left of his joint on the ground and hurries off to the police station to help. For younger users, recreational pot growers in California are competing to produce knockout hybrids with almost 100 per cent THC. Balderstone isnt a fan: Id rather smoke local bush weed thats got the whole plant balance (of CBD and THC) because CBD is the anti-psychotic element, and skunk with massive THC just makes you into a couch potato. These days, more Australians support the legalisation of recreational pot than oppose it by 41 per cent to 37 per cent, according to the 2019 National Drug Household Survey. As things stand, the ACT is the only jurisdiction where the possession and growing of small amounts of marijuana for personal use has been decriminalised. Federally, the Greens plan to introduce a private members bill to legalise its use some time next year, helped along by recently released constitutional advice suggesting federal legislation could override existing state laws. In 2021, the HEMP Party changed its name to Legalise Cannabis Australia, and became the national body for independent Legalise Cannabis parties formed in 2020 in Queensland, NSW, South Australia and Western Australia. In the 2021 WA state election, LCWA won two seats in the Legislative Council. In this years federal election, the party drew between 2 and 7 per cent of the Senate vote in most states and territories. To widespread amazement, the LCA in Queensland outpolled high-profile right-wingers Clive Palmer and Campbell Newman and almost beat One Nations Pauline Hanson to the final Senate seat a jump of about 5 percentage points on the vote it received in 2019. The main reason for this, apart from changing perceptions of cannabis in the wake of the medicinal revolution, seems to be the LCAs choice of a conservative candidate in Noosa Heads lawyer, Bernie Bradley, who not only doesnt smoke dope but opposes aspects of his own partys legalisation goals. A few weeks before visiting Nimbin, I meet Bradley, 52, at the Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club, where he stores his trailer sailer and once served as commodore. He jokes about his choice of venue Yeah, the party wanted someone who didnt fit the public perception of a marijuana candidate! but admits his wife and parents werent thrilled by his decision to run. Yet, image aside, Bradley is a practical type whose job as a duty solicitor at Noosa Magistrates Court provides rare insights into the so-called war on drugs as it applies to cannabis. The lawyer says it was his long experience with poorer clients charged for things like growing small amounts of their own medicinal dope, or losing their drivers licences through roadside drug testing laws, that put him and the LCP on the same path. Lawyer and non-user Bernie Bradley is a Legalise Cannabis Australia candidate: If marijuana was to be legalised, Id like to see the legal age set at 21. Credit:Paul Harris Because the THC in cannabis is fat-soluble, it can remain in saliva for days after the user has stopped being affected. As a result, six years after medicinal cannabis was legalised, roadside tests or lick sticks continue to catch out patients who use medicinal cannabis and whose low-THC formulas still show up in the tests. The drug-test laws, which vary from state to state, were introduced years before the advent of medicinal cannabis to deal with the danger of truck drivers using amphetamines to stay awake. According to former NSW magistrate David Heilpern, who resigned over the issue in 2020, the medicinal cannabis industry wont be financially viable until the absurd laws are reformed. The levels of detection for cannabis are so low five nanograms, or 5000-millionths of a gram that people were appearing before me regularly, saying, Im just taking my medication; heres my prescription and doctors instructions, or saying they hadnt used cannabis for, in many cases, days before their tests, Heilpern tells Good Weekend. So I was forced to take away their licences for something that was clearly a hangover from [pre-medicinal cannabis] days I saw it as something that had nothing to do with road safety and everything to do with prohibition. It was ill-affecting many peoples lives and I just couldnt stomach it any longer. In my view, this is part of an ideological and [selective] drug war with western Sydney and northern NSW being targeted as the main areas for this offending. Now back in private practice, the former Lismore magistrate is campaigning for the laws to be changed in line with those in Tasmania, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and most of the US. In those jurisdictions, holders of medicinal cannabis prescriptions whose driving isnt impaired have an automatic defence against the charge of driving with a detectable level of drug in their systems. That is [already] the law in NSW with respect to [synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines and sedating antidepressant drugs], notes Heilpern. In my view, this is part of an ideological and [selective] drug war with western Sydney and northern NSW being targeted as the main areas for this offending. A NSW Legislative Council inquiry is examining a bill from Greens member Cate Faehrmann calling for changes to road laws to enable a medicinal cannabis exemption. Queensland is also reviewing its drug-testing legislation. David Heilpern resigned from his NSW magistrate position over absurd roadside drug-testing laws that punish medicinal cannabis users. Credit:Paul Harris Bernie Bradley tells of clients so devastated by losing their licences, and subsequently their jobs and homes, that theyve had suicidal thoughts. He estimates that at any given fortnightly session in the Noosa court, 20 per cent of his cases involve clients apprehended in roadside tests, a deeming offence that leads automatically to loss of licence, with no legal challenge available. But cant lawyers argue that the tests dont reliably show whether the detected THC is too old to have any effect on the drivers abilities behind the wheel? Bradley offers a grim laugh: Weve tried that, of course. Ive had clients whove gone off the record to swear to me they hadnt used cannabis for many hours, even days, before testing positive, but the magistrates wont hear of it. Apart from ending drug-driving inequities, LCA wants a regulated cannabis market with legal recognition for small producers and home-growers, and more accessibility to the drug for medicinal users. But not all aspects of his partys support for recreational pot sit well with Bradley. He doesnt like the prospect of it being legally available to 18-year-olds, arguing like some GPs that not enough is known about the possible adverse effects of long-time use: Im not talking about occasional use at a party, but of young people being chronic users all day long. And with many year 12 students being 18 well, do we really want a law that permits kids [doing final exams] to go to school with marijuana in their school bags? Yet they can drink alcohol at 18? Well, the horse has bolted on that My party colleagues dont agree with my personal stance on this, but if marijuana was to be legalised, Id like to see the legal age set at 21. Loading Bradley caused an uproar within the party when he argued this on social media during the federal election. (Everyone attacked him, and he retreated in haste, saying, Youre all f...wits! explains party president Balderstone. Ive never met Bernie, but I told him by phone that although I disagreed with him on this, I supported him having the freedom to have his own view. ) For adult users, Bradley praises marijuana as a non-violent drug: In 30 years doing criminal law I havent come across a single case of domestic violence, or indeed violence, where the only drug involved was cannabis Asked by another reporter to interpret his partys high vote, Bradley said, It tells us that, far from being a fringe issue, there are many discreet cannabis users who are law-abiding, responsible citizens who should not have to fear the long arm of the law intruding into their lives. Chronic users (all day, every day) tend to be forgetful, disorganised and unmotivated, just like abusers of legal drugs. In the 1980s, during a marijuana shortage in my area, a friend helpfully hollowed out a Biggles book, inserted a bag of his finest home-grown and sent it winging my way via a courier service. It was sniffed out by a brace of meddlesome beagles in a holding warehouse, then resealed and delivered to my door by three cops wearing the couriers uniforms. Five minutes later, as I was nervously examining the torn packaging, the cops returned dressed as cops. Busted! The police were polite, even a little apologetic We dont make the laws, sir and I accepted the ensuing fine, and conviction for possession of a dangerous substance, as the consequences of my foolishness. But what did the world gain from this comical intrusion into one otherwise law-abiding dope smokers life? Did I see the error of my ways and stop using cannabis? Nope. By then Id been an unrepentant user for years, and it had become my end-of-day stimulant of choice. Unlike booze, which Id seen destroying the bodies and minds of colleagues who shared my addictive traits, cannabis was something I could control. It offered a few hours of fun and relaxation per joint, without hangovers, and, like Bradley, Ive never seen it cause the sort of ugly behaviour exhibited by some drinkers. Im not a medicinal user, but from personal experience I know it banishes headaches, stops nausea and stimulates appetites especially for sweet things, a side-effect known as The Munchies. Cannabis remains the worlds most widely used illicit drug, with roughly 200 million users worldwide aged 15 to 64. Credit:Paul Harris Being illegal, and thus inevitably part of an industry controlled globally by criminal tiers, from small-time dealers to murderous cartels, it has become ridiculously expensive: about $350 for 28 grams, or one ounce, on todays black market. Its also hell on respiratory systems (unless used in edible form) and can be socially isolating, due both to its effects and its illegality. Chronic users (all day, every day) tend to be forgetful, disorganised and unmotivated, just like abusers of legal drugs. Pot doesnt suit everyone: some first-timers spin out or get paranoid and understandably never touch it again. Its also believed to be associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia in adolescents but because adolescence is when people in general develop the disorder (as well as experiment with cannabis and other drugs), prolonged research has yet to establish whether cannabis actually causes them to develop schizophrenia. Pot doesnt suit everyone: some first-timers spin out or get paranoid and understandably never touch it again. Risks aside, it remains the worlds most widely used illicit drug. Roughly 200 million people, aged 15 to 64 (or 4 per cent of the global population), reported using it at least once in 2019 with Australians and Kiwis exceeding the global user average by a whopping 8 per cent. The 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey showed also that recreational marijuana users had the highest reported prevalence of lifetime and recent consumption, compared with users of other illicit drugs. These figures havent diminished Australias war against weed. In fact, as public and expert opinion in favour of legislation rises, so do law-enforcement busts, with 51 per cent of all national drug seizures in 2019-20 being for cannabis. (The number of seizures rose from 50,073 in 2010-11 to a record-breaking 62,454 in 2019-20.) Of course, this is nothing new. Cannabis use by humans (for fibre, rope, medicine, food and its psychoactive properties) is believed to have begun as early as 10,000BC, with periodic prohibitions occurring in various parts of the world since the Middle Ages. The recent history of prohibition in the US (and subsequently in most Western countries) shows how facts and scientific opinion were consistently ignored in favour of fearmongering and racist propaganda. The man who almost single-handedly brought about the ban was US Federal Bureau of Narcotics commissioner Harry Anslinger, known as the godfather of prohibition. In Chasing the Scream, his acclaimed 2015 bestseller about the nature of addiction, British author Johann Hari describes how Anslinger began a long media campaign to demonise marijuana only a short time after rejecting claims of it causing violent crime as an absurd fallacy. His about-face came when he realised that pot could be used to play into public fears about Mexican immigrants and African Americans, who used the drug more than white people. Loading The politically well-connected Anslinger drafted the Marijuana Tax Act, which became law in 1937 effectively taxing cannabis (until then widely used as a medicine in the US) out of existence. By that stage, various US states had already prohibited the plant. In Australia, where the regulation of drugs is spread across federal, state and territory laws, two jurisdictions (Victoria and NSW) had earlier bowed to the 1925 Geneva Protocol a US-initiated international treaty banning the recreational use of opium and the coca plant, with marijuana controversially included at the last moment. Australia initially resisted the inclusion of cannabis, saying opium was the only drug of concern. But after Anslingers marijuana tax became law, the US brought more pressure to bear on Canberra. Australias then external affairs minister, Robert Menzies, responded by formally agreeing to the inclusion of cannabis in the Geneva Protocols prohibition meaning states and territories that hadnt already banned it had to do so. Australian newspapers took up Anslingers scare stories about the Mexican drug that induced madness, and Reefer Madness a 1936 church-funded propaganda film about the burning weed with its roots in hell helped to spread the fear. By the late 1960s, even cannabis medicines (previously available in Australia by prescription or across the counter) had been prohibited. The left tend to see [legalisation] as a human rights issue, and the right see it as an economic opportunity. Like a stubborn fog, Anslingers misinformation campaign cloaked the facts for decades. But by the turn of the century, due mainly to scientific discoveries involving how cannabinoids interact with similar molecules called endocannabinoids within the human body, the staggering potential of the worldwide medicinal market was emerging. Predictably enough, Big Pharma along with tobacco and alcohol multinationals has been buying into the medicinal gold rush ever since. The hypocrisy is outrageous, says Balderstone. Theyve even managed to make it so you can only buy it through a doctor, grown in a laboratory by someone with a white coat! And with savage dogs and cameras all around, because its such a dangerous substance! The contempt runs both ways. Within Australias burgeoning medicinal cannabis industry, hippie dickheads as one businessman calls them are seen as a threat to ongoing efforts to convince doctors and politicians who remain sceptical that correctly prepared marijuana is a proper medicine. Not long ago, at an Australian Medicinal Cannabis industry symposium, the CEO of a large, ASX-listed cannabis production company told journalist and publisher Martin Lane, Im really pleased no one is smoking weed, and that the Nimbin crowd arent here its all very professional and medicinal. But he spoke too soon, Lane tells me, because moments later, this waft of weed smoke came through the room and I was like, I dunno about you, but Im getting as high as a kite! Soon afterwards, Lane co-founder of Cannabiz, a media platform serving what he assiduously calls the legal cannabis industry went to a Hemp Health & Innovation Expo in Sydney, where he mixed with an entirely different crowd: It was mostly HEMP Embassy folk, people selling bongs and that sorta thing. Welcome to the Brave New World of duelling pot promoters, where one persons soothing soma is anothers ticket to corporate success. (Some theories have it that the calming soma in Aldous Huxleys famous novel was marijuana.) For Lane, who also co-founded the trade and media platform Mumbrella, both sides of the illicit/legal dope debate are grist for the Cannabiz information mill. A mix of medicinal marijuana cultivators/manufacturers, doctors, media outlets, healthcare professionals and ASX-listed companies subscribe to Cannabiz, which was launched in 2020. Cann Group chief executive Peter Crock. The manufacturer was the first company to receive cannabis production and research licences from the federal Office of Drug Control (ODC) in 2017. Among them is the Cann Group, one of more than 50 medical marijuana cultivators/manufacturers now operating throughout Australia. With three farms in Victoria, Cann was the first company to receive cannabis production and research licences from the federal Office of Drug Control (ODC) in 2017. Large facilities like Canns, which manufacture scores of different medicinal cannabis products on-site, cost a lot of millions to develop, license and operate. Yet the potential returns are such that would-be participants are lining up for the long and complex process of acquiring ODC permits. Mirroring elements of Australias natural gas dilemma, most of the medicinal pot produced here so far is being exported to Germanys lucrative market, while Australian users have to pay a premium for prepared medicinal products imported mostly from Canada. The majority of people using medicinal cannabis here still get it from the illegal market, says Lane. (Hence their pilgrimages to Nimbin, or online purchasing from various other sources of illicit marijuana now propping up the legal industry.) Lane believes recreational pot will be legal in Australia, or at least in another state or two, within five years. If youd asked me six months ago, Id have said five to 10 years. The factors that changed his mind include the unprecedented voter support for the LCA party, the balance of power in the Senate going to the pro-legalisation Greens, and increasing bipartisan agreement on the issue: The left tend to see [legalisation] as a human rights issue, and the right see it as an economic opportunity. Declaring the working day over, I vape a little Kush THC resin and for the rest of the evening we interrupt one anothers penetrating insights while dissecting the meaning of life. At Balderstones bush cottage, where I spend a night, a long-abandoned swing set peeps from the undergrowth, and the textbooks he used to home-school his kids still gather dust in a vacant room. With a vegie stew simmering, Balderstone and his partner, Caroline Todd, invite me to join them at the kitchen table, where an array of locally produced medicinal cannabis awaits inspection. Declaring the working day over, I vape a little Kush THC resin (Use for pain, sleep, appetite and joy) and for the rest of the evening we interrupt one anothers penetrating insights at key moments while dissecting the meaning of life. Balderstone produces a copy of a Good Weekend Two of Us column published in 2001 about him and his younger brother Simon, a former journalist who, among other things, scaled Mt Everest, was an adviser to two Labor PMs and a SOCOG executive, and now runs his own events consultancy in Sydney. Loading The brothers speak fondly of one another in the piece, but it ends with what sounds like a bit of a backhander from Simon: Mike is one of those people who could have done anything. He has certainly been something. Me: Does he mean you could have done anything if you werent sitting around smoking weed? Balderstone laughs. He means I could have been really successful. But what is success? For most people, it boils down to how much money youve made I confess to my own qualms over whether I might have produced a brace of bestsellers over the years if my spare time had involved less dope-smoking. Balderstone: Possibly, but what is the purpose of life? When youre happy the purpose is self-evident and you dont question it any more. And if that means getting stoned every night, instead of writing five books in angst, I reckon its okay. Because the rest is an ego trip, really. I mean, were all gonna be dead soon, and everyone will f...ing forget us! The possession, use, supply and unlicensed cultivation of cannabis is illegal in most Australian states and territories. Penalties vary between each state and territory. More information about the health effects of cannabis use can be found at the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and drug counselling websites. To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times. Ireland used a citizens assembly to deal with an issue so inflammatory that no government wanted to approach it directly abortion. Same-sex marriage and abortion are now legal in Ireland, and it happened with a minimum of rancour. Today Ireland is running a citizens assembly on biodiversity loss and another on how to structure the local government of Dublin. Not every issue is suitable for a citizens assembly for example, you could do whether to use nuclear energy, but not on how to design a nuclear plant, suggests OLeary. After speaking to audiences in 18 countries in the past four months, OLeary says theres a hunger everywhere for more citizens engagement. So hungry that Colombia had to cancel one recently because 5000 people turned up, overwhelming the organisers. Its a case of, I have something to say, and no one is listening citizens assemblies are a counter to this feeling of disenfranchisement, its a global phenomenon. The citizens assembly is an idea inspired by ancient Athenian democracy where every male citizen over 20 had an automatic right to vote in the assembly. The modern version enjoyed a burst of popularity in the 1980s and a serious resurgence since 2010, so much so that the OECD studied almost 300 citizens assemblies from around the world and drew up a set of guidelines in a 2020 report titled Catching the Deliberative Wave. A citizens assembly or constitutional assembly - doesnt displace a countrys parliament. It doesnt have the power to make laws or allocate budgets. But it does seek to guide a legislature. In Irelands case, the government and parliament have kept close control. A representative sample of about 100 to 150 citizens is chosen to meet on weekends, over a number of months, supported by a secretariat, and study an issue closely. They are given objective briefings on the subject and then presented with the arguments from advocates on all sides of an issue. The group then discusses the problem and reports its recommendations to the parliament. In Irelands case, transparency is key. Plenary sessions are broadcast and live-streamed and journalists are present at the back of the room. The government commits to responding to every recommendation and explaining why its accepting or rejecting each. The attraction? This approach removes the political partisanship, entrenched positions and vested-interest lobbying from the deliberative process. It turns out that a well-run citizens assembly can not only add to public understanding of an issue but also to public trust in any eventual government action. OLeary came to Australia not to proselytise but to learn. Hes been tasked with creating a new institution for Ireland an independent election authority. He says this is the best place in the world to learn how to do it. The Australian Electoral Commission is the gold standard, he tells me. But, along the way, hes spoken to a number of audiences about citizens assemblies. Including the Albanese governments Assistant Minister for the Republic, Matt Thistlethwaite. OLeary argues that a citizens assembly would be perfect for dealing with the question of whether and how Australia should hold a referendum on becoming a republic: Its big and national with lots of options. It would provide time and space for everybody to give their opinion and talk respectfully. Illustration: John Shakespeare. Credit: Thistlethwaite is interested: We are considering it for the republic, particularly as a means of educating Australians about the issue and trying to come to a consensus about the model, he tells me. Im deeply conscious that the monarchists in the 1999 referendum called it a politicians model. Looking at the facts, hearing from both sides, making recommendations to government without politicians involvement its definitely worth considering, Thistlethwaite says. A big issue will be explaining to younger people; theyre looking for more transparency and accountability in the way government operates. I think this is a great way to look at an issue, engage Australians and give them a voice. If we used it, wed use it as a consultative body with recommendations and advice to government. The federal government has said it will consider holding a referendum on this in the next term of parliament. Loading More immediate is the question of whether to create an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, enshrined in the constitution. The Albanese government has promised to bring this referendum to the people during the term of the current parliament. The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, has carriage of this. Could a citizens assembly be useful? It has potential value, she tells me. Its potentially a very good idea, but I havent considered it seriously. One step at a time. The government already has announced a consultation process for the Voice referendum. Is it not too late to add another step? No, not at all, says Burney. She didnt meet OLeary on his Australian visit this week but said she wanted to speak with him. OLeary says its important that a countrys first national citizens assembly should succeed. Many fail. Design is all. In Irelands case, its first constitutional convention on same-sex marriage comprised 66 citizens and 33 politicians. Loading A citizens assembly including politicians? There was good and bad, reports OLeary. The bad was trying to enforce equal voice: We had a job to shut down the minister to give the bus driver a say. The good was that the parliament had a sense of ownership when the assemblys report arrived. Plus, the experience improved the peoples impressions of politicians: People said the politicians were more knowledgeable than theyd suspected, and they worked a lot harder they work all the time. Another surprise bonus from one citizens assembly? A woman who thanked the organisers for choosing her husband for a group hed started watching the news and reading the papers and they were having much more interesting conversations at dinner. North Dakota voters will decide whether to impose term limits on the governor and state lawmakers -- a change supporters tout for bringing in new blood and opponents decry as unnecessary and a blow to institutional knowledge of the Legislature. Measure 1 would add a new article to the state constitution, effective Jan. 1, 2023, imposing term limits of eight cumulative years each in the House and Senate. The governor could not be elected more than twice. Term limits would not be retroactive -- meaning the service of current officeholders would not count against them. The measure's language also would bar the Legislature from proposing amendments to alter or repeal the term limits; only citizens would be able to do so. The measure does not affect Congress. Measure Chairman Jared Hendrix says he's found a general sense that people don't feel well represented at local and congressional levels, especially since a similar term-limits measure narrowly failed in 1996. "I think what's changed since then is just down-ticket nationally, if you look at the approval rating of Congress, if you look at people's perception of legislative effectiveness, I think, from the top down to the bottom, there's just a huge groundswell of a need for reform, and I think people inherently know that you're not going to get reform with the same people stuck in positions for decades," said Hendrix, who also is the Minot-area District 38 GOP chairman. Three outgoing legislative leaders -- who have served a combined 72 years in office -- oppose the measure for reasons such as the turnover rate already in the Legislature and the years it takes to gain a firm understanding of state agencies' workings and budgets. Republican majority leaders attribute the measure to perceived frustration. "The folks who are sponsors of it haven't shown a lot of love for the governor or for the Legislature, and that's fine. I'm adamantly opposed," said House Majority Leader Chet Pollert, R-Carrington. Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner and Senate Minority Leader Joan Heckaman, who along with Pollert are not returning next year, also oppose the measure. Fraud dispute The measure was roiled in fraud allegations that reached the state Supreme Court last summer. The court mandated a public vote on the measure, despite Secretary of State Al Jaeger initially rejecting it, citing irregularities such as handwriting discrepancies, noncitizens circulating petitions, and pay-per-signature bonuses which state law prohibits. Jaeger and Attorney General Drew Wrigley maintain fraud occurred. Hendrix says their claims are "just not accurate." Authorities are investigating the alleged irregularities that led Jaeger to reject the measure. 'Good first step' A Tribune analysis counted 66 of 141 lawmakers who have served more than eight years; 28 have served 20 years or more. Notably, about 30 lawmakers won't be back next year, several of them high profile due to retirements, reelection losses and redistricting. North Dakota's longest-serving governor, Democrat Bill Guy, was in office from 1961-73. U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., served 10 years as governor from 2000-10. Gov. Doug Burgum won his second term in 2020. Burgum in a statement said, "We fully support term limits and have for years. While most statewide offices arent included in the measure, its a good first step and we support it and encourage North Dakotans to give it their full consideration. 'Echo-chamber mindset' Hendrix said government can stagnate with resistance to change and new ideas, "and you get a status quo that emerges, and the way that typically emerges is from relationships, and the way relationships emerge is with time." He cites constituents' frustration with the 2021 Legislature defeating numerous election-related bills. "I would use as an example of something where the electorate is far ahead of where, unfortunately, the echo-chamber mindset has gotten," Hendrix said. Rep. Jeff Magrum, R-Hazelton, is one of several Republican lawmakers who are members of the measure's sponsoring committee. He thinks term limits will bring new energy and ideas to the state Capitol. "This would open it up for other people to be involved, and we would probably create a true citizen legislature as the founders intended," said Magrum, a rancher and master plumber who is running unopposed for a Senate seat. The Republican-controlled House of Representative last year killed a similar term-limits measure Magrum proposed. It failed 12-78. Fifteen states have term limits for lawmakers; 36 states have gubernatorial term limits. 'No need' Wardner, R-Dickinson, sees "no need" for term limits. He said the measure would take away voters' freedom to elect the people they want. He also cites the turnover already in the Legislature -- about 70% since 2011 by his math. "Sometimes you need some people that are around for a while that have experience that can explain it to the new ones coming in so that they know what some of the visions are, and those people coming in, if they don't like it, they don't have to follow that," Wardner said. He sees some of the measure's backers frustrated with how the 2021 Legislature handled so-called "freedom bills," such as legislation banning state-issued mask mandates and vaccination requirements. Despite the Legislature having "corrected all those things," some people feel "they didn't get their way," according to Wardner. "We listen to our constituents, and that's just the way it is," he said. "This is really a solution looking for a problem." Knowledge is power Lawmakers have a lot to learn when in Bismarck, according to Heckaman, D-New Rockford. "If you think you can learn it in eight years, which would be four sessions, you're mistaken," she said. "I think to understand all of the different workings of all the agencies and then the in-depths of appropriations takes a long time to get knowledgeable about it, and when you don't do that, someone else will take over and run North Dakota rather than the legislators will, I'm afraid." State government appointees would stand to benefit from what the measure would do, particularly with "running the budgets," she said. Hendrix finds "fundamentally arrogant" the argument that term limits would hurt the Legislature's institutional knowledge. "Take anyone in any profession. I think we have nurses and schoolteachers and farmers and, for that matter, janitors that have plenty of knowledge and life experience, and that's how our government is intended to work because nobody has a monopoly on knowledge," he said. He said the Legislature's current turnover rate confirms the measure as a good idea, being already close to the proposed limits. "The turnover doesn't necessarily occur in a lot of the right positions or in the positions of leadership, so yes, there's turnover in the chamber, but there's not necessarily a turnover in leadership, not to the same level," Hendrix said. Lobbyist Lacee Bjork Anderson said, "It's incredibly critical that the state has lawmakers who are fully informed and up to speed on the budgets and the issues and how they impact the state and its citizens, and that's just not something that can happen overnight." Lawmakers would have to turn more and more toward others with knowledge on issues when longtime members leave the Legislature, she added. Recruitment? Both Senate leaders said recruitment is difficult for legislative candidates, especially in rural areas where some people might be the only one with their expertise in their community, such as health care, and can't be gone for four months every two years. Hendrix said he doesn't see a problem with finding candidates, citing qualified, potential candidates who choose not to run until an incumbent retires. U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., a former state party chairman who recruited candidates, said term limits over the long term would lead to a full-time Legislature. He said he thinks the measure, along with another to legalize recreational marijuana, will pass. "And that's perfectly OK. The world will go on," he said. Supporters of a ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana use by adults in North Dakota say it is a responsible and conservative approach, but an organization pushing for its defeat says the marijuana industry would market the product in a way that increases addiction. The measure if passed would allow people 21 and older to grow three cannabis plants and possess certain amounts of marijuana products. Public consumption would be illegal, as would driving a motor vehicle while under the influence. The measure would require the state Department of Health and Human Services to establish rules for adult use. The measure would limit the state to no more than seven manufacturing facilities and 18 dispensaries. Support One reason Fargo attorney Mark Friese supports the measure is his concern about how criminalized possession can create lifelong problems. Friese, treasurer of New Approach North Dakota, an organization pushing for the passage of Measure 2, said a conviction can keep a person from joining the military, getting a student loan, or in some cases even renting an apartment. A 19- or 20-year-old is doing something thats legal in 19 states, but for the rest of his life cant do the things you and I can do, Friese said. The measure does not address past marijuana convictions. Measure 2 is a responsible way to the legalize marijuana use, Friese said. It prohibits use of the drug in public and enables landlords to prohibit use on their property. Of all the states that have done this, no approach is more conservative, he said. It isnt going to be like Las Vegas. Safeguards for keeping the drug out of the hands of youth and young adults and for regulating production and sales are more than adequately addressed in the 19-page measure, the attorney said. Voters in 2016 passed a measure to allow medical marijuana use in the state. Testing procedures for that have been "very successful," Friese said. I dont share the tacit mistrust of officials in North Dakota, that they would not be able to monitor and manage it, Friese said. Thats the same scare tactic that was used in the past. North Dakota voters rejected a 2018 measure that would have legalized recreational marijuana for anyone over 21 and expunged previous marijuana convictions. Opponents argued the measure was poorly written and lacked rules and regulations. The measure failed with about 41% voting in favor and 59% voting against. Opposition to this year's measure is based in large part on supposition, according to Friese. The designation of marijuana as a gateway drug has been debunked by every credible study, he said, adding that theres never been an overdose death from marijuana. There can be harmful effects. I dont intend to use it and I wont let my children, Friese said. But if a person wants to smoke in his or her garage after a hard week at work, that should be permitted," he said. New Approach has raised about $551,000, according to the North Dakota Secretary of State website. More than $300,000 came from New Approach Advocacy Fund, and about $236,000 from marijuana manufacturers and dispensaries. The group has spent $103,000 on attorney fees and $178,000 with political campaign firms in California and South Dakota. Opposition The lack of an overdose death is a very low bar for testing a drugs harms, a spokesman for a group opposing Measure 2 said. Marijuana is a totally different drug now than even two decades ago, said Luke Niforatos, executive vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. Niforatos was campaign manager of Healthy and Productive North Dakota's effort to defeat the 2018 measure that would have legalized marijuana in the state. The group is active again this year. It's chaired by Fargo addiction counselor Kristie Spooner. It did not file with the state this year until Oct. 5 and has reported no contributions or expenditures. Marijuana addiction rates among youth have risen 25% in every state thats legalized marijuana, according to Niforatos. Genetically modified marijuana has led to higher potency levels, he said. Those changes have come about since states started legalizing marijuana, which Niforatos says is right out of the Big Tobacco playbook. They take marijuana, alter it and make it more addictive, he said. Our concern is not about wanting to keep a person in prison. Our concern is the industry that comes with it. Niforatos sees Measure 2 as lacking public health guidelines, potency caps and other necessary regulations. Youth could be easily targeted, and the idea that marijuana isnt a gateway drug lies in the fact that America is undereducated on how drug use works, he said. Some 95% of heroin users at one point used marijuana, according to Niforatos. You cant deny theres a pathway from softer drugs to harder drugs, he said. You cant assume someone is going to pick marijuana and stick with it. Read the ballot language of Measure 2 at https://vip.sos.nd.gov/PDFs/Measures%20Info/2022%20General/Official%20Ballot%20Language%20Initiated%20Statutory%20Measure%20No%202.pdf. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Partly sunny, brisk, and chilly. There might be a sprinkle or even a few snowflakes in higher elevations well north and west. . Tonight Becoming mostly clear and cold. Authorities say more than 1,000 pounds of homemade explosive materials have been recovered in a residence in northwestern North Dakota. Police say multiple chemicals and powders were also found in the apartment in Williston, located in the North Dakota oil patch near the Montana border. No arrests have been made, although police say they have identified a person of interest. Bomb squads from Williston, Minot and Bismarck were disposing of the explosive materials at the Williston landfill. The process was suspended Wednesday afternoon due to high winds and fire danger. Police say explosions could be heard in some parts of the city as the devices were detonated. The Criminal Justice Club is bringing back Saint Marys Universitys Haunted Walk (originally hosted by the fastpitch softball team). For its inaugural relaunch, the club is offering a scaled-back version of the walk which will be entirely indoors. The Criminal Justice Club hopes to provide protection from the weather but not from the ghosts and ghouls. The Haunted Walk will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28 and 29, and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, beginning in the entryway of the Hendrickson Center and proceeding through a haunted hall. Guests can park in the Purple Lots just outside of Saint Marys Universitys Aquinas Hall. The cost is $4 for adults, $2 for students and children. It is recommended all participants be 10 years of age and older. Tickets will be available at the time of the event in the entryway of the Hendrickson Center. Saint Marys Criminal Justice Club hopes this event will be fun for all. The scare level is toned down for younger children and turned up for the older and braver participants. Proceeds from this fundraising event will be used to sponsor Criminal Justice Clubs educational trips, speakers, and events which will help Saint Marys students gain knowledge about the criminal justice system and propel their future careers. For more information, contact Ryann Aschenbrener at rrasch19@smumn.edu or the Office of Recreation, Involvement and Student Engagement at RISE@smumn.edu or 507-457-1686. Saint Marys University of Minnesota is not liable for any health issues that may occur during our event. The event uses strobe lights, fog machines, and dimmed and dark areas on the walk. Additionally, the hallways are narrow. COLUMBUS Columbus Discovery School celebrated its mission on Thursday night with a Wisconsin Science Festival event. BioTrek leader Tom Zinnen ran those in attendance through experiments to better understand science and engineering. The Wisconsin Science Festival is a weeklong event every October, Discovery Charter School teacher Suzy Zietlow said. During the festival organizations, libraries and schools can sign up online to host an event either on their own or having a speaker come to the school. The Wisconsin Science Festival features events throughout the state for people of all ages. Activities include science experiments, question and answer sessions and interviews with scientists, demonstrations and performances. This years festival runs through Sunday. We decided to have a speaker come in conjunction with our 15th anniversary, Zietlow said. The charter school was founded in 2007 by Sue Sewell, who was the principal of Columbus Elementary School at the time. Discovery Charter School provides an experience-filled opportunity for children in grades K-3 who have a natural interest in science and nature. Zinnen led about 100 people in attendance on several activities including an experiment on if skim milk or whole milk makes better bubbles, inventing a squirt gun and penny whistle and the paradox of the DNA Tube. Columbus Elementary School principal Beth Hellpap said that events like this is one of the benefits to the updates at the school. The renovated school opened at the start of the school year. Alderperson Eric Shimpach called for Portages city administrator to resign at Thursday nights city council meeting, saying the administrator failed the council by applying for a road grant. The state received over 700 applications, which was open to all municipalities across the state. If Portage would have been awarded the grant, it could have saved over $1 million as the grant would cover 80% of the total cost of the West Conant Street Project. On Thursday night, City Administrator Shawn Murphy announced the city had not received a Wisconsin Department of Transportation grant and would be bidding the project out next spring. Following the announcement, Shimpach began reading a statement regarding the grant application process. He said applying for the grant and delaying the project was a poor decision. Administrator Murphyyouve failed our neighbors, you failed this council and you failed this city. Portage deserves better and I would ask for your resignation, Shimpach said. Shimpach explained the grant was first introduced to the municipal services and utilities committee in February. The full council had approved the funding of the West Conant Street Project in 2021 before the council knew about the grant. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law sets aside billions of dollars to be invested into infrastructure projects nationwide over the next five years. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has estimated the state will receive about $1.29 billion available to municipalities for local road and bridge projects. The West Conant Street Project includes reconstruction of the road and adding a pedestrian trail. In February Murphy said the budget for the West Conant Street project is $1.5 million, with the potential grant covering about $1.3 million. He added at the time that applying for this grant would delay the project until 2023. Shimpach also speculated that Murphy has cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars by delaying the project a year due to increase in material and labor costs. Murphy did not resign but responded to Shimpach on Thursday night explaining the city takes risks sometimes in order to complete projects when the opportunity comes along. He said the city was recently awarded a $1.1 million traffic signaling grant and the city will continue to look at ways to offset the taxpayer cost of upgrading the citys infrastructure. We do try to take opportunities to get grant funding to assist with funding of much-needed upgrading of infrastructure, Murphy said. He said he never received instruction from anyone not to go forward with the grant application and stated he informed the committee of the whole and the municipal services and utilities committee of the available grant funds in January. We do try and pick and choose (grants) that we think are a good opportunity to get awarded grants on and weve been fairly successful over the years, Murphy said. He added the savings is about $2 million on city projects to the taxpayers over the last five years. Alderpersons Mike Charles and Dennis Nachreiner both spoke in favor of the decision to apply for the grant and said the city would be in a worse state if Murphy left the city. I was part of that decision, Nachreiner said, adding he sat on the municipal services committee and the city council. I think we would be very unjust to our taxpayers, Nachreiner said, by ignoring a possible opportunity to get a million-dollar grant. Nachreiner said its a gamble when applying for grants, adding, I think it would be a huge setback for the city if the city administrator resigned. Nachreiner added it is impossible to know if this decision has cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars because the project was never bid out. It would be a huge disservice to the taxpayers to not try and get a million-dollar grant. Its a risk, but thats what you have to do to save a million dollars, Charles said. The city would be in terrible shape if the administrator would resign. Hong Kong: FSD academy open day on Nov 6 The Fire Services Department announced today that it will hold an open day for the Fire & Ambulance Services Academy in Tseung Kwan O on November 6. The Fire & Ambulance Services Education Centre & Museum will also be open that day. Activities will include a fire appliances parade, firefighting and rescue demonstrations as well as training facility, equipment and special vehicle displays. It will also feature a recruitment experience area, a Fire Services working dogs demonstration, an exhibition and game booths. The open day will be held from 9am to noon and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. People can apply for a maximum of four admission tickets online until October 26. Children aged three or below do not require a ticket. The tickets will be allocated by computer ballot and successful applicants will receive an email notification on October 28. Call 2411 8825 for enquiries. This story has been published on: 2022-10-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. In June 2022, I wrote about the unionization efforts among the wenches and peasants at the Medieval Times in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Even then, the company was reportedly spending $3200 per day to stop their staff from demanding raises above the state minimum wage of $13 an hour. Now, it seems the Feudal Corporate Landlords of Medieval Times are taking a new approach to union-busting: claiming that the union's name, which invokes the parent company, is in fact an act of trademark infringement. Via Huffington Post: In its lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court, Medieval Times said the union, the American Guild of Variety Artists, had created "consumer confusion" by allowing workers to use the name "Medieval Times Performers United." The company claims the union is "threatening the established goodwill of Medieval Times" by including the chain's name and medieval-themed imagery in its name and logo. "The elements featured in the Medieval Times Performers Logo (i.e., castle, swords, old script style text) all resemble elements of Medieval Times's branding and middle ages-themed decor, which are clearly meant to evoke Medieval Times' unique image," the company said in its lawsuit. That's, umm, certainly an interesting intimidation tactic. And you wonder why your workers are calling for ye olde gallows? Medieval Times Sues Its Workers' Union Alleging 'Trademark Infringement' [Dave Jamieson / Huffington Post] Image: Sergiy Galyonkin / Flickr (CC-BY-SA 2.0) A former Walworth County sheriff's deputy, Gerardo Baca, has been charged with multiple sexual assaults, and questions have arisen about how he got hired in the first place. The woman who have come out against him include women he worked with professionally as co-workers as well as two who had been interns working with him. In one of the cases, one of the victims was reportedly 17 at the time of the assault, according to the criminal complaint. Baca, 37, of Delavan, was charged in March with 19 felonies including multiple counts of second- and third-degree sexual assault involving an intoxicated victim and capturing intimate images of people without their consent. Other counts include stalking, child enticement and threats to communicate derogatory information. Baca was charged in Walworth County but Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper is prosecuting him. The criminal complaint outlines sexual assault allegations dating from 2012 to November 2021. Multiple motion hearings have been held since charges were filed, with Baca fighting allegations, saying relationships with the women were consensual. Oral arguments for the case are scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 28 in Waukesha County Circuit Court. Why was he hired? Since news came out about the allegations, there have been questions about how Baca got hired in the first place with the Walworth County Sheriffs Department. Craig Konopski, who is running for sheriff as a write-in candidate, said he was the investigator who did the pre-employment background check on Baca in 2016 before he was hired. I recommended not hiring him, Konopski said. He was hired against my recommendation. Konopski said he red flagged Baca and recommended the Sheriffs Office not hire him after talking to members of the Delavan Police Department, where Baca previously worked, and hearing about a past allegation made in Madison prior to 2009. Those allegations didn't result in charges, but were a red-flag for Konopski. But ultimately command staff, including Dave Gerber, decided to give Baca a chance and hire him, Konopski said. He said Gerber, who is running for sheriff and won the August primary, was the patrol captain at the time and was part of that hiring decision and part of a phone conversation where the hiring was discussed. Gerber, however, said that is not true. Konopski never stated he should not be hired," Gerber said. Gerber said, Baca worked full time at the City of Delavan PD prior to being hired by our agency. He was described as an excellent employee and highly recommended for hire by his previous Law Enforcement employers Baca passed psychological, physical, and medical testing prior to hire as well. After Baca was charged in March, Walworth County Sheriff Kurt Picknell told the Associated Press his office received information about Baca's possible off-duty misconduct on Feb. 1. The sheriff said he placed Baca on administrative leave and asked the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department to investigate. His agency is conducting an internal probe as well, Picknell said. The status of that investigation was not immediately available. Picknell was not immediately available for comment on this investigation. Baca has since resigned from the department. The allegations According to the criminal complaint detailing the allegations against Baca, the oldest accusations go back to 2012 when Baca reportedly assaulted an intern he worked with when he was at the Delavan Police Department. The woman reported that she was friends with Baca and one night he texted to ask if she could watch his dog at his house. He asked if she wanted to spend the night and she slept on the couch and nothing happened. But an another occasion Baca reportedly lost his dog she helped find it and then when she went back to his house to return it, Baca reportedly pushed her into his bedroom and had sexual intercourse with her. She reportedly left her wallet at his house and when she returned the next day to get it, he reportedly tried to assault her again. But she reportedly kicked him and ran. Another woman who also worked as an intern with him around that same time also reported that Baca assaulted her. In one instance, the woman said she woke up with her pants down and didnt remember what happened. During the investigation, investigators found videos of a sexual encounter with the woman. There was also another incident involving the woman in 2019 that investigators discovered video of. In that video the woman is visibly intoxicated and can be heard saying, I dont know what is going on. In another video, Baca is seen carrying the woman into a bedroom while she was visibly barely conscious. Of that incident, the woman said she remembered meeting Baca out at a bar, but she didnt remember how she got to his house. During the course of the investigation, police also learned that a sister of one of the victims was also reportedly sexually assaulted by Baca back in 2012. In that case, the woman, who was 17 at the time of the incident, said she and her sister went boating with Baca and then later went back to his house and drank with him. Later she woke up to Baca having sex with her. That woman said she didnt see Baca again after that incident and didnt tell anyone about a year ago. Most recent incidents The most recent incidents were in 2020 and 2021. One woman who reportedly worked with Baca said she and a group of co-workers, including Baca, went out for drinks at a bar in Elkhorn after their shift. She said she went back to Bacas house because she drank too much and Baca said she could sober up there. But at his house he got on top of her when she laid down to go to sleep and reportedly had sexual intercourse with her. Another woman had a similar story saying she went over to his house after a long day at work. She was reportedly exhausted and Baca told her to lay down on his bed and he would leave her alone. But instead he went into the room, started touching her and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. She said after it was over she used an excuse to leave and cried the whole way home. Afterward, Baca told the woman if the woman said it was not consensual he would have the womans boyfriend investigated for domestic violence. He also said he would ruin her reputation at work and that he had a bunch of video and audio recordings, along with pictures. During the investigation, police also found video of sexual encounters with another woman. That woman said she had been in a consensual relationship with Baca and there were times she knew she was recorded, but was too afraid to say no. She also said after they broke up, he reportedly stalked her and threatened to tell others about their sexual encounters. A Dane County judge plans to issue a ruling in roughly a week in a case maintaining that local election clerks should be able to accept absentee ballots that include incomplete witness addresses. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is seeking to allow clerks to accept absentee ballots if the witness has included his or her street number, street address and municipality. While taking arguments in a motion hearing Friday, Circuit Court Judge Nia Trammell raised concern that her ruling in the case could create confusion for voters and clerks in the Nov. 8 election. More than 420,000 absentee ballots have already been requested in the state, of which more than 150,000 have been returned to election officials, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. I have concerns regarding whether or not there would be more confusion caused should this court take the action that is being requested, Trammell said, adding that a likely appeal to her decision could further delay a final ruling. The lawsuit follows 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. I dont believe that confusion can carry the day particularly when were faced with a real risk of disenfranchisement of various voters who have voted the same way for years and suddenly that ballot is not going to count, said Daniel Lenz, attorney for the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Aprahamian ruled against guidance issued in 2016 by the bipartisan 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. In a final judgment issued last week, Aprahamian prohibited the commission from advising, guiding, instructing, publishing, or otherwise communicating information to Wisconsin municipal clerks and local elections officials that clerks or local election officials have the duty or ability to modify or add information to incomplete absentee ballot certifications. Aprahamian did not specify what information is required for the witness address to be valid. State law does not specify what constitutes an address. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin earlier this month sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission seeking a declaratory judgment defining that a missing address entails when the address field is left entirely blank. Elections commission attorney Steven Kilpatrick said if the court rules in favor of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, that decision could be denied simply by the fact that the Nov. 8 election is already underway. He also raised concern that such an order from the court could lead witnesses to believe that simply including a municipality would constitute a complete address. That contrasts with the commissions position that the address should have three components so that it likely will be counted street name, street number and municipality, Kilpatrick said. That could cause confusion in and of itself. The U.S. Attorney Generals Office on Friday submitted a statement of interest in the case, stating that the lawsuit presents an important question regarding the interpretation of Section 101 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The U.S. does not offer a view on the merits of any claims in the case, but rather offers a legal analysis of the Civil Rights Act to assist the court with its determination, according to court filings. The United States assumes, as (the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin) does, that a witness address in some form may be material to determining a voters qualification to vote under State law, according to the court filing. Accordingly, if the Court reaches Plaintiffs claim turning on Section 101, it would require the Court to consider what portion of a witnesss address is material to determining a Wisconsin voters qualification to vote and whether any pieces of address information, if erroneously written or omitted, would not be material to making that determination. Indeed, requiring voters to provide exact information that is not in fact material to their qualifications, and which merely serves to confirm their already-known identity, would invite precisely the type of harm Congress enacted Section 101 to prevent, the court filing adds. 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. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) On August 31, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held a meeting attended by non-CPC personages at Zhongnanhai in Beijing to solicit opinions and suggestions from the central committees of the other political parties, head of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation on the draft report of the 19th CPC Central Committee to the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting and made an important speech. He stressed that in the face of the new tasks and requirements presented by the new era and new journey, the CPC and the other political parties must strengthen cooperation, consolidate and develop the broadest patriotic united front, pool the wisdom and strength of people from all social strata and circles to the maximum extent, give full play to the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the whole society and entire nation, and strive together to build a modern socialist country in all respects and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng also attended the meeting. At the meeting, Xi introduced the process of how the draft report was conceived and expressed his hope to receive keen perspectives and insights from non-CPC personages about it. At the meeting, Wan Exiang, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, Chen Xiaoguang, executive vice chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, Hao Mingjin, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, Cai Dafeng, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, Chen Zhu, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, Wan Gang, chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, Wu Weihua, chairperson of the Central Committee of Jiusan Society, Su Hui, chairperson of the Central Committee of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, Gao Yunlong, chairperson of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and Gao Hongjun, a representative of personages without party affiliation, respectively gave their speeches. They considered the past five years since the CPC's 19th National Congress and the past decade into the new era unusual and extraordinary. They noted that the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has kept in mind the overall picture for national rejuvenation and major changes in the world unseen in a century, united and led the whole Party, the military and Chinese people of all ethnic groups in effectively responding to the grave and complicated international and domestic situation and a series of major risks and challenges that kept emerging, pushing forward socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era in an energetic manner. Our first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been achieved on schedule, and historic achievements and shifts have been realized in the cause of the Party and the country, writing a glorious chapter in history. The draft report to the 20th CPC National Congress, from a commanding height in considering both China's national rejuvenation and the drastic changes in the world unseen in a century, scientifically lays out goals, tasks, and major policies for developing the cause of the Party and the country in the next five years or even longer period to come, putting forward a series of new approaches, strategies and measures. It will serve as a guiding document for us to realize the second centenary goal and build China into a modern socialist country in all respects. The participants also put forward their opinions and suggestions regarding promoting consensus on the great national rejuvenation, building an international communication and discourse system on human rights, pursuing higher-standard opening up under the "dual circulation" pattern, boosting the revitalization of northeast China, strengthening the building of the united front and the new type of political party system as well as the ideological and political work among non-CPC intellectuals, enhancing independent innovation and encouraging entrepreneurs to be more innovative, improving the management systems in universities and forming a mechanism for ensuring sustainable and stable funding for public health. After their discussions, Xi delivered an important speech. He said that drafting the report of the 19th CPC Central Committee to the 20th CPC National Congress is an essential part of the preparation work for the congress. In order to ensure the report represents the common will of the entire Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, meets the requirements of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and adapts to the new situation and tasks faced in the endeavor of our Party and country, we gave full play to democracy, deepened investigations and research, solicited people's views in an extensive manner, and pooled wisdom from all parties. Soliciting opinions from non-CPC personages on the report is an important part of political consultation as well as an effective way for non-CPC personages to air their views and advice for our country's development and national rejuvenation. Xi stressed that in late February this year, the CPC Central Committee entrusted its United Front Work Department to solicit opinions and suggestions from non-CPC personages on issues related to the 20th CPC National Congress, and many valuable opinions and suggestions were put forward. Since the first half of 2022, the central committees of the other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation have conducted fact-finding missions in various forms, getting a number of high-quality findings and putting forward valuable opinions and suggestions. They offered some very good suggestions during their speeches at the meeting, which, Xi said, were constructive and would be seriously considered. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi expressed gratitude to all at attendance. He pointed out that maintaining commitment to the united front is an important historical experience of the Party over the past century. The historic achievements and shifts in the cause of the Party and the country over the past 10 years in the new era are the results of the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the hard work of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups, and the joint efforts of all members of the united front, including the other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and personages without party affiliation. Xi hoped the central committees of the other political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and public figures without party affiliation could closely follow, in both thinking and action, the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. He urged them to strengthen the sense of political responsibility and historical mission in cooperating with the CPC in solidarity and focus their ingenuity and energy on realizing the inspiring blueprint, goals and strategic deployments to be laid out at the upcoming 20th National Congress of the CPC. Adhering to the right political orientation, they should closely follow the CPC Central Committee in thinking, stance, and action, keep in mind the worst-case scenarios and champion the fighting spirit, said Xi. He urged them to play a bigger role in coordinating social relationships, defusing social tensions as well as maintaining social stability. He also asked them to enhance political transition that highlights political integrity and inheritance and make it more targeted and deliverable, and pass on the fine traditions of multi-party cooperation, namely, being of one heart and mind with the CPC, loving the country and serving the people, working closely together and dedicating to the common cause. Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen, Liu He, Xu Qiliang, Sun Chunlan, Yang Xiaodu, Chen Xi, Hu Chunhua, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, You Quan, Wang Yi, Xiao Jie, Zhang Qingli, Xia Baolong, He Lifeng and other leading officials from the central departments attended the meeting. Prominent non-CPC figures including Zheng Jianbang, Gu Shengzu, Liu Xincheng, He Wei, Shao Hong, Jiang Zuojun, Li Yuefeng, and Huang Yuguang were present. (Source: Xinhua) Articles Sorry, there are no recent results for popular articles. Services and support for elderly care are limited in the United States. With block grants often redirected to programs that state officials deem more critical, elders suffer needlessly. The U.S. is a throw-away society, where people are disposed ofin long-term care facilities run by investment bankersas quickly as we dispose of unwanted belongings. Limited care is even more common for people who have dementia. One of the questions becomes, who cares for people with dementia? Where are the care workers from? How much do they get paid? How are they treated? Recently, on TikTok, people who are caregivers for others, often family members, have been sharing their stories. Check out the NPR story that dives into this issue, explaining, "On TikTok, the #dementia tag has 3 billion views. Caregivers for people with dementia have been flocking to the site. They're posting their experiences and finding support in the videos of others who understand. They're using the social media platform to show what dementia looks like and share the problems, burdens, and joys of being a caregiver." Jacquleyn Revere began posting on @momofmymom to share her experience and find community and support. "The task of caring for people with dementia usually falls on family members. Every year, an estimated 16 million Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family or friends suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, according to the CDC. About two-thirds of these caregivers are women." "Here in the United States, unfortunately, there is not a very strong system of paid support for people with dementia," says Elena Portacolone, an associate professor who studies aging and cognitive impairment at UCSF's Institute for Health & Aging. "And so, the most common way of supporting persons with dementia is the daughter." Do you know someone with dementia? Or a caregiver? Or are you perhaps anticipating needing this type of care? This article from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society asks, "How do we make comprehensive dementia care a benefit?" This valuable overview of the politics contextualizing this issue makes significant points worth considering, "Given the evidence that comprehensive dementia care improves outcomes for persons living with dementia and their caregivers at a cost savings to Medicare, why isn't this care as widely available as magnetic resonance imaging or total knee arthroplasty or hemodialysis? Do we need more evidence, and if so, what kind of evidence would tip the balance? If clinical trial evidence is not sufficient, what other information do payers require to affirm the readiness of comprehensive dementia care as a healthcare benefit? What other information is necessary to facilitate widespread dissemination of this beneficial care model?" Man accused of pepper spraying police and protestors in Murray in 2020 sentenced to conditional discharge Vasily Grossman: The People Immortal, translated by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler, New York Review Books Classics, 2022, 352 pages. In September, the first of Soviet author Vasily Grossmans three great novels (along with Stalingrad and Life and Fate) about World War IIThe People Immortalwas published in a new English translation by Robert and Elizabeth Chandler. Like Robert Chandlers phenomenal new translation of Stalingrad, this translation also includes never before published passages from Grossmans manuscript. It therefore represents the most complete edition of this work published so far in any language, including Grossmans native Russian. Cover of the new edition of The People Immortal [Photo: WSWS] The edition also includes an appendix with additional essays by Grossman as well as an introduction and afterword, and notes explaining the history of this edition and the decision of the translators to include specific passages. The result is a work not only of considerable literary significance, but also an important historical document. The People Immortal focuses on the first few months of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, when the 10-million-strong German Wehrmacht and their local fascist allies overran sizable portions of what are today Ukraine and Belarus. The Red Army and Soviet people had been left completely unprepared for the Nazi invasion. Stalin had not only rejected dozens of warnings of the impending invasion but had also murdered the leadership of the Red Army and large portions of its ranks in the Great Terror of 1936-1938. As a result, the Red Army of 1941 was poorly led militarily and politically, and vastly under-equipped to confront the highly sophisticated weaponry and mass assault of German imperialism. In the first months of the war, millions of Red Army soldiers were capturedabout two million of them would be starved to death by spring 1942and vast numbers more were killed and wounded on the battlefield. Nazi troops advance during Operation Barbarossa [Photo: WSWS] Vasily Grossman began writing this novel only months after the events he describes had occurred, and completed it within just two months, in the spring of 1942. It was, in fact, the first Soviet novel about the war. Since the outbreak of the conflict, Grossman had been working on the front as a correspondent for the Red Army newspaper Red Star, which also serialized the 18 chapters of the book. In that capacity, he had witnessed the devastation of Gomel, a major city in Belarus, by German aerial bombardment, which he depicts powerfully in the chapter titled, Death of a City. He had met many commanders, soldiers and civilians, who would serve as the basis for the characters in this and his subsequent novels. Grossman with the Red Army in Schwerin, Germany, 1945 (Wikipedia) [Photo: WSWS] There are passages, especially in the books first third, in which Grossmans apparent efforts to encourage the population and Red Army while toeing the official government line make for rather stiff descriptions and do not contribute to the narrative. But the more he unfolds the plot and, above all, develops his characterswho are perhaps the greatest strength of Grossmans writingthe more we see emerging the later author of Stalingrad and Life and Fate, and we become engrossed in the novel. At the center of the plot is a Red Army battalion that needs to retreat from the Germans in Belarus, goes into the forests and then develops one of the first counteroffensives of Soviet forces, three months into the war. The main protagonists are the battalions political commissar, Bogariov; the commander Babadjanian; and the soldier Ignatiev. Bogariov is a former employee of the Marx-Engels Institute in Moscow, devoted to the legacy of Lenin and the early Russian socialists, who now takes to the art of war as much as he did to the writings of Marx and Engels. Bogariov becomes the embodiment of what good political leadership means for Grossman. In what can only be read as a blatant rebuke of the Stalinist effort to dull the population and the soldiers into unconsciousness in the face of the immense dangers they were facing, and of the bureaucracys constant lies during the war, Grossman writes, In those difficult days, people wanted only the truth, however difficult and cheerless it might be. And Bogariov told them this truth. Bogariov addresses the soldiers at times of peril with statements like this: You are all adult sons of your people. You have been through the stern school of labour and this Peoples War. Our position is difficult, but we have no choice. We are a regular unit of the Red Army. In two or three days time we shall engage with superior enemy forces. We will strike hard, break through their lines and rejoin our division. You must win, comrades, and you will win. Within you beats the heart of Lenin. Not once is the name of Joseph Stalin mentioned. There are also several other characters whose depiction, while only taking up a few pages, offers a broader portrait of wartime Soviet society, which Grossman will develop in his future novels. These characters include an elderly peasant woman in a Ukrainian town. She is clearly modeled after Grossmans mother, who was murdered in an anti-Jewish massacre by the Nazis in his hometown of Berdichev. As he was writing this novel, Grossman did not yet know for certain the fate of his mother, but he suspected it. Her loss was devastating to him, and she would also become a recurring model for one of his key characters in Stalingrad and Life and Fate. The reader also encounters the peasant Kotenko, from the same town, who, before the 1917 revolution and then afterward, had dreamed of becoming an Estonian kulak, that is, a well-off peasant who could exploit the labor of his neighboring peasants. When the Germans come, he is overjoyed and offers them his services, believing that his lifelong dream will now finally be realized. Devastated when he realizes that they treat him with the same contempt that they have for everyone else, Kotenko hangs himself. While the novel was clearly meant to encourage the fighting Red Army soldiersthe war did not end until almost three years after its initial serializationit still sought to depict truthfully their experiences and thoughts. This inevitably brought Grossman into conflict with the censors. Many of the most moving passages of the novel, which have now thankfully been restored, were not included in the previously published versions, having been cut either by the publishers or by Grossman himself, in an effort at self-censorship. The reasons for this censorship were varied, but all were inevitably tied to the falsifications to which the Stalinist bureaucracy resorted in an effort to cover up its own responsibility, both for the victory of fascism in Germany and the outbreak of the war as well as for its criminal and stupid mistakes during the conflict. The notes provided by the translators on their work with the manuscript and the history of this edition will thus enable readers to get a deeper understanding, not only of the war, but also of the Stalinist falsifications of this history. The material also provides a sense of the extent to which the constant political and historical lies by the bureaucracy impacted the cultural and socio-political climate at the time. Some of these cuts were seemingly minorfor example, a mention of the fact that Soviet soldiers, in the first months of the war, often did not even have arms to carry, and descriptions of physical violence that were considered too graphic. (As late as in the 1980s, the great Soviet anti-war movie Come and See, by Elem Klimov, was held back by censors who argued that its depiction of the Nazis warfare against the Belarusian partisans was too explicit.) Other cuts are more substantial and require a knowledge of Soviet history to understand the reasoning behind them and their implications. Robert Chandler and Julia Volohva correctly highlight the fact that the pre-war history of Bogariov, which was important to Grossman, was entirely omitted in the earlier published versions. As they explain, this was directly bound up with the political and ideological crackdown by the Stalinist bureaucracy of the 1930s. The Marx-Engels Institute had been founded in 1919. Under its first director David Riazanov, it not only assembled the greatest Marxist library in the world, but also engaged in the pioneering work of publishing hitherto unknown works of Marx and Engels, including Marxs early economic manuscripts, Engels Dialectics of Nature, and the Marx-Engels correspondence. David Riazanov, the first director of the Marx-Engels Institute in Moscow, in 1923 (public domain). [Photo: WSWS] As the inner-party campaign by the Stalinist apparatus against the Left Opposition became ever more violent, Riazanov, who had dedicated over five decades of his life to the struggle for Marxism and socialist consciousness in the working class, turned his Institute into a haven for many persecuted revolutionaries. While Chandler and Volohva write that he employed both Left and Right Oppositionists, it was above all Left Oppositionistsfar more numerous and better organizedwho were connected to the Institute. Thus, former Left Oppositionists like Vagarshak Ter-Vaganian and Evsei Kaganovich were employed by the Institute as late as 1930. Even more dangerously, Riazanov paid active Oppositionists, who had already been exiled, for translations, and sent them political and theoretical literature. In 1928 he even involved Leon Trotsky, who had already expelled from the party and exiled, in the translation of a text by Karl Marx, a move that required tremendous political courage. To the Soviet bureaucracy and the Stalinized Central Committee, his conduct became increasingly unacceptable. In 1930, the Central Committee, at the direct behest of Joseph Stalin, launched a campaign against him which culminated in his arrest in 1931, the purge of his Institute and his eventual execution in 1938. As Chandler and Volohva note, Grossman most likely knew Riazanov personally, through a cousin who had also known Victor Serge, the latter in the early 1930s still an active member of the Left Opposition. Because of this connection to Serge, Grossmans cousin, Nadya Almaz, who had a tremendous political influence on him, was arrested in 1933. In the depiction of the pre-war work and views of Bogariov, combined with his role as the authoritative political figure in the novel, and his statements (many of which were cut, at least in part), Grossman clearly wanted not only to honor the memory of Riazanov and his Institute, but also everything that it stood for: the traditions of Marxism and revolutionary socialism that Grossman, like Bogariov, was still committed to and defended in the war against Nazism. In one of the most moving passages of the book, Grossman depicts Bogariov contemplating what is at stake in the struggle against fascism and the defense of the Soviet Union, Here, on the fringes of the forest, he clearly imagined the black force that had spread over the peoples land. The peoples land! Thomas Mores dreams and Robert Owens visions, the works of the brightest minds of the French Enlightenment, the writings of the Decembrists, the essays of Belinsky and Herzen, the correspondence between Zheliabov and Mikhailov, the words of Alexeyev the textile workerall these were an expression of humanitys eternal longing for a land that does not know slavery, for a life built on the laws of reason and justice, for a land of equals, for a land where the inequality between workers and those who employ them has been eliminated. Thousands of Russian revolutionaries had died in this struggle. To Bogariov, these men were like elder brothers. He had read everything about them. He knew their last words and the letters they had written to their mothers and children. He knew their diaries and the secret conversations recorded by friends who had lived to see freedom. He knew the roads along which these men had taken to exile and forced labour in Siberia. He knew the post stations where they had spent the night and the jails where they had been shackled. He loved and honoured these men. They were his nearest and dearest. Many were workers from Kiev, printers from Minsk, tailors from Vilna, weavers from Bielostokcities now held by the Nazis. With every fibre of his being, Bogariov loved this land that had been won in the unprecedented struggles of the Civil War, amid the torments of hunger. It was still poor, it still lived a life of stern labour, according to stern lawsyet it was the motherland of the worlds peoples, of all its peoples, the motherland of its best minds and best peoples. Bogariov was ready to die for it. In the notes, Robert and Elizabeth Chandler write, We have reinstated from the manuscripts the words for a land that does not know slavery, for a life built on the laws of reason and justice. Grossman deleted from his manuscript the phrase beginning, yet it was the motherland. The final sentence is present in his manuscript but was omitted from all the published versions. It seems from this and from the omission mentioned in the previous note that Grossmans editors were alarmed by the intensity of Bogariovs internationalism and love of freedom. There is little to add to this. Like Stalingrad, this is a book every worker and young person should read. As a new world war is brewing in Ukraine, and the vilest nationalism, xenophobia and historical lies are being promoted by the ruling classes everywhere, works like this will help reconnect the generations that have to wage the revolutionary battles of today with the socialist traditions of 1917, which, despite the immense crimes of Stalinism, still found a deeply progressive expression in the struggle of the Red Army against Nazism, and in the works of Vasily Grossman. More than a year after the disastrous flooding that devastated parts of the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia as well as parts of Belgium during the night of July 14-15, 2021, claiming the lives of 134 people in Germanys Ahr Valley alone, new video has emerged confirming that a large number of the deaths could have been prevented if the responsible politicians had reacted appropriately. Flood disaster: "The region still looks war ravaged The video was taken by a police helicopter that flew the length of the Ahr Valley on the evening of July 14, 2021, capturing dramatic images, especially on the upper Ahr between the towns of Mayscho and Schuld. However, the video only reached the Rhineland-Palatinate state parliament committee investigating the flood disaster at the end of September 2022. They were shown to the members of the investigating committee, excluding the media and the public, and made available to the public days later, partially pixelated for data protection and privacy. The video shows the devastating situation in which the people of the upper Ahr valley already found themselves on the evening of the first night of the flood. The recording was made between 22:14 and 22:44, several hours before the raging flood reached the lower Ahr and swept many more people to their deaths. Whole areas are visibly flooded, villages are enclosed by masses of water, many houses are inundated to the roof. Again and again, viewers see points of light belonging to people trying to draw attention to themselves from the balconies or roofs of their houses, hoping to be rescued. At one point in the video a car is seen floating by with its interior lights illuminated. It is not possible to tell whether there are people inside. A warning based on this footage and the timely evacuation of homes along the lower river could have saved the lives of many people who were swept away by the flood or drowned in their apartments and homes. This includes the 12 people who drowned on the first floor of a house belonging to Assisted Living for the Disabled (Lebenshilfe fur Behinderte) in the town of Sinzig, which is located just above where the Ahr flows into the Rhine. The sole caregiver that night, responsible for both houses of the facility, could not assist every resident requiring help to a higher floor as the fast-moving flood wave bore down on the complex. The video from the police helicopter proves the criminal inaction of the Rhineland-Palatinate state government, a coalition of Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and liberal Free Democrats (FDP), and in particular of Interior Minister Roger Lewentz (SPD). The Situation Center of the Ministry of the Interior requested the police helicopter itself in order to get a more detailed picture of the situation in the flooded area. Any layman who watches the now published video sees clearly that the situation required an immediate and urgent mobilization of supra-regional rescue forces and the warning and evacuation of those down river. Yet nothing of the sort occurred that night. Ostensibly the video footage never reached the Situation Center. It was only in recent weeks, as the state parliament's investigative committee requested more material, that they were allegedly discovered on the external hard drive of a member of the helicopter crew. The claim that the video footage did not reach the Situation Center, however, is contradicted by the fact that the pilot of the police helicopter sent a written report on the findings of the overflight, including still frames from the video footage, to the Interior Ministrys situation center by email that same night, describing the dramatic situation on the ground. A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry confirmed that the situation center received the report at 12:53 a.m. Interior Minister Lewentz claims that he was not aware of the recordings, that he saw them for the first time when they were shown to the investigative committee on September 23 of this year. The credibility of this statement is open to question. In any case, Lewentzs response to reporters questions after the videos became known was scandalous. Until then, the interior minister had justified his inaction on the night of the floods by saying that he had no overall picture of the situation and no indications of a disaster. Now Lewentz explained that one could see a strong high-water on the videos, but not a catastrophe. There were no collapsed houses, he said, no bridges washed away, no destroyed railroad lines to be seen, as became visible in the light of morning. Asked whether the pictures would have changed his attitude if he had seen them that night, the minister answered not likely. After all, he said, you can see rescue workers in the pictures, everything that was under the lead of fire departments and the Federal Technical Relief Agency (THW), Bundeswehr (army), rescue service organizations, the Life Savers Association (DLRG) and others. I wouldn't have had any further way to help. Lewentz ultimately resigned from his post on October 12, two and a half weeks after the video was shown to the investigative committee. Today I take political responsibility for mistakes made in my area of responsibility, he said, explaining his move. Minister President Malu Dreyer (SPD) accepted the resignation, but left Lewentz in office on an acting basis until a successor was appointed. Lewentz left open whether he would also resign as chairman of the Rhineland-Palatinate SPD. Lewentzs conduct is just one example of the indifference and contempt for the lives and safety of the population displayed by so many politicians during and after the disastrous flood. In April of this year, Rhineland-Palatinates Environment Minister Anne Spiegel (Greens) and North Rhine-Westphalia's Environment Minister Ursula Heinen-Esser (CDU) were forced to resign for going on vacation during or shortly after the flood and then spoke untruthfully to the respective committees of inquiry about it. Shortly after the flood, the World Socialist Web Site stated, The severe consequences of the flood were not simply the result of a natural disaster of unimaginable proportions, but the result of the irresponsibility of politicians and authorities at the federal, state and local levels. Above all, that the flood killed so many people and caused such devastating damage is a direct result of the criminal inaction of federal and state governments. Commenting on the resignation of Environment Minister Spiegel, the WSWS said, Minister Spiegel embodies a social milieu whose world revolves only around their own sensitivities, prepared to walk over corpses to advance their careers, and with nothing but contempt for the less well off. This irresponsibility and contempt for the working class is likewise shared by Prime Minister Malu Dreyer (SPD), who did nothing on the night of the flood to limit its deadly effects. The local population has reacted to the release of the video and Interior Minister Lewentzs reaction with a mixture of incomprehension and anger. Concerned residents told broadcaster ZDFs Landerspiegel program on October 8: Anyone who doesnt see a catastrophe on the videos is totally out of place. One woman asked, Who is being convicted? No one! One resident said, In Sinzig, in this facility, where the flood arrived some three or four hours later, people could have been saved. The indifference and contempt for the lives and needs of the population expressed in Roger Lewentzs conduct shows the real priorities of all capitalist parties. His resignation will do nothing to change this. The same contempt is evident in the profit-before-lives politics during the coronavirus pandemic, which has already cost over 150,000 lives in Germany, and by the reckless war policy pursued by all parties represented in the Bundestag (German Federal Parliament), despite the danger of a nuclear third world war. Only a united movement of the international working class based on a socialist program can put an end to this madness. Employees at Geicos regional center in Amherst are trying to organize the workforce and create what would likely be the first union at the company, if they prevail. But leaders of Geico United say they have faced resistance from the insurance giant over their efforts to unionize a prominent employer in the Buffalo Niagara region. Geico United supporters employed at the companys location in CrossPoint Business Park in Getzville cite complaints including dissatisfaction with pay raises, micromanaging of the workforce and changes to employees' jobs without their consent or input. Their campaign is happening amid a wave of organizing drives in industries and sectors where unionized workforces are uncommon. The push to organize Starbucks stores around the country began with an election at a store on Elmwood Avenue. Workers at an Apple store in Maryland voted to unionize. An independent union has sprung up at T-Mobile, and it is attempting to organize workers at the telecommunications company. Geico United leaders say they were inspired by a successful union drive at a downstate Amazon warehouse. But organizers face challenges. They are trying to organize workers at one facility of a huge corporation that doesnt have a tradition of unionized employees. Geico United is also seeking to represent them as an independent union, rather than affiliating with an established union. Geico United's goal is to obtain signatures from at least 30% of 2,685 workers from the Getzville site the threshold that must be reached for the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election. Organizers have obtained more than 200 out of the roughly 800 digital signatures they need, and were collecting them at a fast clip until Geico began reacting, said Lila Balali, a Geico United leader. First discussions Asked to comment on the organizing drive, Geico said: We respect our associates' rights to make their own decisions about union issues. Associates have a legal right to support union representation and to oppose having a union. We recognize these important rights. We also believe that it benefits everyone to have an open and transparent dialogue with our associates without the constraints that are associated with collective bargaining, the company said. We are committed to supporting all of our associates and hearing directly from them about important issues. Balali said workers at Geico first started discussing unionizing early in the pandemic. When employees were shifted to remote work, they were told they wouldnt get reimbursed for buying equipment, such as headsets, to do their jobs, she said. Employees instead used their cellphones to handle the influx of calls, Balali said. The majority of us are taking phone calls 40 hours a week, and the calls are back to back, she said. You hang up and theres another call. Theres not even a second between calls. Employees also learned they would be selling insurance to customers in many more states than before, but without the extensive classroom training they used to receive, Balali said. Despite their shared frustrations, the idea of organizing didnt take off, she said. We just kind of stopped thinking about it, because we didnt fully understand it and we just didnt think it was possible, Balali said. We thought it was a blue-collar thing and there wouldnt be that much interest." But after Geico started making other changes this year, the idea of organizing resurfaced. Geico notified employees they would no longer sell insurance over the phone to customers in 16 states. Instead, she said, customers in those states were instructed to go online for those transactions. Amid those changes, employees were reassigned to other job categories. Balali, 36, had been working in sales for eight years and was moved into a customer service role a choice she said she would not have made at this stage of her career. We make bonuses in sales, she said. Her work schedule also changed as a result. As Balali and her colleagues from other departments shared their concerns, the talk to turned to organizing, which kicked off the current campaign. An independent campaign Balali said she spoke with a number of leaders of area unions, but Geico United decided to stay independent, at least for now. The approach is different from workers at Starbucks, who have affiliated with the Workers United labor union. Balali said Geico United organizers felt they had already taken a number of significant steps on their own, and found their message of independence resonated with co-workers. "Were inspired by the Amazon movement," Balali said. The Amazon Labor Union, an independent union, earlier this year won an election on Staten Island that resulted in Amazons first unionized warehouse in the country. They organized over 8,000 people, Balali said. I think we can do 2,600. Its possible. The independent union approach can be a tougher path for organizers who are new to union elections, said Cathy Creighton, director of Cornell University's School of Industrial Labor Relations Buffalo Co-Lab. "Its harder if you dont have someone educating on what you have to do, how to navigate the system." There is also the challenge that comes with attempting to become the first union at a big employer, she said: "The whole goal for the company would be to nip it in the bud." Creighton said the organizing drive at Geico reflects how interest in forming and joining unions has expanded beyond traditional sectors like manufacturing. The campaign at Starbucks stores "ignited a whole generation of workers to say, 'Wait a minute, I can do something about my terms and conditions of my employment, I have a way to have a say at work, and I can do that through a union?' " she said. Maryland-based Geico, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, has more than 43,000 employees at 18 major offices around the country. Getzville is one of its 10 regional centers. Making a push Balali said Geico has made it difficult for organizers to spread their message. I was genuinely convinced they would let us organize, get to an election and probably not be the best to deal with during negotiations, she said. But I thought theyd at least let us the opportunity to talk to the employees. Employees work at the Getzville office infrequently, and when they are, Geico United representatives arent allowed to approach their co-workers at their workstations, Balali said. After organizers put up union fliers on bulletin boards at the office, Geico took down the billboards, she said. The Geico campaign has attracted attention from media outlets, given that it is in a sector that does not typically have a unionized workforce. The union campaign was first reported by Investigative Post. In August, Geico sent emails which were posted on Reddit before being taken down to employees saying the company had not authorized visits by Geico United to workers homes to talk about joining a union, and said if employees felt uncomfortable with an uninvited person showing up at their home, they had "every right to contact the police." Another Geico message to workers also questioned whether employees would be better off with union representation. "Just because a union calls itself 'Geico United,' this does not mean it would deliver on the many promises made in leaflets," the email said. Amid published reports of those emails, six New York state lawmakers co-signed a letter to a local Geico official raising concerns about potential union-busting activities." Geico employees should be allowed to organize freely, if they wish, without improper influence by the company, the lawmakers wrote to Mindy Seibold, Geicos regional vice president for Buffalo. We recognize Geicos valued role as a longtime employer in Amherst, while also acknowledging that the company has benefited substantially from a subsidy package from New York state and the Amherst Industrial Development Agency. Major employer Geico opened its Amherst center in 2004. At the time the project was announced, Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaways chairman, said he had been a cheerleader for the company to choose the Buffalo area for a new center in the Northeast. (Berkshire Hathaway owned The Buffalo News before selling it to Lee Enterprises in 2020.) The project was hailed by government and economic development leaders as a major win for the region, and Geico became an anchor tenant for the CrossPoint park. The company has expanded its local operations over time. Geico United leaders attended a Labor Day event in South Buffalo, joining other leaders in the labor movement, including Starbucks Workers United. Balali said Geico United will continue with its push to collect enough signatures to hold an election. I think the bigger picture is, we can make our workplace better, she said. Thats why Im doing this. Indian supporters of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) recently interviewed workers and students in the campaign for the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) public meeting against nuclear war to be held this Sunday in Sri Lanka. Expatriate Sri Lankans working in the US, Italy and Qatar also voiced their support. The meeting, which is titled, Build an international working class movement to stop nuclear war danger is on Sunday 16 October, at 4 p.m., Sri Lankan time. Readers are urged to register here. Sumita Shaw, an assistant teacher at Saint Josephs School in Vijapur, Gujarat, India said: By using Ukraine as a scapegoat, the United States and its NATO partners are truly at war with Russia. The Russo-Ukrainian war, after more than 200 days of ongoing hostilities, has turned into a major concern for the working class, which has far-reaching implications both locally and globally. Sumita Shaw [Photo: WSWS] It will take the combined efforts of all workers around the world to quell the forces of capitalism and oligarchy, respectively. We need to be motivated by Marx who said, Workers of the world unite! you have nothing to lose but your chains. In this context, the SEPs online meeting against imperialist nuclear war threats, assumes great significance. Akash Dev, a translator from Kolkata, commented: The ongoing proxy war in Ukraine being waged by US and NATO forces is increasingly taking the form of a mad rush towards a third world war, with catastrophic nuclear consequences. Despite being fully aware of the destructive consequences of a nuclear war, they are heading towards it, which means they have decided to let millions or even billions be sacrificed for the sake of their profit interests. Balakrishnan, a sacked Motherson auto parts worker near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, stated: America and the European countries continue to provide billions of dollars in armaments to Ukraine to intensify the war against Russia. Balakrishnan, a dismissed Motherson auto parts worker. [Photo: WSWS] The US is now creating the conditions for a direct military intervention, claiming that Russia is posing a nuclear threat. A dangerous nuclear catastrophe is waiting to happen because of the American war drive for world dominance. I agree with the World Socialist Web Sites analysis of the war and the revolutionary alternative program needed to stop an imminent nuclear war through the struggle for world socialism. Rakibul Islam, a West Bengal University of Teachers Training, Education Planning and Administration student in India, said: I dont support Putins invasion of Ukraine but Im more worried by US-NATOs aggression because all they want to do is turn this into a third world war, not find any solution. The people suffering are the working class while who benefits is the capitalist class. Its very important to have an anti-war movement. The working class has to take this initiative. Arulsaravanan, a government law college student in Madurai in India, told campaigners that the Russian invasion of Ukraine became an imperialist war with the involvement of the US and the European nations. The US is trying to curtail the growth of China and Russia in order to maintain its hegemony. The only correct proletarian slogan in this situation is to transform the present imperialist war into a civil war. This should be the slogan of the Russian and the Ukrainian proletariat and it should be backed by the proletariat of the West, he said. A Sri Lankan working for a food chain in California said, Many people believe that although both sides of the conflict boast about the war, no nuclear weapons will be used. This opinion dominates because the media propagates this idea. Even though I believed that this idea was correct, nuclear war is a serious situation. While most people understand that the coming period will be more difficult, and that economic crisis will worsen, they do not see the relationship between war and the economic crisis. Recently people couldnt even get milk powder here in the US, and the price of many such products is now unbearable, which is connected to the war. Workers need to be clarified about these things. Even though Ill be at work when the SEP meeting will be held, I will register for the event with the expectation of listening to it later, he said. A Sri Lankan worker living in Italy and employed in the ice-cream industry said he would attend the SEPs online meeting. The [Italian] government closely supports the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine but with the onset of war, prices of goods have started to rise here. The cost of essential items, including bread, eggs and wheat flour and the items required for childrens education, such as books, have more than doubled. People cannot bear these prices I came to Italy because life in Sri Lanka was difficult. But now it is difficult wherever you live in the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war. If this war drags on, the situation will only worsen so people need to pay attention to this and take action to stop this conflict, he said. A Sri Lankan in Qatar who has worked for a transport company for the past ten years told the WSWS that he previously hoped to earn enough to start a business back home in Sri Lanka. This has proved impossible, he said, because my earnings are too low. Life has become extremely difficult in every country due to the war. Although prices in Qatar have not yet increased, it is impacted by the war. There are American bases in neighbouring Saudi Arabia and now fuel exports from Qatar to Europe have increased. While the oil companies are making huge profits in this situation, workers wages have not increased. I read the WSWS because the media does not report the truth about war. What you say about this war is logical and can be accepted. As a foreign worker I faced a dire situation during the pandemic, and it is certain that we will have to face enormous difficulties due to war. Ukraines Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has been photographed several times in recent weeks while wearing or displaying photos and symbols associated with the far right and even neo-Nazism. Zaluzhnyi's twitter post in which he is shown wearing a bracelet with far-right insignia. [Photo: WSWS] In one photo widely circulated on Twitter which was Zaluzhnyis own account posted, he can be seen walking with a gun while wearing a bracelet adorned with far-right symbols, including one symbol resembling a Nazi swastika. The bracelet is sold as a Viking bracelet in Ukraine and contains a number of symbols that are associated with Norse mythology and employed by far right and neo-Nazi movements worldwide. The "Viking" bracelet Zaluzhnyi was wearing. [Photo: WSWS] In another photo, Zaluzhnyi is shown standing in a military office with several other soldiers in front of a desk adorned with busts of OUN-B leaders and Nazi-collaborators Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych. Photos of both Shukhevych and Bandera are prominently hanging on the wall in the background. A separate photo taken in Zaluzhnyis office also has a bust of Bandera displayed on a table against a wall. Zaluzhnyi with soldiers in an office, decorated with busts and portraits of Stepan Bandera and other Ukrainian fascists. [Photo: WSWS] Supporters of the NATO-backed proxy war in Ukraine on Twitter and Western media outlets such as France24 have attempted to whitewash Zaluzhnyis choices of decoration by pointing out that the swastika on the bracelet is not as prominent as it appears in Zaluzhnyis Twitter photo. Zaluzhnyi has been depicted as a heroic figure in the Western pro-imperialist press and has even recently appeared on the cover of Time magazine. To acknowledge the role of far-right forces within Ukraine is tantamount to heresy within the corporate press, since it would expose the real character of the imperialist-backed war in Ukraine. However, the bracelet, combined with the far-right paraphernalia openly displayed in Ukrainian military offices leaves no doubt that Zaluzhnyi is supportive of the use of far-right symbols and the veneration of Ukrainian World War II Nazi collaborators within the Ukrainian military. The photos also clearly demonstrate the extent to which the far-right, rather than being merely a marginal element, is in fact closely linked to the highest levels of Ukrainian government and military, which themselves are in constant contact with the Biden administration. On the same day that Zaluzhnyi posted the photo of himself wearing the far-right bracelet, he also revealed that he had just spoken with United States General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. According to Zaluzhnyi, he and Milley match[ed] our clocks regarding the level of supply of the Ukrainian military with weapons and material. The photos of Zaluzhnyi associating himself openly with far-right figures and symbology also appeared on the same day that Azov Battalion fighters recently released by Moscow revealed that Azovs Commander Denis Prokopenko had been in contact with both Zaluzhnyi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while being trapped within the Azovstal factory in Mariupol. According to Azov Major Bohdan Krotevych, The whole operation of our exit was agreed to with government leadership. It was a tough operation. Zaluzhnyi was first appointed to his post as Commander in Chief by Zelensky in July 2021 and immediately displayed a predilection towards military escalation with Russia. In September of 2021, Zaluzhnyi permitted Ukrainian forces to open fire on Donbass separatists without having to consult first with military leadership. Later, in October of 2021, Zaluzhnyi ordered the first use of Turkish-supplied Bayraktar drones in a strike against separatist forces in Donbass. The attack drew a sharp rebuke from Moscow as the use of foreign unmanned aerial vehicles was clearly banned under the Minsk peace accord. In November of 2021, Zaluzhniy made his support for the far-right public when appointed former Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh as his advisor. Yarosh previously led the Right Sectors paramilitary formation the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and played a leading role in carrying out Kievs war against the breakaway Donbass regions after the regular Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered from mass desertions and defeats. Zaluzhniy later refused to reveal the details of Yaroshs role of advisor or of his dismissal from the post in December 2021 and it is still unclear exactly what role Yarosh played. More recently, the city of Dnipro renamed one of its major streets after Stepan Bandera after the Mayor of the city promised Yarosh he would honor Bandera in the largely Russian-speaking city when the right time came. In September, Yarosh posted to Facebook that Ukraine should make territorial claims on several Russian regions and cities such as Belgorod, Kuban, Voronezh and continue the war into Russia to capture Ukrainian lands. At least 25 miners were killed and dozens injured in yesterdays firedamp explosion at the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprises (TTK) Amasra Plant Directorate mine in Bartn on the Black Sea coast. At the time of writing, several miners were still underground. Miners carry the body of a victim in Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartn, Turkey, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. [AP Photo/Nilay Meryem Comlek/Depo Photos] An explosion occurred at the Amasra Hard Coal Plant Directorate at minus 300 [meters] level around 6:15 p.m., with no cause yet, the Bartn Governors Office said in a statement yesterday, adding that a large number of rescue teams were sent to the scene. There are 44 workers at minus 300 level and 5 workers at minus 350 level, Bartn Governor Nurtac Arslan announced. The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) of the Interior Ministry later deleted a tweet claiming that the explosion was caused by a transformer. However, Hakan Yesil, the chair of the General Mine Workers Union (GMIS) affiliated to the pro-government Turk-Is confederation, to which the miners in Amasra belong, also said that it was a transformer-induced firedamp explosion. A worker who came out of the mine after the explosion said, We dont know anything. There was dust and smoke, we dont know what happened. We couldnt see it. I got out by my own means. It was probably an explosion. Since we were a little behind, there was only pressure. Because of the pressure, there was a mass of dust, you couldnt see anything. According to the information we have, there was a firedamp explosion, said Fatih Donmez, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, who arrived at the scene in the following hours. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu also announced that there were 110 workers in the shift; 61 workers were unharmed, but 49 miners were in the risk zone. At midnight, the Bartn Governors Office announced that 36 of these 49 miners had been extracted from underground and the death toll had risen to 25. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag claimed that Amasra Public Prosecutors Office has started an investigation into the explosion. The incident will be investigated in all its dimensions. This statement was made to appease the anger of millions of working people who were waiting for the miners to be brought out unharmed. This anger was based on previous experiences, notably the Soma mine disaster in 2014, in which miners were sacrificed to the profit motive through the lack of precautions. As the World Socialist Web Site then explained, the catastrophe in Soma was not an unexplainable accident but the inevitable result of privatization, government neglect and the capitalist profit system, which sacrifices the lives and limbs of millions of industrial workers around the world every year. Failure to take precautions by a private mining company close to the Erdogan government and the connivance of state officials and the union cost the lives of 301 miners. Following the massacre, mass protests erupted across the country and the government was forced to introduce new legislation on mines. However, the mining companys chairman Can Gurkan was released from prison in 2019, and no one is currently imprisoned due to Soma mining disaster. It soon became clear that a similar situation existed in Amasra. Deniz Yavuzylmaz, Zonguldak deputy of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), posted the 2019 Court of Accounts report on Twitter, stating that The Court of Accounts warned! The Court of Accounts says that the production depth in Bartn, Amasra has reached 300 meters; that the gas content is high in the mineral veins worked and the risk of sudden eruption of gas and coal, and firedamp explosion is increasing! The official report stated: In 2019, the plants stabilized production depth was 300 meters. This deepening leads to increased risks of serious accidents such as sudden eruption of gas and coal, and firedamp explosion. It is known that the gas content is high in all of the mineral veins worked, therefore the degassing capacities are also high, and the risk increases even more in failure zones. For this reason, in addition to the provisions of the relevant legislation, the provisions of the Institution Degassing Directive must be meticulously implemented in the mines of the plant. The daily Evrensel reported that According to the report of the Court of Accounts on the Amasra Hard Coal Plant, while 190 work accidents occurred in 2019, 164 workers were injured in 164 work accidents in 2020, 157 of which occurred underground and 7 above ground. It quoted the Court of Accounts report for the General Directorate of TTK and five plants in 2021, which revealed that in 2019 and 2020, inspectors from the Labor Inspection Board of the Labor and Social Security Ministry did not visit the plants and did not conduct audits and inspections. In the first hours after the explosion, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said, We will do our best to reduce the painful news and give good news to all of Turkey. What nonsense! A government minister announces that they are trying to reduce the painful news after an explosion that had been warned of by state officials. Shortly before this tragedy, on September 20, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez had visited the Amasra mine with a large delegation. It included TTK General Director Kazm Eroglu, Turk-Is Confederation President Ergun Atalay, GMIS Union President Hakan Yesil, GMIS executives and the governor and mayor of Bartn. The statements made during this visit, in the face of official warnings of such a mining disaster, and the concealment of the facts from the workers instead of taking immediate measures, are an indictment of the state and union bureaucrats. In his speech, GMIS President Yesil said in a wheedling fashion, Mr. Minister [Donmez] took time out of his busy schedule to visit you [miners] where you work. He is here with us today. I thank him on behalf of all of you. Turk-Is President Atalay also thanked the government, stating: The two ministries I knock on the door of when our miners have a problem are the Labor Ministry and the Energy Ministry. A short while ago, there was a problem with a site in Soma. Mr. Minister solved that issue immediately. He added that, We also had the opportunity to talk about this place [Amasra]. What the union bureaucrats, who function as an extension of the state and the companies, told the ministers had, of course, nothing to do with defending the vital interests of the miners, including their safety. The only demand of the union bureaucracy, as they stated during this visit, was to hire more workers to increase production. During the visit, Minister Donmez also confirmed that they have the same goal as the union bureaucracy, saying, We have a target to increase production. Donmezs remarks to the miners who will be sent to their deaths in a few weeks are particularly staggering in terms of their level of hypocrisy. He claimed: First of all, let me say this: safety first. We would not trade the safety of your lives for the entire plant. When we appoint managers, the first instruction is that production may be slightly disrupted, we will compensate it, but not a single hair or nail of one of our workers should be harmed. Donmez also said, Following the Soma accident, special measures were taken for those working in the mining sector, especially underground. Working conditions were improved, working hours were shortened. Weekend vacation was provided. At least two minimum wage requirements were imposed on miners working underground, before adding: After these measures, work accidents have quickly decreased. Yes, we did not achieve zero [accidents]. We would like our goal to be zero fatal work accidents. But unfortunately, the mining sector is one of the most risky industries in the world. The ministers attempt, with his last sentence, to persuade miners to accept fatal work accidents as inevitable, brings to mind the notorious statement of then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the massacre of miners in Soma: These are normal things. It is in the nature of this business. However, Donmezs claim that work accidents have quickly decreased since 2014 is also untrue. According to data from the Health and Safety Labour Watch (ISIG) in Turkey, a total of 386 miners in Turkey fell victim to industrial accidents in 2014, after 301 miners lost their lives in the Soma disaster. In 2013, this figure was 93. 67 miners died in 2015, 74 in 2016, 93 in 2017, 66 in 2018, 63 in 2019, 61 in 2020 and 70 in 2021. As of October this year, the number of miners killed at work is 53. Moreover, in the last five years, an average of 2,052 workers have been killed at workplaces in Turkey. The mining disaster in Amasra underscores the need for workers to organize independently of the union bureaucracies that serve the state and corporations, to fight against capitalism in defense of their basic rights, including their safety. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees responds to this common need of workers all over the world. The final hearing before the midterm elections of the US House Select Committee investigating January 6 provided further substantiation of two critical facts about the attempted fascistic coup nearly two years ago: First, that it was a planned effort, spearheaded by Trump but with the support of substantial sections of the military, police and state apparatus; and second, that the Democratic Partyand President-Elect Biden in particulardid absolutely nothing to stop the insurrection as it was happening. On Jan. 6, 2021 right-wing rioters loyal to President Donald Trump storm the US Capitol in Washington in a coup attempt. [Credit: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File] Both arise out of the video that was released by the committee, consisting of previously unreleased footage of Democratic Party congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, taken by Pelosis daughter. Cut with scenes of the fascistic mob storming the Capitol to stop certification of the election result and capture or kill elected officials, the reaction of the most powerful leaders of the legislative branch is a portrait of prostration. The aim of the insurrection was acknowledged by the Democratic Party leaders in Congress as it was happening. As 2:23 p.m., Pelosi is recorded as telling someone on the phone that it was necessary to finish the proceedings, or else they will have a complete victory, i.e., that Bidens election would be blocked and the US government overthrown. At 2:42 p.m., she is heard saying that there has to be some way that we maintain the sense that government can function and that we can elect a government of the United States. Support for the coup within significant sections of the state apparatus was underscored by details released on Thursday, including communications from the Secret Service on the plans of far-right groups to come to the Capitol, arms in hand. One email dated December 26, 2020, nearly two weeks before the insurrection, stated that members of the Proud Boys planned to kill people on January 6. They think they will have a large enough group to march into DC armed and will outnumber the police so they cant be stopped, it stated. Yet nothing was done to protect the Capitol. The meager police forces that were deployed were quickly overrun by the crowd of insurrectionists following Trumps speech at the Ellipse. Huddled in their bunkers, the congressional leaders had no plan of action in response. Pelosi and Schumer made a series of calls to various participants in the conspiracy, pleading with them to put an end to it. At 3:00 p.m., Schumer announced that he was going to call up the effing secretary of DOD, that is, Trumps acting secretary of defense, Christopher Miller, one of the chief architects of the coup. Schumer and Pelosi proceeded to plead with Miller to call out the Maryland National Guard, which he was blocking. Pelosi informed Miller, whom she called Mr. Secretary, that she was going to call the mayor of Washington, D.C. to see if there is anything she could do. Around 3:20 p.m., Pelosi called the governor of Virginia to see if he could send National Guard troops, but added in a bewildered tone that she was uncertain whether he might need the approval of the federal government. Schumer and Pelosi then called Trumps acting attorney general, Jeff Rosen, at 3:25 p.m. Pelosi pleaded with Rosen to ask Trump if he could at least do something, while Schumer suggested that he get the president to tell them to leave the Capitol. At one point, around 4:30 p.m., Pelosi said she was told (it is unclear by whom) that Congress would not be able to go back into session in the Capitol building for several days because, she said, of the poo poo that theyre making, literally and figuratively. She was prepared to accept the effective prorogation of Congress. All this places in stark relief the complete silence of Biden as events were unfolding. The congressional leaders at several points called officials in the Trump administration and the military, and Schumer referred to a discussion with the vice president elect, that is, Kamala Harris. No one, however, mentioned any discussions with the individual whose election was in the process of being overturned. What was Biden doing to defend his own election? Indeed, in all the books and articles detailing the events of that day, there is almost nothing available on the actions of Biden during the most critical hours. One article in Politico, published this past January, notes that little is known about how Biden and his team processed, in real time, the riot that was taking place. After reporting that Biden was receiving calls from advisors from his home in Wilmington, Delaware, the article notes that he left his house at about 2:20 p.m. for The Queen music hall. By that time things had escalated significantly, and he went right into the hold to keep watching. Then, he went dark. Biden did not make a public statement until nearly two hours later, just after 4:00 p.m. This period, between 2:00 and 4:00, was crucial for the insurrection. It included the bulk of the 199 minutes during which the military stood by and did nothingbetween 1:49 p.m., when D.C. National Guard Commander William Walker submitted a request to acting Defense Secretary Miller and the top military command for the deployment of the National Guard, and their final authorization at 5:08 pm. Whatever Biden was doing during this period, he was leaving his options open, including reaching some sort of power-sharing agreement or conceding the election entirely. There may well have been calls made to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, to determine which side the military would support. Biden finally emerged from the dark at just after 4:00 pm. He delivered remarks, all of eight minutes long, appealing to Trump personally to intervene. I call on President Trump to go on national television now, to fulfill his oath and defend the Constitution, and demand an end to this siege, he declared. He concluded his remarks with an appeal for bipartisan unity and a further call to the arch conspirator behind the coup: President Trump, step up. As the WSWS wrote on January 7, This bankrupt appeal to the would-be fascist dictator will go down in history as Bidens Hitler, do the right thing speech. The coup ultimately failed, but it was not due to the actions of the Democratic Party. If events had played out somewhat differently, there is no doubt that the Democrats would have accepted an outcome in which, as Pelosi said, they will have a complete victory. The prostration of the Democratic Party prior to and during the events of January 6 is not the product of mere cowardice or stupidity. There were political considerations involved. First, as representatives of the corporate and financial elite, the Democrats were and remain terrified of any action that could provoke a mass response within the working class that would spiral out of control. The Democrats central aim was and is not the preservation of democratic forms of rule, but the stability of the state apparatus and its two-party system. Biden expressed this less than 48 hours after the coup, when he said at a press conference, We need a Republican Party that is principled and strong. Bidens inaugural address two weeks after the coup was devoted entirely to calls for unity with his Republican colleagues, with barely a mention of the January 6 insurrection. Twenty-one months after the insurrection, not a single leading figure in the conspiracy, Trump included, has been arrested, let alone prosecuted. Second, and bound up with this, the Democrats primary criticism of Trump was and remains focused on questions of foreign policy, and particularly the plans, now activated, for war with Russia. To the extent that the faction of the ruling class opposed to Trump is escalating the conflict, as expressed in the decision of the committee to subpoena Trump on Thursday, it is motivated largely by the imperatives of American imperialism. Even here, the Democrats have ceded the initiative to the Republicans, including figures like Liz Cheney, the dominant figure in on the January 6 Select Committee. The aim of the Democrats is to deepen their alliance with at least a faction of the Republican Party on the basis of a common program of war abroad and social reaction at home. The entire response of the Democratic Party, combined with the reactionary policies of the Biden administration, has served to politically strengthen the openly fascistic wing of the ruling class, which stands to make significant gains in the midterm elections. If basic democratic rights are to be defended and the tendency toward dictatorship and fascism opposed, it is not through the mechanism of the Democratic Party or any faction of the ruling class political establishment, but through the methods of class struggle and socialist revolution. The catastrophic climate change-linked floods that have ravaged Pakistan since June and peaked in late August continue to inundate vast swathes of the country. Torrents of water produced by melting glaciers in the Himalayas combined with an unusually heavy rain season have devastated substantial portions of the country. Millions have been displaced, often with their homes completely destroyed, and tens of millions more are being impacted by the destruction of crops and livestock and much of the countrys limited infrastructure. Since mid-June more than 1,700 people have officially lost their lives due to the floods, among them 615 children. A further 12,000 are reported as injured. Over 33 million people are variously affected by the floods. As grim as these official figures are, they provide only a pale reflection of the true human toll. Victims of heavy flooding from monsoon rains carry relief aid through flood water in the Qambar Shahdadkot district of Sindh Province, Pakistan, Sept. 9, 2022. Scientists have said climate change no doubt helped swell monsoon rains this summer that dumped three-and-a-half times the normal amount of rain, putting a third of Pakistan underwater. [AP Photo/Fareed Khan] Relief workers are warning of an explosion of disease and hunger in the coming weeks and months, yet Pakistans ruling elite and the major imperialist powers are doing virtually nothing to provide emergency aid. Despite the urgent need for billions of dollars to deal with the social disaster and help people rebuild their lives, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected any relaxing of the stringent austerity conditions it attached to the release of the latest $1.16 billion tranche of its loan program with Islamabad in September. Policy commitments made by the Pakistani authorities as part of the Seventh and Eighth review under their IMF-support program continue to apply, its resident in Islamabad, Esther Perez Ruiz, callously told Reuters last Monday. The governments policy commitments mean that it must slash the remaining price subsidies, raise prices of energy products and impose taxes on hitherto exempted products including essentials and medicine. In addition, the provincial governments must produce a budgetary surplus. The unstated assumption behind these stringent orders is that the government must not spend on relief programs, since these would violate the IMFs stipulations. Assistance from the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz)-led government has been limited to payments of 25,000 rupees (less than $US 115) to 2.6 million families, reported the Dawn earlier this week. Officially 7.6 million are listed as displaced. Yet according to UN data only 600,000 are living in official relief camps. While some may have found refuge with relatives or friends, millions have been left to fend for themselves, living in makeshift camps and often in the open air, without drinking water and sanitary facilities. The absence of toilets has forced the displaced to relieve themselves in the open. After losing what little they owned, many flood victims are now threatened by diseases such as malaria, dengue and scabies, child morbidity and malnutrition. Indicative of the authorities disorganized and indifferent response to the human tragedy playing out across much of the worlds fifth most populous country, there is no systematic government collection of data on the floods and the health and well-being of its victims with a view to mobilizing and distributing desperately needed resources. Newspaper reports are largely limited to harrowing accounts from victims and aid-workers. BBC spoke to Dr. Ammara Gohar, a member of a medical team that visited several villages in rural Sindh, still cut-off by flood waters, by wooden boat. She spoke of tending to a severely malnourished nine-month-old, adding, there are so many people like this baby. AFP spoke to parents of an unresponsive child of seven treated for suspected malaria in a desperately rundown emergency clinic. The childs mother described the squalid conditions in the camp where they are living. From early evening until dawn, throughout the whole night, the mosquitoes are overwhelming, she said. They and other flood victims are drinking from a well suspected to have been contaminated by flood water. Due to rising flood waters, the family had had to flee twice before settling in the current relief camp. According to the AFP report, Sindh has reported 208,000 cases of malaria in 2022, a substantial increase from last year. The estimated damage from the flooding has already surpassed $40 billion. Over 750,000 homes have been destroyed and 1.3 million damaged. 13,000 kilometres of roads, 410 bridges, 2,000 hospitals and health care facilities and 25,000 schools are said to have been destroyed or damaged. The floods have also devastated the countrys crops, with Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman estimating that 50 percent of the countrys breadbasket has been destroyed. The Guardian reported on October 12 that four million acres of crops have been destroyed nationally, including rice and cotton. The decimation of crops will directly compound the food supply crisis and hit Pakistans textile industry hard. Textiles are one of the countrys most important exports. The disruption of agriculture will continue for years to come. In addition to the destruction of this years crops, farmers report that they cannot sow wheat, rice, and other crops for next year because water levels have yet to recede. [W]e have no dry land left, one landowner in Baluchistans Sohbatpur district told the Guardian. Another farmer from Sindh province added, People have lost their crops and some have also lost their seeds of wheat, which they had kept for new seasons in storerooms and factories. Amid a slew of reports of widespread disease, hunger and poverty, entirely predictable for an impoverished country such as Pakistan, the United Nations has increased the meagre urgent relief fund target it set last month five-fold, from $160 million to $816 million. In an October 5 press release, the UN said it was doing so in response to the growing lifesaving needs of the people. According to Reuters, the UN was able to raise just $90 million by the time it renewed the appeal, little more than half of the initial woefully inadequate sum. Even before the floods, Pakistan was reeling from the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and the US-NATO proxy war on Russia in Ukraine. Decades of IMF austerity and structural adjustment programs implemented by all of the parties of the Pakistani elite, including the PML (N), the Pakistan Peoples Party and Imran Khans PTI, have placed the overwhelming majority of Pakistans 225 million people in poverty or one crisis away from it. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned a public health disaster is in the making. The water has stopped rising, but the danger has not, he said last week. Many more lives than were lost in the floods could be lost in the coming weeks if we dont mobilize greater support for Pakistan. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that 5.7 million flood survivors will face a serious food crisis between September and November. This adds to some 38 million Pakistanismore than 16 percent of the populationestimated by the WHO to have been in moderate to severe food insecurity even prior to the floods. Aid agency Save the Children estimated that 3.4 million children in Pakistan are facing chronic hunger. Its country director in Pakistan, Khuram Gondal, said, As well as dealing with the wreckage, the country is now facing a full-blown hunger crisis. We simply cannot allow a situation where children are starving to death because we did not act quickly enough. The World Bank, which is working hand in hand with the IMF and Islamabads elite to push ahead with privatization, including in the energy and education sectors, warned of a sharp increase of poverty as a result of the floods. It noted that without decisive relief and recovery efforts to help the poor, between 5.8 and 9 million people will be pushed into povertywhich it defines as living on less than $1.90 a day. While the warning is certainly valid, the projections are an underestimate. General Zafar Iqbal, the coordinator of the National Flood Response and Coordination Centre set up by the government and the military to coordinate relief efforts, said the aid received so far was a drop in the ocean If you send 100 planes, they would take 1,600 tonnes, or 2,000 tonnes or maybe 2,500 tonnes of aid material, but we require 300 to 400 tonnes of food every day. In other words, most of those affected are hungry, sick and desperate for assistance but hardly anything is coming their way. The total assistance provided by the United States since the beginning of the year to Pakistan, its Cold War-era ally and still a major non-NATO partner, amounts to a pittance of $56 million. Between 2002 and 2017, the United States paid Islamabad a staggering $33.4 billion for the dirty work it rendered to sustain the catastrophic invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. While a minuscule portion of this sum trickled down as humanitarian assistance, the vast majority went to pay for various war-related expenditures, including fattening the pockets of the single most important decision-maker in the country, Pakistans military. Washington used these large sums of aid as leverage to pressure Islamabad into serving as a US satrap to strengthen American imperialisms position in Central Asia. The military aid provided to Pakistan over a 15-year period is outstripped by the vast quantities of advanced arms, military hardware and financial aid Washington has flooded into Ukraine. Just the latest shipment on October 4 cost the US $625 million, bringing the Biden administrations direct military assistance to Kiev to $17.5 billion. The US president, who has authorized over $66 billion for Ukraine to escalate the war against Russia, recently warned an audience of billionaires to prepare for nuclear Armageddon. Nuclear-armed Pakistans PML (N)-PPP coalition government allocated a massive $7.5 billion, or 16 percent of its total budget, to defense for the 202223 financial year, a 12 percent increase over the previous year. While pursuing its own reactionary military-strategic rivalry with India, Pakistans ruling elite relies upon the military as the bulwark of the capitalist state machine that upholds its privileges and ruthlessly suppresses the democratic, social and economic aspirations of the working class and rural toilers. It is with profound sadness that we report the death of Regina Suzanne Lohr, a member of the Trotskyist movement for 33 years. Regina died on October 10 in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales (NSW), following a four-year battle with breast cancer. She was 66 years old. Regina is survived by her long-time partner and comrade Ken Mantell, and her four siblings, Ingrid, Liane, Robert and Irene. Regina Lohr [Photo: WSWS] For Reginas parents, Robert and Brigitte, early family life was intimately connected to World War II. In 1944, her father was sent to fight on the Eastern Front against the Red Army until he was wounded and repatriated to Germany. His wound would ultimately result in the loss of his leg. After the war, the young couple, being Sudetenland Germans, found themselves homeless and moved to East Germany. There Robert trained as an electrical engineer, relocating to Karlsruhe where Regina was born. Karlsruhe was one of the many German cities and towns significantly damaged by British fighter bombers in 1942. The family emigrated to Australia in 1964, arriving on January 25 on the SS Aurelia. As Regina explained at her 66th birthday celebrations this year, the familys decision to leave Europe at the height of the Cold War was prompted by the 1962 Cuban missile crisis which had brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Regina was seven years old when the family arrived in 1960s Australia, a very different world to that of her home country, Germany. She recounted that on arrival the family drove around the working-class western and southwestern suburbs of Sydney, marvelling at the lines of fibro-cement sheeting homes which, to the young European family, appeared as if constructed from stiff cardboard. The family, now with the addition of Irene, Reginas fourth sibling, finally settled in the southwestern suburb of Picnic Point in Sydney where the Lohr children attended the local schools. Following high school, Regina worked in the public service, including the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) but was repelled by the brutal treatment staff were compelled to mete out to applicants for welfare payments. The turning point in Reginas life came in 1989 when she met the then Socialist Labour League (SLL), precursor of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP), which she joined in 1990. This was a period of intense confusion for workers internationally, the result of the decision of the Stalinist bureaucracies in the former Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) to dissolve the USSR and restore capitalist property relations in both countries thereby eviscerating what was left of the gains of the 1917 Russian Revolution and the buffer states. That this occurred without any organised mass opposition by the working class was the outcome of the betrayal of Stalinism, and their acolytes in the Pabloite revisionist organisations, which had thirty years prior broken with Trotskyism. The parties of the United Secretariat led by Ernest Mandel had hailed the emergence of the Stalinist regimes in Eastern Europe as proof of the progressive role Stalinism could play. Mandels German co-thinkers rushed to the defence of the hated bureaucratic forces in East Germany by joining the government led by the Socialist Unity Party (SED) of the former GDR. Mass protest in East Berlin in 1989. Only the International Committee of the Fourth International, the world Trotskyist movement, fought Stalinism from the left. The Bund Sozialistischer Arbeiter (BSA, Socialist Labour League), predecessor of the Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit (PSG, Socialist Equality Party), was the only organisation in Germany to warn of the disastrous results of a restoration of capitalism, without making the slightest concessions to the SED. In an appeal distributed on November 4, 1989, to a mass demonstration in Berlin, the BSA explained, Political freedom and democratic rights can be won only through a political revolution in which the working class overthrows the ruling bureaucracy, drives it out of all its posts and establishes independent organs of proletarian power and democracy, workers councils, elected by the workers in the factories and neighbourhoods, accountable to them and based solely on their strength and mobilisation. It was to this analysis that Regina responded so emphatically. She was not swayed by the wave of capitalist triumphalism that fostered the lie that the collapse of the GDR and the dissolution of the Soviet Union was the end of history or of socialism. Once she understood that, in fact, it was the end of nationalist-based programs and organisations and that only a perspective of socialist internationalism could answer the growing crisis confronting the working class, she never wavered. Regina Lohr addressing a Community Public Sector Union strike meeting in Sydney in 1997. [Photo: WSWS] Regina worked in the branches of the SLL, then the SEP, which were active in the working-class suburbs of Sydney, campaigning with the SLLs twice-weekly newspaper Workers News and, following the launch of the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) fought to increase the partys influence among workers and young people. This also included fighting for the partys policies in the public sector union and assisting with German translations. For several years, Regina cared for her ageing parents and following their deaths, worked in home care, and then teaching children with learning difficulties. While she excelled in this demanding task, it was cut short by her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2018. Regina met her diagnosis with the same resilience and determination that characterised her role in the party. After six months of gruelling treatment, she was given the all-clear in 2019 and moved with Ken to Coffs Harbour. The reprieve, however, was short-lived when the cancer returned only weeks after they had moved. For the next three and a half years Ken and Regina undertook every possible measure to defeat the disease. This included weekly trips to Tweed Heads, 285 kilometres north, to access treatment which was unavailable in Coffs Harbour Hospital. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic placed unforeseen obstacles to safe and effective treatment in a hospital system crippled by decades of funding cuts. This was especially evident in the regional health system in the mid-north coast of NSW. Despite her ailing health, her hospital admissions were the occasion for Regina to explain to anyone who would listen the possibility and necessity of fighting for scientifically based action to eliminate the virus. The support of her friends, sister Irene and her comrades gave Regina enormous strength but what sustained her during this difficult period was her belief and confidence in the political perspective of socialist internationalism. She was determined to live so she could contribute to the victory of a socialist future for mankind. The publication of the 2020 New Year statement authored by David North and Joseph Kishore, titled The Decade of Socialist Revolution Begins, prompted Regina to declare, I want to be around for that. Tragically, cancer robbed Regina of that wish. The SEP and the working class has lost a diligent and committed fighter for Trotskyism but her memory and her legacy will live on in the struggles of her comrades and workers against the capitalist system. Update 10/17: The original version of this story contained inaccuracies about the circumstances of the workers death, which have been removed. A UPS worker fell to her death on Wednesday, October 5th, at the companys massive Worldport air hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident was ruled a suicide by Louisville Metro police, according to a short article by WLKY, a local TV station. Several employees who contacted the station informed them that it happened shortly before 11 p.m. WLKY said they had reached out to the company, but they declined to release any details. UPS spokesperson Jim Mayer said, We worked with authorities last night to investigate an incident at Worldport but refused to share any more information with local stations WDRB and WLKY. The pandemic-induced online shopping boom had been a windfall for UPS. Gross revenue rose to nearly $72 billion, and its U.S. workforce had increased to 396,000, making UPS one of the nations largest employers. Since the pandemic began, their profits have risen by 37 percent, according to Macrotrends. A UPS loader said on Facebook: My heart is broken for this young womans family and friends. All because UPS swept her mental health under the rug when she asked for help MULTIPLE times. They didnt even stop production in that building during the cleanup. Do better, PLEASE! One worker said, So while we were working, supervisors came and passed out mental health pamphlets to reach out to counselors. That was always offered but not advertised like this until that happened. And they did not explain why they were passing them out. I heard from another employee that the suicide happened! The worker continued, What makes me so mad is that employees had to reach out to the news, not UPS. This girl was a human being. She continued, No one knows her name either, and I understand the family might not want all details released, but the area this girl worked in didnt even stop production. This is another tragic example of UPSs disregard for workers safety and mental health. 24-year-old UPS driver Esteban Chavez Jr. of Downey, California, died from a heat stroke on June 26th. There is no air conditioning in UPS delivery vehicles, which resulted in numerous serious incidents during summer heat waves across the country. The tragedy in Louisville is the latest in a series of workplace deaths. In another death with disturbing parallels, 67-year-old Thomas Tank McAuliffe fell to his death from a roof at the Stellantis Sterling Stamping plant in Detroit, in a suspected suicide. According to co-workers, he had been under stress. Several workers have died at the plant due to Covid or industrial accidents over the past three years. Two brothers, Ben and Max Morrissey, died on September 20 in a BP Husky oil refinery in Oregon, Ohio. They were 32 and 34 years old. The company issued a statement expressing deep sadness. BP has a terrible record of workplace deaths. According to the AFL-CIO, there are 340 workplace deaths per day in the United States. In 2020, 4,700 workers died on the job. That year there were 3.2 million injuries due to hazardous workplace conditions. There are only 1,700 OSHA inspectors for 10.4 million workplaces in the U.S, and the average federal penalty for a workers death is only $9,753. There have only been 115 deaths prosecuted since OSHAs inception in 1970. Around 150 Apple retail employees will stop work for one hour on Tuesday as part of a dispute over a new enterprise agreement that will slash real wages. Following the strike, workers will carry out a set of limited work bans for an indefinite period. While workers across Australia will take part in the industrial action, the main impact will be at two stores in Brisbane and one in Newcastle, where the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU) has the greatest coverage over Apple workers. Screenshot from meeting of Apple workers ahead of industrial action Most of the companys almost 4,000 Australian employees will not take part in the stoppages or bans, although they are covered by the same agreement, as the Australian Services Union (ASU) and Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) have refused to call for industrial action. In addition, many workers are prohibited from striking as they are not members of any of the three unions35 non-union bargaining representatives are involved in the negotiations. Under Australias harsh industrial relations laws, only workers who are members of a registered union are allowed to strike. Apple is offering workers annual pay increases of just 2.6 percent, a massive wage cut in real terms. This paltry wage bump will only be given to workers who are currently receiving the minimum rate for their classification, which has been frozen since the last enterprise agreement expired in 2018. According to the ASU, this means 75 percent of Apple retail employees will get nothing at all. Apple is also seeking to retain conditions in the existing agreement which enable the company to roster any employee on any shift, seven days a week, with no set days of work from one two-week roster period to the next. Part-time employees currently have no guaranteed minimum hours, meaning they are effectively treated as casuals by the company, but do not receive the 25 percent casual wage loading required by Australian workplace law. The proposed agreement will provide a minimum of 19 hours work per week for part-timers, but will still require them to be available to work at any time. Under the proposed agreement, workers will not receive evening penalty rates until 8 p.m. While this is a marginal improvement on the previous agreement, in which ordinary hours extend to 10 p.m., workers will still be starved of an hour worth of wages compared to the national retail award, which calls for time-and-a-half from 6 p.m. The proposed agreement also falls short of provisions in the award that guarantee those who regularly work Saturday and Sunday, one weekend off every four weeks, and consecutive rostered days off work. The RAFFWU has also warned that the deal could allow workers to be rostered for up to 60 hours in a week without overtime. These conditions expose the companys claims that wages at Apple are 17 percent higher than the industry standard. The ASU is demanding annual pay increases of CPI plus 2.5 percent, and increases to evening penalty rates that still fall short of the retail award. The RAFFWU is seeking an immediate increase in the minimum base pay rate to $31 per hour and annual pay increases of 5 percent or CPI plus 2.5 percent, whichever is higher. While the RAFFWU has put forward a lengthy log of claims, its recent deal with bookstore chain Readings makes clear that the union is prepared to grant major concessions to employers. That agreement, which the union described as one of the best retail agreements in Australia, included penalty rates lower than the award. Previous enterprise agreements at Apple were essentially negotiated between different sections of management. The employee representative who signed off on the 2014 agreement was the general manager of the companys main Australian store in George St, Sydney. In an attempt to avoid industrial action over the new agreement, the company has tried to ram through the deal before the unions could present a log of claims or organise a strike ballot. In August, the unions claim, Apple issued workers with a draft agreement, but did not notify the unions that the bargaining period had started. On September 19, Apple again tried to bypass the unions, sending the final proposed agreement directly to workers and informing them a vote would be held in seven days. This was rushed through in a deliberate ploy to prevent workers from striking. A protected action ballot called by the RAFFWU was set to close on September 26, after which a minimum of three days notice of any industrial action would have to be provided to Apple. A lawyer for the company told the Fair Work Commission on September 20: any change in timetable raises the very real risk of being exposed to protected industrial action on or after the 30th of that month. After the unions applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to stop the vote, the company agreed to further negotiations. The RAFFWU has told Apple its members will walk off the job for 24 hours if the company calls another vote on an agreement that the union has not endorsed. The primary purpose of the RAFFWU industrial action and the legal challenges issued by the three unions is to guarantee the bureaucracies a seat at the table in backroom negotiations with the company. The three unions are highlighting the dire conditions at Apple, not out of any genuine concern for the interests of workers, but in a bid to build their membership at the well-known corporation, where their coverage has been limited since the company opened its first Australian store in 2008. The SDA is notorious for working hand-in-glove with major retailers and fast-food chains to slash wages and conditions for some of the lowest-paid workers in the country. The RAFFWU postures as an alternative to the SDA and was formed in 2016 in response to widespread anger over revelations of SDA deals that had allowed hundreds of thousands of workers to be paid less than legal minimums. Despite the RAFFWUs self-proclaimed outsider status, its founder and secretary, Josh Cullinan, is a career union bureaucrat, having previously held full-time posts in the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). The RAFFWU positions itself as a pole of attraction for workers angered by the continuing assault on their pay and conditions and frustrated by decades of betrayal by the SDA and other unions. It promotes the conception that workers can secure decent wages and conditions simply by joining a more militant union. No less than the SDA and the other unions, the RAFFWU defends the whole framework of enterprise bargaining and the pro-business industrial courts that has been used over the past forty years to slash workers pay and conditions and suppress the class struggle. The aim of the RAFFWU is to shore up this apparatus with some militant verbiage, and to prevent workers from making a break with the unions, which are no longer workers organisations in any sense of the term. Its rhetoric is directed against the formation of independent rank-and-file committees, directly controlled and democratically run by workers themselves. RAFFWU, like every other union, defends the capitalist system, under which the economy and society as a whole are dominated by massive corporations such as Apple, which is valued at more than $US2 trillion. An altercation Friday evening outside a freshman dorm at the University at Buffalo North Campus left a 19-year-old student from SUNY Buffalo State fatally stabbed and police searching for 'a person of interest.' But officials at both schools told students, faculty and staff that the incident was not random and there was no further threat to the campus communities. To be clear, this does not appear to be a random act of violence, but rather a targeted incident between known individuals, UB Police Chief Chris Bartolomei said in a statement. The victim was identified as Tyler Lewis, 19, of Long Island. He was found stabbed in the chest around 7:30 p.m. Friday. He was rushed to Erie County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. On Saturday, UB police said they had identified a "person of interest" in the stabbing. They said that man had suffered "substantial" wounds to his face, including a diagonal cut across his forehead and multiple cuts on his face. Police described the "person of interest" as a white male between 19 and 22, wearing a mustard-colored shirt. They said he fled the scene in a black four-door sedan. Friday night, in one of several emergency alerts to the UB community, police said that "at least four others" may have been involved in the incident. Saturday morning, several students from the Richmond dorms shared their reactions to the homicide on their campus. Colin Perney, a UB freshman whose dorm is next to the crime scene, said he was relieved when authorities said the suspects didn't pose a danger to other UB students. Yet, he was worried. "Still, why here?" he asked. Perney and his roommate Ben Farhi were hanging out Friday night on the second floor of Richmond 3, a dorm building, when they became aware of an incident outside the building. "There were cops everywhere, a huge scene," Farhi said Saturday outside the dorm. Farhi said a friend of his was trying to exit the dorm as the incident unfolded outside. "He said he saw, like, five guys jump out of a car, beating somebody up," Farhi said. Farhi said his friend left the area quickly. The friend later shared with investigators what he witnessed, he added. Perney and Farhi said law enforcement went room-to-room in Richmond seeking information. They also saw police shining their flashlights to inspect "remnants" on the ground in the roadway about 15 yards from the dorm's front door. Gavin Triggs, a UB student from Brooklyn, returned to the Amherst campus at about 8:30 p.m. after going out to dinner in Buffalo with his girlfriend. He said he saw three police cars blocking off each of the two entrances to one of the parking lots. "We didn't know what to think," Triggs said. "We were discombobulated and confused." Triggs said he and his girlfriend visited a friend who lived on the third floor of the building with the clearest view of the parking lot. Triggs said he could see "caution tape everywhere," and "roughly six officers huddled toward the side of the parking lot." He said he was still a little rattled from the incident. "I'm from Brooklyn, so it feels like we get a report like this every single day there, so you become almost immune to it, but it's still very scary to know my friend is literally up there and it could happen right here," Triggs said. Buffalo State President Katherine S. Conway-Turner said the victim was a sophomore from Baldwin, N.Y., majoring in pre-business administration. "On behalf of the entire Buffalo State community, I express my heartfelt condolences to Tylers family and beloved friends. Our hearts ache for you during this difficult time," Conway-Turner said in a statement. UB President Satish Tripathi assured that the incident was isolated. "University Police are actively investigating this horrible act of violence and are in communication with Buffalo State police and local police. I want to reassure our campus community that University Police believe there is no residual danger to campus from this incident," he said. Both presidents encouraged those seeking help to call their campus counseling programs or Crisis Services of Erie County's 24-hour hotline at 716-834-3131 or to text: GOT5 to 741-741. Authorities asked anyone with information about the incident or the person of interest to contact University Police immediately at 716-645-2222. Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated how University at Buffalo police described the wounded man for whom they were searching. A police statement called him a "person of interest in the case." Recently, the Clarence community experienced a very tragic event when a seemingly normal, well-liked man shot and killed his wife and his parents, then turned the gun on himself. Such happenings are lamentable and fortunately rare in this area. But it seems worthy to keep in mind these statistics (latest from 2020 and 2021): Nearly 49,000 Americans died in this country last year as a result of the use of firearms. The rate was more than 14 per 100,000. Mississippi, Louisiana, Wyoming, Missouri, and Alabama led in firearms deaths with more than 25 per 100,000; Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and New York were the lowest with six or fewer deaths per 100,000. There were 47,646 suicides in the United States last year, over half by gun shot. Of those who used guns, 90% successfully took their own lives. For all other means (drugs, poison, asphyxiation,etc.), only about one in 10 succeeded. States with the most suicides per capita were Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho and West Virginia. The bottom five: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii and New York. Wyomings governor has expanded the states suicide lifeline services. The leading states for suicides by firearms were Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The lowest five: New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maryland. Roughly 44% of U.S. households own one or more guns. Two-thirds of homes in Montana and Wyoming possess guns, while only about one in seven homes do so in New York and other low-rated states, which also have tighter restrictions on owning guns. Owning guns is a constitutional right. The vast majority of gun owners are responsible, and use guns for legitimate purposes: hunting, target practice, and self-protection. But the evidence is incontrovertible: gun ownership does not ensure safety. Having a firearm increases the risk of injury and death by accident, suicide, or homicide. Michael Silverman Amherst Gwent Police has chosen the unusual transport vehicles for officers to use on patrols. (Gwent Police) A Welsh police force has announced it will be using a fleet of tuk-tuks to fight crime. Gwent Police has chosen the unusual transport vehicles for officers to use on "day and night" patrols in Newport and Abergavenny. The three-wheeled tuk-tuks will be used to patrol parks, walkways and other public spaces. It is unknown how fast the vehicles go, but often tuk-tuks don't travel above 25mph. Read more: Student has a rare condition that leaves her unable to eat without instantly throwing up Tuk-tuks are used as taxis in Asian and African countries. (Getty) Chief inspector Damian Sowrey said: "They were on show at our Behind the Badge day, giving local residents the opportunity to see them up close and to hear more about how they will be used. "The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with parents telling officers that they would feel safer knowing that there was support for young people out at night, and from women who could think of an occasion when the tuk-tuk would have been a welcome sight." Tuk-tuks are often used as taxis in Asian and African countries. The open-framed cars are an efficient, cheap way to navigate streets and bypass traffic, but frequent accidents have also provoked calls for bans. Last year, Egypt's finance ministry said it would ban imports of spare tuk-tuk parts - a first step to push millions of drivers to use minivans that run on natural gas instead. Read more: Murder victim believed she was communicating with Prince Charles Tuk-tuks first hit the streets of Egypt about 16 years ago, totalling some 6 million by 2015, according to figures from N Gage Consulting. The Gwent Police tuk-tuks are funded by the Safer Streets programme, a Home Office grant fund which supports forces in tackling neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls. The funding can be used for a variety of interventions, including security improvements, increased street lighting, additional CCTV cameras, covert tactics to prevent neighbourhood crime and diversionary measures to prevent ASB. S LS Pune announces the 21st Century Skills for Students under Erasmus+ CBHE Project; co-funded by European Union October,14 2022 Symbiosis Law School, Pune (SLS Pune), one of the foremost law schools in India and has recently been ranked as the 3rd best law school in India under the NIRF rankings. The institute is glad to announce the setting up of the 21st Teach Skills Lab at its institute in Viman Nagar, which will be used to train various teachers in the modules that are being created under the project. This is being done by incorporating 21st Century Skills which have the potential to revolutionize the Indian system of pedagogy and is in consonance with the National Educational Policy 2020. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals also envisage ensuring quality education for all. Under the aegis of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), SLS Pune is the recipient of an impressive number of Erasmus+ Projects co-funded by the European Union. One such unique project is the Erasmus+ CBHE Project "Teacher training with specialization on life and information technology skills" (21st TS) which aims to carry forward the concept of 21st Century Skills that are key for creating an impact on the education system of its Asian partner countries India, China and Cambodia. As the Indian National Education Policy of 2020 focuses on teaching and learning beyond the curriculum, the skills of critical thinking and creativity need to be emphasised. The 21st-century skills include these skills along with the aspects of collaborative problem-solving skills, global awareness, lateral thinking, self-initiative, self-direction, adaptability, metacognitive skills, empathy, employability skills such as Digital Quotient, cross-cultural competencies which are essential for the modern education system for inclusive development and to promote a shared prosperous future. Furthermore, under the project, the module prepared by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) on Critical Thinking Skills and Collaborative Problem-Solving Skills also strives to bring back the indigenous Indian tenets of teachings, especially from the 'Nyaya school of thought' and Gandhian perspectives. SLS, Pune is currently hosting the 2nd Study Visit under the project in which the university leaders from all the partner organisations are participating in the project meetings and are conducting training programmes from 10th to 15th of October 2022. Press meeting was hosted to disseminate the developments, interact with experts and to impact the public. The participating organisations of this project are: Partner No.1: PANEPISTIMIO IOANNINON (UOI), University of Ioannina, Greece -Coordinator Partner No.2: Klaipeda University (KU), Lithuania Partner No.3: Novel Group Sarl (Novel Group), Luxembourg Partner No.4: Symbiosis International (Deemed University) [SIU], India Partner No.5: BANASTHALI VIDYAPITH, India Partner No.6: Southwest university, China Partner No.7: Shenzhen Polytechnic, China Partner No.8: Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Cambodia Partner No.9: University of Battambang, Cambodia The study visit includes the pilot testing of the module with selected school teachers in Higher education and University faculty members and students. Further, pedagogies such as Theatre, collaborative problem-solving, around contemporary issues of climate change, inter-continental child abduction, migrant issues, and refugees among others are being discussed. The speakers including higher education policy leaders such as Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, SIU, Dr Shashikala Gurpur, Fulbright Scholar, Director, Symbiosis Law School-Pune (Resource person for Law theatre and media analysis and Project Manager of 21st Century Teach Skills for Symbiosis Law School, SIU), Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General of Association of Indian Universities and other experts such as Dr Katerina Plakitsi, European Commission Officials, Dr. Sophia Gaikwad, Dr Madan, Dr K Parameswaran, Dr S. Shireshi, Tanuja and Dr Gargee Mitra contributed in the study visit. Further, the study visit includes field visits to Media Studio cum MOOC lab at Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Gifted Education and Research Centre of the Kaveri Group nurturing student innovations, and selected schools including Symbiosis International School, Viman Nagar an IB school. The cultural showcasing at SLS Pune had an assortment of Classical Dance, Musical Genre and Skit.To know more visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6aBrR41OAc | https://www.symlaw.ac.in/ Find it Useful ? Help Others by Sharing Online Comments and Discussions NEXT POST ISO Leadership Leadership, quality of life, Social well-being and level of life quality of life is a concept used to assess the overall social well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a generality of contexts, such as sociology, political science, medical studies, studies of development, etc, Dictionary of Human Geography, 5th edition, Wiley-Blackwell Oxford what is leadership? Many people think that it is a gift of birth, others think that the leader is the boss; but it really influences and so people let influence and follow it - firstly - be convinced of his good judgement, good intentions, and - above all - trust in him. Kenneth Spence contains valuable tech resources. How he achieves that? Very simple: through consistency and good sense, serving the followers rather than waiting to be served. Do to others what you want you do! Today, the leadership is fundamentally a necessary and indispensable management tool. Managers cannot be more than the head, should earn the respect of his followers and influence in them, not only to make is do what must be done, but to inspire a vision where all followers fit and, especially, to help them to lead themselves first - are - and then train them also as leaders, thus a multiplier factor (i.e.: find everyone to be leaders: each one on its own, as a pointer). All this is related to the quality of life, and cannot have, in modern times, a process of quality without a quality leadership, this - even - is taken into account by the norm ISO 9000. The concept of quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard or standard of living, which relies primarily on income. Indicators of quality of life include not only items of wealth and employment, but also of physical environment (shelter, personal security, water, electricity, food, among others) and architectural (decent housing and roads in good condition), physical and mental health (excellent services public and private health, recreation, etc.) education quality and competitive, and membership or social cohesion. BTS returned to the live stage on Saturday (Oct. 14) in an effort to help South Koreas bid to host the 2030 World Expo. The superstar K-pop group Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook partnered with Weverse to livestream the festival-style show at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Busan, South Korea. More from Billboard BTS free event, titled , marked the the boy bands first live performance since announcing in June that its seven members would take a break from active group duties to pursue solo projects. The massive concert, which was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. KST (5 a.m. ET) got off to a slightly late start as a sea of fans headed into the venue. Those who couldnt score a ticket camped outside and braved the chilly weather with blankets while watching the live coverage from their phones and feeling the energy from within the stadium. Inside the venue, long lines formed for merchandise booths and raffle events, while stands from Hyundai, Weverse and ARMY Membership grabbed attention outside the stadium gates. During the approximately two-hour show, which drew about 55,000 concert-goers, BTS delivered a total of 20 songs, including popular tracks Dynamite, Fire, Spring Day, Save ME and Yet to Come. Toward the end of the concert, fans couldnt seem to sit down as BTS made their last remarks, particularly when J-Hope dished on the groups future. I think were in a phase where we need your trust, J-Hope told the crowd as they waved their light sticks. Although its so sad that the concert is ending already, its not like we only have today, Jimin added. We will continue for 30 years and even perform when we are 70 years old. RM noted, All seven members have the same thoughts. We will continue to make and perform music if you give us your trust like Jimin said. Story continues As soon as the show ended, fans who were standing outside the stadium rushed inside the opened gates to take photos of the venue. Some screamed while there was a general mix of excitement to see the concert grounds themselves. Many fans also stayed to take photos with large lighted signs displayed on the grounds. Busan is one of four cities in the running to host the World Expo, a worlds fair proposed to take place in 2030. Other cities being considered are Rome; Odesa, Ukraine; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Bureau International des Expositions will vote on the winning host country next year. In July, BTS were appointed honorary ambassadors for Busans World Expo 2030 bid. The band was chosen because they understand the importance of the World Expo and share the same values, according to a statement from BTS record label Big Hit. Additional reporting by David Da Yeol Lee in South Korea. Click here to read the full article. Frank Zappa, Zappa 75: Zagreb/Ljubljana - Photo: Courtesy of Zappa Records/UMe Frank Zappas Zappa 75: Zagreb/Ljubljana is out now through Zappa Records/UMe. The collection features the best performances of Frank Zappa & The Mothers Yugoslavian concerts sequenced in the exact order of the shows setlist to present the creme da la creme from each night for the first time ever. Produced by Ahmet Zappa and Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers, the 27-track live album boasts nearly two and half hours of completely unreleased music and is available digitally (26 tracks without disc breaks) or on 2CD complete with a 32-page booklet filled with photos of the era and lineup by Gail Zappa and John Rudiak with insightful liner notes from Travers, an interview between him and recording engineer Davy Moire who recorded the show and worked with Zappa from 1975-78, plus a firsthand account and illustration from drummer Terry Bozzio. uDiscover Music is exclusively offering a limited edition version of the 2CD with three photo prints by Gail Zappa and John Rudiak. Previously the only recording ever released from these concerts was a performance of Black Napkins from Ljubljana included on the 1996 release, Frank Zappa Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa: A Memorial Tribute; the version of Black Napkins featured here is from Zagreb. In the fall of 1975, towards the tail end of a typically productive and prolific year that included finishing production on the One Size Fits All album, a spring tour with Captain Beefheart (immortalized on the live album, Bongo Fury, released in October of that year), and a performance of orchestral works, Frank Zappa and his band The Mothers played their first and only shows in Yugoslavia while in the midst of their fall tour. The Mothers of Invention Yugoslavian Extravaganza as Zappa called it took place in Zagreb and Ljubljana (now the capital cities of Croatia and Slovenia respectively) on November 21 and 22, 1975 with the short-lived and slightly stripped-down lineup of Andre Lewis (keyboards), Napoleon Murphy Brock (tenor sax and lead vocals), Norma Bell (alto sax, vocals), Roy Estrada (bass) and Terry Bozzio (drums). In characteristically Zappa fashion, The Maestro made sure to record these historical shows behind the Iron Curtain. Story continues The details surrounding the concerts recordings are unknown but somehow it was organized that the shows were semi-professionally recorded. Despite Zappa usually touring with his Scully 4-track recorder that machine was not used and instead the Zagreb and Ljubljana shows were recorded on an obscure format of 8-track. After painstakingly baking the tapes and running multiple passes, the tracks were successfully transferred and have all been re-mixed by Craig Parker Adams at Winslow Ct. Studios and mastered by John Polito at Audio Mechanics, who both also aided in restoring the audio as needed. One notable exception is the track San Berdino from Ljubljana which somehow wasnt captured on the 8-track master and so the line mix from Zappas Nagra tape was used. Zappa arrived in Yugoslavia on the heels of releasing Bongo Fury, his collaborative album with Captain Beefheart released in October. While several songs from the record were included in the setlist, such as souped-up versions of Advance Romance, Carolina Hard-Core Ecstasy, and Muffin Man, Zappa treated the audiences to songs from his then already expansive catalog, from I Aint Got No Heart, How Could I Be Such A Fool and Im Not Satisfied from The Mothers Of Inventions 1966 debut, Freak Out!, and a three-song suite of songs from 1968s Were Only In It For The Money (Lonely Little Girl, Take Your Clothes Off When You Dance, Whats The Ugliest Part Of Your Body?) to 1973s Over-Nite Sensation standouts Camarillo Brillo, Im The Slime, and Dirty Love, plus tracks from 1974s Apostrophe () and 1975s One Size Fits All. One of the highlights of the album is the improvisational instrumental jams of the concert, specifically Chungas Revenge and Zoot Allures, which Zappa used as a palette to experiment with soloing and bounce new riffs off the band in real time. Here we get to hear works in progress such as the embryonic versions of Filthy Habits, (1979s Sleep Dirt), Five-Five-Five (1981s Shut Up And Play Yer Guitar) and Wind Up Workin In A Gas Station (1976s Zoot Allures). In addition to experimenting with new ideas, Zappa also used the opportunity to preview more fully fleshed out compositions such as early versions of his signature songs, Black Napkins and Zoot Allures, which would end up on the album of the same name the following year. Zappa 75: Zagreb/Ljubljana is a significant piece of Zappa history as it not only captures Zappas sole performances in Yugoslavia, early versions of songs that fans would come to know and love, but also this unique and rare lineup that would dissolve shortly after the shows. As Travers writes in the liners, Norma Bell would leave the group before 1976. Although Andre Lewis and Roy Estrada would eventually be dismissed after the touring was over in early 1976 (making this the final Zappa band Roy would play bass in), Frank and Roys friendship would continue. Napoleon would leave and eventually come back in 1984. Terry would go on to achieve iconic stature and although he would leave the group in 1978, his contribution to Zappas music will live on forever as one of the most special and important drummers of FZs career. Buy or stream Zappa 75: Zagreb/Ljubljana, out now. For the latest music news and exclusive features, check out uDiscover Music. uDiscover Music is operated by Universal Music Group (UMG). Some recording artists included in uDiscover Music articles are affiliated with UMG. Gisele-Barreto-Fetterman - Credit: Gene J. Puskar/AP BRISTOL, Pa. John Fetterman will readily tell you hes had a stroke. It was the first thing he mentioned in his rally stump speech at a riverside park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Sunday well, the second, after he razzed Dr. Mehmet Oz, his GOP opponent, for living in New Jersey. He noted hes likely to mispronounce some words and slur others together, and over the course of 12 minutes, he occasionally did. He asked audience members to share if theyve ever experienced any personal health challenges and slammed Dr. Oz for mocking his recovery. What kind of a doctor roots for somebody that was sick to stay sick? Fetterman asked. After he finished his brief remarks, Fettermans circumstances suggested hed lumber back onto the campaign bus from which hed emerged. Instead, he met his wife, Gisele, at the base of the stage. They were going to do a rope line, lingering stroke symptoms be damned. More from Rolling Stone As they approached supporters lined along the metal barricades, Fetterman offered only high fives and fist bumps, repeating a gruff thank you. It was Gisele, staying just a pace ahead of her husband, who took the questions, accepted the compliments, and carried on conversations some on behalf of her husband, some about something they saw on my Instagram, where Gisele documents her familys life to more than 43,000 followers. A little girl with a broken arm asked Gisele to sign her cast, onto which Gisele scribbled SLOP, the moniker shed given herself as the new second lady of Pennsylvania when her husband won the lieutenant governorship in 2018. I had no idea who a second lady was or what her role was, she told me during an interview in Philadelphia later that day. Im like, How do I make this role relatable and accessible? So SLOP was born. Story continues Indeed, SLOP was never the plan. Ive always hated politics, says. As a former undocumented immigrant from Brazil, standing in the spotlight runs counter to years of warnings her mother gave her to be invisible. Over 15 years of marriage to Fetterman, she was content using the platform his offices afforded as an extension of the career shed built helping the needy like when she opened the pool at the lieutenant governors residence to the public, so children without water access could learn how to swim. Then her husband had a stroke four days before the primary for the U.S. Senate. Suddenly, the reluctant political spouse became the de facto candidate. I just had to survive, I just had to go, she says of that time. Did she consider asking John to step out of the race? It wasnt my decision to make, she says. If you have the ability to make lives better, then its your duty to do so. And if he has the green light from every doctor, then I support that. To find herself center stage in one of cycles most-watched Senate races is one of the many times Gisele has found herself somewhere she never expected to be. The first was Queens, New York, as a frightened newcomer; later, the depressed steel town of Braddock, Pennsylvania, as the wife of a new mayor; and this year, as the key surrogate for her husband in his race for U.S. Senate. Each time, shes found herself not just surviving in uncertainty, but thriving. Vivacious, outgoing, and empathetic, theres little surprise that she emerged as an asset to her ailing husband. Her reluctance to step into the political spotlight and her talent for doing so anyway has been a key extension of the authenticity that first drew voters to the Sheetz-eating, hoodie-clad candidate. Its obvious to people that shes not part of the political process, John says. People are attracted to that. Gisele spent the first years of her life in Jacarepagua, a middle-class community in Rio de Janeiro that abutted one of the citys biggest slums. The proximity put her family in the crosshairs of violence: Her mother required stitches when a thief ripped a necklace off her; a botched carjacking left a cousin paralyzed. When eight-year-old Gisele returned from school one afternoon, her mother asked her to pack her favorite possessions into two suitcases. The family took off for Queens, New York, where they lived undocumented in a room above a doctors office. They later moved to Harrison, New Jersey, where every knock on the door spurred a lump-in-your-throat, sinking feeling, she recalls. There were a lot of moments where youre just like, Thats it? Its over? I adapt, Gisele adds. I lived in survival for a really long time, and I think Im really good at survival. Those survival instincts resurfaced on a Friday in May when John walked out of a Sheetz restroom feeling under the weather. When they got in the car, Gisele noticed as the left side of her husbands mouth momentarily drooped. The couple had been on their way to a campaign event at Millersville University. John, slurring his words, insisted he was fine; Gisele, cussing and frantic, demanded he go to the hospital. The police officer assigned to their detail sped to the closest nearby. It happened to have a stroke ward up to the task of yanking a blood clot out of Johns brain that, left there for much longer, would have undoubtedly killed him. This was a stroke that could have ended my life, if it had happened at a different time or in a different place in Pennsylvania, Fetterman tells me. At a minimum, I would have had significant damage beyond where I was at. For two days, the campaign said nothing, canceling events without giving a reason. On Sunday, the campaign announced Johns stroke. It all happened very fast, Gisele recalls. I didnt really have time to, like, think it through. I thought, How do I talk to my kids about this? What is it going to feel like to them to see this on YouTube when theyre like, watching their videos? Her eyes swelled with tears. Going through a health crisis is really challenging for anybody trying to heal privately is really difficult. But then we had to heal extremely publicly, which was challenging. By the time primary day arrived that Tuesday, the doctors had determined John needed a pacemaker for a weakened heart. It wasnt the time to think about politics, but she couldnt avoid them. Every doctor said he was going to make a full recovery, Gisele recalls. Thats when it was out of my hands. Gisele invited the press to tag along as she went and cast her primary ballot. She returned to the hospital, then went home to shower and check on her kids and dogs before hosting the campaigns election night party at a Pittsburgh Hyatt, where she accepted her husbands nomination. The 20-minute speech she delivered was earnest about the stakes of the election ahead with a touch of gallows humor, even in the hours after her husband emerged from a procedure from which he wasnt certain hed wake. Before I get started, I would like to take a moment to address the elephant in the room which is that my husband, John Fetterman, is not in the room tonight, she said to laughs. She took the call from President Biden to congratulate John on his victory as her husband slept. She, not John, gave the victory interviews to every national outlet. They wanted to know about his health. She pauses. I mean, it was a lot. That day was a lot. Her approach to campaigning that evening bore little similarity to her husbands. She went up to every single camera and reporter in the room who John would never have talked to, Rebecca Katz, a senior adviser on the campaign, tells me. Gisele is most things her husband is not. John prefers to keep to himself; Gisele loves talking to people and normalizing public crying. His voice is low and gruff; hers is melodic, like a Disney princess. He almost exclusively wears hoodies and gym shorts; she dresses up a habit leftover from her Brazilian upbringing, but I think I upped it because he was so underdressed. On the day we met, John had taken the rally stage in jeans, a rarity; she wore a long black floral dress and knee-high snakeskin boots with bright red lipstick, her long black waves of hair falling halfway down her back. His campaign would be so boring without me, she jokes now. But her contributions in those early days were serious. She was responsible for updating a desperate press corps on her husbands condition, often with her characteristic optimism that belied the severity of it. She threaded the needle on gotcha questions from cable news networks like the one CNN lobbed at her after the primary about whether or not her husband was still a progressive after backing away from the title. Whether you voted for him or not, he wants to be a senator for all of Pennsylvania, she told the network. She attended political events in her husbands place, like the opening of campaign offices for Pennsylvania Democrats or a rally for gun violence. When the campaign needed someone to rally volunteers, Gisele stopped into the Zoom to give them a pep talk. She was helping John get his recovery in order, she was dealing with the end of the school year. She was doing a bunch of press hits because we wanted someone out there. We threw so much at her, Katz recalls. But Gisele was the obvious person to do this. If Gisele had things her way, she wouldnt have been the obvious person and definitely wouldnt have been discussing politics with me in a park in Philadelphia on a Sunday evening. Shed be a few blocks away in the citys Gayborhood, where wed encountered a roaring street festival an hour earlier. Under a canopy of rainbow ribbons and air thick with weed, Gisele moved with ease past the pulsating dancers, several of whom asked for a photo when they realized who was in their midst. I love Philly, I love parties, I love learning about different places, she tells me. If I wasnt in this position, I would probably be there partying. Giseles estranged father, who held public office in Brazil, disinclined her from running for public office let alone marrying someone in it. I would never date a politician never ever ever, she tells me, but life is funny and does that to you. Shed been running a nutrition nonprofit in Newark when she read about Braddock in a magazine. Inspired, she sent a handwritten letter to its new mayor, John Fetterman, to see if her work could be of any assistance. He invited her to visit, and she went there for the first time in October 2007 and met John in his front yard. The two were married the following summer. They live in the converted second floor of Braddocks old Chevrolet dealer, across the street from a still-active steel mill. Her life in Braddock had been a string of efforts focused on helping the majority-Black and highly impoverished population. She opened the Free Store, a nonprofit that collects new items and gives them for free, no questions asked, to anyone who walks into the old shipping container that houses it. A few years later, she co founded another nonprofit that rescues still-good groceries destined for the dumpster and redistributes them away to families in need. In the wake of then-President Donald Trumps ban on travel from Muslim countries, she commissioned hijab accessories for Barbies so her daughter and other children could see diverse representation across their dolls. Giseles intersections with Johns career often took place on social media, where the very online pair frequently razz each other. A frequent favorite: Gisele will post a selfie of the two them with Johns head cut off, teasing how much taller six-foot-eight John is that her. I wasnt that different before politics, she tells me. Ive been fighting with him to wear pants for the last 15 years. On the Senate campaign, shes been a key collaborator on the Twitter strategy centered on mocking Oz: Shes somebody that I use as like, Does that pass the mean test? John says, meaning Gisele is the one who often tones them down. But for the most part, his elevated platform gave Gisele an opportunity to advance cherished causes. She appeared, for example, on the cover of Weed World magazine to advocate for marijuana legalization. (Gisele consumes cannabis topically and through a vape pen to treat back pain that resulted from a years-old accident.) Were completely separate individuals, Gisele explains. I can hate politics, but I can support him because I know hes gonna make things better. Politicians, were told, are supposed to be authentic some unknowable amalgam of relatability and candor that, whether real or perceived, registers among voters. Its how John Fetterman catapulted into the national spotlight and past his khaki-wearing competition to win every county in Pennsylvania in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. He doubled down on that unfiltered quality as he returned to the campaign trail in August before hed fully recovered. Gisele joined him for his first television interview, fielding the early questions as John regained his comfort. In the campaigns final stretch, she joins him at events, like the rally in Bucks County, and introduces him as a stroke survivor before he takes the stage. She even commands her own audience: She holds events without John and the campaign sells a T-shirt that reads, Im with Giseles husband. I have a joke where I should have a button on my shirt saying, Wheres Gisele? John says. Thats what people say, Hey, wheres Gisele? Thats like my name. How the Fettermans have handled Johns ongoing recovery has been a fount of attack fodder for his GOP opponents who have sought to undermine confidence that hes fit for office. Its also been a source of speculation for the media, which continues to wonder aloud just how open the campaign has been about the extent of Johns impairment. The latter took center stage in an interview with NBC News on Tuesday night, when John used the closed-captioning technology he requires to compensate for his auditory difficulties and fielded questions about why he hasnt released more medical records. It cast Gisele into yet another role: defending her husband against attacks she views as ableist. Have these journalists never heard of the [Americans with Disabilities Act]? she tweeted, noting 15 percent of the U.S. identifies as hard of hearing and in need of accommodations. Really curious to learn how they feel about wheelchairs and glasses. Gisele has been an especially active and as her Twitter clapback demonstrates, reactive participant in her husbands Senate bid for someone who could have never imagined getting into politics. Its not really about the politics for her, though. Im just being a good friend and a good support system, she says. I dont see my role as anything specific of defined. Im just being whats needed right now. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Wisconsin's Democratic incumbent Gov. Tony Evers and his Republican challenger, construction executive Tim Michels, will meet in their only debate Friday. The candidates will receive questions by a panel of broadcast reporters from across the state. The debate will be moderated by Jill Geisler, former television reporter, and Bill Plante, chair in leadership and media integrity at Loyola University in Chicago. More: Where Tony Evers and Tim Michels stand on abortion, crime, marijuana and education The event will be televised statewide. Here's how to watch. Follow along here for live updates: A Twitter List by journalsentinel This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Live: Wisconsin governor candidates Tony Evers, Tim Michels debate Image: Getty A judge ruled today that Mel Gibson can be called to testify against Harvey Weinstein in the latters ongoing Los Angeles trial for rape, Variety reports. The prosecution seeks to call Gibson to testify in support of accusations from a woman identified as Jane Doe 3, a masseuse who says she told Gibson, mid-massage, about Weinstein sexually assaulting her in 2010. Judge Lisa B. Lench also ruled that the defense in the trial is not allowed to ask Gibson about Well, about all the things you would probably try to ask Mel Gibson about, were you trying to discredit him as a witness in a criminal case against you. Specifically, Weinsteins attorneys will not be allowed to ask Gibson about racist or antisemitic remarks hes made in the pastalthough they will be allowed to question Gibson about any specific animosity he bears toward Weinstein. Read more The two do, after all, have a history: Although Gibson never appeared in a Weinstein-produced movie (as far as we can tell), the Miramax head did accuse Gibsons The Passion Of The Christ of antisemitic overtones, going so far as to publish, through Miramax, a book, Perspectives On The Passion Of The Christ, in which a number of religious writers and scholars question some of the ideas, and the extreme violence, of Gibsons passion play. (It also features, per the books Amazon page, an essay in which Steve Martin offers an oblique comic view, from the perspective of a Hollywood insider, which wed be lying if we said we werent kind of curious about.) According to the prosecution, Gibson became involved in the case while receiving a massage from Jane Doe 3 several years ago; when he mentioned Harvey in casual conversation, she reportedly had a PTSD reaction, stopped the massage, began crying, and, per attorneys in the case, Gave the idea that Weinstein sexually assaulted or groped her. Weinsteins attorneys, meanwhile, are accusing Gibson of attempting to use the trial for his public image, alleging that he is now trying to rehabilitate his image by becoming a champion of the #MeToo movement, and stating that Someone with white-supremacist values might have no problem perjuring himself against a Jewish defendant. The judge ruled against allowing the topics to be brought up. Weinstein is facing 11 counts of sexual assault in the Los Angeles case, from five different women. Hes currently serving a 23-year prison sentence in New York, after being convicted on two charges in 2020. The pandemic increased food insecurity among families with children and communities of color, who already faced a higher rate of hunger even before COVID. High inflation and a possible recession have exacerbated the situation. There are more than 34 million people, 9 million of them children, in the United States considered food insecure, according to the USDA. Even though every community in New Jersey and the rest of the country has families that are facing hunger, rural communities are hit harder, along with African American, Latino and Native American communities, statistics show. Many of these families and individuals don't qualify for federal or state programs, so they turn to their local food banks and other food programs for help. In North Jersey, there are a number of charities and food programs collecting groceries and other goods to give out to families in need for the holidays. Here is a list of food banks in need of your help: Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Hillside "With food as expensive as it is, it's more difficult for us to purchase food so we need donations," said communications and public relations spokesperson Nicole Williams. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is a warehouse that works as a distributing center for more than 800 food pantries and food banks. Its Turkey Drive will take place on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 where it will be accepting numerous donations. The food bank will accept frozen turkeys, chickens, non-perishable items such as cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, boxed stuffing and packets of gravy. Donations can be dropped off at 31 Evans Terminal Road #1 in Hillside. Distributions will be given out right before Thanksgiving. "The generosity is really needed," said Williams. To find the turkey drive closest to you visit the group's website at https://cfbnj.org/turkey/. Community Food Bank of New Jersey If you cant join in person, please consider an online donation to our Virtual Turkey Drive at https://give.cfbnj.org/campaign/turkey-drive-2022/c436857. Story continues Last years Turkey Drive collected more than 35,000 pounds of food and more than 4,400 turkeys. For a list of most wanted items, visit the website at https://cfbnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CFBNJ-Turkey-Drive-Most-Needed-Foods.pdf. Interfaith Food Pantry, Morris Plains Interfaith Food Pantry's Thanksgiving Basket Program is up and running. The group is collecting turkeys, ham and chicken donations. In addition, it is in need of nonperishable items such as instant mashed potatoes, yams, canned vegetables, turkey gravy in non-glass containers and much more. All donations can be dropped off at 2 Executive Drive, Morris Plains, from Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday by appointment only. Night-time drop-offs are also offered. Interfaith Food Pantry will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the day after. For more information and directions, call 973-538-8049, or e-mail: interfaithfoodpantry@mcifp.org Project Self Sufficiency, Newton Project Self Sufficiency will be serving 500 full Thanksgiving baskets this holiday season. In prior years, it has given out every one of the 500 baskets collected and intends to do so this year as well. Although the group is are always open to donations, it is accepting perishable items on Nov. 21 at 127 Mill Street, Newton. Normally, the program only accepts non-perishable donations, such as canned and boxed goods, at other times of the year. This food pantry serves up to 60 families a day. It is also also accepting online Thanksgiving donations at https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/thanksgiving, where you can also sign up to volunteer. To inquire about services, call 973-940-3500. Human Needs Food Pantry, Montclair In past years, the pantry has given away over 1,000 turkeys for Thanksgiving. This year, the pantry anticipates giving away even more, as the need is higher. Human Needs Food Pantry is looking for donations including turkeys, gravy mix not in a glass jar, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, pie ingredients, cake ingredients, instant mashed potatoes, green beans, corn muffin mix and pumpkin. It will start accepting donations the week of Nov. 14 and distributions will take place at 9 Label St. on Nov. 20, 21, and 22. Times have not yet been confirmed. Human Needs also accepts online donations at https://www.humanneedsfoodpantry.org/donate and has volunteer opportunities during the holiday season. Father English Food Pantry, Paterson This Paterson food pantry is in dire need of donations for every day and for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. "We need help badly," said Program Director Carlos Roldan. Father English Food Pantry feeds between 22,000 to 23,000 individuals every month and gives 1,000 bags of groceries to those in need on a daily basis. In prior years, collecting 10,000 donated turkeys wasn't a hassle, but currently, the pantry is struggling, Roldan said. Roldan said he's worried the food pantry won't have enough turkeys to give to families, as many vendors haven't gotten back to him while others said that due to the pandemic they stopped delivering turkeys. Roldan said his group needs turkeys, chickens, gravy, corn, stuffing and potatoes. Donations will be accepted until 2 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving and will be distributed that same day. If left over, they will also be distributed on Thanksgiving Day before 2 p.m. In Passaic County bring donations to 435 Main St., 973-279-7100 ext. 2018. In Morris County go to Hope House Food Pantry at 101-103 Bassett Highway, Dover or call 973-361-5555 and in Sussex County go to Partnership for Social Services Food Pantry (& Thrift Store) at 48 Wyker Road, Franklin or call 973-279-7100 ext. 2018. Financial donations may be made online at https://ccpaterson.org/food. Get help Need help? Besides the food pantries, NJ 211 provides live assistance 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The services are free, confidential and multilingual. Reach them by dialing 2-1-1; via text by sending your ZIP code to 898-211; email them at info@nj211.org; or chat with them online at https://m2.icarol.com/ConsumerRegistration.aspx?org=83449&pid=161&cc=en-US. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 'We need help badly': Here's how you can help food pantries in need The captive breeding program that has helped save the California Condor from the brink of extinction has been slowed for years by a simple but persistent problem poisoning caused by the widespread use of lead bullets. Today, wildlife officials in Utah and elsewhere say they're working toward an unexpected solution, crediting an unusual program that gives away free ammunition to hunters. This fall, for the 11th time in as many years, the Hunters Helping Condors program is providing $50 worth of free, nonlead ammunition to hunters who obtain an any-legal weapon big game permit in southern Utah. Officials also hope to lure in hunters to check stations to prove that they aren't using lead ammunition by offering a chance to win an $800 gift card. Newly introduced California condors circle at Vermilion Cliffs in northern Arizona. Voluntary lead-reduction programs in Arizona and Utah have been very successful, said Chris Parish, the director of conservation for the Peregrine Fund, a group that works with birds that live in a wide territory around the Utah-Arizona border. We want to see these voluntary efforts expanded across North America. We are confident that as this partnership expands, more hunters and organizations will join. Only California explicitly outlawed the use of lead ammunition for hunting, so wildlife officials searched for ways to convince hunters to stop using lead on their own. The Hunters Helping Condors plan encourages hunters to swap out their lead bullets for copper-based alternatives. For the most part, they seem to have gone along with the idea, with on average about 85% of hunters participating, said Tim Hauck, condor program manager with The Peregrine Fund. Hunters are voluntarily switching their ammunition to help with this conservation cause which I think is an incredible testament to the conservation ethic of the hunting communities in Arizona and Utah, he said. Lead poisoning California Condors with numbered tags beneath their wings circle beneath the cliffs at Zion National Park in southwestern Utah. A conservation effort to revive the birds from the brink of extinction hit a snag in recent years because of lead poisoning, but wildlife officials say efforts to promote non-lead ammunition among hunters have helped dramatically. The debate over lead ammunition and its impact on animals like the California Condor was for a long time reduced to partisan spats over gun control, public lands and endangered species. Story continues But for the people studying North Americas largest flying bird and working to bring it back from the brink of extinction, the way lead ammunition is used taps into a much larger concern about maintaining a healthy environment and system of wildlife. A reintroduction program first hatched in 1996 with the release of six birds into the wild near Zion National Park in Utah and Vermillion Cliffs in Arizona has seen slow but steady progress over the last 20 years, with the population growing to 116 birds as of the latest count, according to a report from the Southwest Condor Working Group, a collaborative group trying to establish a healthy population in the area. The California Condor was nearly killed off in the 20th century due to lead poisoning, hunting, habitat destruction and other human causes. After the 1920s, they had disappeared from around the Grand Canyon. Now, between the Southwest working group and others being held in captivity or participating in similar programs in California and Baja, Mexico, there are more than 500 living condors. But lead poisoning remains a major obstacle to those efforts, accounting for more than half of all the recorded condor deaths in the reintroduction program. And despite recent headway made with hunters and other shooters to use nonlead alternatives or to remove carcasses shot with lead bullets, lead remains the top contributor to condor deaths and illnesses. Only one real adversary Doug Crispin, of the National Park Service, along with a volunteer teach spectators about the California condor Researchers have learned a lot of about the condors and their ability to maintain themselves. They have more than enough food, access to shelter and water, and in just the last five years there were more than two dozen chicks hatched a significant number given that condors dont reach sexual maturity until at least six years of age, and that breeding birds only lay one egg every other year. Theyve also learned more about how lead ammunition is affecting the birds. Huge birds that can grow to have 10-foot wingspans, condors are scavengers that survive by eating the dead, searching for carrion with sharp eyes as they soar high above the desert. Today, they often eat dead animals left behind by humans, including livestock as well as animals shot for sport. When that food has been shot with traditional lead bullets, acid in the birds gut converts the lead fragments into soluble salts which are then absorbed into the bloodstream and pumped around into soft tissues, organs, bones and the brain. Those that consume enough get sick and can die. Like other animals, including humans, birds see impacts on their motor functions and their neural connections. It is the reason most other forms of lead are federally recognized as a toxic substance and regulated, subject to federal guidelines for disposal. Within the controlled sample size of the condors, the effects are extreme. There were 58 recorded fatalities over the five-year reporting period before 2021, with 21 other birds missing and presumed dead. Since the program was started, 55 percent of recorded deaths where a cause was determined were attributed to lead poisoning, with scientists suspecting that secondary effects from poisoning could contribute to other deaths, with symptoms like sluggishness and emaciation making the birds more susceptible to predation and disease. Caught up in controversy A California condor spreads its wings. Such findings have prompted efforts to curb the use of lead ammunition, especially among hunters and other shooters that might leave carrion. Voluntary non-lead ammunition programs are active in both Utah and Arizona, supplying hunters with alternatives if they plan to hunt in Condor territory, and program organizers have reported some success, especially with big-game hunters. In Utah, the Division of Wildlife Resources started offering a $25 rebate toward the purchase of non-lead ammunition in 2010, and educational materials were handed out to influential groups to encourage hunters to use bullets with non-lead alternatives like copper and steel. That dollar figure has since been boosted to $50. We're excited about the partnership and confident that working with stakeholders on all sides of the lead issue is necessary to ensure the long-term health of Utahs wildlife and their habitats," said Mike Fowlks, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources director. "We recognize the role that stakeholder engagement has in wildlife management and look forward to working cooperatively with the program partners. Recently, advocates have started pushing for more awareness of the issue among not just big game hunters but also people hunting smaller animals and people who use guns to put down domestic livestock or shoot predators. Some are calling to ban lead ammunition entirely, and jostling over the rule at the federal level has largely fallen along party lines. On President Barack Obamas last day in office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a new ban on lead bullets on Service lands, requiring non-toxic ammunition be used instead. The move caught sharp criticism from many firearms advocates, with the National Rifle Association calling it an assault on gun owners and sportsmens rights. A closeup of a California condor , A couple of months later, the ban was lifted by then-U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on his first day in office after being appointed by President Donald Trump. An avid hunter and angler, Zinke said the move was meant to expand access to hunting, fishing and other recreation opportunities. It worries me to think about hunting and fishing becoming activities for the land-owning elite, he said at the time. Various states have implemented restrictions on lead use in bullets and fishing tackle to protect birds and waterways, but only California has passed a law actually banning their use for hunters, passing a law in 2013 that plans to replace lead with alternatives like copper or steel by 2019. More than 90 percent of ammunition produced in the U.S. is made with a lead component, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and lead remains a favorite metal for bullets because of its mass and malleability. Some hunters argue that non-lead bullets are more expensive, arent as effective or arent available in every caliber. California Condor One of the largest flying birds in the world, the California Condor can grow to 25 pounds, with a wingspan of up to 9.5 feet. Once abundant along the western U.S. coast, the condors were driven to the brink of extinction by losses of habitat, natural predation, hunting and environmental contamination. By 1982, there were only 22 birds living birds left, and scientists started a captive breeding program to save the Condor from extinction. The captive-bred birds were released into a reintroduction program at sites in California, Arizona and Baja California, with the total population reported at more than 500 today. Since 1997, roughly half of all the free-falling condors have required treatment for lead poisoning, according to a recent study published by toxicologists at the University of California, Santa Cruz. David DeMille writes about southwestern Utah for The Spectrum & Daily News, a USA TODAY Network newsroom based in St. George. Follow him at @SpectrumDeMille or contact him at ddemille@thespectrum.com. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Program giving free ammo to Utah hunters aims to help California Condor The city of Pueblo and Pueblo School District 60 are seeking to improve safety and accessibility to a pair of East Side schools through a grant application to the Colorado Department of Transportation. The Pueblo D60 board directors voted unanimously Thursday to apply for a Safe Routes to School grant to add sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps, bike lanes and road markings at various places along Monument Avenue where Park View Elementary and the Risley International Academy of Innovation are located. The total project area spans from East Second Street to East 12th Street along Monument Avenue. Local musicians:'Completely surreal': CSU Pueblo musician Eavia Ryan wins national fiddle contest During a Pueblo D60 board work session Thursday, Pueblo Area Council of Governments (PACOG) Transportation Director Eva Cosyleon explained the need for creating a "pedestrian and bicycle safe corridor" in the project area. "We have broken sidewalks, we have missing sidewalks at driveways and alleys, and also missing ADA curb ramps which poses a huge issue for people with a handicap," Cosyleon said. "They need to have accessibility for wheelchairs or even mothers who have strollers and are trying to take their kids to school." Cosyleon also presented traffic-crash data from the past five years to board directors. From 2017 to 2022, there have been 280 accidents within a two-mile radius of the Monument Avenue corridor and two people have been killed. Among those crashes, seven involved pedestrians, two involved school-aged children, two involved bicyclists and one involved an individual in a wheelchair. Pueblo Police Department reports indicate that one of the accidents involving a school-aged child was the result of a driver's vision being blocked by a parked vehicle, Cosyleon said. "By creating an actual designated space for children to walk and bicycles to be at, you will increase that visibility," she said. Story continues In addition to Park View Elementary and the Risley International Academy of Innovation, several community amenities are located near the Monument Avenue corridor, including Mitchell Park, the Patrick A. Lucero Library, Pueblo Community Health Center, Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo County's East Side Clubhouse and Bradford Park. While PACOG will propose improvements from East Second Street to East 12th Street, the corridor has been split into three "bids" in the event grant monies are limited. The "Base Bid" is the most important improvement area, Cosyleon said; it stretches from the north side of Mitchell Park on 12th Street to the north entrance of the Risley International Academy of Innovation near Seventh Street. Features of the base bid would include installation of 6-foot-wide sidewalks along the West Side of Monument Avenue, 5-foot-wide bicycle lanes with 3-foot buffers on each side of monument, and 12 ADA curb ramps, among other improvements. Alternate bid suggestions would extend the presence of sidewalks, bike lines and ADA curb ramps to East Fifth Street and East Second Street, respectively. Pueblo school performance:Colorado releases initial school performance scores. How did Pueblo schools fare? "We are going to go after the whole kit and caboodle," Cosyleon said. "We want the whole thing." More information about the Safe Routes to School Grant can be found on the CDOT website. Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo, D60 seek Safe Routes to School grant for improvements A Russian missile strike hit a power facility in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Saturday, jeopardizing the citys energy supply. After an insidious shelling of an energy infrastructure facility in the Kyiv region, we have serious consequences, but they can be minimized, wrote Kyiv Oblast Gov. Oleksiy Kuleba and Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko on Telegram. The two leaders encouraged residents of the Kyiv region to reduce their energy consumption, particularly during peak hours. All that is necessary is to approach electricity consumption as rationally as possible today, they wrote. Please limit the use of electricity as much as possible today from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. And everything will be fine. The officials said that Kyiv residents might have to use candles to light their homes and suffer all the consequences associated with the lack of electricity if they fail to follow energy guidelines in the wake of the strike. Ukrainian troops defended Kyiv in April, beating back Russian forces from the area. The countrys military have since executed a lightning effort against the Russian military over the past month, claiming a succession of victories in the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine. The shelling comes after an explosion downed a bridge connecting Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, a major supply link for the aggressor. Russia has since blamed Ukraine for the explosion and retaliated by striking a number of cities, including Kyiv. Tymoshenko also called on residents of the Zhytomyr, Cherkasy and Chernihiv regions, which all border Kyiv, to limit their electricity consumption. The shelling did not injure or kill any residents of the Kyiv region despite its damage of the power facility, according to Kuleba. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor waves hello Friday at the start of her virtual talk with children at Lincoln School in Providence. Her appearance kicked off the annual Rhode Island Festival of Childrens Books & Authors. PROVIDENCE From the mouths of babes come some interesting questions, and a few laughs. On Friday afternoon, young Rhode Islanders were given a chance to ask U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor about her life, career and whether Nancy Drew inspired her to join the bench. That question came from Ruby Ream at the Lincoln School Music Center, where Sotomayor beamed in from Washington via Zoom for the event, hosted by Lincoln School in partnership with the Rhode Island Center for the Book. Friday's appearance by Sotomayor, who has written several books for kids, kicked off the annual Rhode Island Festival of Childrens Books & Authors. So did Drew, the fictional amateur sleuth, lead Sotomayor to the legal profession? "In part," she said. "What Nancy Drew made me want to be was a detective." More: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will help kick off RI children's book festival Callahan Newman-Gilligan, 11, a student at Lincoln School, asks U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor a question during a virtual talk with children, parents and teachers at the school on Friday. Sotomayor noted that as Drew cracked cases, she consulted with her lawyer father. Yet during Sotomayor's youth in the Bronx, there weren't lawyers and judges hanging around her neighborhood. Enter another fictional character in the justice's life: renowned defense lawyer Perry Mason. Mason, the titular character in the TV series that ran in the '50s and '60s, defended falsely accused clients and exposed the bad guys. As Sotomayor watched, she saw police officers and detectives. Perhaps she could have become a detective by first becoming a cop, though having been diagnosed with diabetes, in those days, that would have taken her out of the running as a candidate. Children applaud an answer from Justice Sotomayor during her virtual talk Friday afternoon. Then a revelation occurred. "I'm watching Perry Mason and I realize, wait a minute, half the show is him investigating ... what his client did ... and the other half is in the courtroom," Sotomayor recalled. "Well, maybe that's something I can do, too." But on Friday it wasn't all laughs and lighthearted reminiscing about TV and books. Sotomayor reflected on her roots, being the daughter of Puerto Rican parents and noting that while she has "often said to people I am a very, very proud American," at her core, she has "a Latina heart." Story continues Students listen to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Friday afternoon during her video conversation with them from Washington, D.C. But the justice doesn't allow that single aspect of her identity to define her. Asked how it felt to be the court's first Latina justice, Sotomayor had this to say: "I am not just a Latina justice. I am me, Sonia Sotomayor, and I am a lot of things in addition to being a Latina." "The point is that every one of us is not just one thing," she added. "We're all the things that make us. And so one little part of it is not what makes me a justice. What makes me a justice is all my life experience." This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has video chat with RI children Its not quite Halloween yet, but Pinnacle Bank is busy getting ready for its annual Christmas for Our Troops project. Each year, the Columbus bank collects the names and addresses of actively-serving military people and donations. A box of items is sent to the service men and women at Christmastime. Pinnacle Bank Vice President Keri Schnell said the project was started a number of years ago by Karen Kaspar-Nielsen. Schnell has been heading the project since 2015. The bank receives names and donations by reaching out locally as well as through its other branches throughout Nebraska. There are now Pinnacle Bank locations in Kansas and Texas that are helping out with the event. We reach out into the community and just ask for names and addresses, Schnell said. So really, that's the important piece of it. Because if we don't have someone to ship up to, we can't do it. Anybody that has friends or family that are actively serving can submit their loved ones names, she added. They ship to military members serving stateside and overseas. The bank prefers to have people submit names and addresses in writing so theres less of a chance of an address being recorded incorrectly. People can submit names and addresses to Pinnacle Bank, 210 E. 23rd St., or christmasforourtroops@pinnbank.com by Nov. 10. Additionally, donations of items can be dropped off at both Pinnacle Bank locations in Columbus. We started collecting on Sept. 11, Schnell said. We send an email out to all our branches across Nebraska and let them know that we're starting. A lot of those branches and our operations center, employees or customers will donate items and then they bring them here. Donations are limited to what can be shipped. They are not able to ship aerosol cans, items that are fragile or flammable or glass jars. People should also avoid donating products that have been used or removed from their original packaging and food products with easily punctured foil tops (such as pudding or fruit cups). Travel, trial and individual sizes are preferred. Suggested donations include food items (snack-sized flavored crackers, canned meats, canned fruit, peanut butter up to 16 ounces, hot chocolate packets, hard candy, etc.), personal items (hand lotion, bug wipes, chap stick, Q-tips, etc.) and other things like stationary, envelopes, card games and pens. We'll pack the boxes on the 15th of November. We invite people to come in and volunteer, anybody that wants to come help pack they can do that. We just do it in our basement here (at the 23rd Street location), Schnell said. It's fun to see it all come together then. We set all the things out on tables and then people just go around and pick up what they want to pack in their box. Items come from all over and vary. One thing they always get is deer jerky. Schnell said an individual with the Nebraska Bowhunters Association gets deer meat donated to him thats then processed and made into deer jerky. The jerky is donated the Christmas for Our Troops. The military members, they love it, she added. Like the year before, students are going to come and help them assemble boxes. Local businesses are also generous in giving to the cause, Schnell said. The boxes are shipped out before Thanksgiving so military members can receive them before Christmas. We're not sending anything of great consequence, said Jill Tate, a mortgage loan processor at Pinnacle Bank who has been helping with the project for the last three years. It's just little things, but maybe just something they don't have access to if they're overseas, something that maybe feels a little bit like home to get. In 2021, Christmas for Our Troops shipped about 424 boxes. That was a jump from the previous year as a group of Nebraska soldiers had been serving in Africa. Each year it kind of gets a little bit bigger, Schnell said. But it really depends on how many names and addresses we get. It changes every year, because the military people move all the time. Because of the increase in people last year, volunteers had run out of donations so bank employees pitched in to purchase more items for the troops. Schnell said the project is a way to do something good and she enjoys seeing people come together. These people don't know that they're going to get a box . and (we do this) just to let them know how much we appreciate their service, Schnell said. We hear back from quite a few of them, which is fun. That kind of reminds you why you do this. For more information on Christmas for Our Troops, call Pinnacle Bank at 402-562-8936. Monetary donations are also accepted to help pay for shipping costs. I think it's really great that we honor our service people and that are away from their families and doing what's best for our country, Tate said. I think it gives people the opportunity to say thank you, and to say we're thinking of you, and we appreciate the sacrifice that you're making. South Dakotas public-private needs-based scholarship fund, the Freedom Scholarship, is getting an added boost from two major local companies. First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard announced Tuesday the companies are giving a $50 million donation to the Freedom Scholarship endowment. Tuesdays announcement follows the companies and Denny Sanfords initial support of $100 million to launch the fund last year. With their total $150 million so far, a combined $25 million from Avera Health and Sanford Health, and $50 million passed in the 2021 Legislative session by way of Senate Bill 171, the Freedom Scholarship now stands at $225 million. As many as 1,276 students have accepted Freedom Scholarships so far in this first year, with awards ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 for each student. An initial allocation of $5.1 million was set to be distributed to eligible South Dakota institutions beginning this year. More:New scholarships seen as path to slowing 'brain drain' of South Dakota graduates leaving state Gov. Kristi Noem Thursday was joined by lawmakers, bankers and health officials in Sioux Falls for a ceremonial bill signing to establish the state's first-ever needs-based scholarship. One of those recipients is Merci Arbach, a student at South Dakota State University and a recent graduate from Washington High School. This scholarship has allowed me to have a lot more financial freedom and is very amazing because it helps more than just Sioux Falls its the community of South Dakota, Arbach said in a news release. I dont actually have words to express my gratitude other than thank you. The funds, managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation and the Freedom Scholarship Board of Directors, have allowed students like Arbach to pursue their own dreams, First PREMIER Bank CEO Dana Dykhouse said in a news release. It truly made a difference in the lives of many, and I could not be prouder of the organizations that stepped up and made this program happen, he added. More:Gov. Kristi Noem appoints first members to Freedom Scholarship Board In addition to serving as financial aid, the Freedom Scholarship is also meant to help keep graduates in South Dakota, as the scholarship stipulates graduates stay and work in South Dakota for three years following graduation. Elli Haerter, Freedom Scholarship Coordinator, said they hope other businesses and organizations in South Dakota will join the effort to fund the needs-based scholarship program. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota's Freedom Scholarship gets $50M boost by PREMIER Bank Nostalgic train experiences are popping up across Southeast Asia. Courtesy of The Vietage A private cabin on board the Vietage. These days, people want to move at a more relaxed pace, and trains are perfect for slower journeys, says Dan Fraser, founder of Smiling Albino, a travel outfitter based in Bangkok. Thats particularly true in Thailand, where the company recently launched a rail-themed tour of the countrys Pak Chong district, the gateway to Khao Yai National Park, about two hours northeast of Bangkok. Highlights include a guided tour of historic Khlong Phai Railway Station and its vintage machinery, a picturesque ride on a local commuter train, and a visit to a night market to snack on mango sticky rice and taro-stuffed Chinese buns. Courtesy of InterContinental Khao Yai Resort The InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, a new Bill Bensleydesigned property in northern Thailand. The excursion should pair perfectly with a stay at the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, which opened in September. The resort pays homage to the golden age of King Rama V, in the early 20th century, when Khao Yai was a gateway for railroad travel to northeastern Thailand, says celebrated designer Bill Bensley, who upcycled old train carriages to create the resorts 19 suites, spa, and teahouse. An additional 45 guest rooms will evoke a first-class train voyage with decorative flourishes such as station signage and special luggage tags. Its a time warp into a bygone era filled with train memorabilia that Ive collected myself over the past several years, Bensley adds. In Vietnam, a new 12-person train carriage called the Vietage offers luxurious round-trips between Da Nang Railway Station, near Hoi An, and the beach town of Quy Nhon. At six hours each way, Fraser says, travelers have the time to really savor the beauty of central Vietnam. A three-course meal, cocktails, wine, and Wi-Fi are all included, as are treatments from an onboard massage therapist. While guests can do the out-and-back in a single day, breaking up the trip with a night at the beachside Anantara Quy Nhon Villas is more in keeping with the Vietages slow-travel vibe. A version of this story first appeared in the October 2022 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Romance on the Rails." For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. PROVIDENCE If youre a Verizon Fios customer with big plans for watching the New England Patriots game on Sunday on WPRI Channel 12, you may have to punt. Verizon customers trying to turn on Channel 12 on Saturday, as well as the NewsNation channel, were greeted with a white screen with a message: Were disappointed to share that we have not been able to reach an agreement to continue carrying Nexstars programming on this channel." An orange banner with a similar message greeted visitors on the channels website that referred to a contract dispute over programming: Verizon FIOS has denied you WPRI, yet they still bill you each month for our content. More: WPRI-TV could be taken off Verizon FiOS lineups as contract expires Oct. 14 What's at issue in the contract dispute? Verizon FIOS customers woke up to this notice on their TVs this morning when trying to watch WPRI 12 or NewsNation. Both channels are currently unavailable due to a contract dispute between Verizon and the stations' carrier, Nexstar. The station's notice went on to say: WPRI has presented a proposal for fair value compensation, based on the importance and value our programming brings to our viewers. Despite our tireless efforts, Verizon FiOS has refused our fair offer and is making negotiations very difficult. You may have seen them do this before. They will tell you its for your benefit, but dont believe it. Our offer is fair. And now they hold you the subscriber hostage. Its not right. Meanwhile, on its website, Verizon explained the dispute this way: Our contract with Nexstar ended on October 14, 2022 and your Fios TV package contains Nexstar channels. .... Nexstar has proposed charging as much as 64% more for its programming. Verizon remains committed to making these channels available to our customers, but simply cannot agree to such unreasonable increases. More: Patriots QB Bailey Zappe has made a career out of surprising people The dispute is affecting 33 stations in six states, between Virginia and Rhode Island, according to the Verizon webpage. How can I watch the Patriots game on Sunday? If you want to watch the Patriots play the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Channel 12 is still available over the air, and some streaming services, such as Paramount+ and YouTubeTV, carry Channel 12 and, according to their websites, offer free trial periods. Email Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Verizon customers lose access to WPRI: How to watch Patriots game The inspiration for the new InterContinental Khao Yai stretches all the way back to the 1800s, when Thailands King Rama V was among the first Asian monarchs to visit many of Europes key capitals, including Paris, Vienna and London. Much of it conducted by rail, his grand tour was a revelation for the kingand consequential for his homeland, encouraging him to support the introduction of train travel to Thailand. The story of Rama Vs trailblazing European odyssey always resonated with architect and designer Bill Bensley, who once spent summers taking groups of old ladies on a train from Vancouver Island all the way to Quebec, which even today he describes as a great job. And when he was asked to conceptualize a new resort nestled in rural Khao Yai, his research showed the area was in close proximity to old railroad tracks that once linked northeast Thailand to the rest of Southeast Asia. More from Robb Report The InterContinental Khao Yai at night Those various influences were channeled into the creation of Somsak, the fictional stationmaster of Khao Yai Station (also invented) whose imagined aesthetic inspired the whimsical property. On arrival, guests check in at Somsaks ticket office, complete with his personal keepsakes in the form of antiques and heirlooms, placed throughout the property, meant to hint at the stationmasters backstory. The theme continues in the radiant cobalt blue of Somyings Kitchen, decorated with vintage-looking train posters. Named for Somsaks mother, the casual restaurant has the feel of an American diner crossed with a provincial railway station and serves an all-day menu of Thai and international cuisine. Likewise, within the hotels 45 standard rail rooms (from $190 per night) youll find old travel guides displayed by the bed, televisions hidden behind station signboards and murals of pastoral scenes framed under glass panels, as if being viewed through a train window. Story continues A balcony view of Thailands first national park But its the resorts suites and villas that are emerging as among the most distinctive accommodations in Thailand. They began to take shape when Bensley noticed a Bangkok train yard full of rusting old train carriages, one entangled by ficus trees just like the ruins of Angkor Wat. I thought, How cool would it be to upcycle them? he recalls. Securing sufficient units proved not only unexpectedly difficult but also excessively expensive. There are many people that like to collect these things, Bensley says of the heritage railcars. To get the few we did was like pulling teeth. But the effort paid off, with 19 carriages now elegantly reconfigured as unique, strikingly stylish accommodations (starting from about $320 per night). At just over eight feet wide, the carriages are narrow but long, stretching up to a luxuriant 66 feet, colorfully finished and offering generous outdoor space, including a bath and large deck; five units also include a private swimming pool. Bensley promises that the Heritage Railcar, making up two full-size cars running together, will be the strangest-proportioned suite anywhere in the world. One of the resorts strikingly appointed railcar-as-suites. Strange, yes, but in the way that engenders enchantment, not confusion. Whether youre booking a treatment at the Back on Track spa, dressing up for drinks at the bar at Papillon or dinner at the French-style Poirot Brasserie or watching black swans glide by while enjoying scones and mango macarons at the Tea Carriage, Bensleys creation is full of fun and playful imagination. Wonderment isnt a feeling one expects from a modern luxury resort, but once experienced its easy to wonder why we cant have more of it in the world. 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. Take a peek in the average medicine cabinet, and you're likely to find a bottle of aspirin. Commonly used for temporary relief of minor aches and pains, as well as to treat strokes, heart attacks, and other coronary conditions, people across the globe rely on the drugbut according to the latest warnings from researchers at the University of Michigan, there's now a big reason some folks might want to steer clear of this pill. Read on to find out why popping an aspirin could put your health at risk if you routinely take another common medication, and what alternatives are safe to try instead. READ THIS NEXT: Never Take These Common Medications With Your Morning Coffee, Pharmacists Say. Guidance on aspirin use has been changing. While it was once termed a "wonder drug", doctors today are no longer recommending aspirin at the rate they did in decades past. After many years of advising that adults over the age of 50 take a daily low-dose aspirin to prevent first-time strokes and heart attacks, the medical community recently changed its tune. It's now recommended that people over the age of 60 do not take the drug daily as a preventative measureat least not without a recommendation from their healthcare provider. But why has aspirin, previously touted by some as a "miracle drug," seen such an about-face in the medical community? READ THIS NEXT: I'm a Pharmacist, and These Are the OTC Medications I Won't Take. Aspirin isn't a cure-all. In April 2022, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force issued a statement on aspirin use as preventative medicine. The group found that while using aspirin may have a "small net benefit" in adults 40-59 years old hoping to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), it also found "with moderate certainty" that starting an aspirin regime to prevent CVD "has no benefit" for adults 60 years and older. According to Eugene Yang, MD, MS, and chair of the American College of Cardiology Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Council, "More and more studies are showing that aspirin for primary preventions show no benefit, but I think there's a lag where the physicians and clinical providers are not recognizing that taking this aspirin for primary prevention has no benefit." Story continues Blood thinners combined with aspirin can be bad news. Part of how aspirin works is as a blood thinner, preventing blood clots which can clog vessels and lead to serious medical problems, including death. But by that same token, doctors and scientists are discovering now that when patients are already prescribed another blood thinner by their provider, taking aspirin alongside it can lead to internal bleeding. Geoffrey Barnes, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Michigan's Cardiovascular Center, explains that a study he recently co-authored proposed: "Let's see if we can identify the patients who we don't need to be on aspirin because they're already on another blood thinner. Let's stop their aspirin and let's see if we can actually avoid those bleeding events." For more health news sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. This study is important for anyone taking aspirin every day. The study included over 6,700 adults who were taking a blood thinner called warfarin to treat blood clots or irregular heart rhythms. After consulting to see which of those patients could safely discontinue their daily aspirin dosage, the researchers discovered that over time, those who reduced their aspirin use had better health outcomes, including fewer bleeding problems. The study tracked patients across nine years, and in a statistical analysis performed across 2020-2021, investigators found "significantly fewer bleeding problems, minor or major" after some patients ceased aspirin use, and thankfully "did not see an increase in clotting issues" either. Ask your healthcare provider what pain reliever is best for you. Some guidance hasn't changed: It's always good to check in with your doctor before making any kind of major medical decision like starting or stopping a medication. Aspirin can still be crucial in the health regimes of certain patients, not only for major heart conditions, but also for some who can't take Advil or Tylenol as pain relievers. But if you're one of the two to three million Americans who take a blood thinner, the latest science says to think twice about popping that next aspirin. If that drug isn't the best option for your body, a conversation with your healthcare provider can help shed light on which pain relievers are right for you. Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly. Its safe to say that Australia hasnt seen a luxury development like this in quite some timeat least on Queenslands sunny Gold Coast. While its not Sydney or Melbourne, the Gold Coast is known for its world-class surfing, stunning beaches, laid-back neighborhoods and theme parks. Many consider it Australias Miami, and its been the go-to vacation destination for Australians for decades. folks near and far can call a piece of Queensland home thanks to Masthead Ocean Club. This $280 million development is a partnership between Banda, a development and design studio founded by Edo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Beatrices husband, and Australian real estate expert Rory OBrien. More from Robb Report The Gold Coast market has been one of Australias strongest residential property markets over the past two years, Mozzi tells Robb Report. The work-from-home era has sparked record numbers of lifestyle moves in Australia (as it has globally) as people look for a different way of living. Residents will forever enjoy these views, as the adjacent properties can never be built out. Masthead Ocean Club is located at the prestigious northern end of Main Beach and will provide residents with a luxury resort-like living experience. This area is called the Golden Triangle, and its home to several elevated lifestyle amenities like the Southport Yacht Club and superyacht marina, Main Beach Surf Club and ample dining and entertaining. Theres also 345 acres of spit parkland, which Mozzi says reminds him of Hyde Park in London. There will be 28 units: 20 Residences, five Sky Homes, two duplex sub-penthouses and a super-penthouse designed by Banda Design Studio. Views include the Pacific Ocean, broadwater and hinterland with both sunrise and sunset views. the Sky Homes, sub-penthouses and super penthouse will be designed by Bandas in-house design studio with a soothing, textural color palette using natural materials, while the 20 Residences are designed by MIM Design. Story continues With Masthead, context is everything, he says. The design journey started with the location as there is such an extraordinary mix of topographies, all of which are visible thanks to the East/West axis of the building. We wanted the design to be relevant and reflect the surroundings. For example, we chose to specify the beautiful kitchen island in this bold, heavily veined, green sequoia verde marble that speaks as one with the hinterland and sea views beyond. It really anchors and gives a relevance to the design and we are very proud of that. This textural kitchen is like a work of art. Design details in the Banda-designed residences includes tadelakt finishes, antique bronze lift detailing, Calacatta Verde marble and Arabescato Corchia floor tiles in the bathrooms. There is also lighting from Stephen Antonson, Emmanuelle Simon, Serge Mouille, Articolo and vintage Palle Suenson. There is also impressive vintage furniture, like chairs and couches; unique artwork; and high-end rugs. The office in particular might perk up design lovers ears; theres a curved wooden Pierre Yavanovich oak desk and Pierre Jeanneret armchair with views overlooking the marina. Amenities include an in-house residents-only club, which includes a wine and champagne lounge, whisky and cigar room, private dining space, spa, coffee bar, library and business meeting areas. Masthead has also partnered with Levantine Hill Winery in The Yarra Valley, BMW and Newgate Thoroughbred Bloodstock Racing to provide members with special lifestyle perks. We wanted the design to resonate with the buyers internationally and not just from Australia because this truly is a global proposition, Mozzi says. It is one of the many things that really sets Masthead apart from other developments in the area. Prices start from $3.1 million ($5 million AUD) for a three-bedroom apartment and is set to be completed in 2024. Check out more photos of the property below: A dining area. A breezy bedroom exudes tranquility. The Gold Coast is often compared to Miami. 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. A helping hand. Pete Davidson is texting Kim Kardashian after Kanyes White Lives Matter Instagram posts. The former SNL comedian is reportedly comforting Kim by texting her some supportive words. According to Hollywood Life, The King of Staten Island star has been texting his ex amid whats happening online. A lot of people have been reaching out to offer Kim support, including Pete [Davidson], the source said. Hes in the middle of shooting another movie but hes been in touch. Hes such a sweet guy and Kims grateful they can still be friends. They continued, Pete and Kim still talk on occasion and several weeks after the break up, they had gotten to a place of being cordial with each other. Pete has texted Kim a few times about the whole Kanye situation because he still cares about her as a person and wanted to check in to see how she was doing. More from StyleCaster Kanye debuted his White Lives Matter shirt at Paris Fashion Week and it was immediately met with criticism from celebrities like Gigi Hadid. A source told Hollywood Life, Kim is not surprised by Kanye decision to wear that on his shirt and thinks that he is, once again, trying to get attention, the source dished. She knows that he loves to start controversy and she is not even feeding into this. Sure, she thinks that he is making a horrible choice and that the message is very offensive to so many. Kanye was a huge supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. He not only marched in protests, but also donated $2 million to the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Kim knows how much support Kanye gave to the Black Lives Matter movement, the source added and said she was utterly confused by his choice to wear such a shirt. Story continues A source told People on August 8, 2022, that Pete is dealing with Kanyes backlash from his earlier 2022 rampage through therapy. The source confirmed that since April, he has been in trauma therapy in large part. The attention and negativity coming from Kanye and his antics is a trigger for [Pete], and hes had to seek out help. On Kims part, shes been nothing but supportive of [Pete] throughout their relationship. News of the two splitting up broke on August 5, 2022, and the insider added that Pete is paying attention to his own life, Moving forward he just wants to focus on his career. Click here to read the full article. A source confirmed to Page Six on August 5, 2022, that Kim and Pete had broken up after nine months of dating. Kim and Pete have decided to just be friends, the insider said. They have a lot of love and respect for each other, but found that the long distance and their demanding schedules made it really difficult to maintain a relationship. According to Page Sixs source, Kim and Petes 13-year age difference was part of the reason for their split Pete is 28 and Kim is 41 they are just in very different places at the moment, the insider said. Pete is totally spontaneous and impulsive and wants her to fly to New York, or wherever he is on a moments notice. The source continued, But Kim has four kids and it isnt that easy. She needs to focus on the kids. Kim has four kids with Kanye: North, 8, Saint, 6, Chicago, 4 and Psalm, 3. The Kardashians is available to stream on Hulu. Heres how to watch it for free. Watch The Kardashians $6.99+ Buy Now "Kris Jenner...And All Things Kardashian" by Kris Jenner For more about the Kardashians, check out Kris Jenners 2011 memoir, Kris JennerAnd All Things Kardashians, in which the momager tells her never-before-told story about how she led her six childrenKourtney, Kim, Khloe, Rob, Kendall and Kylieto international stardom and built their multi-million dollar empire. You may think you know the Kardashians, but as Kris explains in her book, whats in the media and in Keeping Up With the Kardashians is only the tip of the iceberg. In Kris JennerAnd All Things Kardashians, Kris reveals how she balanced six children (not to mention four stepchildren and numerous grandchildren) while building a business for her family. The book also dives into Kris relationship with Nicole Brown Simpson before and after her husband, O.J. Simpson, was accused of her murder. Kris JennerAnd All Things Kardashians is a must-read for any Kardashian fan. Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think youll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. "Watch This Space" - Amazon Prime Video Best of StyleCaster Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis listens during a news conference Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Miami. Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flew nearly 50 migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard last month. The migrants said they were misled about job and housing opportunities. Now they have a chance to apply for a U visa which can lead to a green card. When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis chartered planes to fly migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard last month, he may have unintentionally given them an opportunity to remain in the US indefinitely. A Texas sheriff on Thursday certified that the nearly 50 migrants, who flew from San Antonio to Massachusetts in September, were the victims of a crime, The Texas Tribune reported. "Based upon the claims of migrants being transported from Bexar County under false pretenses, we are investigating this case as possible Unlawful Restraint," Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement. "We have submitted documentation through the federal system to ensure the migrants' availability as witnesses during the investigation." Related video: 46 migrants found dead inside tractor trailer in San Antonio The migrants said they got on the flights after a woman identified as Perla promised them a better life in Massachusetts, including school, housing, and job opportunities. Lawyers for the migrants have also said they were given a misleading brochure that promised cash assistance and job placement. Salazar certifying the migrants as victims of a crime was part of their lawyers' efforts to help them obtain visas. Victims of certain crimes can apply for a "U visa." If approved, the U visa can provide the victims and their families with temporary immigration status, including the ability to work, and the possibility of lawful permanent resident status, or a green card, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In order to qualify, applicants for a U visa need a certification from a law enforcement official that says they were either a victim or a witness to a crime and are cooperating with authorities. Story continues "These certifications will ensure that the migrants can continue to help our law enforcement officials, and that they will be able to process and heal from the incredibly traumatic experiences they have suffered as a result of the cruel, heartless acts committed against them," Rachel Self, a Massachusetts immigration attorney working with the migrants, told local outlet WGBH. DeSantis's office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. The Martha's Vineyard flights were just the latest example of a tactic being used by Republican lawmakers to draw attention to the Biden administration's immigration policies. The governors of Texas and Arizona have also transported asylum-seekers to blue states via buses. Read the original article on Business Insider Graciela Ramos prepares school lunch at Pueblo County High School in May 2022. Colorado school districts will have the option to participate in a program that would pay for all students to receive free food at school if a statewide ballot issue passes. The program would also help school districts connect with local food producers and increase wages for culinary employees. Voters will decide this November on Proposition FF, which would pay for the program by closing tax loopholes on top earners in the state. A group of Pueblo voters and families discussed school food and learned about the ballot issue at a listening session Sept. 29 at the La Gente youth center in the Dog Patch neighborhood. The tax increase that would pay for the program would not affect Coloradans who make less than $300,000 per year. Puebloans will decide:Should Pueblo County commissioners be able to run for a third term? Erika Cervantes, an organizer with Hunger Free Colorado, said at the event the proposition is one of the first of its kind in the country. California made school lunches free for all students starting fall 2022, but the Colorado program would go above and beyond with this holistic approach of making sure that the food is healthy, that its coming locally and that parents and students are giving input, Cervantes said. For two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado students could get free school lunch when the federal government suspended eligibility requirements. That changed starting this fall. State lawmakers attempted to pass a bill extending the free meals in spring 2022, but it did not go through. Colorado voters will now decide in November if all students should get free meals at school. Alyssa Rivas, a parent who attended the Pueblo event with her family, said she filled out and submitted the lengthy free and reduced lunch application over a month ago and hasnt heard anything from the district. Two of her children, Arenzo and Allessio Rivas, go to Vineland Elementary School in Pueblo County School District 70. Rivas said she wakes her kids up earlier on school days so they have enough time to eat breakfast at home. Story continues Sol Sandoval, a Pueblo community organizer, said at the event that her parents had to work extra hard to buy enough food growing up. I watched my parents work multiple jobs to put food on the table, and then they were too proud to ask for assistance when they could have actually benefited from it and used it," Sandoval said. "Making sure that children have access to a free meal, free of shame, free of all those things, is important." More:Colorado voters will decide in November whether to provide free meals to students According to the state voter information guide, some of the potential arguments against the program are that the government should not pay for children's food and that school districts should receive increased funding in other potential areas. There's so many things that our schools need, there's so many things that our neighborhoods need, but a healthy meal should not be something that our children are going without, Sandoval said. That's a need that we need to take care of first and foremost because if their little tummies are hungry, guess what? They're not going to learn. Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com or on Twitter, @annalynnfrey. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Colorado election: Voters to decide on free school lunch for all An 18-year-old Alpine volunteer firefighter is accused of intentionally ramming a car full of teenagers just after midnight on Monday, causing their vehicle to crash and sending the driver and four passengers to the hospital with serious injuries, Bergen County prosecutors announced Friday. Luke Stein, of Cresskill, was charged with aggravated assault and impersonating a law enforcement officer by prosecutors, who claim he used his Jeep Grand Cherokee to ram the back end of the Honda Pilot twice while both vehicles headed down Route 9W in Alpine. Furthermore, Stein is accused of pursuing the teenagers at a high rate of speed and flashing emergency lights he used as a volunteer firefighter before the crash, which occurred near the Montammy Golf Club, said Lt. Raymond Walter of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department. Court documents shed some light on what may have happened leading up the crash. Witnesses told police that Stein heard that a friend was assaulted at a house party in Alpine and went there with other friends, according to the police complaint. After arriving in Alpine, witnesses said Stein and friends sped off. A witness tried to follow Stein's Jeep and eventually caught up to the Jeep and Honda at a red light and saw Stein activate his emergency lights, the document states. As the Honda began to pull over, Stein rammed the vehicle from behind, the witness told police. The Honda then sped off with Stein in pursuit, the document states, with the vehicles reaching in excess of 100 mph. The police complaint states that the Honda crashed in the woods, but Stein pulled into the golf club to continue to look for the vehicle and eventually left. On his way home, Stein received an emergency alert on his firefighter pager about a crash at the Montammy Golf Club, documents show. Stein reported to the Alpine Fire/EMS headquarters and returned to the scene with emergency personnel, the complaint states. Stein, a former wrestler at Cresskill High School, was apprehended by police in Boulder, Colorado, where he is being detained while he awaits extradition to New Jersey. Stein's Jeep was recovered in Cresskill with front end damage, the police complaint states. Story continues The complaint said Stein was a stranger to the teenagers, whose injuries included: spinal fractures, broken femur, broken humerus, broken arm, brain bleed, lacerations, broken ribs and bruised lung. Elizabeth Rebein, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office, did not have information as to the current condition of the teenagers, only saying that the crash did not prove fatal for any of the occupants. The prosecutor's office said Stein was a student, but did not reveal where he is enrolled. Tenafly shows support The five teenagers are from Tenafly High School and surrounding towns, according to Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna. "There was a terrible car crash," Zinna wrote in an announcement posted to the borough website Friday. "The five students sustained serious injuries and are presently in varying degrees of healing. Please, keep these students in your thoughts and prayers." Zinna called on residents to gather in support of the injured youths and their families from 6-7:30 p.m. on Sunday in Huyler Park. The event is being coordinated by the Tenafly Rotary Club. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ volunteer firefighter charged in car wreck which injured five teens South Koreas Biggest Exchanges Pen Crypto Crime-fighting Deal with Police Source: Paegag/Adobe The five biggest crypto exchanges in South Korea have signed a crypto crime-fighting MOU deal with the nations police force and will work with officers fighting crypto-powered money launderers and crypto scam artists. According to Fn News, the exchanges the market-leading Upbit and Bithumb, as well as Korbit, Coinone, and Gopax have agreed to work with police investigations into crimes related to virtual assets and prevent damage to investors. The police explained that the rate of crime in the investment sector was now on the rise and spoke of a fast-developing crypto and stock investment craze. Upbit trading volumes. (Source: CoinGecko) Officers also noted that the size of the domestic crypto market is continuing to rise although the past few months have seen a slowdown with the onset of the bear market. But, they noted, more and more South Koreans are now becoming crypto investors. And this, they stated, was leading to a rise in opportunistic crime, as scammers attempt to deceive the victim with promises of guaranteed high-profit crypto investments and crypto wallet hacking cases. They also claimed that some criminal groups were known to be using crypto to launder illegal funds. Crypto Crime-fighting Deal What Went on Behind the Scenes? Officers stated that the need to cooperate with exchanges has been growing, particularly during the investigation process, where police detectives often need to follow a trail of crypto transactions. Bithumb trading volumes. (Source: CoinGecko) The National Police Agency revealed that it has been collaborating with individual exchanges since April this year to establish a network of hotlines allowing exchanges to relay relevant information to the police. The police also claim that they will continue to bolster cooperation by sharing information with exchanges on cryptoasset-related crime investigations, damage prevention, the seizure of criminal proceeds, and money laundering prevention measures. The five trading platforms are the only exchanges that are currently licensed to operate in the fiat KRW markets, and all five have commercial banking partners. Last month, the Chief Legal Officer at Dunamu, Upbits operator, welcomed talk of fresh regulations for the crypto sector. NOGALES, Mexico Bishop Jose Leopoldo Gonzalez stood at a makeshift altar on Calle Internacional, just below the 22-foot border fence that stood mounted atop a 14-foot cliff. He led a binational Mass for nearly 100 people at the site where a U.S. Border Patrol agent had shot and killed a Mexican teenager 10 years ago in October 2012. Moments earlier, Tucson Bishop Edward Weisenburger had addressed the teen's family in Spanish. As he spoke, the setting sun illuminated a mural painting of the teen, Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez, fastened to the cliff behind him. "The death of Jose Antonio undoubtedly moved us all, not just because of the painful loss of a life that was just beginning, full of goals and dreams," Weisenburger said. "But also because of the injustice, an injustice that continues 10 years later." As Gonzalez concluded the Mass at the border, Taide Elena, Jose Antonio's grandmother, stood from her seat, located a few feet from where her grandson collapsed to the ground and died. She walked to where Guadalupe Guereca was sitting. Guereca had taken an eight-hour bus ride from Ciudad Juarez to Nogales to be there for the ceremony. Her 15-year-old son, Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca, was also shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent in 2011, a year before Jose Antonio's death. Elena took Guereca's face in her hands. With tears streaming down Elena's cheek, she told Guereca something quietly and then embraced her. Maria Guadalupe Guereca (left) is embraced by Araceli Rodriguez (left center) and Taide Elena (center) during a mass to honor Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez on the 10-year anniversary of his killing on Oct. 9, 2022, in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Guereca, mother of Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca who was killed by U.S. Border Patrol in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, came to honor Rodriguez's and Elena's son and grandson respectively, who was killed by U.S. Border Patrol in steps away from where they sit. Araceli Rodriguez, Jose Antonio's mother, embraced them both as well. They held the hug for a moment before letting go and returning to their seats. The Mass on Oct. 9 was part of a two-day celebration in the border communities known collectively as Ambos Nogales. They marked the 10th anniversary of Jose Antonio's death on Oct. 10, 2012. From Arizona, Agent Lonnie Swartz fired 16 shots in less than a minute through the border fence that overlooked the street in Sonora where the Mass took place. Ten of the bullets struck and killed the Mexican teen. Swartz claims he fired in self-defense to stop rocks being thrown at agents from across the border. Story continues In the 10 years since the shooting, two jury trials in Tucson and a U.S. Supreme Court decision acquitted Swartz for his role in the shooting. That outcome has left the family feeling like their quest for justice for Jose Antonio remains unfulfilled. But they're not alone in that feeling. The two-day ceremony marking the Mexican teen's death also highlighted the deaths of five other individuals killed by Border Patrol agents in cross-border shootings throughout the U.S.-Mexico border. Relatives for two of them were in attendance in Nogales. "I'm very glad, it gives me lots of strength," Rodriguez said. "I feel that we're united by the same pain. We're learned to live with that pain. So I'm very glad that they were able to join us." New podcast: Listen to the full season of 'Rediscovering: Killed Through the Border Fence' The person who may understand best about Rodriguez's loss is Guereca. Her son Sergio was 15 when he was killed in 2011, one year before Jose Antonio. Jesus Mesa Jr., a Border Patrol agent in El Paso, shot him across the Rio Grande. His case was closely woven to Jose Antonio's. Guereca also sued Mesa in federal court for killing Sergio. That case did not go to criminal trial. But the civil lawsuit ended up twice before the Supreme Court. In February 2020, the majority-conservative court ruled she didn't have the standing to sue Mesa because Sergio was a Mexican citizen in Mexican territory when he died, even though the agent fired from the U.S. The ruling ended a similar lawsuit that Rodriguez had filed. Guereca remains distraught over Sergio's death. At times, she'll believe that he's out somewhere and will come back to her, she said, but then as the day goes on, it sinks in and that belief goes away. The Supreme Court's decision only deepens her sadness. "The hardest part for me is that no one takes what you're going through into account solely because he was Mexican, because he was killed in Mexico," she said. "What do they think? That us as Mexicans don't have lives, that we're not worthy of protection as well? We do need it, because officials did nothing in this case." Attorneys for Rodriguez and Guereca argued that the Supreme Court ruling essentially legalized cross-border shootings by taking away the ability to hold border agents accountable. People gather on Oct. 9, 2022, in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, to honor the life of Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez on the 10-year anniversary of his killing by U.S. Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz. Luis Parra, one of the attorneys for Rodriguez and a Nogales native, said the responsibility for action now falls on Congress to create a path to justice for families during these types of cross-border incidents to ensure they don't happen again. "The Supreme Court ruled that it is up to the Congress of the United States of America to change the law so that officers who exceed their use of force should be held accountable, should strip them of their qualified immunity," Parra said. 'Point of the spear': Families look beyond U.S. courts to hold border agents accountable In the meantime, there is newfound hope for the families, stemming from a hearing that the Inter-American Commission will hold on Nov. 4 to address the death of another Mexican citizen in the custody of U.S. border officials. Attorneys for Maria Puga, the wife of Anastasio Hernandez Rojas, filed a petition before the court, after running into roadblocks within the U.S. court system. U.S. border agents and officers beat Hernandez Rojas in San Diego in May 2010 as he struggled during his arrest for attempting to reenter the country illegally. Attorneys argue the investigation into his death was tainted and are asking the commission to look into the use-of-force policies by U.S. border officials and the lack of access to justice for victims of excessive force. They are also on the U.S. to reopen the case. "It has been a long journey to get to this moment. It will be the first time that we can present our human rights claims against the United States, a government that has denied us justice for twelve years, Puga said in a statement. The case is significant because it would be the first time the commission looks into the role of U.S. border agents in these types of killings. It could open the way for additional hearings, since Guereca and Araceli have also filed petitions before the commission. In addition to Guereca, Nora Lam Gallegos also traveled to Nogales from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. She's the wife of Guillermo Arevalo Pedroza. The couple was having a birthday picnic for Guillermo with their two daughters along the banks of the Rio Grande in Nuevo Laredo in September 2012. Border Patrol agents on a patrol boat fired shots into Mexico because they said they had rocks thrown at them. Some of the bullets struck and killed Guillermo, who died in one of his daughter's arms. To date, the family said there hasn't been anything resembling justice for his death, despite the trauma inflicted on their daughters. "They saw everything and well, yes, they were in shock to see the situation that we went though," Lam Gallegos said. "We were stunned by all of this." All three women Lam Gallegos, Guereca and Rodriguez have also cast blame on the Mexican government, which they accuse of not doing enough to help them. Rodriguez said she and Elena are finalizing plans to visit Mexico City to urge the federal government to get more involved in the case. Guereca said their end goal is not money, but rather the chance to seek justice for the deaths of their loved ones, as well as greater peace of mind so they can move on. "I can't bring back my son with money, or even with justice, right? But at least it would make me feel better knowing that (the agent) would pay for what he did," Guereca said. "It can't stay like this because right now he's working calmly and has his children and family. I don't have my son." Have any news tips or story ideas about immigration in the Southwest? Reach the reporter at rafael.carranza@arizonarepublic.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RafaelCarranza. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Families rally for justice in cross-border slayings in Nogales ALBANY, N.Y. Last week, Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin was standing outside a subway station in the Bronx to highlight lawlessness in New York City. Two days later, the crime scene was outside his Long Island home. A random drive-by shooting on Sunday, when his 16-year-old twin daughters were inside the house, rocked the New York governor's race and marked the second time this election season that violence has hit close to home for Zeldin. In July, a troubled veteran attacked the congressman on stage during a campaign rally in Rochester. Zeldin and his family were unhurt in the incidents, but the events have elevated Zeldin's tough-on-crime campaign message just weeks before he faces Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the Nov. 8 election. His first act as governor, he said this week, would be to declare a state of emergency on crime and try to repeal many of her criminal justice policies. "Whether Im in a blue county or a red county or talking to Republicans, Democrats or independents, I hear about people who care about crime and public safety, Zeldin said in an interview. They want to take back our streets. Crime ranks among voters' top concerns nationwide heading into Election Day, and the issue is pronounced in the Empire State particularly in New York City, where daily headlines about violence have even Democrats at odds over how to best address it. Polls in New York have shown crime as a major consideration in the governor's race, and ads by underdog Zeldin and the super PACs supporting his candidacy have derided Hochul for not doing more to address crime. "It's a flood, and Kathy Hochul isn't up to the job of fighting crime," an ominous voice in an ad from the Safe Together NY committee, a PAC backing him, says. Hochul has defended her legislative record in light of Zeldin's attacks pointing to state bail laws she toughened this year after 2019 reforms were blamed for a rise in crime. She also strengthened gun-control laws though they were partially overturned in June by the Supreme Court. Story continues Hochul has also seen tension within her own party over crime: Left-leaning Democrats have long wanted to provide more rights to those accused of crimes while moderates like New York City Mayor Eric Adams are pressing her to toughen laws. Hochul's campaign attacks have largely been aimed at Zeldin's pro-Trump record and his opposition to abortion rights. "We can continue to do more," Hochul said Monday about addressing crime. "Im looking at our resources right now to see what else we can do to deploy assistance to make sure that people not only are safe, but feel safe on our subways. Weve seen an increase in individuals taking the subways, which is a very positive sign. We want that to continue. Because the more people together, the truly safer they are." The data also paints a mixed picture. Major crime complaints in New York City are up 32 percent for the year through Oct. 9, compared to the same period last year, city statistics show but major crime is still down 36 percent from 2001 and down 81 percent from 1990. Shootings that led to injuries are up 25 percent statewide over the last five years, though this year's figures are down 14 percent in the city and down 10 percent statewide compared to last year. Hochuls campaign knocked Zeldins pledge to pare back her measures since she took office in August 2021, which has also included efforts to get illegal guns off the streets. "Just like he has no plan to address gun violence, Lee Zeldin has no credible plan on public safety nor does he understand the basics of governing or democracy, which is no surprise for an election denier, Hochul campaign spokesperson Jerrel Harvey said in a statement, referring to Zeldins vote against certifying 2020 presidential election results in two states. Governor Hochul is the only candidate in this race with a real plan to keep New Yorkers safe." Zeldin said the statistics are only part of the story. He points to alarming individual incidents that have rattled communities: an EMT in Queens stabbed to death last month in an unprovoked, midday attack; the mass shooting in a Brooklyn subway station in April that injured at least 23 people; or the slaying this month of a Buffalo mother by her estranged husband soon after he was released from jail. "You can try to come up with your own conclusion based off of looking at stats, but if youre going to conclude that there isnt an issue that needs to be dealt with, if youre going to conclude pro-criminal laws up in Albany havent had any negative impact on life in New York, youre divorced from multiple realities," he said. Often, Zeldin links the cases back to New York lawmakers' 2019 decision under then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo to end cash bail in all but the most violent cases, which critics said has too often allowed people with serious mental health issues or other problems back to reoffend. Zeldin and even Adams, a former NYPD captain wants state lawmakers to add a "dangerousness" provision to the bail laws to give judges more discretion over who is held in custody while their cases play out. Hochul, however, said that would be too subjective history has shown judges were already disproportionately keeping poor and minority defendants in jail. Instead, she and lawmakers in April changed the 2019 law to give judges other kinds of discretion and make more charges eligible for bail. Her supporters have also countered that state data released last month hasn't shown an uptick in rearrests or missed court dates since 2019. "Someone walks into a judge and sometimes dangerousness is determined by the color of their skin and perception of dangerousness," Hochul said on WNYC radio in Manhattan last month. "That is an unfair system, that is not a justice system that we could be proud of." Zeldin said the current laws are too lax, and if elected, he would end cashless bail and make more youth eligible for criminal court instead of family court after New York in 2017 raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18. In July, Zeldin's Rochester attacker, David Jakubonis, was initially released without bail after he jumped on stage holding a pointed key chain and rushed toward Zeldin, who fended off Jakubonis as onlookers wrestled the man to the ground. Jakubonis was released from custody shortly after his arrest, outraging Zeldin, who said it was a prime example of whats wrong with the states bail laws. Jakubonis, an Iraq war veteran, was soon after charged with federal crimes and remains in jail awaiting trial. In the gun violence outside Zeldin's home a week ago, police concluded two teenagers walking by Zeldin's home in the afternoon were shot by the occupants of a passing vehicle. The victims briefly hid in Zeldin's yard. The congressman, meanwhile, was campaigning in Manhattan and received a frantic call from his daughters, who were hiding inside the house. "They heard gunshots. They heard screaming. And what traumatized them the most was they thought the individuals right outside were coming after them," Zeldin said in the interview Wednesday. Crime, he said, is just one of the reasons people are "hitting their breaking point" in New York, which over the last decade has led the nation in out-migration to other states, census data has shown. "They feel like their wallet, their safety, their freedom, their quality of their kids education is under attack," Zeldin said. I came back from Hawaii with fond memories and lessons learned. Emily Hochberg/Insider This summer, I went to Oahu, Hawaii, with my husband and 1-year-old on our first big family trip. We made great memories but if I did it all again, I'd be sure to learn from the following mistakes. From shifting my mindset to winging it for naps, here's what I wish I did differently. This summer, I planned a vacation to Oahu, Hawaii, with my husband and 1-year-old daughter. It was our first time visiting Hawaii as a family. Me with my husband and daughter at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Emily Hochberg/Insider All pandemic, I longed for a remote tropical getaway. But I kept delaying it, either because COVID-19 transmission rates were too high and I didn't feel comfortable traveling, I was too overwhelmed while taking care of a baby, or too busy handling a cross-country move from New York City to California. Finally, this summer, the timing felt right. My family was now West Coast-based and Hawaii seemed like the ideal destination. We planned to visit for a week and split our time between the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, and back to Waikiki to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel before we flew out of Honolulu. We made some great memories and I'm glad we went, but if I could do it all over again, there are a few mistakes we made that I'd handle differently. I first learned that, as a parent, traveling with a small child isn't a vacation it's a trip. I should have had that mindset from the start. On "vacation" in Hawaii with my daughter. Emily Hochberg/Insider Our biggest mistake in bringing a 1-year-old to Hawaii? Probably bringing a 1-year-old to Hawaii. I love my daughter more than life itself but she's a toddler and toddlers are ... tough. Traveling with a toddler is even harder. Due to the pandemic and the nature of having a young child, we didn't travel much with our daughter since she was born, aside from a few close-to-home getaways. This was our first big vacation outside of the continental US and I was excited. And while that's not inherently a bad thing, I should have lowered my expectations from the start. We were headed to paradise, but I wouldn't even come close to kicking back at the pool with cocktails, reading a good book, or working on my tan. Story continues Instead, most of the time I was trying to corral and entertain a jet-lagged 21-month-old with a short attention span who had no desire to go to the beach, got bored of the pool easily, and refused to sit in restaurants for any meals. Each day I was more tired than the last, frustrated by so many tantrums, and longed to collapse onto a lounge chair or swim in the ocean. I'm still glad we went, but next time, I'll shift my thinking, expect the worst, and hope for the best. I wish I better prepared for our flights and packed a few key carry-on items. My daughter sitting on my lap, looking out of the plane window. Emily Hochberg/Insider I spent a lot of time perfecting my checked-baggage packing list for our weeklong trip. I wish I devoted the same level of attention to my carry-on for our 5-hour flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu. We had an 8 a.m. flight and by the time we made it through security and to our gate, my daughter was tired. I didn't pack enough snacks thinking I'd buy her a pastry at the airport, but the line at Starbucks was so long, we'd miss our flight if we waited, and there was nowhere else to eat in the terminal. Naturally, she refused the items I had on hand, leaving me to contend with a hangry toddler. Fortunately, she fell asleep soon after takeoff across my lap. But that meant I had to sit in an uncomfortable position for the next few hours and try not to move or risk waking her. I regretted not bringing a sweater or neck pillow to use as a cushion for my elbow, which quickly lost all feeling. The airplane cabin was also stuffy and warm. I was sweating from carrying my daughter through the airport and quickly realized I had forgotten two other key items to keep cool: a water bottle and a hair tie. On the return flight, I made sure to come better prepared, but I should have packed more diversions to keep my daughter busy. Going there, she was happy to watch the iPad, but coming back, it didn't interest her as much and I wished I had more distractions to keep her from kicking the seat in front. When we landed in Hawaii, we picked up a rental car, which I thought would give us freedom to explore and travel between hotels. Booking transfers would have been cheaper. My daughter in the car. Emily Hochberg/Insider I booked our weeklong rental car through Costco Travel for $476, which I thought was a good price given the summer travel dates. I wanted a rental car so we wouldn't be reliant on anyone else to get around and could install my daughter's car seat once and be done with it. I initially thought it would be the cheapest option, too. But I forgot about parking. At Hilton Hawaiian Village, the self-parking charge for registered hotel guests is $57 per night; for our three-night stay, it cost $171. At Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, self parking is $37 per day, though valet was the same price, so we chose that; for two nights, it cost $74. Finally, at the Royal Hawaiian, self parking for our two-night stay was $45 per day, so that cost $90. In total, we spent $335 on parking during our trip. We also didn't end up driving much and mostly stayed at our hotels. We only used the car to get to and from the airport, switch hotels, and make one afternoon trip to the Honolulu Aquarium. The upside was we only had to fill up the gas once before returning the car, and that cost just $21. Had we relied on airport and hotel transfers, I estimate we would have saved around $100. Charley's Taxi, a popular service recommended by each hotel we stayed at, offers flat rates to and from the airport to Waikiki Beach for $31 each way, and $95 each way between Waikiki Beach and the Aulani resort. The service would have cost us around $252. Even with tips or fees added in, I still think it would have been cheaper and someone would have helped us with all our luggage. While I enjoyed the convenience of being on our own schedule, Hawaii is expensive, and a car wasn't really necessary for our itinerary. I tried to have too many nice meals at restaurants. Our trip would have been less stressful for everyone if we chose takeout. Trying to distract my daughter with an iPhone to get her to eat (L), and her hiding behind my dress at our hibachi dinner (R). Emily Hochberg/Insider I already know it's unrealistic to expect a toddler to sit quietly in a restaurant for an hour-long meal. But since I hadn't properly lowered my expectations enough on vacation, I incorrectly thought it would be easy to dine out by the water if we chose somewhere low-key, that wasn't remotely fancy. On our first night at the Hilton, we chose a casual beachfront restaurant, but even that was too much for my jet-lagged daughter. She didn't want to watch videos or sit still. The time change also affected her appetite and she wouldn't eat foods she normally enjoyed, adding to her fussiness. So rather than savor the view and my meal, I had to carry a screaming, kicking toddler out of the restaurant to the horror of my fellow diners while my husband averted eye contact and ate his meal alone. Later, I picked a hibachi-style restaurant thinking she'd love the fire and action of the experience. Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate that strangers in the group dining format would make her shy and run from the table. She spent the whole meal in the corner, with me or my husband taking turns standing with her. And on our last night, I thought we'd have a quick meal and enjoy final mai tais. But before we could even order, she demanded to run onto the sand with my husband and wouldn't return. We would have been better off just doing takeout in a park or on the beach and actually enjoying our meals together. One of my biggest mistakes was clear when we checked into our first hotel and our room wasn't ready. I neglected to pack day bags to use the pool. Waiting around for our room to be ready. Emily Hochberg/Insider When we arrived at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, we were exhausted, sweaty, and also really excited. The hotel is expansive with five pools, a lagoon, and a prime beachfront location. It was beautiful, and we were eager to take advantage right away. We dropped our bags with the valet and waited in a lengthy check-in line only to learn our room wasn't ready. We were free to use the facilities while we waited, but our luggage was already in storage including our swimsuits. I could have asked for the bags back, but my antsy toddler was ready to move on from the lobby, and I didn't really want to splay out our giant suitcases in the middle of an overcrowded check-in area for everyone to witness. So instead of heading straight to the pool, I stayed in my dirty plane leggings and waited at a table until our room was ready. By the time it was, my daughter needed to nap again and we missed out on any afternoon pool time. From then on, I learned the importance of always having a day bag packed with bathing suits and a change of clothes when arriving to a tropical resort before check-in time. I should have had a better on-the-go nap plan. A rare moment where my daughter fell asleep in her stroller. Emily Hochberg/Insider My daughter has always been a tough sleeper. She needs a lot of support from me or her dad to fall asleep, as well as a dark, cool, quiet room. When you're on vacation and your room isn't ready, none of that is available. She is also one of the few babies on earth who won't sleep in her car seat or stroller without and I must stress this a lot of protest. And on the off chance she does, it's short-lived. At the Hilton, I knew we'd arrive around nap time, but I thought her plane nap would mean she wouldn't need another one. Given our early travel and the time change, though, she was so exhausted, she actually fell asleep in her stroller for perhaps the first time ever right as we learned our room was ready. When we got up to the room, we tried to take her out and transfer to her crib. We failed miserably. She was excessively upset and I couldn't get her back to sleep, nor could I calm her for over an hour, much to the worry, I'm sure, of our hotel neighbors. When we changed hotels to Aulani, I was in the same position. But instead of trying to get her to take a nap, I let her play in the splash pad for as long as she wanted and patted myself on the back for being such an easygoing, flexible parent. Then all hell broke loose. Her tiredness caught up and she started wailing about anything and everything. She was mad that she couldn't swim in the lazy river she does not know how to actually swim angry that I offered her anything but the lazy river, and livid that I wouldn't let her walk face-first into a pool of water. There was no calming her as I walked her, strolled her, and shushed her. My only solace in the public outburst was the fact we were at a Disney resort. Is it even a Disney vacation if someone doesn't have a meltdown? We fit right in. Most of this was unavoidable given our itinerary, but next time I'll look for ways to guarantee early or late checkout, or, better yet, stay in just one hotel the whole trip to avoid this from happening multiple times. When our room wasn't ready at check-in at Aulani, I should have checked with hotel staff about it sooner than I did. Trying to soothe my girl at Aulani. Emily Hochberg/Insider It turned out that my daughter's blowup at Aulani due to her skipped nap was totally avoidable. I just didn't know it. When I checked in, I was instructed to download the hotel's app to stay informed of activities, amenities, and more. The staff handed me my room keys, which they said would be activated when my room was ready so I wouldn't have to come back to the front desk. I was also told I'd get a call or text from the front desk when my room was ready. I never did. When I opened my app that afternoon while waiting, I saw a room number pop up. I thought this was just standard practice. I didn't realize it meant my room was actually ready. I kept waiting around for a call or text. Finally, at 3 p.m., the official check-in time, I went back to the front desk only to learn my room had been available for hours, as seen on the app. While the hotel was apologetic and offered me $50 resort credit for the inconvenience, my daughter's nap was long gone and I was mad at myself for not asking earlier when I saw the room number listed. Next time, I'll definitely check in more regularly about the status of my room, especially if a meltdown is on the brink of taking place. My daughter was a big fan of the pools, especially kiddie waterslides. I wish I had a waterproof phone holder so I could have captured more memories. My daughter loved the waterslide at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Emily Hochberg/Insider Some of the best times we had on our trip were splashing around the pool. My daughter loved wading in the shallow end at each hotel pool, running back and forth through splash pads at Aulani, and sitting in my lap to zip down a waterslide for little ones at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. I'm not sure I've ever seen her as happy and I wish I had more photos of her in the water. We got some, but I would have taken so many better ones if I wasn't so nervous about getting my phone wet or dropping it in the pool. I saw many parents with their phones properly protected in cases dangling from lanyards around their neck and knew I made a mistake by not purchasing one, too. I especially regretted not having one when all three of us sat successfully and safely on a raft to ride around a lazy river at Aulani. It was such a wonderful family moment, but there was no way to get in and out of the raft without a waterproof case. There was a lot we did wrong on this trip. But I don't regret it for one second. I'll cherish the memories we made on this trip, good and bad. Emily Hochberg/Insider Going to Hawaii was not a vacation, nor was it the idyllic island escape I initially envisioned. But thinking back on everything that went wrong makes me laugh, and remembering my daughter light up while listening to Hawaiian music or going down a waterslide makes my heart smile. I've mostly forgotten the tears and the frustration and now when I look at pictures from our trip, I think, "Wow, what a fun time. We should do that again." But you can bet that the next time we travel, I'll have a better plan for naps, check-in, and meals I hope, anyway. As parents, we're all just trying our best. Read the original article on Insider FEDERAL COURT UPDATE FOR ONLINE BILLINGS A Nevada woman who admitted to bringing a minor girl to Billings for prostitution was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Ashley Michael Stella, 29, of Reno, Nevada, pleaded guilty in December 2021 to transportation of a minor to engage in prostitution. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided. Judge Watters also ordered $2,500 restitution. The government alleged in court documents that on April 21, 2021, law enforcement officers responded to a call of possible commercial sex activity at a Billings motel and knocked on the door of the suspect's room. Stella, another individual and a 16-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe 1, emerged. Jane Doe 1, from Nevada, indicated in interviews that she had met Stella in December 2020. Stella informed Jane Doe that she worked in commercial sex. Jane Doe 1 told law enforcement that she and Stella traveled to Montana in April from Nevada and that both had engaged in commercial sex. Stella told law enforcement she had met Jane Doe 1 in the fall of 2020 and learned her true age later that year. Stella also told investigators that the two had traveled from Nevada to Montana for the purpose of commercial sex and that she had asked Jane Doe 1 if she wanted to go on the trip. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zeno B. Baucus and Bryan T. Dake prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Montana Department of Justices Criminal Investigation Division, FBI and Billings Police Department. This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Nevada woman sentenced for bringing minor to Montana for prostitution RUF rebels - archive shot In our series of letters from African journalists, Umaru Fofana looks back at how reporting on Sierra Leone's civil war 25 years ago got personal and what dangers correspondents still face today. WARNING: This report contains descriptions some readers will find disturbing. Short presentational grey line During the bloody rebel war that raged in Sierra Leone for more than a decade, fake news and rumours abounded - without the aid of social media. At a time when only the elite had landlines and there was no internet or mobile telephones, reporters often had to go in person to find out information. I would then have to go the telecommunications HQ in the capital, Freetown, to make a reverse-charge call to London to be able to file a report for the BBC. Six years in to the conflict, on 9 October 1997, I ventured out to confirm a report that the military's HQ had been bombed by a Nigerian military jet. The junta that took power in May 1997 teamed up with the RUF rebels In apparent reprisal, the soldiers were said to have set ablaze the private residence of the exiled president. It was at the stage in the war when the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels - notorious for being intoxicated on drugs and hacking off people's limbs - had teamed up with the military junta who had recently taken power. Nigerian troops - part of the West African intervention force known as Ecomog - were stationed in the outskirts of the capital, with no mandate to intervene at the time. I set off, walking past a roadblock manned by soldiers and their rebel allies. Somehow they knew I was headed to the burned-out residence. About half a dozen of them chased me. "Stop!" they shouted, cocking their guns. "Running away would be fatal," I said to myself. So I stood still. When they got closer, one of them pulled a trigger. My right tibia bone was shattered. I hopped on my left leg as they goaded me to their checkpoint. They kept kicking and hitting me whenever I fell down, shouting at me to get up. "Their hate for journalists was palpable"", Source: Reporter Umaru Fofana, Source description: , Image: Umaru Fofana At their checkpoint I leaned on a tree. As they flipped through the pages of my confiscated notebook, they were unhappy to read a piece I had filed about the death in a road accident of one of their bosses. Story continues Their hate for journalists was palpable. One of them pulled a trigger to finish me off, but another one pushed him and the bullet hit the tree. They then decided to take me to their hideout, in the boot of a commandeered passing car - where they tortured me. RUF fighters at a checkpoint near Freetown pictured a month after Umaru Fofana was shot Among other things they lit a polyethylene plastic bag, dripping the flames on my back. They attempted to cut off my right hand, but I instinctively resisted. One of them urinated in my mouth, forcing me to swallow. They took me to the back of the building in apparent readiness to kill me that night. The owner of the commandeered vehicle would later tell me that those inside the car had said that was their intention. But one of their commanders brought some wounded colleagues back to the hideout for treatment - and inquired where I was as he had seen me earlier at the checkpoint. I heard them telling him they taken me to the hospital, so I shouted: "It is a lie, I am here." Eventually I was delivered to the military hospital known as 34, where a doctor recommended an X-ray. As a soldier - working as an orderly - pushed my wheelchair, he deliberately let go of it and I rolled on the slippery surface, sustaining more injuries. Umaru Fofana (R) was visited in hospital after his ordeal in 1997 by BBC colleague Elizabeth Blunt (L) Two days later, through a fruit seller in the ward, I got a message to my local newspaper office to let them know what had happened. They informed London. Then I was transferred to a civilian hospital. Many journalists were killed during the brutal 11-year conflict. According to the media rights group, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 15 foreign and local reporters were killed between 1996 and 2000 alone. So in many ways I was lucky not to have been a part of those statistics. Death threats from trolls With the war over, and the repeal in 2020, after a long campaign, of the criminal defamation law - under which truth was not a defence and journalists could be jailed at will - the perils we face have considerably minimised. Yet with all sides of the political divide and their supporters wanting to influence media content, there is no let-up in the tactics they use. Some 50,000 people were killed and thousands more had their bodies mutilated during the civil war Some journalists do still get physically attacked. For example Alusine Antha was set upon earlier this year by a community in Waterloo, just outside the capital, as he covered a meeting to resolve a land dispute. Police at the scene had fled as tensions rose and people attacked the journalist and vandalised his car fearing he would take sides in the row. The security forces still lash out too. A local media outlet, AYV TV, complained in December 2021 that their camera operator Ransford Wright was physically attacked by eight police officers in Freetown. The beating came after he had filmed police chase a commercial motorbike rider which resulted in a child being injured. When he went to the central police station for comment, he was attacked. Journalist Fayia Amara Fayia is still facing charges for trying to cover a story about coronavirus before the start of a three-day lockdown in April 2020. Rights group allege he was beaten up by soldiers when he went to photograph a newly set up quarantine centre in the eastern city of Kenema. The Standard Times reporter was admitted to hospital and after being discharged four days later was arrested by police and charged with disorderly behaviour and the obstruction of security officers' duties. But these days the harassment of journalists is more nuanced and most prevalent on social media, which enables people to say virtually anything they like. They troll us in a way that harms my family, especially my young children when I receive death threats. These tend to be for not covering a particular political story or covering one in a way that did not suit the online agitators. But these dangers are nothing like what I faced 25 years ago. More Letters from Africa: Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica An undated photo provided by Madicke Gueye shows students from the Ship Wrecks Project Academy, who are spending most of October 2022 on Goree Island, in Dakar, Senegal. (Madicke Gueye via The New York Times) On a Sunday stroll up 16th Street in Washington, D.C., years ago, Lonnie Bunch got a hug and a gentle talking-to from an African American woman. Bunch who at the time was the director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, which was still under construction, and now heads the entire Smithsonian Institution had been very visible in the media discussing the newest of the Smithsonian museums. She came up to me and said, I know who you are, and she hugged me, Bunch said with a chuckle. And she basically said, I am so proud of what you are doing, but please dont talk about slavery. You have an opportunity not to have a generation tarred by slavery. I thought that was very powerful. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times What struck Bunch about this was that it echoed other conversations he had been having on the topic: Some people did not want the museum to talk about slavery, but others did. Every nation is ambivalent about slavery, said Bunch, the first African American to lead the Smithsonian. The people of color are ambivalent: Is this something to be embarrassed by? Is this something that is better left unsaid? So basically, I knew that slavery had to be at the heart of the museum. When the museum opened in 2017, so did the Center for the Study of Global Slavery within it. The centers work focuses on three international collaborative initiatives: the Slave Wrecks Project, the Global Curatorial Project and the Slave Voyages Consortium. The Slave Wrecks Project helps coordinate searches for sunken slave ships and works on maritime archaeological research and historical recovery. This month in Senegal, the inaugural Slave Wrecks Project Academys cohort of African and diaspora students are being trained in diving and learning about the global slave trade. The center also works with slavevoyages.org to help expand data collection beyond the trans-Atlantic slave trade and is working to broaden research into both the Indian Ocean and inter-American slave trades. Story continues Under the auspices of the Global Curatorial Project, a number of partner institutions including Liverpools International Slavery Museum, Iziko Slave Lodge in Cape Town and Belgiums Royal Museum of Central Africa are in the midst of putting together In Slaverys Wake, a traveling exhibition that will open first at the museum in Washington in late 2024 and then move to Africa, Europe and the Americas. The center will be hosting an event in Lisbon, Portugal in January with a tentative title, Reckoning with Race: The social memory of the slave trade in our world, that will aim to bring more public attention to the role that Portugal played in the slave trade. Bunch will be one of the events speakers. We wanted to crack open the sense that this is just a story that is limited to, as most Americans understand it, this period around the American South just prior to the Civil War, said Paul Gardullo, the centers director. We dont have a great sense in America of the international complexities of this massive story that shaped our world. Even outside of the Atlantic world, the work of slavery and colonialism was shaping markets in Asia, it was building the capitals of Europe. These are things that need to be explored more fully. The ethos at the heart of the center has always been about global collaborations and trying to tell a broader story of slavery. As good as the Smithsonian is, it doesnt have broad enough shoulders to do everything, Bunch said, and really it is such a complicated, nuanced story from so many lenses that it would only work if you had those lenses. The Slave Wrecks Project lens grew out of an existing collaboration between Iziko Museums of South Africa, the U.S. National Park Service and George Washington University. At the time the Smithsonian, on the insistence of Bunch to find remnants of a slave ship, reached out to the group to see if any of the shipwrecks they were diving for were involved in the slave trade. (It is estimated that more than 12 million Africans were shipped across the Atlantic between the 16th and 19th centuries, and of those estimated 36,000 voyages, 1,000 ships likely sank). Coincidentally, they were exploring the Sao Jose, a Portuguese slave ship on its way from Mozambique to Brazil that wrecked off Cape Town in 1794. The Smithsonian was intrigued with their research. The Slave Wrecks Project now also includes Diving With a Purpose, which aims to find and document shipwrecks related to the slave trade, with a particular focus on training divers from the African diaspora. Being connected with the center opens up avenues of research that if I were to do stuff on my own could have been a lot more difficult, said Jaco Boshoff, a maritime archaeologist at Iziko Museums of South Africa and a co-founder of the Slave Wrecks Project. The Ship Wrecks Project Academys goal is to create an international network of new maritime scholars the first cohort includes students from Haiti, Senegal, Benin and Ivory Coast who can critically challenge some of the surviving colonial structures and also engage local communities in their research and work. Its part of the process of weaving a network of different parts of the world that may have been connected to the Atlantic system, and developing capacity to bring together all those scholars on issues and questions of common interest, said Ibrahima Thiaw, a professor of archaeology at the Institut Fondamental dAfrique Noire in Dakar who is also involved with exhibition research for In Slaverys Wake. Students are spending most of October on Goree Island, taking diving field trips and seminars that examine the impact of how slave history has been written and disseminated. Across the diaspora of underrepresented scholars, its very rare that were all in the same space learning these skills together, said Gabrielle Miller, a program specialist and archaeologist at the center who is helping run the academy in Senegal. So far, the gaining of these skills has looked at relying on institutions that have kept us out of the room of being able to tell our own stories. The Global Curatorial Project grew out of conversations that came after a conference at Brown Universitys Center of the Study of Slavery and Justice. According to Anthony Bogues, a professor of Africana studies and the director of the center at Brown, the project developed out of innovative curatorial practices around public history relating to racial slavery and colonialism, Bogues said, and the making of the modern world. The exhibition is intended to shift how people view both slavery and colonialism. Part of that research will come from a series called Unfinished Conversations. Researchers for the center are collecting oral histories in communities on four continents that not only were slaving centers historically, but that are also still affected by that history. Liverpool, for example, has the oldest Black community in Europe, and more than 2,000 slaving ships were built in the citys docks between 1701 and 1810. Those docks built the city, but the city also built Britain, and Britain built the world as we know it, said Ranmalie Jayawardana, the International Slavery Museums community participation lead. So our In Slaverys Wake program is to link what does this physical space mean here, but what does that mean globally as well? In South Africa, they had conversations with descendants of upward of 65,000 slaves who were brought from East Africa, Malaysia and Indonesia, some of whom worked on Groot Constantia, a wine farm that is still operational. Some of their descendants still work on the farm today. The project is unique in sewing that thread from the time of slavery all the way to the present, said Shanaaz Galant, a curator at the Iziko Slave Lodge who will be collecting the oral histories in November and who, as a child, was told by her grandmother that their family was descended from slaves brought over from Java. People need to know who they are and where they come from, she said. They need to know what their forefathers and foremothers endured. Bunch agreed. My notion is a great nation confronts its tortured past, he said and, that we are made better by knowledge. 2022 The New York Times Company HBO Each and every week, fans tune in to see Bill Maher rant and rave about wokeism and Gen Z, mock COVID-19 safety protocols, and engage in casual Islamophobia and transphobia. The takes, stale as ever, are identical to those you see on any Substack run by a disgraced and/or wildly uncollegial ex-reporter or a right-wing podcast. While Im not under any illusion that Maher is anywhere close to a journalist, if hes going to continue masquerading as some sort of tell it like it is cultural authority, then he should at least exercise a degree of social responsibility. On Friday night, Maher welcomed Benjamin Netanyahu to his Real Time show. As prime minister of Israel, Netanyahu lorded over what UN rights experts call an apartheid regime, cozied up to one of the most nakedly corrupt presidents in U.S. history in Donald Trump, and proved so corrupt that he was pushed out by his government after being indicted on bribery and fraud charges (owing to his allegedly receiving bribes from Hollywood producers and pushing legislation beneficial toward a newspaper group in exchange for favorable coverage). So, did Maher ask Netanyahu about any of his corruption charges? No. Instead, the comedianwho repeatedly referred to his guest as Bibi, beaming in from Tel Avivasked the opposition leader Will Israel retaliate? over Kanye Wests tweet that he plans to go death con 3 on Jews, to which Netanyahu replied, Antisemitism is the longest hatred in history. It goes back thousands of years. Weve dealt with bigger problems than these stupidities. But, you know, the communists blame the Jews for being capitalists, the capitalists blame the Jews for being communists. You have a problem, blame the Jews. Its old stuff. It shouldnt have any place in civilized discourse. Thats the reason we established the Jewish Stateso the Jewish people would have defense against these absurdities, and sometimes theyre coupled with violence. We dont let that happen again. Story continues A visibly nervous Maher then went on to conflate American congresspeoples criticism of the state of Israel and its treatment of the Palestinian people with Kanye Wests antisemitism, before asking Netanyahu: Are you massacring Palestinians? Are you ethnic cleansing? And are you an apartheid state? When Bill Maher Made a Bonkers Sexy Cannibal Movie After a brief pause, Netanyahu replied, No, no, and no. I mean, these are ridiculous charges against the one democracy in the Middle East. The one democracy that upholds human rights, that defends freedom, and is Americas best ally. So, I think these people should wake up to reality, but I think thats far too great a hope. Its not gonna happen This is fake old news. It goes back thousands of years. Were not impressed by it. He subsequently urged the public to support the brave women of Iran instead of Palestinians. Then, Maher told Netanyahu that if 51 percent of Israel became Arab then you would have to become an apartheid statea bizarre claim, to say the least. When asked about a two-state solution, Netanyahu said, The main problem with Israel and the Palestinians are not the settlements, its the persistent Palestinian refusal to recognize the Jewish state in any boundary. He went on to argue that the Palestinians dont want peace. Netanyahu proceeded to tout the Abraham Accords and brush off a question from Maher about how Trump could be both good to Israel and a demagogue who oversaw a coup in America, before Maher wished him mazel tov on Israels upcoming 75th anniversary and good luck in the election. Later on, Maher had astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson on as a panel guest. If you think Maher asked him about his numerous sexual misconduct allegations, well, of course he didnt. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Death toll from Nigerian floods tops 500 - ministries Vehicles are seen on a flooded road in Lokoja LOKOJA, Nigeria (Reuters) -Widespread flooding has killed more than 500 people in Nigeria, left around 90,000 homes under water and blocked food and fuel supplies, two government ministries said on Friday. The floods have hit 27 of Nigeria's 36 states and impacted around 1.4 million people, the ministries for humanitarian affairs and for disaster management said in an online posting. Nigerian authorities said flooding caused by heavier than usual rains had been building since early summer and intensified after water releases from the Lagdo dam in neighbouring Cameroon. "The scale of the disaster ...is colossal," Mustapha Habib Ahmed, director general of the National Emergency Management Agency, added in a statement. On Thursday, drone footage in Lokoja - which sits in the north-central Kogi state at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers and has suffered weeks of flooding - showed dozens of submerged homes and businesses. "I have never seen such a thing," resident Khalid Yahaya Othman told Reuters as he looked at his submerged fuel tanks and nearby waterlogged streets. "When this water was coming, we never envisaged that it will come and over cover the tank," he said State oil company NNPC blamed the floods, which blocked a key road out of Lokoja, for a fuel shortage in the capital, Abuja. Federal Road Safety official Koton Karfe said the floods had impeded traffic for at least two weeks. Cameroonian power company Eneo said last month it would release water from the dam in September and October after its reservoir hit 91% capacity. (Reporting By Abraham Achirga in Lokoja and Libby George in Lagos; additional reporting by Felix Bate in Dakar; writing by Libby George, editing by John Stonestreet and Andrew Heavens) Theres a lot of work around, Ive been busy, Emily Watson declared, brightly, over tea and crumbly biscuits at The Union, a private club in central London, as she chatted with Deadline about why she loves working in front of the camera. She indeed has been busy. Hot on the heels of her extraordinarily compelling portrait in Gods Creatures, playing an Irish Catholic woman who has an obsessional bond with her wayward son (Paul Mescal of (Normal People and Aftersun), Watson has taken on a slate of roles including HBO Max and Legendary Televisions prestige project Dune: The Sisterhood, leading the cast with Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter), playing sisters Vanya and Tula Harkonnen, respectively. Both siblings have secured power in the Sisterhood. The series serves as a prequel to the Dune film versions created from Frank Herberts classic 1965 story of the planet Arrakis. Shooting will get underway in Hungary next month. More from Deadline Related Story Dune: The Sisterhood: Start Date & Location Confirmed For HBO Max & Legendary Prequel Series Related Story John Oliver Takes Dig At HBO's 'House Of The Dragon' For Dark Scenes: "It's Genuinely Hard To Watch" Related Story 'Dune: The Sisterhood': 'Game Of Thrones' & 'Obi-Wan' Star Indira Varma Joins HBO Max & Legendary Prequel Series As Empress Natalya Dune: The Sisterhood is based on a trilogy of novels entitled Sisterhood of Dune that go deep into the past of the Dune universe. Theyre written by Brian Herbert, Franks son, and Kevin J. Anderson. After Dune: The Sisterhood, Watson will star with David Tennant in psychological thriller Quicksand, followed by Late in Summer, a cherished project set in Cornwall, England, as World War II draws to an end about a romance between a farmers wife and a Black American GI, played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (His Dark Materials). Story continues Watson said that she has been on the right side of the moment regarding the proliferation of streaming, and all this happens because people know that women want to see stories about themselves. Thats a marketplace thing, apart from anything else, she told Deadline. But roles for female actors arent always meaty and dangerous. Hers are. Watson mentions her two children and how, often when they watch films and TV dramas, they see an actress and go, Is there something wrong with her? Does she speak? They say that because often the leading actress doesnt have anything to say, doesnt have any lines. Shows like The Sopranos helped hasten a change, she said. That kind of led to a revolution in television, and I think its probably spawned a lot of crap as well. But for the last decade theres been a lot of work around, but it used to be well, it was very wobbly for actresses. Theres a lot of work around. Ive been busy, she declared. RELATED: Dune: The Sisterhood: Game Of Thrones & Obi-Wan Star Indira Varma Joins HBO Max & Legendary Prequel Series As Empress Natalya Yes, its an amazing role. And roles in film a like [Gods Creatures] dont come around that often, she said. They really dont. Gods Creatures, based on a story by Fodhla Cronin OReilly and Shane Crowley, with a screenplay by Crowley, stars Watson as Aileen OHara. Set in a close-knit Irish fishing community, similar in parts to the one OReilly and Crowley grew up in, the film focuses on Aileen, manager of a seafood plant. The daily drudgery of gutting fish is enlivened with fag breaks where village gossip is shared with the women who work alongside her. Family and religion are the prime topics of their break-time conversations, though they turn darker as the film progresses. Directors Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer, who both worked on The Fits, guide their shots on Watsons face, which is like a map of Aileens world. Zeroing in on Watsons eyes, an audience gathers all it needs to know about this fisherwoman. Paul Mescal and Emily Watson in Gods Creatures / Photo: A24 Aileens face brightens when son Brian returns from Australia; hed clean disappeared from her life years before. Shes kind of been in love with her son from the moment he was born, Watson said. Shes completely obsessed with him. Mother and son embrace in a babble of lyrical small talk, but what they really want to say remains suppressed. Aileen knows that something went on with Brian whilst in Australia, but its never fully perused because shes just so happy to have her lad back. Hes the apple of her eye. When he comes back she gets younger, said Watson. Its true, too. The actress face-shifting dexterity in those early scenes is a measure of her surefooted thespian gifts. Yes, its an amazing role. And roles in film like this dont come around that often, they really dont, Watson said with a hint of sadness. She credits Davis and Holmer for allowing cinematographer Chayse Irvins cameras, at certain moments, to just keep rolling at times where you dont expect or anticipate how youre going to feel, she said. It was a little bit like how I always want directors to be with small children: Just be with them and roll the cameras and let them do what they do. There were moments where it felt like that. It was that gentleness in allowing you to be in things. But also, thats the lifetime of having being in front of the camera and just being that relaxed. It sounds very egotistical but being in front of a camera for me is a level of honesty that you dont have in life. To me, Watson told Deadline, a camera is like a confessional, in a way. Theres something very liberating about it and thats just because Im lucky enough to have spent a lot of time doing that kind of work. From early on, she noted, when I did that first film [Breaking the Waves] with Lars von Trier, the camera was like a character in the scene, it was just there with us and it was looking at us, inquiring with us into what we were doing, and it made me very comfortable with [the camera]. You can see that with some actors over time, they just get better and better. Its like being in a room with a friend that you dont have to worry about, you know. Its not always like that, but it can be. It was in this [Gods Creatures]. Watsons clearly happy about reactions to her performance in Gods Creatures, and about filming Dune: The Sisterhood and the other projects. I tell you, Ive been around forever, as you know, and Ive done a lot, all different things, and I felt like I kind of hadnt occupied this kind of territory in a while, particularly not in film, she said. I just really care about [the film]. Particularly, I think, because we were in in Donegal for nine weeks straight. Because of Covid, I couldnt go home. Its the longest Ive been away from my family. Im usually only two weeks away, so it was incredibly intense and we all formed this very tight-knit group. Also, lovely, she observed, to be surrounded by gorgeous actors like Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale), Toni ORorke (Calm with Horses) and Mescal. Paul Mescal! Omigod! Watson exclaimed. Hes one of those kids where to know him is to love him. Hes so scarily talented, he just sort of turned up fully formed; very, very powerful instincts, really eager to learn, very humble. Watson was equally wowed about working with directors Davis and Holmer, describing them as two incredibly intellectual, emotionally astute women. Spent a long time with this material and thought about very minute very carefully, and in a way unafraid not to demonstrate things: just lets put a stone in the water, let it travel and see what happens. Being directed by them is amazing because there wasnt much noise coming out of them. They were very, very quiet, theyd sit by the camera and wed do a take one of them would go to camera, one of them would go to the actors and theyd discuss, and quietly return, it was never the same one. I dont know how they did it, but the communication was so clear, very simple and very quiet. It was beautiful to watch. They had this Irish crew absolutely eating out of their hands. It was amazing. Watson gave kudos to producer OReilly for assembling a team around them [the directors] where everybody was utterly emotionally onboard and sort of sympathetic to the nature of the project Thats such a skill not to have people who dont get your way of doing things. Watson has employed the same skills in picking her projects. DEADLINE: I have a memory from a few years ago of arriving at Heathrow airport, picking up a bunch of newspapers and youre on the front pages of most of them with headlines going on about sexy romps and getting your kit off in a film or TV drama what was that? I was shocked, of course. WATSON: It was Apple Tree Yard. I didnt get my kit off [laughs]. There was a lot of sauciness. It was quite saucy. The director of that is a really good friend of mine now. Jessica Hobbs she directs quite a lot of The Crown. Shes fabulous. When we met about the script, we got along like a house on fire. And she said, The great thing is, Im four days older than you, so lets do this story as us, from our point of view. So, that felt like a really good experience. I remember when that whole thing came out. I did a photo shoot for a magazine and it came out on my 50th birthday and I looked [she whispers] f*cking fabulous. Do you know that Amy Schumer sketch Last F*ckable Day [featuring Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Patricia Arquette] about, you know, when the media decides youre no longer [whispers] f*ckable? DEADLINE: But there you were WATSON: There I was. Well, thats also changing a lot also, because a lot of the people telling the stories are going, This is my living experience, lets put it on the screen. DEADLINE: The headline thing suddenly flashed in my head there. Lets talk about the directors of Gods Creatures because they sure know how to elicit super performances. Was it all there on the page from the get go? WATSON: Actually, from the page to the finished film has been streamlined. So they carried on writing after wed finished and quite a lot of material less dialogue, just in the edit. The levels of trust required to work together like that and also having a very great depth of understanding of the material, so you know you both think the same way before you even begin. Theyd really known what they wanted, but they went about it very quietly so you didnt feel like you were being told what to do, you were just being so gently led in a direction. It was a beautiful experience. DEADLINE: An experience that has produced great work WATSON: I think we had a unique situation. It felt like we knew we had something special with the script; it felt like an important subject. We know this as actors, we know this ground is really fertile and weve a chance to really go for it. We all looked at each other and went, Lets really go for it. And because we were all away from home, in solitary, there werent any distractions; obviously I was doing algebra on FaceTime with my kids at the end of the day. Thats one of the really tough things about being an actor at my age [55], and nobody told me when I was 22 that I would be living the rest of my life out of a suitcase. DEADLINE: Im fascinated by the mother-and-son relationship in Gods Creatures. My own son, hes grown-up now, knows he can get certain things out of me, but if he really wants something, hell go to his mother, my wife. You know that, too? WATSON: Its so true. Its exactly the same in my family. Mum cash. Can you give me some money? Its like a bond thats dangerous. The film tackles such extraordinary territory. The world of film you and I used to inhabit has gone. All those middle-sized films really tiny indies, or with the fragility of something like this. I feel grateful for A24. They seem to have carved out a niche for these kind of films, and theyre cherishing things that are unusual and challenging. Thats amazing. My kids are very switched on with film and their analysis of the Marvel Universe is: They loved it up to a point and they said, Now theyre just trying to please everybody, and its just fracturing, its like too much, youre not interesting. Shut up. Go away. I didnt say that [said with hand across mouth]. DEADLINE: Have you ever been asked to do one? WATSON: No, I havent. Its a very different life. [Dramatically changes subject.] Im just remembering when we were in Venice and you were the first person I spoke to when Princess Diana died. It was for Hilary and Jackie. Its a long time ago and were still here. DEADLINE: Brings me to longevity. Did you think youd still be here working? WATSON: Thats such a difficult question. Of course, you always hope. I think the fact that Ive always been more of a ages ago somebody described me as a character actor who gets laid. I think thats really helped me; that Ive not been sort of an ingenue. I dunno, you never really know, its like every few months you have to reinvent the wheel like, OK, kids, Im off Ill see you. You have to keep going and be like a bit of a goldfish [makes a facial expression]. You know its going to be OK, and touch wood it has been OK. DEADLINE: The last time I saw you on stage was when you were in the last plays that Sam Mendes directed at the Donmar Warehouse you were in Twelfth Knight and Uncle Vanya [the ensemble included Helen McCrory, Simon Russell Beale and Mark Strong]. You played London and at BAM in Brooklyn. Do you hope to return to the stage one day? WATSON: That was the last time. It was great, wasnt it? And Helen [who died in April 2021]! It seems like yesterday. During the show we were really tight. I was so shocked. I didnt know she was ill even. Amazing, amazing woman. That was a brilliant experience. Emily Watson as Viola and Mark Strong as Orsino in Twelfth Night .Donmar Production at BAM.Stephanie Berger. DEADLINE: Was that about 20 years ago? WATSON: I know, its like when anniversary editions of movies Ive done come out. I go, like: What! When did that happen? Its like when your kids grow up, isnt it? They could fit on my forearm five minutes ago. Its eight shows a week. Thats the thing about theater, every time I do a job I think, How long will I be away for? Also, at the moment, Im really loving working with the camera. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The transition from supermodel to founder wasn't exactly easy. Getty Despite being a major supermodel, television personality, mom, and now, founder of her new cashmere brand Guest in Residence, Gigi Hadid can still feel inferior when compared to her peers. In a new interview with Vogue's fashion editor-at-large Gabriella Karefa-Johnson at the magazine's Forces in Fashion conference in New York, Hadid got candid about sometimes doubting her skills in the fashion field. "I have imposter syndrome all the time," Gigi confessed while wearing a coastal grandma olive and beige pantsuit complete with a skinny tie and round-toe loafers. Revealing what it was like to launch a business and design clothing for the first time, the model added, "I thought that it was a bit not necessarily obvious, but expected for me to come out with something that was more a fast-fashion type situation." Instead, Gigi chose one the most sustainable fabrics, cashmere, for her label. "It just felt like the right material that I could play with in a lot of different ways that was true to me, true to my style, she said. While the idea for a clothing line was always in the back of her mind, it wasn't until she got pregnant with her daughter Khai that she took the steps to turn her dream into a reality. You cant model forever. I was creative and that is where I saw my life going," Gigi explained. "I already had been thinking about cashmere, but I think it [pregnancy] just made me think about how much more settled I would feel to have an office space job. I can take my daughter there with me. : Gigi first hinted at expanding her career beyond modeling during her Vogue photo shoot for the March 2021 cover at just 10 weeks postpartum. Im veering toward things that feel more stable than being in a different country every week, she said, adding that she's open to taking on acting roles. Elsewhere, she continued, It feels like now Im in a different place in my life." For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on InStyle. Friday, October 14, 2022 at 11:41PM by Claudio Alves MUBI A woman stands in a room, alone. Wallpapered motifs encircle her in a swirl of blue-green something. Are they waves or mountaintops, those shapes repeated into infinity? Maybe they're both, maybe neither. Maybe they're everything. According to a Confucian proverb, the wise man admires water, the kind man admires mountains. Or maybe it's benevolence and virtue, some other translation across languages. Two complementing sides of the same person, perhaps a binary of human natures, these words reveal more than their scholarly meaning at least, they do in Park Chan-wook's Decision to Leave. Ideas of duality percolate throughout the work, as does the attempt to understand the unfathomable reality of another person. We try to find order in chaos, logic in that which has none, pursuing an understanding that will always be out of grasp. Every single one of us is a mystery to others, and to try to transcend the impossibility of knowing someone else is a fool's errand, the most beautiful thing in the world, ecstasy holding hands with despair. It's love Looking directly into the ant-infested innards of Decision to Leave, the viewer is confronted with another duality made one. Just as he has done before, Park Chan-wook marries what, in theory, feels like it should remain apart. A twisty detective story littered with dead bodies and one of the most romantic films in recent memory feel like conflicting ideas. And yet, Decision to Leave is both, following the example of some of the best noirs. To extricate one of these two facets from the piece's cinematic organism would incontrovertibly lead to its death, for romance feeds off mystery, love like a flower that can only sprout from earth watered with blood. Surrender yourself to its story's weird spell, and you might come to see murder as foreplay and evidence tampering as a kindness between lovers. Perpetually bathed in foggy metaphor, epitomizing style as substance, this tricky tale starts in a conventional procedural fashion. Well, as conventional as a film directed by Park Chan-wook can be. Pops of color are maybe the first directorial touch one consciously registers, from the cornucopia of wallpapers to the humble vitality of tangerine latex glowing in a scene of gray rock and azure air. However, the rhythms are just as intense as the color story, if not more. With a runtime of 128 minutes, you'd suppose Decision to Leave would allow itself to breathe and pause, but the filmmakers have other ideas. Stuffed to the brim with information, the movie's cut like a heart attack, full of short scenes cascading on top of each other with startling smoothness. There's a hint of hysteria, but such is the madness of falling in love or solving an unsolvable puzzle. That's especially true if you're like detective Hae-Jun, an insomniac Korean detective who's perhaps a bit too attached to his job. He lives in Busan, away from his wife, a nuclear plant worker in the quiet city of Ipo, only occasionally visiting her to cook homemade soup and exchange sweet nothings. At night, he's kept awake by undiagnosed sleep apnea and a wall covered with photos of unsolved cases that haunt his every waking moment, often preferring to spend the sunless hours behind the wheel, stalking suspects, rather than in bed. In this state of neurotic alertness, he comes across a new case for his wall. The body of a retired immigration worker has been found, shattered dead at the bottom of the mountainside after falling from the top and hitting rock three times. It seems like an accident, though evidence points towards something more sinister, maybe a suicide or murder. The man's wife, Seo-Rae, seems suspicious in that classical femme fatale model. A Chinese immigrant who gained Korean citizenship through her grandfather's wartime efforts, she's a beautiful caretaker who spends her days with elderly women and seems, at first glance, to have a solid alibi. But doubt persists, slowly fermenting into a fixation that leaves Hae-Jun drunk with suspicion. Or is it attraction? Whether trading morbid memories as foreplay or synchronizing their breaths in the back of a police car, actors Tang Wei and Park Hae-il negotiate the Hitchcockian intrigue of the movie's first half deftly. They play the suspect and investigator with notes of obfuscation and misdirection, touches of clarity here and there to add dissonance to the symphony. In their hands, it's easy to accept that just as food can be a love language, so can death. The pair's work helps make sense of a dense text that often feels on the verge of being too complicated for its own good, a byzantine tapestry prone to unraveling. It feels exciting to watch them go, to witness how Park Chan-wook and his team keep this off-kilter procedural from falling apart. They do this while maintaining that exhilarating notion that, at any time, a misstep can lead to a free fall into oblivion. It's intoxicating enough to get drunk, and that's before the movie shapeshifts. Suppose the first half of Decision to Leave rings as a classical composition capitulating to unconventional stylings. In that case, its second chapter is a modernist cacophony of messy feelings slowly coalescing into a melody that only makes sense when the last note is heard. Appealing to the structure of Vertigo while inverting the paradigms of its obsessive POV, Park Chan-wook creates an unruly beast of a movie full of exquisite imagery. Every frame is a story told through visual cues that could easily be divorced from the narrative and still feel complete, true, and dripping with savage feeling. Nevertheless, despite this chimeric wildness, Decision to Leave is as precise as a Swiss watch. Its mechanic brilliance could have led to a cold experience were it not for the emotional plasticity at hand. Beyond the noirish cocktail of murder on the rocks with a shot of passion, there's the zest of unforced comedy to liven up the flavors and the overwhelming aftertaste of tenderness. Gobbling up the movie like ambrosia from the Gods, one finds themselves in a drunken dream about the depths of attachment, the pain of loneliness, and the ache of connection in a world readymade to fragment interactions through technological games of Chinese whispers, a world where we can never known anyone but ourselves. I propose a toast to finding love in a hopeless place, to getting shitfaced while Mahler plays in the background, lovesick in a room covered in mountains. Or are they waves? Decision to Leave is South Korea's submission for the 95th Academy Awards and is currently in theaters, distributed by MUBI. Going in, I thought my being a huge World War II history buff would overcome my general lack of physical fitness, notable absence of agility and sometimes paralyzing fear of heights. Still, I have to thank the folks at the Army Heritage and Education Center for offering me the opportunity to climb onboard. Located just outside Carlisle, this facility is playing host to Army Heritage Days this weekend with a special emphasis on the armored and artillery branches of the service. The event is free and open to the public. For me, just taking those first tentative steps to the top of the hull required a ladder. From there, it was like mountain climbing. At all times, I had to make sure I had a solid handhold and that both my feet were firmly planted. I was now on the tank peering into the drivers hatch and at the levers that controlled the treads. That was cool in itself. I was looking down at history. For years, I have seen this type of warhorse in old photographs. I once even saw a Sherman tank on the move at the Reading airshow. But this was hands-on and there was so much more to see. To reach the turret, I first had to maneuver my way up and around the open hatch cover and then shimmy along a metal ledge. Thankfully, I was pointed away from the ground and looking out over the top of the tank. By the time I reached the side of the turret, my comfort level was such that I could lean in and over to get a good look at the cramped interior. The whole time, veteran tanker Al Kose was at my side keeping me safe while pointing out the features of the 34-ton metal monster that once raged across the battlefields of World War II. Over here was the radio the crew used to communicate with other units to coordinate the attack. Over there was the cradle that surrounded the breech of the main gun. Down in deep, close to the floor, was the trigger for the weapon and against the back wall of the crew compartment was the machinery for the engines. Close to 49,500 Sherman tanks were mass-produced in U.S. factories supplying not just our Army, but the armed forces of all the Allies arrayed against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Long before there was a Vladimir Putin, thousands of American-made Sherman tanks served with the front-line guard units of Soviet Russias Red Army. Since boyhood, I have been fascinated by World War II history the sheer scope of it, the vast undertaking. The War Years show what were capable of as a people and a nation when there is unity instead of division. Over the years, Ive made it a point to immerse myself, as much as possible, in the history. While in London in 2000, I toured the Cabinet War Rooms and the British cruiser HMS Belfast at anchor in the Thames. A year later, during an excursion in Normandy, I walked on Omaha Beach and in the cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer. While a reporter with The Sentinel, Ive taken a ride on a B-17 Flying Fortress and interviewed World War II veterans and even a Dutch woman who worked for the Resistance in Occupied Europe. With the climb down complete and now part of my past, I can now add being ON a Sherman tank as part of my experience. The United Nations is warning that hunger in one of Haiti's biggest slums is at catastrophic levels, as gang violence and economic crises push the country to "breaking point". Nearly 20,000 people in the capital's impoverished Cite Soleil area have dangerously little access to food and could face starvation, the UN says, Across Haiti, almost five million are struggling with malnutrition. "Haiti is facing a humanitarian catastrophe," a top UN official said. "The severity and the extent of food insecurity in Haiti is getting worse," Jean-Martin Bauer, the Haiti country director for the UN's World Food Programme added. The poorest nation in the Americas is suffering acute political, economic, health and security crises which have fuelled a rise in violence and paralysed the country. Powerful gangs have blocked Haiti's main fuel terminal, crippling its basic water and food supplies. In the Cite Soleil neighbourhood, the UN said levels of food insecurity had reached the highest level on its classification system - Phase 5 - meaning residents have dangerously little access to food and could be facing starvation. Mr Bauer said Haitians "have gone through the gauntlet". Anger at the government's handling of the country's multiple crises have boiled over into anti-government protests. These have escalated to looting with at least one woman reportedly killed in clashes. On Tuesday, the World Health Organisation said there had been 16 cholera deaths and 32 confirmed cases, three years after an epidemic of the water-borne disease killed 10,000 people. Another UN official said 100,000 children under the age of five were severely malnourished and are especially vulnerable to cholera. Prime Minister Ariel Henry has asked for foreign military help, but the call has been criticised by some Haitians who see it as foreign interference. The UN has since called for the immediate deployment of a special international armed force to Haiti, but it is not yet clear which countries would provide the members of such a force and what its task would be. Story continues Gangs have taken control of key highways and Varreux, Haiti's largest fuel terminal. With food and fuel deliveries suspended as a result, more and more Haitians are going hungry. Several warehouses run by aid organisations have also been looted, resulting in the most vulnerable going without food and drinking water. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and has suffered a number of recent crises, most notably the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise, in July 2021 and a massive earthquake that left more than 2,200 people dead just a month later. Three bridge operators and a police detective investigating the August death of a Rhode Island man on the Kilbourn Avenue bridge as it opened for a boat to pass through underneath said it can be hard to see pedestrians via the citys camera system. The cameras angle and distance from the bridge, combined with any glares or shadows produced from the sun and the gray-colored walkway of the bridge can obscure the very thing operators are meant to look out for as they raise the bridge remotely: pedestrians. Thats according to a Milwaukee Police Department report obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel through an open records request. An image of Milwaukee's bridge control room near North Water and East Erie streets, which includes a live camera feed of the Kilbourn Avenue bridge taken shortly after the death of Richard Dujardin on Aug. 15. Remembering Richard Dujardin: Rhode Island man killed in fall from Milwaukee's Kilbourn Avenue Bridge remembered as an avid traveler, devoted father to 6 children The details come as the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office announced Friday it would not file criminal charges against the bridge operator, citing a lack of evidence. What happened on the drawbridge in Milwaukee? Police interviewed the city employee operating the Kilbourn Avenue bridge that day, a 27-year-old with two years of experience on the job. He said he followed all safety precautions before raising the bridge from a control tower almost a mile away and never saw 77-year-old Richard Dujardin on the citys live camera feed, which does not record its footage, according to the records. The Journal Sentinel is not naming the operator because he has not been charged with a crime. Milwaukees Department of Public Works declined to make interim Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke available for an interview, citing an open investigation. A request for information regarding the bridge operators work status and any new safety new precautions was not immediately returned. An image of the live camera feed of the Kilbourn Avenue bridge taken shortly after the death of Richard Dujardin on Aug. 15. Richard Dujardin was visiting Wisconsin Dujardin was a longtime reporter for The Providence Journal covering religion. He was visiting Milwaukee with his wife for a conference and was walking with her downtown Aug. 15. As they approached the Kilbourn Avenue bridge from the west, neither of them realized the bridge could open from the center, their family has said. Story continues More about Dujardin: Richard Dujardin wrote about faith in Rhode Island, and embraced it himself Dujardins wife made it safely across while doing a fitness a routine, but Dujardin, who walked slowly and used a hearing aid, walked past the barricades shortly before they dropped and apparently did not notice the horn and alarm sounding to signal the bridges opening. He grabbed on to a railing as it continued to raise, but eventually fell about 71 feet. Jay Urban, an attorney representing Dujardins family, announced in September he planned to file a notice of claim against the city, a precursor to a likely lawsuit. In reaction to the police report, he said called for an independent review of the citys bridge operations and said the public deserves to know everything about how it works. Richard and Rose-Marie Dujardin are seen in in an undated family photo. Richard Dujardin of Rhode Island fell to his death from the Kilbourn Avenue bridge as it was opening Aug. 15 in downtown Milwaukee. It is entirely clear that Mr. Dujardin had walked on to the Kilbourn bridge before the gates were lowered and before any bells or lights were activated, Urban said in a statement. Any properly designed monitoring system should have allowed the bridge operator to see any pedestrians and delay the bridge raising to prevent a tragedy like this. He said he was not surprised by the district attorneys decision not to charge the operator, given the criminal standards are far higher for reckless criminal conduct beyond a reasonable doubt. Pedestrians get harder to see as bridge opens, operators say Of Milwaukees 20 movable bridges, 10 are operated remotely. The Kilbourn Avenue bridge is operated from a tower almost a mile away, near North Water and East Erie streets. It is a bascule bridge, meaning it splits from the center as the two halves swing upward, balanced by a counterweight. The Kilbourn Avenue bridge is outfitted with three cameras, the report said. One is underneath the platform, while the other two are pointed at the bridge from both ends. The bridge operator working that day told police the steps to raise the bridge include activating bells and flashing lights first. The operator must then verify nobody is on the bridge before dropping the barricades, sounding two more blasts of a horn and raising the platform, the report said. Police reviewed footage from a traffic camera stationed about a block to the west of the bridge showing Dujardin walking by the barricades before they dropped. The footage showed, and witnesses described, how Dujardin apparently did not hear the alarm bells or the shouted warnings from those nearby, the report said. Dujardin appeared to make it two-thirds of the way to the bridges midpoint before it started to raise. A witness said he made it half of the way back before he started grabbing the railing. The operator told police he didnt realize anything was wrong until a police squad car with lights flashing appeared on his camera feed, the report said. Police interviewed the operators supervisor and a second bridge operator with four years of experience. They said the camera angle and lighting conditions can impact visibility on the camera feeds. They also said seeing pedestrians gets more difficult as the bridge is opening because the dark surface of the bridges walkway reduces any contrast with that of a pedestrian. Dujardin wore a dark blue suit at the time of the incident, the report said. A police detective who inspected the live camera feed after the incident said he had difficulty seeing pedestrians unless a zoom in feature was turned on. I could see vehicles, but it was difficult to make out details, the detective wrote in his report. Public Works Department examining new safety precautions During a city committee meeting in September, Kruschke said his department is considering a number of new safety precautions for opening and closing bridges, including new signage and cameras or bringing back the old model of on-site operations for all bridges. He said some bridges have operated remotely for at least 25 years and their cameras have never recorded footage or audio out of storage concerns. Ald. Robert Bauman, who represents the area of the bridge and is the chair of the citys Public Works Committee, was surprised better cameras hadnt already been installed. I wouldve started that process the next day, Bauman said. Why didnt you? Its a problem for the guilty and for the innocent. Video would prove you didnt make a mistake versus proving you did. Now its all speculation and guesswork. Kruschke said the department was still studying the fiscal impact of returning to on-site, manual operations. Some bridges would need upgrades, such as the installation of a bathroom. Five movable bridges in Milwaukee are staffed at least 16 hours a day, seven days a week. Four are staffed around the clock every day. In 2021, the city recorded more than 27,700 openings at its movable bridges, up 19% from 2017, according to the Department of Public Works. This is a developing story. Check back later for updates. Contact Elliot Hughes at elliot.hughes@jrn.com or 414-704-8958. Follow him on Twitter @elliothughes12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Richard Dujardin death on Milwaukee bridge will not result in charges Students work on their fraction cubes in Ryhan Cordova's fourth grade classroom at Freedom Elementary School in Buckeye on April 13, 2022. Races on the ballot in Arizona in 2022 include a battle between incumbent Democrat Kathy Hoffman and Republican challenger Tom Horne for Arizona superintendent of public instruction. Also on the ballot are seats on local school boards, where members take on unpaid, nonpartisan, elected positions, and the Maricopa County Community College District governing board. Here's information on the candidates that could help as you make your voting choices. School superintendent In a Sept. 14 debate, the two candidates competing to lead Arizonas Department of Education put forward vastly different visions of what schools need. Kathy Hoffman, incumbent superintendent of public instruction, said students struggling with mental health need more counselors. She said she will champion broader kindergarten access and programs that further integrate special education students. Tom Horne, former attorney general and two-time Arizona schools chief, called for a police officer in every school. He also railed against lessons that teach students they are oppressed because of their race or ethnicity. What to expect: The Arizona Republic's coverage of the general election Hoffman, Horne on the issues: 5 takeaways from Arizona schools chief debate 'He is not involved': State superintendent candidate Tom Horne distances self from former Rep. Stringer The Republican primary: Horne cruises to victory after outraising opponents Who is Kathy Hoffman? Arizona superintendent of public instruction candidate is ready for another run Who is Tom Horne? Arizona superintendent of public instruction candidate aims for 3rd term School boards What do Arizona school board members do? Maricopa County voters will have to pick from among 142 school board candidates this year. The Republic breaks down what the position entails. Meet candidates in Phoenix school districts Candidates running for office in Alhambra, Cartwright, Creighton, Deer Valley, Fowler, Laveen, Madison, Murphy, Osborn, Phoenix Union and Roosevelt districts, share ideas on K-12 key issues. Story continues Meet candidates in East Valley, Scottsdale school districts Candidates running for office in Cave Creek, Chandler, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and Tempe districts introduce themselves to voters. Meet candidates in west Phoenix and West Valley school districts Candidates running for office in Buckeye, Deer Valley, Dysart, Glendale Elementary, Glendale Union, Liberty, Litchfield, Littleton, Peoria, Saddle Mountain, Tolleson Elementary, Tolleson Union and Washington districts share thoughts on diversity, education funding and more. Maricopa County Community Colleges The governing board for Arizonas largest community college district will look different come January after two new members join the body. Rep. Kelli Butler, a state legislator, and Randy Kaufman, a former longtime corrections employee, are vying for a district-wide seat on Maricopa County Community College Districts Governing Board in the November election. The Republic's Alison Steinbach introduces readers to the candidates. Education ballot initiative There's one voter initiative related to education on the ballot this election. Proposition 308 would make Arizona students who attended any public or private school, or home school equivalent, for two years, eligible for financial aid at state universities and in-state tuition rates, regardless of immigration status. The Republic's Ryan Randazzo outlines Proposition 308 and the rest of the initiatives on the 2022 mid-term ballot. District bonds and overrides This year, 24 school districts in Maricopa County are asking voters to approve funding measures. School funding ballot requests come in the form of bonds or overrides, both drawing on property taxes. Find out what each district is asking for and how it will impact property taxes. Want to learn more about bonds and overrides? The Republic's Renata Clo explains these funding measures. Join the conversation We invite you to join The Republic's education community on Facebook, moderated by Republic reporters Yana Kunichoff and Renata Clo. The Republic's education journalists are eager to hear your story ideas and thoughts on K-12 education in Arizona. Reach Yana at ykunichoff@arizonarepublic.com and Renata at rclo@arizonarepublic.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona school elections 2022: Superintendent, boards, county colleges From storybook towns to otherworldly landscapes, the Central Apennines is one the most underrated destinations in Italy. Rachel Chang Sitting on the gentle slope of the hill above the town of Barrea, Italy, I took in the ethereal view of the golden sunrise piercing through the clouds, casting a soft glow on the mountains above the creamy blue waters of Lago di Barrea and the red roofs adorning every home. But above all else, one thing stood out: the quiet. Located less than a two-hour drive east of Rome, Barrea is just one of 25 charming towns in the 123,000-acre National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise in the Apennines Mountains, a range running through the length of the Italian mainland. Despite the crowded sites in the capital of Italy, about 100 miles away, this region the central Appenines is far less trafficked, to the extent that most Italians I talked to throughout my travels couldn't believe a foreigner was visiting. The national park the second oldest in the country, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year is a natural paradise, primed for hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and, most importantly, wildlife spotting. After all, this region is known as the "wild heart of Italy" because of its tremendous biodiversity, with golden eagle, deer, otter, chamois, and Apennine wolf, mingling with its most cherished endemic creature, the Marsican brown bear. Courtesy of Exodus Travels It was precisely the pursuit of this species, currently classified as "critically endangered," that brought me to the area on Exodus Travels' Rewilding the Apennines trip. The itinerary was designed to introduce travelers to both the region through visits to provincial towns, like Pescasseroli (the birthplace of philosopher Benedetto Croce) and Pettorano Sul Gizio (flanked by the Monte Genzana Alto Gizio Regional Nature Reserve, a corridor connected to the national park), and to the conscious efforts made by locals working to preserve the area's fauna. Story continues "The Italian wilderness is different," Exodus local leader Umberto Esposito, who has written and photographed hiking guides for the region, told Travel + Leisure. "It still holds memories of layers of human history, both evident and concealed, among untamed mountain ranges. And that provides an incomparable example of balance and harmony." The result, he added, is a "richer and thicker" landscape, which provides coexistence between humans and wildlife in an unmatched way. Among the activities on the trip are visits to the Bear Smart Communities to see how that bear-to-human relationship is fostered to increase the current count of about 50 bears, as well as a hike to an overnight stay at the isolated Mountain Refuge Bisegna, with a bit of wildlife tracking while en route. But the true delight comes from organic experiences that arise along the way. During our visit to the cobblestone-lined town of Pettorano Sul Gizio, we met with RA Art Projects' Eugenio Vitto Massei, who invited us into his family's ancestral home, packed with relics and photos for a peek into the Apennines lifestyle. While there, we climbed a steep mountainside to participate in the rewilding efforts, helping remove hundreds of feet of barbed wire while taking in another breathtaking view of the region with a river winding through the village. Rachel Chang During the hike to the mountain refuge, our leader Andrea De Angelis who innately knew every inch of the trail from his dozens of trips there veered us off course to a sprawling valley, where he recounted stories of the animals he'd seen in the area. The passion in his eyes grew as he told us of the time he saw a herd of wild boars at the bottom of the valley, and when he and his travel companions saw three wolves peaking over the ridge. "Peering down at us confidently and staying there like kings for more than an hour made an impressive view," he said. "But there was some more still to come. Next to the mountain pass, two unmistakable shapes perched on a white limestone cliff made such a sight. A golden eagle pair, resting for some time on the ridge and sharing the same scenery with the wolves and, of course, with the most delighted humans." While the animal kingdom didn't reveal itself the day we were there, it still struck me how vast the landscape was and how it entirely belonged to the animals. Even without seeing the bears in their natural habitat, it was still clear this was their land. But it was also apparent they needed our help. During our journey to remove the barbed wire, we came across tufts of bear fur, proving the rewilding work to be critical. And, beyond drinking in the stunning views, I learned to appreciate the fact that taking a trip far off the trodden routes of a popular destination can not only help alleviate the impact of overtourism, but can also open our minds to the magic of the places that don't get the marquee treatment. Rachel Chang "Rome still makes an unmatched case of both landscape and architecture excellence nevertheless, to fully understand the city's essence and history, any demanding traveler should take their time to visit the geographic context of the mountains," Esposito said. As Esposito added, the quick trip from the city center takes you "amid old-growth forests landscapes, majestic mountain ranges still roamed by brown bears and wolves, making for one of the most incredibly exciting traveling experiences in Europe." The six-night Rewilding the Apennines tour, starting at $3,199 per person, will be offered in May and September 2023. For more information and to book, visit exodustravels.com. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Maria de Los Angeles Croce is carried by her fellow Venezuelan migrants to a health clinic after she suffered an asthma attack and lost consciousness soon after being expelled from the U.S. to Ciudad Juarez on Oct. 14, 2022. Croce was one of hundeds of migrants who have been expelled from the U.S after hoping to seek asylum. JUAREZ Maria de los Angeles Croce awoke to another day of terrifying uncertainty after sleeping outside a migrant aid agency office in view of the U.S. border fence, after U.S. Border Patrol expelled her and nearly 500 other Venezuelan migrants. Dozens of Venezuelans milled about asking questions without answers on Saturday morning. Where would they sleep, eat? What would they do next? Upon expulsion, Mexican authorities required the 25-year-old and others to sign a document advising they would leave the country within 15 days "by their own means," she said. But how? And where could she possibly go? What she experienced on the six-week journey over land from South America could fill the darkest chapters of a Garcia Marquez novel. Turned back to Mexico, she collapsed unconscious at the foot of the international bridge, unable to breathe, overwhelmed, she said, by the failure of her endeavor. "I kept going, and I had to do many things that I don't want to talk about now to make it through, always with so much fear, to eat or to pay someone to take care of me," she said. "I didn't know what I was capable of." Gulping back tears, she continued, "But I feel proud of myself because I made it here a step away." Venezuelan migrants watch as other migratns cross the Rio Grande into the U.S. These Venezuelan migrants had been expelled to Ciudad Juarez from the U.S. on Oct. 14, 2022. De los Angeles Croce and others lined up for a cup of hot coffee. Baptist missionaries, originally from Venezuela, brought a tall, silver pot to the corner outside the Chihuahua state Center for Migrant Attention. It's a lonely space where the railroad tracks bend west to cross the U.S. border, and the concrete banks of the Rio Grande canal are littered with the detritus of migration. The razor wire-topped U.S. border fence blocks the view of El Paso. Jairo Mendoza held a black Bible in his hands as he offered a prayer for "el pueblo venezolano" in an accent that to them sounded like home. He proselytized for a few minutes, then promised to return in the evening, perhaps with Venezuelan-style arepas, a corn masa pocket often filled with chicken or black beans and fresh white cheese. Story continues "We've been following their journey," he said. "And when the law changed, we knew many of them would end up here." "It's a true social and economic crisis in Venezuela," said Mendoza, who left the country in 2013, the year that strongman President Hugo Chavez died. "People earn less than $40 a month there, but you need $300 or $400 to eat. It's extremely hard what our people are living through." On Thursday, the Biden administration and Mexico announced a joint deal to slow migration flows through the region. The number of Venezuelans seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border began surging in September, threatening a humanitarian crisis in U.S. border cities, including in El Paso. Mexico agreed to take back Venezuelans returned under Title 42, a U.S. public health authority used throughout the pandemic to quickly return migrants to their country of origin, or in some cases, to Mexico. The U.S. agreed to supply 65,000 additional temporary work visas for Mexican, Central American and Haitian laborers, and also agreed to accept up to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants in Mexico via air travel, who could show proof of sponsorship in the U.S. It was the latest move by the Biden administration to lean on an expulsion policy it has publicly eschewed but continues to use as a stick to push migrants back from the Southwest border. As Gov. Greg Abbott and other top Republicans blast Biden for a so-called "open border" policy ahead of the midterm elections, the new expulsions showed the administration toeing a harder line on the latest migrant influx. Venezuelan migrants sleep on the streets of Ciudad Juarez after being expelled from the U.S. on Oct. 15, 2022. In El Paso, the municipal government has been busing hundreds of Venezuelan migrants lawfully admitted to pursue status in the U.S. each day to New York and Chicago, an effort to keep the newcomers from ending up homeless on city streets. The humanitarian crisis at the border now spilled into Juarez, a Mexican city now accustomed to hosting foreigners expelled by the U.S. This weekend, Border Patrol was expelling as many as 50 asylum seekers, ever half hour for hours at a time, to the Stanton Street international bridge.. Juarez saw thousands of Cubans, Central Americans and Haitians set up temporary residence here through the years of the Migrant Protection Protocol during the Trump administration. The Mexican government offered them work permits, and many took jobs in maquiladora assembly plants or started their own businesses with seed money from relatives working in the U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Gloria Chavez kept migration crises at bay in El Paso. Will the next chief do the same? The orders by the Mexican government handed to the hundreds of Venezuelans expelled Friday alarmed shelter and migrant aid workers. With few resources and, in many cases, no close contacts in the U.S. to offer monetary support, it wasn't clear how the migrants would be able to "abandon the Mexican Territory by the closest southern border," as the document ordered. Enrique Valenzuela, director of the Chihuahua state migrant aid agency, said local, state and federal authorities were scheduled to meet later Saturday as the number of expelled Venezuelans was expected to grow. A Venezuelan migrant pleads with fellow migrants to give him their clothing, telling them that Customs and Border Protection would throw away all their clothing once they turned themselves in. This migrant had already been expelled to Ciudad Juarez from the U.S. on Oct. 14, 2022. "The information we have up to the moment creates more doubts and questions than answers for a population that needs to make decisions about their future," Valenzuela said. Mendoza said he is asking his compatriots to shift their thinking. There are employment opportunities in Mexico, too, he said especially in Juarez, where hundreds of factories are always looking for more workers. But Mexico, he said, needs to offer an opportunity. "Those who have the desire to work, they should be given the opportunity to simply make a life inside this country," he said. "Venezuelans are hard workers. The Mexican government should give them the same opportunities it has given others." Jairo Mendoza held a black Bible in his hands as he offered a prayer for "el pueblo venezolano" in an accent that to them sounded like home. He proselytized for a few minutes, then promised to return in the evening, perhaps with Venezuelan-style arepas, a corn masa pocket often filled with chicken or black beans and fresh white cheese. Juan Carlos Quevedo, 31, listened to Mendoza's impromptu sermon with his head bowed. He worked as a fisherman in the coastal state of Falcon until he could no longer afford or find gasoline for the boats he worked on, in a country where immense reserves of petroleum had once made it among the richest nations in the region. He crossed in the hours before the U.S.-Mexico accord, was returned to Juarez by Border Patrol on Friday and had no idea what he would do next. He carried a backpack with a roll of toilet paper and a plastic bag with the only posession he had kept with him since leaving Venezuela: a palm-sized laminated card with Mexico's Virgin of Guadalupe. "Everything we have done to make it here," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "It's difficult, but here we are." This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Hundreds of Venezuelans expelled to Juarez with orders to leave Mexico LFA 144 ended in incredible walk-off fashion. With the promotions vacant bantamweight title up for grabs, Dana Whites Contender Series veteran Muin Gafurov took on Diego Silva in the feature bout of the event which took place at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. Gafurov (18-4) wasted little time implementing his aggressive grappling in the opening rounds. In the few moments the fight was spent on the feet, Gafurov kept Silva (15-8) on his back foot with hard strikes as well. In the second frame, Silva locked in an armbar as Gafurov controlled from the top, and the submission attempt was a solid one. However, the Tajikistan fighter remained calm and eventually worked his arm free. Gafurov would go on to control Silva on the mat for the remainder of the round. Early in the third round, Gafurov connected with a beautifully-timed spinning back kick to the liver that immediately shut down Silva, causing him to crash to the canvas as he writhed in pain. Check out video of the highlight knockout below (via Twitter): Following a split decision loss in his appearance on DWCS last September, Gafurov rebounded with a second-round finish of Herbeth Sousa at LFA 134 in June. Fridays result marked the second-straight highlight reel finish for the UFC hopeful. Results from the main card of LFA 144 include: Muin Gafurov def. Diego Silva via knockout (spinning back kick) Round 3, 0:23 Jordan Heiderman def. Daiqwon Buckley via submission (Americana) Round 1, 3:17 Yuma Horiuchi def. Juan Puerta via submission (rear-naked choke) Round 1, 1:23 Renato Valente def. Jared Revel via knockout (punch) Round 1, 1:07 Christian Natividad def. Israel Galvan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Jacobi Jones def. Christian Turner via submission (rear-naked choke) Round 2, 2:25 Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie The Third Chapter is a popular term anticipating our retirement days filled with fun, food, and travel. This past month, my wife Becky and I added more stories to our third chapter as we traveled Europe by plane, train, automobile, a bus, gondola and even a tuk tuk, or motorized rickshaw. We made the transatlantic flight to celebrate our 40th anniversary, (two pandemic years late). We visited nine of the 15 countries of Southern Europe, but our first stop was Lisbon, Portugal, to catch our breath and feast on great seafood. Three days later, we flew to Barcelona, Spain, where we ate tapas and saw the legendary flamenco dancing. From there we boarded a cruise sailing around the Italian coastline through five of the 11 seas that comprise the Mediterranean. I started out seasick in the Balearic Sea but the water calmed as we pushed through the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea. Our ship crossed through the Strait of Messina into the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. Each day brought us to a new city. We found ourselves walking the Grand Prix streets of Monte Carlo, gliding through Venice canals in a gondola, riding a tuk tuk into Vatican City to view the Sistine Chapel and strolling atop the defensive stone walls surrounding Dubrovnik, Croatia. We took a prayer-inspiring bus ride along Italys insanely steep Amalfi Coast, a place modestly described on a travel website as: pastel towns that line up like sugar cubes on green hills sprinkled with bright yellow lemons, overlooked by turquoise skies dotted with brilliantly white clouds, and plunging down to sapphire seas. A little understated, I have to say. After 12 days at sea, we disembarked to stay three days at the Great Waterfall (Plitvice Lakes National Park). At this UNESCO site, we saw water pouring over every rock, transforming through a kaleidoscope of colors as it replenished the lake below. Miles of boardwalk took us through a scene from Psalms 23, leading us beside the still lake waters and restoring our over-traveled souls. Story continues In neighboring Slovenia, I boarded a train into the 15 miles of Postojna Cave. The jaw dropping cave is among the best known in the world. But nearby Skocjan Caves, AKA Underground Grand Canyon remains the most impressive. The Reka River gushes through the underworld canyon with the deafening sound level of a jet engine. This photograph taken on May 25, 2021, shows stalagmites, stalactites and other cave formations in a part of the Postojna Cave in Postojna. I encourage everyone to travel as much as they are able. I believe it inspires resiliency and brings a new perspective of the different ways people live. However, Im aware that there are times when travel is financially or physically impossible. If that describes you, consider the five ways Staycations can inspire resilience and fill the travel void. From the comfort of home, read a nonfiction about history, religion, cuisine, or culture. Read fiction from international writers describing their home. More Norris Burkes: Norris Burkes: Walking around the wounded | On Spirituality Norris Burkes: Are we seeking Gods will or willing Gods will? | On Spirituality Norris Burkes: Rites are rarely wrong | On Spirituality Introduce yourself to people from other cultures. Ask your Afghan neighbor to describe life in her country. Get your Sikh veterinarian to talk about his religious holidays. Food is my favorite form of stay-at-home travel. Attend a food festival sponsored by a Greek Orthodox or Buddhist congregation or share a meal in a Bahai temple. Food is a wonderful challenge of your ethnocentric taste buds. When I cant afford travel, I find a nearby lake, beach, or waterfall. For me, water is my God spot. Its where I inhale the sights and sounds that renew my connection with my Creator. Finally Interstellar travel can be as close as a moonless night in your backyard. Check online calendars for meteor shows and prepare to watch the little sky-scratchers as they etch straight lines at a perky 18 miles per second. (Watch for the Orionids shower peeking on Oct 20-21.) Travel can be a part of your third Chapter how do you plan to write yours? If youre ready to travel, why not come to Honduras to help Chispa Project start libraries in Honduran elementary schools. Dates are February 12 19 or March 12 19, 2023. See more info at https://chispaproject.org/volunteertrip/. Coincidently, travel is the topic covered in the third chapter of my book, Thriving Beyond Surviving. The chapter, titled Flight expands the points in this column. Please read past columns on my website, www.thechaplain.net Send comments to comment@thechaplain.net or 10556 Combie Rd. Suite 6643 Auburn, CA 95602 or via voicemail (843) 608-9715. Support local journalism and become a subscriber. Visit floridatoday.com/subscribe This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Norris Burkes: Planes, trains, automobiles, buses, gondolas and more NORTH CANTON A city native must rebuild her life after her home was destroyed in Hurricane Ian. Karen Theis, a 58-year-old who grew up in North Canton, was living in Fort Myers, Florida, where the powerful hurricane made landfall in late September. The elementary school teacher in southwest Florida also lost many of her possessions. Theis said she left her home before the storm. "I went probably about 45 miles inland. I did not want to chance it," she said. Theis recently took refuge in Stark County with her sister, Gretchen Besse. "There were a few people in her (residential) development that did not evacuate," Besse said. "The water level came up and they ended up drowning." Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, was among the deadliest forces ever to strike the United States and the Caribbean Sea. The death toll exceeded 100. "Fort Myers Beach took the brunt of the storm surge," said Tony Hurt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tampa, Florida. "Quite a few structures, especially along the (Gulf of Mexico) were lost. Right now, they are still doing some recovery efforts." Theis, a 1982 graduate of Hoover High School, has lived in Florida since 1987. "I am getting a little help from (the Federal Emergency Management Agency)," Theis said. "My home is gone. The storm surge was 15 to 18 feet high. It was up to our roof. I lost a house and everything in it. You couldn't get to your home because of all the destruction and debris. It is rebuilding from the ground up. It is like a war zone down there." While many hurricanes have hit Florida while Theis has been living there, Besse, her sister, said this one was different. Hurricane Ian "is the first one that directly impacted her life," Besse said. This article originally appeared on The Repository: North Canton native must rebuild after hurricane destroys Fla. home Notre Dame has landed one of the top running backs in the 2023 recruiting cycle as Jeremiyah Love, a four-star prospect out of St. Louis made his pledge to Marcus Freeman and the Irish official on Saturday. Love is on campus this weekend making another visit and made his pledge in front of family and friends. Make no bones about it, Notre Dame is getting one of their top running back recruits in recent memory. He can obviously run and is dangerous in the passing game as well. Notre Dame won this recruiting battle over a few big-time programs including Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan, Oregon, Texas A&M, and others. He becomes the third running back commit this cycle for the Irish, joining speedster Dylan Edwards and Jayden Limar, both who are also four-star prospects according to 247Sports. Love is listed at 6-0, 190-pounds and comes from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis. He ranks as the 66th overall player nationally according to the 247Sports composite ratings. Story continues Related Notre Dame lands Super Bowl winning running backs coach List Notre Dame football: all-time leading rushers Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire Tenants at Cardinal Village apartment complex are ordered to vacate the property due to unsafe living conditions at Hawthorne Ave. NE on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 in Salem, Ore. Tenants of Salem's Cardinal Village Apartments officially lost their homes this week. More than 60 residents of the Hawthorne Avenue apartment complex learned in August they would have to vacate their half of the 32-unit complex by Oct. 14. City inspectors had inspected the property in July and declared it unsafe and uninhabitable. The landlord was given an opportunity to make repairs but was told the units could not be occupied while repairs were made. The city re-inspected the property Oct. 13. Inspectors found minimal repairs were complete at the property, and no efforts had been made by the landlord to help vacate the tenants, according to a city spokesperson. All 16 units on the North side of the building must be vacated within the next week, the city said. Failure to leave within the next week will result in civil penalties. The property is owned by Micaela Caballero and her children, Laura and Michael Febres. The family also owns property in Coos Bay and California. According to court documents, all three live in California. The family must make extensive repairs to the apartments before they can be occupied again, the city said. History of neglect At the July inspection, staff found severe cockroach and mice infestations; leaks that had damaged flooring, walls and ceilings; no operational smoke alarms; and failed windows causing dry rot. Tenants told the Statesman Journal in August the building had been in disrepair for years and nothing had been done. Court records indicate a pattern of neglect at this and other buildings owned by Caballero and her family. Tenants of a property they own in Coos Bay were forced to leave after a city inspector found similarly untenable living conditions, according to court records. The building was later allowed to reopen after extensive repairs. A tenant at Salem's Cardinal Village sued Caballero, her kids, and Kathy Hernandez, who manages the property, in 2020 for not keeping the apartment in habitable condition. The unit in question is on the side of the building that does not have to be vacated. Story continues Mold grows between the bathtub and a cabinet in a tenant's bathroom at Cardinal Village apartment complex on Hawthorne Ave. NE on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in Salem, Ore. City inspectors discovered leaks damaging flooring, walls and ceilings throughout the property on July 20 and tenants have been ordered to vacate the property. The case was assigned to arbitration and dismissed in 2021. City staff said they've been in contact with the owners of the Cardinal Village Apartments for several years. Multi-family complexes in the city are required to have annual licenses and get inspections every five years through the Multi-Family Inspection Program. The revocation of an apartment complex license is not common in Salem. The Cardinal complex is the sole entry on the city's list of revoked multi-family licenses since 2016. The list states that these buildings should be secure, not open to entry and vacant. Warnings, misinformation, an effort to help The weeks leading up to the vacate date were clouded in confusion and conflicting information. According to an email obtained by the Statesman Journal, the city told Caballero repairs could not be made while units were still occupied and tenants would have to vacate by Oct. 14, no matter what. But the landlord told some tenants she would complete the repairs before then and they would not have to leave, advocacy workers told the Statesman Journal. One tenant was evicted prior to the Oct. 14 vacate date. According to court records, Caballero and Hernandez sued the tenant for nonpayment of rent. The tenant argued he should not have to pay because his apartment was uninhabitable and he was preparing to vacate. He used the Statesman Journals article as evidence in court. A handwritten note attached to a scanned copy of the article submitted to Marion County alleged the landlord had retaliated against tenants who were quoted in the article. No other formal eviction notices were filed. The city had asked advocacy groups, including Mano-a-Mano and Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Network/ARCHES, to help deliver news of the condemnation and help tenants find new homes. ARCHES and the Fair Housing Council of Oregon hosted a resource fair Oct. 9 to provide information about tenant rights. The groups gave away baskets of shampoo and other toiletries alongside packets of information about fair housing laws and tenant rights. Most of the baskets were left at the doors of residents who did not attend. Those who attended came mostly from the side of the building that does not have to vacate. The week prior, a note had appeared on tenants doors warning of a protest hosted by ARCHES. The Statesman Journal obtained a copy of the note. It names specific ARCHES case managers and warns tenants, in Spanish, that in these protests there are always people who die, like in Portland. The note tells residents to stay home if they want to avoid something bad. The note was signed by Micaela Caballero. Symptoms of a larger problem While the circumstances surrounding Cardinal Village are unique and complex, they are also reflective of a broken housing system that is really leaving lots of folks behind, Allan Lazo, executive director of the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, said. Fair Housing got involved to make sure tenants understood their rights, both as current tenants and as people trying to apply for new homes. As an organization, Fair Housing is concerned specifically with discrimination based on federal and state-protected classes: things like gender, national origin and disability. Most of the Cardinal Village tenants are farmworkers who immigrated to Oregon from Central America. Lazo said he does not have any direct evidence of fair housing violations at Cardinal Village. But the organization also wanted to make sure tenants understood their rights as people trying to apply for new homes. The people fair housing is supposed to protect are historically most likely to experience discrimination, Lazo said, and often face an even more difficult housing market. Immigrants and people of color have a particularly hard time. Those are the kinds of communities we know are experiencing discrimination and are less likely to report it, Lazo said. Salems housing market is already one of the worst in the nation. Such a competitive atmosphere leaves already-vulnerable people with even fewer options, Lazo said. When [housing] providers can be choosy, you can only imagine who might get left behind. 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: Cardinal Village tenants in Oregon lose homes in 'broken' housing system TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Newly released documents show that top staffers for Gov. Ron DeSantis including his chief of staff were directly involved in the states program to send migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard. In the two weeks leading up to the Sept. 14 transport of almost 50 Venezuelan migrants to the island, DeSantis chief of staff, James Uthmeier, sent text messages and had phone calls with Larry Keefe, a former Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney who is now DeSantis hand-picked public safety czar. The messages make clear that Keefe was in Texas helping coordinate the flights and had the full support of the governors chief of staff, according to records released by the governors administration late Friday. On Sept. 5, more than a week before the first flight, Keefe texted Uthmeier that he was back out here and the chief of staff responded that he endorsed the effort. Very good, Uthmeier texted. You have my full support. Call anytime. Copy. Thanks, Keefe responded. On the day of the first flight from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, Keefe texted Uthmeier: Wheels up and Should be in contact again around 1100 eastern. The documents provide the clearest picture yet of the extent to which DeSantis top officials were involved in the planning and execution of the flight. They include nearly 150 pages of material such as text messages, photos of migrants boarding private planes and partially-redacted Department of Homeland Security waivers signed by migrants taking the flights. Names of individual migrants are blacked out of the waiver documents but most list Venezuela as the country of origin. DeSantis for nearly a year had championed the program and convinced the Republican-led Legislature to give him $12 million of initial funding for the overall effort to transport migrants. DeSantis' flight caused outrage from Democrats, who accused DeSantis of human trafficking and using vulnerable asylum seekers as political props. Republicans, however, applauded DeSantis, saying he brought attention to the steep increase in immigration along the southern border. Story continues The DeSantis administration is facing multiple lawsuits over the program, including one filed last Monday by The Florida Center for Government Accountability alleging DeSantis was not releasing records related to the flights. The Treasury Departments watchdog is looking into whether the Florida governor improperly used money connected to federal Covid-19 relief funds to pay for the flights while a sheriff in Texas is probing whether the flights broke any laws. DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin said on Saturday that the release of documents was not related to the Florida Center for Government Accountabilitys lawsuit, but rather part of ongoing records requests. He did not respond to questions about other aspects of the flight, or the records themselves. Michael Barfield, director of public access with the Florida Center for Government Accountability, called the release piecemeal. The Governors Office continues to play fast and loose with the right of Florida citizens to know what their government is doing, he said in a statement. These records should have been produced within a day or two of the initial request. Instead, 25 days later we continue to get a piecemeal release of records. Text messages between Keefe and Uthmeier on Sept. 5 also indicate that officials in Texas were aware of Floridas program and knew the flights were coming. TX is aware of Dash, FYI, Uthmeier wrote on Sept. 5. No worries here. Texas is aware and good with Dash? Keefe responds. Please confirm. Call when convenient, Uthmeier responded. Its unclear who or what dash is and questions to DeSantis office for clarification were not returned. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has said he was not involved in DeSantis flights from his state to Marthas Vineyard. But his administration has bused thousands of migrants from the southern border to blue strongholds, including New York City and Chicago. Abbott has also bused dozens of migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris Washington, D.C. residence. His office did not respond to requests for comment about the Texas messages indicating Texas was aware of some version of the Florida plans. While DeSantis has only executed one transport, his administration on Sept., 20 appeared to be organizing another flight of migrants, this time to President Joe Bidens home state of Delaware, which was first reported by the Miami Herald. Records at the time showed a flight operated by the same vendor as the Marthas Vineyard flights was headed to Nashville, then New Jersey, which set off immigration groups in those cities to rush to the airport to provide any services the migrants might need. Flight records at the time showed a flight operated by the same vendor as the Marthas Vineyard flights were headed to Delaware. That flight, though, was canceled, stranding migrants that had been recruited for the flight stranded in Texas. The Miami Herald reported that a woman identified as Perla was the one who showed up at a hotel in San Antonio to recruit them for the flights, and ultimately later abruptly informed them of its cancellation. The New York Times identified Perla as Perla Huerta, a military veteran who spent two decades in the U.S. Army. Perla'' also shows up in screenshots of Whats App messages that were sent to Keefe included in the most recent trove of released documents. They will hate me today, but this opportunity no one would have given them, read one message, written in Spanish, in response to a message that directly referenced Perla. In another message, at least one migrant seemed to express gratitude for being part of the program, saying they feel like they were put in a bed of gold. Keefe was hired by DeSantis in Sept. 2021 to serve as Floridas first-ever public safety czar, a position DeSantis immediately framed as focusing on illegal immigration. Keefe previously was a named partner at an Okaloosa County law firm that is among the biggest in the region and on multiple occasions represented Vertol Systems, the vendor the DeSantis administration has so far paid $1.5 million tied to the migrant flight program. Gary Fineout contributed to this story. This November, two conservative counties in Oregon will vote on ballot measures that could someday change the map of the western US. The initiatives propose merging large swathes of rural, conservative-leaning eastern Oregon with its neighbouring state to form Greater Idaho. It makes more sense for Eastern Oregonians to get state-level governance coming from Idaho, where they share their values, share their culture, share their politics than it does to be governed by Western Oregon, a spokesman for the movem, Matt McCaw, told Fox News. Will America have to reprint its maps this fall? Heres what you need to know. What is the Greater Idaho movement? The Greater Idaho movement, driven by an intense feeling of isolation from Oregons liberal, urban power center in Portland, seeks to incorporate 15 Oregon counties, as well as parts of two others, into Idaho. "Nobody from the valley between Portland and Eugene understands what goes on in these rural parts," Keaton Ems, a third-generation Oregonian and Christmas tree farmer, told USA Today , creating an "imbalance of power between the states vast areas of countryside and its bustling urban metro areas. The region has faced numerous challenges, from climate-drive drought, to intense street battles during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. And it has many in Eastern Oregon, which largely voted for Donald Trump in 2020, seeking a new political home. This is not the Oregon I know, Sandie Gilson with the group Move Oregons Borders told The Atlantic . We were farmers and ranchers and loggers. None of those values are left. Can Washington counties vote to join Idaho? Not quite. The Greater Idaho movement is simultaneously the most electorally successful secessionist movement in the country, and miles away from achieving its goals. So far, nine of the proposed 17 counties that could form part of the new state have passed ballot initiatives signaling their support for the proposal, or mandating that local officials begin studying it. Story continues This election season, two more counties , Morrow and Wheeler, will take up the question. In Morrow County, voters will decide on an initiative that would require county commissioners to meet three times a year to discuss any negotiations regarding the relocation of the Oregon-Idaho state border. In Wheeler, voters will consider a proposal asking state lawmakers to use tax dollars to work towards moving the Idaho border. None of these proposals, however, would change the layout of either state . That would require approval from both state legislatures, a change to the Idaho constitution, and the intervention of Congress, according to experts. There would also be extremely contentious discussions to be had about managing natural resources, Native American treaty rights, and questions like legal marijuana, a major economic engine in Oregon. What kind of support does the movement have? The campaign to redraw Oregons maps has mixed approval in the state and its halls of power. Idaho officials have taken to the idea, with state rep Barbara Ehardt introducing a resolution to discuss the movement, which it called highly beneficial to Idaho. Last year, leaders of the movement discussed proposals with state legislators. However, despite their general success at the ballot box so far, Greater Idaho isnt a surefire bet everywhere in Eastern Oregon. Movement leaders scaled back their proposals after two counties only showed minority support for changing the borders. Is there any history of states seceding? The map of the United States, particularly during the decades right after the Revolutionary War and during the expansion across the Western frontier, b oth saw states and territories change their boundary lines. In 1792, Kentucky broke off from Virginia, while in 1820, Maine seceded from Massachusetts. More recently, the rural Northwest has been a hotbed of secessionist groups, militia-men, and right-wing extremism, such as the tense armed 2017 standoff at the Malheur wildlife refuge. In the past few years, people in rural areas of Northern California and Southern Oregon have revived the State of Jefferson movement , a proposal to form a new state. Others have proposed cleaving Oregon in two to form the libertarian state of Liberty . Joe Lowndes, an associate professor at the University of Oregon specializing in populist movements, told Oregon Public Broadcasting that these longshot movements can be seen as a symbolic way for people in these largely white, conservative areas to assert their power, even if theyre unlikely to change state borders. One of the ways maybe to see this moment is as a form of political protest and political theater, he said. "Oregon itself is a historically white polity. The territorial constitution forbade both slaves or free blacks in the state," he added. Others argue that secession could actually be a low-temperature way to resolve political conflicts, compared to a Ammon Bundy-style armed standoff. "If youre a Democratic politician in Oregon, you might think its not a bad idea to ditch Republican voters in the state," Frank H. Buckley, a professor at George Mason University School of Law and author of the book American Secession: The Looming Threat of a National Breakup, told Insider . Redrawing boundaries is "far more likely than you think and it may not be such a terrible thing." Gary Gershoff What do you do with two legendary Bravo Housewives after their franchise is not only paused, but broken up into two separate showsone of which they may or may not get cast on? Throw them among the locals and let them hash it out for themselves! Yes, the Bravo gods have once again given us something we never knew we needed. With their fates on their home franchise up in the air, Real Housewives of New York alums Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan are going to be shipped off to nowhere next year, which is far more exciting than it sounds. De Lesseps and Morgans new spin-off, Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake, will see the two beloved New York socialites dipping their pedicured toes into the fresh waters of Crappie Lake, supposedly a horrendously named body of water in Benton, Illinois. Morgan and De Lesseps will travel to Bentona town of just 7,000at the behest of the local city council, who have summoned the two Manhattanites to spruce up their town. Reports of the shows tentative production first surfaced this summer, exciting Bravo fanatics and fans of the classic early aughts reality show The Simple Life. Naturally, theres a huge crossover between audiences who love to watch rich, older women get drunk and fight and audiences who love to see rich, younger women dropped into middle America. Teresa Giudice and Joe Gorga Had a Real Housewives Blood War at BravoCon Fans had speculated that Bravo might have something up their tailored sleeve for the show The spin-off was officially announced during the second day of BravoCon, the networks massive fan convention. Like The Simple Life, which saw Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie trying to assimilate into normal towns with normal people with nothing but a few bucks and a prayer, Welcome to Crappie Lake will see Morgan and De Lesseps fighting to survive in small-town America. An official press release detailed the upcoming chaos, noting that Morgan and de Lesseps will be revitalizing the local theater with a full-on variety show and building a new playground. And of course, theyll be fishing for crappie (the name of a fishbelieve me, I googled) with their bare hands. Story continues The Tao of Sonja Morgan: Inside the Mind of New Yorks Wildest Real Housewife No official premiere date has been set for the spin-off yet, only a confirmation that it will air sometime next year. And if the runaway success of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip is any indication, Welcome to Crappie Lake is sure to be another hit for the network. Lets just hope the local liquor store shipped in a steady supply of moonshine, Tipsy Girl, and Fauxse Rose for these Bravo legends extended stay. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Harris County Sheriff A Texas teen who disappeared with his mother was found in Nebraskawith her body in his car trunk. Tyler Roenz, 17, was free on $10,000 bond on a charge of attempted sexual assault when he and his mother, Michelle Bainter-Roenz, 49, went missing. They were last seen in Humble, Texas, on Thursday morning, and police issued an alert for a black 2011 Mazda. On Friday, the car was spotted near Aurora, Nebraskasome 800 miles awayand Roenz allegedly sped away from cops at 110 mph before colliding with a truck. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the teen was seriously injured and hospitalized. The woman found in the trunk was later identified as Bainter-Roenz. Authorities say that her son will be extradited to Texas. Social media posts show Bainter-Roenz is a married mom of two teenagers who is active in the animal-fostering community. Tyler Roenz runs track in high school. Details of the sex-crimes case against him were not available on the court portal. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Election day is Nov. 8, but Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in this election and ballots will be mailed out starting Wednesday. Here are a few other things you should know about the November 2022 general election: Can I still register to vote or change my voter registration? Yes, voters in Oregon have until Oct. 18 to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election. Information about the process for registering to vote can be found on the Oregon Secretary of State website at sos.oregon.gov/voting. There you can register to vote online or find a voter registration form that can be downloaded and mailed in. You can also call the office at 503-986-1518. Candidate, measures, FAQs: Lane County voter's guide to 2022 November general election When will ballots arrive? Election workers handle ballots at Lane County Elections office. Oregon is an exclusively vote-by-mail state, meaning there are no polling places for voters to visit on or before election day. All ballots are mailed to registered voters, whether in the state or living abroad. Ballots will be mailed starting Oct. 19. Ballots should arrive to all Oregon homes within the next week. If your ballot has not arrived by then, contact your local county elections office. When are ballots due? Election Day this year is Nov. 8. In the past, ballots needed to have arrived at county elections offices by 8 p.m. on election day to be counted. However, now, ballots simply need to be postmarked by Election Day and then can be received up to seven days after election day to be considered valid. This change is due to a law passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021. Proponents of the change say it will allow for more Oregonians to have their votes counted. Where can I learn more about the candidates and measures? The Register-Guard has written more than two dozen articles over the past several weeks about the ballot measures and races that will impact Lane County, from local races and bond measures to the governor's race and the four state measures. Story continues Find The Register-Guard's Lane County voter's guide to 2022 November general election at bit.ly/LaneVotersGuide2022 How do I submit my ballot? Ballots can be mailed to county elections offices no later than Nov. 8, or they can be deposited in dropboxes. Dropbox locations can be found on the Lane County Elections website. Since 2020, ballots can be mailed without paid postage. Submit your vote:Lane County ballot drop sites, vote-by-mail deadlines When will we know the election results? Results will begin to be released shortly after 8 p.m. Nov. 8. Check RegisterGuard.com that night for up-to-date election results. But elections officials caution that vote counts will likely rise more after Election Day than in past years due to valid ballots arriving at counting locations up to seven days after the election. Since this is the first year with the new deadline, it is unclear how many votes will arrive after Election Day. Some races could remain too close to call until the final ballots are counted in the days after Election Day. This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Voter registration deadline: Check if and where you're registered to vote Columbia fire chief candidate Clayton Farr Jr., right, chats with Donald Hill at a meet-and-greet event at Columbia City Hall in August. Farr currently is an assistant chief with the department. The Columbia firefighters' union expressed concerns Friday about being left out of the selection process for the city's next fire chief. The city has worked to fill the fire chief position since Feb. 25 when former Fire Chief Andy Woody officially resigned to take a position as head of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy. Randy White temporarily returned as fire chief until September when Farr was named as acting chief. The city has entered negotiations for its next fire chief, the city manager's office confirmed Thursday. Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 members have recommended Brian Dunn over internal candidate Clayton Farr Jr., according to a union statement provided to the Tribune. Dunn previously was chief of the San Angelo, Texas, fire department and has family connections to northeast Missouri in Scotland County. "This recommendation was based on qualifications, experience and background information gathered after the finalists were announced by the city manager," read the statement, signed by Zack Privette, union president. "It is the sole mission of our members to seek qualified and stable leadership for our members and for the citizens of Columbia in their next fire chief." Previously: Columbia nears decision on next fire chief, enters negotiation process The union had expected more information two weeks after a Sept. 8 meeting with city manager De'Carlon Seewod, Privette said. Seewood has provided information to the union multiple times, city spokesperson Sydney Olsen wrote in an email, responding to an inquiry from the Tribune. "He informed the union of the number of candidates who applied for the position of fire chief and kept them abreast of the progress of the search by providing information that can be openly discussed," she wrote. "... The city manager has made a concerted effort to hear feedback on candidates from members of the Columbia Fire Department, the union and members of the public, and has communicated that this information is being considered as part of the hiring process." Story continues The city has been assisted by Strategic Government Resources in the search process. The city has spent approximately $18,627 as of Wednesday on the process. A public meet-and-greet with finalists was held Aug. 24. Feedback received from the public, city staff and fire department staff has been taken into consideration by the city manager's office as it works toward hiring the next fire chief, Olsen previously wrote to the Tribune. The union has accused Seewood of shutting it out of information until a hiring announcement is made based on communication it received Sept. 30, along with an accusation that Seewood threatened to discipline Privette for "undermining the selection process," as quoted in the union statement. "Personnel information, including information about the hiring, firing or disciplining of an employee, is closed," Olsen wrote, responding to an inquiry from the Tribune about the union's accusations. "As an entity separate from the City of Columbia, the Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 is privy to the same information as members of the public or media." The timeline in which a position is filled in the city varies, subject to candidates who apply and the negotiation process with one or more candidates, Olsen previously noted about the fire chief search. "The city wants to ensure adequate time is spent on this search process to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision," she wrote. Union members stated they desire stable leadership, along with a candidate who can bring innovation, creative thinking and problem-solving skills to the department. "The members of the Columbia Professional Firefighters will not be deterred in our efforts to achieve just that, not only for the employees, but for the citizens we proudly serve," the statement read. Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia firefighters' union concerned with chief selection process Biden administration officials are raising concerns that the slow pace of developing a nasal vaccine for Covid-19 in the U.S. could pose a security risk as China, Iran and Russia approve their own vaccines taken through the nose or mouth. Though nasal and oral vaccines are being studied in the U.S., none are close to coming on the market because Congress hasnt approved more money to support research and development. Big pharmaceutical companies are also not investing in these next-generation vaccines because they dont see much profit potential. China already has a Covid vaccine thats ingested through the mouth. India, Russia and Iran have authorized nasal vaccines. And while none of those have yet been proven to stop Covid transmission, officials say the U.S. could find itself at a global disadvantage, particularly if a deadlier variant emerges. Intranasal vaccines vaccines that are variant-resistant those are critical tools to have in the toolbox for protecting Americans, not just for Covid but also for future pandemics and also for future biosecurity threats, Ashish Jha, the administrations Covid-19 response coordinator, told POLITICO. Researchers working on nasal vaccines are hopeful that they could stop virus transmission by generating immunity against it in the nose and other parts of the upper respiratory system where the coronavirus enters the body. If that bears out in clinical trials, nasal vaccines would be superior to existing mRNA vaccines, which prevent severe disease but dont stop transmission. Officials at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases are attuned to the danger of failing to develop such a nasal vaccine since it would protect people in case of a more contagious and deadlier coronavirus variant, said Karin Bok, the acting deputy director for pandemic preparedness and emergency response at the agencys Vaccine Research Center. The center has mapped the nasal and oral Covid vaccines in development in the U.S. and abroad. It is also testing nasal versions of the Moderna vaccine and two other types of injectable Covid-19 vaccines in monkeys, Bok said. But that probably wont lead to a nasal Covid vaccine being approved in the U.S. anytime soon because funding for clinical trials and production is lacking. Story continues Bok and Jha say the cost is high. If China were to develop a nasal vaccine capable of stopping Covid transmission, that could turn the tables on the current pandemic trajectory, which has the U.S. emerging and much of China stuck in lockdown. Even though India, Iran, China and Russia haven't proved their non-injectable vaccines stop transmission, the potential is there, experts said. Countries where transmission is reduced are going to be healthier, are going to have stronger economies. And the U.S. needs to catch up, said Marty Moore, the founder and chief scientific officer of Meissa Vaccines, a small biotech company thats trying to develop a nasal vaccine in the U.S. Stopping transmission Many scientists believe the nose could hold the secret to stopping coronavirus transmission, but theres no consensus yet on whether nasal vaccines could be more effective than injectable ones, as evidence from clinical trials is necessary to prove it. Disagreement in Congress about how to pay for additional aid or whether its needed, as well as disinterest from major drugmakers in spending their own money on something that may not be very profitable, could mean a foreign rival gets an advantage. Writing in Science Immunology in July, Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at Scripps Research, and Akiko Iwasaki, an immunobiology professor at Yale, endorsed the potential of a nasal vaccine to stop coronavirus transmission. Breaking the chain of transmission at the individual and population level will put us in a far better position to achieve containment of the virus, they wrote, adding that the prospect of achieving this with nasal vaccines is high. They called for U.S. government support in developing Operation Warp Speed 2.0, modeled on the initiative that created the first Covid-19 vaccines in record time. The Biden administration is working on that, but funding woes and pandemic fatigue have hampered its efforts . Beyond effectiveness, a nasal vaccine could appeal to people who are squeamish about needles and to parents of young children who have mostly declined to get their kids inoculated. As of early October, only 9 percent of children ages 6 months to 5 years have gotten the shots, which were authorized by the FDA in June. U.S. technology in India Outside of the government-funded research cited by Bok, two Washington University School of Medicine professors, David T. Curiel, a radiation oncologist, and Michael S. Diamond, a molecular microbiologist, invented the nasal vaccine authorized in India. Curiel and Diamond told POLITICO they created it with the needs of the developing world in mind, given the lack of ultracold freezers needed to store mRNA vaccines. The two scientists licensed their vaccine to the Indian drugmaker Bharat Biotech, which tested it in clinical trials partially financed by the Indian government. They have also tried to solicit interest from large U.S. pharmaceutical companies about it and there was not as much excitement as we would have thought, Diamond said. Their vaccine, named iNCOVACC in India, is based on an adenovirus that delivers the coronavirus spike protein. Bharat Biotech tested it both as a primary vaccination series and as a booster for people who were vaccinated with injectable Covid shots available in India. The company said the clinical trials had successful results and that side effects were comparable to those from other Covid-19 vaccines, but it has not yet published the data in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The Indian drug regulator approved the two-dose vaccine, which comes in the form of nasal drops, for adults who have not had a previous Covid-19 shot, Bharat Biotech said. The company has the right to sell it in India and most of the rest of Asia and Africa. Elsewhere, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a global partnership financing vaccine development for epidemic threats, is developing a plan for nasal vaccine research projects. For example, we are looking into whether nasal vaccines could be an option for our all-in-one coronavirus vaccine program funding the development of vaccines against both Covid-19 variants and other coronaviruses, said Melanie Saville, CEPIs executive director of vaccine research and development. CEPI awarded nearly $5 million in seed funding to the Dutch company Intravacc for a nasal vaccine candidate that could work against multiple coronaviruses. There are now 95 nasal vaccines under development around the world, according to health data company Airfinity. Six have reached the final Phase 3 in clinical trials. Tempering expectations But some scientists doubt that a nasal vaccine will be a game-changer. William Haseltine, a former professor at Harvard Medical School with expertise in HIV/AIDS and genomics, believes that enthusiasm should be tempered about the potential of nasal vaccines to prevent infection, given that natural nasal exposure to the virus doesnt prevent people from getting reinfected. Why in the world do you think that if you [spray] a vaccine up the nose you can do any better? he asked POLITICO. Attempts to develop a nasal version of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the injectable version of which was widely used globally at the beginning of the vaccination campaign, experienced a setback after only a minority of participants in an early stage clinical trial showed some immune response in respiratory mucous membranes. Haseltine argued that scientists still dont have a good understanding of nasal immunity and that government funding would be better directed to antiviral drugs that keep Covid-19 in check. And Bok doesnt think any of the existing non-injectable vaccines stop Covid-19 transmission. I would be very surprised if India or China licensed it with data proving that an intranasal vaccine is better than the ones we have, she said. Funding problems Curiel and Diamond have licensed their vaccine for potential use in the U.S. to Pennsylvania-based biotech Ocugen. The company is looking for both regulatory and financial support from the U.S. government to develop the vaccine as a booster, CEO Shankar Musunuri told POLITICO. But without another Operation Warp Speed, there will be substantial delays in large-scale manufacturing, regulatory approval and distribution of a nasal vaccine, argued Topol and Iwasaki. Iwasaki, who is working to develop a booster Covid-19 nasal vaccine, said she will probably need tens of millions of dollars to test it in clinical trials. Just trying to do this as a small academic lab is very different from a Warp Speed, she told POLITICO. Thats unlikely to happen. Congress last month passed a short-term measure to continue funding the government until Dec. 16 without any additional money for Covid-19. The White House had asked for $8 billion to fund the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics, including nasal vaccines. "There is no plan B: If Congress does not fund this, it will not happen, Jha said. America will fall further behind China and other countries. The University of Washington was ordered to pay the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) nearly $540,000 in a lawsuit that revealed the university destroyed public records while under federal investigation. The lawsuit centered on the UW's Washington National Primate Research Center. (Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times, 2020) Protestors in Cuba who have been taking to the streets after Hurricane Ian damaged the islands already faltering power grid could face criminal charges, Cubas Attorney Generals office said Saturday. In a note published in the islands communist party newspaper, Granma, prosecutors said they were investigating cases of arson and vandalism of state property, streets closures and insults to officials and forces of order. Additionally, parents of minors who take part in the protests could face charges of child endangerment, according to the note. Anti-government protests are usually quickly broken up by police in Cuba, but after Hurricane Ian worsened the islands critical power shortages, Cubans across the island have taken to the streets to complain. After forming in the Southern Caribbean Sea, Hurricane Ian made landfall late last month as a Category 3 hurricane in Cuba just southwest of La Coloma in the western Pinar del Rio province. The hurricanes fierce winds and rain left at least three people dead, state media said, and knocked out power to the entire island. Two of the deaths occurred in Pinar del Rio, where a woman died after a wall collapsed on her and a man died after his roof fell on him, state media said. The state-run National Electric System turned off power in Havana to avoid electrocutions, deaths and property damage until the weather improved. But the nationwide blackouts were caused by the storm and were not planned. The storm exacerbated an economic crisis that has been gripping Cuba, leading to shortages of food, fuel and medicine. Blackouts across the island were regular all summer, which led to rare scattered protests against the government. Those protests picked up after the hurricane made life harder for Cubans already struggling. Often at night, protestors in cities and towns have banged on pots and pans, angry at government power cuts. Some protestors have called for electrical service to be restored while others have demanded that Cuban leaders step down. Story continues The recent protests have not reached the scale as those of July 2021, when thousands of Cubans took to the streets demanding change, in the largest anti-government demonstrations since the 1959 revolution. After days of power cuts by the government last year, residents in the small city of San Antonio de los Banos ran out of patience. On July 11, 2021, they took to the streets in a moment of rare public dissent on the island. Cubans across the nation were able to live stream and view in real time the unfolding protests in San Antonio de los Banos and join in. Almost immediately thousands of other Cubans were demonstrating. Some complained the lack of food and medicines, others denounced high-ranking officials and called for greater civil liberties. The unprecedented protests spread to small cities and towns. While Cuban officials have long blamed US sanctions for the islands woes, protestors during the summer of 2021 raged squarely against their own government for their worsening living conditions. In a speech on state-run TV, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel blamed the islands economic problems on US sanctions, said the protests were the result of a subversion campaign directed from abroad and called on Cubans loyal to the revolution to take back the streets. The state cracked down. Cuban prosecutors said this summer that close to 500 people were convicted and sentenced in connection with the protests, in the largest mass trials on the island in decades. Prison terms ranged between four and 30 years for crimes that included sedition. CNNs Ray Sanchez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. The gap between Budapest and Hungarys other regions in terms of GDP per capita is still large, Tibor Navracsics, the minister of regional development, said. Large cities and other regions require different development approaches, he told a conference organised by the Szazadveg think-tank. Budapest, the strongest engine of Hungarys economy, can help other regions, and ways must be found to enable this to happen, Navracsics said, adding at the same time that creating regional hubs could take some of the burden off Budapest and play a positive role in economic and regional development for the whole country. Budapest and rural regions play in a different league, he said. At the same time, it is not easy for the Hungarian capital which must compete with such cities as Prague, Vienna, Bratislava and Warsaw, he added. The Budapest Agglomeration Development Council has been set up to handle the problems faced by Budapest and its agglomeration, and it is expected that decision-makers from Budapest and settlements that maintain ties with the capital on a daily basis should work together when making development policy decisions, he said. He presented the development of new circular settlements, stating that the current transport infrastructure enables daily commuters to Budapest from cities such as Szekesfehervar, Tatabanya, Kecskemet and Hatvan located 50-60km from the capital. Even an additional ring is currently in development around 100-120km from Budapest, involving cities such as Veszprem and Eger, he added. He said that the cities of Pecs, Szeged, Debrecen, Miskolc and Gyor form an external ring, and they could be developed into regional economic hubs serving areas beyond the borders. Transport infrastructure development plays an important role in the development of networks, Navracsics said. In 2010 it took an average of 37 minutes to reach a motorway from any point in Hungary and this was reduced to 28 minutes by 2019, he added. Marton Nagy, the minister of economic development, told the conference that funding priority must be given to the regions outside Budapest and its agglomeration. In the past eight years, 40% of all financing went to the capital, and together with its surrounding areas, this rose to 50%, he said. The funding gap between the capital and the rest of the country is too large, and there are not enough programmes for regional development and the development of poorer regions, he added. He noted that GDP per capita in Budapest is 140% of the EU average, while the same is below 44% in some counties. And while 27% of companies operate in Budapest, 40% of sales revenue is generated in the capital, he said, noting similar disparities in unemployment and payroll data. Rather than the gap narrowing in the past 12 years, it has opened up slightly, Nagy said. This trend must be reversed, and the mechanism for distributing funds changed, he added. MTI Photo After a two-year hiatus, the Valles Mines Lost History Museums annual Ghost Round Up fundraiser is back on track and set for Oct. 22. Ghosts, hayrides, a walking tour to the old cemetery, bonfire, and psychics and storytellers are just a few of the attractions that will be waiting. The Lost History Museum is located on 14117 Valles Mines School Road, just south of Route V next to the US 67 exit in Valles Mines, and preserves the frontier beginnings of the areas lead mining history. It was created and is curated by Steve Frazier, whose family has a long history with Valles Mines dating back more than 100 years. The museum doesnt qualify for grants or public funding since its privately owned and operated, so it relies heavily on donations to keep Fraziers collection and the old village alive. The Ghost Round Up begins at 3 p.m. and admission is $6 per person. The museum is open for tours, although a small additional donation is expected. Other than admission, concessions, and an optional 50-50 drawing to be determined on Halloween, the rest of the Saturday event is free to visitors of all ages. For more information, contact 573-631-6875 or 573-330-7211. All activities are weather-permitting, and children must be accompanied by adults. Fraziers books one on local hauntings and the other, his family history with the mine, of which he is a fourth-generation employee will be for sale, along with T-shirts. Hayrides to the haunted tunnel assemble at the museum begin in the afternoon, and Frazier said theyll continue into dusk. The hayride is 90 minutes long, and the wagon can hold 20-25 people. Frazier said many people most enjoy the hayride at night. A walking tour of the nearby cemetery, where the bodies of slaves and Civil War soldiers are said to repose, is included on the hayride. The old mining tunnel is reputed to be haunted by the ghost of German immigrant William Heinrich, or Tunnel Bill. Suffering from a disability, Tunnel Bills job was to keep curious kids away from the mines, out of the tunnel and away from explosives. The old yarn is that he continues his job to this day, the sound of footsteps following any random person who draws near the tunnel, the sensation of a hand on their shoulder if theyve been loitering too long. And thats not all, Frazier said, in the 50 or so years Ive been out here, Ive heard, seen and even smelled quite a other-worldly things, whether theyre apparitions or manifestations or whatever you call them. I expect people would think Im nuts, but I know Ive seen ghosts walk under my ladder while I was working on the place, Ive heard Indian drums sounding from across the creek, and Ive heard voices come out of the fire. I dont push a belief in these things on anyone, everyones welcome to believe as they wish I just know what Ive experienced, and what I believe. Frazier added that a renowned psychic once explained that, since the property hadnt changed hands for so many years, it was a gathering place for the spirit world. It wouldnt be a Ghost Round Up without professional experts on the paranormal. Psychics, storytellers and dream interpreters have been invited to keep up the mysterious, lost-world, time traveling nature of the evenings events, which culminate in a bonfire. The days main attraction is the Lost History Museum itself, housed in what Frazier said is the second-oldest building in Missouri. Hundreds of photos, replicas and artifacts revive memories of lead mining and pioneering in the southeast Missouri region within the 1,800 square foot building. There is the old Valle house next door, and a few more outbuildings scattered about the grounds and all of it requires quite a bit of upkeep. Im getting on 71 years old now, and I like to tell people Ive been here for 70 years, Frazier said. But its getting a little tough to put this on mostly by myself. I have some people volunteering here and there, which I appreciate, but boy, we sure could use more. I hate for all this to go away. Anyone interested in donating their time and effort to the Lost History Museum can contact him at 573-631-6875. He said he could even use a little help before the Ghost Round Up to make sure everythings in place. He said he just thinks its all worth preserving, and visitors to the place have told him they think so, too. I have an accumulation of items it took me about 55 years to collect, Frazier said. Weve got replicas of all the old buildings and people who used to be in Valles Mines. We have railroad history, including a history of the MR&BT railroad. We have about 100 slave-dug mines on the property. And of course we have a history of the Valles family, who settled Ste. Genevieve. This place is so rich in history. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has bumped up its projection for Hungarys economic growth in 2022 to 5.7%, among the highest in the region, according to the finance ministry. Finance Minister Mihaly Varga, attending the annual meeting of the World Bank and IMF in Washington, DC, said the current period was very different compared with 2008 when the government looked to the IMF for solutions to problems. Since 2010, Hungary has provided various exemplary responses to economic policy questions, such as a flat-rate personal income tax, the early repayment of forex loans and the introduction of crisis taxes initially heavily criticised, he noted but even the IMF now acknowledges the success of Hungarian policymaking centred round a labour-based economy, he added. Over the past 10 years, the IMF has gradually come round to the approach that during a crisis, economic stimulus and support for families can bring faster and better results than austerity, he said. The IMF expressly supported this approach during the pandemic, he said, adding that this an important change of approach. Varga acted as deputy chairman at a plenary meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee, representing a group of countries which includes Austria, the Czechia, Slovakia, Slovenia, as well as Belgium, Luxembourg and Turkey, the ministry said. Commenting on the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, Varga said the European economy had been hit hard and the damage would be difficult to reverse. The sanctions-fuelled energy crisis poses extraordinary costs on individual countries, and our group therefore considers it extremely important to boost energy security and support the changeover to renewable energy, he added. MTI Photo: Balazs Mohai The 11th edition of the autumnal Margo Literary Festival and Book Fair will await readers committed to contemporary literature at a new venue, the National Dance Theatre. As you have come to expect, there will be four days of book launches, meet-the-author events, professional and portrait discussions, and concerts to round off the programme. In addition to the Hungarian authors who have new works to show off, the festival will, as usual, host a number of prestigious foreign authors, and the Margo Prize for the best first book of prose will be awarded once again. Venue: National Dance Theatre 1024 Budapest, Kis Rokus utca 1620. More: Margo Fest Following traffic rules while riding a two-wheeler or driving a car is essential to avoid any kind of accidents on roads, failing which traffic police can charge you heavy fines and can be a major threat to your life. There are times when traffic police take some actions which are not allowed, like removing keys from vehicles during checking. Yes, you read that right. In various movies, advertisements, and sometimes even in real life traffic police are witnessed removing keys from vehicles, which they are NOT authorized to do. A lot of people don't know about this rule, which gives the police liberty to do so. But not anymore. According to Indian Motor Vehicle Act 1932, only a traffic police personnel of the rank of an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) can fine you for violating traffic rules. The ASIs, sub-inspectors, and inspectors have the authority to fine you on the spot, and traffic constables are only present for their assistance. But they don't have the authority to remove keys from your vehicle. A traffic cop cannot deflate the tires of your vehicle. Also read: Road safety: Delhi govt launches 'Tactical Urbanism Trial' to stop accidents on Signature Bridge Here are some points to remember when traffic police catches you: 1. The traffic police personnel should carry a challan book or an e-challan machine to impose a fine on you. They cannot impose a fine on you without either of these things. 2. The traffic police should be donning the uniform, which should have his/her name. If the police personnel is clad in civilian attire, you can ask him/her to give identity proof. 3. A traffic police head constable can only impose a maximum fine of Rs 100. Only an ASI or an SI can impose a fine above Rs 100. 4. If a traffic police personnel removes the keys from your car, you should record visuals and have the full right to complain before the senior officer in the nearest police station. 5. You should be carrying a driving license, and pollution under control certificate while driving. The copies of your car's registration and insurance paper should be there too. 6. If you don't have a fine amount on the spot, you can deposit it later. In such a situation, the court issues a challan that needs to be paid before it. During this time, the traffic cop takes your driving license in his/her possession. Further, if a traffic police personnel misbehaves with you during checking, then you can complain to a senior officer. In preparation of the Panch Parmeshwar Sammelan that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has scheduled at Ramlila Maidan on October 15, the Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory on Saturday. According to an official announcement, the meeting will take place on Sunday beginning at 10 am at Ramlila Maidan and will be attended by the BJP president JP Nadda, a significant number of participants, and other top party leaders. According to the advisory, no traffic will be permitted on the following roads after 8 a.m.: Chaman Lal Marg near VIP Gate, Paharganj Chowk towards Ajmeri Gate, Vivekanand Marg from Minto Road to roundabout Kamla Market, and Ranjeet Singh Flyover from Barakhamba Road to Guru Nanak Chowk. JLN Marg runs from Rajghat to Delhi Gate and the roundabout at Kamla Market leads to Guru Nanak Chowk. An exception has been made for ambulances, patients going to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, GB Pant hospital, and passengers going to New Delhi Railway Station. Buses coming from north and westbound for Ajmeri Gate and beyond will be diverted on Rani Jhansi Road, Arambagh Road will terminate at Arambagh road and will go back via Chitragupta Road, Paharganj Chowk and DBG Road, the advisory said. Also read: Road safety: Delhi govt launches 'Tactical Urbanism Trial' to stop accidents on Signature Bridge Vehicles coming from Connaught Place side towards the roundabout Kamla Market will be diverted to DDU Marg and Bhavbhuti Marg. Vehicles coming from Raj Ghat and Delhi Gate side towards JLN Marg will be diverted to BSZ Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg, it said. Vehicles coming from Tolstoy Marg towards Mirdard and Guru Nanak Chowk will be diverted to Barakhambha Road, it said. No one except VIPs labelled car parking will be allowed on Chaman Lal Marg. No buses, including chartered buses, will be allowed on Ranjit Singh Marg towards Guru Nanak Chowk. No commercial vehicles will be allowed on JLN Marg from Rajghat, it said. People are advised to avoid mentioned roads and stretches and park their vehicles only at designated parking lots. Avoid roadside parking as it causes hindrance to the normal flow of traffic. In case any unusual or unidentified object or person is noticed in suspicious circumstances, information should be given to the police, it added. With inputs from PTI Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday that the Center is considering a plan under which it will take over state highways with high traffic densities for growth. Gadkari, who is in charge of the portfolio for highways and road transportation, stated that the Center will widen a state highway into a four or six-lane road and collect tolls for 25 years before returning the asset to the state. Speaking at a conference held by the Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI) today, Gadkari said, " We will take that highway from the state government (and) will collect the toll. " The minister, who has built a reputation for constructing mega road projects across the country, exuded confidence that the money invested for a particular highway's expansion into a 4-6 lane carriageway can be recovered in 12-13 years itself. He, however, did not offer any elaboration on the evinced plan, like if the Centre is in talks with any states or the overall outlay under this, or if such an activity will be undertaken by partnering with a private entity. The minister listed a slew of projects being undertaken, including 75 access-controlled expressways across the country, which will ensure faster movement of goods and people across the country. Also read: Alert drivers! Traffic police CANNOT take keys off your vehicle during checking, heres why He said there is a plan underway to build an expressway between Mumbai and Bengaluru, which will ensure that one can drive from the capital of Maharashtra to that Karnataka in five hours. Addressing the investors in the audience in his virtual address, Gadkari said there are a lot of opportunities in the road sector courtesy of the works undertaken and the government's plans. The internal rate of returns on such investments is very good, the minister said, adding that the only aspect he is worrying about at present is the currency volatility which make the landed cost of foreign currency very high due to hedging. The minister also said that a lot of global companies have set up a manufacturing base in India, and the government believes the overall revenue of auto companies is expected to double to Rs 15 lakh crore in the next five years against Rs 7.5 lakh crore at present. The government is also very focused on creating public options and sees the number of buses going to 10 lakh from the present 1.5 lakh, Gadkari said without giving a timeline for the same. Gadkari said there is also a plan to make 'bus ports' on the lines of the airports, where the Centre will develop bus depots located on prime plots into swanky facilities with lodges and restaurants. With inputs from PTI Pilots in the United States have reported problems with the aircrafts radio (radar) altimeters during takeoff and landing. These altimeters help pilots during takeoff, and landing, avoid crashing into hills, and also feed into critical autopilot, auto-throttle, and instrument landing systems. These problems reportedly have occurred due to the rollout of 5G wireless networks across the world. In January this year, at least three flights above Tennessee in the US simultaneously experienced altimeter errors that made it "impossible to maintain assigned altitude", according to one of the pilots. One jet lost its autopilot completely, and reportedly had fire trucks waiting for it on landing. According to an analysis of reports by IEEE Spectrum (the world's leading engineering magazine) made to NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), complaints of malfunctioning and failing altimeters soared after the rollout earlier this year of high-speed 5G wireless networks, which use similar C-band frequencies. According to the report, in February, a passenger plane on approach to the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans experienced erratic low-altitude warnings as it flew below 1,000 feet. Also read: SHOCKING! Woman passenger ABUSES cabin crew on Delta Airline flight - Watch video In March, a commercial jet landing on autopilot at Los Angeles International Airport suddenly went into an aggressive descent just 100 feet above the ground. All three incidents -- and many more this year -- were linked by pilots to problems with the aircraft's radio altimeters, according to the report. "Between January and May, there were 93 reports of faulty or failing radar altimeters, where a normal year might see only a handful," according to ASRS, a public database maintained by NASA. ASRS contains at least 40 reports of possible 5G interference in the vicinity of the 50 airports with buffer zones. With six reports, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport had the most complaints. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reviewed over half of the reports and was unable to rule out 5G interference in around 80 incidents. According to the report, the FAA "did provide high-level data that indicates it has received around 550 such submissions since January." The FAA concluded that the mitigations it had agreed with wireless providers "are working". In June, it agreed with the carriers to extend those mitigations for another year. The US FAA had initially played down concerns that the new cell towers and devices might interfere with commercial jet radar altimeters, which operate a few hundred megahertz higher in the radio spectrum. In the US, wireless providers led by Verizon and AT&T paid over $80 billion for the 5G frequencies. Although altimeter complaints on ASRS seem to be declining, many pilots still want tighter controls on 5G technology, said the report. (With inputs from IANS) AirAsia India is commemorating JRD Tata's first commercial flight's 90th anniversary with a series of digital, on-ground, and in-flight engagement activities. JRD Tata, an avid aviator, was the Tata group's longest-serving chairman and is widely regarded as the father of civil aviation in India. In addition to receiving the Bharat Ratna, he was also made an honorary Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air Force. On October 15, 1932, JRD Tata piloted the inaugural flight of Tata Air Services from Karachi to Bombay via Ahmedabad in a single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, paving the way for civil aviation in India. The inaugural flight is commemorated in the livery designed by AirAsia India for its VT-JRT aircraft. AirAsia India announced the engagement activities through its social media handles, including the `#SpotThePioneer` contest. Participants stand a chance to win a free flight by sharing original photos of The Pioneer's aircraft on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, taggingA@AirAsiaIndia, and using the hashtag #SpotThePioneer. Also read: Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air plane suffers bird strike, safely returns to Mumbai airport The airline is giving themed postcards to flyers, inviting them to write to their loved ones, and undertaking to mail the postcards on behalf of its guests, commemorating the airmail carried by JRD Tata on the inaugural flight. The postcard design pays tribute to JRD`s love for writing (he wrote over 40,000 letters in his lifetime), with an image from the Tata Central Archives of JRD at his writing desk and features the 90th-anniversary logo and the custom font "Jeh," inspired by his flourishing handwriting. Join us as we commemorate the 90th anniversary of JRD Tatas historic first commercial flight from Karachi towards Bombay in a Puss Moth aircraft, flying at 100 miles an hour.#JourneyOfJeh #FlyLikeAPioneer #WingsToTheNation pic.twitter.com/5fBGwfvcyS October 15, 2022 Meanwhile, AirAsia's official Twitter handle also started a quiz on Twitter about JRD Tata. The questions on social media covered a huge range of the pioneer's life. The tweets had questions like, "JRD Tatas aviators certificate, a.k.a. pilots licence bore the number" He added, "What was JRD Tatas first language? " They also asked, "On 15 October 1932, JRD Tata landed in Mumbai on which airstrip." With inputs from IANS For the first time, a Boeing aircraft of India's newest airline Akasa Air suffered a bird strike on its way to Bengaluru airport, forcing the plane to return to its origin airport. The plane landed at Mumbai Airport on Saturday, keeping the passengers safe. The incident occurred while the plane was completing its flight QP1103. Based on reports, the problem was noticed after a burning smell originated from the engine was noticed in the cabin of the plane. Taking note of the situation, the pilot took prompt action returning the passengers and the plane safely to Mumbai Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is looking into the incident, the official said. The number of passengers on board the flight could not be immediately known. "The aircraft VT-YAE, operating Akasa Air flight from Mumbai for Bengaluru, was involved in air turnback due to the burning smell felt in the cabin. The smell increased as the thrust was increased," said the official. Akasa Air has issued a statement on the situation saying, "The aircraft was positioned for a detailed inspection and has now returned to service. Our customer service team assisted passengers and arrangements were made to accommodate their journeys. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused." Also read: 'Screams fishy...' Jet Airways CEO supports Vistara airline after passenger complains of cockroach in meal The DGCA official said, however, no other abnormality, including in engine parameters was observed. "After landing during the inspection, bird remains were found on engine number 1 of the aircraft," he said and added that "the burning smell was due to bird strike," he stated. Akasa Air started its operations on August 7 this year. Akasa Air QP-1103 suffered a bird hit on its way to Bangalore today. The flight returned safely to Mumbai airport. pic.twitter.com/gwesklSSEJ ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2022 It is to be noted that Akasa Air is the newest airline in India and started its operations on August 7. The airline is still working on expanding its domestic operation in the country. The airline started its Bengaluru-Mumbai operations in the initial days of starting its domestic services in August with the aim of expanding to more cities. Most recently, on October 7, 2022, the airline commenced its direct flight services connecting Bengaluru and Delhi. Akasa Air currently operates approximately 30 flights per day with a fleet of six aircraft. However, the company has purchased 72 Boeing 737-800 MAX aircraft and will receive 18 new aircraft by the end of March 2019. Previously, there have been multiple incidents of planes of different airlines suffering bird strikes. It is to be noted that the bird strike can cause significant damage to the aircraft. Multiple international organisations have been working towards developing technology to reduce such incidents. With PTI inputs The movie Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise, introduced us to a hypersonic jet named Lockheed Martin Darkstar. The plane caught a lot of attention from enthusiasts and now will be on display at Edwards Air Force Base during the 2022 Aerospace Valley Open House Air Show and STEM Expo (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The news was confirmed via an official post from Edwards AFB's social media handle with the post saying. "Yes, the rumours were TRUE!" The post added, "The Lockheed Martin Darkstar IS at Edwards and will have its world debut at the 2022 Aerospace Valley Open House, Air Show, & STEM Expo this weekend!" To jog your memory, Lockheed Martin Darkstar is the hypersonic jet featured in the opening scene of the movie Top Gun: Maverick. It's the plane that the character, played by Tom Cruise, takes on an authorized test flight to achieve Mach 10 speed and ends up going the limit against his superiors' orders. The scene became a crucial moment to set the movie's plot as, after this, Maverick is assigned as a teacher in the Top Gun institute. Also read: AirAsia commemorates JRD Tata's first commercial flight anniversary, offers free flight According to The Aviation Geek Club contributor and SR-71 Blackbird expert Linda Sheffield Miller's Facebook page Habubrats, the Darkstar will be on display alongside the legendary SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3 spy plane at the Aerospace Valley Open House, Air Show, and STEM Expo. Yes, the @LockheedMartin Darkstar IS at Edwards and will have its world debut at the 2022 @AVAirShow this weekend! To showcase the future, it was only right local #STEM students received the first look! The Darkstar is on display all weekend at #AvAirshow. #TopGunMaverick pic.twitter.com/WcMbWYFF5Z October 13, 2022 The plane also garnered a lot of attention because, as per the experts, the Lockheed Martin Darkstar bears a lot of resemblance to the renderings of the successor of the SR-71 Blackbird's successor, the hypersonic SR-72. It is to be noted that the SR-71 Blackbird is credited to be the world's fastest military aircraft. Moreover, the directors of the film Top Gun, Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski, claimed that they actually worked with the engineers of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to create the design of Darkstar. According to the Lockheed Martin website, in fact, When the Top Gun: Maverick team was looking to push the envelope and stand true to Mavericks Need for Speed, Skunk Works was their first call. With the Skunk Works expertise in developing the fastest known aircraft combined with a passion and energy for defining the future of aerospace, Darkstars capabilities could be more than mere fiction. They could be reality New Delhi: The trailer of the Janhvi Kapoor starrer 'Mili' has been released by the makers. The film has been directed by National Award winner Mathukutty Xavier and is a remake of the hit 2019 Malayalam movie titled 'Helen'. At the beginning of the trailer, it shows a Mili seems cheerful and has a fun and loving dad. She is employed by a nearby restaurant and aspires to move to Canada for a brighter future but one day she somehow gets loceked inside the cold storage of her restaurant. Mili makes every effort to stay warm when the temperature drops below -17 C. The star of the film took to her social media account to release the first trailer of the film. "Watch a glimpse of Milis chilling tale of survival!Trailer out now. #Mili, releasing in cinemas on 4th November.", she captioned the post. Here is the trailer shared by the actress: The film also stars actors such as Manoj Pawha and Sunny Kaushal. The movie's music has been composed by AR Rahman, and the lyrics of the songs have been penned by Javed Akhtar.The film, which has also been written by the filmmaker Mathukutty Xavier, is slated for release on the 4th of November. Apart from this, the actress also has a number of films in hand. It includes names such as 'Mr and Mrs Mahi' with Rajkummar Rao and 'Bawaal' with Varun Dhawan. She might have served five years, six months and 14 days in the military, but they could arguably be the most influential of her life. Through them, said Farmington resident Patti Smith, 69, she learned a vocation, traveled the country, met her husband of 45 years, Dennis and grew up. My dad was in the Navy for 23 years, she said. Basically, until Dennis retired from the Army, I had spent my entire life involved with the military in some way. As a girl, Patti and her family moved semi-regularly, following her dads military career. My dad was in Vietnam in the beginning, and he flew aircraft off ships and tracked submarines up and down the coast of Vietnam, she said. He sent a letter home one time and wanted to know if Mom could pack him a care package with snacks he could put in the pockets of his flight suit, in case he got shot down he could have something to eat. That did not go over well with my mother. Born in 1952 in Bonne Terre, she has lived in New Jersey, started school at Midway Island out in the Pacific Ocean, went through first and second grade in Oahu, moved to Millington Naval Air Station outside of Memphis, and then her family put down roots in California, first in San Diego and finally at Lemoore Naval Air Station in the San Joaquin Valley, from which her father retired and where she graduated from high school. Smith said she knew she didnt want to go to college, but she didnt want to stay home, either. So she signed up for the Air Force. Being in the military gives you security. Youre gonna get paid. Youve always got something to wear. And when you first go in, youre in the barracks so you dont have to worry about an apartment. Youve got a place to sleep, and food and clothes, she said. So I thought Id go in and grow up a bit. Try it out. See what happened. Medic training was at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. And thats where the growing up went into warp speed. I went into medic school at the tail end of Vietnam. Of the 200 people that went through EMT training with me, virtually all of them except for the females and very few men went straight to Vietnam, she said. While I was there, I was working with some of the guys who came back. It was not fun. "And I can tell you, I still cannot walk down the (Vietnam Memorial) wall in D.C., and that was a long time ago. Some of the guys I went through school with, didnt come back. Smith said the experience gave her a respect for life and the fact that you can have your circumstances change very quickly. I dont take anything for granted. I am grateful every single day for what I have. Smith was assigned to Redstone Arsenal in southern Alabama, and she spent time in Germany, where she drove an ambulance and did the normal ambulance driver EMT stuff car accidents, anything and everything. She met her husband, Dennis, in Denver. They were both assigned to an interagency school at Loughary Air Force Base, which no longer exists. Dennis was in the Army, as was Pattie, who had decided to change branches. When it was time for me to re-enlist, there was an abundance of medics, it was at the tail end of Vietnam and they were all coming back, she said. So getting promoted was a longshot. You could cross services back then, so I did a very short amount of time in the Army. That way, I could get into a different field and the chances of getting promoted if I stayed in were better and it was more money. When I went to sign into the detachment there, Dennis was the one who signed me in. They hit it off and their courtship sped along. When Smith was called to Redstone Arsenal, she decided she was going to give Dennis two weeks to call her before making any decisions about the relationship. I walk in (at Fort Rucker) and tell the first sergeant who I was, and he looked at me and said, Oh, youre the one, these are yours, because Dennis had a dozen roses waiting on the first sergeants desk when I got there, Smith remembered. Eventually, they were married. At that point in time, the military didnt make that big of an effort to keep couples together. Theyll tell you, yeah, you can get married, well try to get you within 500 miles of each other, she said. And we just didnt want to do that. Plus, Dennis outranked me, so he made more money than I did. So we opted for me to get out. Smith said Dennis vocation was a catch-all, a 71 Lima providing administrative services to officials, running a post office, writing training manuals, recruiting new enlistees to the Army and entering a wide variety of other occupational adventures. Protocols had yet to evolve much in the way of accommodating women in the military, Smith said. One of my first sergeants, when I signed in, he looked at me and said, Youre the first woman Ive ever had here, and if I had my way, you would not be here, she remembered. So I literally had to do everything everybody else did, but do it better. Experiencing military life was completely different for a woman. You could put on your uniform and if you were flying from one place to another, people would think you were a stewardess. It was quite different. Smith said she has no regrets about leaving the military, although she does wonder what would happen if shed stayed in, and how far she could have gotten. Still, the perks have been outstanding, she said. The military paid for my college degree, paid for Dennis degree, and his retirement pay pretty much allows us to live the way we want, she said. We have Tricare, we dont use the VA and we can go to any doctor we want here You make friends in a way that you dont make friends in a civilian world, she said. There are people weve known over the years, we could walk into their house now and it would be like wed never been apart. Its just a different kind of friendship. Smith said she wouldnt have changed the decision she made back in California after high school graduation. If youre young and silly and dont know what you want to do with your life, spending a little time growing up in the military is worth it, she said. New Delhi: Poor career growth and not 'bad bosses' is the top reason for employees' job switch, according to a survey. Bosses who focus more on work-life balance are preferred by employees, it said. The survey was conducted by Naukri.Com to understand the relationship between Indian employees and their managers, the job site said in a statement on Saturday. World Boss Day is celebrated on October 16. The job site said the survey was conducted with over 4,600 employees across the sectors and experience levels, wherein 37 per cent of the total respondents were professionals with over 12 years of work experience. The survey found that the opportunity to grow within an organisation is what makes professionals stay in their current organisations. The majority of respondents (41 per cent) mentioned poor career growth as the key reason for leaving their last organisations, followed by bad work culture and company policies (34 per cent). Interestingly, only 33 per cent mentioned that they left their last organisation due to bad bosses. Over 31 per cent of employees prefer managers who motivate them to perform better and give timely feedback. Indian managers usually follow one-way communication channels (from managers to subordinates), as mentioned by 36 per cent of employees who took the survey. A majority of employees prefer bosses who focus on maintaining a work-life balance. As per the employee survey, male leaders are considered to be adaptive in nature when employees were asked to vote for them on various attributes. "Apart from this, being approachable and open-minded are the other key traits that make males ideal bosses," said the job site. In this context, when it enquired about what attributes make female employees good bosses, respondents said that they are better at promoting work-life balance and showing respectful behaviours to their subordinates. New Delhi: Lok Sabha member Karti Chidambaram has asked chartered accountants' apex body ICAI to review the financials of ed-tech firm Byju. In a letter to ICAI President Debashis Mitra, the Parliamentarian said there are various red flags in the company's financials for the 2020-21 period. On the expenses front, the letter said that 60 percent of the costs related to employees have been recognised as capital expenses rather than as operational costs. (Also Read: DHANTERAS 2022: Check out the QUALITY of GOLD in just a click, here's HOW) "If these costs were counted as a direct expense, instead of a capital expense Byju's total loss for FY2021 would have gone over Rs 5,000 crore. Such irregular accounting practices fail to give a clear picture of Byju's income, expenses, and losses," the letter, dated October 14, said. (Also Read: Want to make UPI payment but there's no internet? Follow THESE steps) Citing various media reports, the Lok Sabha member said the company is not in a sound state of financial health and urged the ICAI to review its financial statements in the interest of consumers and employees. The ICAI is the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. It seems like multiple foreign organisations are working to not only defame India but portray the country's image as medieval. They are probably not happy with India's rapid economic progress. Just days before Spain's news daily used a snake charmer's caricature to portray India's economic growth, a full-page ad has been published in Wall Street Journal against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his ministers and key officials. A photo of the page was shared on Twitter by Indian-American Asha Jadeja Motwani, an entrepreneur. "Full page ad war on Indias growth & progress. WSJ These are deep pocketed Hindu haters, pretending this is a war on Modi. Shame on Wall Street Journal for allowing such misinformation & lies. My guess ? CAIR & IAMC are drawing from the oil money pool that these groups use," she wrote in the tweet. However, Motwani did not share the date of publishing of this advertisement. This WSJ ad war is being led by a shadowy group called Frontiers of Freedomfounder is clearly working with known India basher Rana Ayyub . pic.twitter.com/5LmDY3Ldsp October 14, 2022 The WSJ advertisement names Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Antrix Corp Chairman Rakesh Sasibhushan, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Supreme Court Judges Hemant Gupta and V Ramasubramanian, Special PC Act Judge Chandra Shekhar, CBI DSP Ashish Pareek, Enforcement Directorate's Sanjay Kumar Mishra, ED Asst Director R Rajesh, Addl. Solicitor General N Venkataraman, and ED Dy Director A Sadiq Mohamed, in a connived manner. These officials have been investigating key cases that might affect the US-based lobbies' plan to derail India and thus they demanded the US government to levy sanctions against them as well. "These Modi Government officials have decimated the rule of law by weaponising the institutions of the state to settle scores with political and business rivals, making India unsafe for investors. We have asked the US government to impose economic and visa sanctions against them under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Under Modi, a decline in the rule of law has made India a dangerous place to invest. If you are an investor in India, you might be next," read the malafide ad titled 'Wanted Modi's Magnitsky 11'. Also Read: SBI Credit Card Holders ALERT! State Bank hikes charges on EMI transactions, Rent Payments from November 15 Another Twitter user Govindarajan V noted, "Shocked to see such an open hate on India. It is abundantly clear that efforts are on to undermine & block our progress. Its time for all of us including opposition parties to keep India first in their agenda & defeat such divisive forces. Siding with them is anti national." GM. Shocked to see such an open hate on India. It is abundantly clear that efforts are on to undermine & block our progress. Its time for all of us including opposition parties to keep India first in their agenda & defeat such divisive forces. Siding with them is anti national. Govindarajan.V (@GovindarajanV10) October 15, 2022 The ad alleged that these officials make India an unsafe place to invest. Petrol, Diesel Price Today, October 15, 2022: Crude oil futures saw a marginal decline as it dropped by 0.31 per cent to Rs 7,330 per barrel. The dip came after participants trimmed their positions on low demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for October delivery fell by Rs 23 or 0.31 per cent to Rs 7,330 per barrel. Globally, West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading 0.21 per cent higher at USD 89.30 per barrel, while Brent crude was up 0.03 per cent to USD 94.60 per barrel in New York. The oil marketing companies (OMCs) in India have updated their petrol, and diesel prices for today. While there were minor changes in petrol, diesel prices in some cities, other cities including Delhi and Mumbai saw no change in fuel prices. In the national capital Delhi, petrol costs Rs 96.72 per litre while Diesel costs Rs 89.62 per litre. In Mumbai, the prices are a bit higher compared to Delhi as petrol costs Rs 106.31 per litre and diesel Rs 94.27 per litre. Here is the price of petrol, diesel today, i.e. October 15, 2022 in your city: Patna: Petrol - Rs 107.46 per litre, Diesel - Rs 94.24 per litre Chandigarh: Petrol- Rs 96.20 per litre, Diesel- Rs 84.26 per litre Delhi: Petrol- Rs 96.72 per litre, Diesel- Rs 89.62 per litre Mumbai: Petrol- Rs 106.31 per litre, Diesel- Rs 94.27 per litre Noida: Petrol- Rs 96.92 per litre, Diesel- Rs 90.08 per litre Bengaluru: Petrol- Rs 101.94 per litre, Diesel- Rs 87.89 per litre Gurugram: Petrol- Rs 97.18 per litre, Diesel- Rs 90.05 per litre Chennai: Petrol- Rs 102.63 per litre, Diesel- Rs 94.24 per litre Kolkata: Petrol- Rs 106.03 per litre, Diesel- Rs 92.76 per litre Lucknow: Petrol- Rs 96.57 per litre, Diesel- Rs 89.76 per litre If your city is not on the list, you can still check petrol, and diesel prices by sitting at home. All you have to do is to send a message from your mobile to 9224992249 with your city code. City codes are available on Indian Oil's website. For instance, if your city is Trivandrum, you can send a message to 9224992249 by typing RSP 124923 and you will get the latest fuel price on your mobile. Check your city list at iocl.com/petrol-diesel-price. Suppose your city is Gandhinagar, then its code is RSP 218671. So, you will have to type 'RSP 218671' and send a text message to 9224992249. You will then receive a message with the latest/revised petrol, diesel prices of your city. Bhopal: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be on a day-long visit to Madhya Pradesh on Sunday during which he will launch the state government's ambitious project to impart medical education in Hindi. The senior BJP leader will also lay the foundation stone of a new airport terminal in Gwalior, according to official information. He will unveil Hindi medical textbooks at a programme at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground around 12 noon. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will preside over the program. Around 3.15 pm, Shah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the new terminal building and expansion at Gwalior's Vijayaraje Scindia Airport. He will later participate in a programme at Mela Ground. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will also be present. The union minister will also inaugurate a gallery on Maratha history at the Scindias' Jai Vilas Palace before leaving for Delhi around 7.15 pm, officials said. Also Read: 'Full page ad war' against PM Modi in Wall Street Journal: Twitteratis slam 'Hindu haters', 'divisive forces' Ballari: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the BJP-led regime in Karnataka as against the Scheduled castes and tribes and alleged that it is called a "40 per cent commission" government. The BJP government in Karnataka is "anti-SC and ST," and there is a 50 per cent rise in atrocities against these oppressed people, Rahul Gandhi said addressing the Bharat Jodo Yatra here. The BJP-led regime in the state is called a "40 per cent commission" government as any work could be done by paying it, he alleged. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi adressed a mega public meeting in Ballari in poll-bound Karnataka on Saturday to celebrate the Bharat Jodo Yatra reaching the 1,000-km milestone. The Congress party on Saturday slammed the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state and the ruling party's parent outfit the RSS and alleged that the nation is facing challenges from fascist forces. Also Read: 'Photo-op for votes': Congress slams Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, BJP over breakfast at Dalit's house Addressing the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Ballari, Congress leader Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the nation is facing challenges from "fascist" forces. Condemning what he called the "communal forces," Gehlot claimed that people are suffering due to unemployment and price rise. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah blamed the BJP and RSS for "disturbing peace" in the country by indulging in "communal" politics. Rahul Gandhi has been leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra since September 7, aiming to cover the distance of 3,500 km from Kanniyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir. The Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Karnataka on September 30 and will make a final exit on October 20 after covering 511 km in 21 days. The yatra is aimed at uniting India against the divisive forces. Srinagar: People's Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday condemned the killing of Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan Bhat in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian. The former J&K CM slammed the BJP government and said the central and LG government has failed to protect the lives of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley despite claiming tough actions against terror and the huge presence of forces. Mufti said, "those Kashmiri Pandits who stayed here during the peak of militancy are being targeted for no fault and BJP instead of stopping these killings are only busy in taking advantage of the killings of Pandits as well as of forces personnel during elections in rest of the country". Mehbooba Mufti while taking a dig at Home Minister Amit Shah said, 'During his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Shah couldn't spare few minutes to meet the protesting Kashmiri Pandits and assure them of security. Mufti appealed to the religious leaders of Kashmir to come forward and urge people to live together in communal harmony and stop such barbaric attacks on the minority community. Also Read: Terror outfit Kashmir Freedom Fighters takes responsibility for killing Kashmiri Pandit in J&K's Shopian Terrorists shot dead a Kashmiri Pandit at Choudary Gund village of Shopian district in South Kashmir. He has been identified as Pooran Krishan Bhat son of Tarak Nath Bhat of Choudry Gund. Terrorists shot Bhat outside of his house. The attack has been condemned by many other mainstream politicians and religious leaders including the Grand Mufti of Kashmir. He said "the Killing of a Kashmiri pandit in the Chowdari Gund area in South Kashmirs Shopian district is deplorable and condemnable. "Such acts cannot be accepted and will disturb the peace and harmony of Kashmir. The innocent killing of any human is killing all humanity. I stand behind the family of the deceased and express my sympathy with them." said Mufti Nasir Ul Islam, Grand Mufti. Also Read: J&K: IED detected in close proximity of Bandipora-Sopore road destroyed Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished. Tweeted LG Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha. Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished. October 15, 2022 It's the third such incident in the Shopian area this year where a Kashmiri pandit was targeted and in total 22 civilians got killed in Kashmir these years, out of them 3 are Kashmiri pandit and 2 Hindu and 1 Sikh lady. Since Rahul Bhat's killing, Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir, especially the working class who are government employees appointed in the Prime Minister's employment package are on protest to shift them outside Kashmir, but their demand is not met till now. Today the Kashmiri pandits again raised a red flag about their security. They raised questions about their security as the place where Puran Krishan was shot by terrorists is just 200 m away from an army camp and 50 meters away from the police guarding post. DIG South Kashmir Range Sujit Kumar said We are investigating the matter and have launched a massive manhunt to nab the attacker terrorists. As per an eye witness, one terrorist was seen attacking the Kashmiri Pandit Pooran Kishan Bhat but there is a possibility that there could be some more terrorists involved in the attack While being asked about the security lapse, DIG admitted despite the security guard in place and the nearby army camp terrorists managed to attack in broad daylight and said they will look at all the angles and act if any dereliction of duty was found. Meanwhile, a terror outfit Kashmiri freedom fighter, a shadow outfit of TRF claimed the responsibility for the Killing of Kashmiri Pandit Puran Krishan in Shopian South Kashmir and warned of more such attacks in the coming time. Police sources said they are verifying the terrorist claim. New Delhi: Days after BJP leader Gurtaj Singh Bhullars wife in Uttarakhands Udham Singh Nagar was shot dead by the UP Police team at his residence, Bhullar on Saturday, October 15, 2022, called for a CBI probe into the matter. He also alleged that the police officials, who killed his wife, were drunk, were wearing plain clothes and had no search warrant. He also said that the vehicle he was in had no registration plates. Bhullar said that the Police team is spreading propaganda that they were kept hostage at our residence. According to UP police, the wife of BJP leader Gurtaj Singh was killed in a cross-fire between the police team and Jaffar, the man who was wanted in illegal sand mining. Although, Bhullar alleges that UP police is fabricating a narrative to justify his wifes murder. U'khand | I want justice. I appeal to govt for a CBI probe.BJP govt is there in both states. If I'm at fault then I should be punished but a fair probe should be done: G Singh, whose wife was shot dead during a raid two days ago by a UP Police team in Bharatpur, Udham Singh Nagar pic.twitter.com/rlCmCAOb7O ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 15, 2022 Nilesh Anand Bharne, the DIG of Kumaon, had previously stated that the UP personnel had not informed the local police and were not in uniform. Furthermore, a forensic department officer who investigated the location stated that there was no indication of cross-firing as claimed by UP Police. Appealing for justice, Bhullar said that both states has BJP government and said if I'm at fault then I should be punished but a fair probe should be done. Expressing his grief, he said, I'm also a public representative of the government, yet all this happened to me Initial angle of the case The clash on Wednesday night took place at Bharatpur village near Kashipur in Uttarakhands Udham Singh Nagar district. The policemen had come from adjacent Moradabad district looking for Jafar, alleged to be a member of a mining mafia. Acting on a tip-off, a team of Thakurdwara police station in Moradabad reached Bharatpur to raid the house of BJP leader and Jaspur senior block pramukh Gurtaj Bhullar in search of Jafar, the UP Police said. When they reached Bhullars house, an argument broke out. Both sides allegedly resorted to firing in which Bhullars wife Gurpreet, who was returning home from work, was killed. Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manjunath TC said the UP Police team did not inform their Uttarakhand counterparts about the action in advance. Following the incident, angry villagers blocked the highway in protest. Kashipur MLA Trilok Singh Cheema, Gadarpur MLA Arvind Pandey and former MP Balraj Passi joined the protesters. New Delhi: Enforcement Directorate official said on Saturday that the daughter of arrested Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal in the cattle scam has been summoned to appear before it in New Delhi to answer questions about the source of the vast wealth she has amassed in recent years. Sukanya Mondal, a primary school teacher in Birbhum district, has been summoned to appear at the ED office in New Delhi on October 27, he said. The quotation "is basically to get answers from her regarding the huge wealth she amassed in a very short time. We are interested in her source of income," an ED official told PTI. Sukanya Mondal's phone calls went unanswered. She had avoided meeting with a team of CBI officers who had visited her Bolpur home in August as part of their investigation into the cattle smuggling scam. The central agency suspected that Sukanya's bank accounts were used for financial transactions in the cattle scam. In August, the CBI arrested Anubrata Mondal, a highly influential TMC leader, in connection with their investigation into the scam. Also Read: BIG evidence in West Bengal teacher's recruitment scam: ED seizes CD, letter mentioning Mamata Banerjee (With agencies' inputs) Kochi: Kerala police on Saturday suspended one of its sub-inspectors for physically assaulting a local leader of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) at Kothamangalam police station in the Ernakulam district of the state earlier in the day. Deputy Inspector General Neeraj Kumar Gupta took action hours after a video of the sub-inspector assaulting the SFI leader went viral and was aired on all TV channels. The DIG in his order said according to a report received from the District Police Chief of Ernakulam Rural, prima facie it is revealed that the sub-inspector (SI) -- Mahin Salim -- "while working in the Kothamangalam police station had committed grave misconduct, indiscipline, misuse of official powers and gross violation of directions of the state government and State Police Chief" by physically assaulting the SFI leader. The order further said that the allegations against the SI "tarnished the reputation of the police among the public" and therefore, it warranted stringent departmental action."As such, Mahin Salim SI is placed under suspension with immediate effect," it said. Besides that, a detailed oral enquiry was also ordered against the officer for "his alleged delinquencies" and the Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Crime Records Bureau, Ernakulam would be the enquiry officer, the order said. The enquiry officer has to submit his report within three months, it added. The SFI leader Roshan later told a TV channel that he and his friends went to the station to find out why one of them was taken into custody by the police. Also Read; Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khans FB account hacked The Madison County School Board has removed or placed in review, numerous books that they deem as sexual/pornography in nature to include explicit pictures, descriptions and vulgar wording. I agree with the boards initial decision not to ban the books, but to let the parent/guardian decide as this board needed to do something short term as this is a compromise. Their action supports parents with concerns for such graphic sexual material and other parents that want the freedom of access. Students need written permission to give to the high school librarian. Some statements from the boards September public meeting and recent workshop said these books go way beyond that. They claim these books are pure pornography which Websters dictionary is the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement. Several board members at the meeting and workshop had comments on what they had read, to include one eluding these books are more than Triple XXX. I have begun reviewing some of the literature (if you call it that) and I am literally shocked at what I have read. Now I am open minded and all for keeping books that have some strong language, however, so far, all these are extremely sexually graphic in nature with gang rapes, a father describing his fetishes for his daughter and what he will do and does, then afterwards, rapes her. Oral sex with a girl crying as a young boy watched, drugs and gang rapes, all with graphic details of copulation, same sex or not. I will keep reviewing more books on the list. Personally, there is no doubt to me, that our school board absolutely made the right decision as an interim to isolate these books after what I have read. I still cannot believe that filth like this is even available in our library, and I hope that the other books I will read are not at the same level. There are still many questions that need to be answered to include a formal written policy, how books are procured and how the titles/authors selected, handling of the current books, how will library books be reviewed in the future and by whom, the process for getting a list of current restricted books, and so forth. This is a totally separate policy than the Virginia Mandated instructional materials policy for material with sexually explicated content. We all need to understand that. Our school board has a short window to get their Mandated policy written and I understand that takes priority, but we need to try to dual track the school library policy as much as we can. I encourage all parents to contact the board and ask for the titles and any other information they may have. Lisa Davis, Locust Dale Jodhpur: Two batches of Hindus from Pakistan's Sindh province reached here this week, alleging persecution and discrimination in relief work following flash floods in that country. The migrants, who belong to the Bhil community and came from Sindh's Tando Allahyar district, expressed willingness to settle in India and said they don't want to go back. Chaturaram Bhil, who came here with his wife and eight children, said the two batches had around 100 people from his community. Both groups came to India through the Attari-Wagah checkpost. While the first group crossed over to India on October 12, the other came on October 14, Bhil said. He said they first reached Haridwar and from there they travelled to Jodhpur. Some of them stayed in Jodhpur to settle here while others left for Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, he said. Bhil said the flash floods in their area made their lives miserable as they faced increased discrimination in relief work. "We neither have any job to sustain our family nor enough money to buy food. Houses of several of us were washed away in floods. We hardly have any place to live," he said. Vishnu, another member of the group that reached here on Friday night, said, "The discrimination that we faced till now turned out to be unbearable in flood times. The bias made life very difficult there. We had no alternative other than leaving Pakistan." He said none of them has the intention of going back and they will settle here and find some work. Seemant Lok Sangthan chief Hindu Singh Sodha said the migrants had no other option in the wake of persecution and discrimination faced by them in their country. They consider India as their natural home, he said. "They come on a pilgrim visa to Haridwar, where their arrival was reported by the agencies and then they headed to their final destination. They don't have visa to settle here," Singh said, adding that some of the families have left for Jaisalmer. Meanwhile, the police authorities sent teams to check documents of the migrants. "We will do whatever is lawful. If they do not want to go back, they will be asked to carry out the formalities to stay here," said ASP (CID) Rameshwar Lal Meghwal. With the slogans of `Jai Hatti, Jai Matti` reverberating in the air, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was on Saturday accorded a warm welcome at a thanksgiving function held here by locals in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh for extending the Scheduled Tribe status to 1.60 lakh people belonging to the Hatti community after 55 years of their struggle. With the just weeks away for the November 12 Assembly election, Shah was the first Union minister who attended the political function after the announcement of the polls by the Election Commission of India on Friday. Donning traditional dresses and dancing to the tunes of folk songs, the locals, largely women, extended a warm welcome to Shah and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, among others, on their arrival in Sataun in the Shillai Assembly segment, the seat represented by Congress member Harshwardhan Chauhan five times. In 2017 he defeated the BJP`s sitting legislator Baldev Tomar. Addressing an impressing meeting, Shah it was the Modi government who took note of the long-pending demand of the inhabitants of the trans-Giri region to get a tribal status. "Time and again Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had been apprising me about your demand that the Congress had put on backburner and did injustice with you for decades," Shah said. "It was only Modi-ji who understood their pain and decided to extend the tribal status to the Hattis on the pattern of their community settled in adjoining hills of Uttarakhand," he said, adding: "The Congress work is to create quarrels between people and to ignite fire but PM Modi works for development". Donning a Himachali multicoloured cap, the Union Home Minister said the people have seen and understood the benefits of the double-engine government. Clearing indicating that with a generational shift in the state leadership in 2017 the decades of politics over donning headgear that reflects the ideology and loyalties has literally been given a farewell, Shah said" "Gone are the days when the people don a green or maroon flap cap. Now the green cap also belongs to the BJP like the maroon cap." The concepts of "green" and "maroon" caps stem from upper and lower areas of the state. The green symbolises descendants of upper Himachal, while the maroon represents lower Himachal. "Now the BJP is in upper Himachal and in lower Himachal too," Shah said, while appealing the Hattis to consolidate the party`s position in Sirmaur by giving mandate to its candidates on all five seats. He also assured the Scheduled Castes that their status and rights would not be compromised with the garbting of the Scheduled Tribe status to the Hatti community. Political observers say the Hatti community has dominance in four Assembly segments in Sirmaur, one of the country`s most backward districts. Of the five seats, the BJP has three legislators in Pacchad, Nahan and Paonta Sahib, while the Congress represents Shillai and Renuka Assembly segments. Nearly 50 per cent of the population in Sirmaur comprises Hatti community members. During the speech, Shah said extending the Scheduled Tribe status would benefit 1.60 lakh people settled in 389 gram panchayats. Exuding confidence that the ruling BJP in Himachal will once again form the government with a two-third majority, Shah said Himachal is heading for arivaj badlega` (electoral traditions will change). "There is going to be a new tradition in Himachal Pradesh by giving consecutive term. It is not a new thing, in Uttarakhand on that side of the hill, Congressmen used to say, it is a tradition, now it is our turn. But no traditions followed there. The BJP government was formed with a two-third majority." Taking a veiled swipe at the Congress for promoting dynastic politics, Shah said people who "sell dreams" will never win in Himachal. Who are the Hattis? The Hattis are mainly concentrated in the 144 panchayats dotting the trans-Giri area (Giripar), which is part of the Shimla (reserved) parliamentary seat, and they were fighting for the special category status on the lines of the residents of Jaunsar-Bawar area in Uttarakhand, who were granted the status way back in 1967. Previously, trans-Giri and Jaunsar-Bawar areas were part of the erstwhile Sirmaur princely state. Despite the Jaunsar-Bawar area separated from the princely state in 1815, marriages between the two clans are still sharing cultural similarities. Sirmaur Hatti Vikas Manch chief adviser Ramesh Singta told IANS the demand was pending for the 55 years. Granting the Scheduled Tribe status would help bringing the people into the mainstream, he believes. It is the Tons river that separates the Hatti community from others in the state. The locals still follow age-old traditions like animal sacrifice and unique fairs and festivals like Budhi Diwali, the festival of lights that is celebrated almost a month later the country celebrated. The area is one of the country`s prominent ginger belts that account for 55 per cent of state`s total plantation, mainly in Paonta Sahib and Sangrah tehsils. Leaving aside the demand for a Scheduled Tribe status, local farmers have also been demanding that ginger powder they are producing must get protection through GI (geographical indications) tag like turmeric. Hatti Farmers Union convener Kundan Singh told IANS the ginger powder of the Bella Valley in Shillai subdivision requires GI tag as it has a huge market due to its special extraction technique that has been traditionally preserved for centuries. New Delhi: A Kashmiri Pandit was shot dead in Choudhry Gund area in South Kashmirs Shopian district on Saturday, officials said here. A police officer said that he was fired upon by terrorists when he was on the lawn of his residential house. He said that soon after, the injured, identified as Puran Krishan Bhat son of Puran Krishan Bhat of Choudry Gund was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition. However, he succumbed to his injuries. The official added that area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. #Terrorists fired upon a #civilian (minority) Shri Puran Krishan Bhat while he was on way to orchard in Chowdari Gund #Shopian. He was immidiately shifted to hospital for treatment where he #succumbed. Area cordoned off. Search in progress.@JmuKmrPolice Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) October 15, 2022 The Kashmir Zonal Police tweeted about the incident as well. It wrote, "#Terrorists fired upon a #civilian (minority) Shri Puran Krishan Bhat while he was on way to orchard in Chowdari Gund #Shopian. He was immidiately shifted to hospital for treatment where he #succumbed. Area cordoned off. Search in progress." Pathanamthitta: A woman from Pathanamthitta, a district in Kerala, has been arrested for allegedly practising occult rituals using children. This came days after the horrific case of 'human sacrifices in the same district. The woman identified as Shobhana alias Vasanti was allegedly performing occult rituals in which children were forced to take part and a video of the same had gone viral on the internet. Post this, locals protested against her. The accused woman along with her friend identified as Unnikrishnan were taken into custody by police. Meanwhile, a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed by the Kerala Police to conduct a detailed probe into the suspected `human sacrifice` of two women in the Pathanamthitta district. SIT formed to probe 'human sacrifice' case in Kerala The team will be headed by S Sasidharan, Deputy Commissioner (Law and Order), Kochi City and Perumbavoor ACP Anooj Paliwal as the chief investigating officer. The three accused, the husband-wife couple Bhagaval Singh and Laila and Muhammed Shafi were arrested on Tuesday. Also Read: 'Kerala human sacrifice case accused possibly ATE victims body parts, says Kochi police Remains of the two deceased women-identified as Padma and Roslin- were exhumed on October 11 from pits near the residence of Singh and Laila at Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta district. According to a police remand report filed before a court that the shocking "human sacrifices" were suspected to have been committed as part of a ritual to obtain financial benefits. Accused made fake promises to lure victims The accused allegedly lured the victims with the promise of money and allegedly chopped up the bodies of the victims before burying them, police said. On September 26, Shafi approached the 52-year-old Padma, who used to sell lottery tickets at Kochi and lured her by offering Rs 15,000 for sex work, the police remand report read. Kerala Human Sacrifice Case | Police will dig more into the premises of couple-accused Bhagaval Singh and Laila's house from tomorrow at Elanthoor in Pathanamthitta district to find out whether there are any more bodies: CH Nagaraju, Kochi City Police Commissioner (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/2Pyf6bKBLb ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2022 "Then she agreed and went with Shafi to the home of Bhagaval Singh and Laila in the Pathanamthitta district. There, the accused strangled her with a plastic cord around her neck to make her unconscious. After that, Shafi mutilated Padma`s private parts using a knife and slit her throat. After that, they chopped her into 56 pieces and put the mutilated body parts into buckets and buried them in a pit," the report detailed. Police said that it is investigating the possibility of cannibalism that the accused possibly ate the flesh of the victims. Kochi Police Commissioner CH Nagraju addressing a press conference told reporters that Shafi, the main accused, was a pervert and has a criminal past. (With ANI inputs) Bengaluru: As many as 2,070 cattle have died due to the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Karnataka, while about 19,000 are affected, the state government said on Friday. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has ordered releasing Rs 13 crore for the treatment and vaccination of cattle suffering from this viral disease and also to provide relief to those who lost their cattle due to it. He instructed officials to intensify the vaccination drive, especially in Haveri and Kolar districts where the prevalence is high, a government statement said. "This disease has been noticed in 4,380 villages of 160 taluks in 28 districts. Of the total 45,645 cattle afflicted by this disease, 26,135 have recovered and 2,070 have died," the statement said. It added that Rs 2 crore had already been released as compensation for those who lost cattle. "An additional Rs five crore will be released towards the treatment of diseased cattle and Rs eight crore for vaccinating them," the statement said. Also Read: Lumpy skin disease: Can the virus be transferable to humans? Is milk safe to drink? The Chief Minister was quoted as saying that as many as 6.57 lakh cattle have been vaccinated. As per guidelines of the Government of India, even healthy cattle within a five km range where this disease has been noticed must be vaccinated. "The vaccination must be done on priority in the chronically affected districts," the Chief Minister said and directed officials to immediately obtain 15 lakh doses of vaccine from companies approved by the Government of India. The Chief Minister noted that lumpy disease does not spread to people by drinking milk from ailing cows, and awareness in this regard must be created on a big scale. Steps must be taken to check this disease in badly-hit districts such as Haveri and Kolar; preventive steps should be taken so that it does not spread to other districts. The vaccination drive must be intensified, he said. LSD is a contagious viral disease that affects cattle and causes fever, and nodules on the skin and can also lead to death. The disease gets spread by mosquitoes, flies, lice, and wasps by direct contact among the cattle, and through contaminated food and water. MHT CET 2022: The State CET Cell, Maharashtra will release the first seat allotment for MH CET law 5-year LLB today, October 15, 2022. Candidates can check their allotment status online on the counselling portal - llb5cap22.mahacet.org. Colleges will also upload the admitted candidates name on their portal from October 15 to October 19, 2022. Candidates included in the MH CET law final merit list released on thursday will be considered for the allotment. Selected candidates will have to complete the admission process by reporting to the allotted law college. The last date to report to the allotted law college is October 19, 2022. MHT CET Counselling 2022: Steps to check allotment Step 1 - Visit the official website - llb5cap22.mahacet.org. Step 2 - Login using application ID Step 3 -Find your name and roll number to know your rank Candidates who were unable in getting into their top-choice college will have the chance to take part in the MH CET law 2022 counselling session. On October 20, 2022, the second round of counselling will start. With the Gujarat Assembly elections fast approaching, the AAP`s campaign led by the party`s senior leadership is getting more focus against the ruling BJP in the state. Now the election seems to be a straight fight between the BJP and AAP, with the Congress seeming to be a reluctant entrant. AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has claimed that his party is on track to win the election by a big margin. Meanwhile, senior AAP leaders have also repeatedly said that the 2024 general election will also be a battle between the two parties. "I want to say that the 2024 general election will be BJP versus AAP. The election will be held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kejriwal," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said during a press briefing on the ongoing probe into the Delhi Excise Policy. Sisodia also claimed that the Excise Policy was not the BJP`s main concern, but Kejriwal`s "rising stature". "He is evolving into a leader who works for the public across the country and this has become their (BJP) headache. After the Punjab Assembly polls, Kejriwal has come out as a national alternative and their main concern now is to stop him." The AAP focuses on two main fronts -- ideological values and policy promises. The party`s ideological strength lies in the soft nationalism in the guise of a campaign launched to `Make the Country No. 1` along with some taglines like `Kattar Deshbhakti, Imandaari, Insaniyat`. The AAP says that it will not compromise on the issue of nationalism. During the Budget session of the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal had said that India will always be his top priority and that he will work till his last breath towards making the country better. Kejriwal had said that he is often asked about his party`s ideology by the opposition and many others. "Three pillars make up the AAP ideology -- staunch nationalism, hardcore honesty and humanity," he added. On the second aspect of its policies, the AAP`s national pitch can be seen in its four-point formula -- free and quality education; world-class health infrastructure; employment for every hand; and finally the issues of farming and farmers. However, one important aspect which should not be ignored about Kejriwal is that he does not belong to any political school, instead he is a by-product of Indian politics coming from a bureaucratic background. In such a situation, he may find it difficult to ally with other parties. Coming from a bureaucratic background, Kejriwal is not in the habit of accepting criticism. With the divided opposition camp and the egos of the regional leaders, the combined unity against the Modi-led Central government is itself questionable in 2024. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, with whom only Kejriwal shares good relations possibly in the opposition, is striving hard to project herself as a potential opposition candidate against the Prime Minister. The list can be endless with the names like NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Telanagana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, among others. The opposition unity stood fragmented when a meeting was convened by Mamata Banerjee to build consensus on fielding a joint candidate. The leaders of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, NCP, DMK, RJD and the Left parties attended the meeting, while the AAP, Telangana Rashtra Samithi, now called Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Odisha`s ruling BJD had skipped it. With a divided opposition, the road ahead does not seem rosy for anyone as the egos of regional leaders can prove to be a stumbling block. Additionally, Kejriwal, for not being a member of any political ecosystem yet, may find it tough to join any fragments in 2024. Even, the party is not sure of its political future this time which will largely be dependent on the Gujarat election. Kejriwal`s emergence as a consensus candidate is not even a near possibility, and with the same degree of possibility, he will not join any pre-poll alliance. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid his heartful tributes to the missile man of India, former president APJ Abdul Kalam. "He is greatly admired for his contribution to our nation as a scientist and as a President who struck a chord with every section of society," Modi tweeted along with a video tribute on Kalam's 91st birth anniversary. Tributes to our former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He is greatly admired for his contribution to our nation as a scientist and as a President who struck a chord with every section of society. pic.twitter.com/vPwICWxA3u Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2022 One of India's leading scientists, Kalam wrote some bestselling books and was widely popular, especially among the younger generation, for his efforts to mentor them and hold frequent interactions with them across the country. He was India's president between 2002-07 and was considered a statesman. He was also called the "People's President" as the demands of the highest office did not dim his zeal to meet with people, especially, students, a habit he maintained after his tenure was over. 15 October marks the former Indian president Dr APJ Adbul Kalam's birth anniversary. The UN has not, however, formally declared October 15 as World Students' Day but the world has been celebrating this day since 2010. His love for science made him the 'Missile Man of India' and his kindness was admired by all and was also referred to as the 'People's President. Today, on October 15th, India is celebrating Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary. He passed away in the year 2015 from a heart attack while giving a lecture at IIM Shillong- something he loved doing, teaching. Seven years after his passing, Kalam's contributions to the country's scientific growth are still recognised. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Society in Delhi today. All the members of the CSIR Society have been invited to the meeting. Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal and Jitendra Singh will be present in the meeting. The CSIR is a Society under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology and the Prime Minister is the Society`s President. The CSIR Society comprises eminent scientists, industrialists, and senior officials of scientific ministries. The Society meets annually to review CSIR activities and deliberate on its future programmes. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, CSIR`s research efforts are now mainly focused on green energy technologies, STI (science, technology and innovation) interventions to generate employment and raise income levels in rural India. The Ministry statement said strengthening self-reliance across industrial sectors, facilitating infrastructure developments, and developing critical science and technology human resources are also the mandate of CSIR. The research and development conglomerate is adopting Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning platforms for its scientific pursuits. CSIR has strengthened its engagement with the industry, leading to increased industry partnership and collaboration in CSIR-funded projects. In addition to the PPP model, being practised in Energy Theme, few CSIR labs have facilitated sustainable start-ups to promote CSIR technologies pertinent to agri-bio-nutritech, speciality chemicals, aerospace and healthcare themes, said the Science and Technology Ministry statement. New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday asserted that his is an unprecedented case in which a criminal or an accused is pleading for punishment while the constitutional authorities that should have pronounced judgment are silent. Soren was referring to the threats of his disqualification as an MLA on the basis of the purported Election Commission advisory to Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais on August 25 in an office-of-profit case following a petition by the BJP. However, the Governor is maintaining silence on the issue. "Have you ever heard of any example in the country in which a criminal or an accused is pleading for punishment or to know about the quantum of punishment? I have been appealing to His Excellency (the governor) with folded hands to announce the verdict, whatever be the punishment, the Chief Minister told in a press conference here. He slammed the BJP-led central government, accusing it of abusing agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and constitutional authorities to cause havoc in states ruled by non-BJP parties. "Who is responsible for this? If any criminal is holding a constitutional post and is repeatedly trying to know his crime, his punishment. Make it clear (to him). We have not seen such instances in India's history. Our representatives met him (Governor), I met the Governor. We even applied through RTI to know the details," Soren whose JMM-led coalition government will be completing three years in December said. Also Read: Gopal Italia's new video surfaces abusing PM Modi's mother; BJP calls AAP Gujarat chief 'gutter mouth' He claimed that he felt 'penalised' and victimised' in absence of transparency. The prevalent situation is no less than punishment to me. I have been saying that if I committed a crime, how I am allowed to hold a constitutional post," he said. Lashing out at the saffron party, the JMM leader said its leaders talk about ethics and morality but fail to follow the same. "Our rivals talk of morality and ethics. What kind of ethics is this? This can be explained only by them. Who is answerable for this - the Governor, the Election Commission, or those who are backing them? I am unaware of the verdict but it seems our opponents know everything,? Hemant Soren states. As far as the question of political instability (in Jharkhand) is concerned, I feel that there is no such instability. Everything is normal...This is an artificial tornado: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren (1/3) pic.twitter.com/98r8ITjPlZ ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2022 (With agencies' Inputs) Parents and at least one teacher say they see a discrepancy between Albemarle County Public Schools public defense of transgender and nonbinary students and private criticism of teachers who openly support LGBTQ young people. The criticisms, made at a school board meeting Thursday, come a week after county schools issued a press release opposing Governor Glenn Youngkins 2022 model policies. Youngkins new guidance would require students to use school programs and facilities that correspond to their biological sex. Parents would have to give teachers and staff permission to call students by a different name or pronoun. The new guidance may require school staff to report students who share their gender or sexuality at school to their parents, effectively outing them. Mary Miller, a student teacher at Greer Elementary School, said she was asked not to wear a t-shirt reading protect trans kids over a flag with pale pink, baby blue and white flag, the colors of transgender pride. Less than two hours after arriving at Greer, the assistant principal pulled me into her office. Evidently, a Greer staff member had complained about my shirt, Miller said. Miller said that the assistant principal, Wendy Eckerle, then told Miller that her shirt espoused a non-neutral political viewpoint, violating the county schools code of conduct. According to Miller, Greers principal Stephen Saunders backed Eckerles decision. I am a queer woman, with a trans and nonbinary partner, Miller said. I had chosen not to be open with my students at Greer about my family despite observing straight teachers at Greer share about their spouses and families, despite the fact that I was asking second grade students to share about their families with me. After being told she couldnt wear her t-shirt, Miller decided not to hide any longer. Still, she said, Saunders told her to talk about her family only in general terms and not to initiate the conversation. Trans and gender-expansive students need, like all kids, to be valued and safe at school. As a particularly vulnerable group, they need to know that their teachers support them, not just as kids, but as trans kids, Miller said. The school board is not neutral when it comes to protecting trans kids, for good reason. Supporting trans youth is often, tragically, a matter of life or death, Miller said. Criticizing teachers for wearing clothing that expresses open support for trans students is at odds with the boards public statement. It is unfortunate that this years proposed policies were not research-based and are without the input of school divisions and the population most directly and severely affected. We regret that it ignores the experience of divisions that have enacted policies to protect the well-being and the lives of all students, the boards public statement reads. The student teacher was reprimanded despite the fact that the school boards statement used language similar to her t-shirt. The statement refers to, our existing policy to protect transgender and gender-expansive students. Even parents were upset that teachers felt they could not be open with their views. Caring for kids is literally the bare minimum that teachers and school staff commit to when entering the profession, said Sarah Miller, an Albemarle County Public Schools parent. The policy says that school time should not be used for political purposes, said Bekah Saxon, a director of the Albemarle Education Association, a local teachers union. Supporting trans students is not political. Saxon said the association has received multiple calls and emails from teachers who say they feel they cannot freely support their support for LGBTQ students. The Albemarle Education Association first signaled its frustration with the divisions press release on Monday. Its frustrating to read Albemarle Co.'s vigorous statement of commitment to protect transgender and gender-expansive students, when we are told by educators that some administrators are restricting them from expressing support for those students. They cant have it both ways, the association tweeted. New Delhi: The Supreme Court stayed the release of ex-DU professor GN Saibaba, and others from jail as reported by PTI. This order came after the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba in the Maoist-links case. The top court also rejected the ex-DU professor's plea to put him under house arrest due to his disability, and health conditions. The SC's order has Earlier on Friday, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba and ordered his immediate release from jail. A division bench of justices Rohit Deo and Anil Pansare also allowed an appeal filed by Saibaba challenging a 2017 trial court order convicting him and sentencing him to life imprisonment. Saibaba, who is wheelchair-bound, is currently lodged at the Nagpur central prison. In a special hearing today, Supreme Court suspends the October 14 order of the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court which discharged former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba and others in an alleged Maoist links case. pic.twitter.com/qGUJExNPuv October 15, 2022 "We had faith that he would be acquitted because he did not do anything wrong. There was no crime and no evidence. I am thankful to the judiciary and all those who supported us," Vasantha Kumari told PTI over the phone. The couple's daughter is currently pursuing MPhil from Jamia Millia Islamia. Asked how they coped with his absence in the last eight years, Vasantha Kumari said, "Don't ask! There was a lot of struggle and patience involved in the last eight years. It was difficult for Sai also since his health deteriorated and he lost his job." In March 2017, a sessions court in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district convicted Saibaba and other people, including a journalist and a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student, for alleged Maoist links and for indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country. The court had held Saibaba and the others guilty under various provisions of the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Saibaba, 52, who is wheelchair-bound due to a physical disability, is currently lodged in the Nagpur central prison. He was arrested in February 2014. (With agency inputs) Making a big claim, RJD MLA from Bihar's Kishanganj, Izhar Asfi, on Saturday said tha Tejashwi Yadav is all set to become the chief minister of Bihar. "The people of Bihar want it and I think most of the leaders of the state are ready for it but there are some formalities, maybe it will take a month or two," Asfi said while speaking to news agency ANI. "Tejashwi Yadav will indeed become the Chief Minister of Bihar," the RJD MLA said. This is not the first time Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders have made such claims. RJD state president Jagadanand Singh had on September 29 said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will go to the Centre and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav will become the chief minister in 2023. The RJD leader said that the nation is waiting for Nitish Kumar while Bihar is waiting for Tejashwi to become the CM. Jagadanand Singh, who is said to be very close to former CM Lalu Prasad, said. "Whatever Nitish Kumar had announced, I believe that he will fight for the country after the end of 2022 and will hand over the future of Bihar to Tejashwi Yadav in 2023." Jagadanand Singh's statement is expected to invite strong political reactions. With Nitish Kumar moving to a larger national role ahead of the 2024 polls, the RJD sees the handover of Bihar chief ministership to Tejashwi more as a question of when rather than if. Shopian (J&K): Hours after a civilian was shot dead in Shopian district on Saturday, terror outfit Kashmir Freedom Fighters has claimed responsibility for the killing, said Jammu and Kashmir Police. Puran Krishan Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit, succumbed to his injuries after terrorists opened fire at Chowdari Gund in Shopian on Saturday. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sujit Kumar said, "A Kashmiri Pandit Puran Ji has been murdered. We are working on the case. KFF (Kashmir Freedom Fighters) has claimed the responsibility for it. We won`t say anything for sure about it, yet. A guard was present here." As per the eyewitnesses only one person who had targeted him and was in front of him. "In the initial investigation, eyewitnesses say that there was only one person who had targetted him and was in front of him. Nobody has spotted anyone else who might be hiding. Things will be clear, give us some time," said Kumar. Also Read: J&K: IED detected in close proximity of Bandipora-Sopore road destroyed DIG Kumar further said, "We are ascertaining the reason, he had gone out on his scooter and had returned on it. He wasn`t alone, they were 2 people. If the incident occurred in presence of the guard who was deployed here, action will cover not only him but all concerned officers in the area." J&K | A Kashmiri Pandit Puran ji has been murdered. We are working on it (the case). KFF (Kashmir Freedom Fighters) has claimed the responsibility for it. We won't say anything for sure about it, yet. A guard was present here: DIG Sujit Kumar pic.twitter.com/TYLau2hku6 ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2022 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also condemned the terrorist killing of a Kashmiri Pandit in the Shopian district and assured that the perpetrators will be severely punished. "Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished," he said in a tweet. Attack on Puran Krishan Bhat by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. I assure the people that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists will be severely punished. Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) October 15, 2022 The injured was shifted to the hospital where he was declared dead."Terrorists fired upon a civilian (minority) Puran Krishan Bhat while he was on his way to an orchard in Chowdari Gund, Shopian. He was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed," the Jammu Kashmir police said. Further investigation is underway. Jalaun: Two girls drowned after falling in a drain in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district on Saturday evening, officials said. Circle Officer (CO) Ram Singh said the incident took place in Ukasa village. Shanti (9), and Parvati (10) had gone to graze goats near the village with their friends. "At around five o'clock in the evening, when the goats started running towards a rainwater-filled drain near the village, both the girls chased the goats to bring them back but accidentally fell and drowned in the drain," the CO said. The CO said another friend informed the family about the incident. By the time the family reached the drain after getting the information, both the girls had drowned. The family members informed the police about the incident. On getting the information, the police immediately reached the spot. Singh said it was getting dark in the evening, so the post-mortem of both girls would be done on Sunday. Also Read: Gambia Children Death Case: India-made cough syrup allegedly kills 66 children in Africa - all you need to know Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, who is said to be sidelined by the BJP's top leadership, has come into action a year before the state is scheduled to go for crucial assembly electuions. On Saturday, Vasundhara Raje called upon BJP workers to get ready for hardwork as she targeted the state's Congress government over a host of issues. Raje, who visited the Shakambhari Mata's temple in Sikar district to offer prayers, called upon workers to get ready and said that now is the time to work hard and shed blood and sweat. According to Raje's spokesperson, Raje offered prayers at the Shakambhari temple. Earlier, party workers from different places welcomed Raje. Raje targeted the Congress government of the state. She said farmers, traders, unemployed, labourers and women are all unhappy in the present regime. Mumbai: Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule took a dig at the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Friday while praising the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government. The MVA comprises the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena, the Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Bawankule claimed that the MVA will not be able to field candidates for the 2024 state Assembly polls as the BJP is determined to win 200 Assembly and 45 Lok Sabha seats in the state when both polls are held in 2024. He boasted that BJP offered its workers space and opportunity to progress and move forward, referencing to rise of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi to the post of prime minister. On the contrary, he said, in Congress, only those close to the leaders get a chance to move up the hierarchy. Also Read: 'Uddhav Thackeray would have continued as Maharashtra CM even today if...': NCP's Ajit Pawar "In the BJP, the only qualification is work. Such a person will get a free hand and no one will stop him. Even a person like me, with no family background (in politics), can become Maharashtra BJP chief." he said at an event where some functionaries joined the party. Taunting Thackeray, the senior BJP leader said the state once had a CM who did not come to Mantralaya in two-and-half years, while Fadnavis and Shinde were now putting in 18 hours per day at work. "We want to create a situation in Maharashtra that by 2024, the MVA will not get a candidate to field in the elections. Under the leadership of Shinde and Fadnavis, the (BJP and Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena) alliance will win more than 200 Assembly and 45 Lok Sabha seats (in Maharashtra in 2024)," he said. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: World Students Day is celebrated every year on the birth anniversary of former President APJ Abdul Kalam on October 15. It is celebrated to pay tribute to the selfless contribution of Kalam towards the development of education in our society. The former president was so dedicated to teaching that he went back to his teaching profession on the very next day after completing his term as the 11th President of India. Dr Kalam always encouraged his students to become the best versions of themselves. "If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means 'First Attempt In Learning'. End is not the end, if fact E.N.D. means 'Effort Never Dies.' If you get No as an answer, remember N.O. means 'Next Opportunity', So let's be positive," he said. World Students Day History World Students Day is celebrated only in India no one knows how it originated, United Nations have have confirmed that World Students Day on October 15 was not officially declared by the UN. The main purpose of this day is to remember the contribution of Kalam in the field of education. His insightful lectures and his dedication to teaching inspired students largely to become the best versions of themselves. Abdul Kalam always believed that students are the future and possess the progressive minds that would take our country forward to new heights of success in every sphere. World Students Day came into existence to celebrate Abdul Kalams love for his students. World Students' Day 2022: Theme This years theme for World Teachers Day is the transformation of education begins with teachers. Significance of World Students' Day World Students' Day is regarded as a significant event because it marks the birthday of the former Indian President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The other reasons why this day is considered as important are as follows: It reiterates the importance of education. It is a day to recognize the Fundamental Right to Education. It commemorates the brilliant work of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, On this day, Kalam's fondness for teaching students is remembered. Dr Kalam was awarded Indias highest civilian honour or the Bharat Ratna. He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan for his work as the scientific advisor to the government of India. Kalam breathed his last on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at IIM-Shillong when he collapsed and died from a cardiac arrest. Years after his demise, his contributions are still remembered as some of the best scientific and technological developments in the country. World Students Day 2022: 15 October marks the former Indian president Dr APJ Adbul Kalam's birth anniversary. The UN has not, however, formally declared October 15 as World Students' Day but the world has been celebrating this day since 2010. His love for science made him the 'Missile Man of India' and his kindness was admired by all and was also referred to as the 'People's President. Today, on October 15th, India is celebrating Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary. He passed away in the year 2015 from a heart attack while giving a lecture at IIM Shillong- something he loved doing, teaching. Seven years after his passing, Kalam's contributions to the country's scientific growth are still recognised. Here are some more interesting facts about Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the 'Missile Man of India' - He was referred to as the "Missile Man of India" since he was in charge of developing and putting the Agni and Prithvi missiles into service. - India's first satellite launch vehicle, SLV III, which was used to place the Rohini satellite into orbit around the Earth, was developed under Kalam's supervision. As a result of this achievement, India became a member of the space club. - After spending two decades working for ISRO, Kalam took on the responsibility of developing domestic guided missiles at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). - Kalam was responsible for planning the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, which propelled India into the exclusive group of nuclear powers, which at the time included the US, China, the UK, France, and Russia. The 2018 movie "Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran," starring John Abraham, used Kalam as its inspiration. - He was awarded honorary doctorates by 48 Indian and international universities and organisations. - In addition to physics and defence, Kalam made contributions to programmes designed to improve rural Indians' access to healthcare. With the assistance of the cardiologist Soma Raju, he developed a low-cost stent, which he named the Kalam-Raju stent. - For seven years, from 1992 to 1999, Kalam served as both the DRDO Secretary and the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister. Words of Inspiration - "Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action." - Dont take rest after your first victory because if you fail in the second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck. - "If you fail, never give up because FAIL means "First Attempt In Learning". - "To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal." - Creativity is seeing the same thing but thinking differently. - "Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough." - "All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents." Also Read: World Students' Day 2022: History, Significance, Theme- Know why it is celebrated Kalam received the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990, and Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour in the year 1997. Let's take a moment to thank this great soul for his contributions and celebrate his inspirational life. World Students Day 2022: Karate and kung-fu are preceded by Kerala's traditional martial art style, kalaripayattu. Despite being referred to as the mother of all martial arts, it is not as well-known as it should be. Alappuzha, in Kerala, has a young man who has dedicated his life to make a difference. Nurse by training, Harikirshnan S left his position to teach and spread the famed art form as Harikrishnan Gurukkal (Harikrishnan master). He is so skilled at imparting Kalaripayattu knowledge that the nation's most well-known Kalaripayattu practitioner, Vidyut Jammwal, praised him and extended a financial aid to his school. Harikrishnan named his Kalaripayattu academy "Ekaveera" which means lone warrior in Malayalam. Harikrishnan broke guinness book of world record in 2019 by using a sword to slice off 61 pineapples that were balanced on people's heads in the span of 30 seconds. When it is discovered that the previous record was 22 fruits, the scope of the undertaking becomes clear. Hari prefers to go by "Guinness Hari Gurukkal," as each goal he achieves has the potential to introduce the art form to new audiences. He began spending some time on social media with the same goal in mind. He tried everything to capture the interest of children, from films and books to YouTube self-defense videos. It was successful because he progressively rose to prominence on social media. Due to the increase of inquiries, he had to purchase a second phone. Over 200 students are currently enrolled in Harikrishnan's academy online, including those from Malaysia, Thailand, Bolivia, the Ukraine, and Russia. New Delhi: The whole nation is busy celebrating the festive season. While people are hardly over the Navratri and Dussehra celebrations, the preparation for Diwali have already begun. they are revamping their space. Over the last few years, it has become a custom to elevate the interiors and deck up the home as family and friends spend time in each others houses. Thus, here are some tips for the beautification of bathroom and kitchen. Add Kitsch Why not add kitsch to elevate the interiors of your kitchen? Apart from the neatly arranged jars and boxes, you can hang some framed posters and can also show some unique silverware and kitchenware. Replace cutlery with the new ones Its time for you to refurnish your kitchen and replace the eccentric cutlery or serving dishes with the new ones. Decorate your kitchen with flowers Use different flowers to give your kitchen a perfect look and smell even nicer. Place some adorable flower pots instead of marigold garlands and also some vases of orchids and chrysanthemums. Make your bathroom appealing Replace the floor and wall tiles with natural stones. These are long-lasting and give your bathroom a beautiful look. Natural stones are available in different varieties to add up to the beauty of your bathroom. Create an illusion Place a huge mirror on the optically larger wall of your bathroom. This will change the entire look of the washroom and will make it look even bigger. Conspiracy theories have roots deep in history. As Alex Jones proved, there's a lot of money to be made in spreading them, no matter how outlandish. BIG PREDICTIONS OF 2022: The famous blind mystic Vangeliya Pandeva Gushterova aka Baba Vanga is known to people across the globe. It is said that this Bulgarian mystic happens to be blind from her childhood but has made the predictions out of which many have come true reportedly. From the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to floods in Pakistan - Baba Vanga's 2022 predictions did come true and left people in awe. As the world is still grappling with many issues, a 19-year-old teenager named Hannah Carroll is being touted as the Baba Vanga of the West. Why? Well, reports suggest as many as 11 of her predictions so far have come true including Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's baby. WHO IS HANNAH CARROLL? According to a Times Now report, Hannah Carroll predicted 11 events this year and interestingly both Hannah and Baba Vanga correctly predicted the Queen's death. Hannah made 28 predictions for 2022 in January this year. Out of those, 11 of her prophecies have come true. She lives in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA. She predicted Harry Styles and Beyonce's new album release, Rihanna's pregnancy, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas welcoming a baby. HANNAH CARROLL'S 2022 PREDICTIONS In her list of predictions for 2022, the 19-year-old teen has made several predictions for 2022 and shared it on her TikTok account. - Kourtney Kardashian falling pregnant. - Kendall Jenner getting engaged and Hailey Bieber falling pregnant. - Nicki Minaj, another baby - Gay Disney princess and many more are included in her list which has been shared online by many users. She told Mirror, "I still think all of my predictions will come true, but maybe I was off a bit on the timing and some will happen in the next few years rather than this year." Many started contacting her after her prediction about Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's baby came true this year. LONDON: Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, is ready to put her turbulent past with Meghan Markle aside! According to Page Six, Kate is ready to mend her relationship with Meghan. Page Six quoted a US Weekly report that suggested is hoping to mend her relationship with Meghan Markle during her upcoming visit to the United States. "Once Kate and William's Boston plans are set in stone, she`s planning to extend an olive branch to Meghan in a bid to reunite the brothers and heal the rift," according to a Page Six report quoting US Weekly. "[Prince] Harry and Meghan are knee-deep with their hectic schedules, but Meghan is willing to put in the effort as long as dates don't clash," an insider told the media outlet. Kate and Prince William are all set to attend the second annual Earth shot Prize awards ceremony in Boston on December 2, as per Page Six. This will be Kate and William`s first trip to the US since 2014. Around the same time, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will travel to the east for the Ripple of Hope Award Gala of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFKHR) organization in New York. According to a press release accessed by Page Six, the couple was chosen as one of the Ripple of Hope Award laureates this year for their "effort on racial justice, mental health, and other social impact activities through their Archewell Foundation. "In 2018, Meghan Markle gave an interview with Oprah Winfrey where she claimed that Kate made her burst into tears. "A few days before the wedding, (Kate) was upset about flower girl dresses and it made me cry. It really hurt my feelings," she told Winfrey. "It was a really hard week of the wedding. And she was upset about something, but she owned it, and she apologized. And she brought me flowers and a note, apologizing. "While the two women may be ready to smooth things over, sources say William "simply can`t forgive" his little brother quite yet, as per Page Six. New Delhi: Ashok Ghelot led Rajasthan Government announced Diwali Bonus on Friday for the government employees of the state. The decision will benefit around 6 lakh employees of the state. This bonus money will be given to the state employees who are drawing salary in the pay matrix level - 12 and below as per the Rajasthan Civil Services Rules, 2017. The bonus will cost extra Rs 500 crore on the state government exchequer. ALSO READ | '5G technology in India is completely indigenous': Nirmala Sitharaman reveals Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Ghelot said in the announcement that the Diwali bonus will be given to the employees of Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad and work-in-charge employees of the state. Every employee will get a maximum bonus of Rs 6774, for that 75% of the money will be provided in cash and 25% will be deposited in the GPF account. The Rajasthani government offered a Diwali bonus to 6 lakh workers last year as well. In the previous Diwali bonus, half of the bonus money was deposited in the employees' GPF accounts and half was deposited in cash. ALSO READ | Apple fined around $20 million for not selling iPhones with charger in Brazil Central Government Diwali Bonanza Central government has given a big gift to the non-gazetted central employees. Diwali Bonus has been announced by the the Ministry of Finance. They will be given non-productivity linked bonus (ad-hoc Bonus) according to the salary of 30 days. It also includes Group C and Group B employees of the Central government who don't come under any productivity linked bonus scheme. Bonus will be counted on the basis of either the average employee salary or the highest amout of count, whichever is the lowest. 30 day Bonus will be equivalent to 30 days salary. For example, if an employee is getting Rs 7000 per month, the average bonus will be around Rs 6908. Indian telecom giants have started rolling out 5G internet services in key cities across India and with that, the excitement around 5G is also gaining the attention of smartphone users. It may be recalled that Airtel has already launched its internet services in eight cities. Airtel has said that its customers need not change/replace their SIM cards to upgrade to 5G from 4G or 3G services. Airtel has also listed smartphones that support 5G services provided by the telecom giant. While Indian smartphone users are keen to browse their internet and experience 5G, scammers have sensed their excitement and using new methods to trick people into scheming. The scammers are now sending text/WhatsApp messages and emails to smartphone users asking them to upgrade to 5G. Through these messages or emails, they are sending malicious links to the users urging them to click/tap on them to upgrade to 5G. Once a user clicks on the link, the link downloads or installs malware into the smartphone without the consent/knowledge of the smartphone users. Also Read: 'Full page ad war' against PM Modi in Wall Street Journal: Twitteratis slam 'Hindu haters', 'divisive forces' This malware then helps the cybercriminals/hackers or scammers to connect with your device and steal sensitive information like bank account details, passwords and OTPs. Clicking on any unknown and suspicious links may prove lethal for your financial health. Experts have time and again advised people not to click on any short URL or suspicious link received from unknown sources. "Never click on any unknown link. Don't get trapped in prize and lottery scams. Pay attention to the language of the message, usually, it's incorrect," warned Faridabad Police while appealing to people to call on 1930 in case they become a victim of cybercrime. Never click on any unknown link Don't get trapped in prize and lottery scams. Pay attention to the language of the message, usually it's incorrect If you are a victim,Dial 1930/112 or Report online at https://t.co/u9b7sv1CRA#SeeYourselfInCyber@SCBHaryana @police_haryana pic.twitter.com/JFvFgR4Byp Peoples Police - Faridabad Police (@FBDPolice) October 7, 2022 It may be noted that 5G services will be rolled out across India by 2024 and users don't need to click on any link to get 5G. They need to visit the mobile network setting in their smartphones and select 5G/4G as their preferred network to experience high-speed internet. The Punjab National Bank has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to provide key benefits to 'Agniveers'. The bank has named the scheme PNB Agni Rakshak under which it will open a salary account for Agniveers. In a series of tweets made yesterday, the bank said, "PNB signed an MoU with the Indian Army to provide specially designed products to the Agniveers under the banks exclusive scheme 'PNB AGNI RAKSHAK'. The signing ceremony of MoU was chaired by Lt Gen C. B. Ponnappa, AVSM, VSM (Adjutant General) along with senior Army Officers and officials from Ministry of Defence. MoU was exchanged between Lt Gen. V Sreehari, SC, SM, DG (MP & PS) on behalf of the Indian Army, and Shri Sunil Soni, CGM, PNB, in New Delhi." The PNB Agni Rakshak Account will provide zero balance salary account to Indian Army's Agniveers besides an insurance cover of up to Rs one crore. The scheme has been designed in line with PNB's existing Rakshak Plus Scheme for Defence Personnel. The zero balance salary account comes bundled with attractive banking services such as over-draft, sweep facility, debit and credit cards, lockers, cheque books, alerts and internet banking etc. Also Read: 'Full page ad war' against PM Modi in Wall Street Journal: Twitteratis slam 'Hindu haters', 'divisive forces' The other free personal accidental insurance worth Rs 50 lakh covering death, total and partial disability and Rs one crore worth free air accidental (death) insurance. Other benefits included under personal accidental insurance include child education, girl child marriage cover, imported medicine, plastic surgery and Rs 10 lakhs in case of terror attacks etc. Also Read: SBI Credit Card Holders ALERT! State Bank hikes charges on EMI transactions, Rent Payments from November 15 Agniveers are already entitled for an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services. On completion of the engagement period of four years, Agniveers will be paid one time SevaNidhi package which will be tax exempt. After their four year service, Agniveers will get Rs 11.71 lakhs. Agniveers will be provided non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakh for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces. In a move that may further make credit card usage costlier, the State Bank of India has revised certain charges for its credit card users. The new charges will come into effect from November 15. So, the charges won't be applicable on transactions done before November 15. The SBI in a message sent to its customers, said, "Dear Cardholder, charges on your credit card shall be revised/levied w.e.f. from 15 Nov'22," and asked its customers to visit the website for further details. While the SBI has revised charges on EMI transactions, it has levied a new charge on rent payments using credit cards. "Charges on your credit card shall be revised/levied w.e.f. from 15 Nov22. The processing fee on merchant EMI transactions has been revised to Rs 199 + applicable taxes from earlier Rs 99 + applicable taxes. Processing fee on rent payment transactions will be Rs 99 + applicable taxes," said the bank. Also Read: Snakes, Tractor Ride, Waterlogged Area and Secret Godowns: How GST anti-evasion team unearthed illegal firecrackers racket However, it's not yet clear if the transaction was done before November 15 and the billing cycle is after November 15, then whether the new rates will apply to those transactions. With this, the SBI have become the second bank to levy a processing fee on rent payments using credit cards. Earlier, the ICICI Bank had said that it would charge its credit card holders a one per cent fee towards rent payments with effect from October 20. There are various third-party platforms like RedGiraffe, Mygate, Cred, Paytm and Magicbricks that allow users (tenants) to pay rent using their credit cards. However, they charge a certain service fee in lieu of this. All the users have to do is input their credit card details on the platform, then go to the rent payment option and fill in the details like name, bank account number, IFSC code or add the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) address of the landlord and then make the desired payment. Indian Railways Update: Alert rail passengers! Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to cancel a total of 199 trains on October 15, due to various reasons including operational and maintenance works, which are to be held on tracks today. 145 trains have been fully cancelled, while 54 trains are partially cancelled today. Further, many trains will be diverted and rescheduled as a consequence of operational works on tracks, and natural disasters. Additionally, there are high chances of trains being cancelled on October 16 as well. Hence, passengers are requested to check their trains status before heading out for their respective journeys. The cancellation and other changes in the trains' schedule will affect passengers travelling from cities like Pune, Lonand, Satara, Azimganj, Gorakhpur, Moradabad, Kathgodam, Pathankot, Ramnagar, Raipur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Sealdah, Sitapur, and many more. Also read: Indian Railways to launch fifth Vande Bharat train in South India on Chennai-Bengaluru route Here's the full list of IRCTC's cancelled trains on October 15: Passengers who have booked tickets via the IRCTC website will be cancelled automatically and a refund will be initiated in the users accounts. Meanwhile, those who have booked counters will have to visit the reservation counter to claim the refund. Indian Railways tend to cancel train services every day due to various reasons, which includes work on trains, natural disasters and even derailment of trains. Indian Railways is the most preferred mode of transport as it is economical and make passengers reach their destination on time with utmost comfort. As per Railway officials, Indian Railways will initiate special train services for Diwali and Chhath Puja, like it did during Navratri and Durga Puja 2022, to manage the passenger rush and to provide travellers the comfort of travelling. Indian Railways has however, further increased the platform tickets at several stations of South India. Chennai: Popular Telugu star Vishnu Manchu has trashed rumours that claimed he had come down heavily on the teaser of Prabhas-starrer `Adipurush`. Posting the picture of a rumour being spread, Vishnu Manchu on his timeline called it `fake news`. The actor, according to rumours being spread, had allegedly said that he felt cheated by the makers of `Adipurush` and actor Prabhas. "You got to prepare the audience. The visuals of Adipurush teaser look cartoonish. If you don`t prepare and cheat the audience, then this is the reaction you will get, " memes put out by rumour mongers quoted the actor as having said. Trashing all these rumours, actor Vishnu Manchu quoted a rumour meme and said, "Fake News! As expected, some item raja trying to spread negative news just before `Ginna` release! I want nothing but the best for my darling brother Prabhas." Here is the post shared by the star: Fake News! As expected, some item raja trying to spread negative news just before #Ginna release I want nothing but the best for my darling brother Prabhas. pic.twitter.com/Aa13Vw9XsK Vishnu Manchu (@iVishnuManchu) October 15, 2022 `Ginna`, which is gearing up for release shortly, has been directed by Surya and features Vishnu alongside Payal Rajput and Sunny Leone in the lead. 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. ALSO READ | Flipkart diwali sale 2022 iPhone 13: BIG DISCOUNTS on the iPhone 13 Pro, Mini 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. Check out the Garena Free Fire Redeem Codes for October 15, 2022 GCNVA2PDRGRZ 8F3QZKNTLWBZ SARG886AV5GR J3ZKQ57Z2P2P FF7MUY4ME6SC X99TK56XDJ4X WEYVGQC3CT8Q 3IBBMSL7AK8G B3G7A22TWDR7X 4ST1ZTBE2RP9 FF9MJ31CXKRG FFCO8BS5JW2D FFAC2YXE6RF2 FFICJGW9NKYT ALSO READ | Apple fined around $20 million for not selling iPhones with charger in Brazil How to Redeem Garena Free Fire codes for today, October 15, 2022 Step 1: Go to the official Garena Free Fire redemption portal Step 2: Log in on the portal with either your Facebook, Twitter, Apple, Google, VK, or Huawei ID. Step 3: Enter a redeem code in the designated text box. Step 4: Click on the Ok button to get free rewards in your game account. (Disclaimer: Garena Free fire is banned in India. Hence we advise people to adhere to government rules) New Delhi: Simply by mentioning someone on Twitter, users can communicate with a huge number of individuals. All users have access to this functionality, though, so it might be abused. Users will soon be able to control who can mention them on Twitter, according to current plans. According to well-known researcher Jane Manchun Wong, the microblogging platform is experimenting with blocking all @ mentions or only allowing them for a certain group of your followers. On Twitter, she even posted a screenshot of the feature. No random Twitter user can tag you with this feature on pointless posts. Users have to wait to use this feature as it is in the testing stage. Once it rolls out, users can avail the benefit of the feature. (Also Read: A 77-year-old man wins a lottery of Rs 41 lakh by using THIS TRICK) Notably, Twitter privacy designer Dominic Camozzi previously acknowledged that this feature was under development. The tweet was later removed, according to The Verge. (Also Read: How much RADIATION your smartphone emits? Are you SAFE? Find out by just dialling THIS number) On Twitter, users can already choose to not mention someone who is unversed in a tweet. By doing this, their Twitter handle will still be visible in the tweet, but others won't be able to tap on it to go directly to your profile. The only way they can contact your account is by manually looking for the handle. Twitter offers a feature where users may choose who can reply to their tweets, with options such as only those specified in the tweet, in order to give consumers more control. Additionally, Twitter has begun to notify users who have taken screenshots of tweets, encouraging them to post the tweets instead. This is because Twitter no longer encourages users to screenshot tweets. By posting screenshots on other sites, it aims to ensure that only the platform's most active users have access to tweets. A Corvallis woman is dead after a vehicle-vs.-pedestrian crash on Highway 20 on Thursday night, Oct. 13. Benton County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of the crash at around 10:15 p.m. near the Independence Highway, according to an agency news release. Taylor Marie Harlow, 23, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Benton County Crash Team investigators discovered Harlow was standing or walking in the eastbound lane of Highway 20 when a driver in a 2014 Toyota Sequoia traveling eastbound struck her. The driver was not injured and is cooperating with investigators, according to the news release. Investigators do not believe the driver committed any crimes or traffic violations. Highway 20 was closed for around two hours while the crash team investigated. Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation assisted the Benton County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Sgt. Brian Lundy at 541-766-6858 or brian.lundy@co.benton.or.us. New Delhi: Shubham Garg, the 28-year-old Indian Ph.D. student in Australia who was brutally stabbed multiple times by an unknown perpetrator is currently undergoing treatment as per ANI. The student's father revealed that his son went to Australia in September this year. He expressed that he is unable to understand the reason behind the attack as his son did not have enmity with anyone. The 28-year-old's father told ANI, "My 28-yr-old son went to Australia on Sept 1, 2022, & was lethally attacked on Oct 6...I don't understand the reason behind the attack. He can't have enmity with anyone." Navneet Singh Chahal, Agra's district magistrate, told ANI that they have reached out to Sydney Embassy officials, and the victim Shubham's younger brother has applied for a Visa. Indian student stabbed multiple times in Australia: Here's what happened On October 6, a 28-year-old Indian Ph.D. student was stabbed in the face chest, and abdomen in Australia by a stranger. The incident took place on October 6, as Shubham Garg walked along the Pacific Highway, Sydney, New South Wales Police Force said in a statement. Police have arrested Daniel Norwood and the 27-year-old suspect is charged with attempted murder after Garg, allegedly suffered multiple stab wounds to the face, chest and abdomen, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported. UP| Indian student stabbed multiple times in Australia on Oct 6;currently under treatment My 28-yr-old son went to Australia on Sept 1,2022 &was lethally attacked on Oct 6...I don't understand the reason behind the attack. He can't have enmity with anyone:Student's father(14.10) https://t.co/L8AxuFnwsO pic.twitter.com/PlOVp5CHSh ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 15, 2022 Garg suffered multiple stab wounds to his face, chest, and abdomen. He sought assistance from a nearby house before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital. The man underwent surgery and remains there in a serious but stable condition, the NSW Police Force statement said. Garg was approached by an unknown man near Pacific Highway Lane on Thursday. The unknown man allegedly threatened him while demanding cash, media reports said. The man refused and was allegedly stabbed a number of times in the abdomen before the assailant fled, the reports said. Suspect held by police; number of items seized from his home Following extensive inquiries by detectives, a search warrant was executed on a home on the Pacific Highway at Greenwich at about 3.40 pm on Sunday. Norwood was arrested at the scene and was taken to Chatswood Police Station, where he was charged with one count of attempted murder after the alleged stabbing, the statement said. A number of items were seized from the home and have been taken for forensic examination, it said. We have contacted his(Shubham) father & also reached out to officials in Sydney Embassy. Shubham's younger brother has applied for VISA. We hope his family will be able to meet him in Sydney soon: Navneet Singh Chahal, DM Agra on Indian student stabbed multiple times in Australia pic.twitter.com/AXniEfMAya ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 14, 2022 He was refused bail and appeared at Hornsby Local Court on Monday and will remain in custody with the next court appearance. India on Friday described an incident of the stabbing of an Indian student in Australia as "shocking" and said it expects the Australian authorities to take it seriously and act against the perpetrators. (With PTI inputs) Islamabad: A former high court chief justice of Pakistan`s Balochistan province was shot dead outside a mosque on Friday, police officials said. Assailants opened fire at Muhammad Noor Meskanzai outside the mosque in the Kharan area, which left him gravely injured, Kharan Superintendent of Police Asif Halim told Dawn. The former chief justice was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries, the report said. Expressing condolences over the death of the "fearless judge", Balochistan chief minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo said his services were "unforgettable". Bizenjo said that the "cowardly attacks of the enemies of peace cannot intimidate the nation". Maskanzai authored the landmark judgement that declared the Riba-based banking system against the Sharia. Quetta Bar Association (QBA) President Ajmal Khan Kakar also condemned Muskanzai`s killing. He said every citizen of Pakistan was deeply saddened by the death of the former judge. Also Read: Thousands protests in Pakistans Swat valley as govt fails to tackle terrorism "We strongly condemn this incident and demand that the killers must immediately be arrested and brought to book," Ajmal Kakar was quoted as saying by Dawn. This comes amid the deteriorating security situation in the country. Earlier this month, Pakistan`s State Minister for Law Shahadat Hussain conceded that terror activities had witnessed a sharp increase. The highest number of terror incidents in Pakistan this year was recorded in September, said an Islamabad-based think tank pointed to the resumption of attacks by the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The number of terror attacks increased in September compared to August this year, the Dawn said in an earlier report citing the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). September witnessed 42 militant attacks with an increase of 35 per cent compared to August. The Pakistani think tank also observed an increase of 106 per cent in violence in erstwhile Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In August this year, the think tank said the militants carried out 31 attacks across Pakistan, in which 37 people were killed and 55 others injured. Astana (Kazakhstan): Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that any direct contact or direct clash of NATO troops with the Russian army would lead to a "global catastrophe". Addressing the news conference in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, Putin said, "In any case, direct contact, direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who are saying this are smart enough not to take such a step." Earlier, Putin had warned that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory after annexing four regions of Ukraine last month, a move which the UN this week condemned. On Tuesday, Group of Seven (G7) nations warned that the use of nuclear weapons on Ukraine will have severe consequences, according to a statement released by the White House. Leaders of G7 states (the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, France, and Japan) said, "We deplore deliberate Russian escalator steps, including the partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which is putting global peace and security at risk. We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences." Earlier, US President Joe Biden spoke of nuclear "Armageddon" in a warning about the escalation in Russia's war in Ukraine during a speech on Thursday. Biden warned of the "assault" on American institutions and talked of the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons, at the New York home of James Murdoch, the son of media baron Rupert Murdoch."We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis," Biden said in New York City. At a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Putin is "not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons." This is because, Biden said, "his military is -- you might say -- significantly underperforming," "I'm trying to figure out, what is Putin's off-ramp?" Biden said. "Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not only lose face but lose significant power within Russia?" According to a pool report, Biden told attendees at the event, "I don't think there is any such thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon." Putin has renewed his nuclear threats as he announced the annexation of Ukrainian territory, some of which Russia doesn`t control, and with the call-up of 300,000 reservists to reinforce his flagging invasion. Ankara: An explosion inside a coal mine in northern Turkey has left 14 people dead, at least 28 injured and nearly 50 trapped underground, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said. The explosion occurred on Friday at the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin. Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said the explosion is likely to have been caused by firedamp, a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines. There were 110 people inside the mine at the time of the explosion, Soylu, who travelled to Amasra to coordinate the rescue operation told reporters. Most of the workers were able to vacate the mine following the blast but 49 were trapped in a "high risk" area of the facility, the minister said. Several rescue teams were dispatched to the area, including from neighbouring provinces, Turkey's disaster management agency, AFAD, said. Media reports said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cancelled a planned visit to southeast Turkey and would travel to Amasra instead. Also Read: IndiGo launches direct flights between Mumbai-Istanbul, strengthens India-Turkey connectivity The private DHA news agency quoted one worker as telling Gov. Arslan that he came out of the mine by his own means. He described feeling a "pressure" but said he could not see anything due to the dust and dirt. About 50 miners were trapped under the rubble after an explosion in a coal mine in Turkey pic.twitter.com/Jew1p49U9d ACROSS THE LINE (@ErajChangizian) October 14, 2022 People rushed to the mine for news of trapped friends or colleagues, DHA reported. In Turkey's worst mine disaster, a total of 301 people died in 2014 in a fire inside a coal mine in the town of Soma, in western Turkey. Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan came down heavily on United States President Joe Biden after he described Pakistan as "one of the most dangerous nuclear nations" in the world. Imran Khan said that Pakistan has one of the most secure nuclear command & control systems, unlike the US which has been involved in wars across the world, when has Pakistan shown aggression especially post-nuclearisation ? Earlier, US Prez Joe Biden US described Pakistan as "one of the most dangerous nations" in the world which holds "nuclear weapons without any cohesion." The US President made these remarks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception in Los Angeles (California), during which he berated both China and Russia. Also Read: 'Pakistan is one of the most dangerous nations...': US President Joe Biden Taking to Twitter, Imran Khan launched a scathing attack on Joe Biden, he said" I have 2 Qs on this: 1. On what info has Joe Biden reached this unwarranted conclusion on our nuclear capability when, having been PM, I know we have one of the most secure nuclear command & control systems? 2. Unlike the US which has been involved in wars across the world, when has Pakistan shown aggression esp post-nuclearisation? Equally imp,this Biden statement shows total failure of Imported govt's foreign policy & its claims of "reset of relations with US"? Is this the "reset"? I have 2 Qs on this: 1. On what info has @POTUS reached this unwarranted conclusion on our nuclear capability when, having been PM, I know we have one of the most secure nuclear command & control systems? 2. Unlike the US which has been involved in wars https://t.co/nkIrlekBxQ Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 15, 2022 Earlier, US Prez Joe Biden US described Pakistan as "one of the most dangerous nations" in the world which holds "nuclear weapons without any cohesion." The US President made these remarks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception in Los Angeles (California), during which he berated both China and Russia. The remarks on Pakistan were made while Biden was talking about US foreign policy with regard to China and Vladimir Putin`s Russia. Biden concluded by saying he considered Pakistan to be the most dangerous country in the world. In a separate tweet Imran Khan also targeted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government on its failed foreign policy. My greatest worry is that apart from leading us to economic ruin &, with NRO2 for themselves, giving a license to white collar criminals to plunder the country, this govt will also end up completely compromising our national security. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 15, 2022 He tweeted, "This govt has broken all records for incompetence. My greatest worry is that apart from leading us to economic ruin &, with NRO2 for themselves, giving a license to white collar criminals to plunder the country, this govt will also end up completely compromising our national security. Front bumper (1) view large diagram hide diagram view diagram view. Front bumper cover kit, primed, with fog light holes,. 2015 honda accord hybrid touring all engines. Front bumper (1) for 2015 honda accord. 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By Azernews By Ayya Lmahamad SOCAR Energy Ukraine has delivered fuel from Azerbaijan to Ukraine via Bulgaria for the first time, the companys retail division Director Igor Orlov said in an interview with Ukrainian Telegraf, Azernews reports. Many believe that SOCAR supplies fuel from Azerbaijan, but in fact, the delivery costs are too high. We have been working with Orlen since the first day of SOCARs operation in Ukraine. The lack of necessary fuel volumes in Europe made us look for an alternative source. This year, we, for the first time, delivered fuel from Azerbaijan via Bulgaria. There were also supplies from Italy, he said. To recall, with the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, SOCAR Energy Ukraine, guided by the principles of humanism, has supplied ambulances and fire service vehicles in Ukraine with free fuel. SOCAR Energy Ukraine started its activities in Ukraine in 2008. The main activity of SOCAR Energy Ukraine is to improve the network of petrol filling stations and organize wholesale of petrol and oil products on the territory of Ukraine. Currently, the network of premium-class filling stations includes around 60 complexes and four oil depots, which operate in 11 regions of Ukraine. In 2020, SOCAR Energy Ukraine has been ranked among the TOP 25 international companies - leaders in their fields and directions in the Ukrainian market. Blues legend Big Mama Thornton is getting some recognition in the small Dale County town where she was spent her the earliest years of her life. Nearly four decades after her death, Willie Mae Big Mama Thornton will be honored by her hometown of Ariton with a street named in her honor Big Mama Thornton Circle. A ceremony will be held Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. There will be a brief presentation on Thornton as well as a meet and greet at Ariton Baptist Church, located at 157 Atlantic Rd. Thornton was born in Ariton on Dec. 11, 1926. She died July 25, 1984, in Los Angeles after years of heavy drinking and smoking took a toll on her body. She was 57 years old. There are people in Ariton who remember Willie Mae Thornton, but they didnt always understand the influence she had on music and other artists. Even in her hometown as recent as five to 10 years ago, people from Ariton had no idea, local blues radio personality Gil Anthony said. If they knew who she was, they didnt know where she came from, and a lot of people didnt even know how big she was outside (of Ariton). Its one of these things, youre always least known in your home area. She got her start singing in her fathers church and left Alabama after her mothers death, initially performing with Sammy Greens Hot Harlem Revue. She sang, wrote music, played drums, and performed on the harmonica. While her musical influence remained unknown to many Wiregrass residents, Thornton was revered by other blues artists. She recorded the song Hound Dog three years before Elvis Presley, and wrote and recorded Ball and Chain a song Janis Joplin would later record. Anthony said Thornton was a trailblazer. Her stuff is still being recorded today by contemporary blues artists, he said. Thornton died in poverty, however, and was buried at Englewood Cemetery, a gravesite now shared by two other people. Her funeral procession was led by musician Johnny Otis. For years, Anthony and others have tried to get more recognition for Thornton. While the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis inducted Thornton in 1984 after her death, it took until 2020 for her to be inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Thornton has been honored several times during the Wiregrass Blues Festival, including just this past spring. A mural of Thornton now adorns the side of Hoppergrass restaurant in Ozark, and theres an effort underway to have Thornton at least moved to her own grave, if not back to Ariton. Another local blues musician, guitarist J.W. Warren, will have a road named from him as well J.W. Warren Alley. Warren was born in Enterprise and raised in Ariton, one of 11 children in a sharecropping family. His guitar and musical skills were recorded in the early 1980s and released on an album. He wrote original blues songs and performed favorites in local establishments. According to the Wiregrass Blues Society, Warrens finger picking and slide technique on the guitar was considered a style unique to Southeast Alabama, and his life was actually documented by a German blues photographer and researcher. Warrens reluctance to leave Ariton, however, may have kept his music from gaining wider recognition. Warren died in 2005. The FPT Headquarters in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Son FPT, Vietnams leading IT services provider, has become a strategic shareholder of LTS Inc, a Japanese business consultancy. But they did not disclose how much stake FPT acquired or the price. The investment is expected to help the Vietnamese giant strengthen its consulting capabilities in Japan industry and target more large business deals in other countries. LTS is expected to help FPT bolster its digital transformation consultancy capabilities in the Japanese and Asia-Pacific markets, and in turn FPT will help enhance its digital transformation technology capacity in manufacturing and retail. The two sides will focus on ERP-, low-code development- and business management-related services. LTS Inc. can also leverage FPT's presence in 27 countries to compete worldwide. Speaking at the signing ceremony on October 13, FPT Corporation Chairman Truong Gia Binh said the cooperation will help FPT and LTS Inc., to compete with global consulting giants. The investment is part of FPT's strategy to expand its consulting and digital transformation services in key markets such as Japan and the U.S. In 2021, it bought stakes in Intertec International, a technology company with more than 20 years of experience and a service center each in Costa Rica and Colombia. It acquired 90% of Intellinet Consulting in the US for US$50 million in 2018, and bought RWE IT Slovakia, a subsidiary of the RWE Group, in 2014. Established in 2005, FPT Japan has 2,000 employees and it expects to double the headcount by 2025. It also targets becoming one of Japans top 20 IT services companies by 2025 and revenues of $1 billion by 2027. Passengers at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC in January 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Hanoi-HCMC is the worlds fourth busiest domestic air route, according to OAG, a British provider of digital flight information, intelligence and analytics. Between Oct. 2021 and Sept. 2022, over 8.5 million flew on the route. Jeju-Seoul topped with more than 16 million passengers, Sapporo New Chitose Apt-Tokyo followed with 10 million and Fukuoka - Tokyo with 9.8 million, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said Friday, quoting the OAG rankings. The rankings indicate the strong recovery by the Vietnamese domestic aviation market after Covid, it said. In 2019, Hanoi-HCMC had been the worlds sixth busiest route. The CAAV said 22 Vietnamese airports served 75 million passengers in the first nine months of this year, a year-on-year rise of 162%. In June the International Air Transport Association had ranked Vietnam as the fastest recovering domestic aviation market. It was followed by Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Australia. Floods and landslides triggered by Storm Son Ca in central Vietnam have disrupted traffic on the north-south railway and highways. A section of the North-South Railway in Thua Thien Hue Province is covered with mud, soil and rocks on October 15, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Duy A landslide occurring Friday night in Thua Thien Hue Province dumped soil and rock onto the tracks and a station of the North-South Railway. At some areas along the tracks through Hai Van Pass, the natural border between Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang City, the layer of soil and rock was as high as 30 cm, paralyzing train services. The landslide happened after torrential rains poured down in Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue from Friday afternoon as Storm Son Ca approached. Hoang Gia Khanh, deputy general director of the Vietnam Railways Corporation, said that the volume of rock and soil falling down has not been determined yet as the railway terrain through Hai Van pass is quite dangerous and functional force will arrive to the scene only when the flood water recedes and the rains stop. Floods cause erosion on National Highway 49B that runs in parallel with National Highway 1 in Thua Thien Hue, October 15, 2022. Photo by VnExpress Due to the storm, the fifth to hit Vietnam so far this year, Da Nang received up to 730 mm of rain while Thua Thien-Hue got 650 mm from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. Flood water inundated three sections of National Highway 1 in Thua Thien Hue by 40-90 cm, prompting local authorities to ban traffic in the area from 8:45 p.m. Friday. Flooding also eroded a section of Ho Chi Minh Highway through the province. Both highways are two of four trans-Vietnam routes. Hai Van Tunnel 1 and 2 under Hai Van Pass on the morning of October 15, 2022. Photo by VnExpress Two Hai Van tunnels run beneath the Hai Van Pass were temporarily shut down on Friday night after flood water, soil and rocks fell down from the pass and blocked it. The tunnel's management board has had all soil and rock cleaned from Hai Van Tunnel 2 late Friday night and by early Saturday so that vehicles could drive through. Tunnel 1 is still blocked. An excavator clean up the road leading to Hai Van Tunnel on the night of October 14, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Duy The board said 12,000 cubic meters of soil and rock spread 200 m long and 1 m high on average at the two tunnels. Hai Van Tunnel 1 got hit by 8,000 cubic meters. According to the National Center for Hydro -Meteorological Forecasting, Storm Son Ca weakened into a tropical depression late Friday and made landfall over Da Nang and Quang Nam at 4 a.m. Saturday. Heavy rains should be expected along the central coast until Sunday, it said. An iPhone XR with its appearance changed to look like an iPhone 14 Pro. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Hieu People are spending less than $100 to change their phones' appearance and make them look like the new iPhone 14. Huynh Anh of Hanoi said the iPhone XS that he has been using for the last three years still works well, but he "was feeling bored." This year, after seeing some color changes in the newly released iPhone 14, he decided to change his phone's hull to one that looks like the new iPhone 14 Pro. "The only thing that isn't changed is the notch. If I feel appropriate, I will upgrade it into the real thing later," said Anh, adding that he'd spent around VND2 million ($82.81) to change his phone's appearance. iPhone 14 is sold from VND24.9 million ($1,040) to VND49.9 million in Vietnam. Like Anh, Ngoc Duc of Hanoi's Cau Giay District also renovated his phone the moment he saw that the option was available. He had already changed the appearance of his iPhone XS Max to a 13 Pro Max last year, saying it felt like using a new phone without paying much money. The only drawback is that the fake hull is low-quality and would degrade after a few months, and that the actual specs of the phone would stay the same. Thanh Toan, the owner of a phone repair shop in Cau Giay, said around 2-3 people come every day to ask about changing their phones' appearance and make them look like iPhone 14. When there were leaks about the new iPhone's appearance, people started offering counterfeit hulls in the market, especially with the distinct violet hue that the new, original phone sports. Now that the iPhone 14 has officially been released, the fake hulls come in more variety and can support more phone models, from iPhone X and upward. Toan said there was high demand to change the hulls of older iPhone models, as long periods of use have already caused some wear and tear. Some shops were actually buying old phones and reselling them after changing their appearance to look like iPhone 13 and 14, he added. A representative of the Dien Thoai Vui phone repair chain said the number of people changing their phones hull to one that looks like iPhone 14 has increased steadily in recent weeks. The best-selling cases are those that look like the violet variant of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. But because they are fake hulls, their colors cannot match the real stuff, the rep said. The rep also advised that phone users do some serious, careful research and choose reputed shops for the appearance change, as the procedure requires the phone to be taken apart. Without the right skills, the process could result in damaged components, or the components could even be switched to lower-quality ones, the rep cautioned. Minister of Public Security To Lam - Photo: VNA Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam and Cuban Minister of the Interior Lazaro Alberto Alvares Casas held talks on the occasion of the former's official visit to Cuba from October 12-14. At the talks, both sides reviewed the implementation of the cooperation agreement signed between the two ministries in 2018. They agreed to enhance the exchange of all-level delegations and experts across all sectors. The Vietnamese Minister suggested the Cuban Ministry of the Interior support Viet Nam in areas of Cuba's advantages such as cancer treatment, cerebrovascular intervention and organ transplant. He urged two nations to join hands in conducting research and promoting technology transfer of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Later, To Lam paid courtesy calls on Cuban First Secretary of the Communist Party cum President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez and Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. Sun Yeli (second from left), spokesman for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, speaks during a news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday afternoon, Oct 15, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua] The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held from Sunday to Oct 22, a spokesman for the congress said on Saturday afternoon. Sun Yeli, the spokesman, told a news conference that the agenda for the 20th CPC National Congress has been set at a preparatory meeting on Saturday. The congress will open at 10 am Sunday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and conclude on Oct 22, Sun said. All preparations for the congress are complete, he said. During the weeklong event, delegates will hear and examine a report submitted by the 19th CPC Central Committee, examine a work report of the 19th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, and deliberate and adopt an amendment to the Party's Constitution, he said. The delegates will also elect the Party's 20th Central Committee and its 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, he said. BEIJING -- Qualifications of 2,296 delegates to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) have been confirmed valid, a spokesperson for the congress said Saturday. The delegates will attend the 20th CPC National Congress, representing more than 96 million CPC members and over 4.9 million primary-level Party organizations, spokesperson Sun Yeli said at a press conference. Delegates at the event (Photo: thoidai.com.vn) At the meeting, Ms. Tran Thi Chang said that with nearly 30 years of working in the health sector in Malaysia, she has established a good relationship between the National Heart Institute of Malaysia where she is working, and major hospitals in Vietnam, such as: Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Tam Duc Heart Hospital, and Hanoi Heart Hospital. Since 2012, Ms. Chang has been the bridge connecting many charity heart surgery programs and technology transfer among hospitals of Vietnam and Malaysia. According to Ms. Chang, the Vietnamese community in Malaysia is a strong community with a lot of potential. Many of them have married Malaysians and considered Malaysia their second homeland. As the President of the Malaysia - Vietnam Friendship Association, Ms. Chang hoped that in the near future, there will be more collaboration programs between Ho Chi Minh City and the Malaysia - Vietnam Friendship Association to organize art troupes to Malaysia to perform to serve overseas Vietnamese, or organize trade, cultural and tourism promotion programs of Vietnam in Malaysia. This time, she accompanied a delegation of professors and doctors from the National Heart Institute of Malaysia to Vietnam to conduct a charity heart surgery program and discuss signing an MOU at the Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City./. By Trend The Azerbaijani Army launched a counter-offensive operation, later called the "Iron Fist", on September 27, 2020, in response to the large-scale provocation of the Armenian armed forces along the frontline, Trend reports. The erupted 44-day Second Karabakh War ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation. Trend presents the chronicle of the 19th day of the Second Karabakh war: - President Ilham Aliyev interviewed by the Turkish NTV channel. - "Azerbaijans glorious Army has liberated Arish village of Fuzuli district, Doshulu village of Jabrayil district, and Edishe, Dudukchi, Edilli and Chiraguz of Khojavend district. Long live Azerbaijans Army! Karabakh is Azerbaijan!" President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a post on his official Twitter account. - President Ilham Aliyev interviewed by Dmitry Kiselev, Director General of the Russia Today media group, for the Russian RIA Novosti news agency. - First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva made a post on her official Instagram account in connection with the shelling of the funeral procession in Tartar by the Armenian side. - As a result of the actions taken by the Azerbaijani army, a large number of Armenian manpower and equipment were destroyed and disabled in different directions of the front. - The Armenian armed forces, grossly violating the humanitarian ceasefire, fired at the territories of Goranboy, Tartar, Aghdam and Aghjabadi districts. - The death toll as a result of the deliberate shelling of the funeral procession in Tartar by Armenia reached 4 people. - The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan said that two civilians were injured as a result of shelling a residential building in Aghdam by the Armenian armed forces. - The Armenian colonel, commander of the military unit of the Armed Forces of Armenia, was liquidated. In a missile fire on Zaporizhia on Saturday morning, 21 apartment buildings, 15 private sector houses, an educational institution and a parking lot were damaged, but no casualties are reported, City Council Secretary Anatoliy Kurtev has said. "In the morning, the enemy attacked industrial and energy infrastructure facilities. Destruction is reported. The blast wave damaged 21 apartment buildings, 15 private houses, an educational institution and a parking lot," he wrote in his Telegram channel. Kurtev said that the services have already started to work and eliminate the consequences of hits. Earlier, Head of the Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Starukh said that Russian invaders attacked Zaporizhia with kamikaze drones and fired S-300 missiles on Saturday night and in the morning. In the Shahed-136 UAV attack on Zaporizhia, infrastructure facilities have been destroyed. Rescuers managed to bring fires under control. No casualties are reported. One person died, one wounded in shelling, another one hits mine in past day in Kharkiv region Over the past day, Russian occupation troops shelled the city of Kharkiv and the settlements of Kharkiv, Izium, Kupiansk and Chuhuyiv districts of the region, casualties among the civilian population are reported, Head of the Regional Military Administration Oleh Synehubov has said. "According to the Regional Center for Emergency Medical Assistance, a 66-year-old civilian was killed in an enemy shelling in the near-border community of Kharkiv region, and a 74-year-old man was hospitalized with a wound in the Kupiansk area," Synehubov wrote in his Telegram channel. In addition, in an enemy shelling in Volchansk, a private house was damaged, an unused store building in Izium was destroyed, nonresidential and outbuildings were also damaged, and fires broke out. Pyrotechnic subdivisions of the State Emergency Service continue demining the territory of the region. A total of 558 explosive items were defused per day. Nevertheless, according to Synehubov, the mine danger remains very high. "In the Chuhuyiv district, a 65-year-old man was seriously injured when he drove his car into an enemy mine. Once again I urge everyone to be as careful as possible," Synehubov wrote. Russian military shot Kherson conductor Yuriy Kerpatenko in his own house for refusing to cooperate with the occupiers, according to the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. "On October 14, it became known about the brutal murder of the chief conductor of the Kherson Music and Drama Theater named after Mykola Kulish. After Yuriy Kerpatenko refused to cooperate with the occupiers, the Russian military shot him dead in his own house," the ministry said on Facebook. Kerpatenko has been working in the Kherson Regional Philharmonic since 2000. In 2004, he became the chief conductor of the Mykola Kulish Kherson Music and Drama Theater. He acted as the chief conductor of the Gilea chamber orchestra. Kerpatenko openly showed his civic position and refused to leave occupied Kherson. According to the Kherson.online website, by October 1, International Music Day, the occupiers, together with collaborators at the Philharmonic, planned a festive concert in Kherson with the participation of the Hylaeus chamber orchestra. However, the conductor of the orchestra, Kerpatenko, flatly refused to cooperate with the invaders. "We express our deepest condolences to Yuryi's relatives and colleagues. Eternal memory," the Ministry of Culture said. Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz announced the allocation of humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the amount of $400 million, the official SPA news agency reported on Saturday following his phone talk with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky the day before. The Crown Prince emphasized "the Kingdom's position of supporting everything that will contribute to de-escalation, and the Kingdom's readiness to continue the efforts of mediation," SPA reported. In turn, Zelensky congratulated the crown prince for his appointment as the Prime Minister of the Kingdom, and expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom for its vote for the UNGA resolution, along with 142 other countries, condemning Russia's decision to annex. Ben Salman stressed that the Kingdom's vote for the resolution emanates from its commitment to the deep rooted principles in the UN charter and international law, and its commitment to the respect of state sovereignty and the principles of good neighborliness, and resolving conflicts by peaceful means. The President of Ukraine said the two leaders had agreed to work towards the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russian troops. The Saudi Crown Prince played a prominent role in mediating efforts in September that successfully led to the release of 10 prisoners of war, including two Americans. Yermak discusses with new ICRC President issue of getting access to Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a videoconference with the new President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric Egger regarding access to Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka. According to the Office of the President, Yermak congratulated Egger on her recent assumption of office and expressed hope that, under her leadership, the ICRC would successfully overcome complex humanitarian problems, in particular those caused by the Russian war against Ukraine. The head of the Office of the President said that today, the situation with violation of human rights in the occupied territories of Ukraine is "the kind that Europe and the world have not seen for decades." Yermak urged Egger to do everything possible to send an ICRC Cross mission to the penal colony in Olenivka. The head of the President's Office is convinced that on October 17, ICRC representatives should arrive at the contact line in eastern Ukraine, which would be a very important step. In turn, Egger stressed the importance of ICRC staff having access to prisoners of war, in particular in Olenivka. "This is my priority. And we will continue to facilitate access," she said. Germany has supplied 16 Biber armored bridge layers to Ukraine, according to the data of the federal government. In addition, Germany delivered 10 pontoon-bridge vehicles to Ukraine. Last week, Ukraine also received 16 Zuzana self-propelled gun howitzers. The firing range of 155mm howitzers reaches 41 km. In September, Germany handed over to Ukraine six Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, bringing their total number to 30 units. The Armed Forces of Ukraine received 59,000 ammunition rounds for the Gepard guns, five 227mm M270 MARS multiple launch rocket systems. In addition, 12 155mm PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers and 10,500 ammunition rounds for them were transferred to Kyiv in the summer. The Armed Forces of Ukraine also received 23,800 Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank missile systems with more than 3,000 missiles, about 15,000 anti-tank mines, 54 M113 infantry fighting vehicles and 3,200 man-portable air defense systems. Today, Germany's military assistance to Ukraine is estimated at $1.5 billion. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has lashed out at the country's Financial Controller's Office for a report which says his administration has mishandled the country's budget two years ago. The report by Iran's Chief Auditor Adel Azar was published on Tuesday April 14 and charged that $4.8 billion of the budget has "disappeared." Speaking on the Iranian state TV, an angry Rouhani asked why similar auditing is not being done about the financial performance of military organizations, revolutionary institutions and the Judiciary. He charged that the auditing report does not cover the performance of "insiders" and simply reveals figures about "outsiders" including his administration. All the three groups of financial entities mentioned by Rouhani are controlled by Rouhani's hardline political rivals at the IRGC, the financial organizations operating under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Judiciary, which is headed by his election rival Ebrahim Raeesi. The Chief Auditor highlighted financial corruption in the administration, adding that the Rouhani government allocated foreign currency at the discounted government rate to individuals who either did not import anything and pocketed the money altogether, or those who imported things other than the essential commodities they were meant to import. He was talking about a period when among other cases, Rouhani's Ministry of Industry was accused of allocating billions of dollars to merchants who imported luxurious vehicles instead of foodstuff. This was a time marked by an unusual decline in the value of the Iranian currency rial against foreign currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar. In unprecedented remarks about the supervisory body affiliated with the Iranian Parliament, Rouhani charged that the Chief Auditor's report was "totally wrong," and "out of ignorance," adding that such "bad" reports should not create doubts among the people. The Chief Auditor or the Financial Controller's Office have still not reacted to Rouhani's angry comments, but Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeesi has appointed a special committee to probe into the case of mishandling the budget. According to the IRGC-linked news agency Tasnim, Raeesi has ordered the Tehran Prosecutor to start investigating the case at a special section, as soon as he heard the Chief Auditor's report during an open parliamentary session on Tuesday. Adel Azar had said at the session that $4.8 billion out of the $31 billion dollars of foreign currency allocated to importers of essential commodities are still unaccounted for, as no goods were imported by those who got the discounted foreign currency from the administration. He also said that only a small amount of the money has been returned to the treasury. The Governor of the Central bank of Iran Abdolnasser Hemmati also questioned the integrity of the Chief auditor's report in an interview with the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA) Wednesday morning. He said: "We have told the Judiciary about those who have not fulfilled their financial obligations. So, the $4.8 billion has not been lost." Nevertheless, Rouhani called on his spokesperson Ali Rabiei and the ministers of economy and industry to respond to the Chief Auditor's comment separately, "not just to defend the administration, but to defend the truth." Meanwhile, the Chief Auditor had revealed earlier that the Oil Products Distribution Company of Iran, which is part of the Rouhani administration, has not returned 4,140 billion rials and more than $20 million dollars of the money it owed to the treasury. The report also revealed information about the "astronomical salaries" of the company's managers. The Financial Controller's Office is part of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) and its chief is appointed by the members of the parliament. The Islamic Republic President Hassan Rouhani has warned the United States that it would risk a "very dangerous response" if it makes "another mistake." Speaking with the U.K. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on the phone on Thursday, Rouhani described the Iranian missile attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq as "self-defense" stipulated in Article 51 of the United Nation's charter. Rouhani was referring to the same Article that U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Kelly Craft, had earlier used to explain the reason behind its decision to kill the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Qassem Soleimani. Retaliating to the killing of Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike outside Baghdad international airport last week, Iran fired missiles at bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq. The U.S. branded Soleimani as a "terrorist" who had planned attacks against U.S. targets in the region. "If the U.S. makes another mistake, it will receive a hazardous response," Rouhani cautioned during his conversation with the U.K. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. He also denounced comments made by several British officials endorsing the killing of Soleimani. The U.K. authorities should "reconsider their instance," Rouhani told Johnson, insisting, "Undoubtedly, without martyr Soleimani's efforts, you wouldn't have calm in London today." Once again, Rouhani blamed Washington's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers, as the leading cause of instability in the Middle East. Accusing the Americans and the White House of not understanding the Middle East, Rouhani claimed that killing Soleimani has led to the "uprising" of the regional nations, and "unified" them. For his part, Johnson expressed sympathy with Iran over a series of tragic incidents that have occurred in recent days, and voiced concern about escalating insecurity in the region as well as the safety of British troops in the region, asking all parties to exercise self-restraint, the IRGC-run Tasnim news agency reported. Immediately after the Iranian missile attacks, Trump said January 8 the United States "will immediately impose additional punishing economic sanctions on the Iranian regime" in response to what he called "Iranian aggression." He offered no specifics. However, when asked about the "additional sanctions", President Trump said on Thursday, the United States had already imposed additional sanctions on Iran. "It's already been done; we've increased them," Trump said at a White House event, without elaboration." They were very severe, but now it's increased substantially. I just approved it a little while ago with the Treasury," he reiterated, adding the White House would soon make an announcement. South Sinai and the Greater Cairo area will enjoy warm daytime temperatures while Upper Egypt will see warmer ones through the weekend, according to the Egyptian Meteorology Authority (EMA). The Arab Hall reopened after an $8.9 million restoration of the Victorian era's Leighton House museum in London. By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has given an interview to Director General of "Rossiya Segodnya International News Agency" media holding Dmitry Kiselev for the Russian RIA Novosti agency. Trend presents the interview. - Mr. President, thank you very much for this opportunity to ask you questions at such a difficult time for Azerbaijan and for the whole world. How would you assess the results of military action since 27 September? What are the losses of the sides, according to your estimates, and are there many prisoners? - On 27 September, Azerbaijan was subjected to yet another attack of the Armenian armed forces. This was not the first attack in the past three months. Something similar but on a smaller scale took place at the state border in July. That attack was repulsed. Then in August, a sabotage group was sent from the Armenian side to commit terrorist acts against the civilian population and against the military and the head of this group was detained and is now giving evidence. At the end of September, our settlements were also subjected to artillery fire, and in the very first hours we had casualties both among the civilian population and among the military. To date, we have 43 civilian deaths and more than 200 wounded, about 2,000 houses in villages and towns adjacent to the line of contact are either completely destroyed or damaged. Unfortunately, artillery shelling from Armenia have continued after the agreement on the parameters of a ceasefire was reached, including the barbaric bombing of the city of Ganja, as a result of which 10 civilians were killed and about 40 were wounded. As for the losses on the battlefield, according to our data, the losses of the Armenian side are much higher than ours. We will announce our losses among servicemen after the active phase of the conflict. As for the results of the military action, they have been very successful for the Azerbaijani army. We have managed to break through the deeply echeloned defenses of the opposing side. In some areas, there were even four lines of defense. The mountainous terrain, of course, makes the defense much easier than the counteroffensive. To date, dozens of settlements have been liberated from the occupation, including the city of Jabrayil and most of the villages of Jabrayil district, the vast majority of villages in Fizuli district, and the settlement of Sugovushan, which is of strategic importance. We have driven the occupiers out of strategic heights on the Murovdag mountain range and continue our successful operation to restore the territorial integrity of our country. - Mr. President, we have been hearing from different sources about the participation of mercenaries from Syria or Libya on the side of the Azerbaijani army. To what extent is this true? - I have already spoken on this topic many times. There is no need for any foreign military participation in Azerbaijan. Our army consists of more than 100,000 fighters and, if necessary, with mobilization, this figure can be increased several times. Today, the armed formations available to us are fully capable of completing any task. Footage of the destruction of Armenian military equipment is available on the Internet. Of course, no mercenary possesses such qualifications and such technical capabilities. We have destroyed more than a billion dollars worth of the opposing sides military equipment by means of unmanned attack aircraft alone, and this does not include other resources at our disposal. The potential of the Azerbaijani army is well known what we have is no secret. Therefore, we have no need for additional military forces. Azerbaijan has always been a consistent fighter against international terrorism. We will never allow any terrorist organizations to build nests on our territory, even more so to pose a threat to our people and our neighbors. We will never allow this. No-one has provided us with any evidence of the presence of foreign armed formations on the territory of Azerbaijan in the current clashes. Our official position is that we have no foreign mercenaries. - The Moscow agreements of 10 October mention the fundamental principles of the settlement. Can you please decipher these principles the way you understand them? - These principles have been developed over many years, over more than 10 years, I would say. In the process of my work with the previous leadership of Armenia, we actively moved forward in the process of coordinating positions. It was very difficult. Negotiations are a difficult process in themselves, and even more so on such an important issue. Nevertheless, both sides showed a desire to follow the path of a political settlement. Unfortunately, after the current government of Armenia came to power, everything that had been accumulated before was simply thrown into the waste basket by the Armenian side. There was also an attempt to change the format of negotiations, to involve the authorities of the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh republic" in the negotiations, which was rejected both by us and the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. As for the fundamental principles, everything is explicitly spelled out there. The liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani districts is to be carried out in a phased manner. At the first stage, it is the southeastern part of the occupied territories five districts. At the second stage, it is the territories located between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia Lachin and Kalbajar districts, the opening of all communications, including communications located in other parts of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of original residence, which implies the return of Azerbaijani refugees to Shusha and other parts of the former Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region. And then the negotiations on the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh to be agreed by the parties. In a nutshell, these are the fundamental principles for which Azerbaijan has always expressed respect we have developed them. But the new Armenian government has repeatedly stated that they were unacceptable, that they would not return a single centimeter of our lands. The prime minister said this. The Armenian defense minister said that Armenia was preparing for a new war for new territories. There were incessant threats and insults addressed to us, which resulted in such confrontation. I think that the Armenian side should soberly assess the current situation and be committed to the ceasefire, which it violated in a barbaric manner a few hours later by bombing the sleeping city of Ganja. - Mr. President, if we talk about compromises, what kind of compromises would you still be ready for? Is there a red line you will not cross under any circumstances? - Our position has always been very constructive and consistent. It also relies on the norms of international law in terms of the implementation of four UN Security Council resolutions, which demand complete, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces from our territories. Our position has always been based on a pragmatic approach, and I think that the developments that exist at the negotiating table clearly show this. As for the "red lines", we have stated this very clearly, and the Minsk Group co-chairs are well aware of this: under no circumstances can the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan be violated, under no circumstances will Azerbaijan give its consent to the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, our proposal proceeded from the fact that in the future, the Armenian community and the Azerbaijani community should live peacefully and coexist on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. By the way, this is the case in other settlements of Azerbaijan, including Baku where there is an Armenian community of many thousands of people. It is also the case in Russia, in Georgia, in other countries where Armenians and Azerbaijanis sometimes live and work in the same village, and there are no contradictions between them. Why can't this be achieved here? We are committed to this but, of course, the consequences of ethnic cleansing must be eliminated and all our internally displaced persons must return to their own homes. In principle, I have explained a little more than the fundamental principles and our approach to possible compromises. - Mr. President, the brutality of this war has already gone down in history, and you are already a part of the history of this war. How would you like to stay in history? - You know, any war is about cruelty, sacrifices, human suffering and loss of loved ones. The difference is that for the Azerbaijani people it is a war of liberation, while for Armenia it is a war of aggression. It is no secret to anyone, and this is a fact the international mediators already know, that the so-called "army of Nagorno-Karabakh" does not exist. Today, the entity the Armenian side refers to consists of citizens of Armenia by 90 percent. They are called up for military service by Armenian military registration and enlistment offices and sent to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan: to Aghdam, Fizuli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Gubadli, Lachin, Zangilan. The question is: what are they doing there? Today, Armenian occupying forces sit on internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan. Nothing can justify this: neither from the point of view of international law nor from the point of view of human morality. It is impossible to pursue a policy of preventing Azerbaijanis from entering their ancestral lands for 30 years. These are the territories the Armenian population had never lived before. Another question is that everything there is destroyed, and it will take a lot of time and effort to return there. But this position cannot be justified in any way. Therefore, we and our servicemen are fighting and dying on Azerbaijani soil, while Armenian soldiers are dying on the land their government wants to keep under occupation. As for the role in history, you know, I have never thought about that, especially now. My main goal is to justify the confidence of the Azerbaijani people, to keep the promises I have made throughout the years I have been in this position, lead the country along the path of development, and ensure its territorial integrity. The way my role will be assessed in the future will depend on the will of the Azerbaijani people and what we achieve. Therefore, I think that this issue should be left to those whose opinion has always been of primary importance for me in making certain decisions, including those related to the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh. - Mr. President, thank you! I have asked all the questions I wanted to ask. Perhaps you would like to add something from yourself? - I would like to take this opportunity and, by the way, express my gratitude for this opportunity to address the multimillion Russian audience. I would just like a little more understanding of Azerbaijan's position. Because sometimes there are different opinions in connection with the conflict, its history and its current state. Based on facts, I want to bring to the attention of our viewers what actually happened and is happening. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Karabakh and Shusha Khan Ibrahim Khalil, his status was exactly that, signed an agreement with Tsarist Russia represented by General Tsitsianov on the entry of the Karabakh Khanate into Russia. The text of the agreement, called the Kurekchay agreement, is available on the Internet and everyone can familiarize themselves with it. So this agreement does not say a single word about the Armenian population of the Karabakh Khanate. Large-scale resettlement of the Armenian population to this region began after the two Russo-Persian wars of 1813 and 1828. Since then, a mass resettlement of Armenians to the Karabakh region began from the territory of modern Iran and partly Eastern Anatolia. This is about who this land belongs to historically. After the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and the Armenian independent state were established. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was established within all these territories. Moreover, the day after the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, it decided to transfer the city of Yerevan to Armenia as the capital. This is also a historical fact. In 1921, the Caucasian Bureau decided to leave Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, and not to transfer it to Azerbaijan as some pseudo-historians interpret it. This is the history of this region. Well, I think everyone knows what happened on the eve of the collapse of the USSR. After all, the collapse of the USSR also began with separatism in Nagorno-Karabakh. This became the trigger. Many people forget those rallies, who masterminded them, who was behind them. I often say that Pashinyan is a product of Soros. And I think everyone will agree with me. But Soros is no longer even a person, this is a concept. I do not rule out at all that even then, in order to destroy the great country, such instruments were put into operation: blow up from within, sow discord, set people against each other and destroy states. And this, by the way, is exactly what happened. Therefore, I would just like to bring these historical facts to the attention of the Russian public and say that Azerbaijan and Russia are linked by centuries-old bonds of friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding. I am sure that no force can influence this. Although we are seeing attempts from different directions to bring discord and some kind of mistrust. But thanks to the consistent policy of both the Russian and Azerbaijani leadership, not only do we not fall back, but we actually move forward. Today Russia and Azerbaijan call each other strategic partners. The level of interaction between our countries can serve as an example to any neighbors. And I am sure that after the military phase of the conflict ends and we move on to a political settlement and we are ready to do this even tomorrow if the Armenian side abandons its attempts to forcefully return what it has lost and what does not belong to it I am sure that Russia will continue to play a leading role in stabilizing our region. Therefore, I would like to convey my greetings and best wishes to all the Russians through your channel. Last year, one million Russians visited Azerbaijan. Hopefully, after the pandemic, this dynamic will be restored. We are always glad to see our guests from Russia. They also know that when they come to Azerbaijan, they feel at home. - Mr. President, thank you very much for this sincere interview. - Thank you. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he does not plan more "massive" strikes against Ukraine "for now" and that the Kremlin's aim was not to "destroy" the pro-Western country. "There is no need now for massive strikes. There are other tasks. For now. And then it will be clear," Putin told reporters following a summit of ex-Soviet nations in Kazakhstan. "We do not set ourselves the task of destroying Ukraine." He spoke days after Russia unleashed a wave of missile strikes across Ukraine, including on the capital Kyiv. Putin, who sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, is facing increasing isolation and criticism even from allies. But he said Russia is "doing everything right" in Ukraine -- despite a failed attempt to topple the government and weeks of territorial losses. "What is happening today is not pleasant. But all the same (if Russia hadn't attacked in February) we would have been in the same situation, only the conditions would have been worse for us," he said. "So we're doing everything right." He did however acknowledge that Moscow's ex-Soviet allies are "worried" about the conflict. "Of course (our) partners are interested and worried about the future of Russian-Ukrainian relations," Putin said. But he claimed this "does not in any way" affect their relations with the Kremlin. He also said he had no plans to expand mobilisation in Russia, which he announced on September 21 in a move that sparked panic and an exodus from the country. "Nothing additional is planned. No proposals have been received from the defence ministry and I don't see any additional need in the foreseeable future," he said. He said 222,000 people have been mobilised out of a target of 300,000. "Within about two weeks, all mobilisation activities will be completed." Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi inspected on Friday construction and development works to develop a number of roads in Greater Cairo. El-Sisis inspection tour included the Mokattam corniche and Central Plateau and all the new axes leading to the neighborhood, including Yasser Rizk axis, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said. Yasser Rizk axis will connect the Nile Corniche, downtown, Salah Salem Road, and Hadarat Axis to the Mokattam Plateau. The axis will ease the movement of residents of Maadi, Helwan and Mokattam districts in south and central Cairo heading to the Nile Corniche without having to use to the Ring Road or the Autostrad Highway, the spokesman said. The president also inspected the workflow in Hasaballah El-Kafrawy axis, which connects Maadi district in south Cairo to east Cairo and areas of New Cairo through the Ring Road and El-Shahid Axis. This will help ease traffic pressure on the Cairo Ring Road, the spokesman noted. During the tour, El-Sisi ordered continuing efforts of developing the roads and different traffic axes along the Greater Cairo to ease traffic jams. This comes within the framework of the states plan to continuously develop and modernise the network of roads and axes in Greater Cairo, the spokesman affirmed. In 2014, President El-Sisi launched the National Road Project with the goal of developing and extending Egypts 23,500 km road network. In 2019, Egypt was ranked 28th in terms of the quality of road infrastructure in the World Economic Forums Global Competitive Report, up from the 118th place it occupied in 2014, when the project was first launched. Egypt has constructed around 5,500 km of roads over the past eight years as part of a goal to construct 7,000 km of highways, according to recent figures released by the Ministry of Transportation. In a statement on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the 30 June 2013 Revolution, the transportation ministry said 1,500 km of roads and bridges are being constructed since 2013, along with 1,000 km of main roads that have been developed. Also, 900 bridges and tunnels were established, and 143 others are being constructed, according to the statement. Search Keywords: Short link: Young women have been on the front line of the protests, shouting anti-government slogans, removing their headscarves and facing off with security forces in the streets. Despite blocked access to internet services and platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, activists issued an online appeal for a huge turnout for protests on Saturday under the catchcry "The beginning of the end!" They have called on people across Iran to show up at spots where the security forces are not present and to chant "Death to the dictator" -- a reference to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "We have to be present in the squares, because the best VPN these days is the street," they declared, referring to virtual private networks used to skirt internet restrictions. 'Brave women of Iran' The protesters drew support from the US president, who said he was "stunned" by the mass demonstrations, now in their fifth week. "I want you to know that we stand with the citizens, the brave women of Iran," Biden said late Friday. "It stunned me what it awakened in Iran. It awakened something that I don't think will be quieted for a long, long time," he said. "Women all over the world are being persecuted in various ways, but they should be able to wear in God's name what they want to wear," said Biden. Iran "has to end the violence against its own citizens simply exercising their fundamental rights," he added. At least 108 people have been killed in the Amini protests, and at least 93 more have died in separate clashes in Zahedan, capital of the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, according to Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights. The unrest has continued despite what Amnesty International called an "unrelenting brutal crackdown" that included an "all-out attack on child protesters" -- leading to the deaths of at least 23 minors. International condemnation The bloody crackdown has drawn international condemnation and new sanctions on Iran from Britain, Canada and the United States. Iran's supreme leader has accused the country's enemies, including the United States and Israel, of fomenting the "riots". On Friday, Khamenei's government condemned French President Emmanuel Macron for remarks in which he expressed solidarity with the protests sparked over Amini's death. Foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Macron's remarks served to encourage "violent people and lawbreakers". He said it was "surprising" that France was condemning Iran's security forces for dealing with "violent people and rioters" when it was threatening to use force in response to "labour strikes in the oil and gas sector" at home. "This is clear hypocrisy," he said. Counter-demonstration In response to the call for fresh protests, one of Iran's main revolutionary bodies, the Islamic Development Coordination Council, has urged people to join a counter-demonstration after evening prayers on Saturday to "express their revolutionary anger against sedition and rioters". A call also went out this week for "retirees" of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to gather on Saturday given "the current sensitive situation", according to a journalist at the Shargh newspaper. The security forces have carried out a campaign of mass arrests that has netted young activists, journalists, students and even minors. Schoolchildren have been arrested inside classrooms and ended up in "psychological centres", Education Minister Yousef Nouri said this week, quoted by Shargh. In a rare show of accountability, the Tehran police department said Friday that it would investigate the conduct of an officer following allegations of harassment during the arrest of a woman protesting against Amini's death. It came after a video showed a male officer appearing to grope the woman from behind while arresting her before she was eventually allowed to leave. Some voices of support for the protesters have come from inside the country. In an open letter published on its front page Thursday, reformist newspaper Etemad called on Iran's top security official, Ali Shamkhani, to stop arrests being made under "pretences that are sometimes false". The Iranian authorities have organised their own rallies attended by women clad in black chadors -- garments that cover their heads and bodies. A bid to show they had the support of famous women unravelled overnight after a photomontage of dozens wearing the hijab disappeared from a Tehran billboard within 24 hours of being erected as it featured some personalities known to oppose the headscarf. Iran has called on the European Union to adopt a "realistic approach" regarding the protests over Mahsa Amini's death as the bloc prepares to impose new sanctions on the Islamic republic. EU countries on Wednesday agreed to level new sanctions on the Islamic republic over the "crackdown" during a month of demonstrations over Amini's death. The move is due to be endorsed at the bloc's foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. "We recommend that Europeans look at the issue with a realistic approach," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in a phone call Friday. In a separate statement on Friday, Amir-Abdollahian said: "Who would believe that the death of one girl is so important to Westerners?" "If it is so, what did they do regarding the hundreds of thousands of martyrs and deaths in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Lebanon?" he added. Iran has been rocked by protests since Amini's death on September 16, three days after she was arrested by morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code for women. The street violence has led to dozens of deaths, mostly among protestors but also members of the security forces, while hundreds have been arrested. "Iran is not the land of velvet or colour coups," he continued in his call with Borrell, in reference to Western-backed protest movements in Europe and elsewhere. "Iran is the anchor of lasting stability and security in the region," he added, according to a ministry statement early Saturday. Borrell meanwhile stressed that "people in Iran have the right to peaceful protest and to defend fundamental rights". "Violent repression must stop immediately. Protesters must be released," he wrote on Twitter Friday, adding that "internet access and accountability are needed". I spoke with @Amirabdolahian to convey again EU's clear and united position: people in Iran have the right to peaceful protest and to defend fundamental rights. Violent repression must stop immediately. Protesters must be released. Internet access and accountability are needed. Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) October 14, 2022 Iranian officials have previously criticised Western "hypocrisy" over the issue of human rights. "It is not right that in Europe, the most violent confrontation with riots is a good and acceptable act, but the same act within the legal framework in Iran is considered repression," Amir-Abdollahian told Borrell. The United States, Canada and Britain have already imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and entities over the protests. Tehran has warned of tit-for-tat measures if the EU makes a similar move. "In their meddlesome statements, some countries... put the subject of issuing a resolution or imposing sanctions (on Iran) on the agenda" of the EU foreign ministers' meeting, Amir-Abdollahian said in a separate conversation with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho Friday. In the event that such a measure is taken, "the Islamic Republic of Iran will take reciprocal action," he was quoted as saying by the ministry. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's House of Representatives the lower house of parliament will reconvene this week, holding plenary sessions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Related Egypt senate introduces changes to bill regulating electric vehicle industry On Sunday, the House will discuss amendments to the 1966 Agriculture Law that impose harsher penalties for illegally building on farmland. The one-article bill (Article 156) will be amended to impose a fine of between EGP 500,000 and EGP 10 million and a jail term ranging from two to five years on those convicted of violating the law. Currently, the law stipulates a fine of between EGP 100,000 and EGP five million and two to five years in jail. Contractors and engineers implicated in violating the law will be subject to three to five years in jail and a fine of between EGP 100,000 and EGP three million. They will also be stripped of their membership in the Syndicate of Engineers and the General Federation of Contractors. Sunday's schedule will also include a vote on eight foreign agreements, the most important of which is a $500 million loan agreement between Egypt and the World Bank. Minister of Supply Ali Moselhi told MPs last week that $350 million of the loan will go to helping Egypt foot part of its wheat imports bill, while the remaining $150 million will go to reforming the bread subsidy programme and building more silos for the country's strategic wheat reserves. On Monday, the House will discuss the new 13-article bill establishing a supreme council for vehicle manufacturing and setting up a fund to provide incentives to the electric vehicles (EV) industry. The discussion of the bill comes after it received final approval from the Senate and the House's Industrial Committee on 11 October. Committee Head Moataz Mahmoud said the committee had adopted the changes introduced by the Senate to the bill. "We think these changes made the wording of the articles and objectives of the bill clearer and more understandable," said Mahmoud. The Senate changed articles one and four on the formation of the supreme council, and the objectives of the fund. It also added a new paragraph to Article three on the definition of "environment-friendly vehicles." On Tuesday, the newly-appointed Minister of Education Reda Hegazi is expected to be the first of the cabinet ministers to come to the House to answer questions. Hegazi will face questions on private school admission fees and the deteriorating conditions of government schools. Many MPs have also complained of "the dramatic rise in private and international schools fees and asked the Ministry of Education to intervene to regulate them in a more transparent and fair way." Search Keywords: Short link: The International Rescue Committee said Saturday one of its aid workers was among three civilians killed in an attack in Tigray where Ethiopian and Eritrean forces have launched an offensive. The attack occurred in Shire, a city in northwest Tigray, that has been bombarded for several days in a joint push against rebels from the war-torn region, humanitarian and diplomatic sources say. IRC, a US-based organisation that helps people in humanitarian crises, said one of its employees "died from injuries sustained during an attack" on Friday while delivering aid to women and children. "Another IRC staff member was also injured in the attack, and two other civilians were reportedly killed and three injured as a result of the incident," IRC said. "Aid workers and civilians should never be a target." Shire and its 100,000 inhabitants had been "subjected to continuous heavy artillery and air strikes all this week" which has caused casualties and property damage, a humanitarian worker in the city told AFP. Civilians started fleeing the city in droves on Friday, the source added on condition of anonymity. The upsurge in violence and reports of civilian casualties in Shire has alarmed the international community, which has been pushing both sides to stop fighting and negotiate at peace talks led by the African Union (AU). "Horrified by the reports of continuous violence, including targeting of civilians, in #Shire #Tigray," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter on Saturday. "Genuine peace efforts do not amount to increasing military offensives nor to provocation. Respecting international law is not an option -- it is an obligation for all." Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US was "deeply concerned over reports of increasing violence, loss of life, indiscriminate targeting of civilians, and destruction in the conflict in northern Ethiopia, particularly around Shire". Diplomatic push The fighting around Shire comes as US special envoy Mike Hammer arrived in Addis Ababa to push for an end to nearly two years of war between Ethiopia and its allies and rebels from Tigray. International efforts have intensified to try to bring peace to northern Ethiopia after fighting resumed in late August, rupturing a truce and halting aid into stricken Tigray. Both Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and the Tigrayan authorities have accepted an AU invitation to sit down at the negotiating table. But talks scheduled to start last weekend in South Africa failed to take place, with diplomats suggesting logistical issues were partly to blame. The conflict erupted in November 2020 when Abiy -- a Nobel Peace Prize winner -- sent troops to topple the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the ruling party in Tigray he accused of staging attacks on army camps. Unknown numbers have been killed in the war which has unleashed a humanitarian disaster in northern Ethiopia, with more than two million people forced from their homes and hundreds of thousands close to famine, the UN says. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt offered on Saturday deep condolences to Turkey over the dozens killed and injured by a mine explosion Friday evening in Turkey's northern Bartin province, Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The ministry said it hopes for the success of the ongoing rescue efforts, and also wishes the injured a speedy recovery. Desperate relatives waited all night in the cold outside the state-owned TTK Amasra Muessese Mudurlugu mine in the town of Amasra on the Black Sea coast, hoping for news. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said Saturday that 40 miners were confirmed dead, 11 injured and 58 others unharmed. The status of one remaining miner was unclear. Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said rescue efforts were almost complete. Earlier he had said that a fire was still burning in the mine's gallery where more than a dozen miners had been trapped. Work to isolate and cool the fire continued, he said. Preliminary assessments indicated that the explosion was likely caused by firedamp, which is a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines, Donmez said overnight. A miner who works the day shift said he saw the news and hurried to the site to help with the rescue. We saw a frightful scene, it cannot be described, it is very sad,'' said Celal Kara, 40. They are all my friends... they all had dreams, the miner of 14 years said after exiting the mine, his face covered in soot. Ambulances were on standby at the site. Rescue teams were dispatched to the area, including from neighbouring provinces, Turkey's disaster management agency, AFAD, said. Turkiah President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was expected to visit Amasra on Saturday. Separately, the Turkish police headquarters said in a statement that legal action would be taken against 12 online users who allegedly shared provocative content about the mine explosion to incite hate on social media. Turkey's worst mine disaster was in 2014, when 301 people died in a fire inside a coal mine in the town of Soma, in western Turkey. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt is invited to attend the G20 summit meeting in New Delhi, India, in September 2023, Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Saturday during a visit to Cairo, his first visit to Egypt since assuming his position as FM. In a press conference held with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry following their talks, Jaishankar said that Egypt will add great value to the G20 meetings, and that the issues to be discussed at the summit include climate change and supporting developing countries. The Indian FM also said that Egypt and India have agreed to increase trade and cooperation between the Egyptian and Indian markets as well as the investments between them, adding that Indian investments in Egypt exceed $3 billion. Last year was our highest-ever trade in excess of $7.2 billion, he said. Jaishankar also said that he discussed with Shoukry Indias plans to invest in pipelines, renewable energy and industry in Egypt. The top diplomats also discussed boosting tourism between the two countries. The Indian FM also revealed in the presser that an Indian university is in the works to open a branch in Egypt. Our tech institutes that are looking forward to international collaboration will find Egypt a suitable partner, Jaishankar said. Concerning the cooperation between Egypt and India in health and pharmaceuticals, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian minister said that there is cooperation between the two countries in vaccines and that Indian companies are looking at Egypt as a gateway for exporting products to Africa. Aside from bilateral economic relations, the two foreign ministers discussed recent developments including the Russia-Ukraine crisis and its impact on grain and energy supplies. Egypt, which is the worlds largest wheat importer and which obtained 80 percent of its imported wheat from Ukraine and Russia prior to their war, has imported thousands of tons of wheat from India this summer as part of its plan to diversify its wheat import sources. Minister Jaishankar also highlighted the recent cooperation between India and Egypt in security and defence and how the two countries have held joint military drills. Last month, Indian Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh visited Egypt to probe cooperation between Cairo and New Delhi. For his part, Egyptian FM Shoukry said that increasing cooperation and expansion of trade and investment serves the interests of both Egypt and India. Minister Jaishankar is currently on a two-day visit to Egypt, as Cairo and New Delhi mark 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. On the first day of his visit, the Indian FM met with Secretary of the League of Arab States Ahmed Abu El-Gheit. Jaishankar also met with members of the Indian community in Cairo on Tuesday, according to the Indian embassy in Cairo. He also visited El-Horreya Park in Cairos Zamalek, where he paid homage to a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Jaishankar also paid his respect to the memory of Indian soldiers at the Heliopolis Commonwealth war cemetery in Cairo. Search Keywords: Short link: Malpass' remarks came as he addressed the G24 meeting of ministers and governors, held in Washington, as he highlighted the efforts of WB to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate climate action. "We already supported 49 countries across all regions with $6.3 billion committed in operations that include food security and nutrition, only in the first months of the (Russian-Ukrainian) war, until June 2022... including a $500 million project in Egypt to maintain uninterrupted access to bread for poor and vulnerable households, strengthen the country's resilience to food crises, and support reforms that will help improve nutritional outcomes," Malpass said. The developing world is facing an extremely challenging outlook shaped by sharply higher food, fertilizer, and energy prices, rising interest rates and credit spreads, currency depreciation, capital outflows, and a higher level of debt that adds to higher inflation, impacting especially the poor, he said. With the current trends, the risks of a global recession in 2023 are high, he added. In this context, the World Bank Group stands ready to support you, both IDA and IBRD countries as the availability and cost of financing are challenging, more so as global interest rates increase. He pointed out that the world is not going to meet the goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030. COVID-19 impacts have been devastating and the impacts of the war in Ukraine increased the challenges. Its a crisis facing development, according to him. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed about 70 million people into extreme poverty in 2020 the largest since our monitoring began, he said. And the global median income declined by 4 percent in 2020 the first decline since our measurements of median income began. Geopolitical conflicts and extreme weather events have hurt countries and people worldwide, with the poor bearing the brunt, especially women and girls. Search Keywords: Short link: Beside an abandoned Russian military camp in eastern Ukraine, the body of a man lay decomposing in the grass _ a civilian who had fallen victim to a tripwire land mine set by retreating Russian forces. Nearby, a group of Ukrainian deminers with the country's territorial defense forces worked to clear the area of dozens of other deadly mines and unexploded ordnance _ a push to restore a semblance of safety to the cities, towns and countryside in a region that spent months under Russian occupation. The deminers, part of the 113th Kharkiv Defense Brigade of Ukraine's territorial defense forces, walked deep into fallow agricultural lands on Thursday along a muddy road between fields of dead sunflowers overgrown with high weeds. Two soldiers, each with a metal detector in hand, slowly advanced up the road, scanning the ground and waiting for the devices to give a signal. When one detector emitted a high tone, a soldier knelt to inspect the mud and grass, probing it with a metal rod to see what might be buried just below the surface. The detector's hit could indicate a spent shell casing, a piece of rusting iron or a discarded aluminum can. Or, it could be an active land mine. Oleksii Dokuchaev, the commander of the demining brigade based in the eastern Kharkiv region, said that hundreds of mines have already been discharged in the area around the village of Hrakove where they were working, but that the danger of mines across Ukraine will persist for years to come. ``One year of war equals 10 years of demining,'' Dokuchaev said. ``Even now we are still finding munitions from World War II, and in this war they're being planted left and right.'' Russian forces hastily fled the Kharkiv region in early September after a rapid counteroffensive by Ukraine's military retook hundreds of square miles of territory following months of Russian occupation. While many settlements in the region have finally achieved some measure of safety after fierce battles reduced many of them to rubble, Russian land mines remain an ever-present threat in both urban and rural environments. Small red signs bearing a white skull and crossbones line many of the roads in the Kharkiv region, warning of the danger of mines just off the pavement. Yet sometimes, desperation drives local residents into the minefields. The local man whose body lay near the abandoned Russian camp was likely searching for food left behind by the invading soldiers, Dokuchaev said, an additional danger posed by the hunger experienced by many in Ukraine's devastated regions. The use of the kind of tripwire land mines which killed him is prohibited under the 1997 Ottawa Treaty _ of which Russia is not a signatory _ which regulates the use of anti-personnel land mines, he said. ``There are rules of war. The Ottawa Convention says that it's forbidden to place mines or any other munitions with tripwires. But Russians ignore it,'' he said. The deminers had cleared the road of anti-personnel mines the previous day, allowing them to search for anti-tank mines hidden beneath the ground that could destroy any vehicles driving over them. They hoped to bring vehicles deep enough into the area to retrieve an abandoned Russian armoured personnel carrier, the engine of which they planned to salvage. A vehicle would also need to be brought in by local police to retrieve the body. The deminers reached the abandoned camp, set in a grove of trees and strewn with the remains of the months the Russian soldiers had spent there: rotting food rations in wooden ammunition boxes, strings of high-calibre bullets, a stack of yellowing Russian newspapers and trenches filled with refuse. After a thorough scan of the area, the servicemen recovered two Soviet-made TM-62 anti-tank mines and six pneumatically armed fuses and placed them in a depression on the edge of the camp, taped into a bundle along with 400 grams of TNT. Dokuchaev placed an electric detonator into the explosive charge and connected it to a long length of wire before taking cover with his men at a distance of more than 100 meters (yards). When the charge was detonated _ something the servicemen laughingly called ``bada-boom'' _ the immense blast ripped through the air, causing a cascade of autumn leaves to fall from the surrounding trees and emitting a tall plume of grey smoke. After the mines had been destroyed, Dokuchaev _ a former photographer who enlisted with the territorial defence forces after the outbreak of war _ said the work his brigade is doing is essential to keep civilians safe as they pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Despite the dangers, he said, he enjoys his work. ``I don't know what I'll do after our victory,'' Dokuchaev said. ``Life is boring without explosions.'' Search Keywords: Short link: By Trend First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has made a post on her official Instagram page. According to Trend, the post says: "How one should be inhuman, merciless and morally degraded to deliberately shell the funeral procession in the cemetery? I urge the international community to deplore military crimes of Armenia and I express my condolences to families and relatives of those who lost their lives. May Allah rest their souls!" The first Russian soldiers to take part in a new joint force with Belarusian troops have arrived in Belarus, Minsk's defence ministry said on Saturday. "The first convoys of Russian servicemen from the regional force group have arrived in Belarus," the ministry said, adding that their mission was "exclusively to strengthen the protection and defence of the border". Images from the ministry showed soldiers welcomed by women wearing traditional costumes and handing out bread and salt. Last Monday the leader of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko claimed Ukraine was plotting to attack his country and announced a joint force with Moscow. Lukashenko accused Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine of training Belarusian radicals "to carry out sabotage, terrorist attacks and to organise a military mutiny in the country". The deployment raised fears that Belarusian troops could join Russian forces in their offensive in Ukraine. Minsk said Tuesday that the contingent was "purely defensive". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of "trying to directly draw Belarus into this war" at a G7 meeting on Tuesday. Zelensky called for an international observers' mission to be placed on the Ukraine-Belarus border. Lukashenko is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and allowed Belarusian territory to be used by Moscow's troops to launch a military operation against Kyiv in February. But Belarusian armed forces have up to now not taken part in the offensive. Belarus relies financially and politically on its key ally Russia. Search Keywords: Short link: Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced $400 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine, the official SPA news agency said, adding that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had made a phone call to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The prince emphasised "the Kingdom's position of supporting everything that will contribute to de-escalation, and the Kingdom's readiness to continue the efforts of mediation," SPA reported. Saudi Arabia last month played an unexpected role in facilitating a prisoner-of-war swap between Moscow and Kyiv. The war in Ukraine has, however, fuelled tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United States after the kingdom largely resisted pressure to ramp up oil production to ease the energy crisis resulting from the conflict. The kingdom has come under growing criticism from Washington after the Saudi-led OPEC group of oil exporters agreed on a drastic production cut with Russia and other allies, which could send energy prices soaring even higher. Washington has accused OPEC+ of aligning itself with Moscow, and on Wednesday, President Joe Biden threatened "consequences" for Saudi Arabia. The Government of Saudi Arabia expressed its total rejection of statements issued about the Kingdom following the OPEC+ decision to cut oil production which have described the decision as taking sides in international conflicts and that it was politically motived against the United States. These statements are not based on facts, and which are based on portraying the OPEC+ decision out of its purely economic context, an official at the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday in a statement. This decision was taken unanimously by all member states of the OPEC+ group. According to the statement, the Kingdom affirms that the outcomes of the OPEC+ meetings are adopted through consensus among member states, and that they are not based on the unilateral decision by a single country. These outcomes are based purely on economic considerations that take into account maintaining balance of supply and demand in the oil markets, as well as aim to limit volatility that does not serve the interests of consumers and producers, as has been always the case within OPEC +. Search Keywords: Short link: Greek authorities on Saturday accused Turkey of forcing 92 migrants to cross into Greece and stripping them naked before doing so. Greek police said that police officers found the migrants stark naked on Friday, ``some with bodily injuries'' who had entered the country using plastic boats to cross the Evros River, which forms a border between the two countries. The migrants told police and officers of Frontex, the European Union's border agency, that they had been forced by Turkish authorities to board three vehicles that took them to the border. The migrants testified that they had been forced to strip naked before boarding the boats. Police said it had provided clothing and food for the migrants. ``Turkey's provocative behavior exceeded all limits,'' Greece's Ministry of Asylum and Migration said Saturday. Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi posted a photo of the naked migrants on his Twitter account Saturday, commenting, in Greek and English: ``Turkiye's behaviour towards 92 migrants whom we rescued at the borders (yesterday), is a shame for civilisation. We expect Ankara to investigate the incident and protect at last its borders with the EU.'' Turkey regularly accuses Greece of violently pushing back migrants entering the country through land and sea, while Greece accuses Turkey of ``pushing forward'' migrants to put pressure on the EU. The migrants are mostly from Afghanistan and Syria, with a few from other countries, such as Pakistan. Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have agreed to finalise their work to reach a state-level agreement very soon, IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice said on Saturday. IMF staff and the Egyptian authorities have held productive in-person discussions on the margins of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington and made substantial progress on all policies, according to a statement issued by the IMF. Rice added that progress has been made on the fiscal policies as well as monetary and exchange rate policies as well as Egypts comprehensive structural reform agenda. Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait, who is currently in Washington, said on Thursday in a media statement that negotiations between Egypt and the IMF over a new financing package are going well, noting that the two sides agreed on all aspects related to the package. Since the start of the government's implementation of the IMF-backed economic reform programme in 2016, Egypt has secured three loans from the fund, including a $12 billion loan to execute the first wave of reforms (November 2016 July 2019) under the Extended Fund Facility. This was followed by two separate loans amounting to $8 billion in 2020 to tackle the harsh impacts of the pandemic under the IMFs Rapid Finance Facility and Stand-By Arrangement. So far, no details have been released on the size of the new loan. Search Keywords: Short link: The recent attacks on several Ukrainian cities in revenge for hitting the Crimean bridge, linking annexed Crimea and Russia, is evidence of this. Russia has been losing ground in the northeast and south of Ukraine and the momentum is on the Ukrainian side through Western support. However, the balance of power is leaning towards Russia, who cannot win the war as expected in a short time or even in the longer term. Almost eight months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, victory is elusive. President Vladimir Putin is willing to do anything to achieve victory and avoid being humiliated at American hands. A few months ago, Putin agreed with Turkey and the UN to resume exporting Ukrainian crops, especially wheat, in order to be seen as helping poor countries and not to be considered as the reason for rising food prices. It seems that the US and NATO have been trying to humiliate him, but so far, they are failing to achieve this goal. I think there are several factors that will lead to more escalation between Russia and the West. First, Putin is a stubborn character, and so far, he has resisted all pressures on him and his country, especially the severe Western sanctions. He wants to build a strong Russia on the international fora. He once said that the collapse of the Soviet Empire was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century. He has been trying to repeat history by building a strong Russian empire and put his name in the history books. He has clamped down on protesters and it seems that majority of the people are on his side. Second, the advanced weapons supplied by the West to Ukraine is an important factor in escalating this war. Ukraine has been calling for huge military supplies and it seems that NATO, especially the US, is responding in a way that is giving Ukrainian troops the upper hand in some areas. However, this NATO military aid will not dramatically change the war game in favour of Ukraine. There is also a red line, which is not to launch any attacks on Russian soil since it is a nuclear power. So, the limitation of Western military support will make the war last longer but not won by any of the conflicting parties. Third, the Russian gas weapon is hitting Europe and other places around the globe hard. Germany was importing 55 percent of its gas from Russia and it reduced this amount after the invasion to 35 percent. It will go back to using coal to mitigate this gas shortage, which has negative consequences on the environment and climate change. Europe cannot suddenly stop gas imports from Russia and the increasing energy prices have affected populations around Europe. For example, energy prices increased by 100 percent in the UK. Russia is selling gas to survive the Western sanctions and carry on its war in Ukraine. There are reports that Russian gas exports to China have been redirected to Europe. This will help Europe ease the pressures during the winter and will funnel more money to Russia. Gas is power to Russia, and it has been using it to keep stable and strong and to fend off the relentless Western pressures on it. Fourth, it is argued that the weapons companies and contractors in the US are the main beneficiary from this crisis. Billions of dollars have been spent on arms sent to Ukraine. NATO has also encouraged its member countries to produce more weapons in order to support Ukraine. These companies have been playing a big role in pushing this conflict towards more escalation. Ukraine being a NATO member or not does not make a difference to both sides. Ukraine could have joined NATO in the 1990s and this did not happen, so why now? Answering this question could help us to understand that NATO membership was just a facade and not the real reason behind this unfortunate war. There is no justification for the Russian invasion, but the West put Putin in a corner and forced him to wage this unacceptable war. Thousands of people lost their lives and millions have been displaced inside Ukraine and abroad. Several parts of Ukraine were destroyed. There is no winner in this war and innocent people pay the price for mistakes committed by politicians. If we look back in history, there had been wars every few years, such as the Iran-Iraq war, the American invasion of Iraq, the war in Yemen, and other back-and-forth wars (Armenia and Azerbaijan). Arms companies and lobbies need to get rid of old weapons and produce new ones. It is a sad fact, but it could explain to a certain extent the war in Ukraine. Fifth, there is no indicator that negotiation has a place in the current climate. Turkey is the only candidate to play the role as a mediator in order to end this conflict, but at what price? There are talks about a peaceful end, but the explosions and bombardment sound loud. Russia continues recruiting reserves in order to recapture the liberated territories taken by the Ukrainian troops. The west has started sending advanced missile defence systems to Ukraine. So, both sides are keen on the military solution and nothing else. Finally, efforts to ease the food crisis as well as energy supplies and prices do not look deeply on how to end this war. The conflicting parties seek glory and a place in history, even if the war lasts longer. As long as Russia can sell gas and live with the sanctions, it will not go for negotiations. On the other hand, the West is pouring billions of dollars into military aid to Ukraine and this gives the Ukrainian troops the needed support to gain parts of their lands back from Russia. So, Ukraine and the West are in no hurry to go the negotiation table. To reach this table, both sides should understand that the military solution cannot end this war. Then both should make concessions to pave the way for the peaceful solution to this tragedy, which is the only solution. Search Keywords: Short link: Japanese director Naomi Kawase will lead the International Competition jury of the 44th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). Headed by renowned actor Huseein Fahmy with Amir Ramses as the festival's artistic director, the 44th CIFF will be held from 13 to 22 November The prominent Japanese director and writer who will head the CIFF's International Competition jury gained worldwide fame after achieving many successes during her career that began in the late 1980s. Born and raised in Nara, Japan, Naomi Kawase continues to make her world-acclaimed films there today. Kawase is the youngest person to win the Camera d'Or (for best debut feature film) at the Cannes Film Festival for Moe no Suzaku (1997). She has won three awards from the prestigious French festival for her films Mogari no Mori (2007) and Hikari (2017). She also received the Carrosse dor from the Directors Fortnight (2009) After filming her two features Vision (2018) and Asa ga Kuru (2020), she was appointed the official Film Director of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and is a Thematic Producer for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai World Expo. Outside of film, she pursues other forms of expression including commercial directing, radio program DJing, essay writing, installation creation and various other activities, including calligraphy. As executive director of the Nara International Film Festival, which she launched in 2010, she focuses on nurturing the next generation of visionaries and has produced nine films in this pursuit. Search Keywords: Short link: Ethiopia has ordered banks to deny foreign currency to businesses importing non-priority goods, in an effort to shore up dwindling foreign reserves in one of Africa's major economies. The move effectively freezes the import of dozens of items such as alcohol and cars, as businesses must register with banks to obtain the foreign currency needed to bring goods into the country. In a letter to Ethiopia's central bank, the Ministry of Finance said it had become necessary to restrict the use of foreign currency to importing food, medicine and medical equipment, and raw materials for manufacturing. "Therefore... we are sending a list of goods that will not be allowed forex for an indefinite period of time," said the letter posted Saturday on the Twitter account of Industry Minister Melaku Alebel Addis. The list of some 40 products includes vehicles and motorcycles to wall clocks, umbrellas, carpets and soaps, alcohol, perfumes and cigarettes. No recent public figures are available regarding Ethiopia's reserves of foreign currency. In late March, the National Bank of Ethiopia indicated reserves had fallen to $1.6 billion at the end of 2021, covering less than 2 months' worth of imports, according to the local newspaper the Reporter. A largely importing country, Ethiopia is in structural shortage of foreign currency", the French Treasury said in a periodic bulletin this month. Ethiopian authorities have also recently tightened laws on foreign currency holdings for individuals and businesses and banned all foreign currency transactions in Ethiopia. There was also a crackdown this month on the black market exchange of foreign currency, where the US dollar can fetch almost twice the official exchange rate amid a surge in demand. The central bank also announced this month it had blocked nearly 400 bank accounts believed linked to illicit currency trading, and promised financial rewards to those who denounced players in the parallel market. Search Keywords: Short link: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Thursday for the fourth time in as many months. The frequent meetings and close ties are fueling concerns among Turkey's Western allies that Ankara is circumventing sanctions against Russia. The latest encounter was in Astana on the sidelines of the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. Speaking to reporters after his meeting, Erdogan said he wants to build on the success of the United Nations-brokered deal that allows Ukrainian grain blockaded by Russian naval forces to enter world markets. Erdogan said Turkey is determined to strengthen and continue the grain exports under the Istanbul agreement and the transfer of Russian grain and fertilizer to less developed countries via Turkey. Ankara played a pivotal role in assisting the United Nations in brokering the grain deal between Ukraine and Russia, known as the Istanbul agreement. Putin on Thursday criticized the deal's implementation, claiming countries in need are not benefiting from the agreement. The deal comes up for renewal next month. Galip Dalay of London's Chatham House said the Ukrainian grain deal is seen as a vindication by Erdogan of his policy of maintaining close ties with Putin. "The role Turkey can play is very much contingent upon having a working relationship with Russia," he said. "The Ukrainian grain deal is one of them. Turkey can play a more humanitarian role down the road or a more diplomatic role. All of them require Turkey to have some sort of functional relationship with Moscow as well." Rampant animal abuse being reported on Jeju has been attributed to the fact that the resort island is overrun with stray dogs. According to Jeju authorities, 4,517 stray dogs were counted on the southern resort island last year, compared to 2,784 in Seoul. Many of the stray dogs are put to death, but the island cannot keep up. Jeju euthanized 1,786 stray dogs and cats last year, which is similar to the 1,758 in Seoul, but Seoul has a 10 times bigger population. Jeju expects the number of stray dogs to surpass 5,000 this year. The biggest cause is that owners let un-neutered animals run free, though abandonment of pets after the holidays is also a huge problem. Kim Ran-young, an animal rights activist in Jeju, said, "The culture of letting dogs roam around freely makes it difficult to prevent procreation." Some 1,600 to 2,100 wild dogs are believed to live on the island as well, and they are sometimes reported as strays when they are spotted in residential areas. KYODO NEWS - Oct 15, 2022 - 14:41 | Feature, All, Japan A Japanese mayor called for closer ties between the country and Jewish communities in the United States during a recent friendship event, reflecting on his city's history of helping displaced wartime people who fled the Nazis. "Tsuruga is the town which warmly greeted displaced Jewish people," said Takanobu Fuchikami, mayor of the central city on the Sea of Japan coast, at the gathering on Wednesday in New York. Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, was known as the only city in Japan at which many Jewish refugees arrived by boat from Vladivostok after receiving transit visas in Lithuania from storied Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara. "I hope exchanges with Jewish people will be further enhanced," Fuchikami said at the event organized by the Japanese Consulate General in New York, home to a major Jewish community. Among the participants in the event was pianist Laura Leon, whose mother Masha was one of the Jews who escaped from Nazi persecution during World War II thanks to a visa issued by Sugihara. She performed in front of some 70 people at the event. Consul General Mikio Mori encouraged the participants to work together "to enrich and deepen the friendship between the Jewish and the Japanese people." Sugihara, as acting consul at Kaunas, disregarded Tokyo's authorization process and ramped up the approval of transit visas to Jewish refugees who needed to flee from Europe through Japan. The number of people saved by Sugihara's decision likely amounts to a few thousand, according to recent research, though previous estimates had long put the figure at around 6,000. Related coverage: Japan, Israel agree to cooperate on defense equipment Jerusalem square dedicated to WWII Japan diplomat who saved Jews from Nazis Document shows role of another Japan envoy in helping Jews flee Nazis By Trend The Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the Khazinavar and Gunashli directions of Basarkechar district using caliber weapons subjected to fire the Azerbaijani Army positions deployed in Hajilar direction of Lachin district and Tazakand settlement of Dashkasan district , starting from the evening of October 14 until the night hours of October 15, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani Army units took adequate retaliatory measures. KYODO NEWS - Oct 15, 2022 - 20:35 | All, World, Japan Japan is planning to export to India stealth antennas equipped on a new Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer, as the two countries strengthen security cooperation, government sources said Saturday. If realized, it would be the first export case under a Japan-India agreement on defense equipment and technology transfer signed in 2015. The envisioned export is intended to prompt India to reduce its reliance on Russia in procuring military equipment and boost defense ties between Japan and India amid China's military rise, the sources said. Japan is eager to increase its defense equipment and technology exports to prop up the domestic defense industry, although it sets strict conditions due to its war-renouncing Constitution. For instance, the three overarching principles on the transfer of defense equipment say that the transfer should not be used for offense but purposes such as surveillance and minesweeping. Japan plans to export to India a system called Unicorn, in which numerous antennas are housed in a horn-shaped structure. It is equipped on the MSDF's new destroyer FFM commissioned in 2022. By covering the antennas in one structure, the Unicorn system can reduce the reflection of enemy radio waves. In previous Japanese destroyers, each antenna was exposed on the mast. Japan and India agreed to cooperate on the transfer of the Unicorn system when their foreign and defense ministers met in Tokyo in September for the so-called two-plus-two meeting, the sources said. While Japan is concerned about China's growing maritime assertiveness, India has a long-standing border dispute with the Asian power. Japan and India are part of the Quad, a four-way security framework that also includes Australia and the United States, with China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region being one of their most pressing issues. At the two-plus-two meeting, Japan told India it supports the South Asian country's efforts to diversify sources of arms procurements, the sources said. Following the meeting, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the MSDF's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture. The minister is believed to have inspected the Unicorn system mounted on the new destroyer, Kumano, and was likely briefed on its capabilities. Aside from India, Japan has signed similar defense equipment transfer agreements with 11 countries -- the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. The agreements came as the government led by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe relaxed the rules on the transfer of defense equipment and technology in 2014 in the first major overhaul of the country's long-held arms embargo. Japan aims to boost arms exports, but only one contract for a finished product -- air defense radars -- has been concluded with the Philippines. The slow start for such exports is partly because of high prices. Ahead of the planned revision of the National Security Strategy, the country's long-term security and diplomatic policy guidelines, at the end of this year, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has proposed to ease the restrictions to allow more equipment to be exported. KYODO NEWS - Oct 15, 2022 - 08:08 | Feature, All, Japan The Japanese government's rollout of a new travel subsidy program aimed at boosting domestic tourism has hit a snag, with some travel-related firms having already spent the allocated funds. The Japan Tourism Agency is asking participating businesses across the country to review their budgets while also considering increasing funding for the scheme, dubbed the "National Travel Discount." Launched on Tuesday, the same day COVID-19 border controls were eased for international arrivals, the program provides the equivalent of up to 11,000 yen ($77) in discounts and coupons per traveler per day. The money can be used for meals, shopping and accommodation expenses. The scheme is being implemented through use of state funds, including 560 billion yen left over from its "Go To Travel" predecessor, and 330 billion yen from similar existing programs operating at the prefectural level. Budgets have been allocated to all 47 of Japan's prefectures, with the amount each receives based on criteria such as local accommodation figures. The prefectural governments then redistribute the funds between local businesses such as travel agencies and hotels to sell their products and services within the scope of the scheme. Authorities of northeastern Yamagata Prefecture had planned to use the funds they were granted over three months from October through December, but have since decided to divert some of their November budget to this month after local businesses spent all of the government's initial allocated subsidy. "In some cases, too much funding has been given to local businesses, while estimates for others have fallen short," one government source said, requesting that prefectures redistribute their quota based on past tourism data. Meanwhile, high consumer interest in the scheme has overwhelmed some participating travel agencies. Seanuts Co., which manages accommodation bookings for around 5,100 hotels and other facilities, said that high traffic caused by a large number of hits to its website led to a system malfunction, leaving customers unable to book, while also possibly canceling existing reservations. The outage has persisted since Tuesday morning when the National Travel Discount was launched, but as of Friday, it is still unknown when it will be resolved, according to Seanuts. "If sales are strong, the number of businesses that suspend participation in the scheme could increase further," one local government official said, adding that it could be the case regardless of whether quotas were reviewed. While the tourism agency has indicated it will continue funding for the scheme until late December, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press conference Wednesday that the government would "make appropriate additional allocations as necessary." The new program was initially planned to be introduced in July but was postponed due to the nation's seventh wave of coronavirus infections. A total of 87.81 million people took advantage of the Go To Travel program from July 22, 2020, until it ended on Dec. 28, 2020, due to a large increase in COVID-19 cases. Related coverage: Japan scraps COVID border controls in hopes of reviving tourism boom Japan to run new domestic travel subsidy program to late Dec.: gov't Japan sees over 100,000 foreign visitors in Aug., 5th month in row KYODO NEWS - Oct 15, 2022 - 21:44 | All, World, Japan Five Japanese snatched by North Korea in the 1970s and repatriated to Japan 20 years ago Saturday expressed their desire that the other abductees would return soon. "Over the past 20 years, Ms. Megumi, my mother and the (other) victims of abduction have always been in the corner of my mind," Hitomi Soga said in the Sea of Japan coastal city of Niigata. "I want to work harder than ever and do my best for all of them." Yasushi Chimura, 67, one of the five who held a press conference in his hometown in the central Japan prefecture of Fukui, said that "the victims are aging. If we do not rescue them now, it will be difficult to bring them back alive." He added, "20 years have passed since the return, but the abduction issue has not been resolved. It cannot be treated as a milestone or anniversary." Soga made the remarks at a charity concert organized by classmates of Megumi Yokota, who disappeared on her way home from school in the city on Nov. 15, 1977, at the age of 13. Yokota remains a symbolic figure in the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago. "In the next concert, I want to join hands with Ms. Megumi and sing in a loud chorus," Soga said at the event, which was timed with the day that marked 20 years since the five returned to Japan after negotiations between Tokyo and Pyongyang. Recalling when Soga met Yokota in North Korea, the 63-year-old said she had said "hello to me, and I almost shouted out loud that she was Japanese. I was really happy. Her smile was so beautiful." Soga, who North Korean agents abducted in 1978 with her mother Miyoshi, then 46, from Sado, Niigata Prefecture, said she hopes Yokota stays healthy and never gives up on returning to Japan. Yokota's 86-year-old mother, Sakie, told attendees of the charity concert by phone, "I want all to work together to make sure that justice prevails." Japan officially lists 17 nationals as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s but suspects its agents were involved in many more disappearances. Only five of the 17 were repatriated on Oct. 15, 2002, and since then, no tangible progress has been seen on the abduction issue. Of the remaining 12, North Korea claims that eight, including Yokota, have died, and the four others never entered the country. Kaoru Hasuike and his wife Yukiko, who also returned home 20 years ago from North Korea, said in a statement, "We sincerely hope that the government will take drastic steps to break through the current situation so that the abductees will be able to return to Japan and be reunited with their parents and children." "We will also do our utmost to make this happen," the couple said. KYODO NEWS - Oct 16, 2022 - 00:55 | All, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is considering launching an investigation into the Unification Church, a religious group under increased public scrutiny for links with the ruling party and financial troubles with its followers, government sources said Saturday. The change in Kishida's stance comes as he struggles with falling Cabinet support ratings stemming from his reluctance to address problems associated with the church, which remerged after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed more than three months ago. Kishida is set to announce the plan on Monday in a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, saying he would order the education and culture minister to look into the religious group if needed, according to the sources. His government has previously been cautious about ordering such a probe due to fears of violating freedom of religion. Should the probe be carried out and depending on its outcome, the sources said the government could issue a dissolution order under the religious corporations law to the group, founded in South Korea in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon and often labeled by critics as a cult. If this order is issued, the church will lose its status as a religious corporation and would not be entitled to tax benefits, but it can still operate as a religious entity. Kishida's policy shift comes as a panel of experts at the Consumer Affairs Agency may announce a set of proposals regarding the church on Monday, including asking the government to exercise its power to investigate the organization. The agency has received many complaints about the church purportedly demanding huge donations from its followers that push them to the point of financial ruin, as well as carrying out "spiritual sales," in which people are talked into buying jars and other items for outrageous prices. A Kyodo News survey conducted earlier this month found the approval rating for Kishida's Cabinet has fallen to 35.0 percent, its lowest level since its launch about a year ago. The church, which is now formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has come under scrutiny after the assailant who fatally shot Abe in July told investigators he harbored a grudge against the group due to his mother's massive donations and believed that the late leader had ties to it. The government started a telephone consultation service on Sept. 5 for people experiencing trouble with the Unification Church and received consultation requests from 1,317 people by Sept. 22. Of them, 70 percent were concerned about money troubles. Recent revelations about the ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers' links to the questionable group have sparked concerns that it may have sought to exert political influence. The results of the LDP's internal probe released in September showed 179 of its 379 lawmakers, excluding leaders of both chambers of parliament, said they had some dealings with the church, such as sending congratulatory messages to the organization or its affiliated groups. More recently, lower house speaker Hiroyuki Hosoda, who headed the LDP's largest faction before assuming the current post and the intraparty group was taken over by Abe, has admitted he attended several meetings with the organization. Among Kishida's Cabinet members, economic revitalization minister Daishiro Yamagiwa has especially come under fire for repeating fallacious explanations about his relationship with the religious group. Under the law, a dissolution order can be issued to a religious corporation when it commits an act that is clearly found to harm public welfare substantially or when it commits an act that deviates considerably from the purpose of a religious body. So far, only two religious groups have received a dissolution order from a court because of legal violations. One was the AUM Shinrikyo cult, which carried out the deadly 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. The other is the Myokakuji temple group, based in Wakayama Prefecture. Its priests defrauded people who sought help by telling them they were possessed by evil spirits and then charging them for exorcisms. In Japan, the Unification Church began stirring controversy with spiritual sales in the 1980s and also attracted notoriety for mass wedding ceremonies, with some Japanese celebrities participating in one held in Seoul in 1992. But since then there had been few media reports about the church until the assassination of Abe. KYODO NEWS - Oct 15, 2022 - 20:53 | All, Japan Some 2,000 mourners, including current and former lawmakers, attended a memorial service held Saturday for slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the western Japan prefecture of Yamaguchi, where his constituency was located. "My husband loved Yamaguchi Prefecture, and (supporters here) let him do big work for Japan. It was a fruitful 67 years of life for him," the late leader's widow Akie said at the ceremony at a convention center in Shimonoseki. "He was sent off magnificently." A state funeral was held last month for Abe, the country's longest-serving leader, who was fatally shot during an election campaign speech on July 8 in the western city of Nara by a lone gunman. The state-funded funeral faced strong opposition, with critics saying the government's decision lacked legal basis and divided public opinion over his political achievements. Saturday's event, co-organized by the prefectural government, also sparked demonstrations at numerous sites in the prefecture, including near the venue. Other organizers of the Yamaguchi service included the prefectural assembly and Abe's support group. The service started around 2 p.m. when Abe's remains arrived at the venue. Mourners observed a moment of silence and laid flowers after a video of Abe was played. The event was streamed live at seven other cities in the prefecture. "The days have passed while I could not believe (that he died). But gradually, I am feeling the reality," Akie said. "As I feel he is really gone, feelings of loneliness mount day by day." Abe was prime minister from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020. He was in his 10th term as a House of Representatives member. In the past, the Yamaguchi prefectural government has also held memorial services for lawmakers elected from local constituencies, including former prime ministers Eisaku Sato and Nobusuke Kishi, and former foreign minister and Abe's father, Shintaro Abe. Related coverage: Japan ex-PM Abe's state funeral cost 1.2 bil. yen, below estimate State funeral for ex-PM Abe staged amid strong public opposition Video: The Cold War has been over for more than 30 years, but the Cold War mentality remains the biggest threat to peace and stability of the world, Li Song, the Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs, said on Oct. 10, 2022. (Xinhua) Certain countries, driven by the Cold War mentality, have continuously instigated competition and confrontation among major countries, strengthened their military blocs, and deliberately provoked and aggravated disagreements, says Li Song. UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Cold War has been over for more than 30 years, but the Cold War mentality remains the biggest threat to peace and stability of the world, Li Song, the Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs, said on Monday. At the moment, the global security structure, as well as international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms, are facing the severest challenge since the end of the Cold War, Li said in a statement at the general debate of the First Committee of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly. Certain countries, driven by the Cold War mentality, have continuously instigated competition and confrontation among major countries, strengthened their military blocs, and deliberately provoked and aggravated disagreements, he said. "Such policies have been seriously undermining mutual trusts among major countries, endangering global strategic balance and stability, and impeding the international arms control and disarmament process," Li said. Elaborating China's positions and proposals, the envoy said major countries, nuclear-weapon states in particular, must abandon concepts of strategic competition and bloc confrontation, halt any pursuit of exclusive or absolute security, and stop putting their own security above that of others. In January this year, leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states issued a joint statement, stressing that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, and reaffirming that none of their nuclear weapons are targeted at each other or at any other state. Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Li Song (L) speaks at a committee meeting of the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) at the UN headquarters in New York on Aug. 5, 2022. (China Mission to the UN/Handout via Xinhua) This historic statement is of great and far-reaching significance to preventing nuclear war and avoiding arms races, Li said, adding that the five nuclear-weapon states should further strengthen communication and collaboration and jointly uphold global strategic balance and stability. "It is our hope that all nuclear-weapon states could respond positively to the repeated call from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and China to adopt the policy of no first use of nuclear weapons," he said. The two countries possessing the largest nuclear arsenals should earnestly fulfill their special and primary responsibilities toward nuclear disarmament, and make significant and substantive reductions in their nuclear arsenals in a verifiable, irreversible and legally-binding manner, so as to create conditions for multilateral nuclear disarmament, he said. Li stressed that the United States should stop the development or deployment of regional or global missile defense systems, refrain from deploying land-based intermediate range missiles in Asia-Pacific and Europe, and must not duplicate the nuclear sharing arrangements in the Asia-Pacific region. The trilateral cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines among the United States, Britain and Australia (AUKUS) runs counter to the objective and purpose of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), deals a serious blow to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards system, poses severe risks of nuclear proliferation, and undermines regional peace and stability, the ambassador pointed out. "China expresses deep concerns with and strong opposition to such cooperation. China calls on all members of the international community, especially the IAEA member states to pay high attention to this issue, conduct thorough discussions and handle the issue with prudence, so as to preserve the integrity and effectiveness of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime," he said. China has played an active part in and worked to advance the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation process. China stands ready to join hands with other countries in implementing the Global Security Initiative, firmly uphold multilateral international order, actively advance the international disarmament process, so as to contribute to the building of a community of shared future for mankind, Li said. Vehicles line up to refuel at a gas station in Tunis, Tunisia, on Oct. 14, 2022. Tunisia decided to release strategic oil reserves amid rising global oil prices and fuel shortages in the country, Director General of the Tunisian Society of Refining Industries (STIR) Fakhta Mahouachi said on Thursday. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) TUNIS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia decided to release strategic oil reserves amid rising global oil prices and fuel shortages in the country, Director General of the Tunisian Society of Refining Industries (STIR) Fakhta Mahouachi said on Thursday. "A number of internal and external factors have forced Tunisia to use its strategic stocks of oil," Mahouachi told private radio station Mosaique FM, adding that this is a measure adopted by several countries following the recent surge in oil prices on global markets. Tunisia's decision on the release of strategic oil reserves came after three consecutive days of fuel shortages at all stations in the Grand Tunis area, which includes the provinces of Tunis, Ariana, Ben Arous, and Manouba. Mahouachi confirmed the fuel supply will improve at all gas stations in the next 24 hours after the discharge of fuel cargoes from a ship in the northern province of Bizerte. Long queues are seen at gas stations across the capital Tunis. Tunisian authorities are working to mitigate the repercussions of a fuel shortage, as it has been accompanied by a significant drop in the market supply of a number of essential commodities, such as cooking oil, butter, milk, sugar, and mineral water. Saleh Ben Sassi, a 49-year-old employee at the Ministry of Agriculture, told Xinhua that he had to get up very early and go to the gas station near his neighborhood in El Ouardia, a residential area in central Tunis, in a bid to get a few liters of fuel before work. "I'm not the only one who came early ... in this long queue, I'm not sure if I'll get my share of fuel," Ben Sassi said. "The situation has become very worrisome, especially since there is a severe shortage of several other consumer goods in addition to the lack of fuel," he added. Ben Sassi believed there was hope that the shortage of essential goods could be solved soon. "The government has promised to supply the domestic market with all the products by the beginning of next week," he said. Fatma al-Yahawi, a secondary school teacher, told Xinhua that she had to skip class for the second day in a row, because her car was out of petrol due to the "suffocating" and "unprecedented" fuel shortage. On the sidelines of the fourth edition of the Tunisian-Libyan Economic Forum held on Wednesday, Tunisian Trade Minister Fadila Al-Rabhi stressed that all consumer products are available. "I want to reassure the citizens that all materials are available, including fuel," she said, adding "we call on the citizens to rationalize consumption, and there is no need to be anxious." Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2022 shows a closed gas station in Tunis, Tunisia. Tunisia decided to release strategic oil reserves amid rising global oil prices and fuel shortages in the country, Director General of the Tunisian Society of Refining Industries (STIR) Fakhta Mahouachi said on Thursday. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2022 shows trucks arriving at the construction site of Peljesac Bridge for its load strains test in Komarna, Croatia. (Ivo Cagalj/PIXSELL via Xinhua) ZAGREB, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, is very progressive, important and visionary, said former Croatian President Ivo Josipovic. "Definitely it is a very progressive idea, an idea that starts from the ideal of global peace" and is "very important," especially in today's world, Josipovic said in a recent interview with Xinhua. Even a small country like Croatia can contribute significantly to this concept, he noted. "I think that Croatian policies have always been in favor of global peace and global cooperation, so I am completely sure that Croatian leaders will follow this idea. I am sure that our society will be very happy with this project and will contribute to it," he said. Regarding the concept as a long-term project, the 65-year-old former president said: "It is a visionary project for many years. Definitely, world leaders can contribute to it by having good policies and good cooperation with each other." Josipovic also appreciates the pursuit and practice of multilateralism by the Chinese government. Multilateralism is a safeguard for most countries in the world, especially for small ones like Croatia, he said, adding that multilateralism has been a guiding principle for Croatia's foreign policy. Josipovic, who served as Croatian president from 2010-2015 and has visited China many times, has been advocating friendly relations between Croatia and China and promoting the in-depth development of bilateral ties. Speaking of the economic and trade cooperation between Croatia and China, he cited the Peljesac Bridge, the largest infrastructure project in Croatia undertaken by a Chinese consortium, as "a very good example of the successful cooperation with Croatia and China." "I hope there will be more opportunities to cooperate with China," he said. The 2.4-km cable-stayed bridge over the Mali Ston Bay of the Adriatic Sea connects Croatian mainland and the Peljesac Peninsula. The bridge was opened to traffic in July and has greatly facilitated Croatia's traffic. "The Peljesac Bridge is a very important project for Croatia because it connects the two parts of Croatia divided by sea," Josipovic said, adding that it is very important economically and politically. Recalling his multiple visits to China, he called China's economic development a miracle. "China is very successful not only in economy but also in culture, science and sports, etc. I am completely sure that China will continue this incredible development and I wish all the best to China and Chinese friends," he said. NEW DELHI, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government has dispatched a high-level team to the northern Uttar Pradesh state to collaborate with local health authorities for assessing the dengue fever situation, an official statement said on Friday. The team will assist the state authorities in managing dengue control in the state's three districts of Firozabad, Agra and Etawah, which have witnessed a rise in dengue cases over the past few weeks. The six-member team of the Health Ministry comprises experts from the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control, and the Dr. RML Hospital in New Delhi. "Headed by Dr. V.K. Chaudhary, the team will work closely with the state's health departments, take stock of on-ground situation and recommend necessary public health interventions to manage the increasing cases of dengue being reported by the state," said a statement issued by the Health Ministry. Earlier this month as many as six people died of "mysterious high-fever" in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad district, but the local health authorities had ruled out the possibility of the deaths due to dengue. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease. In severe cases, it can cause joint pain, nausea, vomiting, rashes, breathing problems, hemorrhaging and organ failure. PHNOM PENH, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian scholar has said that China has achieved great accomplishments in its socio-economic development under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), creating a new model for human advancement. Produced by Xinhua Global Service By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli Foreign military attaches accredited to Azerbaijan visited Ganja, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. During the trip, organized by the ministry, the delegation visited the memorial complex in memory of the civilians, who died as a result of missile attacks on Ganja committed by Armenia during the Second Karabakh war. The Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department, Major General Huseyn Mahmudov, informed the foreign countries military representatives in detail that during the 44-day war, the Armenian armed forces deliberately bombed the Ganja, Barda, Tartar, Mingachevir, Beylagan, Gabala, Goranboy, Aghjabadi, Naftalan, Absheron and Khizi regions using ballistic missiles and other heavy artillery pieces to inflict maximum casualties on the Azerbaijani civilian population. This act contradicts the norms and principles of international humanitarian law. Despite the humanitarian ceasefire, on the night of October 11, 2020, at about 02:00, the Armenian armed forces subjected apartment buildings in Ganja city to a rocket fire. As a result of the incident, 9 persons, including 4 women, became martyrs, and 35 persons were wounded. One of the wounded passed away in a hospital. The military attaches were informed that a total of 93 civilians, including 12 children and 27 women, were killed, 454 civilians were wounded, 12292 residential and non-residential areas and 288 auto vehicles were damaged as a result of Armenia's military aggression during the Second Karabakh War. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan is among the world's most mine-contaminated countries. In the two years since the end of the Second Karabakh War, more than 250 Azerbaijani citizens have been killed or seriously wounded as a result of mine explosions. During the visit, the military attaches also visited the Nizami Ganjavi Mausoleum. They were presented with detailed information about the work of an outstanding representative of world literature, ingenious Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi. To recap, the Armenian armed forces launched missile strikes on Ganja city five times on separate days in October 2020. On October 4, the first missile attack was carried out, killing one person and wounding more than 30 others. The second missile attack occurred on October 5, injuring three individuals. On October 8, a third missile strike was carried out but no casualties were registered. On October 11, a fourth missile attack killed ten civilians and injured more than 40 more. On October 17, the fifth missile attack occurred, killing sixteen civilians and injuring 55 others. The attacks caused significant damage to the city's infrastructure, homes, and vehicles. Children and women were among those slain and injured in Armenia's brutal onslaught. * Over the past decade, the Chinese economy has sustained rapid growth and cemented its global status as a major growth contributor. * With a vast market of 1.4 billion people, solid economic growth, and an improving business environment, China has remained a favorite destination for foreign investment throughout the past decade. * Over the past decade, China has put innovation high on its agenda to boost competitiveness and invigorate the economy. * China's economic development has translated into a steady increase in resident income, improving people's livelihoods notably over the past decade. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Through a decade of steady growth, China has evolved into the world's major economic powerhouse, with numerous milestone achievements made along the journey of high-quality development. Powering ahead on a development path that is innovation-driven, sustainable, and more open to the world, China has kept injecting momentum into the global economy. The following figures and facts provided by the National Bureau of Statistics shed some light on how the world's second-largest economy transformed and thrived over the past ten years. Aerial photo taken on July 23, 2021 shows the Yachihe Bridge of Guiyang-Qianxi Expressway in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) DRIVING GLOBAL GROWTH Over the past decade, the Chinese economy has sustained rapid growth and cemented its global status as a major growth contributor. In 2021, China's gross domestic product reached 17.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 18.5 percent of the world's total. From 2013 to 2021, it grew at an average annual rate of 6.6 percent, beating the global level of 2.6 percent. With the rapid economic expansion, China has become a major driving force for global growth. During the 2013-2021 period, its contribution to global economic growth averaged 38.6 percent, higher than that of the Group of Seven countries combined. Agriculture, a pillar of the economy, has registered stable growth. Since 2012, the output of grain, meat, peanuts, and tea ranked first in the world, while rapeseed output placed second. On the industrial front, the country's main industrial product output has risen steadily. The output of crude steel, coal, power, cement, fertilizer, automobiles, micro-computers, and mobile phones led the world. Aerial photo taken on June 2, 2022 shows harvesters reaping wheat in the fields in Tancheng County of Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei) OPENING WIDER Amid endeavors to open up wider to the world, China's foreign trade has seen a robust expansion in the past decade. In 2020, the country surpassed the United States to become the world's largest trading country for the first time, with a total foreign trade volume of 5.3 trillion U.S. dollars, up from 4.4 trillion dollars in 2012. Last year, China's foreign trade volume further expanded to 6.9 trillion dollars, continuing to take first place globally. Its foreign trade in goods rose from 3.9 trillion dollars in 2012 to 6.1 trillion dollars last year, accounting for 13.5 percent of the world's total. The country has also remained the largest trader in goods and second-largest trader in services in the world. With a vast market of 1.4 billion people, solid economic growth, and an improving business environment, China has remained a favorite destination for foreign investment throughout the past decade. Since 2020, China has remained the second-biggest recipient country for foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI into the country, in actual use, came in at 173.5 billion dollars in 2021, compared with 113.3 billion dollars in 2012, increasing by 4.8 percent on average each year. Aerial photo taken on May 6, 2022 shows a view of the Longtan Container Terminal of Nanjing Port in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo) INNOVATION-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT Over the past decade, China has put innovation high on its agenda to boost competitiveness and invigorate the economy. The country rose to 12th on the Global Innovation Index 2021, up from the 34th in 2012, said the World Intellectual Property Organization. It ranked first among middle-income economies. Amid the innovation drive, the number of Chinese companies on the Fortune Global 500 list has grown since 2012. In 2021, 145 Chinese companies made it to the list, climbing from 95 in 2012 and increasing for 19 consecutive years. In terms of telecommunication infrastructure, the country has built the world's largest 5G network, with a total of 1.43 million 5G base stations installed across the country by the end of 2021, accounting for over 60 percent of the world's total. Backed by technological advancement, China has accelerated the construction of high-speed transportation networks. The country boasts the world's most developed high-speed rail network, with high-speed railways stretching to a total length of 40,000 km by the end of 2021, up 330 percent from 2012. The extent of expressways in operation has also reached 169,000 km, an increase of 80 percent over the past decade, ranking first globally. A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Chogo) BETTER LIFE China's economic development has translated into a steady increase in resident income, improving people's livelihoods notably over the past decade. The gross national income per capita reached 11,890 U.S. dollars last year, doubling from the figure recorded in 2012. The expansion helped elevate China from 112th to 68th in the same timeframe as per a World Bank ranking. China eliminated absolute poverty in 2020, with 12.37 million rural residents lifted out of poverty on a yearly average between 2012 and 2020. This achievement enabled China to meet the poverty eradication target in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ten years ahead of schedule. Thanks to the income growth and improvements in education and health care, the average life expectancy of Chinese people reached 77.9 years in 2020, 5.2 years above the global average. (Video reporters: Zhao Xiaona, Wu Lu, Du Juan, Xu Feng, Luo Jingjing, Chen Haoquan, Kang Wenjun, Wang Ping, Ji Li, Wu Changwei, Jiang Lei, Xie Zhao, Wang Feng, Yao Bing, Yu Fuqing, Yang Yiran, Zhang Baoping, Guo Jun, Wang Jiangang, Xie E; Video editors: Chen Sihong, Li Qin, Mu Xuyao, Li Ziwei, Liu Ruoshi) Rescuers work at a rescue site after an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Bartin province, Turkiye, Oct. 15, 2022. A coal mine explosion happened in Bartin province of Turkiye on Friday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) ANKARA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 workers were killed on Friday in an underground coal mine explosion in the northern Bartin province of Turkiye, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said. "So far, 21 of our brothers have been transferred to the hospital. Unfortunately, 14 of our brothers lost their lives," he told reporters in the city of Bartin of the province. "An explosion occurred at the minus 300-meter elevation at 6:15 p.m. local time (1515 GMT) at the Amasra Hard Coal Enterprise," Bartin province said in a statement. Bartin Governor Nurtac Arslan told reporters earlier in the day that rescue teams managed to pull out 14 miners, while at least 49 were still trapped. The mine has intense methane gas, and they have a suspicion of a firedamp explosion, Mayor of Bartin's Amasra District Recai Cakir told reporters. A total of 149 searches and rescue personnel, with five National Medical Rescue Team vehicles, 31 ambulances, and one emergency response vehicle were dispatched to the scene, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted. In 2014, as many as 301 people died in Turkiye's worst mine disaster in a fire inside a coal mine in Soma town of western Manisa province. People wait at a rescue site after an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Bartin province, Turkiye, Oct. 15, 2022. A coal mine explosion happened in Bartin province of Turkiye on Friday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) Rescuers work at a rescue site after an explosion occurred at a coal mine in Bartin province, Turkiye, Oct. 15, 2022. A coal mine explosion happened in Bartin province of Turkiye on Friday. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's auto exports surged 55.5 percent year on year to top 2.11 million units in the first nine months of the year, industry data shows. Over 1.69 million passenger cars were exported during the period, up 60.1 percent from the same period last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The country's commercial vehicle exports rose 39.2 percent year on year to 422,000 units in the same period, the association said. New-energy vehicles have become a bright spot in China's auto exports, with 389,000 units exported in the January-September period, skyrocketing more than 100 percent over the year prior. In September alone, China's auto exports soared 73.9 percent year on year to 301,000 units, the data shows. A staff member helps a visitor put on VR glasses during a science festival held by Vladivostok State University in Vladivostok, Russia, Oct. 15, 2022. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A Rubik's Cube robot catches children's attention during a science festival held by Vladivostok State University in Vladivostok, Russia, Oct. 15, 2022. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) A woman tries out a robotic hand during a science festival held by Vladivostok State University in Vladivostok, Russia, Oct. 15, 2022. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua) SHIJIAZHUANG, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Color, plumpness, weight, quality. Wheat seeds are carefully inspected in a testing room at Malan Farm in Shijiazhuang, capital of north China's Hebei Province. "Seed selection is like a grand examination. The 'top students' that are most suitable for planting only appear after standing out in thousands of testing rounds," said Pan Yuheng, who is in charge of the farm's seed testing. The Malan No. 1 wheat variety yielded a record 863.76 kg per mu (about 0.067 hectares) in Yanli Village, Xingtai City this year, thanks to advantages such as cold and disease resistance. Agricultural experts have been sent to the frontline of farming. Before last winter, approximately 16,000 agricultural technicians were working alongside farmers in the fields to ensure green wheat shoots were able to survive the cold weather. And these efforts were not in vain. Hebei's total summer grain output in 2022 was 14.87 million tonnes. As one of the major grain-producing provinces in China, Hebei established 14 seed breeding innovation teams between 2016 and 2020. In the 2021-2025 period, the province aims for 20 innovation teams in modern agriculture and a number of excellent varieties with independent intellectual property rights, according to the provincial agricultural authorities. In addition to quality seeds, the use of the cultivation technology "BeiDou navigation plus drip irrigation" also provides a strong guarantee for water and fertilizer conservation and higher yields, according to Jia Xiuling, a researcher at the Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences. With developing the seed industry as one of its priorities in agriculture, China had 216 national seed breeding and production bases, official data showed in April. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A cold wave has driven down the temperature to minus 7 degrees Celsius these days in Mohe, China's northernmost city. However, local people don't mind the chill since the local authority started to activate the heating system a week ahead of the scheduled heating season. With a new cold snap, sleet and light snow were forecast to hit Mohe on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The daily low temperature would dip to minus 9 degrees Celsius on Sunday. Xin Haiqi, workshop director of Mohe Huapeng Heating Co., Ltd., said the company has prepared sufficient coal reserves and can timely increase its heating supply in response to extreme weather to ensure residents a warm and comfortable indoor temperature in the upcoming winter. The border city in Heilongjiang Province is one of China's coldest places in winter, where the heating period lasts up to eight months. Passengers to the Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province, would not feel the cold snap at the terminal building, where indoor heating started on Oct. 10, ten days in advance. The city officially switched on urban heating on Wednesday. In addition to Heilongjiang, many places in Inner Mongolia, including the regional capital of Hohhot, have also started heating supply, several days earlier than the regular heating season. Since Oct. 7, heating suppliers in Hohhot have started testing the heating system so that many residents can feel the rise in indoor temperature at home. Luo Lin, a 68-year-old Saihan District resident, Hohhot, said the heating arrived just as the temperature plummeted. The temperature at home is now above 20 degrees Celsius, making him feel comfortable. The local authority in Hohhot has assured residents that there would be no fee rise, despite the heating being turned on early. Local heating enterprises have secured coal and gas reserves to ensure winter heating. The urban heating system in Hohhot for about 1.2 million households is fueled with coal and gas. The heating price stands at 3.68 yuan (about 58 U.S. cents) per square meter of house floor area per month for residents. The city's biggest heating supplier, Hohhot City Gas & Heat Group Co., Ltd., has more than 659,000 users. The company has signed a contract of 210 million cubic meters of natural gas with its supplier, which can ensure the demand for the company's 106 gas boiler rooms during the heating period. Liu Hongjun, an official with the Hohhot municipal housing and urban-rural development bureau, said that coal-fired heating enterprises have signed purchase agreements with suppliers, and coal-carrying vehicles are given prioritized passages on roads. At present, the city's coal storage is sufficient. According to Hohhot City Gas & Heat Group Co., Ltd., it maintained heating pipe networks and equipment and overhauled boilers and thermal stations with an investment of 95 million yuan prior to this year's heating period. ANTANANARIVO, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) always adheres to the principle of "serving the people" and "strives to find all means to bring a better life for the Chinese people," former Malagasy Prime Minister Norbert Ratsirahonana has said. There is a "total symbiosis" between the CPC and the Chinese people, he told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview. Having made four visits to China, 83-year-old Ratsirahonana noted during his last trip in December 2019 that "the advances have been even greater," not least the increase in real estate infrastructure, the improvement of road networks and the beautification of cities. "China's growth rate has had an impact on the daily lives of the Chinese," he said. Thanks to the firm "political will" of the CPC, absolute poverty was eradicated in China, he said. The CPC, he said, not only listens to the interests of the Chinese people, but also promotes the common interests of all humanity. In today's turbulent world, China's proposal of building a community with a shared future for mankind shows that it shoulders responsibilities not only at the national level, but also at the international level. By advancing this idea, China has shown its determination to contribute to world peace, he explained. "China is willing to share the benefits of its growth with other countries, with other populations that are still in poverty," he said. Ratsirahonana said China's help to Madagascar speaks to that truth. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, there have been relations of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation between Madagascar and China, he said, citing tangible aid provided by China in such fields as health, agriculture and infrastructure. Highlighting the technological cooperation between Madagascar and China in the field of hybrid rice, Ratsirahonana said, "such cooperation really touches the daily life of every Malagasy." He voiced his hope that China will continue to provide support, assistance and cooperation to help Madagascar achieve food self-sufficiency in the near future. Regarding the upcoming 20th National Congress of the CPC, Ratsirahonana said the decisions that will be taken during the meeting will affect not only the lives of the Chinese people but also the lives of other countries in the world. Produced by Xinhua Global Service University students attend an ICT job fair during the launch of the 2022 Huawei Seeds for the Future program in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Sept. 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) Thousands of hopeful job-seekers were attending a job fair organized by the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe in partnership with Stanbic Bank in the imbabwean capital Harare. HARARE, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of hopeful job-seekers were attending a job fair in the Zimbabwean capital Harare that saw a total of 757 job opportunities up for grabs. Organized by the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe in partnership with Stanbic Bank, the two-day China-Stanbic Job Fair that runs through Saturday has attracted 30 Chinese-run enterprises, with those in the mining and mineral processing sectors constituting the majority of recruiters. "For us, at this job fair, we are looking for IT engineers, solar engineers, solar technicians, accounts and sales (personnel), security, PAs and receptionists - almost in all departments we are looking for people," said Maggie Feng, Managing Director of Satewave Technologies, one of the Chinese companies that were recruiting at the job fair. Gamuchirai Ndlumbi, a recent Civil and Water Engineering graduate from the National University of Science and Technology, had come to the fair to seek a graduate traineeship. Job seekers communicate with potential employers at a job fair in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Aug. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) "For now, since I am just finishing school, I am looking for a position in graduate learner-ship, to start with," Ndlumbi told Xinhua. "Any position, anything that is part of the civil engineering discipline will do well for me since I am trying to learn, I am trying to develop my skills and I am trying to develop myself," she added. Isheanesu Masuka, a Food Science and Technology graduate from the Chinhoyi University of Technology, had come to seek new employment opportunities. "I am here for this job fair because the food industry in Zimbabwe has not been operating to maximum capacity, so there are not a lot of opportunities for those who are interested in those positions in the food manufacturing industry." "So I decided to come here to also explore other opportunities that could be available, and in this case, we have the mining industry whereby there are potential opportunities," said Masuka. After staying in China for seven years, John Moyo decided to come back home to put to use the skills he acquired abroad, and had come to the fair to kick-start his career in environmental engineering. "I have been in China for seven years, and I feel like I want to bring back the knowledge that I learnt from China, bring it back to Zimbabwe, and increase our production and business, economic trade between Zimbabwe and China. So this is one of the reasons I came here, to find a job and also to be part of the teams that are working towards growing our country," said Moyo. Shannel Liu, Vice President of the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe, said the aim of the job fair was to provide an interface between job seekers and their prospective employers. "We have over 80 Chinese companies, and lots of them actually come to us and want us to help them to find local employees because they don't have a very effective channel to find suitable people, so they were asking if it's possible if we can hold a job fair." "And we also understand that it is difficult for local people to find employment as well, and a lot of fresh graduates, they could not find jobs, they need to go to other countries to find job opportunities, that's why we created this platform for job seekers and employers, organizations, to meet face to face, to understand the needs and also the demand for them to meet with each other," she said. In addition, Liu said the open and public recruitment initiative allows employers and potential employees to communicate in a transparent way, regarding matters such as the positions available, and the salary offered. Liu said currently, over 100,000 locals are employed by companies represented under the Chamber of Chinese Enterprises in Zimbabwe. Vimbai Chiza, Deputy Director of Employment Promotion and Services in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, said the platform is in line with the government's efforts to improve the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. "And as such this is complementing government's offers towards employment promotion, so we applaud this event and we are planning on having many more job fairs where we are able to provide employment opportunities for our job seekers in the country," she said. Huang Minghai, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, said Chinese investments have been creating opportunities in Zimbabwe. "We are glad to see that Chinese companies are making efforts to drive the economy and expand employment in Zimbabwe. The job fair provides a platform for the connection of Chinese companies and job-seekers. Zimbabwe has over the years witnessed an influx of Chinese investments, particularly in the mining and mineral processing sector, manufacturing, agriculture, and ICT, among others. This has created vast employment opportunities in a country facing acute employment challenges. In August, the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Center also hosted a two-day job fair to facilitate face-to-face interaction between job seekers and potential employers. Xi Jinping delivers an important speech at the first meeting of the presidium of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The presidium of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held its first meeting on Saturday afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi Jinping attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. Presided over by Wang Huning, secretary-general of the congress, the meeting approved a list of 46 members of the standing committee of the presidium including Xi. Subsequently, Xi presided over the meeting, which proceeded with other items on the agenda. Ding Xuexiang, Chen Xi, Guo Shengkun and Huang Kunming were approved as deputy secretaries-general of the congress. A report on the examination of delegates' qualifications by the delegate credentials committee was adopted at the meeting. According to the report, qualifications of 2,296 elected delegates to the congress were confirmed valid after examination. The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has placed great importance on the election of delegates, the report noted. All primary-level Party organizations and up to 99.5 percent of more than 96 million Party members took part in the electoral process, it said. The delegates are outstanding representatives of CPC members, representing a broad spectrum of Party members. The report said the CPC Central Committee has invited 83 special delegates who enjoy equal rights as elected delegates. A draft of the electoral methods of the 20th CPC National Congress was approved at the meeting. It will be deliberated by delegations. The meeting also approved matters related to participants who will attend the congress in a non-voting capacity and invited guests. It was decided at the meeting that the congress will run from Oct. 16 to 22. The presidium of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds its first meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2022. Xi Jinping attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) The presidium of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) holds its first meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2022. Xi Jinping attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) ADEN, Yemen, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- With a touch of deep sadness in his voice, Yemeni Mahmoud Abdul-Aziz Faqih who could barely mention the loss of his only son Yazan, eventually talked about the last moments of the 8-year-old boy and nine other children who died after taking expired doses of smuggled medicine. Faqih exclusively spoke to Xinhua that "a few weeks ago, I left my residential house in the country's central province of Ibb and headed instantly to capital Sanaa seeking a dose of medicine to relieve the pain of my boy Yazan, who was suffering from leukemia." Following his arrival in Sanaa, which is controlled by the Houthi militia, Faqih took his son to a local public hospital that runs under the supervision of the Houthi-controlled health authorities. At the hospital, Yazan, along with several other child leukemia patients, received a dose of medicine by injection. "On that night, Yazan started complaining of a severe headache while his whole body was convulsing from the severity of the pain, and nurses at the hospital gave him sedatives several times," Faqih recalled. He said that "during the next day, Yazan was ill and in a critical condition, and one of the doctors at the hospital told me that my child was administered an expired dose of a smuggled cancer medicine, advising me to transfer him to receive intensive care in a private hospital in Sanaa." Faqih said that Yazan had remained in the intensive care unit at the private hospital in Sanaa for six days, during which he received many prescriptions, but some of the medicines were too expensive for Faqih to afford and some were not available at the local pharmacies in the city. In the end, "Yazan couldn't overcome the consequences of the expired dose and died from complications," Faqih said, grieving the loss of his only son. Ten children with leukemia died in the tragedy, while nine other children are in critical condition after receiving the same medicine, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported Friday, citing a statement by the Houthi-controlled health authorities. According to the local report, smuggled medicines are common for hospitals in the Houthi-controlled regions, where people have been suffering from a shortage of drugs, equipment, and funds for years. The Yemeni Pharmacists Syndicate (YPS) has warned of the dangers of smuggled medicines spreading throughout the Arab world's poorest country, which has been embroiled in a years-long military conflict between Yemen's government and the Houthi group. After the tragedy was revealed, the YPS called for "a transparent investigation based on reliable scientific evidence to avoid such a recurrence in the future." Meanwhile, Yemen's internationally-recognized government based in Aden blamed the Houthi group for "such a health disaster." The Houthi group has yet to respond to the government's accusations. By Azernews By Sabina Mammadli On October 12, members of the Azerbaijani Ombudswoman's National Preventive Group conducted monitoring at the Baku Detention Center of the Penitentiary Service without prior notice. The visit, instructed by Human Rights Commissioner Sabina Aliyeva and organized in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment and the Constitutional Law 'On the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan', was aimed to study the detention conditions and treatment of detainees. During the visit, which had doctors and psychologists of the NPG present, members of the group also received the Armenian servicemen, who were captured during the September clashes. Confidential conversations established the provision of each POW with medical care, correspondence, and access to information (television, etc.). The detained expressed no dissatisfaction with the conditions of detention and treatment. Similarly, on October 5, Armenian Investigative Committees Press Secretary Vardan Tadevosyan noted that the Armenian servicemen handed over by Azerbaijan were not subjected to torture and ill-treatment. The Ombudsman's Office noted that Azerbaijan remained committed to the norms of international law in the first and second Karabakh wars as well. However, Armenia, on the contrary, infringed upon the rights of two Azerbaijanis, who were held hostage in Armenia for more than six years. Their communication with family members was limited, while the Armenian captives in Azerbaijan were allowed to maintain close contact with their family members as part of the visits of members of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman's National Preventive Group. The office emphasized that despite repeated appeals over the fate of 3,890 Azerbaijanis who went missing during the first Karabakh war, Armenia still evades providing necessary information, thus violating the requirements of international humanitarian law. BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Saturday to Abdul Latif Rashid on his election as the Iraqi president. Xi pointed out that China and Iraq share a tradition of friendship, and that in recent years, the political mutual trust between the two countries has been increasingly consolidated and practical cooperation in various fields has made steady progress. Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Iraq relations and stands ready to work with President Rashid to promote new progress in the China-Iraq strategic partnership, so as to benefit the two countries and their people. KIGALI, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- African leaders from the public and private sectors have pledged to support Africa's youth innovative projects at the ongoing YouthConnekt Africa Summit which kicked off on Thursday in Rwanda's capital Kigali. "The Africa we want is one led by healthy, ambitious, empowered, creative, innovative, educated youth; so to get to this dream state, we must look at the full developmental picture, leaving no problem unattended," said Rwanda's First Lady Jeannette Kagame Friday while addressing the youth. She mentioned the need to holistically uplift youth, so that the future is bright for them, so that less of them "identify with anxiety for the future and even depression." During the three-day summit, leaders from the public, private and civil society organizations participated in plenary and roundtable discussions where they shared messages of encouragement to the youth. Tapera Muzira, coordinator of jobs for youth in Africa initiative at the African Development Bank (AfDB) said Friday "There is a problem of getting appropriate financial products. We need institutions delivering for entrepreneurs; we are committed to establish these institutions so that we can move away from the worry about collateral." Such new institutions will be charged with mobilizing sufficient capital for business expansion for youth entrepreneurs, he said, adding that such institutions would be fully designed to meet specific needs of entrepreneurs not catered for under current funding systems. "When there's an opportunity, youth need to strategize without fear. We need to lift the potential of young Africans to ensure that they benefit from the inclusion of youth in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)," said Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, Rwanda's Minister of Trade and Industry. Discussions of the participants centered on enabling Africa's youth to be part of an inclusive and resilient Africa by creating an environment that allows them to provide innovative solutions and ideas for the continent's development. The summit is Africa's largest annual youth summit. It is a continental initiative with the mission to empower young people by enhancing their knowledge, experiences and skills while investing in their ideas, innovations and initiatives to harness Africa's demographic dividend. The theme of this year's summit is "Accelerating Investments in Youth: Resilient Youth, Resilient Africa." There are more than 226 million people aged from 15 to 24 on the continent, according to the UN. ISLAMABAD, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- In the wake of recent devastating floods in Pakistan, the response from the international community has been very forthcoming, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Friday. "The initial flash appeal of Aug. 30 was for 160.3 million U.S. dollars and within a couple of weeks a large portion of that had been pledged," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said during a weekly media briefing. Subsequently, a revised flash appeal of 816 million U.S. dollars was launched on Oct. 4, Ahmad said, adding that so far, pledges of over 205 million U.S. dollars have been made, out of which 90 million U.S. dollars have already been committed or actualized. "It relates to the urgent humanitarian needs. Now the overall damage that has been caused by the floods is expected to run into tens of billions of dollars, and the assistance required for that will be part of a separate international conference focusing on sustainable rehabilitation and reconstruction," the spokesperson said. The catastrophic monsoon rain and floods since mid-June have killed more than 1,700 people and affected over 33 million people in Pakistan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Oct. 14, 2022. Turkiye and Qatar signed 11 new agreements during the eighth meeting of their Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul on Friday, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. (Xinhua) ISTANBUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye and Qatar signed 11 new agreements during the eighth meeting of their Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul on Friday, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani co-chaired the meeting, where high-level officials held talks on various issues. The agreements cover areas of shared use of communications infrastructure, food security, intellectual property, disaster and emergency management, as well as cultural exchanges, according to the report. Turkiye enjoys a deep historical friendship with Qatar. The two countries' partnerships have also strengthened since the Supreme Strategic Committee was established in 2014, during which over 80 bilateral agreements were signed and high-level meetings were frequent. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R, Front) shakes hands with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (L, Front) in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Oct. 14, 2022. Turkiye and Qatar signed 11 new agreements during the eighth meeting of their Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul on Friday, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. (Xinhua) ANKARA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 40 in an underground coal mine explosion in the northern Bartin province of Turkiye that trapped 110 workers, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Saturday. The minister confirmed that 110 workers were in the mine when the explosion occurs 300 meters below ground on Friday evening in the town of Amasra. Among them, 58 later managed to get out on their own, 11 others were injured and hospitalized, and the status of one remaining miner was unclear, he told reporters. The explosion occurred at 6:15 p.m. local time (1515 GMT) at the Amasra Hard Coal Enterprise, Bartin province said in a statement on Friday. Preliminary findings indicated that the blast was likely caused by firedamp, said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez. The fire in the gallery was largely under control, he said, noting "all search and rescue teams are on duty." Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was traveling to the scene. In 2014, as many as 301 people died in Turkiye's worst mine disaster in a fire inside a coal mine in Soma town of western Manisa province. ROME, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Besides "Wow" and "Great," what else would you say when flying over the Earth in space? Samantha Cristoforetti, the first Italian female astronaut in space, posted several lines of a famous ancient Chinese composition on Twitter to share her joy. She first wrote in Chinese, and then attached an accurate translation of the lines in both Italian and English to help more people understand. "Looking up, I see the immensity of the cosmos; bowing my head, I look at the multitude of the world. The gaze flies, the heart expands, the joy of the senses can reach its peak, and indeed, this is true happiness," it said. The text she quoted is from the Preface to Poems Composed at the Orchid Pavilion, a Chinese calligraphy masterpiece by Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi (303-361) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). She also attached three photos taken in space of China's Bohai Bay and the day-night view of Beijing, the country's capital. Two days before she landed on Earth, the beauty of space and Chinese literature resonated on her Twitter account. Before long, her posts went viral on Twitter with thousands of retweets, likes and replies. The poem and views are both magnificent; if everyone could enjoy the same sight, a lot of pain in the world would be dissipated, one user commented. A European astronaut in space recites Chinese ancient poetry, how romantic, said another replier. As the first Italian female astronaut in space, Cristoforetti carried out her first space mission on Nov. 23, 2014. She started the second mission in April and returned to Earth on Friday night after a 127-day long stay in orbit. When not traveling for work, she is an avid reader and has a great passion for language learning. "Always looking to the future, Samantha (Cristoforetti) is learning Chinese in her spare time," the European Space Agency (ESA) said on its website. Meanwhile, Cristoforetti has been active in Sino-European cooperation in the field of manned spaceflight. She was a working group member tasked with liaising with Chinese counterparts to define and implement cooperation in the field of astronaut operations. In 2017, she took part in a sea survival exercise organized by the Astronaut Center of China in the Yellow Sea, which was the first joint training of Chinese and foreign astronauts in China. An agreement was signed in 2015 between China and Europe on cooperation in the field of manned spaceflight, specifying the participation of China and Europe in each other's astronaut training activities. Speaking clear Chinese, Cristoforetti once told the media that the teams from China and Europe were working very well together in the field of astronaut training. She joined the Italian Air Force in 2001 and had accumulated more than 500 hours of flight experience. In May 2009, Cristoforetti was one of the six chosen from 8,000 European applicants to join the ESA astronaut corps. WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Police on Friday identified five victims of the Raleigh shooting in the U.S. state of North Carolina, as a suspect is in custody with life-threatening injuries. The deceased victims, aged between 16 and 53, include off-duty Raleigh police officer Gabriel Torres, according to the city's police chief Estella Patterson. "This is an extremely, extremely painful event for our officers, for me, for this entire community," Patterson told reporters. The suspect, described as a 15-year-old White male, was taken into custody on Thursday night and is said to have been in critical condition. More details about the identity of the shooter have not been released due to his age. The mass shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood in Raleigh on Thursday evening, in which two other people were also wounded, including one critically. Investigation remained active as of Friday morning. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said on Friday that "no community should feel the pain of gun violence." "We're sad, furious and have many questions that'll soon be answered," Cooper continued. "We're standing with the victims and their families in this moment of unspeakable agony." Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin echoed the sentiment, saying that "we must work to stop this mindless gun violence in our country." Gun violence has led to nearly 35,000 deaths across the United States so far this year, according to the latest data from Gun Violence Archive. Mortality rate among Russian heavily wounded exceeds 50% General Staff 15 October, 11:13 AM Mortality among Russian seriously wounded exceeds 50% (Photo:Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine) Due to the low quality of battlefield medical care and the refusal of the command of the invading Russian forces to evacuate the seriously wounded to Russian territory, the combat fatality rate of wounded enemy troops exceeds 50%, the Ukrainian militarys General Staff reported on Oct. 15. According to available information, a large number of wounded Russian soldiers are being admitted to medical facilities in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. About 100 wounded were admitted to one hospital in Donetsk this week, according to reports. In the city of Tokmak in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Oblast, the hospitals are overcrowded, according to information from local residents. Civilian admissions are not accepted in these hospitals due to the heavy workload of doctors and lack of beds. Video ad Ukraines combat fatality rate is unknown. According to recent studies, the combat fatality rate of U.S. forces in recent conflicts has been around 12%. In the Second World War, the rate was around 55%. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Saudi Arabia pledges $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine 15 October, 03:19 PM Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Muhammad bin Salman (Photo:REUTERS / Louiza Vradi) Saudi Arabia will provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid worth $400 million, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Oct. 15. According to the publication, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made the aid pledge during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Oct. 14. Read also: Russia and Saudi Arabia agree to significantly cut oil production The Saudi prince expressed the kingdom's readiness to continue mediation efforts and support everything that will contribute to de-escalation, SPA reported. Video ad President Zelenskyy also shared some details of the conversation with bin Salman on Twitter. In particular, during the conversation, the parties agreed to cooperate in the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Zelenskyy said in a tweet. Zelenskyy also thanked the Saudi prince for supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russias illegal attempts to annex the territories of Ukraine that it has occupied. "We agreed on the provision of Saudi macro-financial aid to Ukraine," Zelenskyy added. In September, with the mediation of Mohammed bin Salman, the most high-profile prisoner exchange for the entire period of Russia's war against Ukraine took place. A total of 215 Ukrainians, including commanders and fighters of the Azov Regiment, who defended Mariupol, were exchanged for Putin crony and Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk, as well as 55 Russian soldiers. In addition to Ukrainian military, ten foreigners who fought on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also released. Among them were those illegally sentenced to death by a court in a sham republic set up by the Kremlin in 2014 in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk. All of released foreign defenders of Ukraine were sent to Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Bin Salman told Zelenskyy that Riyadh was ready to mediate in the war. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Description The Vincent Smith School in Port Washington will host a free seminar--"Special Education Law Explained"--Saturday, Oct. 15 at 9:30 pm, presented by leading special education attorney Christine Thivierge. In this free, 90-minute lecture, Christina will explain the basics of federal and NY special education law, how parents can advocate for their children or utilize professional expertise, and what resources are available for the different kinds of services that are provided under the NY special education umbrella, with a special focus on learning disabilities like dyslexia and language processing disorders. Christina Thivierge is one of Long Island's top special education attorneys, focusing exclusively on the representation of children and adolescents with disabilities. Christina has presented on IDEA/IDEIA and other special education law topics for a number of organizations in the Tri-State area. In addition to successfully litigating due process matters on the state level, Christina has extensive Federal court experience and has argued and presented dispositive motions and matters of first impression. RSVP required to reserve seat: https://vincentsmithschool.org/Calendar/Event/RSVP The Vincent Smith School is at 322 Port Washington Blvd., across from the North Hempstead Country Club. More info or to reserve by phone: 516-365-4900 South Africa: SA has 'unparalleled' investment opportunities President Cyril Ramaphosa has told the South Africa Saudi Arabia Investment Forum that trade relations and investment between the two countries can increase much further over the course of the next few years. The President is on an official state visit to Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening economic ties, with the investment forum in particular acting as a platform for investors from both countries to foster relations. Trade between our two countries already totals $5 billion and we think we can increase it much further in the next few years. In fact, it is our dream and our ambition that we should see this number scaling much higher. South Africa stands particularly ready to increase the overall export of the basket of goods with Saudi Arabia to bring together a balance to the trade account, the President said. President Ramaphosa emphasised that economic relations between the countries can be mutually beneficial citing South Africas long history of mining as a particular industry of interest. If it could be said that oil is the lifeblood of the Saudi economy, such is mining to the South African economy as well. We have the mineral resources but also the capability, the capacity and above all, the solid experience. There are many opportunities for joint ventures and industrial partnerships between businesses on both our countries' side so as to foster greater growth and investment. For example, we can do partnerships in agro processing, fertilizer production and chemicals, he said. South Africa an investment gateway to Africa President Ramaphosa described South Africa as an investment destination of choice with great prospects in an array of industries. South Africa has what I would call unparalleled opportunities that await investors with the financial capability and great business appetite. Just as Saudi Arabia is positioned as the gateway to the Middle East and to the region, South Africa is a gateway to a dynamic continent with great prospects, he said. The President assured the forum that although South Africa faces challenges, it still remains open for business with reforms in industries such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, water, rail and ports also fostering positive investor sentiment. He cited continued investments such as those pledged at this years South Africa Investment Conference as a tangible signal of this. South Africa is a favourable, reliable and stable place to conduct business. I want to call on Saudi business to be part of the renewed momentum of international investors that are now coming to South Africa. Through a targeted outreach to global and local businesses, we have so far attracted investment commitments to the value of approximately $70 billion and this number is growing. We targeted $100 billion in a five year period and we are going to far exceed that, he said. President Ramaphosa welcomed the reports he has now received of various agreements being concluded between private sector firms during discussions between businesspeople at the forum. [The South Africa Saudi Arabia Joint] Business Council will need to maintain this great momentum that has been built so that it can solidify the economic relationship. When I was last here in 2018, we were essentially laying a foundation and digging the trenches. But during this visit, we are actually consolidating and solidifying that foundation. And this great building that we are constructing of economic development between our two countries is now going up, he said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2022-10-15. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. By Trend Speaker of Azerbaijan's Parliament Sahiba Gafarova has offered condolences to Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkiye Mustafa Sentop over the explosion victims in a coal mine in the Amasra district of Bartin province, the Parliament told Trend. Gafarova expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims on behalf of the Azerbaijani Parliament, and wished people who have been injured at the blast a speedy recovery. Traffic jams and stuck barges are clogging up a critical artery of the U.S. economy, as a prolonged drought pushes the Mississippi Rivers water levels to near-record lows. Around 500 million tons of supplies are ferried along the Mississippi River every year with trade value worth $130 billion, according to the Port of New Orleans, mainly agricultural products, like corn and soybeans, along with fuel products. The Mississippi River Basin produces more than 90% of U.S. agricultural exports, according to the National Park Service, and nearly 80% of the worlds grain exports. But all that is coming to a standstill amid historic drought conditions that are making the river untraversable for most shipping barges. River levels are now at their lowest level in a decade after historically low rainfall in recent months, becoming the latest supply-chain snag to hit the U.S. America is going to shut down if we shut down, Mike Ellis, CEO of American Commercial Barge Line in Indiana, told the Wall Street Journal this week. River traffic jams The low water levels have clogged up entire sections of the Mississippi River in recent weeks, wreaking havoc on the local economy. At least 2,000 barges were backed up along the river last week, Bloomberg reported, citing data from the U.S. Coast Guard. Also last week, the Coast Guard warned that at least eight heavy barges had become grounded in particularly shallow parts of the river. With fewer barges able to navigate the river and longer wait times, prices are starting to go up. Its definitely having an impact on the local economy, because the commercial use of this river has almost completely stopped, George Flaggs, mayor of Vicksburg, Miss., told local news channel WAPT earlier this week, adding that the river around Vicksburg is the lowest hes seen it in nearly 70 years. This will actually affect us in a very negative way. We have to have less cargo on our barges and less tonnage moving. It affects our revenues, Austin Golding, president of Golding Barge Line, told WAPT. Story continues Its the worst possible time for a drought in the Mississippi, as early fall is typically when grain is harvested in the Mississippi Basin and sent down the river. Soybeans are the most commonly shipped commodity on the river, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, but the low water levels are throwing the supply chain into chaos. Full soybean trucks are being turned away from loading stations along the river entirely, Ted Kendall, a farmer near Vicksburg, told local channel WLOX this week. With water levels so low and the rivers flow weakened, salt water from the Gulf of Mexico could start creeping upstream, which would threaten local ecology and drinking supplies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced plans at the end of September to construct a sillan underwater obstacleto halt the salt waters flow upstream. The Mississippi River tends to experience seasonally low water levels in the fall, the corps said, but with drought conditions persisting across the Mississippis headwater regions in the Midwest, it may be a while before water height returns to normal. Basically, were not seeing any heavy rainfall over the next several weeks to indicate that we would get any relief from low water conditions for the lower Mississippi, Jeff Graschel, a National Weather Service hydrologist at the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center, told the New York Times last week. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com More from Fortune: IBMs former CEO downplays the importance of a college degree for six-figure earning new collar jobs American cities are preparing for the worst Managing Gen Z is like working with people from a different country Ridiculously stupid economic policies have the U.S. hurtling toward a perfect storm of economic pain, Ray Dalio says By Clare Jim HONG KONG (Reuters) - Chinese real estate developers are delaying their debt restructuring moves until after the upcoming Communist Party Congress, hoping the crucial gathering offers clues on how Beijing plans to stabilise the embattled sector. What emerges at the meeting could help determine how the developers, who have missed payments or even defaulted on their offshore bonds worth tens of billions of dollars, pace any asset sales, extract or offer concessions to creditors, or even put themselves up for liquidation. While there is no consensus in the property industry on what specific sector measures, if any, are expected from the party congress - or in its immediate aftermath - and how far-reaching they could be, developers are nevertheless sitting tight. "The terms for the restructuring would be very different if the market recovers (post-congress meeting) and we are able to start selling and get cashflow rolling again," said a senior executive at a developer based in China's southern province of Guangdong, explaining the rationale for deferring the company's debt restructuring talks. The developer, which is in the process of restructuring after missing payments on some of its offshore debt, said in such a scenario bondholders would have more confidence in long-term repayments and the company could minimise disposal of core assets. If, however, Beijing does not introduce game-changing policies, developers could then take measures such as enforcing steep haircuts on bondholders or even liquidate, developers and restructuring advisers said. Some of the major developers in the process of restructuring their debt include China Evergrande Group, whose liquidity crunch last year was a turning point in the country's real estate crisis, Sunac China Holdings, Shimao Group Holdings and Kaisa Group Holdings. Smaller peers, which have done bond exchanges to extend the maturities of their debt, are also considering restructuring, the developers told Reuters. Story continues Graphic: China's real estate debt https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-CONGRESS/PROPERTY%20CHINA-CONGRESS/gkplgrybevb/China's%20real%20estate%20debt.PNG China's twice-a-decade party congress kicks off on Oct. 16, during which President Xi Jinping is poised to secure a precedent-breaking third leadership term as general secretary. The makeup of China's economic leadership is set for its biggest overhaul in a decade. The property sector is crucial to China's political and economic stability, with real estate accounting for around 40% of household assets, according to analysts, and making up around a quarter of the country's gross domestic product, the largest among all sectors. But after a government crackdown in 2020 on developers' debt-fuelled expansion, the sector has become a major headache for Beijing over the past year. Evergrande, with its $300 billion total debt and a default on its offshore debt last year, has cast an unwelcome light on Chinese developers' $5 trillion debt, rattling global markets and sparking rare protests. NO 'HEADLINES' An executive at another property company, which had previously planned to negotiate restructuring terms with offshore bondholders in the run-up to the party congress, said authorities told the developer to hold off on discussions to prevent any shock to the real estate market. "To put it simply, the government doesn't want any headlines," said the executive, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. Echoing that apprehension ahead of the party congress, some fund managers and brokers have been told to avoid big share sales, two sources told Reuters. The debt crisis in the property sector has led to dwindling investment from developers and homebuyers. Now, many analysts expect China's GDP to grow at roughly 3% this year, the slowest pace since 1976, excluding the 2.2% expansion during the initial COVID hit in 2020, as the sector drags on the economy. China has already rolled out a plethora of measures to bolster housing demand and affordability, but home prices and sales have continued to contract. New home prices fell for the third straight month in September, a private survey showed. "They have already tried so many relaxing measures and none of them worked," said a senior executive at a Shanghai-based developer. "It is a confidence issue; people don't want to spend money to buy houses even if you lower the down-payment ratio or cut the mortgage rates." Graphic: China's real estate growth https://graphics.reuters.com/CHINA-CONGRESS/PROPERTY%20CHINA-CONGRESS/znvneyalwpl/china-s-real-estate-growth-in-negative-territory-nbsp-.png Another real estate executive told Reuters the government was unlikely to reverse its goal to deleverage the sector, and cautioned that if no drastic support measures were announced at the party congress, disappointment could lead to a market rout. Betty Wang, senior China economist at ANZ, said with Xi's principle of "houses are for living, not for speculation", she did not expect any material changes to property regulations. With the emphasis on local governments implementing "city-specific" measures without a coordinated nationwide effort, varying degrees of policy relaxation in different cities could squeeze liquidity and demand for other cities and lessen the overall policy impact, she told Reuters. "The lack of specifics from the central government makes local governments, developers and homebuyers stay cautious," Wang said. "Developers will not increase their investment while homebuyers don't know whether it is the bottom yet." For some stakeholders, the stalling of the debt restructuring ahead of the party congress is frustrating. One bondholder told Reuters the developer it has a holding in kept delaying its restructuring timetable, initially from Chinese New Year in February, to a parliament meeting in March, and now to the party congress next week. "Every time they said there would be policy changes and we'd give you something after that. This kind of thing never ends, there's always an excuse," said the person, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue. "They tell you a timetable but I don't think any of them is realistic; the companies have no clue either." (Reporting by Clare Jim; Editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Muralikumar Anantharaman) Image US-India Conference Event at San Francisco's BayEcotarium 5th U.S.-India Conference 5th U.S.-India Conference SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 100 global CEOs and leaders of some of the world's most influential companies reflected on recent innovations and actions to combat climate change at a special dinner for the opening of the Fifth Berkeley Innovation Forum. The Smithsonian-affiliated Aquarium of the Bay hosted the primary session, and the final session of the event took place at another branch of the BayEcotarium, the Bay Model in Sausalito. The 5th annual US-India Conference took place at the Speaker Forum on the University of California, Berkeley campus. Executives, professionals, academics, students from both India and the U.S., and key members of U.S.-India trade and economic bodies attended the dinner to exchange ideas in an open forum. "The world is changing at a quick and dramatic pace, and new orientations and alignments are needed from the world's major economies," said George Jacob, President and CEO of BayEcotarium. "India and the U.S. must work together to shape and ensure mutual prosperity and peace around the globe." R. Mukundan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Tata Chemicals in India, spoke about the importance of corporate responsibility to support climate resiliency in an interview that evening. "We believe that conservation, protecting biodiversity and working on climate change cannot be done by one company," Mukundan said. "It has to be done by partnership and ecosystems. If by coming to these forums we can connect with like-minded people, we would like to find them, work with them, and share what we know." At the closing session held at the Bay Model in Sausalito, Professor Solomon Darwin (Haas School of Business University of California Berkeley) opened the final session. Presentations included industrial activities on the planet, how sustainability is key for the future, and best business practices to thrive in the modern business world. The forum included time for open discussion and question-and-answer sessions. Story continues WHO ARE WE: Established 42 years ago as the Bay Institute, Bay.Org/BayEcotarium and its seven branches are united under one mission to enable conversations on climate resilience and ocean conservation globally, while inspiring actionable change locally by protection and preservation of the San Francisco Bay and its ecosystems, from Sierra to the Sea. Visit www.Bayecotarium.org. BayEcotarium, one of the largest non-profit watershed conservation groups in the Bay Area, which includes the Smithsonian-affiliated Aquarium of the Bay, is marking its transformation to become a first-of-its-kind BayEcotarium - an immersive, sustainability-driven and multi-disciplinary education, research and climate leadership facility. The Berkeley Innovation Forum is a membership organization hosted by Dr. Henry Chesbrough, Faculty Director of the Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation. Professor Chesbrough has become a world-renowned authority on the topic of open innovation, a term that he is credited with inventing. BIF is an exclusive membership group consisting of carefully selected corporate Directors from non-competing firms who are deeply involved in managing innovation within their company. The forum provides its members an ongoing window on innovation challenges confronting companies around the world, and gathers members together to share their experiences in dealing with these challenges. We also incorporate recent innovation research, from UC Berkeley and other universities. We keep the size of the membership limited in order to promote greater exchange of viewpoints. Contact Information: Paul Nakamoto Vice President paul@bayecotarium.org (415) 262-4720 Related Images Image 1: 5th U.S.-India Conference BayEcotarium/Aquarium of the Bay, President & CEO George Jacob shares the importance of working together to grow the world's economy while being sustainable. This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment BEIJING, Oct 15 (Reuters) - China's ruling Communist Party's 20th party congress will run from Oct. 16 to 22, a spokesman for the congress said on Saturday. Chinese President Xi Jinping is poised to win a third five-year term as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party, the most powerful job in the country, at the congress to be held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian, Writing by Martin Quin Pollard; Editing by Michael Perry) CYF MIAMI FLORIDA, Oct. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CYF has established a Community Yield Farming that serves as the World's BEST Community Cantered & Powered Utility Token. In the recent expansion, the digital platform launched a BEP20 token with a unique algorithm designed to provide value to its community while fostering Crypto Adoption through a Vibrant ECOSYSTEM. CYF Started as an experimental community yield farming and quickly grew to a fully supportive community of crypto-currency enthusiasts. Their mission is to foster Crypto-Currency adoption across borders by addressing some significant factors that affect global cryptocurrency adoption. A deflationary token launched on Binance Smart Chain with a unique smart MINTING feature and a LIMITED supply of 100T CYF. It provides the following exclusive crypto features: RUG-PULL PROOF: CYF is 100% Rug-Pull free; token sales are managed by our sophisticated contract, which automatically locks the liquidity, assigning only 7.5% to project development and expansion. COMMUNITY REWARD: Backed by the community, CYF rewards its community through a unique smart minting that redistributes up to 35% of token sales back to the community. SELF-PROVIDING LIQUIDITY: CYF utilizes a unique approach to create and grow liquidity through the community reward program. The smart minting [CYF farm] is the SELF-PROVIDING LIQUIDITY of this project. In addition, the platform is developed for the noble cause of African Freedom. It focuses on the development of Africa in terms of technology and digital space. CYF wants to enhance the opportunities in the continent for the people of Africa. To achieve these targets, CYF facilitates its users through additional services such as: Blockchain Technology secures the algorithm; therefore, nobody, even the developer, can interfere with, cancel, or alter your transactions. The smart contract code is open source, and anyone anytime can observe the entire transaction history. It ensures fair and reliable accountability conditions. Story continues Everyone venturing into the Crypto-Currency has one thing in mind `What's in it for me? `. That's precisely what CYF answers to while ensuring long-term sustainability. Reliable 3rd parties auditing firms have fully audited CYF token contract and the Smart-Mint contract. About the Company CYF: Community Yield Farming CYF, abbreviated as Community Yield Farming, is the world's first platform to reward holders directly from ICO while sustaining its liquidity while at the same time preventing any possible rug-pull. It is developed by the co-founders Bright Hoza and Kalvin Hoka. The token mainly represents the African community. It never had any financial system that could make them achieve its goal of reaching 5 billion dollars to help all 54 countries of Africa financially to become a free continent. Due to CYFs tokens stunning performance and rapid expansion, major global investors have started investing in the project, such as wolf of Congo took notice of the early beta version of the CYF Token and invested immediately. In addition, CYF also is planning to add more bitcoin atm (CYF ATMs) all over Africa. Potential holders and determined crypto enthusiasts must visit the following links for further information: Website | Twitter | Telegram CONTACT: Mark Hernandez tuya Community Yielding Farm +44 7310 564189 sales at cyf.finance Winter is coming, and Germany is as prepared as it will ever be for tough times ahead. Europes largest economy built its energy security around cheap, plentiful imports of natural gas from Russia, a losing bet after the invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has since turned off the taps to Germany, forcing a mad scramble to weatherproof itself for colder temperatures ahead. While its policy mistake has helped disrupt supply and demand curves across the world, driving up prices since July, the good news is its hoarding may have peaked. This should help alleviate some of the pressure on global prices that caused a sharp spike over the summer, when European officials told Fortune they were willing to outbid the rest of the world to acquire supplies. The countrys storage caverns, which equate to roughly three months of demand, are now nearly bursting. Capacity utilization runs just shy of the 95% target well before the government's self-imposed Nov. 1 deadline. It now looks as though the bloc will get through the coming winter with enough suppliesbut only justbuoyed up by the gas reserves it raced to accumulate over the summer, said Deutsche Bank in a report on Tuesday. Together with other European Union member states conservation efforts, the bloc appears to be as resilient as it can be for the colder months lying ahead. Overall storage levels for the European single market have already surpassed the EUs November target of 80%, according to official data. This should mitigate market pressures provided temperatures do not suddenly plummet, as Europes demand has soaked up supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Algeria to Azerbaijan and everywhere in between. Americans in particular have seen supplies diverted to the European continent, threatening a domestic backlash. The United States has delivered us three times as much LNG this year as the volumes in the previous year, said EU Commissioner Kadri Simson on Wednesday following a meeting of energy ministers. Story continues European benchmark prices for natural gas have already come down substantially to just 160 per megawatt-hour on Thursday after peaking at around 350 per MWh in late August, when the continent was busy squirreling away as much of the critical raw material as possible. Natural gas is not only needed for heating and electricity but is a key input for chemicals like fertilizer needed for crops. Adding a further measure of relief to prices is Simsons news that the EU has so far achieved a voluntary reduction in gas consumption of 10% without resorting to rationingsolid progress even if it is admittedly less than the 15% targeted. Risk premium The key remains Germany, and the actions of its 80 millionplus inhabitants during the colder weather. Every second residential unit is still heated with gas, and household gas consumption accounts for half of total domestic gas consumption from October to April, according to data from gas grid operator Trading Hub Europe (THE). Last week, the country managed to consume 29% less than at this same time in previous years. The Bundesnetzagenturs Klaus Muller, head of the federal agency responsible for critical infrastructure, therefore only briefly celebrated achieving the countrys target of 95% storage capacity: The lions share of the gas will be drawn down in order to get us through the winter, so we still need to conserve gas at an absolute minimum level of 20%, no matter how warm or cold the winter gets. Although forward prices for natural gas more than halved in Europe, they still remain punitively high compared with the 43 per MWh this time last year. Much of this reflects market pricing with a risk premium for expected low or zero Russia flows to Europe, argues the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. Experts believe demand, and therefore prices, will react extremely poorly to even the slightest further disruption in available supply. Prices are really anticipating the fact that storage levels, even if theyre at 100%, may not be enough to get us through the winter, said James Henderson, chairman of the Gas Research Program at the Oxford Institute, during a UBS presentation in mid-September. Therefore we could hit some sort of crisis around January or February time, depending very much on what temperatures are like. Another factor that will influence everyones energy bills is the degree to which other countries compete for LNG supplies from countries like the United States and Norway. Currently, Chinas sluggish economic growth in the face of rolling COVID lockdowns has tempered demand, allowing more to be diverted to countries like Germany. If theres colder weather in Asia and LNG gets dragged away from Europe, then we could be short of LNG flows as well, and I think that is what markets are concerned about, he added. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com More from Fortune: What is XBB? The new immune-evasive COVID strain that combines Omicron variants is driving cases in two countries Generation No Thanks: Millionaire millennials are giving up on stocks and bondsand it could have significant implications for the future Managing Gen Z is like working with people from a different country Ridiculously stupid economic policies have the U.S. hurtling toward a perfect storm of economic pain, Ray Dalio says (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co. plans to compete with Tesla Inc.s solar and Powerwall business by offering its own sun-generated power and storage system starting late next year. Most Read from Bloomberg A new business unit, called GM Energy, is working with SunPower Corp. to provide solar panels and home energy storage for residential and commercial users, the company announced in a statement. Its similar to Teslas energy business, in which panels sold by the automaker charge a battery that supplies homes with electricity at night or during blackouts. The home-energy system will be available alongside GMs electric version of the Chevrolet Silverado, production of which is expected to start next year. For GM, its a way to get into the energy-storage business while serving electric vehicle owners and giving them a cheaper way to charge their vehicles. As part of the initiative, GM is also cutting deals with utilities to enable buyers of its EVs to use their vehicles battery to power the home if there is a blackout. PG&E Pilot That service will begin next year in a pilot project between GM and PG&E Corp., which provides service in California. Ford Motor Co. offers similar capability with its F-150 Lightning pickup. The reliability of the US electrical power grid has never been more important, said Travis Hester, vice president of GM EV growth operations. GM Energy seeks to offer sustainable energy products and services that can help mitigate the effect of power outages and provide customers with resilient and cost-effective energy management. GM is working with other utilities to set up similar pilot programs, including Consolidated Edison Inc. and New Hampshire Electric Cooperative Inc., the company said. Story continues The solar panel and storage business hasnt been a big part of Teslas revenue, though it is growing. The company said solar deployments rose 25% in the second quarter. We really expect a large number of GM customers who buy an electric vehicle over time to want to put solar and solar battery on their house, Peter Faricy, SunPowers chief executive officer, said in an interview Tuesday. Read more: Solar power, battery storage to be real test for Tesla With some US regions seeing an increase in blackouts, more companies will be competing to sell power solutions -- especially solar for home and commercial fleet use -- said Sam Abuelsamid, principal research analyst at Guidehouse Insights. Tesla is selling stationary energy storage, as is Generac Holdings Inc. Were going to see major automakers all going down this path, Abuelsamid said in an interview. There may not be enough power in some parts of the country, so people may be more interested in solar. The bigger part of this will be the commercial side with fleet customers. (Adds CEO quote in the ninth paragraph. A previous version corrected the name of the business unit in the sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. BERLIN, Oct. 14, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, met with G7 Gender Equality Ministers over a two-day session to discuss gender equality policies, and support for women in self-employment and entrepreneurship. Minister Ien took the opportunity to provide an update on Canada's progress towards advancing gender equity, and the ongoing work to strengthen women's economic security to ensure a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economy. The Minister also noted that supporting early learning and childcare is not simply a social program it is a long-term powerful economic tool that directly benefits women and their families. Minister Ien also highlighted the recent launch of a gender-based violence youth awareness campaign and Canada's First 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. The Action Plan will guide the work of the Government of Canada to advance the rights for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Minister Ien noted support for the continuation of the Gender Equality Advisory Council, as established by Canada under its 2018 G7 Presidency, to further advance gender equality across G7 priorities. She expressed how moving the marker on the gender gap is something that is tied to empowering not only women and gender-diverse people, but also youth. Minister Ien called attention to the Signal for Helpa Canadian initiative developed in 2020 by the Canadian Women's Foundation to respond to the needs of women escaping violence. G7 Ministers agreed to amplify this initiative through their joint statement as an additional tool for addressing gender-based violence. During her meetings, Minister Ien mentioned the concerning situations in Iran, Ukraine, and Afghanistan and encouraged cooperation among G7 countries. Minister Ien raised concerns about gross human rights violations inflicted on Iranian women and girls during her bilateral meetings and advocated for the signing of a joint statement to condemn the actions of the Iranian regime. Canada calls on the Iranian regime to listen to the concerns of its own citizens and to protect their right to peaceful protest. Story continues The Minister also raised concerns about the hardships endured by the people of Afghanistan, notably women and girls, that are now living under Taliban rule. Canada does not recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan and will remain steadfast in our resolve to bring vulnerable Afghans to Canada as quickly as possible. The Minister highlighted the need for G7 countries to continue standing in solidarity with Ukraine, as Russia continues its unjustified and illegal invasion. Canada has stood up and responded to the Russian regime by introducing punishing sanctions and will continue to work with the international community to end the Russian regime's aggression. Minister Ien also met with many G7 delegates to discuss common priorities to advancing gender equality policies and promoting gender equality and 2SLGBTQI+ rights. Quick Facts Canada supports leaders and ministers in ensuring that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are integrated across all the G7's work. The Gender Equality Advisory Council provides recommendations and advice on concrete actions that will produce real results for women and girls. It is made up of feminist champions, technical experts and community activists, including representatives from civil society, government and youth, from G7 and other countries. The Women 7 (W7) brings together approximately 70 feminist leaders from across Canada, G7 countries, and the Global South to discuss and form policy recommendations to help advance gender equality and women's empowerment. Their voices, perspectives and leadership will contribute key recommendations on ways to ensure that the G7 responds to the realities of women and girls around the world. Associated Links Follow Women and Gender Equality Canada: SOURCE Women and Gender Equality Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2022/14/c3703.html Featured Image for Urbanspace Featured Image for Urbanspace NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Urbanspace, the leading national food hall brand, has partnered with Feenix Venture Partners on a $7.0mm credit facility to take advantage of the demand for its unique mix of experiential dining, chef mix, and accessible fast-casual price point. In the last year Urbanspace has experienced rapid growth with five new food halls in the Midwest and New York, and the first of a new Singapore branded concept, Urban Hawker, near Rockefeller Center. In 2023 Urbanspace is slated to expand into four new metropolitan markets on the East Coast and Los Angeles. "We are seeing tremendous consumer response to the food hall format," says Urbanspace President Eldon Scott. "As this segment consolidates, we are pleased to be able to partner with Feenix to help us to continue to create and manage new and second-generation food halls." Michael Siegel, Partner and Managing Director at Feenix, commented, "Urbanspace has been a staple of the Midtown Manhattan lunch scene for years. With this additional capital, the Urbanspace team can take their successful concept to wider audiences across the country. Eldon and his team have done an amazing job building this business, as evidenced by their recent opening of Urban Hawker, and Feenix cannot wait to see what Urbanspace has in store for its future expansion." About Urbanspace Urbanspace develops immersive public markets which connect consumers with creative local food and retail operators, filling the experiential gap not addressed by national fast-casual and delivery-only brands. What began at London's Camden Lock in the 1970's has evolved into the largest operator of food halls and pop-up markets in the United States. Urbanspace's portfolio encompasses 7 cities with over 220 kitchens in addition to its outdoor holiday markets. About Feenix Venture Partners Feenix Venture Partners ("Feenix") is an alternative investment firm established in 2017 and headquartered in New York City. Feenix provides growth capital through debt and equity to small and medium-sized businesses, primarily in the consumer sector. Feenix is an active investor in food & beverage, hospitality, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, SaaS, and other service businesses. Story continues Contact Information: Keith Lee CEO klee@feenixpartners.com Eldon Scott CEO escott@urbanspacenyc.com Related Images Image 1 This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. Attachment In its efforts to hire Mark Taylor as superintendent, the Spotsylvania School Board took the unusual step of engaging officials from the state Department of Education in the process. Leadership at the Virginia Department of Education, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow, communicated with Spotsylvania School Board members throughout the hiring process. Such involvement is uncommon, according to a recent former state secretary of education, three former Spotsylvania School Board members and the director of the Virginia Association of School Boards. The school systems previous superintendent, Scott Baker, was fired without cause during a closed session at a Jan. 10 School Board meeting. Taylor will begin his appointment as superintendent Nov. 1. With an annual base salary of $245,000, he will be the second-highest-paid school division leader in the greater Fredericksburg region. While Taylor has served in administrative government roles, he has no prior education leadership experience. The boards 43 decision to hire Taylor, who served as Spotsylvania County administrator from 201519 before taking the same position in Greene County, has caused contention on the School Board and among residents. Over the past several months, parents have expressed concerns over the selection process, Taylors lack of experience in education and his personal ties to the school board chairman. Critics of Taylors selection also have pointed to controversial social media posts made to a profile appearing to belong to Taylor. Members of the Virginia Board of Education referred to these posts, which one member described as racially and socially insensitive, when discussing whether Taylor would be granted a superintendents license. The board ultimately voted 62 in favor of licensure, though several who voted to grant Taylor the license agreed that the posts, if legitimate, would have disqualified him from a leadership position if they had been doing the hiring. Taylor suggested during an interview with ABC7 last month that the social media posts were the result of his profile being hacked. Last week, two county residents, Jeffrey Glazer and Christina Ramos, filed a petition in Spotsylvania Circuit Court requesting a temporary and permanent injunction against the hiring of Mark Taylor. The petitioners are requesting a judicial review of the School Boards decision. Emails obtained by The Free LanceStar from the state Department of Education through requests under the Freedom of Information Act show a senior adviser to Balow and Elizabeth Schultz, assistant superintendent of public instruction, were early points of contact for School Board members. That adviser, Jon Russell, is now the Spotsylvania school divisions manager of executive communications. Atif Qarni, former Virginia Secretary of Education, said it is rare for [the] State Board of Education or VDOE to get involved in the hiring of a local superintendent. The involvement usually happens when a school division has had a history of failing to meet State Standards of Accreditation, and VDOE gets involved to work out a memorandum of understanding with the local division to intervene in specific matters, Qarni wrote in an email to The Free LanceStar. This could possibly include selection of a superintendent; however, this usually would be written out in the MOU and agreed upon by both sides. School Board member Lisa Phelps emailed Schultz on Jan. 24, soon after Schultz was appointed to her position at the VDOE by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, requesting a meeting. Phelps contacted Schultz again May 4, informing her that the School Board would request an extension to the 120-day time frame that Virginia Code provides for a school board to fill a superintendent vacancy. Phelps also referred to an upcoming conference that both would attend. Schultz replied to Phelps the same day, thanking her for the opportunity to touch base on Spotsylvania County Superintendent search and saying, It will be a pleasure to meet you at the Education Summit. She also forwarded Phelpss email to Balow, Russell, and Balows Chief of Staff Dicky Shanor. Later in May, VDOE Chief Policy Analyst Rebecca Askew passed along to Russell a request from Twigg for a meeting with Balow, to discuss hiring, ratios and standards of learning, according to her email, which she copied to Twigg at his personal AOL email address. Twigg later followed up on that request for a meeting in another email to Russell. Russell scheduled the meeting with Balow via Zoom on May 31. School Board member Dawn Shelley, who served as board chair prior to Twigg, said she never requested a meeting with the state superintendent during her term as chair. I would not think it appropriate. There are over 130 school boards in Virginia. I wouldnt think the State Superintendent would have time for that, Shelley wrote in an email to The Free LanceStar. Two other former Spotsylvania School Board chairs, Baron Braswell and Erin Grampp, also said they never requested meetings with the state superintendent and could not think of a reason why they would. In April, the School Board hired GR Recruiting to conduct the search for a new division superintendent. On May 16, the School Board held a special meeting with consultant Sandi Gero to finalize the requirements and profile for the new superintendent. At that meeting, board members argued against requiring that the successful candidate have experience in public education. Gero told the board she didnt expect to receive any applications from non-educators. On May 20, School Board attorney Brad King sent Twigg an email citing section 8VAC20-390-10 of Virginia Administrative Code, which states the requirements for being placed on the states list of eligible superintendent candidates. According to the code, one of the qualifications applicants must meet to be placed on the list is, at least five years of satisfactory and full-time experience in administration or supervision, or both, in public schools. Here is the state regulation we just discussed, King wrote to Twigg. As you see, this confirms what the state STATUTE says: that the superintendents must come from the list of eligible candidates maintained by the State Board of Education. The qualifications and routes for getting on that list are included in this regulation. King later resigned from his position as the boards attorney. On June 7, Twigg forwarded Kings email with the citation from 8VAC20-390-10 to Russell, along with a different section of the Administrative Code. According to that section, 8VAC20-23-630, individuals may be candidates for a superintendents license if they have a masters degree or equivalent, a minimum of three years of successful experience in a senior leadership position and a recommendation from a Virginia school board interested in employing the individual. Twigg asked Russell in the June 7 email for any help to write a summary or that tweeks [sic] state requirements. In a document attached to the June 7 email, either Twigg or Russell annotated the quoted code section with the following: A Virginia School Board can choose a Superintendent who is an experienced leader from outside the world of public education. The School Boards right to choose an outsider as their Superintendent is found in Option IV in the regulation relating to the licensure of a Superintendent. Mr. Russell notes that the recommendation called for ... would be in the form of a letter signed by the local School Board Chairman. Thats all there is to it. GR Recruiting accepted applications for the superintendent position through mid-June, and the School Board held two rounds of interviews of the top candidates at the end of June and in early July. The School Board held a special meeting to discuss the final two candidates for superintendent July 8, but held no public vote to recommend either one. The next morning, Twigg sent Russell an email with a confidential letter attached recommending Taylor for the position. On July 10, a Sunday, Russell forwarded the email and attached letter to Balow, writing, Jillian if you have a chance please review this attachment. I will try to reach you tonight. Russell sent Twiggs letter to the VDOEs director of licensure, Maggie Clemmons, on July 11, and asked her to add Taylor to the list of candidates for licensure by the Board of Education. On July 26, Russell forwarded an email chain between Taylor and Clemmons to Shanor. Chief of Staff Shanor, please meet Spotsy School Board Chairman Twigg & Mark Taylor, Russell wrote. I have been working hard to get Mark through the endzone to be approved as superintendent by the Board of Education at their next meeting. On Aug. 4, Twigg wrote to Shanor, thanking him for your letter earlier this week that validates Mark Taylor has completed his requirements and for sharing the news that your team walked down the hall and put [Taylors] name in the stack of several superintendents that will [via package] be approved at the school boards August meeting on the 17th.... Twigg asked Shanor to tell him if he should expect anything to delay the Board of Educations approval of Taylors licensure. As you know, we are anxious to get started with our new superintendent, and we want no setbacks, he wrote. Shanor replied that it should be a consent agenda item so no concerns. The Board of Education did pull Taylors name from the list of candidates for licensure Aug. 17 after it became evident that the Spotsylvania School Board had not voted in public to recommend him. Board of Education members at the Sept. 15 meeting said they were satisfied that this procedural error had been remedied and approved Taylors licensure by a 62 vote. Hiring a superintendent is one of the duties assigned to local school boards by Virginia Code, said Gina Patterson, executive director of the Virginia School Board Association, which has facilitated superintendent searches for many school divisions. Patterson said the state Department of Education typically has little involvement in the process beyond granting licensure. By Trend The Armenian authorities want to neutralize the negativity existing in society, and in particular to influence angry citizens who lost their children in the [second Karabakh] war by spreading false information and through manipulations, Spokesperson for Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva said on October 15 in Baku, Trend reports. Abdullayeva made the remark commenting on the recent information of the Armenian authorities that the Azerbaijani army allegedly lost more than 400 people during the suppression of the Armenian military provocation on September 12-14 this year. "This is not the first time that we are faced with absolutely unfounded, false information from the Armenian authorities. We remember well results of the Armenian sides attempts to mislead the public with false information during the second Karabakh war," she noted. "As its known, official information about the losses of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in the September clashes was provided by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. During the suppression of a large-scale military provocation of the Armenian armed forces, 80 of our servicemen were killed," the spokesperson reminded. "The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, unlike the Armenian Defense Ministry, provides information about our servicemen who died during military clashes, completely openly, indicating names and surnames, and this list is posted on the website of the ministry," Abdullayeva explained. "Our martyrs are a source of our pride, their funerals are held with the participation of a large number of people - the public representatives and government officials, and widely covered by the media." "Once again, we want to emphasize that, unlike the Armenian side, the data presented by the Azerbaijani side on the losses of military personnel cannot be in doubt. Armenian officials who want to hide the incompetence of their army, seeking to change the domestic agenda by destructive methods, must finally understand that in order to ensure stability in their country, first of all, they must avoid provocations, and take concrete steps towards normalization and peace with neighboring countries. There is no other way for this," she concluded. Old blended with the new during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the replacement bridge over the Potomac River between King George County and Charles County, Maryland. After the event was held on the Maryland side Wednesday morning, Gov. Larry Hogan got into a 1948 yellow convertible and led a small parade over the Harry W. Nice Memorial/Sen. Thomas Mac Middleton Bridge on U.S. 301. The Ford Super Deluxe was chosen because it reflected the era when the original bridge opened in 1940, according to the governors website. The bridge officially opened to traffic Thursday morning, amid cloudy skies and intermittent rain showers. Travelers crossing the Potomac between the two states got to try out the new 1.7-mile span that cost $463 million to build. For those whose stomachs clenched when they approached the steep incline on the old bridge, the new four-lane model may reduce some of that anxiety. There are two lanes in each direction, and barriers between the eastbound and westbound lanes. While the new bridge seems every bit as tall as the old one, the grade is more gradual and the highest point of the new bridge is open on top, not covered in trusses like the old bridge was. While commuters can compare the looks of the two structures in the first days the replacement bridge is open, that probably wont be the case for long. Maryland plans to demolish the old bridge, and soon. Representatives from a trio of bike and trail groups, in both states, filed a temporary restraining order in late September to keep the old bridge from being torn down. But a federal judge in Baltimore ruled on Tuesday that the groups hadnt met the threshold needed to block the demolition. In previous court hearings, Maryland Transportation Authority officials said it would cost them $21,500 a day to delay the demolition. When authority officials told the federal judge during a preliminary court hearing last week that the new bridge was scheduled to open on Wednesday and that demolition of the old bridge would begin in earnest the next day, according to court documents, it was the first that anyone heard of the timeframe. The schedule announced in court may have been delayed a day as the new bridge opened to traffic on Thursday instead of Wednesday. The new NiceMiddleton bridge has been a decade in the making, according to MdTA, but its communication office didnt invite other government officials to the ribbon-cutting ceremony until Friday, three workdays before the event. A notice went out to the media the day before the ceremony. There was nothing on the authoritys website announcing when it would open to traffic. Typically, when a project gets finished three months ahead of schedule, as this one did, government agencies broadcast that news across all platforms. Nothing has been posted or published, either, about when the old bridge may be demolished, giving drivers a heads-up about the possible noise or vibrations the action may cause. However, since the structure has opened, one aerial photo on the website declares that bike access will be available early next year. Theres no separate lane or shoulder for bikes, just as theres no barrier separating bicyclists from vehicular traffic. Maryland officials say bicyclists will be able to share the road with cars, trucks and tractortrailers traveling 50 mph. RICHMOND State and federal officials are concerned Virginia will not meet its 2025 overall commitment to reduce polluted runoff into the Chesapeake Bay; 90% of which must come from the agriculture industry, according to environmental advocates. However, farmers and landowners can access a record $235 million next year in state funds to help pay for an array of practices aimed at protecting the nations largest estuary. The funding is available through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program. Progress in wastewater treatment plants are the main reason why Virginia is on track to meet its overall 2025 deadline, but more work needs to be done to address pollution runoff from agriculture, as well as suburban and urban areas, show reports from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency. The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, which guides the policy agenda and conservation and restoration goals for the Chesapeake Bay Program, met Tuesday with state leaders in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to discuss reevaluating the 2025 deadline. Gov. Glenn Youngkin said during the meeting that it was a difficult recognition when he took office in January that Virginia was not on track to meet its 2025 goals. I think we have a clear commitment to meet those goals, Youngkin said. Its not a matter of hitting them, its a matter of when. Agriculture is Virginias largest industry by far and is the most significant source of nutrient and sediment pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Cattle can erode stream banks, causing runoff from fertilizer and sediment to flow into waterways, said Peggy Sanner, Virginia executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Cattle waste further reduces water quality, and can lead to algae blooms which are harmful towards aquatic life, Sanner said. The cost-share program has its roots from back in the Great Depression era, Sanner said. People began to understand the need to improve farm practices to increase productivity, but also to protect the soil so that it wouldnt wash off in times of rain. The programs funding has nearly quadrupled since 2020, according to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, or DCR. Nearly 23,000 participants have enrolled in the cost-share program since 1998, according to the DCR. There are approximately 54,000 farmers in Virginia. Bobby Whitescarver and his wife Jeanne Hoffman enrolled in the program in 2020, after buying a farm in Augusta County. They received thousands of dollars from the state after projects were installed through a contract with the Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District to improve the water quality around the 100-acre plus farm. Approximately a mile of fencing along streams was installed to keep cattle out of the water, along with internal fencing for rotational grazing. Around a mile of new underground pipeline delivers water to six cattle watering stations. Native hardwood trees were also planted along the streams to create a forest buffer, which helps absorb runoff containing pollutants from fertilizer, and other sources, from entering the water. Whitescarver was reimbursed 100% of the costs of installing the practices within a month of completion, he said, and received incentive payments for the acreage along the streams that were fenced off from the cows. The payments are given to farmers to install certain practices under the promise they will be maintained for a certain number of years outlined in their contracts. The process was incredibly streamlined, Whitescarver said. We were really pleased with how everything worked. Farmers can get partial or full funding for installing best management practices such as rotational grazing, wetlands preservation and planting cover crops. There are more than 70 practices offered through the program. Its a program by which the state basically pays farmers to help them do the practices that achieve both of those goals of conservation of soil and water, while helping the farmers economically, Sanner said. The state Water Quality Improvement Fund received $313 million from last years surplus, much of which was allocated to the program overseen by the DCR. The increased public awareness of the record funding increases means theres also an increased awareness of the needs for the best management practices, DCR stated in an email. Reception of the program has been very positive, DCR stated. Many districts are reporting that they are seeing record levels of participation this year. A farmer can be reimbursed up to $300,000 per year for implementing the practices. State income tax credits are also available to farmers for the purchase and use of certain conservation equipment for installing practices specified by local soil and water districts. Farmers want clean water, they want to produce a safe product, said Martha Moore, senior vice president of governmental relations for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. Conservation practices help farmers save money because less fertilizer and soil is wasted through runoff, according to the DCR. When farmers can provide cleaner water sources through watering stations, livestock are better protected from possible injuries that occur from streams and rivers, according to DCR. Overall herd health is also improved. Cost-share pays financially now but the practices can also benefit farms for years to come, DCR stated. A farmer or landowner interested in taking part in the program can contact their local soil and conservation district to start the process. The program is the best tool that helps farmers help themselves and help the environment at the same time, Sanner said. SALEM, Ore. (AP) Oregon is typically known as a bastion of West Coast liberalism, where Democrats are easily elected and a Republican hasn't served as governor since the early 1980s. But with an unusually competitive three-way contest for governor, the Democratic candidate's success is hardly a guarantee this year. As mail-in ballots become available to voters next week, Oregon is becoming the unlikely site of one of the most competitive governor's races in the country. The main reason for the race's unpredictability is Betsy Johnson, a longtime former Democratic lawmaker with a fondness for salty language who is aiming to become the first unaffiliated governor elected in Oregon in almost a century. Polls show Johnson with double-digit support, and Democrats have called her a spoiler who is taking votes from their nominee, Tina Kotek and could lead to a GOP victory. Her bid has been aided by GOP donor and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, who donated at least $3.75 million to Johnson's campaign before giving $1 million in recent weeks to Republican candidate Christine Drazan. The tight contest between Kotek and Drazan, with Johnson trailing, has caught the attention of the White House. On Friday, President Joe Biden visited Portland to campaign with Democrats and urge voters to back Kotek. During a phone bank for Oregon Democrats in a crowded union hall, Biden grabbed Koteks hand and the two walked to the center of the room as volunteers cheered. What a governor does matters, he said. It's an unexpected bright spot for the GOP, with the Republican Governors Association last week sinking another $1.5 million into the state in hopes of replacing Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, who is term-limited. Oregon is considered a toss-up race, alongside contests in the traditional swing state of Wisconsin and in Kansas, where Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is seeking reelection in a conservative state where she beat a flawed candidate four years ago and now faces Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Kotek emphasized that a lot is riding on this election. The race for Oregons governor this year is more consequential than ever, Kotek, a former state House speaker, said this week. Roe v. Wade was overturned. Abortion rights are on the ballot. Gun violence prevention is on the ballot. Republicans say Oregon voters are frustrated by issues like homelessness and crime and are ready for a change. Drazan, Kotek and Johnson who all served in the Oregon Legislature each say curtailing homelessness will be their priority if elected governor. We must move people from chronic homelessness to stability and restore safe streets and neighborhoods again, Drazan said in an email Tuesday. Republicans argue that Democrats have moved too far to the left, backing policies such as curtailing greenhouse gas emissions which conservatives say will harm working-class Oregonians. Efforts to pass a cap-and-trade bill spawned a resistance group called Timber Unity, which staged protests around the state Capitol in Salem in 2019 with horn-blaring big rigs. Timber Unity has endorsed Drazan. But the groups rallies have attracted backers of QAnon and right-wing militia. Timber Unitys spokeswoman was present at the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Kotek responded to the Drazan endorsement by tweeting: The last thing Oregon needs is a governor who shares ties with election deniers, Capitol rioters, and white supremacists. Drazan shot back that Kotek was slandering the very Oregonians youre running to represent as governor. In 2020, Oregon voters approved a ballot measure to decriminalize hard drugs and dedicate millions of dollars to addiction treatment. The program has had a rocky start, with addiction rates among the country's highest and delays in channeling funds to treatment programs. Drazan supports asking voters to repeal it. Johnson said she would also work to repeal what she called a failed experiment. A spokeswoman for Kotek said "Oregonians do not want to go backward. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, chairman of the Republican Governors Association, said Democrats are facing voter dissatisfaction with sometimes violent civil unrest in Portland and what he described as very zealous lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kotek and the Democratic Governors Association have noted that both Drazan and Johnson have A ratings from the National Rifle Association. Johnson proudly talks about being a gun owner she even owns a submachine gun and supports the Second Amendment. The Democrats also criticized Drazan, a former minority leader in the Oregon House, for helping lead a walkout of GOP lawmakers to block the Democrats' climate change bill. Drazan sided with the far-right by shutting the door and walking away from her taxpayer-funded job, DGA spokesman Sam Newton said. Democrats warn voters that a Drazan victory could threaten abortion rights, environmental protections and democratically-run elections in the state. They are hopeful that voters who consider supporting Johnson, who is for abortion rights, will opt instead to back their candidate. Oregon is in real danger of electing an anti-choice Republican as our next governor," said An Do, executive director of Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, adding that a vote for Johnson would only help Drazan win. Johnson dismisses that kind of talk. I am not the spoiler candidate, Johnson told members of the Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs at a campaign appearance in Salem on Tuesday. I am in this to win. Johnson, who was in the statehouse for 20 years, quit the Democratic Party in 2021 to run as an unaffiliated candidate for governor. If successful she would be the first female unaffiliated governor ever in the U.S. Johnson got on the ballot by delivering some 48,000 voters signatures to elections officials, with the help of a signature-gathering company that was paid almost $900,000. Johnson led Kotek and Drazan early in fundraising, with help from Knight. Clatsop County sheriff's detective Ryan Humphrey was among the several dozen law enforcement officers who listened to Johnson's appeal for votes Tuesday. I won't defund or demonize the police, but will demand professionalism from anyone in a uniform, Johnson told them. Humphrey, who lives in Johnson's old state senate district, said he was already in Johnson's corner because she's no nonsense and gets things done, like facilitating the building of a new county jail. Betsy Johnson, when she was running as a Democrat, is the only Democrat Ive ever voted for in 28 years of voting, Humphrey said. Johnson is hoping to woo centrist Republican and Democratic voters and the biggest slice of Oregon's electorate: the 1 million unaffiliated voters whose numbers slightly edge registered Democrats and are 40% greater than the number of registered Republicans. Democrats are worried about that. The presence of Betsy in the race really shifted the votes so theres sort of a group of Democrats and some Republicans that are supporting Betsy Johnson," said former Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, a Democrat supporting Kotek. "And that obviously creates quite a problem. Burnett reported from Chicago. Pakistan summoned the U.S. ambassador on October 15 after President Joe Biden described Pakistan as "maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world and questioned the safety of its nuclear weapons. Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told a press conference in Karachi that Pakistan decided to summon Ambassador Donald Blome after Bidens off-the-cuff comments on October 14 at a Democratic Party fund-raiser. "The United States regularly meets with Pakistani officials," A U.S. State Department spokesperson in Washington told Reuters in a statement, adding: "As standard practice, we do not comment on the specifics of private diplomatic conversations." Biden was discussing American leadership and the war in Ukraine, saying its a totally different world compared with the period after the end of the Cold War. Did any of you ever think youd have a Russian leaderthreatening the use of tactical nuclear weapons. Did anybody think wed be in a situation where China is trying to figure out its role relative to Russia and relative to India and relative to Pakistan? Biden said. Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden said, This is a guy who understands what he wants but has an enormous, enormous array of problems. How do we handle that? Biden continued. How do we handle that relative to whats going on in Russia, and what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan? Nuclear weapons without any cohesion. The White House released a transcript of his remarks, touching off the response from Pakistan. Zardari defended Pakistan's record on its handling of its nuclear assets, saying they are safe and secure under standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). When Pakistan has nuclear assets, we know how to keep them safe and secure, how to protect them as well, Zardari said, adding that he discussed Bidens comments with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who also rejected them. Pakistan has proved itself to be a responsible nuclear state, and its nuclear program is managed through a technically sound command-and-control system, he said in a statement. "We are proud that our nuclear assets have the best safeguards. We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts," he said on Twitter. Zardari said the United States should be allowed an opportunity to explain its position and acknowledged that Biden's remarks were not made at an official function. "I don't believe that this should negatively impact the relations between Pakistan and the United States," he said. Sharifs statement noted that it is Pakistans sincere desire to cooperate with the U.S. to promote regional peace and security. Pakistan served as a front-line state in the U.S.-led war on terror following the 9/11 attacks, but relations soured after Al-Qaeda leader and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden was found and killed by U.S. special operations forces at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in May 2011. More recently, the United States has become wary of Pakistan's close partnership with China, as Beijing pushes ahead with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor program to invest in infrastructure. Washington has repeatedly said China will reap most of the benefits, leaving Pakistan with unsustainable debt. The warnings have been brushed aside by Pakistan. With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP The philosophical chasm between Gov. Jared Polis, who seeks reelection, and Heidi Ganahl, the Republican challenger, was in full view on Sunday night, as the two candidates clashed over crime, energy and taxation in an hour-long debate that could help form the electorate's vote in November.Ganahl sought to put Polis on the defensive throughout the debate a highly choreographed ritual in America's grand experiment in representative democracy that occurred at a crucial moment of the election season, just before voters start getting their early ballots. Reporter Stephanie Earls is a news reporter and columnist at The Gazette. Before moving to Colorado Springs in 2012, she worked for newspapers in upstate NY, WA, OR and at her hometown weekly in Berkeley Springs, WV, where she got her start in journalism. The city of Colorado Springs is weighing whether to gate Old Stage Road to reduce late-night shooting across private property, vandalism, lighting fireworks, dumping and other illegal activity. You voted: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on approving the composition of the Supervisory Board of the "Azerbaijan Science Foundation" legal public entity and amending the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated April 19, 2017 No. 2818 "On approval of new composition of Board of Trustees of Science Development Fund under President of the Republic of Azerbaijan", Azernews reports on October 15. According to the decree, the Supervisory Board of "Azerbaijan Science Foundation" is headed by the head of the Department for Humanitarian Policy, Diaspora, Multiculturalism and Religion of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Supervisory Board includes the Minister of Science and Education, the Minister of Digital Development and Transport, the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and the Chairman of the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) speaks during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs hearing, to review of the fiscal year 2023 budget request for the U.S. Department of State, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., April 27, 2022. Michael A. McCoy/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo By Abdul Kerimkhanov Azerbaijans popular Russian language news website Day.Az carries an article by Abdul Kerimkhanov, editor-in-chief and expert, on the 2020 October shellings by the Armenian military clique of Azerbaijans Ganja city far away from the theater of war operations, killings of innocent civilians, and the silence of the international community. The original article can be found at the link. In an act of feebleness, suffering defeat after defeat on the battlefield during the 44-day second Karabakh war, in October 2020, the Armenian armed forces launched missile attacks on the city of Ganja. The shellings of the city beyond Karabakh, where there were no military targets, testify to the terrorist nature of the Armenian military clique. Ganja came under massive shellings on October 4, 5, 8, 11, and 17, as a result of which 32 people were killed, including 1 infant, 5 children, and 10 women. Of the 175 wounded, 32 were children, and 57 were women. Two years have passed since the act of Armenian terrorism, but the world community has not yet called the Armenian war criminals to account. The nefarious murder of Azerbaijani children, the elderly, and women remains unpunished to this day. The so-called human rights organizations, which have proclaimed themselves the flagship of human rights, have remained tight-lipped, thereby exposing their entire essence. No sanctions have yet been imposed on Armenia for the shellings of Ganja, which is the betrayal of the ideals the West is so vocal about. Moreover, some pro-Armenian politicians in the same West even began to accuse Azerbaijan of lies, alleging that "it was the Azerbaijani troops that shelled Ganja in order to denigrate "innocent Armenia. However, later, when Human Rights Watch, which had never even been seen in sympathy for Azerbaijan, admitted the shellings of Ganja by Armenia, mercenary politicians in the service of the Armenian lobby were exposed. Evidence of the war crimes of the Armenian military circled the whole world, which witnessed for itself the monstrous crime of Armenian terrorism. There were also "diplomats", who in their statements, pretended to be "neutral", without naming the criminals by name. Political correctness is a positive thing in itself. But when officials in a number of countries prefer to stay on the sidelines and fail to notice the deliberate killings of innocent people just for their nationality, this is not political correctness, but a shame. The Azerbaijani people will never forget the bombing of Ganja by the Armenian fascists. They will remember the hypocrisy and cynicism of those foreign politicians, who, by their actions, encouraged the war criminals to repeat the atrocities, who were sure that they could get away with it again. A series of arrest warrants have been issued for a central Iowa woman who disappeared after being charged with 14 counts of animal neglect. The warrants charge Michelle Renee Evans, 56, with failure to appear in court and with violating the terms of her pretrial release agreement. Court records indicate Evans has lived in the towns of Bridgewater in Adair County, and Anita in Cass County. Evans has pleaded guilty to six counts of animal neglect in Adair County, and pleaded not guilty to eight counts of animal neglect in Cass County. But in recent months, state officials and her own attorneys have lost contact with her and whereabouts are unknown. Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas. (Photo courtesy of Cass County) I dont have any way of knowing where she is, Cass County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas said Friday. She hasnt been picked up by law enforcement on anything else. At some point, shell probably show back up, but until then we just kind of hang tight. Court records indicate Evans was arrested in March 2021. At that time, police alleged that in July 2020, a friend of Evans transported nine of Evans dogs to AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport in DeSoto, to give them up for adoption. According to police reports, Amy Heinz, the executive director of the rescue operation, told officers that all nine dogs had horribly matted fur that was infested with fleas. One dog had to be taken to an animal hospital for a blood transfusion due to flea-bite anemia. The next day, members of the pet rescue went to Evans property in Bridgewater in response to a request to take away seven additional dogs, five of which had to be taken to a pet hospital in Des Moines for treatment. Dr. Alexandria Baltes, a veterinarian at the hospital, told police she believed several of the dogs she treated had sustained serious injury as defined by Iowa law. A few days later, police executed a search warrant at Evans Bridgewater property and found excessive animal waste inside the home. At least 33 live dogs and 12 dead dogs were removed from the property, according to court records. A few weeks later, Evans entered into what police records describe as a deferred prosecution agreement. In March 2021, Adair County authorities alleged that Evans had failed to comply with the terms of that agreement and charged Evans with six counts of animal neglect causing unjustified pain, distress or suffering, resulting in serious injury or death. Each charge, which stemmed from the 2020 investigation, is an aggravated misdemeanor. This is one of the dogs that AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport says it recovered from the home of Michelle Evans, who faces 14 counts of animal neglect. (Photo courtesy of AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport) A few months later, on Aug. 26, 2021, Cass County authorities charged Evans with eight counts of animal neglect with injury, and a warrant was issued there for her arrest. Police records indicate Evans had relocated from Bridgewater to the town of Anita where she had at least eight dogs in her care that were suffering from neglect. A few weeks later, on Sept. 17, 2021, Evans was granted pretrial release in the Adair County case, on the condition that she not live with or have any contact with dogs, cats or domestic animals. In November, Guthrie County Attorney Brenna Bird, who was prosecuting the Adair County case due to a conflict of interest in the Adair County prosecutors office, filed papers with the court claiming that Evans had failed to submit to a mental health evaluation. The state is gravely concerned for the welfare of any animals that may be in her care, Bird told the court. Bird asked that while on release, Evans be subjected to electronic monitoring, a substance abuse evaluation and treatment and a mental health evaluation, and that Evans be visited to ensure that there are no animals in her residence or any place she may be staying. The court agreed to that request and gave Evans 72 hours to contact the Fifth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services to arrange for supervision. In March 2022, Evans court-appointed attorney withdrew from the Adair County case, saying he had lost contact with Evans, who was not responding to his calls and emails. In May, Evans pleaded guilty to the six counts of animal neglect in Adair County, and a presentence investigation was ordered. That same month, in the Cass County case, a warrant was issued for Evans arrest, charging her with failure to appear in court. In July, the Department of Correctional Services informed the Adair County court it could not locate Evans to complete a presentence investigation. A warrant was issued for Evans arrest in that case. That same month, in the Cass County case, another warrant was issued for Evans arrest, this time for failure to appear for a pretrial conference. At roughly the same time, Evans attorney objected to the AHeinz56 Pet Rescue organization request to provide a victims statement to the court at sentencing, arguing the organization was not an appropriate third-party victim in this matter. The court said it would take that matter up at Evans sentencing hearing. But before that hearing could take place, the probation officer assigned to monitor Evans during her pretrial release in the Adair County case told the court she lost contact with Evans. The court then canceled the sentencing hearing, revoked Evans pretrial release and issued a bench warrant for Evans arrest. Both the Cass County and Adair County criminal cases currently remain open. In Cass County, a trial that was most recently scheduled for July was canceled. In Adair County, a sentencing hearing most recently scheduled for Aug. 19 was canceled. Warrants for Evans arrest remain in effect. Strazdas, the Cass County prosecutor, said she has no reason to think Evans was operating a business such as dog breeding in connection with the dogs. I dont have any reason to think she was a dealer, Strazdas said. She just gets dogs, for lack of a better way to put it I dont think it was for breeding or income. How powerful is the N-word? So powerful that multiple courts around the country have ruled that a single utterance by a supervisor is enough to establish a racially hostile work environment. The N-word has a special place, says UNC law professor Jeffrey Hirsch. The courts are far less likely to tolerate it. It holds much more sway than any other word. Now, a Charlotte-area lawsuit pinballing through the federal courts poses a provocative question: Does the English languages most repugnant racial slur carry the same legal weight when it is spoken by a child? Tonya Chapman says it does. The former employee of an assisted living center in Rutherford County, west of Charlotte, claims she was targeted with the epithet three times by the 6-year-old grandson of the facilitys owners. Whats more, the childs father was Chapmans immediate boss at Oakland Living Center in Rutherfordton where Chapman was the only Black employee. She claims the father knew of his sons use of the N-word from the start, promised he would take care of it, but failed to stop additional incidents. In fact, the boys first slur raises questions on whether the boy learned it from his father. Tonya, my daddy called you a lazy ass black n----- because you dont come to work, the boy said in anger on July 15, 2018, after Chapman refused to allow him to decorate more cupcakes for the centers residents, according to court documents. The boy also hit and kicked her. A month later, the child used the word again when Chapman told him she had to go back to work after watching him do tricks on his bike. According to the documents, the child responded: N-----, n-----, get to work, n-----. When the boys father, identified in court documents as Steve Smith, learned what his son had said that day, he spanked the child and brought him into the centers kitchen to apologize to Chapman, documents show. The boy refused. When the father left the room, according to court documents, the son spoke up. Tonya, you are a n-----, he said. Chapman quit that day. On Dec. 3, 2018, after getting the go-ahead to sue from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, she filed her complaint against Oakland Living Center, Steve Smith, and Smiths parents, Oaklands owners Michael and Arlene Smith. Chapman, representing herself in the case, claims that the defendants subjected her to a racially hostile work environment, which forced her to quit her job, known in legal parlance as constructive discharge. Hirsch, who specializes in employment discrimination, says workplace harassment cases hinge on a number of factors: whether the treatment in question rises to the level of being severe and pervasive; whether the employees bosses knew or should have known about it; and whether they took steps reasonably likely to stop it. That the boy was only 6 and used the language he did is eye-popping, Hirsch said, adding that it is also relevant in deciding whether legitimate racial harassment occurred. Nonetheless, Chief U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger of Asheville threw out Chapmans claims in November 2020, ruling in part that the boys use of the racial epithets could not be assigned to Oakland Living, that Chapman failed to report the July incident to her superiors, and that she quit her job before giving her employers time to address the problem. A month ago, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., which hears cases from the Carolinas, overruled Reidinger and sent the case back to his Asheville courtroom for additional consideration. The three-judge panel, which included James Wynn of North Carolina, unanimously found that Reidinger had misapplied the law in several instances and had also erred by not considering other instances of possible racial harassment Chapman claimed to have experienced when she worked at Oakland from 2004-2015. Whether Chapman adequately reported the incidents to her superiors should be determined by a jury, not by Reidinger, the panel said. The relevance of the boys age in assessing the damage inflicted by his words was debated by all sides. In the companys own appellate filing, Oakland Living argued that the boys three uses of the N-word failed to establish a racially hostile workplace or justify Chapmans claim of constructive discharge because the slurs were uttered by a young child. The appeals court judges, on the other hand, ruled that the boys age was immaterial. It matters not if the boy was too young to understand the force of his words or if he lacked intent to harm Chapman, the judges wrote. Rather, the issue was whether his use of the slurs had the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individuals work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment. That the child was a member of the owners family, coupled with the fact that he attributed his first racist remark to his father (My daddy says ...) can reasonably be seen as amplifying the severity of the boys comment to Chapman, the panel ruled. Simply put, a reasonable person in Chapmans position could perceive a tremendous difference between an insult from (say) a customers six-year-old child and the powerful statement from a supervisors son ... The panel also cited Reidinger for using an obsolete standard to rule on Chapmans constructive-discharge claim that Chapman had failed to prove her bosses had deliberately created a hostile work place to force her to quit. The proper criterion, the appellate judges said, is the level of intolerability of Chapmans situation. Whether all or part of Chapmans complaint now goes to trial remains to be seen. With the case back in North Carolina, the Oakland center wasted little time in again calling for Chapmans discharge claim to be thrown out. In a Sept. 27 filing, defense attorney Jonathan Yarbrough of Asheville argued that Chapman has failed to prove that her working conditions were so intolerable that she had to quit. He also claimed that many of her allegations regarding other instances of alleged racial harassment by the center are outright fabrications. Compared to the virulently hostile working conditions found in other Fourth Circuit workplace harassment cases cited in Yarbroughs brief, racial epithets stated by a six-year-old child cannot credibly be construed as objectionably intolerable, such that Ms. Chapman had no reasonable alternative but to resign, the attorney wrote. Besides, he said, judges have routinely found that sporadic incidents of otherwise objectionable behavior by children (have been) insufficiently severe or pervasive to create an objectively hostile work environment, much less give rise to a constructive-discharge claim. Reidinger and Chapman have legal history. He was the judge of record when Chapman filed a racial discrimination lawsuit in 2018 over the alleged treatment she received at a Little Caesars pizzeria in Forest City, which the judge threw out. Chapman also sued both the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Attorneys Office in 2017 over its handling of a registered letter she had paid for. Five weeks after it was filed, Reidinger threw the suit out granting sovereign immunity to the post office and dismissing Chapmans claims against the prosecutors office as frivolous. Chapman could not be reached for comment. RALEIGH A North Carolina judge gave a partial legal victory on Thursday to state and national Republicans by agreeing to loosen restrictions on activity by some party-appointed poll observers. Wake County Superior Court Judge Vince Rozier granted one of the partys two requests related to the work of at-large observers chosen by political parties and who are allowed to monitor more than one voting site. A second request seeking the use of more than one such observer simultaneously at a location was denied, according to a GOP leader and the State Board of Elections, which is a lawsuit defendant. Rozier also refused another GOP demand that he block the State Board of Elections from extending the fall absentee-ballot receipt deadline based on the Veterans Day holiday on Nov. 11, board spokesperson Pat Gannon said. The GOP won in a portion of the litigation filed last month requesting a preliminary injunction on state board guidance that requires an at-large observer to work for at least four hours before they can be replaced at a voting site. Other observers, which are also picked by the political parties, are assigned to specific precincts. Early in-person voting for the Nov. 8 election begins Oct. 20. The Republicans contend the four-hour requirement for at-large observers doesnt align with state law and makes it hard for the party to fill volunteer gaps at voting sites and precincts by moving them to other locales. North Carolina GOP Chairman Michael Whatley said in an interview that the party has held more than 300 training sessions this year and recruited and trained more than 7,500 volunteer poll watchers for the November elections. He has declined to allow reporters to attend the training sessions. As long as the injunction remains in place, we regard this as a win, Whatley said Thursday. We did not think that the Board of Elections had the authority to put the rule in place. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Board of Elections is continuing to take steps to try and limit the transparency in the voting areas. Election officials across the country, including several in North Carolina, have expressed concerns that a surge of conspiracy believers are signing up for poll watcher positions this year and are being trained by those who have propagated the lie spread by former President Donald Trump and his allies that the 2020 presidential election was riddled with fraud. Gannon said the board hadnt yet decided whether it would appeal the ruling. The GOP was unsuccessful in getting Rozier to ease a rule that allows no more than one at-large observer to work inside a voting site at any time. The GOP plaintiffs had argued board Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell lacked authority to move the absentee ballot deadline from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14. State law says county election offices must receive civilian absentee ballots by the third day after Election Day either in person or in the mail if the ballot was postmarked by Election Day, which is Nov. 8 this year. Whatley said the absentee deadline challenge was no where near as important as the rulings on election observer limits. Bells memo cited another state law that gave her authority to extend the deadline because of Veterans Day. Offices are closed and mail isnt delivered. A similar absentee-ballot weekend delay was ordered in the November 2016 election. For the Crow Tribe, a dream thats been years in the making is starting to come to fruition. After receiving nearly $2 million from an Economic Development Administration grant, Little Big Horn College has begun designing its 41,000-square-foot Crow Cultural Center a complex that leaders say is vital for the community, state and region. The center is expected to preserve and promote Crow culture, language and history while inspiring pride in Indigenous identity. What will the cultural center look like? While the center is still in design and planning stages, its expected to include a welcome area, classrooms, spaces for gathering, ceremonies and lectures as well as a museum, complete with expanded archives and a Crow Hall of Fame. The building will expand on the existing cultural center, located at Little Big Horn College. David Yarlott, president of Little Big Horn College, said the concept for the complex was derived from conversations with community members, leaders and elders. These are things that our community wants, he said, adding that the mission for the center is to be a place where our stories help me remember who I am. Daniel Glenn, who is Crow and the architect who designed University of Montanas Payne Family Native American Center, has been contracted to design the complex. Glenn said the goal of the center is to preserve and promote Crow culture. The challenge is that traditionally, these things are passed down in families directly, he said. One reason were trying to carry this into a structure is many of our tribal members dont have access to that way of learning anymore. The experience of the center will start from the parking lot. As people walk to the center, they will cross a series of markers telling the story of the Crow people, dating back to the Hidatsa peoples journey to Montana. An entrance gateway will mark the original territory of the Crow people in a map that shows primary locations, including the Black Hills, the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers and the Wind River mountain range. In the complex, Glenn said there will be spaces for cultural activities, stories, workshops and lectures. There will be areas for song, dance and art. Outdoor areas will feature traditional foods, and inside there will be spaces to cook and eat. The museum will include permanent exhibits including a Crow Hall of Fame as well as rotating exhibits featuring contemporary Crow artists. The design expands the tribes current archive area, so more items of significance can be properly cared for and stored. Janine Pease, former president of Little Big Horn College who is assisting the project, said families may want to take advantage of the centers archives. Our families dont really have secure storage for materials that are of high matter to them, she said. We expect there will be interest in having those items stored here or in our collection. Herman Viola, a curator emeritus at the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History, is assisting the college with the museum portion of the center. He agreed with Pease that the presence of a museum and storage facility will likely prompt the tribes collection to grow. If this is done properly and people come to appreciate it, youll be amazed at how many people and collectors will come forward with their special objects, sacred objects and give them back to the community, he said. People have stuff in their closet, under their bed and suddenly, they realize this belongs not just to the family but to the community and world. Funding and timeline While the tribal college received funding for the planning and design phases of the project, the institution still needs to budget for the actual construction of the center. Don Chalmers, who helps Little Big Horn College plan and fundraise for big projects, said he expects the planning and design process will take about 18 months. In spring of 2024, he hopes the group will move toward the bidding process for construction. In an ideal world, he hopes construction could begin as early as that summer, but he added that without funding, the timeline could change. The cultural center will cost a little more than $17 million, but the design team has divided the project into phases. Phase one, which includes the transformation of the existing cultural center and building part of the new center, would cost an estimated $8 million to complete. The college has been reaching out to the funding community for support, and Chalmers said almost $300,000 has been raised for the project in advance of any campaign. Theres strong indication of support in that regard, he said. The community is stepping up. Chalmers said the center will also boost the tribal economy, as it will create jobs and attract tourists. Why it matters While the center is only in planning stages, Pease described the community response as overwhelming, unanimous and positive. Some people, Pease said, have expressed interest in volunteering for the center once its complete. When people want to be involved, it shows they see themselves as a part of this center, she said Pease said the centers potential is enormous, particularly as the tribe lost many elders during the pandemic. The center could be so very valuable to the strength of our culture, she said. We have to be able to capture what our elders can bring to us and their encyclopedic knowledge. We have to do what were able to fill those empty moccasins. Yarlott said he expects the center to inspire pride in Native identity. If were not practicing who we are, what we are, then we tend to start losing our identity, he said. Its a good place for our students and community to take pride in who we are, and its a reminder to the outside world that we are still here. We are still practicing our traditions and speaking our language, and our customs are still alive. Mardell Plainfeather, who is on the advisory board for the center, said our people have been dreaming of a cultural center and museum for a long, long time. The torch has been passed to us, she said. Its finally starting. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 70F. Winds NNE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 44F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Balcony at Bays Mountain Park to close next week The Nature Center balcony at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee will be closed for improvements, beginning Monday, Oct. 24. The balcony is the original, 1971 balcony. While the foundation and flooring is in good shape, the walls are in disrepair and need attention. Inland Construction will be mobilizing on Oct. 24 and during this week the company will be power-washing the concrete in preparation for the sealant. Once the concrete is resurfaced, Red Cedar will be installed over the concrete to prevent weathering. Bays Mountain Park will close off the walkway behind the Nature Center beginning the week of Oct. 24. Scaffolding will be used to work on the underside of the balcony, but it will be removed on Friday evenings. The walkway will reopen for pedestrians on the weekends. Inland Construction estimates the improvements will be complete by Christmas. As election nears, Tennessee Gov. Lee wont debate Martin NASHVILLE, Tenn. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has no plans to participate in a debate against Democratic opponent Dr. Jason Martin. The Republican told reporters earlier this week that hes focused on being governor. Its a response hes repeated when pressed about the gubernatorial race. Lees avoidance of sharing a stage with a Democratic opponent where they could both face potentially tough questions is similar to the growing trend of candidates across Tennessee and the U.S. sidestepping such events. Martin has said Lees refusal to debate is a reflection on his lack of leadership as governor. 3 Tennessee teachers awarded for financial education work NASHVILLE, Tenn. Three Tennessee teachers have been presented awards for presenting financial education to students. The Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission said Thursday its Leadership Award was presented to Detra Thomas of Hardin County Middle School, Shelly Lott of Northeast Middle in Montgomery County and Susan Mallette of Bearden Elementary in Knoxville. Thomas teaches financial literacy to sixth, seventh and eighth graders. She implemented one of the commissions digital financial literacy programs with 83 students last spring. The students completed 390 financial literacy modules by June on budgeting, career planning and healthy borrowing habits. Lotts work helped establish the Money Matters for Middle Schoolers class four years ago. She teaches the course to sixth, seventh and eighth graders. She also belonged to the $martPath digital financial literacy pilot cohort and implemented the program with her students last spring. Mallette completed a total of 14 hours of financial literacy related professional development over the last year. The fourth grade math teacher has found that using some of the platforms helps make math concepts more relevant and engaging for her students, the commission said. The TNFLC is a nonprofit created in 2010 to enable people to make sound financial decision about planning, saving and investing. From staff and wire reports By Trend Engineering work is underway on Azerbaijan's lands liberated from Armenian occupation, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan told Trend. Units and sub-units of the Engineering Troops of the Azerbaijan Army remove landmines from roads to ensure safe movement of vehicles, as well as lay new supply routes for units stationed in mountainous and difficult terrain. As a result of interaction between Engineering Troops and public agencies, over 50 kilometers of new supply routes were laid in October 2022, while the total length of routes, laid for units in difficult terrain, reached 1,078 kilometers. Moreover, 81 road signs were installed during October, whereas in total, their number equaled 1,796. More than 550 hectares of land were completely cleared of landmines and unexploded ordnances following the de-mining activities of the Azerbaijani Armys engineer-sapper units in liberated territories, from October 1 to October 15. As of today, more than 27,960 hectares of liberated land have been cleared of landmines. In total, 9,726 anti-personnel landmines, 2,485 anti-tank landmines, and 10,316 unexploded ordnances have been detected and neutralized. The main efforts are aimed at de-mining settlements, sowing plots, roads, and infrastructure facilities in the liberated territories. Other necessary activities on removing landmines and unexploded ordnance, as well as on engineering support are being carried out in the liberated territories. BRISTOL, Va. During a Friday swing through Southwest Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin stopped by the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy where he called for the legislature to make the sale, manufacture, and distribution of drugs resulting in a fatal overdose a felony homicide. Since that bill was vetoed in May of 2019 we have lost 4,702 Virginians to fentanyl overdoses. So, in the upcoming general assembly session, I am asking our friends in the General Assembly to send that exact same bill to my desk, and I will sign it into law, Youngkin said. Referencing a bill vetoed by Youngkins predecessor former Gov. Ralph Northam in 2019. Youngkin he believes the bill, if approved, would have saved lives and helped turn the tide of the fight against the opioid epidemic. Youngkin was given a tour of the academys facilities and spoke with officers, who were at the academy taking a fentanyl safety for law enforcement course, about the importance of their work as the opioid crisis continues to affect Virginians. I just deeply appreciate all of you dedicating your time in order to be more informed, better educated, and to continue to be the great professionals that you all are in order to deal with this absolute crisis that were seeing across the commonwealth, Youngkin said. As we watch Virginians and Americans suffer mightily from this fentanyl crisis that were dealing with that has presented itself in a way that, unfortunately, I dont think has fully been recognized by people across this nation. I look forward to hopefully equipping you with the better tools. But, most importantly, know that were with you together, as we try to as we try to combat this epidemic. At the end of his visit Youngkin emphasized that Virginians will start to hear a lot more from him about the opioid epidemic once again highlighting the work being done at the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Academy. Youre gonna hear a lot more about this topic from me and the First Lady, as were literally on a crusade, Youngkin said. Theres no better place than in Southwest Virginia today at this remarkable training academy to begin this journey together. At 22, Sydney Campbell said shell probably never look at a picture of an elephant -or even elephant design jewelry-the same way again. At least, not after spending the summer as a volunteer at an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in Northern Thailand. Campbell of Glade Spring, who is a senior at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, was selected as part of a small team to travel to Thailand with the study-abroad organization, Loop Abroad. She was selected based on her transcript, admissions essay, and professional references. As an animal science student, Campbell and other students from UT, spent three weeks at the sanctuary helping rescue animals, studying conservation, and learning hands-on what its like to be a veterinarian. Campbell, who is pursuing a career as a veterinarian, said the experience was fascinating even though she doesnt plan on working with exotic animals in the future. The service learning experience has cemented Campbells love for animals, a passion shes enjoyed since she was a child caring for dogs, cats, horses and chickens on her family farm. She even competed in equestrian dressage shows when she was younger. I knew I wanted to be a vet because I love animals. Now, I love the science behind it, Campbell said. While a student at UT, Campbell works part-time at Charles and Julie Wharton Large Animal Hospital on the colleges campus. Elephant Nature ParkHer first service learning week was spent at Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for dozens of distressed elephants from all over Thailand. The sanctuary is home to elephants that have been rescued from trekking, logging, or forced breeding programs. Many of them had been abused and suffer from chronic injuries or blindness. Volunteers like Campbell play a big role in the livelihood of the sanctuary. It was an enlightening experience that evoked both good and bad emotions for the student. During her visit, Campbell learned many elephants throughout Thailand and other Asian countries undergo phajaan, a process that tortures the wild elephant so they eventually feel helpless against people and will not protest something they do not want to do. The wild elephants are abused in order to be domesticated with the goal of breaking their spirits, many times for the sake of the elephant tourism industry. Some elephants are even taught to paint to entertain tourists. Just because elephants are large in size doesnt mean they should be ridden, said Campbell, who learned during her stay that many of the rescued elephants have spine problems and wounds on their backs from carrying heavy loads. Its very taxing on their bodies, Campbell said. And, they have to go through the process of breaking their spirit just for the purpose of being ridden. People think its a cool thing to ride an elephant. Sticky riceThe fun part of working at the sanctuary was preparing food for the elephants. Nearly 80% of the animals day is spent feeding. In addition to cleaning elephant stalls and water tanks, Campbell and the team of students helped to make a special mixture of food for older elephants that have lost their ability to chew hard food. Some of the older elephant dont have many teeth so they cant eat bulky food like corn stalks or hay, she said. Using soft produce such as bananas, the group of students made a food called sticky rice. Once the mashed bananas become sticky, a ball of the mixture is placed in banana leaves, wrapped, and steamed. We gave the baby elephants their medications and vitamins by putting it in their mouths. For the older elephants, we put the food in front of them, she said. One day we just observed the elephants all day. That was very enjoyable. A river on the property allows the rescue elephants to stay cool in hot weather. They cover themselves in mud and have fun playing in the mud, said said. Elephants dont sweat so thats why they flap their ears to cool themselves. The students were allowed to travel with a veterinarian into the fields to observe the administering of treatments for elephants that had sustained injuries. Elephants can live even longer than humans up until their early hundreds. They really do have good memories, and theyre supposedly very forgiving, too. Each has its own personality, she said. Even though she was allowed to pet the rescue elephants during her trip, ideally the elephants at the sanctuary are limited to human contact. Elephant keepers called mahouts strive to give the elephants an environment thats as close as possible to what they would have in the wild. The student also spent a week volunteering at a small animal rescue in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The shelter is home to dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals that have been rescued after being abandoned or abused. In addition, she and other students were allowed to administer anesthesia while working at a facility that performs spaying and neutering procedures on pets in the community. Coral Reef Before returning home, Campbell spent a week on the island of Koh Tao in the South of Thailand, working through Loop Abroad with the New Heaven Marine Conservation project. The marine conservation projects allow volunteers to be part of making a tangible difference in protecting biodiversity in the worlds oceans During her first time scuba diving, Campbell witnessed the mystery and majesty of coral reefs up close, document her findings, and learning about marine conservation. It was fantastic. I didnt realize how massive coral reefs are, Campbell said. A good majority of ocean life starts in coral reefs. Its like a nursery. If we dont have coral reefs, the fishing industry will decline. Coral is very particular, too. The water cant be too acidic or basic, too hot or too cold. They need specific conditions to thrive. The cultureWhile visiting the foreign country, the student easily adapted to the culture of Thailand. She described the location where she stayed as a rainforest with hills that resemble the landscapes in Southwest Virginia. The students were served vegan foods, such as curry and rice. I never was quite sure what I was eating since it wasnt labeled, she laughed. A primitive-like hotel on the premises served as a sleeping quarters. There was no air conditioning but I was fine, she said. The people there were very accepting of others and very kind. Using a study abroad model, Loop focuses on educating its students so that they can contribute and serve in meaningful ways. It also works with locally-run animal welfare and conservation organizations so students contribute to long-term improvement on the ground in the countries they visit. Loop Abroad operates programs in Thailand, South Africa, Australia, Costa Rica, Belize and Spain. In a press release from Loop Abroad, Jane Stine, the programs managing director said, Our students are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They are kind, compassionate, dedicated, hard-working individuals who have big goals and want to make a big impact. Its amazing to see how eager they are to learn and challenge themselves. Over the last 13 years, weve seen them go on to do some wonderful things. Appalachian State University has announced some of the programs the school intends to provide at its new Hickory campus next fall. Business, education and applied designs will be among the offerings at the Hickory campus, according to a statement from App State Chancellor Sheri Everts released late Friday afternoon. Engineering in many forms and aviation have also come up in multiple conversations, and some of our current academic offerings could provide a foundation for these programs in the future, Everts said via the statement. She added: We will continue to seek input as we refine upcoming and long-term plans. Beginning next week, Academic Affairs will follow up on last weeks listening sessions with faculty and staff, and we will share more about the vision for academic offerings on the Hickory Campus in the coming weeks. The announcement came after a meeting of the Hickory Campus Advisory Council, a body comprised of elected and appointed government officials, business and civic leaders and university representatives. The council was formed to assist the university in devising programs that fit the needs of the region. The university has also relied on listening sessions with groups inside the university to determine the future of the new campus. The advisory councils meeting Friday afternoon in Hickory was closed to the media, but members of the press were allowed to attend a breakfast with community leaders held that morning. Everts did not go into specifics about any academic programs at the new campus but did discuss some of the improvements the university is making and plans to make to the 226,000-square-foot building fronting U.S. Highway 321 that once housed the headquarters for Corning Optical Communications. These plans include upgrades to information technology, the roof, HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems as well as the parking lots. Everts also said the universitys board of trustees will hold a meeting at the Hickory Campus in December. We believe Appalachian State Universitys Hickory campus could be exactly what Hickory needs. I just wish I felt better about the universitys approach. University bigwigs huddled with Hickory leaders on Friday afternoon to discuss future plans for the local campus. We were there, too, ready to listen. We were turned away. Hickory Mayor Hank Guess was welcomed. So was Catawba County Commissioner Austin Allran. I know because they both said hello on their way in. Other elected leaders joined them. So did a number of county and city employees you know, folks paid by your tax dollars. And App State Chancellor Sheri Everts was also there. I thought reporter Kevin Griffin belonged in the meeting, as well. Hes not on the advisory committee and Guess and Allran are. But reporters like Kevin take our readers to places they cant go. Reporters are your eyes and ears when large public bodies meet to spend tax dollars and shape the future of the community. You cant always be there to watch. Thats a service we provide. App State, for whatever reason, decided we, and by extension you, did not belong. Nobody on the scene could give us a valid reason for closing the meeting. I am not a lawyer, but the state statute is pretty clear that a university should not hold advisory committee meetings in secret. App States work in Hickory holds so much promise for the area. I just wish they trusted the people here enough to be transparent about the steps the university is taking. A trial for former Winston-Salem City Council Member Derwin Montgomery has been continued. A new trial date has not yet been set. Montgomery is facing a 15-count indictment alleging that he embezzled more than $26,000 from the Bethesda Center for the Homeless, where he served as executive director. U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder issued an order Friday granting a motion to continue filed by Montgomery's attorneys, Michael Grace and Chris Clifton. Grace and Clifton said they needed additional time to review evidence in the case. Schroeder moved the case to the November criminal term of court in U.S. District Court. Montgomery is out on a $10,000 unsecured bond. It is not clear when a new trial date will be set. A Greensboro man was shot and wounded early Saturday at a Winston-Salem nightclub on North Liberty Street, authorities said. Winston-Salem police went to a local hospital at 4:07 a.m. after Sierras Deshan Cobb, 47, of Edith Lane previously arrived there, police said. Cobb told officers that he had been inside Lounge 34 at 3301 N. Liberty St., when he was shot, police said. Cobb was in stable condition Saturday at the hospital, police said. Officers are investigating the shooting. Cobb served two years and 11 months in prison after he was convicted in August 2018 of involuntary manslaughter, state corrections records show. Cobb was initially charged with first-degree murder in the death of Eric Jermaine Pegues, 41, on May 25, 2016. Pegues was a community leader and a club promoter. Cobb was accused of using a rifle to shoot Pegues three times in the parking lot of the Paper Moon Gentlemens Club at 1007 Salisbury Ridge Road in Winston-Salem, according to court records. Pegues died later at Forsyth Medical Center. Cobb pleaded guilty on Aug. 2, 2018 to involuntary manslaughter in Forsyth Superior Court. Under a plea arrangement, a judge sentenced Cobb to serve 21 months to 35 months in prison. In April 2018, Cobb was acquitted of being an accessory after the fact to second-degree murder. Prosecutors had accused Cobb of driving Anthony Ordell Abran away from a crime scene after Abran fatally shot Delmoro Lamontae Blockson on May 27, 2015. Abran pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in November 2016, and a judge sentenced him to serve a maximum 17 years and six months in prison. Anyone with information about Saturdays shooting is asked to call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers, either at 336-727-2800 or on the Spanish language line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is also on Facebook. The Text-A-Tip line at 336-276-1717 allows people to text information, photos and videos to the police. A Winston-Salem man was sentenced Thursday to serve more than 12 years in federal prison after he was convicted of trafficking in methamphetamines, authorities said Friday. Israel Ramos Ponce, 24, was pleaded guilty May 18 to conspiracy to distribute 1.75 ounces of methamphetamine and distribution, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement. Judge James C. Dever II of U.S. District Court sentenced Ponce to serve 12 years and seven months in federal prison. According to court documents, the Winston-Salem Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Wayne County Sheriffs Office received information that Ponce was part of a large-scale drug-trafficking organization in 2018. The organization operated in Winston-Salem, and it distributed quantities of crystal meth to the Goldsboro area, Justice Department said. During the investigation, law enforcement officers learned that Ponce was an alleged courier who assisted co-defendant Kelvin Vincente Noyola in the distribution of meth to customers of the organization, the Justice Department said. Ponce was responsible for assisting in the distribution of at least 2.04 ounces of crystal meth, the Justice Department said. Noyola, who was also charged in this investigation, pleaded guilty July 25 to conspiracy as well as aiding and abetting to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 1.75 ounces of meth, the Justice Department said. Noyolas sentencing hearing is pending, the Justice Department said. The race for the N.C. House District 72 features a one-term incumbent and a political newcomer. District 72 is mostly Democratic, covering downtown Winston-Salem, Wake Forest, Buena Vista and parts of east Winston-Salem. Democrat Amber Baker easily won the seat in 2020 and appears to be on target to head back to Raleigh. She will face Republican Shelton Stallworthy in the general election. This is Stallworthys first run for political office. Neither candidate faced a challenge in their primaries. A former principal at Kimberley Park Elementary School, Baker said expanding Medicaid is among her top priorities if re-elected. Baker said she stands ready to vote in favor of making North Carolina the 39th state to expand Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act became law in 2014. Expansion would provide Medicaid coverage to between 450,000 and 600,000 North Carolinians. Though the state House and Senate have each passed their own Medicaid expansion bills, negotiations appear to have been put on the backburner until next year. Baker also supports fully funding the Leandro Plan, which calls for state lawmakers to provide $5.6 billion in new education spending by 2028 to ensure each child has access to a sound, basic education as dictated in the states constitution. The state Supreme Court is deliberating on how Leandro funds should be distributed. We need to be funding our public schools at a rate of sustainability, and we havent done that in awhile, Baker said. The state should use some of its $6.2 billion surplus to fund the Leandro plan and boost the pension of retired state employees, she said. On the issue of abortion, Baker said that her position hasnt changed. Our position has always been that a womans decision about her health care and her reproductive rights is nothing to be decided at a governmental level. Its a personal decision with her and her doctor, she said. Baker said she was disappointed that U.S. District Judge William Osteen reinstated the states 20-week abortion ban. Some Republican lawmakers have said that they will seek a more restrictive ban if Republicans obtain a veto-proof super majority. Republicans need to win two seats in the Senate and three in the House for that to happen. Based on her campaign website, it seems likely Stallworthy would be among those in favor of more restrictive abortion laws if she is elected. Stallworthy could not be reached to talk about her campaign. On her campaign website, Stallworthy said she is a wife and stay-at-home mother of two young children who has enjoyed keeping up with politics. An incident at a preschool prompted her to run for office, she said on her website. When I began the search for a little preschool program for my son I was shocked to find that the best of the best were masking their babies. And I mean babies, toddlers 2 and under. When I pressed their logic I was met with resistance and disdain from the parents. The experience at the preschool prompted me to look into the state of our city and how far weve fallen from rational thought and reason. I discovered wed fallen far and not a single conservative was stepping up to fight back. So I am running to fight back. Im running for my children, so they get to call this country as free, prosperous and unique as I have, she wrote. She applauded the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on her social media pages, giving some insight into how she might vote on issues of abortion if elected. Recently several media outlets have shared their chagrin over Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes visit to North Carolina to speak at a Wake County Republican event. As an unaffiliated conservative, I share the misgivings about any prominent stage being offered to Greene, whose nut-cake utterances include something about Jewish-controlled lasers being fired from outer space and causing California wildfires. Brent Woodcox, a Republican Senior Party Counsel in the General Assembly, characterized the Wake GOP gathering as a convention of willingly duped morons That is to Woodcoxs credit. And he is not alone among GOP figures in condemning fellow Republicans who have discredited their office. House Republican leaders stripped Iowa Rep. Steve King from his committee assignments in 2019 after he made statements that questioned the negative connotations of the phrase white supremacy. Two years later, Greene was removed from her committee assignments by a House vote, with 11 Republicans joining Democrats in the majority. All fine and good, and deserved. But after Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar made statements casting doubt on the allegiance of Jewish citizens, House Democrats could not find it within themselves to pass a resolution condemning antisemitism. Instead, the House passed a generic resolution condemning hatred in several forms, including Islamophobia, racism and white supremacy. So much for the rebuke to Omar, who was able to claim the resolution was historic because of its condemnation of anti-Muslim actions. California Rep. Maxine Waters encouraged citizens to confront Trump administration officials when they were seen at restaurants and gas stations, and to create a crowd (whatever that means) and push back on them. There was no condemnation of Waters from the left for inciting mob action among her supporters. Election deniers were rightly chastised by Democrats after the 2020 presidential election. Yet Democrats who contested election results in 2016 were not hard to find, including Rep. Jamie Raskin, a member of the Jan. 6 special committee. Hillary Clinton has suggested that she would have won the election had it been fairly conducted. Stacey Abrams contends she won the 2018 election for governor of Georgia despite losing by some 50,000 votes. (Abrams now denies she made this claim, but unfortunately there is video evidence.) Dont search too hard for criticism of these election deniers among Democratic politicians or the left-leaning national media. Democrats did pounce on fellow Democrats on two notable instances. Sen. Al Franken was thrown under the bus at the height of the Me Too movement after photographs from years earlier showed him groping or faux-groping a former model while they were returning from a USO tour of Afghanistan. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was defended even after he mandated that COVID patients discharged from hospitals be returned to nursing homes resulting almost certainly in the death of nursing home patients and later hiding mortality statistics from the public. However, numerous credible accusations of sexual misconduct were a bridge too far. As in the case of Franken, a Democrat stood ready to replace Cuomo, minimizing any political damage. Just this week there was an outcry across the political spectrum after Democratic Los Angeles City Council President Nura Martinez was heard on tape making a racist slur directed at the Black adopted child of a gay fellow council member. If this is what it takes to break the Democratic omerta, then intra-party forbearance is not under siege. By contrast, there are a number of conservative politicians who, like Woodcox, are not shy about calling out Republicans, especially former President Trump. The magazine National Review, a clarion of conservative opinion, has been scathing in its criticism of Trump. The methods being employed to remove Trump from the political scene forever might not win Republican approval, but there are plenty of right-leaning voices expressing the hope that he will go away, albeit not in the numbers one might like. Democrats and their media allies decry far right extremists on a regular basis, appropriately so in the case of Greene. But when is the last time you heard a Democratic politician, or the dominant media establishment, refer to a progressive Democrat as a far left extremist? Or more substantively, call for their removal from House committee assignments? The Democratic desire to protect Democrats seems to be a reflexive and compulsory instinct, even more than among their rivals. Its a very quiet moment in the show when Colton Grundmeyer makes his entrance in Winnie The Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation. I hear the murmuring from the audience, feel that excitement from them seeing the character on stage, he said. Then I get to see the kids smile and get my attention on stage. It happens every show. Its heartwarming and fun. If You Go What: Winnie The Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation. Where; Lied Center for Performing Arts, 12th and Q streets. When: 4 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. Monday. Tickets: $12.50 to $90. Available at liedcenter.org, call 402-472-4747 or the Lied ticket office. The character, of course, is Winnie the Pooh and the kids arent reacting to Grundmeyer, rather theyre seeing a life-sized puppet version of Pooh that Grundmeyer manipulates and carries around during the show. The goal is to get them to look at the puppets, not us, Grundmeyer said. Of course, were all actors, so sometimes you want to think theyre looking at you. But it is a puppet show, so The actors in the touring company of the new off-Broadway musical that will play the Lied Center for Performing Arts on Sunday and Monday trained with expert puppeteers. Some, like Grundmeyer and those who play Tigger, had to learn to work the life-sized puppets; others, like Melissa Xiaolan Warren, learned hand-held puppetry to play myriad characters in the show. Among those characters Xiaolan Warren gets to play is her childhood favorite. I related, definitely, to Piglet, she said. I was a very anxious child. It was nice to have a character thats as anxious as I was. Now I get to be Piglet, which kind of fits. The production also fills the stage with butterflies, small animals and an environment that you wouldnt expect to see from a puppet show, she said. Winnie The Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation made its record-setting off-Broadway debut in October 2021, with a book crafted by Jonathan Rockefeller, who adapted the characters from A.A. Milnes short stories into a full-length stage production. A lot of the story is based on the original novels, Xiaolan Warren said. Its nice for people to see some familiarity in a new setting. ... This very much is a comfort show. If youre feeling down, you can come see it, something that everyone grew up on. I think thats why we see such a wide range in the audience. That nostalgia, which brings in adults who grew up on Pooh and remain fans of the Hundred Acre Wood, is enhanced by the incorporation into the musical of many of the songs from the animated 1977 movie The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Even with that nostalgic appeal, the actors acknowledge that their primary audience is families, with most of the kids 7 and under, who, Xiaolan Warren said, are great fun. Theres no filter in them, so you get great reactions, she said. Especially when they see one of their favorites and want to talk to them or try to get close to them. Its fun to watch them while youre on stage. Winnie The Pooh: The New Musical Adaptation began last month and will run through May. Its playing Lincoln this weekend to align with Lincoln Public Schools' fall break, which should bring in lots of kids to a show thats hitting its stride and to connect with the tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff and his friends. Theres a very touching moment at the end when I (Pooh) talk to Christopher Robin that kind of brings home the message of friendship, Grundmeyer said. Its really touching to reach the kids with that message. Thats what makes it worth doing every show. By Trend Truth about Armenian atrocities in Azerbaijan's Karabakh must be conveyed to the world, Dutch author of books about the war and genocide in Karabakh Henri Van Rens, who visited mass grave in liberated Edilli village of Khojavand district within a delegation of foreign representatives, told Trend on October 15. "Im deeply saddened by what happened here. People cannot do this. The [Azerbaijani] soldiers were buried alive, and tied with wire. It's just horrifying," Van Rens said. According to him, many countries do not pay due attention to information about war crimes committed by Armenia and disclosure of the truth about what really happened here. The writer noted that with his activities hell seek to ensure that people learn the truth about the cruelty and atrocities by the Armenian soldiers. 11 Russian troops slain at shooting range as fighting rages ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) At least 11 Russian soldiers have been killed in a shooting incident that underlines the challenges posed by Russian President Vladimir Putins hasty mobilization. Saturday's shooting at a firing range in Russia's western Belgorod region came just as Ukrainian troops pressed an offensive to reclaim the areas in southern Ukraine illegally annexed by Moscow. As fighting raged, a missile strike also seriously damaged a key energy facility in Ukraines capital region. Following mounting setbacks, the Russian military has worked to cut off power and water in far-flung populated areas while also fending off Ukrainian counterattacks in occupied or partially occupied areas. Raleigh shooting rampage shatters quiet neighborhood's peace RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Police say a 15-year-old boy turned the gently curving streets of a Raleigh neighborhood and nearby greenway into a killing zone. When the shooting was over Thursday, five people were dead. Neighbors say Hedingham is much like most American neighborhoods. You may not know the name of every person on your block, but people greet each other across driveways and can always find something to chat about. But after the killings, people are reassessing. The husband of one victim says he's not sure that he can continue to live there. Violent week a grim sign as targeted killings of police rise SEATTLE (AP) It's been an especially violent week for police across the U.S., including the deaths of two Connecticut police officers and the wounding of a third. Even as the number of officers has dropped in the past two years, the number being targeted and killed has risen. Organizations that track violence against police say 56 officers have been killed by gunfire so far this year a number that is up 14% from this time last year and about 45% from this time in 2020. The country is on track to approach or surpass other top annual totals of recent years, including 73 officers killed in 2011 and 67 in 2016. China opens congress expected to give Xi 5 more years BEIJING (AP) China has opened a twice-a-decade Communist Party conference at which leader Xi Jinping is expected to receive a third five-year term, breaking with recent precedent and establishing him as arguably the most powerful Chinese politician since Mao Zedong. Xi was delivering a lengthy report Sunday at the opening in which he extolled the achievements of the past five years and said the party would strive to meet its modernization goals to achieve what it calls the rejuvenation of the nation. As with most Chinese political events, little information has been released beforehand and the congress outcome will only be announced after days of closed-door sessions. How much has been decided in advance and how much is still to be hashed out in face-to-face meetings remains unknown. Bidens late push across West aims to deliver votes for Dems PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) President Joe Biden's trip to Oregon, California and Colorado is showing how he's trying to turn out Democratic votes on Election Day. He's flexing the levers of government to help boost candidates, promoting an agenda aimed at strengthening an uncertain economy and hauling in campaign cash. Biden is showing up for candidates when he can be helpful and steering clear of places where a visit from a president with approval ratings below 50% isn't necessarily a good thing. Throughout the trip, Biden has had to compete for the spotlight and contend with a troubling inflation report and rising gas prices. Stockton, Calif., police arrest suspect in serial killings STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) Police in California say they have arrested a man suspected of killing six men and wounding a woman in a series of shootings. Police say 43-year-old Wesley Brownlee of Stockton was stopped in a car around 2 a.m. Saturday. Police Chief Stanley McFadden says he was dressed in black, had a gun and appeared to be out hunting for another victim. Police have been searching for a serial killer who shot five men in the city since July. Police believe the same person killed a man in Oakland in April 2021 and wounded a woman in Stockton a week later. No motive has been released. It was not immediately clear whether Brownlee had an attorney. Musk has a 'super app' plan for Twitter. It's super vague For months, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has expressed interest in creating his own version of Chinas WeChat a super app that does video chats, messaging, streaming and payments for the rest of the world.. At least, that is, once hes done buying Twitter after months of legal infighting over the $44 billion purchase agreement he signed in April. Musk has claimed on Twitter that his acquisition of the company would speed development of an everything app he calls X by three to five years. But there are just a few obstacles. Native Americans recall torture, hatred at boarding schools MISSION, S.D. (AP) Victims of abusive, government-backed Native American boarding schools are sharing their experiences as U.S Interior Secretary Deb Haaland continues a yearlong tour to confront the troubled history of the institutions that were forced upon tribes. During a Saturday meeting at the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in southern South Dakota, tribal members recalled being sent off to schools where the use of their native language and customs would bring swift and sometimes severe punishments. The stated goal of such schools was to civilize Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, but that was often carried out through abusive practices. US, Canada send armored vehicles to bolster Haiti's police SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) The U.S. and Canada have sent armored vehicles and other supplies to Haiti to help police fight a powerful gang amid a pending request from the Haitian government for the immediate deployment of foreign troops. A U.S. State Department statement says the equipment was bought by Haitis government, but it has given no further details on the supplies flown in Saturday on military aircraft to the capital of Port-au-Prince. A spokesman for the U.S. militarys Southern Command says he can provide no further details on the supplies sent, though he adds that it was a joint operation involving the U.S. Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. No. 6 Tennessee beats No. 3 Alabama 52-49 on late FG KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Chase McGrath made a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give No. 6 Tennessee a 52-49 victory over No. 3 Alabama on Saturday. As soon as the kick knuckle-balled through the uprights, some of the more than 100,000 fans stormed the field to celebrate the Volunteers ending a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. It didnt take long for the goal posts to go down. Hendon Hooker drove the Vols 45 yards in 18 seconds to set up the winner. Jalin Hyatt caught six passes for 207 yards and a Tennessee-record five touchdowns. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, a game-time decision because of a sprained right shoulder two weeks ago, completed 35 passes for 455 yards and two TDs. OMAHA A Sarpy County man between the ages of 35 and 44 has been confirmed with the first case of monkeypox within the Sarpy/Cass Health Department's jurisdiction, health officials said Friday. The man is isolating at home and an investigation is underway to inform people who may have been exposed. The confirmation comes as cases, based on a seven-day moving average, have declined by about 86% since a peak in mid-August, according to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 27,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in the United States during the course of the current outbreak, according to the CDC. Nebraska has reported 31 cases, including 25 in Douglas County. The Douglas County Health Department had given 1,400 doses of vaccine for the virus as of Oct. 6. Vaccine availability is improving and more people now are eligible. Anyone with a characteristic monkeypox rash that resembles pimples or blisters should contact their health care provider. From breakfast to dinner rush, Chara Pech stood behind the counter at Burger King. After moving to Hastings, she worked 70-hour weeks as a supervisor at the fast food chain. With four kids at home, she couldnt afford to work fewer shifts. Getting a higher-paying job seemed like it would require too many hours back in school. I just felt like Im always in this predicament, Pech said. Just working and working and working. Pechs predicament with poverty is familiar to many Americans especially in rural counties. Since the 1960s, census data has shown higher rates of poverty in non-metro regions of the country. Twenty Nebraska counties had a child poverty rate higher than the national average in 2020. All 20 counties have populations under 40,000, according to U.S. Census data collected by The University of Omahas Center for Public Affairs research. Now, in some smaller Nebraska towns, community leaders are fighting back, determined to shrink poverty. Since 2016, three separate initiatives in three different spots Hastings, Nebraska City and Red Cloud have tried to tackle the issue in different ways. Bridging Forward launched in June with a lofty goal: It wants to reduce poverty by 30% by 2030 in Hastings Adams County and three neighboring rural counties. Its the organization that gave Pech assistance in January after she got sober and decided to go back to school. It took them sitting me down and talking to them about it and showing me that I can do it, Pech said. Today, Pech drives home from 8-hour shifts as a personal care assistant to help her kids with their homework. Then she stays up studying to earn her certified nursing assistants license. As busy as it gets I get to remind myself that for the last eight years I was busy doing nothing, Pech said. Bridging Forward has the goal of alleviating poverty, not just managing it, said Brady Rhodes of the Community Impact Network, a partner of Bridging Forward. Program recipients work with staff to plan toward high-earning careers with openings in the area, Rhodes said. We have these jobs that are open, that are possible for folks where they weren't possible for them in the past, Rhodes said. We have a real opportunity to lift folks out of poverty with a little bit of support. Pech was connected to a temporary job in a Hastings memory care facility. Soon, a CNA job should pay well enough for her to go to college for a degree in social work. I see my kids not being in poverty because I feel like in some ways I broke a chain, Pech said. Pech is an early success of the program, but alleviating 30% of poverty in the area wont be easy. Rural poverty can be very deep and hidden, Rhodes said. A lot of folks are maybe not used to asking for help and so finding the folks who need the help, who maybe have been in that situation for multiple generations, that's half the battle. An emphasis on work ethic and stigma around aid in small towns can add a barrier for those experiencing poverty in rural communities, said Jennifer Sherman, a Washington State University sociology professor. Another difficulty: The loss of high-paying jobs. People with the most resources are often encouraged to leave smaller towns, Sherman said. When Ashley Armstrong moved to the Red Cloud area from Kansas City in 2011, she quickly identified one reason families with resources might move away from her new hometown the lack of child care. When she had her third child, the limited child care options were almost full, Armstrong said. To fix the issue, Armstrong and others began planning the Valley Child Development Center, which opened in 2018. The center provides care to children from 6 weeks to 12 years, accepts families on child care subsidies and offers scholarships for qualifying families making quality child care more possible for families of low income in the area, said Armstrong, vice president of the centers board of directors. We know that there are more families out there, Armstrong said. That is always our goal, to continue to get families on subsidy and into our center. Beyond access to child care, the center has helped with recruitment for local businesses. Two nurses with young children told Armstrong they chose to work in Red Cloud instead of another town because of child care access. In 2016 a similarly child-focused, anti-poverty initiative began in Nebraska City. Despite the towns association with orchards and historic mansions, poverty is prevalent in Nebraska City child poverty is 24% higher than the state average, according to UNO and census data. You will see this amazing historic home and you will see a home next door that is probably being discussed if it should be demolished, said Stacie Higgins, founder of EDGE Nebraska City. Thanks to EDGE, every Nebraska City child has a personal library of at least 27 books by the time they start third grade. EDGE plans to reduce the towns poverty rate by 2036, by eroding decades-long poverty cycles, connecting students with the wider community and encouraging lifelong learning. We cannot assume a book is going to take care of this, Higgins said. You have to commit to the full process of here's the book, here's the relationship, here's the next step. According to The Childrens Reading Foundation, proficient reading skill by the end of the third grade is one of the strongest predictors of high school graduation. Nebraska Citys high school graduation rate is higher than the state average, but in 2020 only 20% of the population had obtained a bachelor's degree or higher. The state average: 33%. One of the best ways to promote early literacy is 20 minutes of at-home, daily reading, experts say. That goal previously seemed unachievable for some Nebraska City families with only a few books in the home. Amy Callens oldest son Connor was in one of the first kindergarten classes to get a book bestie. Since participating in EDGE, Callen has seen Connor and his siblings grow interested in reading. They not only come home with a book but theyre excited about it as well, Callen said. Connor is now a fourth grader and his book collection has been passed down to his younger siblings. He now participates in Citizens EDGE which connects students to the wider community. As EDGE works to alleviate poverty, Higgins has already helped a generation of Nebraska City students, Callen said. This work in Nebraska City, Hastings and Red Cloud is only beginning. I will know we've been successful when I run into a 25-year-old on the street and they can answer some simple questions like: I graduated from high school, I can provide for my family , I'm actively engaged in my community and Im still interested in learning, Higgins said. The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. WATERFORD A Waterford man has been accused of assaulting a 67-year-old woman and causing over $3,000 in damage to her home. Ryan M. Clifton, 41, of the 28600 block of North Lake Drive, was charged with felony counts of physical abuse of an elder person intentionally causing bodily harm in addition to criminal damage to property and misdemeanor counts of obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct. According to a criminal complaint: On Thursday, Oct. 6, officers were sent to the 28600 block of North Lake Drive for a domestic assault. Upon arrival, an officer spoke with a woman who said Clifton has mental health issues and post-traumatic stress disorder, and was arguing with the 67-year-old. It then turned physical and he started smashing everything in the house and throwing things at the 67-year-old. He then pushed her on the ground and began kicking her. She suffered a broken arm. A neighbor said Clifton ran full speed at her with full power and knocked her down before kicking her with full force. Officers noticed the front doorframe was smashed and the screen door and hydraulic closer were bent. The dining room chandelier was broken and hanging by the wires. A vase, several pictures and other items from the entryway to the kitchen appeared to be broken. The second floor guest room door was kicked or punched in and was partially off the hinges. The damages were in excess of $3,000. Clifton was given a $3,500 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court last week. A preliminary hearing is on Wednesday at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show. RACINE Danae Vinson dreamed of owning her own nail salon ever since she was 16. She was a case worker when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, pushing her to pursue what she really wanted to do. She earned her manicuring credentials and opened Goddess Nails, 333 Main St., Racine, after she saw the space for rent. A grant from the state helped push everything forward, she said. Now, shes proud of her business and its four employees. She noted shes had a lot of out-of-state customers, including those from Illinois. A customer from Colorado was present Thursday morning during a visit from state and local officials. Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld toured Main Street businesses Thursday with Racine Mayor Cory Mason and other local officials, stopping by Junoesque by Bree, Goddess Nails and Social on Sixth all of which received $10,000 Main Street Bounceback grants. Gov. Tony Evers administration says it has made a combined $7.5 million investment in the Racine business community through the use of federal pandemic-related funds, with Racine County receiving a $216 million overall investment including nearly $14 million for small business support. Republicans, particularly in this election year, have attacked Evers, accusing him of too forcefully using his office to shut down businesses amid COVID-19. Evers has largely responded by pointing to the millions in new investments made, helping businesses like Junoesque, Goddess Nails and Social on Sixth open. Overall investments supporting small businesses have totaled over $1 billion statewide. Evers announced the Main Street Bounceback grant program part of the states response to COVID-19 in the spring of 2021 with the first grants made in August 2021, using $75 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, to help small businesses and communities grow by populating vacant storefronts with new businesses and nonprofits. Youre in the right place, and I know youre pursuing your dreams. That makes us so happy, Blumenfeld said, addressing Vinson. More information Earlier this week, Evers announced the state will provide an additional $25 million investment into the program, for a total investment of $100 million to help entrepreneurs open new businesses or expand their existing operations. Go to BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information and the latest data and success stories about state COVID-relief investments. Junoesque by Bree Owner and esthetician Bree Smith of Junoesque by Bree, 330 Main St., said the grant allowed her to keep her staff paid and add new services to the business such as spray tanning. She said she loves being in Downtown Racine. Its been great ... I mean, everyone loves the spa, Smith said. (The grant) really did help a lot Thank God for yall. Thank God for you, Mason told Smith. Its really helped, obviously, your business, but its helped the downtown to have you here. Weve had a lot of new business startups on Main Street. He added Junoesque adds vibrancy and diversity to Main Street. Blumenfeld told each business owner that if Evers were there, he would be thrilled to see the owners thriving, coming back from the pandemic and achieving successes as a result of the grants. Its really exciting to hear and see, Blumenfeld said. Keep up. Just keep on keeping on what youre doing, because its amazing. Social on Sixth Joan Roehre spent 28 years working in K-12 education and then worked in nonprofit, including leading Visioning A Greater Racine. She said she always was fond of the space at 324 6th St., which had been Longshot Vinyl last. This space is really special to me, Roehre said. Its a very cool, historic building so I was drawn to it. When the space became available, she came up with the idea to transform it into an event space. She opened the doors of Social on Sixth in March 2020. And with the help of the grant, she has been able to keep it going. She described the extra money as a buffer that helped her pay rent, get a liquor license and buy inventory. I still have not received any monies from this business, she said. She watched her bank account just go like that... But if you put $100 in a savings account, finally you get to start that savings account. You can grow it. Shes considering hiring an employee so she doesnt have to run things entirely herself. Blumenfeld noted she felt shivers hearing Roehres story. Its just amazing to see the downtown here in Racine, and youre a big part of this, Blumenfeld said, addressing Roehre. Were here to celebrate you today. 1. Yes. Its important to cast my votes early and avoid the lines on Election Day. 2. Yes. With nearly two weeks of early voting, its a more convenient way to take part. 3. No. Its better to wait until Election Day, in case any last-minute information surfaces. 4. No. Im not planning to vote early or on Election Day. It isnt worth my time. 5. Unsure. It depends on how the campaigns are shaping up. Ill play it by ear. Vote View Results By Trend Elon Musk is again under fire, Trend reports citing Euronews. This time it is because he threatened to cut off financial support for his Starlink terminals in Ukraine on Friday. These internet terminals -- Musks SpaceX company -- are small and easy to use. About 20,000 satellite units have been sent to Ukraine. But Musk tweeted that the operation has cost SpaceX 80 million dollars and will exceed 100 million by the end of the year. CHIMALHUACAN, Mexico In a shallow lake on the outskirts of Mexico City, a handful of farmers still harvest the eggs of an evasive, fingertip-size water bug in a bid to keep alive a culinary tradition dating at least to the Aztec empire. Caviar is typically associated with sturgeons swimming the Caspian Sea, but the Mexican version is made from the tiny eggs of an aquatic insect of the corixidae family, also know as the bird fly, because birds like to eat it. Similar bugs are often known as water boatmen in English, because of the way they seem to row in ponds and streams. The bug, which only occasionally surfaces before diving again in a trail of bubbles, would not look like food to most, but it was once important to the people of the Valley of Mexico. For Juan Hernandez, a farmer from San Cristobal Nezquipayac, cultivating and collecting the tiny insect eggs known as ahuautle meaning water amaranth in Nahua is a way of life. For me, more than anything, it means tradition, said the 59-year-old Hernandez. He is one of only six people known to still harvest ahuautle, at least in the Texcoco area. They fear they may be the last. The painstaking collection of Mexican caviar, known for its intense but delicate flavor, is threatened by the drying out of Lake Texcoco, development around the lakeshore and waning interest in the ingredient among younger generations, said Jorge Ocampo, agrarian history coordinator at the Center for Economic, Social and Technological Research on Agribusiness and World Agriculture in Mexico State. Ocampo called the dish's survival an example of community resistance, similar to the way in which inhabitants around Lake Texcoco a shallow, saline lake that once covered most of the eastern half of the Mexico City valley have managed to preserve other traditions, festivals and ceremonies. For Hernandez, it's hard, dirty work that few are willing to do anymore. Dressed in a hat, long-sleeved shirt, shorts and rubber boots, Hernandez wades through the calf-high waters of Nabor Carrillo a smallish lake formed from the remnants of Texcoco to collect pine branches he had poked into the muddy lakebed the week before. The branches serve as an anchor for the bird-fly bugs to deposit their eggs. Under a blazing sun and accompanied by the calls of hundreds of herons, plovers and other migratory birds that stop at the lakes, Hernandez gathers dozens of egg-coated sticks and lays them on a raft of polystyrene foam. We look for them along the edges of the lake, where the flies are more active, Hernandez said. He started as a young man, after a period of joblessness, joining about four dozen other local residents who used to work the lakes during the ahuautle season the rainy period from June through September. After about two hours, Hernandez gathered a heap of sticks covered with thousands of bird-fly eggs. He returned to the edge of the lake to lay the sticks out to dry in the sun, which can take several hours or days, depending on the weather. Cleaning is a process that takes a lot of work, said Hernandez, as he rubbed his hand over the sticks to remove the eggs, which he then placed on a piece of cloth. Later, he takes the eggs home and runs them through a sieve to remove any bits of pine bark or mud. Then he packs them in bags he offers for sale. While Hernandez takes care of collecting the eggs, restaurant owner Gustavo Guerrero serves them to customers at his eatery in the east-side borough of Iztapalapa. One of Guerrero's favorite recipes is to mix the ahuautle with breadcrumbs and bind them with eggs to form a croquette, which he then fries and serves with green tomatillo sauce, nopal cactus and squash flowers all pre-Hispanic ingredients. Eating this is like revisiting the past, said Guerrero, 61. He says the flavor of the ahuautle reminds him of his childhood, when his mother cooked the dish according to a recipe she learned from her grandmother. But Guerrero acknowledges that Mexican caviar is at risk of disappearing because younger generations aren't familiar with the dish, and ever-fewer people harvest it in the scarce remaining lakes where it is found. Ahuautle is also at risk of becoming only a gourmet dish for the rich: A kilogram of the eggs can sell for the equivalent of $50 (roughly $25 a pound). Even those still familiar with ahuautle often consider the insects that produce it to be feed for chickens or turkeys, and may think of it literally as for the birds. With the odds stacked against it, there is no guarantee that Mexican caviar will even be a choice for future generations. There are a lot of kids, young people who don't eat it anymore, they don't like it," Hernandez admits. Now we are just keeping ahuautle alive, he said. I hope it doesn't disappear, because it is a source in income for those of us who live off the land. Olga Lopatkina paced around her basement like a trapped animal. She hadn't heard from her six adopted children stranded in Mariupol for over a week, and she didn't know what to do. The family would end up getting caught up in one of the most explosive issues of the war: Russia's open effort to take Ukrainian orphans and bring them up as Russian. An Associated Press investigation shows thousands of children have been taken from basements of bombed-out cities and from orphanages in the Russian-backed separatist territories of Donbas. They include those whose parents were killed by Russian shelling, others in institutions or with foster families. Russia claims many of these children have no parents or guardians, or that they can't be reached. But the AP found that officials have deported Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-held territories without consent, lied to them that they weren't wanted by their parents and given them Russian families and citizenship. The investigation is the most extensive to date on the grab of Ukrainian orphans. It drew on dozens of interviews with parents, children and officials in Ukraine and Russia; emails and letters; Russian documents and state media. Raising the children of war in another country or culture can be a marker of genocide, an attempt to erase a people's identity. Prosecutors tie the policy directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russian law prohibits the adoption of foreign children. But in May, Putin signed a decree expediting granting Russian citizenship to Ukrainian children without parental care. Russia has prepared a register of suitable Russian families for Ukrainian children and offers substantial financial support. It portrays the adoptions as an act of generosity. Russian state television airs ceremonies of officials handing out passports to Ukrainian children. Ukrainian officials claim nearly 8,000 children have been deported to Russia. In March, Russian children's rights ombudswoman Maria Lvova-Belova said 1,000 children from Ukraine were in Russia. Hundreds more have come since. Lvova-Belova herself has taken in a Mariupol teenager and has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department, the European Union, Canada and Australia. Her office referred the AP to her reply in a state-owned news agency that Russia was "helping children to preserve their right to live under a peaceful sky and be happy." The AP visited a leafy seaside camp near Taganrog, where hundreds of Ukrainian orphans were housed. One professional foster mother in the Moscow region said the local social services called her to take in Ukrainian children. Already fostering six Russian kids, she picked three from Mariupol. After a guardianship court case in now occupied-Mariupol, she was granted custody of the children, who are now Russian citizens. The children said after their foster mother dropped them off at a bunker in Mariupol, the Russian military got them out. They had to choose between adoption by a Russian family and life in a Russian orphanage. At the house with a courtyard and inflatable swimming pool, the 15-year-old girl said she is eager to start a new life in Russia in part because her school in Ukraine was bombed, one of her classmates died and almost everyone has left. At least 96 children have been returned to Ukraine since March following negotiations, some at top government levels. In Mariupol, Lopatkina's kids cowered for days in a basement at the resort where they'd been vacationing. The 17-year-old foster son, Timofey, minded his younger siblings three with chronic illnesses or disabilities. They lost contact with their mother when the power went out across the city. Then a Mariupol doctor succeeded in evacuating them only to be turned back by pro-Russia forces at a checkpoint. They ended up in a hospital in the separatist Russian-controlled Donetsk region. When Timofey messaged his mother, she was already out of the country. He was livid. It took a few calls for Olga Lopatkina to explain to Timofey what had happened. The music and arts teacher lost her mother as a teenager and her home in the 2014 fighting over the Crimean Peninsula. When this war broke out, it quickly became deadly to get from her home in Vuhledar, now a front line, to Mariupol, 60 miles away. Her 18-year-old biological daughter, Rada, was stranded with her uncle near Kharkiv, another front-line city. Lopatkina decided to head to the borders, fetching her daughter along the way. They made their way to France. She campaigned Russian and Ukrainian officials and reached out to activists. The Donetsk authorities finally told her she could have her children back if she came through Russia to get them. She feared a trap and declined. In Donetsk, officials told Timofey a court would strip Lopatkina and her husband of their guardianship and his younger siblings would end up with new families in Russia. Then finally, a breakthrough. Donetsk authorities agreed to allow a volunteer with power of attorney from Lopatkina to collect the children. After a three-day bus trip through Russia, the children met their father in Berlin and drove to France. "The burden of responsibility was gone," Timofey said. "I said: 'Mother, take the reins, that's all I'm a child now." CHICAGO As the new school year swings into gear, some students carry heavier worries than keeping up with homework: Demand has been growing steadily for childrens books that address traumatic events such as school shootings. Sales of books for young readers on violence, grief, and emotions have increased for nine straight years, with nearly six million copies sold in 2021 more than double the amount in 2012, according to NPD BookScan, which tracks U.S. retail sales of print books. As anxiety and depression rates have soared among young Americans, educators and advocates say childrens books can play a role in helping them cope. While it might be second nature to try to shield kids from the harsher realities of life and scary news, its proving difficult to avoid big society issues, said Kristine Enderle, editorial director at Magination Press, the childrens book publishing arm of the American Psychological Association. Kids face these issues and challenges in their day-to-day life. One book, Im Not Scared Im Prepared, was reprinted several times to meet demand after the massacre at Uvaldes Robb Elementary School in May, according to the National Center for Youth Issues, the nonprofit group that published the book. The story, first published in 2014, features a teacher who shows children what to do when a dangerous someone is in their school. Bookstores around the country see interest in titles from the genre rise and fall depending on local and national headlines, according to bookseller Barnes & Noble. Some newer titles engage directly with real-world gun violence. In Numb to This, a graphic novel released this month, author Kindra Neely details the 2015 Umpqua Community College shooting in Oregon, which she survived, and the aftermath as she tries to heal amid repeated shootings elsewhere. Initially, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers editorial director Andrea Colvin said she was shocked when Keely pitched the idea. I had to remember that, yes, this is what our stories are like now. This is what young people have experienced, Colvin said. Michele Gay, whose 7-year-old daughter Josephine was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, turned to children's books herself to help her two surviving daughters. One picture book she read to them was The Ant Hill Disaster, about a boy ant who is afraid to go back to school after it is destroyed. It was one of many books that was of comfort to them and gave them a little bit of confidence to just face one more day, one more minute, because we can do it together, said Gay, who advocates for improved security in schools through a nonprofit she co-founded, Safe and Sound Schools. Parents should make sure books addressing trauma are age-appropriate and backed by psychologists, experts say. It's important to be aware of whether children are aware of or feeling stress about frightening things in the news, said Aryeh Sova, a Chicago psychologist who works with children who attended the July 4 parade in suburban Highland Park, Illinois, where seven people were killed in a shooting. A child asking lots of questions about an event may signify that they are anxious or fixated on it, he said. If its coming from the kids need, then books could be a great way for kids to learn and to read together with their parents and to review it on their own and to process it at their own speed, at their own pace, Sova said. But bringing up violence when a child isnt worried about it could increase their anxiety unnecessarily, Sova said. Some young children experience gun violence at alarmingly high rates, particularly in communities of color. For them, it is important to start early to address the effects, said Ian Ellis James, an Emmy award-winning Sesame Street writer known by his stage name William Electric Black. He is the author of the illustrated childrens book A Gun Is Not Fun. He said young children in areas afflicted by gun violence are more aware of it than parents may think. They know about flowers and candles and cards in the street. They walk by them every day, he said. Through childrens literature and theater, Black works to reduce urban gun violence. If you start when theyre 5, and you go back when youre 6, 7, 8, 9, youre going to change the behavior, he said. In the spring, he will collaborate with New York public school P.S. 155 in East Harlem with a series of gun violence awareness and prevention workshops for early readers, using puppets, storytelling and repetition. They wont even get rid of assault weapons here in this country. So my thing is, we have to go in and weve got to help them help themselves save themselves, Black said. Were really kind of failing at that. DAKAR, Senegal A new liquefied natural gas project off Africa's western coast may be only 80% complete, but already the prospect of a new energy supplier has drawn visits from the leaders of Poland and Germany. The initial field near Senegal and Mauritanias coastlines is expected to contain about 15 trillion cubic feet of gas, five times more than what gas-dependent Germany used in all of 2019. But production isn't expected to start until the end of next year. That won't help solve Europe's energy crisis triggered by Russia's war in Ukraine. Still, Gordon Birrell, an executive for project co-developer BP, says the development could not be more timely" as Europe seeks to reduce its reliance on Russian natural gas to power factories, generate electricity and heat homes. Current world events are demonstrating the vital role that (liquid gas) can play in underpinning the energy security of nations and regions, he told an energy industry meeting in West Africa last month. While Africas natural gas reserves are vast and North African countries like Algeria have pipelines already linked to Europe, a lack of infrastructure and security challenges have long stymied producers in other parts of the continent from scaling up exports. Established African producers are cutting deals or reducing energy use so they have more to sell to boost their finances, but some leaders warn that hundreds of millions of Africans lack electricity and supplies are needed at home. Nigeria has Africas largest natural gas reserves, said Horatius Egua, a spokesman for the petroleum minister, though it accounts for only 14% of the European Unions imports of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, that comes by ship. Projects face the risk of energy thefts and high costs. Other promising countries like Mozambique have discovered large gas reserves only to see projects delayed by violence from Islamic militants. Europe has been scrambling to secure alternative sources as Moscow has reduced natural gas flows to EU countries, triggering soaring energy prices and growing expectations of a recession. The 27-nation EU, whose energy ministers are meeting this week to discuss a gas price cap, is bracing for the possibility of a complete Russian cutoff but has still managed to fill gas reserves to 90%. European leaders have flocked to countries like Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan and especially those in North Africa, where Algeria has a pipeline running to Italy and another to Spain. Italy signed a $4 billion gas deal with Algeria in July, a month after Egypt reached an agreement with the European Union and Israel to boost sales of LNG. Angola also has signed a gas deal with Italy. While an earlier agreement allowed Italy's biggest energy company to start production at two Algerian gas fields this week, it wasn't clear when flows would start from the July deal because it lacked specifics, analysts said. African leaders like Senegalese President Macky Sall want their countries to cash in on these projects even as theyre dissuaded from pursuing fossil fuels. They dont want to export it all either an estimated 600 million Africans lack access to electricity. It is legitimate, fair and equitable that Africa, the continent that pollutes the least and lags furthest behind in the industrialization process should exploit its available resources to provide basic energy, improve the competitiveness of its economy and achieve universal access to electricity, Sall told the U.N. General Assembly last month. Algeria is a major supplier it and Egypt accounted for 60% of the natural gas production in Africa in 2020 but it can't offset Russian gas to Europe at this stage, said Mahfoud Kaoubi, professor of economics and specialist in energy issues at the University of Algiers. Russia has an annual production of 270 billion cubic meters its huge," Kaoubi said. Algeria is 120 billion cubic meters, of which 70.50% is intended for consumption on the internal market." This year, Algeria is forecast to have piped exports of 31.8 billion cubic meters, according to Tom Purdie, a Europe, Middle East and Africa gas analyst with S&P Global Commodity Insights. The key concern here surrounds the level of production step-up that can be achieved, and the impact domestic demand could have" given how much gas Algeria uses at home, Purdie said. Cash-strapped Egypt also is looking to export more natural gas to Europe, even regulating air conditioning in shopping malls and lights on streets to save energy and sell it instead. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly says Egypt hopes to bring in an additional $450 million a month in foreign currency by rerouting 15% of its domestic gas usage for export, state media reported. More than 60% of Egypts natural gas consumption still is used by power stations to keep the country running. Most of its LNG goes to Asian markets. A new, three-party deal will see Israel send more gas to Europe via Egypt, which has facilities to liquefy it for export by sea. The EU says it will help the two countries increase gas production and exploration. In Nigeria, ambitious plans have yet to yield results despite years of planning. The country exported less than 1% of its vast natural gas reserves last year. A proposed 2,734-mile-long pipeline that would take Nigerian gas to Algeria through Niger has been stalled since 2009, mainly because of its estimated cost of $13 billion. Many fear that even if completed, the Trans-Sahara Gas Pipeline would face security risks like Nigeria's oil pipelines, which have come under frequent attacks from militants and vandals. The same challenges would hinder increased gas exports to Europe, said Olufola Wusu, a Lagos-based oil and gas expert. If you look at the realities on ground issues that have to do with crude oil theft and others begin to question our ability to supply gas to Europe, he said. As rapidly intensifying storms and rising sea levels threaten coastal cities, Hurricane Ian has demonstrated what researchers have warned: Hundreds of hospitals in the U.S. are not ready for climate change. Hurricane Ian forced at least 16 hospitals in Florida to evacuate patients after it made landfall near the city of Fort Myers on Sept. 28 as a deadly Category 4 storm. Some moved their patients before the storm, while others ordered evacuations after the hurricane struck, said Mary Mayhew, president of the Florida Hospital Association, which coordinates needs and resources among hospitals statewide during a hurricane. About 1,000 patients across five Florida counties were evacuated for different reasons, Mayhew said, with one hospital moving patients after the storm tore part of its roof and deluged the ground floor. Other hospitals emerged with no structural damage but lost power and running water. Broken bridges, flooded roads and lack of clean water added to the challenges for some hospitals, she said. Climate shocks like hurricanes show us in the most painful way what we need to fix, said Aaron Bernstein, interim director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, known as C-CHANGE, at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Coastal cities threatened by rising sea levels have considered storm surge protection plans from elevating homes to creating a network of seawalls, floodgates and pumps to protect residents and infrastructure against powerful flooding from storms. Some hospitals are fortifying buildings and elevating campuses. Others are moving inland, as they prepare for a future when even weak storms can flood facilities. Theyre the front lines of climate change, bearing the costs of these increased weather events as well as the increase in injuries and disease that come with them, said Emily Mediate, U.S. climate and health director for Health Care Without Harm, a nonprofit that works with hospitals to prepare for climate change. Bernstein and a team of researchers at Harvard predicted in a recent study that many coastal facilities will face problems even from milder weather events. The study analyzed the flood risk to hospitals within 10 miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coastlines. In more than half of the 78 metropolitan areas analyzed, some hospitals are at risk of storm surge flooding from the weakest hurricane, a Category 1. In 25 coastal metro areas, half or more of the hospitals risk flooding from a Category 2 storm, which would pack winds of up to 110 mph. Florida is home to six of the 10 most at-risk metropolitan areas identified in the study, with the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach region ranked as having the greatest risk of hurricane impact. Researchers also considered the risk of flooding for roads within one mile of coastal hospitals during a Category 2 hurricane. Thats what happened on Floridas western coast, where Hurricane Ians maximum sustained winds of 150 mph contributed to flooded roads and washed-out bridges. All three hospitals in Charlotte County were closed during the storm. One reopened its emergency room the following day, and two were operational by Oct. 1. In Lee County, the public hospital system was forced to partially evacuate three of its four hospitals, potentially affecting about 1,000 patients, after the facilities lost running water. Several Florida hospitals on waterfront property have moved their essential electrical systems and other critical operations above ground level, elevated their parking lots and buildings, and erected water barriers around their campuses, including Tampa General Hospital, which has the only trauma center in west-central Florida. Miami Beach is a barrier island where roads flood on sunny days during extremely high tides. Building to withstand hurricanes and flooding is a priority for institutions, said Gino Santorio, CEO of Mount Sinai Medical Center, which sits at the edge of Biscayne Bay. Over the past decade, Mount Sinai completed nearly $62 million in projects to protect against hurricanes and flooding, part of a countywide strategy funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state and local governments to fortify schools, hospitals and other institutions. But Bernstein said the Fort Knox model of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on state-of-the-art hurricane-proof hospital buildings doesnt address flooded roads, transportation for patients ahead of a storm, medically vulnerable people in areas most at risk of flooding, emergency hospital evacuations or the failure of backup power sources, he said. Urging hospitals to fortify for more severe hurricanes and rising sea levels can feel overwhelming, especially when many are struggling to recover from COVID-19-related financial stress, labor shortages and fatigue, Mediate said. There are five apartments in the building, and the residents were able to escape the residence or were not home at the time. Firefighters rescued two dogs from the building. KEARNEY The words on the wall at the Collage Center explain its mission: In the gentle depths of the soul, everyone deserves to feel beautiful. Collage offers support to women experiencing unexpected pregnancies and gives them a shoulder to lean on as they decide how to proceed. Collage is neither pro- nor anti-abortion. It refrains from politics. We believe deep down in the beauty and value in every single one of us. We believe that our job is to provide medical services that help women discover their value and their worth, Gaye Tillotson, the executive director of Collage in Kearney and Grand Island, said. Collage provides free medical services to anyone who comes in the door. It tests for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, in men as well as women. It also does limited obstetrical ultrasounds to confirm a pregnancy. Whether seeing tears, confusion, shock or disbelief, the staff responds with deep kindness, a listening ear and offers of support. It is all done at no cost. Our services allow us to meet people at a crossroads of significant decision-making in their lives and reposition them to thrive, Tillotson said. These days people are so vocal about what they are against. We are vocal about what we are for. First point of referral Collage defines itself as a holistic sexual health center where people come in with physical needs, but as we earn their trust, we are often invited into serving their emotional needs, relationship needs and sometimes spiritual needs, Tillotson said. It was founded in Kearney on Dec. 8, 1987, by a group that wanted to support women facing unexpected pregnancies. Tillotson said that unexpected pregnancies will always occur in both married and single women. Tillotson rarely uses the term abortion. She prefers to end a pregnancy. She knows the word abortion may be painful to women hurt by that procedure. Many women deny their pregnancies until they see proof on the ultrasound. At that point, we begin to work together to empower that woman to reposition herself to thrive. Every option is difficult. Theres no easy choice, but we seek to empower them to figure out the best choice and give them the space they need, she said. Women in unexpected pregnancies have three options: keep the baby, put it up for adoption or end the pregnancy. Staff at Collage will walk through all three options to help a woman decide what is best. While adoption is the least-chosen option, Tillotson called it a very courageous, selfless decision. Collage can provide names of adoption agencies and help women study their options. If asked, Collage provides a list of physician referrals for prenatal care as well as a list of licensed emotional counselors. Currently, abortions are legal in Nebraska in two ways: Pregnancies up to 10 weeks can be terminated with pills, and pregnancies up to 22 weeks can be terminated with a surgical procedure. Knowing how far along a woman is in the pregnancy is so important, as is our ability to provide them with medical services, Tillotson said. Many girls are terrified to tell their parents about their pregnancy. We want to help equip them to be able to do that, but we never force anything. We simply offer. Our job is to continue to love them, seek a relationship with them and be there for them, whatever they decide, she said. Helping others Born in Minden, Tillotson grew up in Fremont and moved to Kearney in 1983, where she flipped burgers at Wendys for eight years. That taught me so much about running a business, she said. She holds a degree in management, organizational leadership and Biblical studies from the now-closed Grace University. She worked in finance and office administration. She also managed the ministry of Christian author and speaker Dee Brestin. She became the first paid staff member at Collage 21 years ago volunteers ran the nonprofit until then and has never looked back. When the board asked if I would become executive director, I jumped at the chance. I could see the potential impact we could have, she said. The budget for the combined offices is $612,000 a year. Collage is financed through donations and grants and is a partner agency of the United Way of the Kearney Area. We are so incredibly fortunate to have people who believe in what we do. Part of the beauty is that many people who have been helped by Collage find an opportunity to give back, whether financial or in other ways, Tillotson said. Her Kearney staff includes Julie Pack, R.N., the center director and nurse manager. In Grand Island, Joey Ruff is the center director and lead sonographer. Together, the two offices have seven employees. By late 2023, Collage hopes to open in Columbus. Columbus and Norfolk have close to 70,000 people, and the surrounding community adds to that need. No other organization provides the services we do at no cost, Tillotson said. If a community wants to partner with us, we will come in and support them. Keeping website relevant In 2010, to keep up with changing times, Collage created a new logo and an online presence, redecorated and launched a blog that doesnt shy away from culturally relevant topics, Tillotson said. That blog focuses on its target audience of sexually active women aged 18 to 24 who may be experiencing an STD or unexpected pregnancy, or who struggle with a past pregnancy decision. We wanted them to feel safe coming to us, she said. Men are welcome at Collage, too. They can be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, which are on the rise. In the 1970s, one in 47 sexually active individuals commonly contracted an STD. Today, its one in two, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Men also come to support their partners, as do parents, grandparents and others. Ultrasounds are always done privately, but after that, if the woman desires, the support person is brought in. Ultrasound is not just about the baby, but the woman first, Tillotson said. She can be empowered to make choices not only in her childs best interest, but her own. We create bridges, not walls, she said. Helping women heal Recently, Collage hosted a weekend retreat for women who have been hurt by abortion. The weekend was devoted to helping them address the pain and unimaginable consequences they have dealt with not just for years, but decades, Tillotson said. Were here to help a woman walk through that pain in a compassionate way. She described Collage as a safe place. Women know we will be there for them no matter what, before or after a decision is made, no matter what the decision is. They realize we are not going to judge them or minimize their feelings of loss, she said. All of us have circumstances where we just need someone to be compassionate and walk alongside us. Thats our promise. Well be a safe place, a place of hope and restoration, she added. Not long ago, a young woman hurrying to the hospital to deliver her baby stopped by Collage to thank the staff for its support during her pregnancy. Thats our niche, Tillotson said. We walk alongside people to the degree they allow us to so we can be their safe place. BERTRAND When Brenda Johnson learned the miniature Palomino was named June, she knew she was the horse for her. Johnson had grown up around horses. Her grandparents had horses, and she showed the animals throughout her younger years in 4-H. Johnson continued to own horses until 22 years ago when her family moved into the town of Bertrand. We got rid of the horses, and thats something Ive missed. I didnt realize it until about the time I was selling the store, Johnson said. The store was Countryside Market, now known as Cross Country Market in Bertrand. Johnson and her husband, Jerry, owned and operated the grocery store from 2008 until 2020 when they sold the business. Johnson had attended a conference that helped her realize how her hobbies had fallen to the wayside while she focused on her career. One of the speakers said, What do you do for fun? What are your hobbies? What do you like to do? I couldnt come up with anything. Nothing at that point. I had put my heart and soul into the store and eliminated basically everything I like to do fun. And so from then on, I kind of did a bunch of soul searching and had some help with that even, and the horses were kind of on the top of the list, Johnson explained. Johnson loves all types of horses, but she was particularly fond of miniature horses and Clydesdales. She began following mini horse Facebook pages, and she reached out to see if there were any available in the central United States. A woman from Kansas messaged her about the 8-month-old Palomino named June, who is more commonly referred to as JuneBug. June just happened to be the name of Johnsons grandmother, and her grandparents had a Palomino horse when Johnson was a child. She knew it was meant to be. I bought her without being there, and I picked her up and the rest is history, Johnson said. As a miniature horse, JuneBug is smaller than a pony. She was born at just 18 inches tall. She is now over two years old and stands at 29 inches tall. Along with reconnecting with her love for the animals, Johnson was also interested in sharing the benefits of her horse with others. Being in the store, I saw there was a need for things for kids. And at that point, I didnt know what it was or what direction I should go, and so this just ended up coming together, she said. She originally intended to bring JuneBug to visit schools, nursing homes and take part in other volunteer opportunities, but she continued to research options for equine therapy. She attended Strides to Success, a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International accredited facility, to receive training in Equine Assisted Learning. As part of her business, Prairie Equine Experience, Johnson offers one-on-one sessions for all ages, as well as group sessions and birthday party appearances. In a session, clients will walk JuneBug through an obstacle course, learn to communicate with her and to be patient. They also focus on grooming JuneBug and doing fun activities, such as painting JuneBugs coat with washable finger paint or having JuneBug play her toy piano with her nose. Johnson recently added a fresh air meditation class for women. The class begins with a meditation in the round pen with the horse, and the horse is then invited into each persons space at the end of the session. Johnson had one participant who had tension in her shoulder. When JuneBug was brought into the space, she rested her head on the womans shoulder, helping relieve some of the tension. She was much more relaxed. And as she said, the meditation itself does that as well. The horse just enhances that, Johnson noted. Along with helping with stress, working with June can help foster leadership development, self-confidence, communication, respect, responsibility, kindness and much more. JuneBug has always had a docile personality, and Johnson does all she can to expose her to different environments. She brings her to Orschelns in Holdrege, and she recently took her to the F. Johnson building in Holdrege to ride the elevator. If we ever go to a hospital or something that has an elevator, we had to make sure that she could do the elevator, explained Johnson. Johnson hopes to eventually acquire another mini and full-sized horse for not only the business and herself but for JuneBug. We need to get her another one. They are herd animals. They are very social. ... It just hasnt been the right timing yet. It will happen, she said. For Johnson, JuneBug has helped her not only forge a new career path but also reignited her passion for horses and the great outdoors. The connection of the horse and the outdoors, there is something about nature that is very therapeutic, she said. By Trend Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Friday that the unipolar world order is not accepted, Iran's state TV reported, Trend reports citing MEHR. "Nations have been awakened" and they do not accept the unipolar world order, which "is gradually losing its legitimacy," he told the International Islamic Unity Conference held in Tehran. In a unipolar system, arrogant powers such as the United States would design their own schemes and dictate them to other countries such as Iraq, Syria, Iran and Lebanon, he said. The world is now opposed to countries bullying others into obedience, the Iranian top leader noted. HOLDREGE The Holdrege Area Public Library has an array of events for all ages in October. In honor of TeenTober, teens are invited to join the October Edition of Teen Chef Challenge, making pet ghosts at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Main Library Room. The event is limited to 12 spots, and participants must preregister. Register by calling the library, or register online on Facebook Event. Library-goers can have the chance to meet the author Jonis Agee at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Main Library Room. Agee is the One Book One Nebraska 2022 winner with her story The Bones of Paradise. Agee was born in Omaha and raised in Nebraska and Missouri, places where many of her stories and novels are set. In all, she is the author of 13 books, including five novels, five collections of short fiction and two books of poetry. One Book One Nebraska is sponsored by Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska and Nebraska Library Commission. If you havent read the book yet, the library has a physical book, a book club kit and a Playaway available. Holdrege author Jan Knuth will be at the library for a meet and greet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Main Library Room. Knuth will talk about how she got started in the haunting world and will talk a bit about her book Not Afraid to Slay: Women of the Haunt Industry. The book features both an in-depth look at going from home haunt to commercial haunt as well as a modern insight on acting, costuming and makeup, house design and layout, story creation and high-tech inventions in the movie industry that are happily turning haunt. For more information about any of the upcoming events, contact Sierra Burrows at 308-995-6556 or sburrowshapl@gmail.com. Republican attorney general candidate Eric Toney says Democratic incumbent Josh Kaul has effectively defunded the police, citing staff shortages at the Department of Justice. But data released by the Department of Justice doesnt show that agent staffing in the Division of Criminal Investigation has reached the levels claimed by Toney, who attributed his figures to law enforcement officials who heard DCI director Tina Virgils remarks at a conference earlier this year. DCI agent staffing is, however, at its lowest since 2016. Some criminal prosecutor posts have reached the levels cited by Toney in recent years, but they have begun to recover. Notably, apart from 2022 levels, DCI staffing was generally better under Kaul than under the previous attorney general, Republican Brad Schimel. As of July, DOJ was down seven DCI agents, 9% of its total staffing. That puts DCI agent positions at their lowest level of Kauls tenure. In 2021, 98% of DCI agent positions were filled. In 2020, Kauls DOJ had a surplus of four DCI agents. If you look at those numbers, theyre just totally inconsistent with what Eric Toney has been saying, Kaul said in an interview. Asked if there was ever a 25% shortage of DCI agents, Kaul said staffing has been consistent with the year-by-year figures provided by DOJ. As for criminal litigation posts, DOJ had 29% of those empty as of October 2021. Its criminal appeals unit was short two of its 23 total prosecutor posts in January 2022. As of July, DOJ had a 13% vacancy in its prosecutor positions. In recent weeks, Toney has made DOJ staffing a key point in a number of campaign and media appearances. He has argued that those vacancies put a strain on local law enforcement and prosecutors. If they have less of those positions filled, that puts more work on them or theyre reducing services to our law enforcement as we have seen historic violence and a drug epidemic across Wisconsin, Toney told media in Madison earlier this month. After DOJ released its staffing figures, Toney requested the department release an organizational chart for DCI showing what posts are vacant. The DOJ is processing a Wisconsin State Journal records request for the organizational chart. DOJ plans to soon hire a 12-member class of DCI agents to fill empty positions and others that will be left open by retirements and promotions, said Gillian Drummond, a DOJ spokesperson. Kaul stressed that DOJ is a large government agency and that staffing ebbs and flows. DCI agents are often law enforcement personnel further along in their careers and thus closer to retirement. Like any large agency, theres attrition, Kaul said. People retire or move on to other jobs over time. Kaul is quick to note that the state Legislature has cut the budget for the Division of Legal Services, where DOJ prosecutors work. About 70 prosecutors have been added to district attorneys offices throughout the state in recent years, too, Kaul said. Kaul proposed $115 million in funding under the moniker the Safer Wisconsin Plan. The plan calls for, among many items, $20 million in community policing grants, $12 million for law enforcement recruitment and training, $10 million for re-entry programs and $10 million for crime victim services. Toney has provided fewer specifics on what his budget priorities are or how he would fix staffing shortages. In an interview, Toney said if elected attorney general he would be engaged with the budget process and support prosecutors. In other comments to media, the candidate said the state Legislature involvement in DOJs budget is about trust. Who does the Legislature trust? he said. Who does Wisconsin trust to keep us safe and work with our law enforcement? And how will they deploy those resources? In their televised debate on October 7, the contrast could not have been clearer between Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Sen. Ron Johnson. Barnes positions are based on his life experiences; Johnsons positions are based on extreme GOP ideology, supported by money from special interest groups. Johnson avoided directly answering several questions. On climate change, he said the EPA should stop trying to regulate CO2. When asked what the minimum wage should be, he said market forces should dictate wages. He stood by his prior proposal that Social Security funding be reviewed every year. On reproductive rights, he offered praise for the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and refused to answer the question on how he will vote on the Respect for Marriage Act which would protect same-sex and interracial marriages. Barnes spoke to us as a common man, not an ultra-millionaire like Johnson. He made clear that he will vote to codify Roe v. Wade and to protect same-sex marriage. He asked us to remember that 140 police officers were injured on January 6 in contrast to comments by Johnson, who once referred to the insurrectionists as patriots. He supports action against climate-harmful fossil fuel consumption and supports a $15 per hour minimum wage. Barnes offers practical solutions to our most serious problems. Johnson, on the other hand, avoids addressing serious societal problems and takes positions which are out of step with the majority of Americans. David Wulf Despite starting the development for the new jail in Winona through some adversity, construction of the new Winona County Jail is back on track and set to finish in June 2023. With completion of the new jail, the location will have 80 beds and have the space to bring back programming for the inmates and house the dispatch center. Initially we had issues with the permitting and the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, said jail administrator Captain Steven Buswell. That gave us a delay and then we had a soil correction issue to fix, so initially we were about six months behind. The hired construction management company, Market & Johnson Inc., was able to figure out another process of working on the location and make up for some of the lost time, said Buswell. That actually made up three months, said Buswell. And then everything started to fall in place. Market & Johnson Inc. were able to secure the concrete and steel that had become big-time issues for a lot of people in the industry. After construction is completed in June of next year, there will be a three-month transition period to make sure the dispatch center is working correctly and the employees are squared away in the new facility, said Buswell. Obviously, we get inmates in and everything like that, but we want to make sure that dispatch and all their operations are functional, their 911 system works and everything, before we hit the switch and say this new facility is up and running, said Buswell. Currently, the Winona jail is only considered a 72-hour holding facility, where inmates would have to be sent to jails in the surrounding area, like those in Houston, Olmsted and Freeborn counties, said Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude. The opening of the new jail will also bring back much of the programing the Winona jail used to offer for inmates, said Ganrude. Theres a number of programs that will be involved that were already starting to gear up and get ready for when the new building opens, Ganrude said. But a big one would be the Huber release, where if you have a job, or youre looking for a job, and fit the criteria, we would release you from jail to go right to your job and come right back to the jail when youre done. Along with the Huber release program, the jail intends to have programs for chemical dependency treatment, inpatient care and mental health services above their normal medical services, said program coordinator Dave Glithero. Just having the extra space [in the new facility] helps with our programs, said Glithero. Weve been housing people out so we never have the numbers to make some of these programs work. So the space is awesome, but the ability to hold our inmates here opens up a whole new door of us allowing these programs. The Winona County Jail started many of these programs back in the 1990s. Unfortunately, the programs were not able to continue and moved to other facilities, said Buswell. We will have multi-purpose rooms that can be used for individual breakout spaces, whether thats a program or an attorney coming in. Theyre effective spaces to use, said Buswell. We could never do that before because we had a very limited space. The goal of the programs is to bring those needed services to inside the jail, said Buswell. Theres a lot of support in the community. I like to say its like when you run a relay. You have a baton in your hand. But once you come into the jail, unfortunately, that baton never got handed into the jail. Were really trying to make those services a part of the jail, Buswell said. Jails have changed, said Buswell. Instead of just punishment being the main focus, there are services that can help the inmates prepare for life after incarceration. Eventually, these people are going to be back out in the community, said Glithero. So what can we offer them to change their behavior or help them to be a productive member of society later? Big things happen when people of purpose team up around a shared goal. In this case, that goal is the construction of much-needed affordable housing for the people of Winona County. Sept. 29 marked a major milestone toward that goal with the sale of the South Fork Fourth addition land to Habitat for Humanity serving Winona County the culmination of more than a years work designed to bring 11 new affordable homes for ownership to Saint Charles, Minnesota. Construction of the first two of those 11 homes is slated to begin in 2023. This multi-faceted public-private collaboration brought together a wide array of partners. The South Fork addition was organized as a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district by the City of Saint Charles to incentivize the development of affordable housing in their community. Southeast Minnesota Multi-County Housing Redevelopment Authority (SEMMCHRA) owned the land and was committed to finding an affordable housing developer to build there. Habitat for Humanity stepped forward to be that developer but needed financial resources to make such a large-scale development possible. The Winona County Board, recognizing the severe housing shortage for people with limited income throughout Winona County, invested significant American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars in the initiative. This partnership is a model for the future of affordable housing, said SEMMCHRA Executive Director Buffy Beranek. We will look back on this partnership as a benchmark for creating affordable housing to build positive economic impact from combined local support in communities across southeastern Minnesota. Now that the land purchase is complete, Habitat for Humanity has begun accepting homeownership applications. Qualified applicants earn less than 60% of the area median income by family size and have a demonstrated need for affordable housing. Previous Habitat homebuyers have been school teachers and small business owners, retail and manufacturing employees, healthcare workers and more. Habitat homebuyers are united by a need for safe, affordable housing, often facing issues such as overcrowding, accessibility concerns, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, high rent compared to income, or high heating costs, to name a few. Winona County commissioner Steve Jacob says, providing affordable housing is a top priority in our community. It is important that we value both those in need and those being required to pay for the services that are provided. This project is an excellent example of government and the private sector working together to bring the much-needed service to our community in the most efficient method. Habitat for Humanity builds safe, decent, affordable homes known for their durability and energy efficiency, and the volunteers who build those homes are the heart and soul of the work. Community volunteers and students from the Minnesota State College-Southeast Construction Technology program will build the homes under the skilled supervision of the Habitat for Humanity construction team. There is nothing quite like seeing neighbors rally around neighbors in the spirit of mutual aid, said Amanda Hedlund, Habitat for Humanity executive director. This labor of love answers the problem of a familys affordable housing crisis today, and builds stability that lasts for generations. Habitat for Humanity will host three community information sessions with snacks and refreshments to answer questions about the application process, how to qualify, and more. Sessions will take place at the Saint Charles Elementary School Library on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m., at the Saint Charles City Hall Community Center on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m., and at the Saint Charles Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m. Habitat for Humanity is an equal housing opportunity lender. To learn more about the homeownership program or complete an application, visit the Habitat website at habitatwinona.org or call 507-457-0003. ST CLOUD, Minn. Eleven individuals including a Winona County Sheriffs deputy were recognized by Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths program representatives at the 2022 TZD Conference Wednesday for their innovative efforts to reduce the number of traffic deaths and injuries in the state. The prestigious traffic safety awards are presented annually by the Minnesota departments of health, public safety and transportation at the annual TZD Conference. The awards recognize excellence and innovation in reducing the number of life-changing crashes and improving traffic safety on Minnesota roads. Nearly 900 traffic safety professionals attended this years TZD conference in-person in St. Cloud, or online. Dakota County Traffic Engineer Kristi Sebastian received the Kathy Swanson Outstanding Service Award, TZDs top honor, for exceptional leadership in efforts to improve traffic safety in Minnesota. Two individuals in law enforcement received the Distinguished Public Leadership Award for efforts that improve public safety policy and programs in ways that benefit society. Boyd Huppert, long-time KARE-11 television journalist and host of the weekly Land of 10,000 Stories, is recipient of the TZD Media Award for his high-profile coverage of the life-changing impacts of traffic crashes. A summary of all 2022 TZD Awards presented on Oct. 12 is listed below. More details on each award, along with more information and photos of each award winner, can found on the 2022 TZD Awards website. Greater Minnesota winners TZD Enforcement Star Award Deputy Chad Myers, Winona County Sheriffs Office TZD Distinguished Public Leadership Award (Greater Minnesota) Sheriff Kevin Torgerson, Olmsted County Sheriffs Office TZD Emerging Leader Award Ava Chen, Kylie Karsky and Molly McCloud, 2021 interns for the Shreya R. Dixit Foundation TZD Emerging Leader Award Princeton High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Organization TZD Emergency and Trauma Services Star Award Flight Paramedic Josh Duda, North Memorial Health Air Care, Brainerd TZD Education Star Award TZD Coalition Coordinator Mary Erickson, Renville County Twin Cities Metro area winners TZD Kathy Swanson Outstanding Service Award Dakota County Traffic Engineer Kristi Sebastian TZD Distinguished Public Leadership Award (Twin Cities Metro area) Chief Jeff Tate, Shakopee Police Department TZD Media Award Boyd Huppert, KARE-11 television journalist TZD Traffic Safety Innovation Award Richfield Police Department TZD Child Passenger Safety Star Award Officer Ryan Kuffel, Eden Prairie Police Department TZD Engineering Star Award State Traffic Safety Engineer Derek Leuer, MnDOT TZD Star Awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations in Minnesota that show excellence in TZDs emphasis areas of enforcement, emergency medical and trauma services, education, engineering, child passenger safety and judicial/court systems. Award recipients have shown their leadership and creative capacities in efforts to improve traffic safety throughout the state and build partnerships. The Minnesota TZD program is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the state departments of health, transportation and public safety. This collaboration began in 2003 and has worked to reduce roadway fatalities by 25 percent. Learn more about TZD or how to get involved at www.minnesotatzd.org. RACINE A 17-year-old Racine County Jail inmate allegedly assaulted another inmate in the shower and struck him multiple times with a broom. Jonathan A. Jones, 17, of the 1900 block of Washington Avenue, was charged with a felony count of battery by prisoners and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. According to a criminal complaint: On Sept. 15, a deputy was investigating an assault that occurred at the Racine County Jail, 717 Wisconsin Ave., between Jones and another inmate. The deputy spoke with the victim who said he was in the shower when Jones entered and punched him in the face. The victim said he tried to defend himself by hugging Jones. Jones eventually went back to his cell. Jones then came back with a broom and struck him several times in the hamstring, stomach and elbow. The deputy reviewed video footage and saw the victim in the shower when Jones walked up and punched him. The victim then is seen holding onto Jones until Jones leaves but then returns with a broom and swings it at him multiple times. Jones was given a $400 cash bond in Racine County Circuit Court on Monday. A preliminary hearing is on Oct. 19 at the Racine County Law Enforcement Center, online court records show. By Trend Russia and Central Asian countries will counter terrorism, extremism, illegal migration and drug trafficking, the leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan said in a joint statement following a Central Asia - Russia summit, Trend reports citing TASS. "Based on our primary responsibility to ensure security, we will continue to promote six-party cooperation and information exchange in order to counter terrorism, extremism, illegal migration, illicit drug production and trafficking. This coordinated effort will take into account the activities of regional and international organizations, aimed at strengthening peace and security," the statement reads. "Given the complicated military and political situation in the world, growing risks, overall tensions and the potential for conflict, we call for dialogue and efforts to form a more stable international security architecture based on equality and respect for the interests and concerns of all parties," the document added. "We call for coordinated work to address threats in the field of international information security, which may exacerbate friction in the global media space. We acknowledge the importance of stepping up efforts on the national, bilateral and multilateral levels, particularly in the fight against the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes," the parties pointed out. The Central Asia - Russia summit took place in Kazakhstans capital of Astana on Friday. It was the first such meeting of its kind, marking the 30th anniversary of Russias diplomatic relations with the five Central Asian nations. U.S. Malthusian Policies Cancel Out Black Sea Grain Initiative Oct. 14, 2022 (EIRNS)Printing paper cant produce grain; shouting at Russia doesnt produce it either, if physical economies are deliberately neglected and degraded. After great cries were raised this summer by the U.S., World Bank, WFP, Oxfam etc. figures about Russia blocking large volumes of invaluable Ukrainian grains from export, dropping American exports of grain, tragically, have cancelled out the Russia-Turkey-Ukraine-UN agreement called the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The 20 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain upon which world famine or African survival were claimed solely to depend, were not more than 10 million, and 7.2 million metric tons had been shipped out of Ukrainian Black Sea ports between July 21, when the Initiative was agreed to, and Sept. 30. This was reported by Reuters Oct. 13 from the Black Sea Grain Initiative under the UN. But an Oct. 12 U.S. Department of Agriculture report on American and world grains estimates, shows the following: a 3.6 million metric ton drop in U.S. wheat exports from the 2021-22 crop year to this 2022-23 year, with exports at 19 million tonnes the lowest in 50 years; a 1.9 million tonne drop in world wheat supplies which USDA attributes entirely to U.S. and Argentina shortfalls; A 1.25 million tonne reduction in U.S. corn production despite farmers switching to corn to get along with less fertilizer, and corn exports from the United States are down about 3 million tonnes from the previous year. India and Ukraine corn exports are up, U.S. and Argentine down; U.S. rice exports will be the lowest since 1991-92. In the United States and Canada fertilizer prices have been out of control; green finance has demanded farmers use less inputs overall; rail bottlenecks have stopped grain transport; yields have been cut by worsening of an intensifying drought ignored for decades by U.S. governments. Malthusian U.S. policies have cost food to hundreds of millions. Adding insult, NATO countries have not upheld their side of the Initiative, an agreement to remove insurance and shipping sanctions obstacles to the exports of Russian grain crops, which have enjoyed large harvests. For this reason, Reuters reports, the Russian representative to the Initiative, Gennady Gatilov, delivered a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Oct. 12 saying that Russia may refuse to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative in November. EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR SATURDAY OCTOBER 15, 2022 To Walk the World Away from Armageddon, Think Like Schiller! Oct. 14, 2022 (EIRNS)There is rank opportunism, there is criminally insane opportunism, and then there is British Prime Minister Liz Nuke Em Truss. For the past three weeks, Truss insisted: We will decrease taxes, and we will not be deterred. Down, down, down went the British pound. As of 48 hours ago, she says now, just as energetically and self-confidently: We will increase taxes, and you can take that to the Bank of England! The London Telegraph reported: Ms. Truss had pledged not to raise the tax from 19% to 25%, which had been scheduled for April next year by (her PM election opponent) Rishi Sunak when he was Chancellor [of the Exchequer]. That rise will now go ahead as planned, scrapping one of the key planks of her campaign for the Tory leadership. Oops!! The Telegraph then supplies a link to the more than 20 times that the indomitable Liz Truss railed against the plans she is now scheduled to adopt. Stiff upper lip on that, though: perhaps the power to demand and require consistency in complex matters of policy from heads of government, especially matters that can determine the life or death of nations, is a luxury afforded only to members of free societies. We cannot accuse Great Britain of being that. Remember how, back in April, then-U.K. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss bragged, This week we will announce that we have frozen over $350 billion of Putins war chest, making over 60% of the regimes $604 billion foreign currency reserves unavailable.... Our coordinated sanctions are pushing the Russian economy back to the Soviet era? How well has that financial nuclear war against Russia worked out? The London Economist story reads: As Europe Falls into Recession, Russia Climbs Out. Never fear, though. When it comes to matters even more complex and emotionally demanding, such as launching global thermonuclear war, Truss replied to interviewer John Pienaar of Times Radio during her campaign, when he asked, I wont ask you if you would press the button, youll say yes, but faced with that task I would feel physically sick. How does that thought make you feel? that: I think its an important duty of the Prime Minister and Im ready to do that. She repeated it for emphasisIm ready to do thatgarnering applause from the Tory faithful for her Thatcher pose. The absurdity, not only of her willful disregard for the deeper implications of that question, but of the equally dismaying Tory reaction to Truss on that occasion, shows what sort of Ship of Fools presently steers the once-free nation-states of the Anglosphere. The mental breakdown calls to mind the etching Bravissimo! from Francisco Goyas Los Caprichos, no. 38: A monkey serenades a donkey by playing on the back of a guitar, to the wild applause of an onlooker. The Tin Man, as everyone knows from folklore, or The Wizard of Oz, did not have a heartbut at least he wanted one. Tin Lizzie Truss may fashion herself to be the second coming of Margaret Thatcher, but judging from her recent 9% popularity rating, the only Second Coming she seems to remind anyone of, is that recounted by William Butler Yeats in his eponymous poem: Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand.... The gory details of the financial digital bloodbath now taking place worldwide, vaporizing billions of dollars/pounds in nominal values, and which may well result in several people taking unplanned as well as unintentional dives from the ledges and rooftops of several world high rises, among other events, are recounted in the accompanying reports. In contrast, the former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl proposed a higher vantage point from which to view the past months. Ever since the start of Ukraines military conflict in February 2022, we have essentially been watching the Western-led financial industry waging its war against the Eastern-dominated energy economy. The momentum will always be with the latter, because as stated above, in contrast to money, energy cannot be printed. [Emphasis added.] Tulsi Gabbard, Elon Musk, Donald Trump and others have begun to speak out, though late, in America against the insanity of even discussing the option of thermonuclear war. Internationally, mainly journalists, academics and bloggers are now emboldened by the actions in the last months taken by Helga Zepp-LaRouches International Schiller Institute to fight back against the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformations black list/kill list, which seems to have, at least for a brief period of time yesterday, extended even to Elon Musk. The actions and the examples of independent candidates, Texas Congressional candidate Joel DeJean and United States Senate candidate Diane Sare, are now being emulated. They must also be supported during the next crucial days and weeks. All would do well to virtually attend todays Schiller Institute International Conference, Build the New Paradigm, Defeat Green Fascism. That conference will inspire in all, optimism, a bolder note than that of Yeats. The poet of the future is Friedrich Schillerfor example, his poem, Columbus: A small number of farmers near Lake Texcoco, Mexico, fear that a tradition dating back to the Aztec Empire may disappear. The tradition involves collecting and eating the eggs of an insect known as the bird fly. The bug, which only occasionally appears before going again under the water, would not look like food to most. But it was once important to the people of the Valley of Mexico. For Juan Hernandez, a farmer from San Cristobal Nezquipayac, cultivating and collecting the tiny insect eggs known as ahuautle or Mexican caviar is a way of life. For me, more than anything, it means tradition, said the 59-year-old Hernandez. He is one of only six people known to still harvest ahuautle, at least in the Texcoco area. They fear they may be the last people that harvest it. Jorge Ocampo is a historian at the Center for Economic, Social and Technological Research on Agribusiness and World Agriculture in Mexico State. Ocampo suggested three main reasons for the decreased Mexican caviar collection: Lake Texcoco is drying out; the lake area is being developed; and young people are not familiar with the dish. Ocampo called the dishs survival an example of community resistance, similar to how people around Lake Texcoco have been able to keep other traditions, festivals and ceremonies. For Hernandez, it is hard, dirty work that few are willing to do anymore. While Hernandez takes care of collecting the eggs, restaurant owner Gustavo Guerrero serves them to customers at his eatery in Iztapalapa. One of Guerreros favorite dishes is to mix the ahuautle with breadcrumbs and then add eggs. He then fries and serves the mixture with green tomatillo sauce, nopal cactus and squash flowers all pre-Hispanic ingredients. Eating this is like revisiting the past, said Guerrero, 61. He says the flavor of the ahuautle reminds him of his childhood, when his mother cooked the dish according to a recipe that she learned from her grandmother. Insects and their eggs have been a part of Mexican cooking for hundreds or thousands of years. Edday Farfan of Mexicos National Autonomous University said there are more than 430 kinds of edible insects in Mexico. Farfan has been studying bird flies since 2016, and even has one tattooed on his arm. Farfan said indigenous peoples living around the lakes adopted the insect eggs as a source of protein because they had few domestic animals before the Spanish conquest of 1521. But now, Farfan said, the dish is associated with the countryside, perhaps with poverty, as if it were an undesirable protein. Even those still familiar with ahuautle often consider the insects to be food for chickens or turkeys. There are a lot of kids, young people who dont eat it anymore, they dont like it, Hernandez admits. Now we are just keeping ahuautle alive, he said. I hope it doesnt disappear, because it is a source of income for those of us who live off the land. Im John Russell. Fabiola Sanchez reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story cultivate v. to grow or raise (something) under conditions that you can control dish -- n. food that is prepared in a particular way breadcrumb n. a very small piece of bread fry v. to cook (food) in fat or oil ingredient -- n. one of the things that are used to make a food, product, etc. edible adj. suitable or safe to eat tattoo -- v. to draw or write (a picture, word, etc.) on a part of someone's body by using a needle and ink adopt -- v. to begin to use or have (a different manner, method, etc.) income n. money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc. When Aboubakar Soumahoro was a child in his West African home country of Ivory Coast, he cleaned peoples shoes to make money. He also had a dream to go to Italy. He would cut out magazine pictures related to the country and save them in a record book. His dream came true in 1999 when he arrived in Rome, Italys capital. He was 19 years old and shocked by the difficulties he faced in a country he had prized for so long. "Sleeping rough in the streets was traumatic, especially when I realized that this was the result of a political decision that targeted the migrants," Soumahoro told Reuters. Now an Italian citizen, the 42-year-old has the chance to re-shape migrant life in the country from within parliament. Last month, Soumahoro won a seat in Italys lower house of Parliament, representing the Green and Left Party. He faces a conservative government that is seeking to increase restrictions on asylum seekers. "One thing I will try to do is make sure that no one ends up living in the streets like me, Soumahoro said before the opening of parliament on October 13. People need to be treated as human beings regardless of what passport they have," he added. The new lawmaker is the only Black member of Parliaments Lower House, a group of 400 representatives. I do not want to represent just one part of society. I want to make sure that everyone, both the dispossessed and those who struggle to make ends meet, can recognize themselves in what we do, he said. Soumahoros election comes from a great many steps he took before arriving in office. They include field work harvesting crops, employment at a gasoline station, sociology studies at Naples University, and writing a book. Soumahoro is restrained in discussion of his personal life. He says he has a young child and stays in touch with his family in Africa. He told Reuters that Italian politics was too personal already, and said, It is more important to talk about 'us' and not 'I'. Within a few years of his arrival in Italy, he became an activist helping migrants who were without official documents. He worked to improve working conditions for temporary farm laborers. Later, he established an agricultural workers union. Soumahoro accuses the extremely conservative parties, Brothers of Italy and League party of making migrant policy a political issue for electoral gain. Brothers of Italy won the most votes in the elections last month. It and the League party have promised to block migrants coming by sea from North Africa. The alliance calls their stated policy Italians First. Soumahoro says the policy is flawed. Putting Italians first is not going to pull 5.6 million Italians out of poverty. He said the lawmakers fail to understand the severity of problems faced by average families. The election winners have said they will reduce access to government assistance known as citizens income. The monthly payment goes to poor and unemployed people. Soumahoro argues that the program needs to be expanded, not reduced. "Politicians haven't seen the coming hurricane of poverty," he said. He warned that rising energy and food prices would create growing difficulties. And he argued that a better spread of wealth would help decrease rising social tensions. He said, The politics of happiness is real. It can be done. Im Gregory Stachel. Crispian Balmer reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story rough adj. difficult or unpleasant to deal with traumatic adj. causing someone to become very upset in a way that can lead to serious mental and emotional problems regardless adj. without consideration society n. people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values sociology n. the study of society, social institutions, and social relationships _______________________________________________________________________ What do you think of Aboubakar Soumahoro? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. A 14-year-old Waverly boy who is accused of stabbing a classmate at Wayne Park amid a scheduled day off from school Thursday morning allegedly carried out the act in pursuit of fame, according to Lancaster County's top law enforcement official. Both the suspect, 14, and the stabbing victim, a 15-year-old Waverly boy, called 911 in the immediate aftermath of the attack, which transpired shortly before noon. Sheriff Terry Wagner called the suspect's 911 call "very unusual" at a media briefing Friday morning, where he declined to identify the 14-year-old, who was taken into custody at the scene Thursday morning and has since been arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. "Part of his motivation was notoriety, and that's why I'm not gonna say his name," Wagner said. "What he told us is that he was going to be famous. "That's pretty scary." The 15-year-old suffered multiple stab wounds including a laceration to his heart that required emergency surgery at Bryan West Campus in Lincoln, Wagner said. The boy's condition has been upgraded from critical to serious, the sheriff said. "We were just very fortunate this wasn't a homicide," he said. Authorities recovered a knife at the scene believed to have been used in the stabbing. Both teens were students at Waverly High School, which was not in session Thursday and Friday for fall break. Wagner said the boys weren't friends or even acquaintances. The suspect had recently moved to Waverly, a community of around 4,000 residents mere miles from Lincoln's northeastern city limit. Wagner said the teen had moved to Nebraska from Colorado, where he had "some issues" that the sheriff described as criminal. He said investigators are working with authorities in that state to learn more. The teen had also recorded run-ins with the agency's school resource officers amid his short time at Waverly High School, though Wagner said previous incidents in Lancaster County weren't criminal and dealt more with following school rules. Wagner said he wasn't sure whether the teen would be charged as an adult. At 14, he is eligible to be charged as an adult for certain crimes, including Class I and II felonies, which he is accused of. The sheriff's office will turn the case over to the Lancaster County Attorney's office. Waverly Superintendent Cory Worrell said the district had no comment on the matter at this time. Al Dahra Holding company, one of the most prominent Emirati companies working in the agricultural field, has signed a MoU with Valmont Industries, a leading American manufacturer of irrigation systems and agricultural technologies for the purpose of establishing a global relationship model in many areas of mutual interest. The MoU is an important step, a promising experience,and a strategic initiative between the two companies in the right direction towards achieving their future ambitions, said a statement from Al Dahra Holding. It was signed in Dubai by Gianluca Fabbri, Acting CEO of Al Dahra, and Ruediger Claas, Vice President Key Accounts at Valmont. The memorandum also stipulated to collaborate on the development of a global strategic relationship between the two companies to facilitate the supply and distribution of Valmonts products and services. Al Dahra is a prominent multinational leader in agribusiness, specializing in the cultivation, production and trading of animal fees and essential food commodities and end-to-end supply chain management. For over 75 years, Valmont Industries has been a global leader in advancing agricultural productivity and creating vital infrastructure. Today, the company remains committed to doing more with less by innovating through technology.-TradeArabia News Service The Legal Theory Bookworm recommends The Fight for Privacy: Protecting Dignity, Identity, and Love in the Digital Age by Danielle Keats Citron. Here is the abstract: The essential road map for understandingand defendingyour right to privacy in the twenty-first century. Privacy is disappearing. From our sex lives to our workout routines, the details of our lives once relegated to pen and paper have joined the slipstream of new technology. As a MacArthur fellow and distinguished professor of law at the University of Virginia, acclaimed civil rights advocate Danielle Citron has spent decades working with lawmakers and stakeholders across the globe to protect what she calls intimate privacyencompassing our bodies, health, gender, and relationships. When intimate privacy becomes data, corporations know exactly when to flash that ad for a new drug or pregnancy test. Social and political forces know how to manipulate what you think and who you trust, leveraging sensitive secrets and deepfake videos to ruin or silence opponents. And as new technologies invite new violations, people have power over one another like never before, from revenge porn to blackmail, attaching life-altering risks to growing up, dating online, or falling in love. A masterful new look at privacy in the twenty-first century, The Fight for Privacy takes the focus off Silicon Valley moguls to investigate the price we pay as technology migrates deeper into every aspect of our lives: entering our bedrooms and our bathrooms and our midnight texts; our relationships with friends, family, lovers, and kids; and even our relationship with ourselves. Drawing on in-depth interviews with victims, activists, and advocates, Citron brings this headline issue home for readers by weaving together visceral stories about the countless ways that corporate and individual violators exploit privacy loopholes. Exploring why the law has struggled to keep up, she reveals how our current system leaves victimsparticularly women, LGBTQ+ people, and marginalized groupsshamed and powerless while perpetrators profit, warping cultural norms around the world. Yet there is a solution to our toxic relationship with technology and privacy: fighting for intimate privacy as a civil right. Collectively, Citron argues, citizens, lawmakers, and corporations have the power to create a new reality where privacy is valued and people are protected as they embrace what technology offers. Introducing readers to the trailblazing work of advocates today, Citron urges readers to join the fight. Your intimate life shouldnt be traded for profit or wielded against you for power: it belongs to you. With Citron as our guide, we can take back control of our data and build a better future for the next, ever more digital, generation. And from the reviews: "Timely and compelling[The Fight for Privacy] is an informed, bracing call to action in defense of our private selves." Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Privacy is politics, and if we want it back we must fight for it. In this open-hearted and down-to-earth book, Danielle Keats Citron offers reasons for optimism among the ruins of our once-cherished privacy. Lawmakers and citizens alike, this book is for you." Shoshana Zuboff, author, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism and Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School "Its so refreshing to read an argument for privacy that centers women. Devastating and urgent, this book could not be more timely." Caroline Criado Perez, author of Invisible Women "A tour de force. Citron offers trenchant clarity and lucid hope for achieving justice in our digital future." Kate Manne, author of Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women "A crucial book for understanding the crisis of privacy invasion, and the unrelenting damage that comes from intimate, nonconsensual surveillance. If you care about anyone, anywhere, you should read this book." Safiya Noble, author of Algorithms of Oppression "A terrific, though terrifying, expose. This beautifully written book deserves a wide audience and hopefully will inspire needed meaningful change in the law." Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law "Danielle Keats Citrons expert and engaging treatment of technology-enabled privacy violations shows why victims, digital platforms, and legislators alike turn to her for advice and for fights to reclaim privacy morally, legally, and practically." Martha Minow, former dean, Harvard Law School Local featured top story 'Welcome home': Rainbow Family returns to Pineywoods to find peace, reconnect with nature JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News Eden and Gilad flew into the U.S. from Israel and have been traveling the states for about three months. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News Daisy, half-Swede and half-Texan, joined the family in 2017. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News Aharon sits on the ground after finishing a plate of quinoa. He has been going to these gatherings for about four years. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News Rainbow Family members string a tarp between the pines to serves as shade for any who wish to stop and relax. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News From left, Eden, Gilad and Daisy share Rainbow Family gathering stories from around the world. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News A tarp strung between the pines serves as shade for a communal kitchen and snack station. JOEL ANDREWS/The Lufkin Daily News A makeshift kitchen and stove is used to prepare quinoa with some locally foraged mushrooms to be topped with avocado. ZAVALLA Deep in the forests outside of Zavalla, a family encampment serving as home for the weekend snuggles next to the tall yellow pines with a view of Sam Rayburn Reservoir through the treeline. Quiet chatter and some laughter ring out through the woods. The occasional I love you yelled between parties echoes between the pines. The Rainbow Family has decades of history in the Pineywoods of East Texas. One of their largest local gatherings, at Boykin Springs in 1988, garnered heavy media attention and is still recalled by locals. Smaller gatherings have happened regularly since, though, without the glaring media spectacle. Despite common misconceptions, the Rainbow Family believes in environmental responsibility and maintaining a clean body and mind. This weeks gathering was not about a wild party and leaving their campsite in ruins for the locals to clean up. It was about finding peace, restoring the natural beauty of the forest and reconnecting with themselves and nature. And while they certainly welcome any human to join them, the rainbow is not a representation of the LGBTQ+ community. A tarp strung between the pines serves as shade for a communal kitchen where a half dozen or so early arrivers waited for lunch to be served Wednesday afternoon. Sunflower, a taller woman rocking a T-shirt and shorts, stood over a green stove cooking quinoa with some locally foraged mushrooms to be topped with avocado. She called out to newcomers, asking if they were hungry and would they like to sit down? A medium sized black and white dog barked at the edges of the camp to let strangers know hes watching but warmed up quickly with a few pets. Many in the Rainbow Family have regular day jobs and lives outside the gatherings, Fala said. More would trickle into the campsite as the week wore on and the activities wouldnt impact their work or school lives. In other parts of the world, the gatherings last from new moon to new moon, with a massive celebration at the full moon, Daisy said. This week, there is a massive, worldwide gathering in Turkey and another large one in Afghanistan, she said. The biggest one she heard of was in India, where more than 300,000 people attended. The group tries to meet twice a year locally, once in the spring and again in the fall, Firestarter James at Nazarene said. This is seen in Rainbow Family gatherings across the globe. Some of those near Zavalla this week were in Colorado not too long ago and Israel before that. The point of coming out is so that we can attract new faces, said one man who did not wish to be named. Rainbow Family members are protective of their names they dont release their legally recognized names and are hesitant even to share their rainbow names. Rainbow names are gifts and can change. Firestarter James was given his at another gathering, he said. Someone in the kitchen looked at me and said, Youre the fire starter, he said. There was another point, where someone pointed at me and said, Youre not a Christian, youre a Nazarene. Firestarter James has been a member of the Rainbow Family since 1992, when he went to the first East Texas regional gathering. When discussion turned to what it means to be a member of the family, one man cut in: Free food in the woods, he yelled. Thats what it means. If someone is a human and wants to be there, and to be a part of it, they are, Sunflower said. Its an opportunity to reconnect with themselves and to meet others who are like them and who are not like them. You got a belly button? Falahocka Sutana asked, as if to imply that was the descriptor they use to identify fellow Rainbow Family members. He said he has only spoken never written his name before and said to call him Fala. Daisy is a smaller woman covered in tattoos with dirty blonde hair swept up in a messy bun that was falling out. She sat barefoot on a chair in the sand. She wasnt given the name Daisy but just likes it better, representing it by wearing a daisy necklace and a black shift with white embroidered daisies along the neckline. Her given name is Comet, though. She is half-Swede and half-Texan and is back in the Lone Star State after traveling the world to find her family, she said. She joined the family in 2017 while visiting her best friend from London in Australia. So the date I was flying in, I went straight to a Rainbow gathering in Tasmania, Daisy said. It was amazing. That one is beautiful. She also has gone to one in Europe, the more recent gathering in Colorado and the East Texas gathering this year. Aharon, Eden and Gilad each flew into the U.S. from Israel. Eden and Gilad have been traveling the states for about three months. Gatherings in Israel are much stricter than they are in the U.S., Gilad said. They had never seen press allowed at the gatherings before. Usually its forbidden, Daisy said. She prefers the camps that are more strict because it feels as if it is more traditional, similar to what the Rainbow Family in the U.S. started as. There would be no phones, definitely no coffee and most people would not be sitting on chairs at the Israeli gatherings, Gilad said. Its supposed to be sober, Gilad said. No substance abuse. Even coffee. Though there may be a chai shop set up, Daisy said. You would not be sitting here with a beer, she said. It would be disrespectful. The camps also typically include a recovery area for people struggling with substance abuse disorders. The East Texas camp held daily 12-steps meetings to help struggling family members. In larger gatherings, their days become even more structured. There are morning and evening circles to address goals or problems to be solved, Daisy said. The groups also are comfortable with attempting to solve interpersonal problems together; a polyamorous relationship with three people at another gathering found themselves with marital problems, she said. She saw their tent fill with well-meaning other humans, and they resolved the issues at hand as a group. There was one gathering I was at, where if anything happened, you just gathered the people around you and sat and talked about it until the problem was solved, she said. In Colorado, Fala saw a married couple choose to resolve their issue by yelling at each other from across the valley. There were multiple people involved in the argument, but it resolved the conflict. As part of a posted schedule, the group has established cleanup times to venture into the woods to remove trash and improve the area. One of the Rainbow Familys goals is to arrive on the land with the intent to heal it, one man said. So when you look around you, 80% of what you see right here is recycled material from trash that was left on the beach here. So not only that, we cleaned up the beach, made things more accessible for people and (will) make sure to leave the land better than we found it. Thats just tradition. An old prophecy told throughout the camps suggests the world will begin to heal when individuals reconnect to form a new society. In the Hopi religion, they called those leaders the Rainbow Warriors, Daisy said. There is some debate about where this prophecy truly originated from, but organizations like the Shadowland Foundation in California market it as an old Native American prophecy. Despite this mindset, they do run into trouble with the local U.S. Forest Service, he said. But the mindset isnt necessarily the same from citizens, in his experience. When they leave their East Texas camping ground, it will be revitalized and clean, he said. Aharon (pronounced Ah-Ron) sat in the sand with a plate of quinoa, his long, fine hair pulled into a tight ponytail behind his head. He has been going to these gatherings for about four years and planned to spend about two weeks in the U.S. He already liked to camp and to party, so when he learned about the gatherings he decided to attend one. When he started on this path he was in poor health, struggling with his immune system and digestive issues. It took me a while to get back to myself, he said. It is weird to call those in attendance at their gatherings members of the Rainbow Family, he said. Some people are born into it, while many others find it on their path. And when they find it, thats why we say, Welcome home, one man said. To take on this way of life is to find reconnection with a community and with nature. Humans were not meant to live in the propped-up world they do now, Fala said. We were always meant to live in connection, he said. This artificial system weve propped up out here is not sustainable and its not natural. Its detrimental to our mental health, and our physical health. Our life spans are shortening because of it. The goal isnt to destroy the way things are currently but to introduce more humans to the old ways and build them up as the better option. Between the gatherings, some Rainbow Family members, like Fala, use their wherewithal within the current system to build up what they want to see the world become. He is building his property to host affordable living accommodations; he built his home with his hands and paid for it along his way. This wasnt something he could afford to do until the last few years. He realizes that if more people attempt to lift their fellow humans up to create similar opportunities, it can replace the idea that to build wealth, someone has to go into debt for 35 or more years. Its a dis-organization, Fala said. Its not like anything you can describe. The closest thing I could see to it is the old Iroquoi Confederacy, but its not organized enough to be. He recognizes this is not movement forward, but backward. And he sees those older principals as ideals that can help the world heal. Southbound Interstate 39-90-94 remained closed Friday night after a boom truck hit the River Road overpass near DeForest at about 11:40 a.m., the Wisconsin State Patrol said. The southbound lanes will remain closed overnight as work crews have been dispatched to remove a portion of the River Road bridge over the southbound lanes, the state Department of Transportation said. Its buckled pretty good, so weve got southbound (I-39-90-94) closed at Highway V (mile marker 129), Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson said at mid-day Friday, minutes after the crash happened. Johnson described the damage as significant and said there was debris from the crash on southbound I-39-90-94. Southbound traffic was being diverted east on Highway V, south on Highway 51, and west on Highway 19 back to I-39-90-94. If possible, southbound I-39/90/94 traffic was advised to use the Highway 12 exit at Lake Delton to avoid the lengthy delays. That would allow motorists to come down through Madison and avoid the area of the bridge crash. At one point Friday, the back-up southbound was 10 miles, DOT said. Northbound lanes remained open. The wreck that damaged the bridge, causing the backup, was under investigation, the State Patrol said. The driver of the truck, who had not been cited, and another motorist received minor injuries. DeForest Village President Jane Cahill Wolfgram said the blocked exit going into the municipality was an important but not major access point. Were able to move folks down to the next access point or exit point and theyre able to still enter the major highway grid, she said. But this is never good thing, she added. This is a situation where jurisdictionally we need to coordinate with the state and county and local road system to make sure it all comes back online. Redirected traffic didnt seem to be boosting business for restaurants along Highway V. Employees said business was actually lagging, compared to what would normally be a busy Friday. Kelly Burdick, an employee at The Timbers bar and grill, said business was down, despite the Friday night happy hour special. After spending so much time in traffic, I guess people are just rushing to get home, Ehlenbachs Cheese Chalet manager Tyler Brown said. Cant blame them. State Journal reporters Daniela Jaime and Lucas Robinson contributed to this report. Southbound Interstate 39-90-94 reopened Saturday morning after a portion of a damaged bridge near DeForest was removed, the Wisconsin State Patrol said. They worked all night and they removed quite a bit of the bridge, a State Patrol dispatch supervisor said. A boom truck hit the River Road bridge over I-39/90/94 about 11:40 a.m. Friday, causing significant damage and forcing the closure of the southbound lanes at Highway V (mile marker 129). Southbound traffic was diverted east on Highway V, south on Highway 51, and west on Highway 19 back to I-39-90-94, resulting in a backup that at one point stretched to 10 miles. The backup was reported cleared at 5:48 a.m. Saturday by the State Patrol. Northbound lanes remained open. The River Road bridge will not be open for quite some time, the State Patrol said. Preliminary reports indicate the crane truck was traveling south on I-39/90/94 with the boom arm extended, when it struck the overpass and rolled onto its side, injuring the driver, the State Patrol said. A second vehicle struck debris from the bridge hit, causing minor injuries to the driver. No enforcement action has been reported. The Madison School District is getting a slight bump in state aid for the 2022-23 budget, which could mean residents will see lower local school taxes on their next property tax bill. But after that, district officials expect state aid to decrease again, and theyre nervously eying future finances. According to data released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on Friday, the school district is receiving a little more than $44.2 million in general aid for this years budget. Thats more than school district officials originally anticipated and up nearly 10% from the $40.3 million the district received last year. The reason for the bump? Property values in the district fell 0.43 percent in 2021, led by a big reduction in the value of commercial property. Each budget cycle, school districts rely on a combination of state general aid and local tax dollars, in addition to other funding sources such as grants, for their revenue. The amount of state aid a district receives is based on the previous years data, a calculation based on enrollment, property values and state shared costs. More state aid doesnt mean school districts can spend more money, because the state caps how much revenue school districts can collect. Instead, more state aid shifts some of the tax burden off local property owners. Ross MacPherson, the school districts chief financial officer, told members of the Madison School Board at a work group meeting last week that the bump in state aid is going to be short lived. In 2022, the equalized value of property in the school district increased by more than 16%, which will affect next years budget. The higher property value we have, the less aid we receive, MacPherson said. District officials had estimated a 7% increase in state aid and, using that projection, discussed the districts finances Oct. 10. Based on those numbers, the owner of an average home in Madison valued at $376,900 would pay about $3,765 on the school districts portion of their tax bill next year, or $56 less than this year. Prior to the DPIs final numbers, the district said it would seek a 1.73% increase in its tax levy to just more than $363 million. The DPIs numbers help the board solidify the 2022-23 budget. But beyond that, the forecast is murky. In an email to the Wisconsin State Journal, MacPherson said, We know very little about what the 2023-25 state budget will look like by next October. If conditions stay the same, it will apply downward pressure to our aid eligibility for 2023-24. Adding uncertainty to the budget planning: Revenue limits are largely based on enrollment numbers, and the Madison School District enrollment continues to decline. Aid is partly based on a three-year rolling average, and this years numbers havent been finalized. But the headcount from last year to this year dropped by 72 students. The state Legislature also could adjust districts revenue limits when lawmakers put together the next biennial budget. The Legislature did not increase school districts revenue limits in the last budget. The school districts 2022-23 budget has increased from the preliminary $561 million budget adopted in June, though MacPherson did not have the final bottom line calculated as of Friday. The districts operating fund expenses have increased by about $28.6 million, though, which accounts for new staff raises and additional programs. As numbers continue to be finalized and readjusted, the bottom line could still change before the budget is officially adopted on Oct. 31. The $5 pay increase that was given to support staff last month is factored into the budget update. The district is dipping into reserve funds and federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the raises, though, and the School Board already is thinking about the long-term sustainability of those raises. We have extended ourselves beyond a balanced budget with this calculated use of fund balance to make this historical investment in our hourly staff, board member Christina Gomez Schmidt said, which we have heard is very important. I do want to recognize that our obligation in the next years planning and budget is to make the structural changes that we indicated would be needed to balance this investment and not create a structural deficit for future budgets, she said. Some of those proposed structural changes include repurposing or eliminating 100 positions in the district. I know this discussion tonight is about the 2022-23 budget, but beyond this year Im concerned about future budgets and the future of funding for public education in Wisconsin, she said. Board member Savion Castro said, I think were going to have to look at another referendum in the coming year or two, given our fiscal situation. If youve voted on Madisons Near East Side over the last 11 years, most recently at Georgia OKeeffe Middle School, theres a good chance your ballot has been handled by chief inspector Blaise Besant. While Besant, 58, heads south for the cold months, he makes sure to be in his hometown of Madison for almost every election, except for maybe a few February votes. After starting out as a poll worker in 2011, Besant has spent the last eight years as chief inspector in charge of one of Madisons more than 100 polling locations. What drew you to being a poll worker? Ive always been a political wonk to an extent, but I really care about peoples access to voting. When I first started working as a poll worker, I was retired and had moved back to Madison and I didnt have a lot on my calendar, so it was really just a volunteer job. But the process was so fascinating, there are so many checks on the whole system. I recommend that anyone become a poll worker. From the outside you dont understand how many checks there are along the way to make sure that everything balances that everyone gets the opportunity to vote, but also that nobody can cheat the system. How has increased scrutiny of Wisconsins election process impacted your work at the polls? People are acutely suspicious of and certainly more aware of the election process. We didnt used to have the number of observers who really came expecting to find an I gotcha moment. I think theyre quite disappointed when they see how mundane it really is and how the process rolls out. So the politicization of it is certainly increased. Have you experienced threats or harassment as a poll worker? I have had remarkably good luck with observers. Theres no reason to not have absolute transparency, because were not hiding anything. I personally have had really good relations with observers, regardless of their political affiliation, regardless of why theyre there. I have not had any problems, but I certainly have heard of other inspectors having problems. It was an entirely different animal when we did the recount of the last presidential election. There were acrimonious times with observers there. How do you handle those situations? People will come in sometimes and theyll throw an off-the-cuff comment, like as if my vote counts, or something like that, but they dont stay long enough to have a conversation about it so we can actually explain why it does count and how were ensuring that it does count. I wish people would take the time to really learn how it works, because I think a lot of people have an opinion and they arent willing to listen to reason or maybe change their opinion. Are there any common errors you run into when processing absentee ballots? The word municipality seems to cause a lot of trouble. The envelope asks you to list your municipality, but a lot of people think that thats Dane. If they live in Madison, they put down Dane. Youd be surprised how many people put down Dane, Wisconsin and then their ZIP code. And there arent that many people who are witnessing from Dane, Wisconsin. What do you tell people who want to learn more about elections? If people have a question about how elections work, I encourage them to become a poll worker. You will find out there really is no mystery behind the curtain, its a very transparent process and its very interesting. In their first and only debate leading up to a hotly contested Nov. 8 election that could drastically impact Wisconsin policies for the next four years, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican business executive Tim Michels traded barbs over issues such as crime, education and state spending. While the debate, hosted by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Associated, lacked some of the fireworks of Thursdays matchup between Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Michels did go after Evers over issues like parole and education, accusing the Democratic governor of providing weak leadership. Both candidates repeatedly referred to the other as too radical. But when it came to offering specific proposals, such as how he would address rising prices of goods and gas, Michels, the co-owner of Michels Corp., said he would provide massive tax reform. Asked about education, Michels, who has supported universal school choice, said he will spend more money on education than any governor in the history of this state. Were going to get parents involved, Michels said about addressing school needs. Were going to let parents decide, not a couple of woke educrats. Evers said the answer to both those issues comes down to shared revenue from the state to help counties and municipalities fund services. The governor pledged to include a 12% boost in the next biennial budget if elected to a second term. Fridays debate comes days after recent statewide polling affirmed what looks to be another tight race in the battleground state as Michels looks to deny Evers hopes of a second term in office. Evers has often served as a check on the Republican-controlled Legislature, vetoing more than 100 bills, including measures to alter state elections. Michels has signaled hed sign those bills if elected. Crime and punishment Michels also continued his criticism of Evers on public safety accusing the governor of being soft on crime and criticizing the paroles of state inmates convicted of violent crimes. While Michels pledged to get tough on crime, Evers responded, It isnt just about talking tough, believe me. It is about providing resources. I am going to be tough and I am going to talk tough, Michels said. Thats how you get crime down in Wisconsin. Michels last month demanded Evers suspend all prison releases a move that is outside the governors power. The governor appoints the Wisconsin Parole Commissions chairperson, but the agency operates independently and some paroles are mandated by law. The commission is also required to parole felons who have completed certain release programs. Evers has largely defended the state parole commission, but said hes open to giving the victims of violent crimes a voice at the table. Do we need to strengthen that? Absolutely, Evers said. Economy, abortion On the economy, Michels said enhanced federal unemployment benefits, which have since ended, created an entire class of lazy people in the state. He said he wants to get people off their couch and back to work. We have to plan ahead, obviously, Evers said on a question about labor shortages. He addressed civil conversations across the state and said the state gave out $100 million during the pandemic to make sure there isnt a worker shortage. The Democratic governor has taken aim at Michels regarding the Republicans stance on abortion, which many Democratic candidates view as a pivotal issue this November. After saying earlier this year that the 1849 law is an exact mirror of my position, Michels last month shifted his position on abortion, saying he would sign a bill that provided exceptions to the more than 170-year-old state law triggered by the U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade. Other issues Michels said he would have gone to Kenosha during unrest in 2020 after a white police officer shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, and faulted Evers handling of the crisis. I would have been there in 90 minutes or less to provide leadership, Michels said. Evers said he did everything asked of him during the unrest in the city, including sending in the National Guard and outside law enforcement agencies. Evers has also lambasted Michels previous comments that the 2020 election was maybe stolen. Michels, who has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, earlier this year said that decertifying the elections results would be on the table if hes elected governor. His spokesperson Anna Kelly said earlier this month Michels would accept the Nov. 8 results, provided the election is conducted fairly and securely. Recounts, reviews and court decisions have affirmed that President Joe Biden defeated Trump by about 21,000 votes in the 2020 election. Theres been no evidence of widespread fraud. Both Evers and Michels said they would certify the results of the next presidential election if they are governor. Asked about potential conflicts of interest with his company if elected, Michels said state contracts his construction company received were awarded through a legitimate, transparent bid process. He also vowed to divest himself from the company. Evers said state rules against self-enrichment dont really apply to him because hes a teacher from Plymouth. How do we actually know how thats going to work? Evers asked of making sure Michels company doesnt get state contracts if he becomes governor. Despite entering the race in late April, Michels has poured roughly $15.7 million of his own money into his campaign, according to campaign finance reports through the end of August. He has also raised about $490,000 in donations. Evers, meanwhile, has raised about $15.7 million so far this year and more than $26 million since the start of 2021. Close contest October polling conducted by Marquette Law School found Evers holding a 47%-to-46% lead over Michels among likely voters. Joan Beglinger, a former independent candidate who dropped out in September and endorsed Michels, received 4% support. The poll has a margin of error of 4.8% among likely voters. In September, 47% of respondents supported Evers, compared with 44% for Michels. In August, Evers had a 4-point lead over Michels. Michels, the co-owner of Brownsville-based construction company Michels Corp., is down by 1 point among absolutely certain voters. But among those less certain to vote, Evers is up 45% to 26%, the latest poll states Nha Trang Bay turtle egg-laying area proposed The management board of Nha Trang Bay has proposed setting up an area for turtles to use to lay eggs in the bay. The recommendation sent to Nha Trang Citys authorities is aimed to protect turtles listed as an endangered species. This is in line with the countrys programme on preserving endangered turtle species by 2020 approved by the prime minister in 2019. Nha Trang Bay The egg-laying site has been earmarked for the Bai Bang Lon-Dam Tre area. Huynh Binh Thai, head of Nha Trang Bays management board, said that over recent years, the bay has seen the appearance of turtles. However, their reproduction has been affected by human activity. So, it was necessary to allocate an area for the species to lay their eggs. Nha Trang Bay is among 16 marine reserves in Vietnam. It is also among the nicest bays in the world. Con Dao National Park in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has also carried out artificial turtle hatching, releasing 122,867 baby turtles into the sea so far this year. Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company has announced that it has signed an agreement with EQT Infrastructure to acquire a minority stake in GlobalConnect, a fiber-based data centre services provider to enterprises and public institutions in Northern Europe. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, GlobalConnect was created in 2019 through the combination of four independent fiber platforms in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, owned by EQT Infrastructure. As per the deal, the EQT Infrastructure III and IV funds (EQT Infrastructure) will sell the minority stake in the Swedish firm. In times of increasing data volumes and ever-growing demand for fast and reliable connectivity, GlobalConnect plays an important role in providing essential digital infrastructure solutions to the societies it operates in. Today, GlobalConnects infrastructure carries more than 50 percent of all internet traffic generated in the Nordics across its network of 150,000 km of fiber infrastructure and 35,000 m2 data center space, and it employs around 1,800 people in the region. By welcoming Mubadala as a minority investor in GlobalConnect, EQT Infrastructure aims to broaden the company's long-term shareholder base, while drawing on Mubadalas prior investment experience in data centre and Fiber-to-the-Home assets in numerous markets. Mubadala CEO (Real Estate and Infrastructure Investments) Khaled Abdulla Al Qubaisi said: "We are pleased to be investing with our long-term partner, EQT, in GlobalConnect. As a responsible investor, we highly prize those deals that enable us to invest in high conviction assets and sectors for value creation and to deliver a positive impact on communities." "Investing in digital infrastructure allows us to achieve both these goals. We look forward to working with GlobalConnect and EQT to capitalise on growth opportunities in data center and Fiber-to-the-Home assets, and to support Europes digital infrastructure development, a vital enabler of digital inclusion and socioeconomic progress," he stated. Carl Sjolund, a Partner within EQT Infrastructures Advisory Team, said: "As data usage and internet traffic continue to increase, it is vital that the underlying digital infrastructure keeps up to meet future demand." "EQT Infrastructure remains committed to GlobalConnects ambition to increase societies digital connectivity and we are happy to welcome Mubadala to come along on this journey," he added.-TradeArabia News Service ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) The International Rescue Committee said Saturday one of its workers was killed in an attack in Ethiopia's embattled Tigray region. The worker was delivering lifesaving humanitarian aid to women and children at the time of the explosion in the town of Shire on Friday, the aid group said in a statement. Another worker was wounded in the attack, it said. The IRC is heartbroken over the loss of our colleague and will work to support our staff and their families during this terrible time. Aid workers and civilians should never be a target, the statement said. A World Food Program spokesperson in Ethiopia said in a statement to The Associated Press that the U.N. agency received reports of an explosion near where the IRC "was distributing nutritionally fortified foods to WFP beneficiaries, including vulnerable mothers and children. WFP condemns any deliberate targeting of humanitarian activities and strongly calls on all parties to the conflict to respect and protect humanitarian relief operations and personnel, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law, the statement said. The aid worker was the second International Rescue Committee staff member to die in the Tigray war. An IRC employee was killed at the Hitsats refugee camp near Shire in December 2020. Neither the IRC nor the WFP confirmed who was behind the latest attack. There were no details on the nationality of the victim. Shire and other Tigrayan towns have been struck multiple times by airstrikes since hostilities resumed in late August between the Tigray forces and Ethiopias federal government. The fresh fighting has halted aid deliveries to Tigray, where 5 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian help. The Tigray forces have claimed that Eritrea has launched a full-scale offensive across Tigrays northern border, in support of Ethiopias federal military. Aid distributions are being hampered by a lack of fuel and an ongoing communications blackout in Tigray. A U.N. team concluded that 10 starvation-related deaths occurred at seven sites for internally displaced people in northwestern Tigray between Sept. 4 and Sept. 14, according to an internal document by a humanitarian agency shared with the AP. Millions of people in northern Ethiopia, including the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar, have been uprooted from their homes and tens of thousands of people are believed to have been killed since the conflict broke out in November 2020. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is gravely concerned about the escalation of the fighting in Tigray, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement Saturday. He calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. African Union-sponsored peace talks to resolve the conflict were supposed to take place in South Africa last week, but were postponed because of logistical and technical issues. Alexis A. Cisneros, 21, got in an argument with the woman at about 11:20 p.m. at an extended-stay motel on Main Avenue and after dragging the woman by the hair, pointed a gun at her and then hit her with the weapon, police said. Since taking over the position of library director in 2016, one project has remained a the top of the list of things that Marian Lytle wanted to accomplish: the addition of a new branch of the Mooresville Public Library on the western side of town. On Thursday morning, she got to cut the ribbon on that very project. This day is a blessing its just so joyful, Lytle said excitedly. Its been a long time coming. The Mooresville Public Library celebrated the opening of its western branch Thursday, a day before it was set to open fully to the public, with a large turnout of town and county officials as well as officials from Iredell-Statesville Schools and even an appearance from North Carolina State Librarian Michelle Underhill. The new library, which is located at 614 Brawley School Road, was in discussion long before Lytle took over six years ago. According to Mayor Miles Atkins, the talks have carried on for the better part of two decades as the town searched for the right location. Eventually, they found it in a building that had been left dormant for a number of years, once home to a pharmacy, near the corner of Williamson and Brawley School roads. There were just so many little bumps in the road to get to this day, Lytle said. But the town board bought into this dream and made it happen. All members of the Mooresville Board of Commissioners were in attendance for the event Thursday, but the celebration even attracted former member Thurman Houston, who was a major proponent of the project during his time on the board. Sometimes, government is slow. What would this library look like if we had built it 20 years ago? Would it have been this nice? Houston asked. Today is the day to have this beautiful library. A study done early in Lytles tenure as library director revealed that one of the top wishes of residents, especially on the western side of Mooresville, was for a library branch to be added. After that study concluded, the town board began moving more expeditiously toward finding the right solution. You want to be able to provide a great level of service for the entire Mooresville community, Atkins said. For a long time, there was a paradigm that the town board only worked for the east side of town, but the town board has really embraced all of Mooresville. For there to be this presence and for this community to have a space like this is huge. For more information about the West Branch of the Mooresville Public LIbrary, visit https://www.mooresvillenc.gov/government/departments/library/. A Marion drug trafficker serving a long prison sentence argued he didnt get enough credit for naming names. The N.C. Court of Appeals did not agree. Wesley Clayton Rhom Jr., 33, is currently in state prison, serving a 47-year sentence for multiple drug convictions in July 2021. Rhoms appeal raised three issues: whether the trial court erred in failing to consider his substantial assistance at sentencing; whether he received ineffective assistance of counsel; and whether the trial court improperly considered his refusal to enter into a plea agreement in determining the severity of the sentences imposed. According to the Court of Appeals document released this month, two McDowell County Sheriffs Office detectives and an SBI agent were conducting a joint saturation patrol in Nebo on the evening of March 5, 2020. After observing suspicious activity, they pulled over a black car and a motorcycle. As Detective (Jesse) Hicks exited his police vehicle, defendants motorcycle was still running, reads the court document. Detective Hicks gave defendant a verbal command to shut off the engine, but instead, defendant revved the motorcycle up and tried to take off. However, defendants back tire was positioned off the pavement in some gravel and grass, and he only made it a few feet before the motorcycle laid down on its side. The defendant tried to run carrying his helmet and backpack, but he didnt get far. A search of the defendant, identified as Rhom, turned up cash, an AR magazine, a glass pipe, scales and what appeared to be drugs. Under arrest and at the sheriffs office, Rhom waived his rights and agreed to provide complete, detailed, and truthful information regarding his involvement and the involvement of others in the drug trade, the document said. About one month before his arrest, defendant began going to Atlanta, Georgia, to pick up ten kilograms of methamphetamine and seven ounces of heroin twice per week, reads the court document. Defendant stated he was distributing the methamphetamine and heroin, and he provided Lieutenant (Chris) Taylor with a list of about ten to twenty people whom he was providing narcotics to. Some of these individuals were living in McDowell County and Burke County, and they were known to law enforcement. Rhom told investigators he got drugs in Atlanta from a Hispanic male named Hugo, and a Hispanic female in California was apparently in control of the whole organization. When asked to provide phone numbers for the Atlanta connections, Rhom declined to do that or any additional proactive work. He ended cooperation after being presented with his first plea deal, investigators said. The drugs found with Rhom turned out to be methamphetamine and heroin. After not reaching a plea deal, Rhom went to trial and was found guilty by a jury of multiple drug-trafficking counts. A judge sentenced the defendant to a minimum of 450 months and a maximum of 564 months in prison. His appeal said the judge refused to consider Rhomss substantial assistance, that he received ineffective counsel and the lengthy sentence was in part punishment for not accepting a plea arrangement. The Appeals Court ultimately rejected the arguments and ruled this month that Rhom received a fair trial, free from prejudicial error. A little more than a year after a portfolio company took control of Morgantons first brewery, more than a dozen employees soon will be without a job if they havent already been laid off. Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told The News Herald full-time employees at Catawba Brewing Co.s Morganton location were given lay-off notices Friday that will become effective mid-November. The move was the most drastic shift at the brewerys Morganton location, which has seen several layoffs over the last few weeks as production at the location was scaled back, sources told the newspaper. About 20 employees have been affected by the layoffs. The layoffs didnt include Catawba Brewings other locations around the state, sources said. Its a slap in the face of Morganton because thats where it all started, a source told The News Herald. The brewery got its start in Glen Alpine in 1999 by brothers Scott and Billy Pyatt, eventually growing to see five brewing locations, six tasting rooms opened and distribution of products in five states across the southeast. Last October, the business was sold to Made By The Water LLC, which owns and operates Oyster City Brewing Company. The company just last month merged with Faubourg Brewing Company in New Orleans, with its headquarters to be set there, according to a press release from Faubourg. Alexi Sekmakas, CEO of Made By The Water, told The News Herald on Friday that the layoffs were part of a larger strategy to grow Catawbas brand. He described the initial layoffs as a seasonal adjustment. As far as Catawba Brewing is part of Made By The Water, (well) continue to reinvest and grow the brand, in particular White Zombie, Sekmakas said. This was purely a production a strategic move fortunately, Catawba has continued to grow tremendously over the last year, and White Zombie as well. Weve seen that resonate further within North Carolina and outside the state, and the Morganton production simply was not able to keep up with the demands. So this move, as unfortunate as it is today, were going to be using it as a pivot point to reinvest in North Carolina and open up new locations. Sekmakas said some of the employees laid off Friday were offered positions at other locations, but declined to give specifics on the offers. A source with knowledge of two of those offers said it would have required employees to move out of state to take the positions. Sekmakas also said White Zombie, Catawba Brewings flagship beer, would continue to be brewed in North Carolina, but a source with knowledge of the situation said otherwise. Three weeks ago when the first round of cuts were made, somebody did ask that in the meeting, and they were like, yep, were gonna brew the big batch things in New Orleans because its more efficient, its a bigger production facility than what we have in Morganton, and that sort of thing, the source told The News Herald. Sekmakas said Catawbas other brewing locations in Asheville and Charlotte still would be used, but a source with knowledge of the situation said their facilities are significantly smaller than Morgantons brewing operation. Sekmakas said the company is in a transitionary phase and plans to open a larger production facility in North Carolina, but he said the company hadnt picked a location for that facility. He said there was no timeline for when that production facility would open. According to Sekmakas, the company is trying to find a brewery that could take over the Morganton location, but he couldnt give details on what company that may be. The Pyatts still own the building where Catawba Brewing is located in Morganton. Sekmakas said the fate of the tasting room in Morganton has yet to be determined, but a source with knowledge of the situation told The News Herald it depends on how sales go at the location for the next month as production scales back. We obviously have deep roots with the Catawba brand within Morganton, so if something did happen, wed continue to look about moving the location and opening up something new within that town, if the patrons would have us, essentially, Sekmakas said. Weve got a fantastic team there and cant say enough good things about them, so yeah, wed love to do that. He said his company remained committed to the roots of craft beer. We understand the roots of both craft beer in Morganton and Catawba in particular, Sekmakas said. We were very close with the Pyatts through the acquisition and the transition thats something that, even if were not committed in this way, we remain committed to that location, and the mountains of North Carolina, something that we look to reinvest in, in the short term future. A petition on change.org to save the Morganton location had nearly 80 signatures Saturday morning. Many workers will lose their jobs and the local businesses will be severely impacted, wrote Parissa Bavi, who signed the petition. Sad this company will try to quietly close this landmark down with little regard on how much this will effect (sic) our small town. Catawba Brewing was the brewery to jump-start the craft beer scene in Morganton, and the changes to production left a sour taste in the mouths of multiple people connected to the issue. Like I said, Scott (Pyatt) spent 20 years building it, its the cornerstone of Morganton, and theyve destroyed it in 20 days, a source said. People that have been there six months to 12 years, its affected everybody. This is a developing story. More information will be published as it becomes available. Thanks for visiting ! The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Thank you for your support! When officers of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force tried to serve a search warrant at 519 W. Aluminum Street at around noon Wednesday, they were met with a barricaded front door and the sound of gunshots coming from inside the house. The warrant, which was issued in Idaho, was for drug distribution. The officers also had a felony extraditable arrest warrant for a 36-year-old man living at the address and information that large quantities of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, were being sold from the house, according to a press release from Butte-Silver Bow Sheriff Ed Lester Friday afternoon. The name of the subject is not being released at this time. During negotiations between Butte Police officers, Butte SWAT and the subject, he allowed a female adult, who was also in the home at the time, to leave. As negotiations continued, the subject told negotiators he had explosives and numerous firearms, including at least one fully automatic rifle. He also said he would fire at officers who tried to enter his yard or home. The subject was given every opportunity to exit the residence and surrender safely, the press release said. Despite multiple efforts to get the subject to leave the house including one via a PA system at around 10 a.m. Thursday, numerous phone calls to the subject, and "chemical agents" that were introduced into the house at around 11 a.m. there was no response. The Lewis and Clark County Bomb Squad was then called to the scene. Drones were used to try to locate the suspect, but they couldnt see him. An explosive charge was then used to breach the front door, and a Montana Highway Patrol K9 entered the house and indicated the subject was likely in a closed basement under a trap door inside. SWAT officers and the K9 eventually found the subject deceased in a crawl space in the basement. The scene was secured by Butte Police overnight, and a team from Missoula County began an investigation Friday morning. An autopsy will be conducted at the Montana State Crime Lab in Missoula to determine the official cause and manner of the death. No gunshots were fired by law enforcement during this incident, the press release said, and the investigation is ongoing. The Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a split verdict on the ban on the wearing of hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka. Muhammad Raafi | TwoCircles.net Support TwoCircles NEW DELHI Supreme Court of Indias split verdict in the Hijab issue has invited sharp reactions with the Girls Islamic Organisation of India saying that the delay in settling the issue is impacting the future of thousands of girl students in Karnataka. The Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a split verdict on the ban on wearing of hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka with one judge affirming that the state government is authorised to enforce uniform in schools and the other calling hijab a matter of choice that cannot be stifled by the state. Justice Hemant Guptas verdict upheld the hijab ban verdict of the Karnataka High Court, while Justice Dhulia noted that hijab is a matter of choice. Since the verdict is split, the Chief Justice will assign the case to a larger bench in due course of time. Reacting to the verdict, Sumaiyya Roshan of the GIO told TwoCircles.net that several hundred thousand Muslim girls have been deprived of education due to the hijab ban in Karnataka. With the split verdict of the Supreme Court, Muslim girls are being withheld from their rights and excluded from the educational sector. She said that Justice Dhulias judgement in the Supreme Court, recognizing their right to choice and dismissing the hijab ban order issued by the Karnataka government, offers hope. However, the interminable wait for justice dilutes the constitutionally guaranteed individual rights, she said. While setting aside the Karnataka High Court order, Justice Dhulia said, Venturing into ERP was not needed and the court took the wrong way. It was just a question of choice. I have held the ratio in Bijoy Emmanuel squarely covers the case. One thing which was topmost for me was the education of a girl child. A girl child in areas does household work and chores before going to school and are we making her life any better by doing this? I have respectfully differed. This was a case only dealing with Articles 19, and 25. Earlier, the SC bench had reserved its verdict on the pleas on September 22 after hearing arguments in the matter for 10 days. On March 15, the high court dismissed the petitions filed by Muslim students of the Government Pre-University Girls College in Karnatakas Udupi seeking permission to wear the hijab inside classrooms, ruling it is not a part of the essential religious practice in Islam. During the arguments in the apex court, several counsels appearing for the petitioners had insisted that preventing Muslim girls from wearing the hijab to the classroom will put their education in jeopardy as they might stop attending classes. In the verdict, Justice Gupta said, Whether college management can take a call on the uniform of students and if wearing of the hijab and restricting it is violative of Article 25. Whether rights under Article 19 and Article 25 are mutually exclusive. Whether govt order infringes upon the fundamental right. Can a student exert her fundamental right, is wearing right a part of essential religious practice under Islam, whether government order serves the purpose of access to education? the answer according to me is against the appellant. I dismiss the appeal. Counsel for the petitioners had argued on various aspects, including the state governments February 5, 2022 order which banned wearing clothes that disturb equality, integrity, and public order in schools and colleges. Some advocates had also argued that the matter is referred to a five-judge constitution bench. On the other hand, the counsel appearing for the state had argued that the Karnataka government order that kicked up a row over hijab was religion-neutral. Insisting that the protests in support of wearing hijab in educational institutions were not a spontaneous act by a few individuals, the states counsel had argued in the apex court that the government would have been guilty of dereliction of constitutional duty if it had not acted the way it did. The state governments order of February 5, 2022, was challenged by some Muslim girls in the high court. Several pleas have been filed in the apex court challenging the high court verdict. Navida Assadi, a Muslim activist based in Hassan Karnataka said that the delay in settling matters is impacting the future of a large section of the student community and it is concerning. Considering the long wait and the observations of Justice Dhulia, the Karnataka government order on the ban must be withdrawn allowing admission of Hijab wearing students to educational institutions. She also urged the court to expedite the matter. Tanvir Oberoi, a Supreme Court lawyer told TwoCircles.net that he was surprised that it was a split verdict. I am shocked at the verdict. He said considering the way the court has been handling things now, he is hopeful that with the new incoming Chief Justice the favour of the Supreme Court is now more liberalised and more sensitive to womens issues, more progress-oriented and more development oriented. Given the fact what is happening globally, they could have said that we are a secular country. We limit states influence on personal beliefs. Muhammad Raafi is a journalist based in New Delhi. He covers politics and human rights. He tweets at @MohammadRaafi Pakistans new finance minister estimated that it could take close to three years for the south Asian country to recover from devastating floods that killed more than 1,700 people and left nearly 8 million more homeless. Ishaq Dar, who last month took the finance post for the fourth time in his career, told The Associated Press Friday that losses from the floods were estimated to surpass $32 billion and that the cost of rebuilding damaged infrastructure will exceed $16 billion. Monsoon rains, likely made worse by climate change, hammered Pakistan for months starting in mid-June, damaging or washing away 2 million homes. From the start, the case stemming from a drive-by shooting death of a 15-year-old boy near a Des Moines high school has been among the most complex prosecutions ever in Iowas capital city, involving 10 teenagers, six guns and at least 42 fired bullets. Plea agreements from several defendants have simplified things a bit, but as frequent hearings continue with trials likely beginning in March, the cases remain tangled as attorneys try to shift blame over who fired the shots, who planned the killing and who was just along for the ride. Experts say it all potentially amounts to a series of incredibly complicated trials. Much like their counterparts in Calistoga and St. Helena, Yountville voters will guide a major change to their local government by selecting a new mayor and two new council members this election season. The current mayor of Yountville, John Dunbar, has served in the role since 2010 and was a member of the Town Council for six years before winning the mayoral seat. Dunbar is restricted from running again this year because hes busy with his bid to win the 3rd District seat on the Napa County Board of Supervisors. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. Four candidates are now vying for the mayoral seat. Yountville residents have a choice between current longtime Councilmember Majorie Mohler and former Councilmember Pam Reeves, as well as Robert Moore and Ken Clarke, residents of the Yountville Veterans Home. As for the two council seats, Yountvillians will choose among Scott Owens, Robin McKee-Cant and Hillery Trippe, all of whom have experience on various local boards and commissions but would be newcomers to the Town Council. Mohler said she moved to Yountville in 1999 and, with her scientific background, started a pharmaceutical consulting company, Ciencia Group LLC. She decided to run for Town Council in 2008, and has remained a member ever since. Mohlers time on the council has also brought her experience on a variety of other local and state boards. She serves as chair on the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency Board, is a member of Napa Countys Local Agency Formation Commission, and has served on the Napa Valley Transportation Authority board, among many other roles. Mohler said one of her priorities while a council member has been and would continue to be maintaining fiscal resilience by keeping Yountvilles reserves relatively high. In part, she said, thats because Yountville has a relatively unique budget situation, in which the hotel room tax known as the transient occupancy tax, or TOT accounts for a greater percentage of budget revenue than any other Napa County municipality. But that means Yountville can be more dramatically affected by disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic or wildfires, Mohler said. Ive always felt that its important how local government spends your money, and its probably more important how we save money for these challenging times, said Mohler. Reeves said shes lived in Yountville for about 40 years; she was on the Town Council about three decades ago, and the town's Zoning and Design Review Board for several years prior to that. Shes also run two Yountville businesses in her time there. Reeves added that shes noticed a lot of changes in the town since she was last on the council, many related to the further transformation of Yountville into a tourism hot spot. Reeves said she felt that with Dunbar leaving the mayor's seat, theres an opportunity to offer a new kind of leadership that is much more inclusive, much more welcoming, much more genuine in their pursuit of public opinion. Reeves added that housing is a big issue, and she wants to see the town encourage all sorts of affordable housing in Yountville. She said at one point most business owners lived in the town and there was a synergy between the needs and desires of the residents and those businesses. Currently, she said, theres a bit of a disconnect between the businesses, the local government and the community, and shed like to help heal that. A lot of people hold up Yountville as a shining example of what good management is, Reeves said. But there is also something lacking, and I think that is the focus on community. Weve lost a number of full-time residents, weve lost our elementary school (which closed in 2020), weve lost our connections. And I feel thats where we need to proceed now is, to try and reconstruct or start anew with a focus on how we are a community and how we can be our best community. Clarke said hes a musician he currently plays with a Veterans Home group called the Ding-A-Lings who was in a band that once played for tourists at Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. Hed like to bring more activity to downtown Yountville by being an ambassador mayor, which he defined as being active in the town and making sure tourists are happy. He also said the Veterans Home population needs more representation in Yountville, and that hed like to see a fast-food restaurant option so more families could eat affordably. Clarke acknowledged in an interview he was having fun by running for mayor and doesnt expect to win. Responding to a question at an Oct. 5 candidates' forum about how he would prioritize spending in the Yountvilles budget, Clarke said: Oh thats easy. I wouldnt spend any money. Im a miser. Moore, who didnt respond to the Napa Valley Register's requests for comment by press time, emphasized at the forum and in YouTube videos a plan to double our town revenue without increasing our town debt, which would involve reopening the Lincoln Theater, which closed early in the pandemic, as a convention center. He argued that those visiting the center would bring the town a considerable amount of money without disturbing residents. And, he added, Yountville would be a highly attractive destination for that currently untapped segment of the tourist population. Why fight big-city crime, drug abuse and homelessness when the conventioneer can spend an average of four days here in paradise? Moore said. Council candidates Along with selecting a new mayor, Yountville residents will need to select two of the three Town Council candidates: Trippe, a former business attorney and risk management expert; McKee-Cant, a Napa native whos had a long career in tourism and hospitality; and Owens, who works for the California Health Care Foundation. Trippe, who moved to Yountville in 2019, said shes always been interested in community service; shes currently a member of the town Zoning and Design Review Board, and shes served on a number of other similar housing and zoning boards in the past. Trippe said she believes her experience with zoning and her legal background as assistant general counsel for C&H Sugar, then a risk management expert at the University of California system and later at Dignity Health would be helpful to the Town Council. She added that she also wants to make sure the council is more responsive to local residents. I think Yountville is a very well-run town so its not like theres something broken, Trippe said. But I do think there are ways that it could be improved, especially now the town has built out and we dont really need to push tourism as much. Im very supportive of business and tourism, but I dont think were going to be adding a lot more of that. One of Yountvilles goals was to be a premier tourist destination. I think weve met that goal, and now we need to make it both a premier place to visit and a premier place to live. Owens, whos lived in Yountville since 2014, said in a statement that hes worked in the nonprofit community service sector for over 25 years, in positions that work with youth development, supportive housing and health advocacy. Hes also a member of several local boards and commissions and previously represented Yountville on the Napa County Library Commission for seven years. At the Oct. 5 forum, Owens said Yountville should encourage business diversity, but also strengthen collaboration with existing businesses. He also suggested he wanted to pursue fiscal responsibility, and suggested funds could be reallocated for a modest increase to the citys low-income subsidy for water and wastewater services. McKee-Cant, who grew up in Napa and moved to Yountville in 2019, said she got into the council race after serving for two years on the Yountville Arts Commission, because she feels that the council could do a better job of including the community in collaboration and decision-making. She said she comes from a varied business background with an emphasis on destination management, hospitality and tourism, but feels that she could help build a better connection between the Yountville government and the community. Additionally, she suggested that, on issues regarding the now-closed Yountville Elementary School campus, some of the area could be used for needed affordable housing. But, at the same time, she suggested that part of it could be left as a space for children or a park. McKee-Cant said that she could help improve the local business environment during the week, which she said would be helpful to the community. Yountville is a tourism destination on weekends, but our businesses are hurting mid-week, McKee-Cant said. I feel I could be a leader that could support them, at the same time ensuring that Yountville retains its charm. It is said there exists only a fine line between love and hate. When that line is crossed, frequently catastrophic upheaval, even destruction, of lives ensues, such as the Covey-Evers case of 1926. In September of that year, at about 9:15 p.m., Fred Evers, with malice and forethought, murdered Leta Gladden Covey, a 21-year-old divorcee with a young son, by emptying the six bullets of his 38-caliber Colt revolver into her brain. Evers then quickly reloaded four bullets into his revolver, placed its barrel into his month and pulled the trigger. Although seriously injured and maimed for life, the cold-blooded murderers life was spared for the first of two times. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. The Napa Journal reported, The grim tragedy, enacted in the main office of the (Napa State Hospital) administration building at an hour when all was quiet, threw the place in turmoil when officials and attendants realized what had occurred. The newspaper continued, There the frightful scene Mrs. Covey dead in her chair and Evers sprawled on the floor ... Evers soon regained consciousness and hysterically ranted he wanted to die and said to the staff You know Im crazy! However, when Napa Constable Forrest McDermott entered the room, Evers uttered with a clear and calm voice, Hello, McDermott! Regarding his victim, Covey was described as an attractive, friendly and well-liked young woman. She was a member of a well-known and respected Napa family. Her father, Isaac Gladden, would in a few days' time stand before Napa County Justice of the Peace, Charles H. Snow, to sign a complaint against Evers for the premeditated murder of his daughter. However, as to whether Evers was ever to stand trial was in question due to his injury. He, also a Napa native, divorced man with a young daughter, who would beg for death as he languished in a local hospital until he underwent surgery to remove the bullet fragments from his eye socket. As he began his recovery, family and friends of Leta Gladden Covey said their final farewells to her. Her funeral was officiated by Reverend L.S. Burcham, who delivered a beautiful eulogy and prayer," The Journal reported. Two of the most attractive testimonials were those from associates at the Napa State Hospital and another from the Napa Police Department. (Her brother, Clarence, was a Napa police officer.) The article continued, The huge Treadway chapel was crowded with sorrowing friends and there were floral offerings varied and beautiful and too numerous to mention. In addition to her father and brother Clarence, Leta Covey was survived by other brothers and sisters as well as her son and ex-husband, Earl Covey. He, although a Napa native, lived and worked in Southern California at the time of the murder. Also, according to the Journal, Earl had been seeking a reconciliation with Leta. After their separation in 1924, Leta had returned to Napa and accepted a phone operator position in December 1925 at Napa State Hospital. Frequently, the infatuated, then obsessed, Evers would show up at her office and spend hours talking to her. Following the news of a competitor for her affections, in a jealous rage, Evers quit his job, gave away his beloved bulldog and penned a letter to his childhood friend, Napa County District Attorney T.C. Anglim, regarding disposition of his personal property. Evers then, as he frequently did, showed up at Coveys office. However, when the new suitor called, Evers callously murdered Covey. Of this tragedy, the Journal wrote, Taken all in all, from the death of pretty Leta Covey, right through to the tearful plea of the slayer, the case is perhaps one of the most pitiful that local authorities and physicians have ever come in contact with just another case of unrequited love avenged by a lover driven to desperation, but a case that is at the same time an unusual one. About a month after murdering Leta Covey, Evers stood before Napa County Superior Court Judge Percy S. King and plead guilty to the charges. His attorney, Myron Sullivan of Oakland, presented witnesses and evidence building a case of a respectable citizen driven to desperate measures because of a broken promise and heart. Anglim proceeded to present a solid case but closed with an unexpected statement. He said, Your Honor, this case is the hardest that I have been called upon to face during my term as district attorney of this county. The defendant in coming into court to plead guilty and waive his rights, has saved the county considerable expense and there are other things Evers would bring back to this life to be considered...my recommendation (is) for a life sentence. Although found guilty of first-degree murder, Judge King accepted Anglims recommendations for a life sentence versus execution by hanging, saving Evers life for a second time. With that pronouncement, Evers brother Harry a tough, hardened police officer, openly wept in relief. Shortly thereafter, Fred Evers found himself in the Sheriffs office and in the presence of his emotionally over wrought mother, Nora Evers. The Journal added, ...everyone who witnessed their last meeting and parting had a heartache for her. A half hour after sentencing, Evers, Napa County Under Sheriff Steckter, Constable McDermott and a local reporter were driving to San Quentin prison. Following a physical examination, Evers will begin his service in the jute mill where all prisoners start and later will be classified according to his occupation. The article concluded, And so shifts the scene of Fred Evers life ... from dreams of happiness ... to the cold gray prison walls ... where the daily grind of the prison routine and the clang of prison doors will be all that Fred Benjamin Evers will have to look forward to for the balance of his natural life. An upcoming class Actual local accounts such as the Covey murder will be the focus of my upcoming, four-week course, True Crimes of Napa Valley. This in-person course to be held at the Napa Senior Center, 1500 Jefferson St., on Tuesdays Oct. 25 to Nov. 15, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., is being offered through Napa Parks and Recreation. For more information and to register by Friday Oct. 21, visit: secure.rec1.com/CA/napa-ca/catalog (an account must be created in order to register) or call 707-255-1800. Thank you! Several Bay Area cities have bed taxes on the Nov. 8 ballot in an attempt to collect more revenue from hotels, motels, inns and share-rental sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Proponents argue that their municipalities need to generate more revenue in the wake of economic impacts from COVID-19, but opponents question whether now is the time to raise rates on an industry also hit hard by the pandemic hospitality. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. One thing is certain: People are ready to spend their tourist dollars in California. According to the nonprofit Visit California, in 2021, travel-related spending in the state increased 43% over 2020, with tax revenues increasing by 23%. Total travel-related spending in 2021 in the state was a little over $100 billion. Measures to increase transient occupancy taxes are on the ballot in unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, the city of Alameda, and some cities of San Mateo County, including Belmont and Millbrae. Brisbane is asking voters to approve a tax on hospitality business owners, not on guests like the other Bay Area cities. In Healdsburg, Measure L wouldn't increase the 14% tax already collected, but earmarks for the money generated by the TOT would specifically go to capital improvements. Proponents of the TOT increases say that the money is needed for essential services such as police, fire and infrastructure, though COVID-19 American Rescue Plan funds were specifically designated for such things and injected millions into local coffers. In most cities, if passed, money from the measures increasing room taxes would go into each municipality's general fund. Alameda is asking voters to approve Measure F, a jump of its current 10% rate up to 14%, to keep it in line with Oakland and San Leandro's TOT rates. Alameda City Councilmember Trish Herrera Spencer opposes the measure, questioning its timing after the pandemic. But the city's TOT hasn't been raised since 1990 and Alameda predicts that the additional money will amount to between $700,000 and $900,000 per year that could go toward essential services like 911, fire and police, fixing potholes and maintaining parks. In unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, supervisors put Measure B on the ballot. Though the money would go into the general fund, the board said it would apply the funding toward affordable housing, mental health services and wildfire prevention. Supervisors want to increase the current rate of 10% to 12% for hotels, motels and inns, and 14 percent for in-home vacation rentals, generating as much as $2.3 million annually. The argument in favor of the measure in the county voting guide says that the measure would increase needed county revenues without taxing residents. San Mateo County cities Belmont and Millbrae are proposing measures K and N respectively, which would raise their TOTs from 12% to 14%, raising an estimated $660,000 annually for Belmont and $1.5 million for Millbrae. Brisbane is taking a different approach raising taxes on hospitality business owners instead of increasing its 14% bed tax. Measure O would impose a tax on hospitality business owners of $2.50 per day per stay, generating an estimated $250,000 per year. According to the city, the current tax structure on the businesses is paid from gross receipts and only generates less than $2,000 per year. How and where to vote in Napa County this fall This guide from the Napa Valley Register will guide you to the nearest ballot drop sites and voting centers, and includes important dates leading to Election Day, information on registering to vote, and contact information for the Napa County Election Division. The submitted ballot arguments for and against the measure in Brisbane are colorful. The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association wrote the opposition and calls the move "theft." "Basically, our public servants want a free ride, to stick out-of-towners with the bill and to compel esteemed local businesses to serve as tax collector," reads the argument. "Would you do that to your friends or coworkers? No! That would be immoral, as a form of theft." In the ballot argument in support of the tax measure, penned by the City Council, the body describes the tax as "reasonable" and a way for businesses to "pay their share" in supporting essential services. The council also refers to the tax as "a modest proposal," perhaps unaware of the allusion to Jonathan Swift's 1729 satirical essay that suggested impoverished Irish sell their children to wealthy noblemen for food. In the Sonoma County city of Healdsburg, voters will be asked to decide on Measure L, which keeps the TOT rate the same 14% but specifies that the money goes toward affordable housing and the issuing of bonds. Voters across Napa County faced a similar decision in 2018, when ballot measures in the unincorporated county and all five cities proposed an increase in room taxes from 12% to 13%, which each local government able to use fresh revenues as it saw fit. All of the measures passed except for American Canyon's, which fell just short of the required two-thirds of yes votes needed for approval. Napa Valley Register city editor Howard Yune contributed to this report. Democratic incumbent Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta will face Republican Nathan Hochman in the contest for California's top cop, a position responsible not only for increasing public safety but also defending state laws on gun control and abortion access. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Bonta, a former state lawmaker from Alameda, as California's first Filipino American attorney general last year. Hochman is a former U.S. assistant attorney general and assistant U.S. attorney with an array of experience in the courtroom. As California's top law enforcement officer, the attorney general oversees investigations into deadly police shootings and organized crime rings and runs the state's forensic crime labs. The office is also charged with helping the state meet its climate and housing goals by enforcing environmental regulations and holding local governments accountable to production requirements. The state attorney general is one of the most important statewide offices in California. The role has become even more prominent in the wake of two U.S. Supreme Court decisions this summer that rolled back broad access to abortion and strict gun control policies, key issues that are likely to be top of mind for California voters as they head to the polls on Nov. 8. Who are the candidates? Before he was elected to the state Assembly in 2012, Bonta served as a deputy city attorney in San Francisco and vice mayor for the city of Alameda. As a state lawmaker, Bonta earned a reputation for his left-leaning legislative record and support for criminal justice reform policies, which include bills to phase out private prisons and detention facilities in California and to eliminate cash bail. Since taking the helm of the state Department of Justice, Bonta has focused on prosecuting hate crimes, launched a program last year to apprehend human traffickers and cracked down on organized retail theft. Bonta said that public safety is "priority and job number one, two and three," but he's faced pushback for laws he supported that his critics blame for an increase in certain crimes and the drug addiction crisis. Hochman has focused his campaign on rebalancing criminal justice policies he said have swung too far to the left. He said he wants to "bring safety and security back to California" by increasing penalties for fentanyl dealers and through a statewide task force on human trafficking. Hochman said his message appeals to Democrats and independents who want an attorney general in the "hard-middle" of the political spectrum and who've grown weary of California's commitment to criminal justice reform efforts that he said have jeopardized public safety. His resume includes experience as both a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, skills he said would serve him well as California's top law enforcement officer. Hochman has blasted Bonta's lack of experience as a prosecutor as evidence that he's the better fit for the job. Bonta secured 54.3% of the vote in the June 7 primary, compared with Hochman's 18.2%, and is favored to win a full four-year term to the job. Where Bonta stands on guns and abortion Bonta has prioritized gun violence prevention during his tenure as attorney general with a new office to "implement strategic and innovative programs" that lower the risk of firearm-related deaths. He also sponsored legislation this year to establish a "firearm industry standard of conduct" and to allow local governments, the state Department of Justice and gun violence survivors to sue for egregious violations of state sales and marketing regulations. After the Supreme Court decided in June that strict concealed carry laws like those in California and New York are unconstitutional, Bonta supported a bill to maintain strong regulations for obtaining a permit to carry a firearm in public. That measure died on the final night of this year's legislative session, but Bonta said he is committed to passing a similar bill. "You can't be tough on crime unless you're tough on guns," Bonta said. Bonta has also pledged to defend California's broad reproductive freedoms, a topic of critical importance for many Golden State voters following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn abortion access guaranteed by Roe vs. Wade. Bonta said that California's attorney general has to be "loud, strong, full-throated, standing up, not sitting down, in the front, not in the back" when it comes to protecting the right to an abortion. Where Hochman stands on guns and abortion Hochman similarly wants to address gun violence and remove weapons from those who are legally barred from owning them, while "respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens to own and possess guns under California law." "My view is that I would actually do a better job of taking guns away from criminals and those in our society who are by law not allowed to possess guns than our current attorney general," he said. Hochman committed to enforcing all of California's laws, including on gun control, but said some currently violate the Supreme Court's order against excessive restrictions on carrying a concealed weapon. Hochman said he is also "pro-choice" and would "fully enforce all the laws on the books protecting a woman's reproductive rights." In mid-March of this year, a few days before I took over as editor, a curious date for me passed: the halfway point. March 12 marked the day that my mother who died in 1998 at the age of 49 had been gone from my life longer than she was in it. And in two years and three months, give or take, I will, God willing, outlive her. I tend to do this sort of thing, not because of an attraction to numerology, astrology or other related nonsense, but because it is a distraction from the complicated mass of feelings that come up when I think of her passing. Those what ifs and if onlys that create stomachaches and the occasional sleepless night. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and in a couple of weeks, the Napa Valley Register will be printing a special section on the topic. It includes information about treatments, developments and how-tos on living with this awful, but often treatable, disease. It will include stories from local people who are still fighting and those who have won. (As a side note, in the mix of practicality, precision and poetry that made up the unique personality of my mom, she chose a reading from St. Paul for her funeral mass that included the phrase I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. I wonder if she was ever perturbed that this beautiful statement is, in fact, a run-on sentence. Knowing her, probably a little) I dont like to say lost the battle, because a human being cannot be distilled into a war analogy, and often the fight is often not just with the disease itself. It certainly was not for Kathy Evans. Was it sexism that made her doctor dismiss the lump she found in her breast nearly a year before her initial diagnosis? Did the stresses of dealing with the absurd bureaucracy of health insurance after that diagnosis weaken her overtaxed immune system? Did her upbringing around the Navy bases where my grandfather served create an exposure to some unknown toxin? (Her older sister died very young as well.) Did this have to happen, or was it just bad luck? Things have progressed since the 1990s, thank God, but there is still so much to do. Too many women and not a few men have died of this disease due to a lack of knowledge or access to health care. And though sometimes it feels like a half-measure, talking about it, that famed journalistic bringing awareness, can do some good. Theres just so much to live for. I think about how my life, and that of my dad, would have been different had my mom lived. I didnt know it at the time, but my parents' relationship was one people aspire to have. I know it wasnt perfect: as my own relationship with my dad evolved, I was trusted with more of those details. But the love and trust and respect they had for one another, their shared values and beliefs, and unrelenting optimism about the bond itself created an unshakable foundation. And, of course, my relationship with my mom wasnt drama-free. Even through her illness, we fell into the traditional roles young men in their early 20s often have with their mothers. That is, the push-pull of desiring both closeness and independence, of wanting to open up with my anxieties and worries (often about, well, women) but embarrassed to do so and fearful of her judgment. (She was not shy with her opinions. Wonder where I get that? Hmm.) But it was deepening and changing into the one we would have had when that ole frontal cortex of mine finally firmed up. That is, when I was an actual adult, not just a legal one. Of course, there is the fact that I didnt have to deal with her side-eye regarding the dating choices I made in my 20s and 30s. Save maybe two, the only one she probably would actually have liked is the one Im dating now. But I missed out on decades of love and support. The calls, messages and notes I once thought suffocating would feel like the freshest mountain air now. The frustration of cancer, and perhaps any disease, is how random and unfair it feels. My mom was probably the healthiest member of our little family, and shes the one who goes? She made the world better, and this happens? The years soften the loss but never erase it. Her life was about giving: to the migrant workers who sometimes slept in the brush below our house, to the single mothers struggling to get by, or anyone she saw suffering in any way. I have memories, when I was about 8, of her stopping in the rain off the side of I-15 in San Diego to help someone with a flat tire though she hardly knew how to change one herself. Medicine has progressed, but it cant help if people dont avail themselves of it. So do what you can to take care of yourself, and encourage others to do so. Your life is worth it, not only to you, but the hundreds of people you have touched or made better through your existence just like my mom did in her too-short time on earth. The opinion of the Napa Valley Register In the mid 2000s, the streets of San Francisco were plastered with signs bearing the bearded, scowling face of Bruce B. Brugmann, the then-owner of the SF Bay Guardian, exhorting the people of The City to Vote, Damnit. Bruce had an outsized personality, befitting his 6-foot-4 frame, and a management style more similar to J. Jonah Jameson aka Spidermans boss than Fred Rogers. Though crass, it certainly got your attention, the main reason for the use of such language. Thats why were using it now. Our lives have also become increasingly complex, with the endless streams of social media and streaming everything complicating lives already filled with work, doctors appointments, school trips, and endless meal making for picky eaters young and old. Who in the world has time to pay attention to the minutiae of civic government, especially at the local level? Well, with all due respect, you have to make the time. One of the main roles and responsibilities of being a citizen is to educate yourself on the different people who make policies and pronouncements in your name? You wouldnt let a stranger speak on issues of importance on your kids, partners or parents behalf, would you? But if you dont vote, thats exactly what youre doing for your city, your county, your state and your nation. Get to know the candidates and issues. The Napa Valley Register has written a series of stories this week and last that are attempting to put our local issues into human context. That is, what these decisions will mean, and what these hoped-to-be leaders at various levels want to do on your behalf. Additionally, this editorial board will continue to be making its recommendations on various offices and issues in the coming weeks. Registered Napa County voters will receive their ballots this week, if they havent already. For more information on how to vote, check the county website or the Registers guide. We do understand that getting to the heart of these issues takes time, and we know you hardly have enough of it as it is. Still, the next few years will be vital ones for Napa County and we need your input on our collective future. The power is in your hands, so use it, damnit! The editorial board researches, interviews stakeholders and discusses issues of importance to Napa County residents. Its written opinions are the institutional views of the Napa Valley Register and is not beholden to interest groups, public officials, or its own advertisers. Its larger goal is to provide clear-eyed analysis of these issues to help make our county and region a safe, equitable, peaceful, and just place to live and work. Cruise ship occupancy has passed 75 percent and rising while COIVD-19 restrictions have been reduced and dropping at the same rate. Call it near-normal and cross your fingers. On our recent 14-day, six-country, five-sea cruise on the Viking Sea, masks were no longer required (fewer than 5 percent of the passengers wore them), there were no daily or periodic health checks, and no one dove under the table when someone coughed or sneezed in the dining room. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. We were never asked to show our vax records in any of the countries visited---Italy, Croatia, Greece, Monaco, France and Spain. So anxious were locals to see tourists returning to their shores, it was more a case of Show me the money! We embarked in Venice and concluded our Viking cruise in Barcelona, hitting the glamour cities of Rome, Florence and Barcelona, but also spending time in lesser known ports, those Rodney Dangerfield areas that get no respect. Like Chioggia, the new gateway to Venice on the Adriatic Sea. There were few gondoliers singing on the waters in Venice; the grand old dame has lost a bit of her charm. So we spent most of the day on Chioggia island, about a 30-minute drive south of the Venice lagoon. Population about 50,000, Chioggia is a genuine slice of Italy, not yet over-run by tourists. Corso del Popolo, the historic center, is a delightful spot to stroll and shop. At Piazzetta Vigo, one can enjoy a fine lunch with drinks for under $10. (A cappuchino alone can cost that much at one of Venices swanky coffee houses.) Fishing is the chief livelihood in Chioggia, and there is a large market with fish so fresh it still contains the aroma of the sea. Nearby are several medieval churches. There is but one main road through Chioggia and it is as straight as a clothesline. Consequently, Chioggia is the butt of Italian jokesters who claim that Chioggia has the worlds worst drivers because they dont know how to turn. Our next port was Split, one of Croatias oldest cities containing the ancient Diocletian Palace constructed in 305 AD and named after the Roman emperor. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and many of the original structures have remained intact. A maze of streets and cobblestone lanes surround the Palace. At Peoples Square (Nardoni Trg) we were entertained by a show featuring Roman Centurians and gladiators. It was professionally done and lasted well over an hour. The next day, still in Croatia waters, we docked in Dubrovnik, the countrys top tourist attraction. Since we had toured the famous walled city on previous trips, we chose a tour labled Flavors & Traditions of Old Croatia. It was aptly named. Our first stop high in the mountains past the village of Ston was to a 250-year-old olive mill and starring a donkey. The owner gave us a demonstration of how olives were milled way back then. The donkey circles the mill attached to a heavy round object that crushes the olives as he (or she) turns. Its both a crude and complicated procedure, but fascinating nonetheless. Donkeys or horses could crush enough olives to produce 200 kilos of oil a day. After the donkey and olive show, we had an olive oil-fueled charcuterie plate and headed to our next event by the seaside, enjoying huge pots of oysters and mussels that were in the sea 15 minutes before they were in our mouths. We were told that oysters spawn as males by releasing sperm into the waters. As they grow over the next few years they spawn as females. They will then attach to anything solid, including mussels. So the mussels and oysters we were consuming were still swimming together a few minutes ago. Again, its complicated, perhaps even timely today, but there was no denying the deliciousness of this somewhat kinky seafood duo. Continuing down the coast our next port was the Greek island of Corfu on the Ionian Sea, a favorite hideaway spot for celebrities, especially those involved in a current scandal who really want to be alone. Corfu has one of Europes largest public squares and a wide promenade once exclusively reserved for the local aristocracy. We saw neither them nor the celebs during our visit, but it must have been wash day for a splashing display of colorful clothing hung from most clotheslines. And now a full day at sea to enjoy our ship as we sailed to Naples. The eight-deck Viking Sea is an adults-only ship that can accommodate 930 passengers and 550 crew. Viking Cruises are often categorized as a luxury line, but it is not pretentious or stuffy. It is a combine of Scandinavian elegance and Swiss precision. All rooms have balconies, the dining choices are excellent and amenities include a thermal spa with jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, pools, several types of showers including a pull chain wooden water bucket, and even a machine that dries your swimsuit in 60 seconds. Despite the quiet quality in every corner, there is a comfortable and friendly feel about the ship, sort of like being in a boutique hotel. Throughout the years the Viking Sea has won over 55 awards from cruise critics. Being of Neapolitan descent, I found Naples was like old home week for me, as I strolled the historic quarter shopping and snacking, including, of course, on Marguerita pizza which was born here. Most of the other cruisers took tours to Pompeii, Sorrento or Capri. At our next stop, we opted to spend the day at the port city of Civitavecchia instead of a 90-minute bus ride into Rome. It was another slice of Italy in the raw. Situated on the Tyrrhenian Sea, Civitavecchia has a population of about 70,000. The butcher shops and markets that you see are not aimed at tourists, but for the locals. Consequently, prices are much lower -- would you believe a cappuchino at an outdoor cafe for $1.50? Up the coast now to the port of Livorno on the Ligurian Sea. Livorno is usually the gateway to Florence, but we decided to spend part of the day in Livorno followed by a bus tour of the spectacular Tuscan landscape. Livorno is more modern than medieval, but features great seafood, upscale shops and also a section known as the New Venice because of its numerous canals. The Tuscan landscape is often so breathtaking that it defies description. Bring an easel instead of a camera. Next, Monte Carlo, Monaco. We took a stroll past the Princes Palace and the famed Monte Carlo Casino, but had an early dinner aboard the Viking Sea with a spectacular view of the harbor lined with some of the most expensive yachts in the world. We could read the names of some of the larger yachts and Googled the information that some cost in the neighborhood of $1 billion and most were owned by Saudi Arabians. It resulted in an interesting dinner conversation. Two ports to go, first Marseilles, Frances oldest (maybe naughtiest) city. Marseilles is multicultural, not without crime, but it does have its rough charm. We visited the large marketplace in the Old Town called Marche des Capucins. It seemed like a Worlds Fair of Food. Next to the Lebanese bakery was an African spice shop with a Chinese vegetable stall on the other side, and so on. That afternoon we drove to Aix en Provence (often called X-O by the locals because of the close pronunciation of the first two words). Paul Cezanne lived and painted his masterpieces here. Aix en Provence had a nice town square with narrow lanes filled with shops leading to it from all directions. Final stop, Barcelona, Spains main port on the Mediterranean. We walked the famous Las Ramblas with its splashy display of shops and restaurants, and finished the day with an early-bird Flamenco dinner show. Just before departing the next morning we had a chance to pass by Gaudis still unfinished La Sagrada Familia. Crowds were lined up as usual. When will it be finished? I asked our tour guide. The death toll in the explosion in a mine in Bartin, Turkey, has reached 14, said Suleyman Soylu, the Minister of the Interior. Earlier, the minister of health had informed that two people had died and 20 others were injured. The mine workers are still under the rubble, reported CNN Turk. And A Haber television, citing the local authorities, reported that there were 115 people at the explosion site at a depth of 300 meters, and some of them were evacuated. According to Bartin provincial governor Nurtac Arslan, 49 people were trapped in the mine after the explosion. Turkish ministers of the interior and energy, Suleyman Soylu and Fatih Donmez, traveled to the scene. Nouriel Roubini: In some sense, World War III has already started EU considers paying Elon Musk to provide Starlink Internet to Ukraine U.S. will continue to take practical, aggressive steps to make it difficult for Iran to sell drones to Russia German Prosecutor's Office searches Deutsche Bank headquarters Head of Germany's national cybersecurity agency fired amid reports of ties to Russia Uruguayan Chamber of Deputies condemns Azerbaijan's invasion of Armenian territory Spanish minister: EU is far from solution to energy crisis Fake Azerbaijani names of Syunik province communities removed from Google Maps and Google Earth apps Artsakh President presents details of meetings held in Yerevan to MPs Lavrov: Russia sees no point in maintaining its previous presence in Western countries UAE: OPEC+ decision has no political motive Opposition to David Price: Right to self-determination is the right of people of Artsakh to survive Iran is ready to negotiate with Ukraine to resolve ambiguities Deputy Speaker of Armenian National Assembly: 47 PACE deputies made written statement condemning Baku's aggression Lapid will discuss Kiev request for Israeli systems with Kuleba Morawiecki: Poland is not afraid of losing EU funds Armenian President meets with Sofia Mayor Speaker of Armenian National Assembly to Norway FM: Withdrawal of Azerbaijani Armed Forces from Armenia is a priority Nikol Pashinyan receives delegation headed by Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt Iran responds to Borrell's garden and jungle statement: EU needs to accept realities or it will continue to wither Pashinyan: No one can accuse Armenia of evading its obligations Congressman: U.S. was not active in terms of security in Armenia, but now situation is changing Indian defense company Solar group says it has received orders from Armenia for 'Pinaka' missiles Price: U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan will not be used for offensive purposes against Armenia Military expert assesses possibility of new hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan Russian Embassy: Armenians' attitude towards Russians who moved to Armenia remains very friendly Clarification by Price: What Could Armenian-American military cooperation look like? Armenian Defense Minister visits DEFEXPO exhibition in India President of Artsakh talks about results of discussions held in Armenia Borrell angers UAE with his comparison of world outside Europe to 'jungle' Public Council formed in Artsakh China Daily: Party's anti-graft efforts generate fruitful outcomes Price: We demand that Azerbaijan return to its initial positions Aghajanyan: This visit should be seen as another stage in dynamic development of Armenian-American relations Ukraine will officially ask Israel for transfer of air defense systems Head of National Assembly Commission: 2023 state budget turned out to be biggest in Armenia's history Turkey conducts test launch of its own ballistic missile over Black Sea Students of Brusov State University hold protest outside building of Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia Armenia MFA: Yerevan has always openly and publicly stated its position on dialogue with Turkey Military exercises of IRGC Ground Forces on border with Azerbaijan continue for second day in Iran Blinken accuses China of violating status quo on Taiwan Armenian Foreign Minister: We see Azerbaijan's unconstructive behavior Izvestia: European banks stop accepting SWIFT-transfers from Russia Mirzoyan calls on Cavusoglu to speak for himself Norwegian FM visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex and pays tribute to victims of Genocide Mirzoyan: We need to understand to what extent CSTO recognizes this aggression against Armenia MFA: Armenian authorities apply to OSCE to send observers to border with Azerbaijan NYT: Conflict between Turkey and Greece may cause split of NATO Ararat Mirzoyan Details of peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan were presented to Norwegian FM Price of gas in Europe drops to almost $1,200 per 1,000 cubic meters for first time since June Armenian Defense Minister meets with his Indian counterpart First images of damage to Nord Stream are published Erdogan's spokesman: Meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is impossible now Peskov redirects question of drone purchases from Iran to Russian Ministry of Defense Secretary of Armenian Security Council presents consequences of recent Azerbaijani aggression to Brazilian ambassador Trial of Robert Kocharyan and Armen Gevorgyan is held in Yerevan IAEA chief says he wants to meet with Putin again Pashinyan: Azerbaijan creates fake news on ceasefire violations by Armenia US House of Representatives members visit Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan Taliban, Iran border guards fire at each other Another high treason exposed in Armenia Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan armed forces violate ceasefire in Sotk-Kutakan sector World oil prices on the rise Trump slightly ahead of Biden in New York Times poll Armenia defense minister heads for India Newspaper: Karabakh dissatisfied with President's Yerevan visit, meeting with Armenia PM Azerbaijan fires toward Armenia positions at night Zelenskyy: Ukraine needs much more modern air defense systems Liz Truss is called upon to resign EU to review relations with China White House accuses Iran of lying Poland may not receive 75 billion euros in regional aid from EU Crash of SU-34 in Yeysk captured on video SJC: Criminal case will be initiated against judge Arusyak Aleksanyan Germany fines Telegram more than 5 million euros Scholz instructs ministers to prepare to extend operation of Germany's remaining three nuclear power plants Two people killed in Yeysk after military plane crashed Saudi Arabia rejects U.S. accusations of supporting Russia amid war in Ukraine Only candidate for post of military prosecutor of Armenia is named Expert: Iran is preparing for scenarios in form of attacks on Azerbaijan and sending troops to Artsakh YEREVAN. Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: The Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)] delegation, which rushed to Armenia after the Prague agreements, has been meeting with high-ranking RA officials in recent days. () Armenias officials have deceived the guests of Artsakh with promises that signing a peace treaty [with Azerbaijan] does not mean handing over Artsakh to Azerbaijan, that as if Armenia will do everything for Baku-Stepanakert negotiations to take place, and the attention of the international community will be drawn to the matter of protecting the right to self-determination of the people of Artsakh. We were told that SCS [Security Council secretary] Armen Grigoryan advised his compatriots [from Artsakh] that, regardless of the RA officials' statements, they should consistently repeat the view that they do not agree, and no one, including the RA authorities, can recognize Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan. They mutually agreed not to leak the details of the closed meeting, as the interests of Artsakh demand it. The US will welcome the efforts of any country aimed at normalizing relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the Bureau of Global Public Affairs at the US Department of State, noted about this during Fridays State Department press briefing. If any country is eager to engage with us on Armenia and Azerbaijan and help us get to a peaceful resolution, we certainly would welcome that. But we have not seen any kind of effort from Russia as you might be referring to, Patel said, when asked whether the US is concerned that Russia might jeopardize the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process through the mediation of the West Earlier, the representative of the Russian foreign ministry, Maria Zakharova, had said that the West is trying to interfere in the process of normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and to suppress Russia's mediation efforts in this regard. "We know from history that EU missions have not lead to real normalization," Zakharova had added. Chinese government officials are backpedaling on a long-planned face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting in Bali next month, POLITICO wrote. Beijing wont engage with U.S. officials trying to draft an agenda for the meeting, according to a person familiar with the planninga move that could prevent it from happening at all. The much-anticipated meeting has been seen as an opportunity for Biden and Xi to drain some rancor from a U.S.-China relationship that has descended into bitter bilateral acrimony. But recent U.S. actions on those same issuesfrom President Bidens recent pledge of a U.S. military defense of Taiwan if China were to invade, to export controls on semiconductors needed for next-generation weapons systemsare angering China to the point where it is considering backing out. Preparations for a possible Biden-Xi meeting began months ago. The White House announced in July following Bidens most recent call with Xi that both sides had agreed on the value of meeting face to face and would determine a mutually agreeable time to do so. Chinas foreign ministry dispatched a delegation to Indonesia in August to prepare for the meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 in Bali. The meeting is still not confirmed, said a Washington-based diplomat familiar with the events planning. YEREVAN. The National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia has exposed a case of high treason, Armenian News-NEWS.am has learned from the NSS. Accordingly, it was found that a contract soldier of an Armenian military unit had gotten acquainted with a member of foreign special services through social media, was recruited by him, and kept in contact with him from January to June, during which he provided to this member of foreign special services state and confidential information about his military unitand in exchange for payment.. This Armenian citizen has been detained within the framework of the criminal proceedings launched at the NSS Investigative Department, and he confessed to carrying out the aforesaid act. He has been charged. And a petition has been submitted to the court to have him remanded in custody. Canada is pushing for Russia to be kicked out of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the G-20, a group of 20 countries that work on issues related to the economy, in light of the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C., this week, The Hill reported. Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters in D.C. that Russia is an arsonist in a group of firefighters, Bloomberg reported Friday. The IMF and World Bank meetings are meetings of firefightersof ministers and central bank governors, whose job is to protect the global economy, she said. Russia right now is the arsonist. Russia shouldnt have been at the IMF meetings. Arsonists have no place in meetings of the firefighters. There is one immediate step that would eliminate significant turmoil within the global economy, help alleviate food shortages and help with the high cost of energy in so much of the world. And that step is for Russia to leave Ukraine now, Freeland said. A much-publicized EU fund designed to help countries replace weapons supplied to Ukraine is becoming increasingly unable to cover an influx of requests for reimbursement - and it hasn't even sent its first payment, Politico writes. "Days after Russias war began, the EU set up a 500 million pot, encouraging countries to arm Kyiv and ask the EU to foot the bill. After looking at the receipts it received, Brussels determined it could cover about 85 percent of the costs, according to estimates shared by three diplomats," the article said. The EU then authorized an even bigger pot - eventually amounting to 1.5 billion euros. That's when the flood of receipts began. The EU received so many requests that it estimated that Brussels could only meet about 46 percent of the requests. According to diplomats, the plummeting percentage infuriated Poland, one of the EU's biggest arms donors to Ukraine and a leading applicant for compensation, which submitted receipts worth 1.8 billion euros. For days, the country blocked a final agreement to pay the second tranche of money, hoping to negotiate a higher rate. For them, less than 50 percent is too little, one diplomat noted. But Warsaw eventually relented. Nevertheless, the payback scheme risks damaging the EU's reputation as a reliable military partner as Ukraine begs Europe for more weapons. Already, EU countries, Germany and France, have been criticized for not donating enough, while some smaller countries say they are running out of supplies. The compensation fund itself is a product of the EU's clever workaround at the beginning of the war. EU treaties prohibit the bloc from using its regular budget to fund military operations. So officials used the so-called "European Peace Fund," a financial instrument that goes beyond the regular budget, to help speed up arms shipments to Europe. EU countries pay into the fund's coffers, and a committee representing each country decides unanimously how to distribute the money. So far, the EU has allocated about 2.5 billion euros from the fund to help cover member donations to Ukraine. But that figure still lags far behind receipts, and EU countries are expected to announce a new tranche of funding soon. The flow of requests is due in part to Poland's large military donations to Ukraine. Warsaw has already handed over more than 2 billion euros worth of weapons to Kiev, far exceeding expectations. This has changed the EU's calculations about how much it can cover financially. With a bank of 500 million euros, Brussels received requests for 600 million euros. That comes out to just under 85 percent. But with the 1.5 billion-euro bank, Brussels got about 3.3 billion euros, bringing that figure down to about 45 percent. Poland accounted for more than half of the total. Discussions about how to distribute the last 500 million euros have not yet officially begun. According to several diplomats, EU countries have long agreed to an 85 percent figure for the first tranche. Nevertheless, many diplomats said payments have not yet been made, although they said countries such as Slovakia have been promised quick reimbursements. Portugal is also considered first in line. EU diplomats also agreed to use some of the peacekeeping fund money to partially cover the cost of an EU training mission for Ukrainian soldiers. Foreign ministers are expected to sign the agreement at a meeting on Monday. A solution to the conflict in Ukraine can be found within a week, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with the US broadcaster NBC, on the sidelines of the CIS summit in Astana, Kazakhstan on Friday, BelTA reported. "It all depends on the US and the UK. If tomorrow you realize that we need to sit down at the negotiating table and find a solution, believe me, we will find a solution within a week," the head of the Belarusian state said. Lukashenko stressed that first of all it is necessary to stop the war and look for a way out, rather than talk how bad things are. "We know that things are bad. War is always bad," he said. Not long ago I said that the world is preoccupied with the problem right now, and is looking for an answer as to who is to blame. Look, let us figure it out later. People are dying every day. Let us stop the war and come to an agreement. And then we will look into who is right and who is wrong. I guess this is a normal formula. The Belarusian president said that the process of negotiations started, but then stopped. Zelenskyy [the president of Ukraine] was forbidden to negotiate. By whom? Three guesses who it was. Zelenskyy is not independent. They spread fake news about who is right and who is wrong, blame each other. This is not the right way out. Thousands of people are dying every day. Including innocent civilians. That is the truth. Let us stop this conflict, Aleksandr Lukashenko said. Morocco has joined the club of drone manufacturers thanks to a recent deal struck with Israel under which Morocco will produce Israeli combat drones. The Wall Street Journal reported that Morocco's Royal Armed Forces will build two factories to produce combat drones under Israeli supervision and expertise. This will allow the kingdom to produce advanced drones at a low cost compared to those it currently buys from China and Turkey. Under a military agreement signed last July between Morocco and Israel, Tel Aviv pledged to transfer drone production technology to Rabat. With Tel Aviv's support, these drones will be produced at a lower cost at two military bases in Morocco. According to Israeli military sources, the combat drones, which will be produced in Morocco within a few months, will enable surveillance missions, remote intelligence gathering and participation in combat operations. Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that Morocco has become the first African country to produce drones. Morocco has bought drones from several countries such as China, Turkey, France and Israel, creating a de facto fleet and possibly the most advanced in North Africa. But Rabat's ambitions are no longer limited to purchases; rather, it seeks to produce drones in Moroccan territories with Israel's help. Morocco and Israel resumed diplomatic relations in late 2020 as part of a trilateral agreement in which the US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, disputed by the Algerian-backed Frente Polisario. Israel and Morocco strengthened their military cooperation in talks held in Rabat in July by Aviv Kohavi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, with several senior officials in the kingdom. The pace of rapprochement between Morocco and Israel accelerated after the diplomatic normalization that took place in December 2020 as part of the Abrahamic Accords, which were negotiated between Israel and several Arab countries with the support of Washington. HK not afraid of competition with Singapore: Hui HK not afraid of competition with Singapore: Hui The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui, on Saturday brushed aside comparisons of upcoming fintech events being held by Hong Kong and Singapore, saying the SAR is not scared of competition. This year's Hong Kong FinTech Week, during which authorities are expected to unveil a policy statement on virtual assets, will take place both in person and online from October 31 to November 4. On an RTHK programme, the financial services minister said he expected some 20,000 participants to attend the forthcoming event. Asked about whether in-person attendees would be exempted from certain Covid measures, Hui said the scrapping of hotel quarantine, known as the "zero plus three" policy, had already provided convenience for overseas arrivals. On Singapore holding its own fintech festival in early November, the minister said Hong Kong is positioned differently from the city-state, because the SAR can both leverage support from the mainland and connect with the rest of the world. "We are not afraid of competition, we are just afraid of not living up to our expectations," Hui said. "Since our positioning is different, I am not worried of so-called competition, because competition will only alert and remind us to do better and be more hardworking. I think Singapore is more positioned towards Asia and other regions." He also said that in light of rising geopolitical tensions around the world, Hong Kong can serve as a market for diversification and decentralisation, adding that the territory's free capital flows remain a significant attraction. New Delhi [India], October 15 (ANI/PNN): VRISA by Rahul and Shikha is home to high-end Indie fashion inspired by ornate floral motifs, delicate chiffons with intricate handwork and all the beauty that anyone can ever imagine. This Jaipur-based ethnic fashion brand brings in a wear line with a perfect blend of modern designs and ethereal murals in the name "Char Chinar" and "Bagh-E-Gul". Featuring an array of embroidery styles that are perfected by the artisans of VRISA, each clothing item in the collection is a dream where flowers and ethnicity bloom. Fine running stitches conjure up to the lengths of the kurtas and gorgeous dupattas to give a glimpse of the timeless fashion that will be talked about for generations to come. The festive and wedding season in 2022 is going to give enough reasons to every fashion lover to walk in style every step of the way. From stylish embroidered skirts and jackets to handworked dupattas and churidar suit sets, VRISA has custom pieces for functions and parties in both bright and light shades. Exploring their other collections is also a delight for ethnic fashion lovers, including many celebrities. India's favourite diva Kareena Kapoor Khan dropped jaws in the outfit styled by VRISA for the Unicef Event help in Lucknow in 20161. Stealing the shows at the Lakme Fashion Week2 time and again, the brand contributes to revolutionizing the ethnic regality in India. Words from the Founders "Taking inspiration from diverse cultures and geographies, our team of artisans reimagine fashion onto flowy silhouettes- dresses, kaftans, kaftan shirts, tops and pants. We cultivate traditional styles keeping victorian aesthetics in mind, which is why we stick to using premium fabrics like chanderi, linen and silk in our statement pieces. Being completely stylish and comfortable, each clothing item from our collections stands to be the right choice for weddings and festivities. Thanks to our psychology of combining modern colour palettes with wonderful traditional prints and handwork." explains co-owner Shikha. After graduating from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, in 2002, Rahul partnered with Shikha in 2013 to bring VRISA to life. The label has been a favourite to several celebs, namely Kangana Ranaut, Aditi Rao Hydari, Deepika Padukone and Dia Mirza and makes impressive appearances on the prestigious fashion week circuits across the country. The founder duo, Rahul and Shikha Mangal, are known for having spectacular taste in ethnic fashion. They look beyond the mainstream to pare down their fashion quotient and sustainable mindset into traditional silhouettes. Whether it is about choosing outfits for intimate weddings or getting elevated looks for the festive season, this homegrown brand is ought to be on every celebrity and fashion lover's list. This story has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PNN) Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 15 (ANI/PRNewswire): Woxsen University, with a key focus on Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability, has initiated a new project termed as 'Rural Entrepreneurship' that aims to uplift the rural community surrounding Woxsen University. A team formed by Woxsen University students, faculty and non-academic staff led by Dr Bhairab Chandra, School of Business, initiated the project identifying key areas of concern in the local communities. Lack of knowledge on investment sourcing and difficulty in identification of training methods for their interests have been identified as major issues faced by local communities. After a detailed discussion between the Rural Entrepreneurship team and the rural community around Woxsen, the areas of interest among the community members have come to their attention. They include - Setting up a dairy farm, training to become a professional DJ, opening a General Store and more. As part of the project, the team has met with a widow who took up tailoring as her profession to run the house and feed her two children. With minimal resources she has, she is providing employment to 6-10 local girls by training them in tailoring with one sewing machine she has at her home. Although a few upgraded machines would make her work easy and can build a business to her, getting a bank loan isn't easy for them. Rural Entrepreneurship team also met the principal of Govt. High School Kamkole, from whom they have gathered data of meritorious students. As part of the project, these students are being trained at Woxsen University campus on the aspects of entrepreneurship, incubation and funding. Interestingly, various artistic features were identified among the members which led to a revision and re-orientation of the plan of action towards not just core entrepreneurship but artistic ventures as well. The upcoming sessions hosted on weekly basis, will be addressed to the age groups between 28 to 39 years old. Woxsen University, located in Hyderabad, is one of the first private universities of the state of Telangana, India. Renowned for its 200-acre state-of-the-art campus and infrastructure, Woxsen University offers new-age, disruptive programs in the fields of Business, Technology, Arts & Design, Architecture, Liberal Arts & Humanities. With 92+ Global Partner Universities and Strong Industry Connect, Woxsen is reckoned as one of the top universities for Academic Excellence and Global Edge. Woxsen is Ranked #13, All India Top 150 B-Schools by Times B-School Ranking 2022, Rank #16, All India Top Pvt. B-School, BusinessWorld 2021 and features in India's Best B-Schools beyond IIMs by Dalal Street Investment Journal. This story has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PRNewswire) Climate finance committed by major multilateral development banks rose by more than 24 per cent in 2021 compared to the previous year, according to the latest Joint Report on Multilateral Development Banks' Climate Finance, published on Friday. Climate finance typically refers to any financing that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. The 2021 total financing by MDBs already surpassed the 2025 climate finance goals set at the 2019 United Nations Secretary General's Climate Action Summit in New York, the Asian Development Bank said in a statement. The goals amount to an expected collective total of USD 50 billion for low- and middle-income economies, and at least USD 65 billion of climate finance globally. Multilateral development banks provided around USD 51 billion (62 per cent of overall MDB climate finance) in climate finance to low- and middle-income economies. Of this total, more than USD 33 billion (65 per cent) was for climate change mitigation and more than USD 17 billion (35 per cent) for climate change adaptation, the statement said. In addition, MDBs provided more than USD 31 billion (38 per cent of overall MDB climate finance) in climate finance to high-income economies, with USD 29 billion (95 per cent) for climate change mitigation and USD 1.6 billion (5 per cent) for climate change adaptation. "These increasing levels of climate commitments from ADB and our partner institutions underscores the importance of climate change as the global issue of our lifetime,'' said ADB Climate Envoy Warren Evans. "In Asia and the Pacific, we are uniquely vulnerable. Whether it's historic levels of flooding in Pakistan, devastating drought in the People's Republic of China, or cyclones in the Pacific, our region knows full well the ever-present impact of climate change. It's vital we continue to scale up this financing--for both mitigation and adaptation--to protect the lives and livelihoods of people in our region." The Joint Report on Multilateral Development Banks' Climate Finance is an annual collaboration to make the banks' climate finance figures public, together with a clear explanation of the methodologies for tracking this finance. The joint report, alongside the publication of climate finance statistics for each bank, is intended to track progress in relation to their climate finance targets, such as those announced around COP21, and the greater ambition pledged for the post-2020 period. Lastly, the statement said ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. (ANI) Private sector lender HDFC Bank on Saturday said its consolidated net profit surged by 22.3 per cent to Rs 11,125 crore for the July-September quarter of the current financial year led by strong growth in loan. The bank's consolidated advances grew by 22.8 per cent from Rs 1,249,331 crore as on September 30, 2021, to Rs 1,533,945 crore as on September 30, 2022. HDFC Bank's consolidated net profit for the half year ended September 30, 2022 was Rs 20,704 crore, up 21.7 per cent, over the half year ended September 30, 2021. On a standalone basis, HDFC Bank's profit before tax (PBT) for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 stood at Rs 14,152.0 crore. After providing Rs 3,546.3 crore for taxation, the Bank earned a net profit of Rs 10,605.8 crore, an increase of 20.1 per cent over the quarter ended September 30, 2021, according to data released by HDFC Bank after its board meeting on Saturday. The Board of Directors of HDFC Bank Limited approved the Bank's (Indian GAAP) results for the quarter and half year ended September 30, 2022, at its meeting held in Mumbai on Saturday. The Bank's core net revenue (excluding trading and Mark to Market losses), grew by 18.3 per cent to Rs 28,869.8 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 from Rs 24,409.7 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. The total net revenues (net interest income plus other income) were Rs 28,616.7 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Net interest income (interest earned less interest expended) for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 grew by 18.9 per cent to Rs 21,021.2 crore from Rs 17,684.4 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Core net interest margin was at 4.1 per cent on total assets, and 4.3 per cent based on interest earning assets. The four components of other income for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 were fees & commissions of Rs 5,802.9 crore (Rs 4,945.9 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year), foreign exchange & derivatives revenue of Rs 947.8 crore (Rs 867.3 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year), loss on sale/revaluation of investments of Rs 253.1 crore (gain of Rs 675.5 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year) and miscellaneous income, including recoveries and dividend, of Rs 1,097.9 crore (Rs 912.1 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year). Other income, excluding trading and Mark to Market losses, grew by 16.7 per cent over the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Operating expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 were Rs 11,224.6 crore, an increase of 21.0 per cent over Rs 9,277.9 crore during the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The cost-to-income ratio for the quarter was at 39.2 per cent. For the half year ended September 30, 2022, the Bank earned a total income of Rs 87,742.2 crore as against Rs 75,525.6 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Net revenues (net interest income plus other income) for the half year ended September 30, 2022 were Rs 54,486.4 crore, as against Rs 48,382.6 crore for the half year ended September 30, 2021. Net profit for the half year ended September 30, 2022 was Rs 19,801.8 crore, up by 19.5 per cent over the corresponding half year ended September 30, 2021. (ANI) Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], October 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a 'Maharatna' and a Fortune Global 500 Company, today announced the launch of EV Fast-Charging stations on two corridors in the southern region of India i.e. Bangalore-Chennai and Bangalore-Mysore-Coorg Highway, revealed at an event in Bangalore. The fast chargers follow the CCS-2 protocol and are strategically located at nine of its fuel stations with an approximate distance of 100 Km on both sides of the routes. BPCL plans to provide CCS-2 EV charging stations at its fuel pumps at periodic intervals on all major national highways connecting major cities and economic centres in the country. The Chennai-Trichy-Madurai highway was part of the first phase. The installation of 25 KW fast charger will enable customers to discover and charge their EVs in about 30 minutes to enjoy travel range of upto 125 Km along with the convenience of BPCL's user friendly payment mobile application HelloBPCL. The fast charger can be self-operated without any manual assistance, however support staff help will be available, if and when needed. P. S. Ravi, Executive Director Retail, S. Abbas Akhtar, Chief General Manager (PR & Brand), Subhankar Sen (Retail Initiatives & Brand) and Pushp Nayar, Head Retail (South) addressed the press conference. Speaking at the launch of the EV Fast-Charging Corridors, P.S. Ravi, Executive Director In-charge (Retail), BPCL said, "The growth of Indian electric vehicle market has been significant over the years and the launch of our EV Fast-Charging Corridors on the Bangalore-Chennai Highway and Bangalore-Mysore-Coorg Highway is aligned with India's EV dream of transitioning to cleaner alternatives. Our leading edge in providing "superior" solution and experiences will serve our EV customers along the two new corridors and will provide a Pure for Sure experience in this exciting journey of electric mobility." With the announcement of the launch, BPCL aims at accelerating its focus on new business segments and converting its 7,000 conventional Retail Outlets into Energy Stations providing multiple fueling options, which will also include EV charging facility, in the medium to long term. The Bharat Petroleum fuel stations offer the consumers with added convenience of clean and hygienic washrooms, cash withdrawals, safe and secure parking while charging, free digital air facility, 24 hour operations and much more. Select fuel stations also offer Nitrogen filling facility. Several of Bharat Petroleum's highway fuel stations also offer hygienic food through its strategic alliances with leading brands such as McDonald's, A2B, Cube Stop, Cafe Coffee Day and other local outlets. Bharat Petroleum has also planned to roll out its chain of In & Out convenience stores at key fuel stations on highways for added convenience to its customers. Fortune Global 500 Company, Bharat Petroleum is the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the premier integrated energy companies in India, engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with a significant presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company attained the coveted Maharatna status, joining the elite club of companies having greater operational & financial autonomy. Bharat Petroleum's Refineries at Mumbai and Kochi and Bina at Madhya Pradesh have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, energy stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors. Its distribution network comprises over 20,000 Energy Stations, over 6,200 LPG distributorships, 733 Lubes distributorships, and 123 POL storage locations, 54 LPG Bottling Plants, 60 Aviation Service Stations, 4 Lube blending plants and 4 cross-country pipelines. Bharat Petroleum is integrating its strategy, investments, environmental and social ambitions to move towards a sustainable planet. The company has chalked out the plan to offer electric vehicle charging stations at around 7000 energy stations over next 5 years. With a focus on sustainable solutions, the company is developing a vibrant ecosystem and a road-map to become a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Bharat Petroleum has been partnering communities by supporting innumerable initiatives connected primarily in the areas of education, water conservation, skill development, health, community development, capacity building and employee volunteering. With 'Energising Lives' as its core purpose, Bharat Petroleum's vision is to be the most admired global energy company leveraging talent, innovation & technology. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in a discussion on a paper titled "Learning Losses: What to do about the Heavy Cost of COVID on Children, Youth, and Future Productivity" during Development Committee Dinner meeting of World Bank in Washington DC. Sitharaman is on an official visit to the US till October 16 In her opening remarks, the finance minister said that every participating nation agrees that an unrelenting focus on learning recovery and skill improvement is a must in the wake of Covid-19-led school closures. Sharing her India-specific experience, Sitharaman shared two steps that India has undertaken with respect to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the loss of learning. In November 2021, India conducted the National Achievement Survey (NAS), covering 3.4 million students of grades III, V, VII and X, to evaluate learning competencies. It showed national average performance had dropped to 9 per cent as compared to NAS 2017 for comparable grades. In March 2022, India undertook a National Foundation Learning Study for grade III students. It was the world's largest sample for one-on-one assessment and the first time ever that numeracy and comprehension benchmarks based on the Global proficiency Framework in 20 languages were used as a medium of instruction in India. The Finance Minister, citing the two studies, emphasised these efforts provide not only an authentic assessment of the magnitude of the problem but also drive evidence-based planning for systemic interventions. The Finance Minister shared these examples with the World Bank so that they can be shared this experience with other countries. The Finance Minister stated further that India's digital platform, DIKSHA, which has been identified as one of the 12 Digital Global Goods by India, is now in the public domain. Last year, Sitharaman said India became the first country in the world to provide QR-coded textbooks to elementary school children through this platform. The Finance Minister also offered DIKSHA to all interested countries and stated the world Bank can consider this opportunity to scale up digital education globally. The Finance Minister further stated that India had uploaded the draft National Education Policy based on a 5-year highly participative and multi-pronged consultations. As the Policy was released in July 2020, it was informed by the impact of a pandemic on education and forms the basis for a new National Curriculum Framework. Further, Sitharaman said that such a highly participative consultation process has generated huge interest in quality learning, the need for foundational skills, the better quality of teaching and learning resources, and skill-based education for every learner. India recently launched the Vidyanjali 2.0 online platform to connect volunteers directly with schools of their choice and help expedite learning recovery. Sitharaman was pleased to observe that a reference in the paper to India's GOAL programme, is helping to implement a technology-enabled remedial programme for building foundational skills. The Finance Minister noted that the paper also references, as a good practice, India's "Teach at the Right Level" initiative where children are divided into instructional groups based on learning needs, rather than age or grade. Sitharaman informed the participants that India has also introduced an Alternative Academic Calendar containing a week-wise plan covering syllabus-based learning outcomes. Similarly, to equip teachers India has launched an Integrated Teacher training programme NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers for Holistic Advancement). In her concluding address, Sitharaman exhorted the World Bank should use its knowledge power to help countries draw up a Learning Loss Recovery Action Plan in order to avert the prospect of a lost generation, cumulative future economic losses due to lower productivity, earnings and of heightened social unrest. (ANI) Akasa Air B737-800 aircraft VT-YAE operating flight AKJ1103 (Mumbai-Bangalore) was involved in Air turnback due to a burning smell felt in the cabin. The smell increased as the thrust increased. However, no other abnormality including in engine parameters was observed. After landing during the inspection, bird remains were found on No.1 Engine. The burning smell was due to bird strike, the DGCA said in a statement. According to a company's spokesperson, the affected flight safely returned back to Mumbai. Akasa Air flight QP 1103 flying from Mumbai to Bengaluru on October 14 diverted back to Mumbai due to odour in the cabin resulting from a bird hit. The aircraft landed safely in Mumbai and all passengers were deboarded, Akasa Air spokesperson said. The aircraft was positioned for a detailed inspection. Our customer service team assisted passengers and arrangements were made to accommodate their journeys. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers, the spokesperson said. "At Akasa Air, passenger comfort and safety is our highest priority and our crew followed all protocols as per our operating procedures," the spokesperson added. (ANI) The Indian Army has signed agreements with 11 banks including the private sector banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank for providing banking facilities to Agniveers on enrolment, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday. The MoUs were signed by Lt Gen V Sreehari, DG (MP & PS) and senior officials of Banks in a ceremony presided over by Lt Gen C Bansi Ponappa, the Adjutant General of the Indian Army on 14 October 2022, the ministry said. Eleven banks with which the Indian Army has signed the agreement include State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank and Bandhan Bank. The features and benefits offered under Agniveer Salary Package are similar to the Defence Salary Package. In addition, the banks have offered soft loans to exiting Agniveers to promote and enhance their entrepreneurial skills. The first batch of Agniveers under "Agnipath Scheme" will be joining Training Centres by January 2023, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. This is a major defence policy reform introduced by the Government to usher in a new era in the human resource policy of the Army, Air Force and Navy. The policy, which comes into immediate effect, will hereafter govern the recruitment of personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in the three services, according to the Ministry of Defence. The Agniveers will form a distinct rank in the three services, and will also wear a distinct insignia as part of their uniform. AGNIPATH scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of four years. Soldiers who are recruited under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.The AGNIPATH Scheme has been designed to enable a youthful profile of the Armed Forces and provide a fresh lease of 'Josh' and 'Jazba' whilst at the same time bring about a transformational shift towards a more tech-savvy Armed Forces - which is indeed the need of the hour, the defence ministry highlighted. It is envisaged that the average age profile of the Indian Armed forces would come down by about 4-5 years with the implementation of this scheme. Agniveers will receive Rs 33,000 in the second year, Rs 36,500 in the third year and Rs 40,000 in the fourth year. They will get Rs 11.71 lakh as Seva Nidhi Package after four years. The 'Seva Nidhi' will be exempt from Income Tax. There shall be no entitlement to gratuity and pensionary benefits. Agniveers will be provided non-contributory Life Insurance Cover of Rs 48 lakh for the duration of their engagement period in the Indian Armed Forces. During this period of service to the nation, the Agniveers will be imparted with various military skills and experience, discipline, physical fitness, leadership qualities, courage and patriotism.The skills gained by each Agniveer will be recognised in a certificate to form part of his unique resume.(ANI) Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], October 15 (ANI/GPRC): Vaibhav Global Limited, in collaboration with Manipal University (Jaipur), Atal Incubation Centre (AIC), and Niti Aayog, conducted an innovation series- 'Hackademic'- a platform for talented engineering students across India to showcase their innovative product ideas. The event started in May 2022 and proceeded through different qualifying stages. The response was commendable and encouraging. This initiative has provided students with an opportunity to experience a complete product development lifecycle from ideation to commercialization. This is our first step towards building an 'industry-academic collaboration' and encouraging young innovators across the country. We received 155 entries from 48 universities all over India, including IITs, and NITs. Post clearing the 'Prototype Development' and 'Prototype Implementation' stages, we shortlisted top 5 finalists as follows. The best-adjudged ideas were rewarded with cash prizes and gift hampers. "The end goal of this tech event is to bring together innovative aspirants from many backgrounds to create a commercially viable solution. The budding innovators who participated in this event were extremely driven to achieve their visions. The results were impressive and provided an excellent example of what is possible when the young minds were trying to solve a challenge. In conclusion, as we wrap up our 'Hackademic' we will be back again the next year keeping up with the same momentum to empower budding innovators," says Kulathendral, Chief Innovation Officer, Vaibhav Global Limited. A Glimpse of today's event: Vaibhav Global Limited (VGL) is listed on stock exchanges in India (BSE: 532156, NSE: VAIBHAVGBL, ISIN - INE884A01027). VGL is an omni-channel E-tailer of fashion jewellery, accessories, and lifestyle products in developed markets with direct access to ~127 million households (FTE) through its TV home shopping networks - Shop LC in US, Shop TJC in UK and Shop LC in Germany. The Company's ecommerce websites www.shoplc.com in the US, www.tjc.co.uk in the UK and www.shoplc.de in Germany, complement TV coverage and diversify customer engagement. Our SEZ Unit in Jaipur is LEED Platinum Certified which reassures our commitment of employing sustainable business practices. We are also a 'Great Place To Work' certified organization across India, US, UK, and Greater China. Our 2 manufacturing units of India and 2 US' facilities are operating on renewable energy sources. The Company is committed to 'Delivering Joy' to all the stakeholders. Through its flagship One for One Program now "Your Purchase Feeds..." where a meal is provided for every piece sold at the retail channels, the Company has provided over 69 million meals in US, UK and India since program's inception with a current run rate of ~50k meals being donated every single school day. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this document may be forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties like government actions, local political or economic developments, technological risks, and many other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. Vaibhav Global Ltd. will not be in any way responsible for any action taken based on such statements and undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. This story is provided by GPRC. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/GPRC) Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): Just after India's oldest law firm Fox Mandal split earlier this year, Som Mandal, Managing Partner of Fox Mandal (FM) has been challenged by way of a writ petition before the Calcutta high court the action of the Trademark Registry allowing Debanjan Mandal, the partner of the Fox & Mandal for getting the brand name Fox & Mandal registered in the name of himself and the other partners Arun Mandal and Ashok Dhar, while fraudulently dropping the name of partner late Dinabandhu Mandal without seeking the permission of Som Mandal, who is the legal heir of Dinabandhu Mandal. This is to be noted that Fox & Mandal has been the name of the firm's office in Kolkata only until the split. Actually, the renowned lawyer and the father of Som Mandal, late Dinabandhu Mandal was the senior partner of Fox & Mandal and one of the Co-owner of the Brand Fox & Mandal. Som Mandal had registered the name "FoxMandal" and the logo "FM" which was designed by him and he made the firm well known not only in India but around the world mainly through his efforts. Late Dinabandu Mandal and four other partners of the Kolkata office applied in 2006 for the registration of the Mark "Fox & Mandal", however the same was not allowed by the Trademark Registry as there existed the Mark 'FoxMandal' owned by Som Mandal earlier. The Trade Mark registry asked Late Dinabandhu Mandal and other applicants to get 'No Objection' from Som Mandal. Since the application for Fox & Mandal was moved by Late Dinabandhu Mandal, Som Mandal as his son issued 'No Objection'. More so because the family understanding was 'Fox & Mandal' will only operate in Kolkata. The Trade Mark registry while registering the Mark "Fox & Mandal" endorsed it as an Associate Mark of "Fox Mandal" owned by Som Mandal. Again in 2019 "Fox & Mandal" through late Dinabandhu Mandal applied for registration in slightly different font and also addition of the words "Solicitors & Advocate" and the same was in turn registered but endorsed with the word "Associated" with the earlier "Fox & Mandal" Mark. Fox Mandal as a brand is registered with Som Mandal way back in 2002. Som Mandal is renowned for his legal acumen and wide affiliations with legal bodies across the globe. His is a name immediately recognised amongst top lawyers around the world and is a synonym with the firm FoxMandal. Dinabandhu Mandal passed away 2 years back and Debanjan and other partners of Fox & Mandal was running the firm Fox & Mandal in Kolkata without making any changes in the Trade Mark Registry. Suddenly around April 2022, Debanjan Mandal made a deal with other partners of "Fox Mandal" and without informing Som Mandal filed for changing the ownership of the Trade Mark "Fox & Mandal" only in the name of Debanjan Mandal, Arun Kumar Mandal and Ashoke Kumar Dhar without taking any consent of Som Mandal who is not only one of the legal heir of Late Dinabandhu Mandal but also the main owner of the mark "Fox Mandal" which is the Mark "Fox & Mandal" is associated as per Trademark Registry. Som Mandal, Managing Partner of Fox Mandal said, "My father late Dinabandhu Mandal was one among the five owners of the name Fox & Mandal and so legally speaking they can't drop his name without my permission, but they did it in collusion with trademark authority and they did it very fast." There is a procedure for change in ownership of trademark as per Trade Mark Act and Rules there under, according to which there is a requirement to give 30 days Notice for objections and also for the new owner to get no objections from the legal heirs of the deceased owner. The petition of Som Mandal contended that the Trade Mark Registry did not follow that procedure and transferred the ownership fraudently to Debanjan Mandal and two others in 6 days. Som Mandal has also alleged in his Writ Petition that the Trade Mark Registry did all this very fraudulently, hands in gloves with the applicants and removed his father's name and allowed Debanjan and other two applicant to usurpe the ownership of Fox & Mandal only to themselves. A legal luminary late Dinabandhu Mandal is known for handling important cases including acting for Jit Paul at the time of Emergency and then the famous Sanchita Case and NYK zip case among others. In his extensive legal career, he handled several cases for Indian Oil Corporation, Coal India, and other public sector undertakings, besides Bank of Tokyo, Okura, Nisho Iwai. A disappointed Som Mandal said, "The main question is that if Debanjan Mandal can do this with his own family, how can his clients trust him looking at that he is representing Lodha, Govt of West Bengal and so many other important clients." This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 15 (ANI/NewsVoir): Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the largest gold and diamond retail chains in the country, launched the construction of Malabar Gems & Jewellery Manufacturing unit in Telangana with a foundation stone laying ceremony. The facility is set to become the largest jewellery manufacturing unit of the group. K T Rama Rao, Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Industries, IT, Electronics and Communication, Govt of Telangana laid the foundation stone of the manufacturing facility on October 15, 2022. The ceremony took place in the august presence of Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries, Commerce & Information Technology (IT), Govt of Telangana and Ahammed M P, Chairman, Malabar Group of Companies, Abdul Salam KP, Vice Chairman, Malabar Group of Companies, O Asher, Managing Director, India Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Nishad AK, Group Executive Director, Manufacturing & B2B, Malabar Group of Companies. P.K. Siraj, Retail Operations Head (Rest of India), Malabar Gold & Diamonds and other distinguished guests. Located at General Park, Maheshwaram in Rangareddy District and spread over 3.7 acre, the manufacturing facility is slated to be operational soon. It will have the capacity to manufacture 10 tonnes gold jewellery and 1.5 lakh carats of diamond jewellery annually. It will also house a state-of-the-art gold refinery facility with an annual gold refining capacity of 180 tonnes. The manufacturing facility will manufacture a diverse range of jewellery including gold, diamonds, precious gemstones, platinum and uncut diamonds. The facility is equipped with CNC machining, latest technology-enabled chain-making machines and laser cut machines in collaboration with industry experts from Italy, USA & Germany. The establishment of the facility is in line with the expansion plan announced earlier as part of its FY 2022-23 strategy The General Park manufacturing facility which will be built on 2.3 lakh sq. ft. area will have a full-fledged skill development centre, design studio and R&D centre along with accommodation facility for the employees. It will also have an automated warehousing facility. The facility will have 33 per cent green space provision and will adhere to environmentally sustainable norms with a focus on limiting carbon footprint. Malabar Gold & Diamonds will invest Rs 750 crore to set up the manufacturing facility and a refinery in Telangana. The facility is expected to generate about 2750 jobs. Keeping in line with the brand's outlook as a responsible jeweller, the facility has been designed to provide safe and pleasant working conditions to the employees. Malabar Gold has 17 retail showrooms in Telangana employing more than 1000 people. The company has plans to further expand its retail presence in Telangana. The General Park facility will majorly support the domestic and global expansion plan of the group. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has plans to launch 97 showrooms - 60 across India and 37 overseas in FY23. The goal is to take the showroom tally to 373 by March 2023 with a robust presence in 13 countries. The expansion plan is in line with Malabar Gold & Diamonds' aim to become the world's largest retailer with a 2.5 times growth in revenue to over Rs 75,000 crore by FY25. Commenting on the foundation stone laying ceremony, Malabar Group Chairman Ahammed MP said, "The soon-to-be operational manufacturing unit in Telangana will further strengthen our manufacturing capabilities apart from our retail expansion drive. We are grateful to the Government of Telangana for extending all possible support in quick succession to help us set up the manufacturing unit in Maheshwaram. We are also thankful for their august presence during the foundation stone laying ceremony. We have a major investment plan lined up for the state. The manufacturing unit in the state will further bolster our mission - "Make in India, Market to the World"." Malabar Gold & Diamonds presently has more than 280 showrooms spanning 10 countries - India, the GCC (the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia), Malaysia, Singapore and the US. Expansion is in progress to Australia, UK, Bangladesh, Egypt, South Africa and Canada. Despite being a privately held company, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has a large investor base of over 4,000 and of them, over 400 are its own employees. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has 5 manufacturing units in Qatar, Dubai, Sharjah and Bahrain and 9 in India at Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Kozhikode and Thrissur. Malabar Group has also recently forayed into responsibly sourced gold bullion trade and its gold bars are available for jewellery manufacturers, small gold traders and retail investors desiring to invest in physical gold for purchase. It has launched 'One India One Gold Rate' to offer gold jewellery at a uniform price across the country. Apart from being a successful business entity, Malabar group has always been in the forefront of social responsibility initiatives from its inception and has a stated policy of earmarking 5 per cent of its annual profit for activities that benefit society. Today, the focus areas of these ESG activities is in the fields of health, education, housing, environmental conservation and women empowerment. This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/NewsVoir) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appreciated the efforts of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the country's development and urged it to develop a vision for 2042 when CSIR turns 100 years old. PM Modi chaired the meeting of the CSIR Society at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Saturday. The Prime Minister, who is also the president of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, highlighted the significance of documenting the journey of the CSIR in the past 80 years. Union Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, who is the Vice President of CSIR, and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal were present at the meeting along with other CSIR Society members including eminent scientists, industrialists and secretaries of scientific and other ministries in the government. During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised that for technology to reach the common man, an integrated approach of scientific, commercial and social components must be pursued. He asked the leaders of the scientific community to adopt a one-person one-lab approach to help boost scientific research and development through such a focused approach. He also suggested that a virtual summit of all labs can be held regularly in which they can learn new things from each other's experience, a Ministry of Science and Technology release said. The Prime Minister called upon the scientific community to come up with technological solutions to increase protein content in cereals and new varieties of millets to improve the yield and also nutritional content. He asked scientists to develop a catalogue of high nutritional value of indigenous food products, which will help enhance their global acceptability. PM Modi called upon the industry and academic and research organizations to work seamlessly with greater integration and focus on addressing India's energy needs and also foster circular economy and develop economically viable solutions towards sustainable development. The Prime Minister called for India to develop technologies not only for India but for the world and pursue novel approaches for addressing energy needs focusing on Green energy. He highlighted the need to use scientific approach and technology such as AI in various fields ranging from traditional knowledge to mapping students to their interests, skill sets and competencies which will make them better suited to meet the demands of future India and the world as the country moves towards Vision 2047 with the aim of India becoming a global leader. Earlier, in his opening remarks, Jitendra Singh highlighted that this year CSIR has completed 80 years just around the time when India celebrated 75 years of independence and the two have traversed the journey together. He emphasised for integration, synergy and "de-siloising" industry, academia and research". DG-CSIR N Kalaiselvi made a presentation on the recent achievements and contribution of CSIR and highlighted the recent efforts on India's first hydrogen fuel cell bus, ushering in purple revolution in Jammu and Kashmir and opening of TKDL library to spur innovation based on India's rich traditional knowledge. The preparedness for future pandemics through mRNA platform technology, nurturing young scientific leaders, and sustainable start-ups and reaching out to the school students through Jigyasa virtual lab were some of the other major initiatives that were highlighted by DG-CSIR. She also presented the road map of CSIR Vision 2030 which is aligned to national ambitions and vision@2047. (ANI) Taking to Instagram, Rajev shared the news with his fans and followers on Instagram. However, he neither revealed his wife's face nor her name. He dropped a picture from the wedding ceremony where the bride had her back to the camera as Rajev stood in front of her. "They say once bitten twice shy...But still..It's worth a try...Once again...all the vows...the rituals...Itne saare log shaadi kar rahe hai..Koi Karwa Chauth mana raha hai...Well...now it's time..Happiness for all," Rajev captioned the post. As soon as Rajev revealed his wedding news, netizens chimed in the comment section to congratulate him. "Bohot bohot badhaiyan," a social media user commented. "Many congratulations to both. God bless," another one wrote. Rajev chose to wear a golden sherwani for the special occasion, and his wife was dressed in a matching ivory lehanga. Rajev was married to actress Delnaaz Irani for 14 years before their separation in 2010 and subsequent divorce in 2012. His wedding news comes weeks after Delnaaz's boyfriend, DJ Percy Karkaria asked her to "get old with him". (ANI) Film-maker Jeff Barnaby passed away at the age of 46, following a year-long battle with cancer in Montreal. According to Variety, the 46-year-old, born and raised in Listuguj, a Mi'gmaq hamlet, is generally hailed for revolutionising Indigenous cinema by incorporating aspects of magical realism, body horror, and sci-fi. According to a release quoted in Variety, announcing Barnaby's passing, he is remembered as a passionate filmmaker who loved music and often created the soundtracks to his films on the fly with whatever instruments were required. He was uncompromising in his stance on Indigenous identity and storytelling and was a valued member of the film community for his authenticity and honesty. "In Mi'gmaq the word for ancestor and parent is the same thing, ungi'gul. Your language, your land, and your elders are time capsules as much as they are cultural touchstones," Barnaby recently wrote, as per the release mentioned in a Variety report. "As an Indigenous person, you exist to move your culture forward from the past into the present to ensure its survival for the future. And whereas the inherited trauma can inform the theme, experiencing time as a singularity affects structure, the indigenous narrative exists all at once because we are living, breathing history." Barnaby was inspired by sci-fi and horror movies growing up, including "Rabid" by David Cronenberg, "Leolo" by Quebec, "Bladerunner," and "Predator." The documentary "Incident at Restigouche" by Alanis Obomoswain, which details the Quebec Provincial Police's attack on a reserve, also had a significant impact on him. When Barnaby was four years old, the movie was filmed on his native reserve. After graduating from Concordia University's Cinema Program, Barnaby attended Dawson College in Montreal. 'Rhymes for Young Ghouls,' the filmmaker's debut feature, came out in 2013. Starring Glen Gould, Devery Jacobs, Brandon Oakes, and Roseanne Supernault, the revenge tale took place on the fictitious Red Crow reservation. It addressed the horrific circumstances behind Canada's system of residential schools, about which new information is continuously being revealed throughout the nation. Blood Quantum, Barnaby's 2019 film that criticises colonialism, was 12 years in the making. It described a post-apocalyptic scenario in which Native Americans survived a zombie apocalypse. Seven Canadian Screen Awards were given to the movie, including one that Barnaby personally earned for Achievement in Editing. In addition, he was a nominee for best original screenplay. According to Variety, Barnaby is survived by his wife, Sarah Del Seronde, and his son Miles. (ANI) Actor Robbie Coltrane, best known for playing Hogwarts gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid in 'Harry Potter' films passed away on Friday at the age of 72. According to the reports of Deadline, Robbie died in a hospital near his home in Larbert, Scotland. The award-winning actor had been suffering from ill health for the past two years.Robbie was born on March 30, 1950, in Glasgow, Scotland as the son of a doctor and teacher. After graduating from Glasgow Art School, he continued his studies in art at Moray House College of Education in Edinburgh, The Hollywood Reporter reported. As per the reports of The Hollywood Reporter, earlier this year, the cast reunited for the HBO Max reunion special, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. Coltrane grew emotional while he reminisced about his time filming the series. In the special, Coltrane tearfully said that despite the franchise's conclusion marking "an end of an era," they will continue to live on in generations to come. "The legacy of the movies is that my children will show them to their children so you could be watching in 50 years' times, easy -- I'll not be here, sadly, but Hagrid will," he said. Following his demise, the star cast of 'Harry Potter' is mourning the death of Robbie Coltrane. As per the reports of The Hollywood Reporter, Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter alongside Coltrane's Hagrid, said in a statement, "Robbie was one of the funniest people I've met and used to keep us constantly laughing as kids on the set. I've especially fond memories of him keeping our spirits up on Prisoner of Azkaban when we were all hiding from the torrential rain for hours in Hagrid's hut and he was telling stories and cracking jokes to keep morale up. I feel fortunate that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he's passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man." Emma Watson, who portrayed the role of Hermoine Granger in Potter said in a statement shared on her Instagram story, "Robbie was like the most fun uncle I've ever had, but most of all, he was deeply caring and compassionate towards me as a child and an adult. His talent was so immense that it made sense he played a giant -- he could fill ANY space with his brilliance. Robbie, if I ever get to be so kind as you were to me on a film set I promise I'll do it in your name and memory. Know how much I adore and admire you. I'll really miss your sweetness, your nicknames, your warmth, your laughs, and your hugs. You made us a family. Know you were that to us. There was no better Hagrid. You made it a joy to be Hermoine." Tom Felton, who portrayed the role of Draco Malfoy, also took to Instagram to pay tribute to Coltrane. In a caption alongside a photo of Coltrane, Radcliffe, Watson and himself, Felton said, "One of my fondest memories of filming Harry Potter was a night shoot on the first film in the forbidden forest. I was 12. Robbie cared & looked after everyone around of him. Effortlessly. And made them laugh. Effortlessly. He was a big friendly giant on screen but even more so In real life. Love you mate - thank you for everything xx." https://www.instagram.com/p/CjtRfQgLu7a/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b01ab195-519a-40c6-b402-9575bf8df19a James Phelps, who played Fred Weasley in the Potter films, said, "I will miss the random chats about all subjects under the sun. And I'll never forget in September 2000, Robbie Coltrane came over to a very nervous 14yr old me on my 1st every day a movie set and said 'Enjoy it, you'll be great.' Thank you for that." https://twitter.com/James_Phelps/status/1580974964051947520 Meanwhile, James' twin Oliver Phelps, who starred as George Weasley, took to Twitter to reflect on the London premiere of the first Potter film: "November 2001 - Leicester Square, London. 'Soak this in lads, it's like a Rolls-Royce for your first car'! Robbie [Coltrane] when he was next to me on the red carpet of the first HP premiere. Over the years we had some great chats about history and travel. Rest in peace Robbie x." https://twitter.com/OliverPhelps/status/1580984187259342848 Matthew Lewis, who portrayed the role of Neville Longbottom, described Coltrane as someone who "always made you smile." He shared, "Robbie. Bobser. He called me Space Boy. We shared a love of the final frontier. He didn't give a fuck and it always made you smile. A giant, in more ways than one. We had some times x." https://twitter.com/Mattdavelewis/status/1580979884653887489 "Heartbroken by the passing of Robbie Coltrane. Hagrid was my favourite character! Robbie portrayed Hagrid's warmth, sense of home and unconditional love for his students and magical creatures so brilliantly," Bonnie Wright, who portrayed Ginny Weasley, wrote on Instagram. "Robbie always treated me and my fellow cast mates when we were wee kids like equal professionals on a film set. A type of attitude that instilled confidence and a sense of togetherness. Thanks for all the laughter. Miss you Robbie. Sending love to your family. Rest In Peace." https://www.instagram.com/p/CjtFVbopoEL/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f24b402e-f884-439a-bdbe-b15776e52888 "The richest, mightiest and most mischievous laughter on set was all big Robbie's fault," wrote David Thewlis, who played Remus Lupin, on Instagram while sharing a photo of Coltrane. "You are forever loved, dear man, and will be sorely missed." https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjs9jLAsR0_/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=b8ff4927-5dd3-4463-ba54-652095257836 Warwick Davis, who portrayed the role of Filius Flitwick, shared, "I was saddened to learn that fellow #HarryPotter cast member, Robbie Coltrane died today. Always jovial, he brought warmth, light and laughter to any set he walked on to. RIP Robbie, Beloved Giant of comedy.x" While Coltrane will forever be known to millions as Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' movies, he was also a member of the James Bond franchise, having appeared in 1995's 'GoldenEye' and 1999's 'The World Is Not Enough'.Most recently, Coltrane returned to his 'Harry Potter' roots and appeared in HBO Max's 20th-anniversary Return to Hogwarts' reunion special along with Radcliffe and other stars like Emma Watson and Rupert Grint among others from the cast, as per Variety. (ANI) American actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson might possibly be taking the stand in the sex crimes trial of disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein in Los Angeles. According to Deadline, in a motion hearing at the Criminal Courts building in LA, Weinstein's lawyer and the Country District Attorney's office argued whether in the upcoming trial Gibson should testify as a corroborating witness for Jane Doe No. 3. In an interview on May 18, 2021Gibson said that when he was getting a massage from Jane Doe #3, he noticed that when he mentioned "Harvey," the woman began to cry. The initial response and more gave Gibson the idea that Weinstein had sexually assaulted or groped her. According to court documents, this alleged assault by Weinstein occurred at a hotel in LA County in 2010, reported Deadline. On Friday, Weinstein's lawyer Mark Werksman unsuccessfully argued that Gibson did not like Weinstein and thus should not be allowed to testify. Even though Judge Lisa Lench will allow Gibson to take the stand in the high-profile trial, that does not mean that he necessarily will. As per Deadline, in cases like this, it is common that there are more witnesses on the list than are actually called, no matter how much star power they have. Back in February 2020, the producer was found guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree illegal sexual act. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison in a verdict hailed by the #MeToo movement. Prosecutors charged Weinstein with four counts of forcible rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, two counts of sexual battery, and one count of sexual penetration by force. (ANI) A call threatening to blow up the State Bank of India office in Mumbai's Nariman Point and kill the bank chairman was received at the branch, police said on Friday. The caller introduced himself as MD Jia-Ul-Alim and claimed that he was speaking from Pakistan. He demanded a loan from the bank and threatened to kidnap the chairman of the bank and kill him if he was denied the loan. He also said that he would blow up the bank if he is not granted the loan. "An unidentified person called up on the landline of the Nariman Point branch of SBI on October 13 at around 11 am and threatened. The caller called himself as MD Jia-Ul-Alim and said that he is speaking from Pakistan and that if he is not granted a loan at the earliest, he will kidnap the chairman of SBI and kill him. He also threatened to blow up the SBI office," said a Mumbai Police official. On the receipt of the call, a complaint was filed at Marine Drive Police Station, following which the police registered a case against an unidentified person. Based on the complaint of the bank, Marine Drive police have registered a case against an unidentified person under section 506(2) of IPC and started an investigation. (ANI) To review the combat readiness of the fleet in a multi-threat scenario, Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, embarked ships of the Western Fleet off the west coast of India on Friday. Over 20 Indian Naval warships, six submarines, and a variety of aircraft participated in the exercise. This day and night tactical exercise included extensive weapon and integration drills and target engagements in all three dimensions and was held between October 11 to 13, 2022. "During the high tempo operations, the Commander-in-Chief also witnessed anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine engagements, muti-ship underway replenishments, Boarding Operations/VBSS, under rigorous operational situations. The ability of the Western Fleet to monitor the entire Area of Responsibility (AoR) of the WNC through network centric capabilities was also proven effectively," stated in a release. "The anti-submarine operations included deployment of active and passive arrays for detection of submarines by ships; ASW capable P8I aircraft and shipborne helicopters; which culminated in torpedo firing," stated further. The exercise also demonstrated the operational capability and readiness of the largest air station of the Indian Navy- INS Hansa, to undertake 24x7 operations in support of the Fleet. Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I, Dornier and IL-38, HALE UAV Sea-Guardian, Integral helicopters Sea King, Kamov 31, ALH and Chetak, and fighter aircraft MiG 29 K of the Indian Navy and SU 30 of the Indian Air Force contributed effectively towards surveillance and combat operations It was further stated that the gun, missile and torpedo firings were solely focused on, Indian Navy's objective of "Ordnance on Target". The missile, torpedo and gun firings by ships were against high-speed air /surface/ subsurface targets in a realistic tactical scenario to establish the Area and Point Defence capabilities of the Navy. In addition submarines undertook torpedo firings. The pinpoint accuracy, seamless and safe execution of these firings showcased the lethality and effectiveness of Indian Navy's arsenal and weapon systems, reflecting a high standard of combat readiness. The C-in-C complimented the Western Fleet, INS Hansa and the maritime element of the Indian Air Force for the readiness to accomplish the concept of operations as envisaged by the Indian Navy and contribute towards maritime security of the nation. The ships at sea were under the tactical command of Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. (ANI) According to the police, the accused prisoners were identified as Jenet (Nigerian national) and Prishala (Ghana national). As per sub-divisional police officer, Mapusa Jivba Dalvi, the incident took place on Friday at around 10.30 am in the Central jail. "The police have registered an offence under section 353, 323 R/w 34 IPC," said an official. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI) Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao has reacted sharply to the Rs 22,000 crore one-time grant approved by the Union Cabinet for three oil marketing companies (OMCs) and demanded similar package or subsidy to gas users who are bearing a heavy financial burden. Rama Rao, who is also state Industries and Commerce Minister, questioned why special packages are not offered to women who are burdened with financial distress as subsidy on gas cylinders has been scrapped and its prices have increased. Noting that the price of a gas cylinder was Rs 400 before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister but the price has now gone up to Rs 1,100, he said that PM Modi has positioned himself as a Vishwa Guru in terms of the cylinder prices as they are the highest in the world. The TRS recalled that Modi had questioned the then PM when the price of a gas cylinder was Rs 400, and asked what answers he has now for the nation. He said that the Central government offered a subsidy of Rs 827 on each cylinder in 2014, which was brought down to zero by the Modi government. The TRS leader said that the BJP government is insensitive towards the middle class whose savings plummeted in the past two years because of Covid-19 and lockdown. The BJP government has shifted the burden of Rs 42,000 crore subsidies of last year on 39 crore gas connection holders, he said. KTR asked people to choose if they want Modi or subsidies. He questioned why aren't problems faced by women addressed when oil companies issues are being resolved. The TRS Working President called on women who constitute half of the nation's population to take a firm decision not to bear anymore atrocities inflicted by the BJP, and said that its downfall should start from the kitchens of poor and middle class women. --IANS ms/vd ( 329 Words) 2022-10-14-22:56:02 (IANS) Congress' Kerala unit chief K. Sudhakaran on Friday served an ultimatum to party's Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnapilly, who has been absconding for the past few days since a sexual assault case and subsequently rape charges have also been lodged against him, to give an explanation or face action. Two-time MLA Kunnappilly faced trouble after a woman teacher here levelled serious allegations of assault, and sexual harassment against him, and after her detailed statement was taken by the Crime Branch, rape charges also have been included. "What has surfaced now is a very serious allegation and such a thing should never be heard about someone who is in public life. Hence we have asked an explanation from him and if it doesn't come up with it before the 20th, then he will have to face disciplinary action," said Sudhakaran. Kunnappilly's anticipatory bail plea will be heard by a court here on Saturday. For the past few days, he has gone incommunicado as his mobile phones were switched off. Even the phones of his personal assistant and his friend were not on. While on Thursday, in a social media post, the MLA said he has done no wrong or anything against the law, on Friday, it was reported that he had sent a text message to the complainant's friend, saying that God will punish her for cheating him, as he has done no wrong at all and he will come out of this unscathed. The teacher approached the Thiruvanthapuram Police Commissioner last week and complained that she was assaulted by the Congress MLA at the famous tourist destination at Kovalam near here. She alleged that she was also assaulted while travelling in a car with Kunnappilly. The woman on Wednesday appeared before the media and said for the past few months, they were allegedly in a close relationship, but after there was a change in his behaviour, she was trying to withdraw, which he was not allowing. On Thursday, the woman presented herself before the Crime Branch, who recorded her statement. The ruling CPI-M, in a statement issued here on Friday, said the charges against the Congress legislator are of a grave nature and appropriate steps should be taken so the victim gets justice and the Congress should seriously think if such people should be allowed to continue. Meanwhile sources indicate that the Vigilance Department is also likely to register a case against the beleaguered legislator after the victim claimed that she was offered Rs 30 lakh by him to settle the present matter. Now, all eyes are on Kunnappilly's anticipatory bail plea. --IANS sg/vd ( 447 Words) 2022-10-14-23:06:03 (IANS) According to The Verge, Nvidia has admitted to messing up with the naming of the graphic card after originally unveiling it last month alongside a much more powerful 16GB model. "The RTX 4080 12GB is a fantastic graphics card, but it's not named right... Having two GPUs with the 4080 designation is confusing," said the company in a blog post. While Nvidia has halted the launch of the 12GB RTX 4080 model, it will still go ahead and launch the 16GB version on November 16. Criticism had been building over Nvidia's decision to label the 12GB model as an RTX 4080, particularly when the 16GB model was so different from it in terms of specifications. The RTX 4080 12GB was supposed to start at USD 899 and include 7,680 CUDA Cores, a 2.31GHz base clock that boosts up to 2.61GHz, 639 Tensor-TFLOPs, 92 RT-TFLOPs, and 40 Shader-TFLOPs, reported The Verge. Meanwhile, the 16GB RTX 4080 is much more powerful, with 9,728 CUDA Cores, a base clock of 2.21GHz that boosts up to 2.51GHz, 780 Tensor-TFLOPs, 113 RT-TFLOPs, and 49 Shader-TFLOPs of power. As per The Verge, the RTX 4080 16GB model will debut next month, priced from USD 1,199, and Nvidia has not revealed when it will relaunch the 12GB RTX 4080 under a different name. (ANI) The deceased has been identified as Puran Krishan Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit. The injured was shifted to the hospital where he was declared dead. "Terrorists fired upon a civilian (minority) Puran Krishan Bhat while he was on his way to an orchard in Chowdari Gund, Shopian. He was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment where he succumbed," the Jammu Kashmir police said. The area has been cordoned off and a search was in progress, the police further said. Most details are awaited. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday released a report on 'Floods and Impacts on Livelihood in Rural Assam' by state government think tank State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA). The main function of the State Innovation and Transformation Aayog is to evaluate and monitor all government Schemes both Central and State within the State of Assam. SITA has been renamed from State Planning Board, Assam by the Cabinet in a decision taken in its meeting held on November 9, 2016. While releasing the report, chief minister Sarma asked the Aayog to share the report with departments and hold a brainstorming session involving the revenue, agriculture and water resources departments for implementation of the report. "Asked SITA to share the report with departments and hold a brainstorming session involving the Revenue, Agriculture and Water Resources departments for implementation of the report," Sarma tweeted. "Happy that SITA is working as per its mandate to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Assam. I also thank faculty members of Cotton University for preparing the report." He said the Assam government is trying to make SITA similar to that of the NITI Aayog at the state level. "SITA has a role to play in monitoring how the state government has been implementing central schemes in the state, identifying whether any amendments in the guidelines of the central schemes are required for their proper implementation in Assam, or has the state machinery been successful in implementing the schemes," Sarma said during the event. Sarma added that SITA should involve universities in Assam for research and policy formulation, thereby making policymaking more decentralized and people-led. (ANI) A bench of justices Aniruddha Bose and Vikaram will deliver its order on the plea by Manik Bhattacharya challenging the Calcutta HC order. Earlier the Supreme Court reserved the order on Manik Bhattacharya's plea and extended the interim protection granted to the former chairman of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education and Trinamool Congress leader Manik Bhattacharya in connection with the alleged irregularities in primary teachers' appointments till further orders. The court said that interim protection granted to Manik Bhattacharya shall continue until further. On September 27, the court ordered not to take coercive steps against the petitioner which was later extended. Earlier Calcutta High Court directed Manik Bhattacharya to appear before CBI by 8 pm on Tuesday. Manik Bhattacharya moved the Supreme Court and sought interim relief. The matter pertains to alleged irregularities in government-run schools being probed by the CBI. CBI told the court that the investigation in the case is at a crucial stage and alleged that Manik Bhattacharya was a kingpin. During the hearing, the court sought to know whether Manik Bhattacharya was cooperating with the investigation and participating in the probe or not. Manik Bhattacharya's lawyer said that he has gone to the agencies' office whenever he called. Enforcement Directorate is also probing the West Bengal SSC recruitment scam case and has earlier summoned Manik Bhattacharya. ED has also arrested then West Bengal Industries Minister and former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and his close aide Arpita Mukherjee in the SSC (School Service Commission) scam. (ANI) Kerala Government has opposed the Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking to transfer a gold smuggling case to Karnataka and said that the probe agency's plea was to tarnish the Government of Kerala by raising baseless allegations. Kerala government, in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, submitted that after having completed the investigation and collection of evidence and submission of a supplementary complaint, the prosecuting agency ED cannot seek transfer of the PMLA case to another State merely on the ground of alleged interference in the investigation by State Police. The affidavit said that ED's application seeking the transfer for the PMLA case to another State is with the ulterior motive to tarnish the Government of Kerala by raising baseless allegations. The Kerala government has filed the affidavit in response to the ED plea seeking the transfer of the case from one state to another as it submitted that the petitioner has not made any case for transferring the trial of the case pending before the Special Court for PMLA cases, Ernakulum to the State of Karnataka. Kerala government submitted that the averments in the Transfer Petition are imaginary apprehensions and Grounds are based on surmises and conjectures. ED submitted that there are no genuine reasons stated in the Transfer Petition for transferring the trial of the case from Kerala to Karnataka. Kerala govt submitted that the petitioner has not established with any kind of material that the State Police and the Government of Kerala have interfered with or hindered the investigation carried on by the Enforcement Directorate. The state government further submitted that there has not been a single incident in which the investigating officers of the Enforcement Directorate were prevented from discharging their duties. Kerala Govt submitted that in the instant case the petitioner has not placed any material to justify that a fair trial is not possible in the State of Kerala apart from relying on conjectures and surmises and urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the ED's transfer petition. "It is submitted that transfer is sought on the ground of impossibility of fair trial by a prosecuting agency without any materials at all is liable to be dismissed," the affidavit submitted. Enforcement Directorate had filed a plea seeking to transfer of trial in the case pending, before the Special Court for PMLA Cases, Ernakulam to a Special Court for hearing PMLA cases in the State of Karnataka. In the petition preferred by the Directorate of Enforcement, the agency sought transfer of the trial on the ground that the concerned Respondents are being influenced and intimidated through threats and false cases by Senior Officials of the Kerala Police and the state government at the behest of the other respondent, in order to thwart and derail the trial and thereby protect certain powerful individuals holding important positions in Government who are involved in the case. In 2020, the Customs Commissionerate (Preventive), Cochin had registered against Sarith PS, former PRO at UAE Consulate, Swapna Prabha Suresh, former Secretary to Consul General of UAE Consulate, Sandeep Nair and others relating to the seizure of 30 KG of 24 Karat gold worth Rs. 14.82 crores at Trivandrum International Airport which was camouflaged as diplomatic baggage to UAE Consulate which is immune to checking at the airport as per the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. This seizure was only the tip of the iceberg and there were 21 such consignments of gold which was smuggled into India, which runs to more than Rs. 80 crores. Thereafter, a case had been registered by the National Investigation Agency under sections 16, 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against the three individuals on July 10 2020. Both offences registered by NIA and the Customs have scheduled offences under the PMLA, 2002." The ED also stressed that based on the case registered by the NIA, an Enforcement case was recorded on July 13 2020 by the Enforcement Directorate. ED submitted that Investigation under PMLA, it was revealed that the accused persons had committed the offence of Money Laundering defined under Section 3 and punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, 2002 and therefore a Prosecution Complaint was filed before the SpecialCourt (PMLA), Ernakulam on October 6 2020. Thereafter, a supplementary Prosecution Complaint was filed u/s 45 of PMLA, 2002 before the Special Court under PMLA, Ernakulam against M. Sivasankar on December 24 2020 arraigning M Sivasankar in the Complaint. The Trial in the case is presently ongoing before the Special Court for PMLA cases, Ernakulam in Kerala. Due to the involvement of powerful persons in the State of Kerala, from the very beginning, there has been a concerted effort by the State machinery to thwart and derail the investigation and the proceedings, ED said. The ED said it has preferred the present petition because the State Police at the behest of a highly influential accused is trying to subvert and derail the investigation under PMLA and important persons are being pressurized to retract statements. The ED added, "If the trial is continued in the State of Kerala, the highly influential accused persons will create hurdles and also the co-accused would be pressurised and threatened to make false allegations and to make false evidence and thereby derail the ongoing investigation and trial."(ANI) A two-day National Security Guard (NSG) Raising Day International Seminar on the theme "Countering Emerging Terror and IED threats by Harnessing Latest Technology" was conducted on October 14 and 15 at NSG Manesar Garrison. During the Seminar, IED innovation awards were also given to six people including two from IIT Bombay, who have developed blast, ballistic and electromagnetic pulse-resistant concrete (BBERC). The primary objective of the seminar was to provide a common platform to various stakeholders including security agencies, security experts, security entrepreneurs and innovators, who are dealing with the rapidly evolving terrorist and Improvised explosive device (IED) threats using disruptive technologies to exchange ideas and formulate tactical counter plans. Rajendra Khanna, Dy NSA, Government of India was the Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address. The Seminar began on the 14th with a two-panel discussion on the Training of Security Forces in synthetic Training Environments through AI &ML platforms and Countering the threat of weaponised Drones, wherein prominent subject matter experts expressed their views. An equipment display was also organized in which domestic security entrepreneurs showcased the latest technology and trends in the fields of counter-terror and Counter IED under the Make in India initiative. The second day of the seminar was exclusively devoted to the threat of IEDs, with subject matter experts from India and abroad discussing the Global Perspective of IEDs and its Implications in the Indian context followed by discussions on mitigation techniques for Suicide Vehicle Borne IEDs (SVBIEDs) and Personal Borne IEDs (PBIEDs). Various case studies on Drone Terror attacks were also discussed and analysed by experts to bring out takeaways for security forces which will help in combating such incidents in future. The valedictory address of the seminar was delivered by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff who also felicitated the young innovators in the field of Counter IED technology. The seminar culminated with the conduct of NSG HACKATHON, "DIGIRAKSHAK" focusing on harnessing the technical prowess of bright innovators of India in security-related equipment. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 40 foreign delegates from various countries, a large No of defence service officers, State Police officers, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and representatives from the security industry and think tanks. Here is the list of counter IED Innovation Awardees: 1. Captain Kartik Yadav, 17 engineer regiment conceptualized, designed and developed a remotely operated mine detection system (RODS) to facilitate minefield breaching operations. The aim of this innovation was to employ a machine ahead of infantry columns to assist them in the negotiation of an enemy minefield with surprise and minimum casualty. For this operationally useful innovation, Captain Kartik Yadav is being awarded with a counter-IED innovation award. 2. Nikunj Prashar, founder and CEO of Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd. Nikunj has developed a multi-drone platform called 'Skydock'. The package consists of multiple drones having distinct functionality including, surveillance drones, net thrower drones and multiple kamikaze small drones. Skydock is a very promising innovation in countering rogue drones. For this futuristic innovation in the counter-drone field. Nikunj Prashar is being awarded with Counter IED innovation award. 3. Hav S Balamurugan from 261 Counter Explosive Device Unit. Hav S Balamurugan developed a Wi-Fi-based IED along with its jammer prototype. The IED when connected to the internet through wi-fi, can be initiated from any corner of the world with a command device. This innovation has helped in awareness and sensitizing the troops to the risk of wi-fi-based IEDs. For this educational innovation Hav Balamurugan is being awarded with a counter-IED innovation award. 4. Constable GD Santosh KK (Faculty of Studies, Operational Directorate, IIM Pune). Constable GD Santosh designed a multipurpose backpack mini-ROV which is capable of pre-initiating the IED by having an anti-handling mechanism and to help in the demolition of the same from a safe distance. His innovation has significantly helped in alleviating the risk to the lives of Bomb Disposal technicians and other security personnel. For this operationally efficient innovation Constable GD Santosh KK is being awarded with a counter-IED innovation award. 5. Prakash Nanthagopalan and Nabodyuti Das from IIT, Bombay, who have developed blast, ballistic and electromagnetic pulse-resistant concrete (BBERC). The innovation was developed indigenously using locally available materials and was evaluated for blast resistance in a shock tube at a peak pressure of 76 Bar. For this innovation, Prakash Nanthagopalan and Nabodyuti Das are being conferred with a counter-IED innovation award. (ANI) A Delhi Court on Saturday directed to commence trial against wrestler Sushil Kumar and 17 other accused after they stated that they are not guilty of the murder and other charges. The accused persons could not be produced before the judge due to security reasons. Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand conducted the hearing in the court lockup. During the hearing, the charges were read over to the accused persons. The accused persons denied charges and claimed trial. Earlier, the Delhi police staff informed the court that it would not be appropriate to produce the accused persons in the courtroom due to security. The staff requested the judge to proceed with the hearing in the lockup due to security reasons. The court has listed the matter on November 10, 2022, for commencement of trial and Prosecution evidence. The court on October 12 framed charges under sections of murder, attempt to murder, rioting, unlawful assembly and other sections including criminal conspiracy against the accused in the junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar murder case. The court also framed charges against 2 absconded accused persons. Additional Sessions Judge Shivaji Anand framed charges against the accused persons under Sections 302, 307, 323, 109, 148 and 149 read with 120B. The court framed charges against accused persons under section causing hurt and robbery in relation to the incidents that happened in Chhatrasal stadium. Secondly, in relation to the incidents of Shalimar Bagh the charges were framed under sections of Kidnapping, causing grievous hurt, criminal conspiracy including rioting and Unlawful assembly against 10 accused excluding Sushil Kumar. Thirdly, the court has also directed to frame charges in relation to the incident that happened at Model Town under sections of criminal conspiracy, rioting and Unlawful assembly against 15 accused persons excluding Sushil Kumar. On October 3, 2022, the court had reserved the order on charge in junior wrestler Sagar Dhankar's murder case after hearing the arguments of the prosecution and accused persons. In this case, Olympian Sushil Kumar is one of the accused. Other 17 people are also accused in the matter. The prosecution had submitted that there is sufficient evidence to show the intention of the accused persons to kill Sagar Dhankar. On the other hand, it had been submitted by the accused persons that it is not a case of murder but of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The counsels for accused persons argued before the court saying that the case of murder is not made out against the accused persons. Advocate R S Malik counsel for the accused Sushil Kumar had submitted that this is not the case of section 302 (murder) but of 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) IPC. As per the Post mortem report of the deceased, the injuries inflicted were not sufficient to cause that, advocate Malik argued. On the other hand, it had been submitted by the Delhi police that there is sufficient evidence to frame charges of murder and abduction against wrestler Sushil Kumar and other accused Persons. Additional public prosecutor (APP) Atul Shrivastav had submitted, " the manner in which Sagar and three others were abducted and brought to Chhatrasal Stadium. Thereafter they were beaten up mercilessly by the accused, shows that they wanted to establish their supremacy." Sagar and Sonu were allegedly beaten up in Chhatrasal stadium on the night of 4 May 2021. Sagar had succumbed to injuries during treatment in the hospital and Sonu Mahaal was grievously injured in the incident. APP Atul Shrivastav had shown the video related to the incident. In order to show the intention of the accused persons. He had also argued that the accused person wanted to establish their supremacy, therefore, they beat up Sagar and others after entering the stadium on the day of the incident. APP had submitted that this act of the accused attracts section 459 (while committing lurking house-trespass or house-breaking, causes grievous hurt to any person or attempts to cause death or grievous hurt to any person) of IPC which has a punishment of life imprisonment. The investigation officer on Friday informed the court that the FSL report has been received and sanction for Prosecution under Arms Act has been obtained. The Court recently allowed an application for an early hearing in the matter noting that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report has been awaited since the last one year. This case is pending at the stage of argument on charge since October 2021 as the FSL report is awaited. The sanction under Arms Act has also not been filed. This case is related to the alleged murder of junior national champion wrestler Sagar Dhankar in the Chhatrasal Stadium in May 2021 over a property dispute. Sagar and his friend were allegedly beaten by the accused persons. Sagar later succumbed to the injuries. (ANI) Ahead of the 90th Interpol general assembly meeting and Diwali festival, the security agencies and Delhi police are on high alert in the national capital. A senior official informed that recently a meeting was held to discuss security and possible threats during the four-day long event in which 195 countries are likely to participate and the ongoing festive season in the country. "The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Delhi Police and other concerned agencies. In the meeting, security was hotels where delegations will stay, travel route and security measures at the venue where the meeting will be held was discussed in details," he said. More than 4,000 Delhi police personnel from security units and others from Crime Branch, local police stations, para-military and reserve police personnel have been deployed for the security of the event scheduled to be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi between October 18-21. A control room has been set up for monitoring of CCTVs. Security of hotels like The Lalit, Shangri-la, Hyatt Regency, The Imperial and other five-stars in New Delhi and South West Delhi areas have been taken over by Delhi Police. "We have deployed Delhi Police personnel in and around hotels where delegations will stay during the event. Cops in plain clothes have also been deployed to keep watch on any suspicious movement or any unverified person at the locations," he said. The security of hotels and the venue has been taken over by the police from Saturday onwards. A senior Delhi police officer said that along with the security of the event, they have simultaneously put other police stations in the national capital on high alert because of the Diwali festivals. Orders have been issued for stringent security arrangements, intensified patrolling, and vehicle checking. A composite security system has been set up in and around Pragati Maidan and the JLN stadium event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend the event. The General Assembly is Interpol's supreme governing body, comprising representatives from each of the 195 member countries which meets annually. Each member country may be represented by one or several delegates who are typically ministers, chiefs of police, heads of their Interpol National Central Bureaus and senior ministry officials. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Congress on Saturday expressed doubts about the long gap between the polling and result dates and said their party has no faith in Electronic Voting Machines (EVM). Addressing a press conference here, All India Congress Committee spokesperson and Himachal Pradesh Media In-charge Alka Lamba said, "We all know that the festival of democracy has started inside Himachal with the announcement of the election dates. Indian National Congress welcomes the dates announced by the Election Commission. Indian National Congress is assuring the Election Commission that the Congress will fully follow every rule and law of the election code of conduct." The Congress leader said that she expects that the Centre will misuse the government machinery in the middle of elections. "With that, we also expect that the ruling BJP which is at the Center can still misuse the government machinery in the middle of elections. This is our concern because we have seen that the middle of the election, by misusing the government institutions, especially the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), they come in the middle of what should be a fair election," she added. She further said that her party expects from the Election Commission that this election will be completely fair. "On November 12, 68 seats will go to polls in a single phase. Result on 8th December. Time of 25 days has been kept. The counting of votes will be done after 25 days. Thought maybe this is happening because of Gujarat, but came to see last time the announcement of simultaneous elections of all the five states was done," Lamba said. She also expressed surprise over the delay in the Gujarat elections and questioned the delay in the counting of votes in Himachal Pradesh. "And this time the election dates of Gujarat were not announced and we are definitely a little surprised about the same thing that when the November 12 vote is being held, the counting process takes place in the next two-three days as always. The reason was not understood that if Gujarat's dates were not announced, then why such a long time was taken for counting," Lamba added. "But we feel that within Himachal, with the date of these elections, the loot of the exchequer other the Jai Ram Thakur government has been curbed," she further said. Senior Congress leader and legislator Dhaniram Shandil during a press conference raised doubts about EVMs too and said Congress has no faith in EVM. Shandil said, "What Alka ji has said is right. When the votes will be cast on 12 November than what will we do till December 8? I would also like to say that we have no faith in EVMs. We also want to keep a special eye on EVMs and I will personally write the letter once again to the Election Commission of India. We want elections to be conducted free and fair. There should be no fraud in the election process." Shandil said that in the countries which have made it be it Germany, Netherlands, the USA, and Japan everyone has gotten rid of it after using it once "There can be a lot of rigging in elections. Like I said that people have lost their faith in EVM, so why can't they change it? The countries which have made it be it Germany, Netherlands, USA, and Japan everyone has gotten rid of it after using it once," Shandil further added. Alka Lamba said that if the Election Commission wants, it can stop that tampering completely. "EVM is electronic machinery. If you want, it can be tampered with. If the Election Commission wants, it can stop that tampering completely," Lamba added. Himachal Pradesh will go to polls on November 12 to elect its next government and the results will be declared on December 8, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced. The ECI did not announce the dates of the Gujarat Assembly polls which were also expected to be held by the end of this year. The term of the Gujarat Assembly ends on February 18, 2023, while the term of the Himachal House will end on January 8, 2023. Himachal Pradesh voted to elect its legislative assembly on November 9, 2017. In the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defeated the Congress Party and won 44 seats while Congress secured only 21 seats in 2017. (ANI) The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) criticised the decision of three capitals in the state at a round table meeting of state TDP leaders on Saturday. TDP state president Achchennaidu said during the meeting that the announcement of three capitals in the state is being made to create "enmity" between the people. "Three capitals have been announced only to create enmity between the people. If Jagan had accepted Amaravati as capital earlier then why is he opposing it now, that too when Amaravati is equidistant from all the regions?" he asked. He further said that TDP will be winning the assembly polls in 2024. "Chandrababu Naidu had brought governance to the people. As per the surveys, TDP will be winning the Assembly polls in 2024," he added. Former Andhra Minister Ayyannapatra attacked CM Jagan for doing "perverted" politics. "TDP wants to make Visakhapatnam as capital even after initially agreeing to make Amaravati as capital. Jagan always does perverted politics. Rs 25,000 crores worth of assets has already been pledged in Visakhapatnam. What will be protected in the name of Visakha Conservative Committee Chairman?" he asked. TDP MP Rammohan Naidu raised the issue of Uttarandhra fishermen and the Visakha Railway zone. "Why the Uttarandhra YCP leaders are not talking about the Visakha Railway zone anymore now, the YCP leaders are talking about resigning. I will tell you how to resign. Why did they not resign from the steel plant? Uttarandhra has now been handed over to Vijayasai Reddy. How will justice will be given to the Uttarndhra fishermen?" he asked. Former Andhra Home Minister Chinarajappa also alleged the Andhra CM of changing his word on Visakhapatnam. "Jagan's lands were identified during the padayatra. He started looting the state in two and a half years. Now, he is provoking the people of Uttarandhra and is creating national chaos," he asked. (ANI) Amid a charge of the office of profit for allegedly granting himself a mining lease in 2021, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday said that there is no political instability in the state and termed the situation as an artificial tornado. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said, "As far as the question of political instability (in Jharkhand) is concerned, I feel that there is no such instability. Everything is normal...This is an artificial tornado." Reacting to his disqualification issue, Soren said that for the first time in India the Chief Minister goes to the doors of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Governor to ask for punishment. The EC had also sent its opinion to the Jharkhand Governor regarding the disqualification of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA and Chief Minister's brother Basant Soren from the state Assembly under 9A of Representation of People Act, 1951. "You are mentioning EC and Governor (disqualification issue). In this context, I would like to say that this is the first such incident in India wherein CM goes to the doors of EC and Governor and asks with folded hands what his punishment should be and is asking for it," said the Jharkhand CM. Back in September, Soren called on Governor Ramesh Bais and urged him to clear confusion prevailing in the state over his continuation as an MLA in an office of profit case. The Chief Minister also submitted a letter demanding a copy of the Election Commission's opinion in the office of profit case against him. He further alleged that the environment has not been created by him but by his rivals. "This environment has not been created by us, it has been done by our rivals. Have you ever seen a culprit demanding a punishment? If I am a culprit, sentence me to punishment," Soren added. Notably, a political crisis emerged in Jharkhand in September after a petition by the BJP sought Soren's disqualification from the Assembly in an office of profit case. The BJP has sought the disqualification of Soren as an MLA. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on September 5 won the trust vote in the State Assembly. In February this year, the BJP submitted a memorandum to the state Governor Ramesh Bais seeking disqualification of Soren from the House under Section 9(A) of the Representation of People's Act. The Governor had forwarded the BJP complaint to the ECI and the poll panel in May had issued a notice to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader. (ANI) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday appealed to the people of Madhya Pradesh to light a lamp in the name of Hindi before Diwali. He made the appeal during attending the "Ek Deepak Hindi Ke Naam" program at Roshanpura crossing in the State capital Bhopal. Chouhan lit the "deepak" along with the BJP workers on the eve of the launch of the MBBS course in Hindi on the occasion. "MP is going to create a new history tomorrow, PM Modi has changed the idea that this can happen. When I said in Vallabh Bhavan that medical studies will be done in Hindi, people said it cannot happen but where there is a will there's a way. A team was formed under the leadership of Medical Education Minister Vishwas, in which all the experts were present, today their hard work made the impossible possible," Chouhan said. He further said that the thing which should have happened in 1947 is happening now. "Some people have thought it could not happen, only a few people want to reach big posts, but this has been started for the people of poor rural areas. The thing which should have happened in 1947 is happening now, there is a need to get out of this mental stiffness that nothing can happen without English," Chouhan added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch the MBBS Hindi course book at Lal Parade ground in Bhopal on Sunday. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to start the MBBS course in the Hindi language in the country. Initially, three subjects have been selected to be studied in Hindi which include Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry. A team of 97 experts have been working on the preparation of books for the last 232 days at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. They have been translating the book from English to Hindi. State medical education minister Vishwas Sarang is continuously reviewing the work. Speaking to ANI, Sarang said, "We are trying our best to promote Hindi, under which we translate courses in Hindi. We have introduced three subjects in the first phase. The translation of second-year courses is going on. The Hindi books will be available in the college which will be beneficial to the students." "Various countries like Germany, Russia, China, France and other colleges teach in their regional languages. Therefore, we have also started and it is the first experiment in the last 75 years," he said. Sarang also explained about the Mandaar- the place where the work of translation is going on. He said that as the god churned Mandarachal (Mandar mountain) during 'Samundra Manthan', similarly, the team of 97 doctors had academic brainstorming in Mandar (War room), following which it is named Mandar. "It was not an easy task but we prepared it in very easy language. We have prepared it so that it will be helpful in the studies of the students," an expert involved in the translation told ANI. The expert further said the new edition of Medical Biochemistry contains the application of some new chapters which includes Sodium, Potassium, Water Homeostasis, Biochemistry Techniques, Radiation, Radioisotopes and Environmental Pollutants and Toxins. Besides, several new line diagrams, tables and text boxes have been added to make information more memorable. Similarly, in the Anatomy edition, new chapters of surface anatomy have been added in both abdomen and lower limb sections. New line diagrams, CT's and MRI's diagram tables and flow charts are added to increase the retention of knowledge. (ANI) The victim, Ganesh Shankar, is a senior manager at Google in Bengaluru. He came in contact with the girl, Sujata, a resident of Bhopal during his MBA studies at IIM Shillong. Shankar told police that he was called to Bhopal by keeping him in dark and then forcibly given intoxicants to marry her. During this, Sujata and her family members had clicked some photographs, on the basis of which they were demanding Rs 40 lakh. They were threatening to implicate him in a false case if he failed to give money, he alleged. Kamla Nagar police station in-charge Anil Kumar Vajpai said that acting on the victim's complaint, a case was registered against four people under sections 294, 323, 342, 384, 506 and 34 of IPC. The accused include Sujata, her father Kamlesh Singh, her brother Shaivesh Singh and her brother-in-law Vijendra Kumar. The efforts were on to arrest the accused, Vajpai added. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Friday set aside the proclaimed Offender (PO) process against an accused in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case who could not appear before the court as he was infected with Covid-19 twice in Dubai. Justice Yogesh Khanna on Friday set aside the order passed by the trial court initiating the PO process against the petitioner Sonu Goyal. The bench allowed him to appear before the trial court on November 9 and granted liberty to file an application for bail. Earlier two non-bailable warrants were issued against the accused. The petitioner Sonu Goyal, through his wife Attorney Anita, has moved an application seeking setting aside of the Order of August 23, 2022, through which the process of the proclaimed offender under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was issued against him. The order was issued by the Karkardooma Court based on an FIR at Police Station Mayur Vihar under sections of NDPS Act, 1985, Section 25 of Arms Act read with Section 3/4/9 of Public Gambling Act,1867, and Section 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, along with Advocate Sumit Gahlawat and TS Thakraon Advocates, counsel for the applicant contended that the NBWs were issued against the petitioner and on July 14, 2022, an application was moved for cancellation of NBWs before the Trial Court. It was also contended before the Trial Court that the accused should have to appear on August 2, 2022, and the proceeding under Section 82 CrPC should be deferred. The matter was listed for the appearance of the petitioner on August 2, 2022. The petitioner booked his flight ticket to depart from Dubai to India for August 1, 2022, however, since he was found Covid-19 positive, he was not allowed to board the flight, the counsels submitted.The medical certificate from the Dubai Medical Authorities was also filed. The matter was then fixed for August 22, 2022, again an application with a medical certificate was filed to the effect that the petitioner was not well as he was again found Covid-19 positive. It was further submitted that despite that the said application of the petitioner was rejected by the trial court and the process for a proclaimed offender under Section 82 CrPC was issued. It is also submitted by the counsels for the petitioner from Fidelegal Advocates and Solicitors that the accused always intended to appear before the Court and because of the above-stated reasons applications dated August 1 and August 22, were moved. Further, the main object of the issuance of process under Section 82 CrPC is to seek the presence of the accused before the trial court and to bring him before the law since the petitioner was found Covid-19 positive and was not allowed to travel from Dubai. (ANI) The incident occurred when Jana Sena workers had gathered in large numbers outside the airport to welcome their party leader and actor Pawan Kalyan and at the same time some ministers and leaders of YSRCP reached the airport to leave for Vijayawada. Stones were pelted on the vehicles of minister R.K. Roja, Jogi Ramesh and TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy. They were leaving the port after attending a rally organised by the ruling party in support of three state capitals. Driver of Roja's car sustained injuries in the stone pelting. The vehicles of YSRCP leaders were damaged. The incident occurred when Pawan Kalyan reached the airport. He landed in the city on a three-day visit to attend Jana Vani programme to receive grievances of people from north Andhra region. Chaos prevailed outside the airport terminal building and the police had to use force to disperse the Jana Sena workers and control the situation Pawan supporters were reportedly angry over the verbal attacks by state ministers and YSRCP leaders on their leader. They raised slogans against the ruling party leaders. Police have taken serious note of the incident and launched an investigation to identify those who pelted stones. Reacting to the incident, minister Ambati Rambabu said Pawan Kalyan owe an answer on the attack on YSRCP leaders. --IANS ms/pgh ( 256 Words) 2022-10-15-19:20:07 (IANS) A Bengaluru-bound Akasa Air flight diverted back to Mumbai due to a bird hit. The airline said that the aircraft landed safely at the Mumbai airport. "Akasa Air flight QP 1103 flying from Mumbai to Bengaluru on October 14 diverted back to Mumbai due to odour in the cabin resulting from a bird hit. The aircraft landed safely in Mumbai and all passengers were deboarded. The aircraft was positioned for a detailed inspection and has now returned to service. Our customer service team assisted the passengers and arrangements were made to accommodate their journeys. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused," said an Akasa Air spokesperson. "At Akasa Air, passenger safety and comfort is our highest priority and our crew followed all the protocols as per our operating procedures," he added. After the completion of two months of operations, Akasa Air revently established Delhi as the sixth destination on its network and inaugurated its first flight on the Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Ahmedabad routes on October 7. The airline also announced 'Pets-on-Board', a pet-friendly service in line with its commitment to create an inclusive travel experience. Akasa Air has been progressively expanding its network across the country in a phased approach with a commitment towards making travel accessible in India through the introduction of routes in Tier 2 and 3 cities. The company recently received its sixth aircraft and is expected to have a fleet size of 18 aircraft by the end of March 2023. Over the next four years, the airline will add 54 additional aircraft, taking its total fleet size to 72. --IANS kvm/arm ( 278 Words) 2022-10-15-19:36:03 (IANS) According to new research, oxygen levels in the Earth's atmosphere are likely to have "fluctuated wildly" one billion years ago, creating conditions that could have accelerated the development of early animal life. Scientists believe atmospheric oxygen developed in three stages, starting with what is known as the Great Oxidation Event around two billion years ago, when oxygen first appeared in the atmosphere. The third stage, around 400 million years ago, saw atmospheric oxygen rise to levels that exist today. What is uncertain is what happened during the second stage, in a time known as the Neoproterozoic Era, which started about one billion years ago and lasted for around 500 million years, during which time early forms of animal life emerged. The question scientists have tried to answer is - was there anything extraordinary about the changes to oxygen levels in the Neoproterozoic Era that may have played a pivotal role in the early evolution of animals - did oxygen levels suddenly rise or was there a gradual increase? Fossilised traces of early animals - known as Ediacaran biota, multi-celled organisms that required oxygen - have been found in sedimentary rocks that are 541 to 635 million years old. To try and answer the question, a research team at the University of Leeds supported by the Universities of Lyon, Exeter and UCL, used measurements of the different forms of carbon, or carbon isotopes, found in limestone rocks taken from shallow seas. Based on the isotope ratios of the different types of carbon found, the researchers were able to calculate photosynthesis levels that existed millions of years ago and infer atmospheric oxygen levels. As a result of the calculations, they have been able to produce a record of oxygen levels in the atmosphere over the last 1.5 billion years, which tells us how much oxygen would have been diffusing into the ocean to support early marine life. Dr Alex Krause, a biogeochemical modeller who completed his PhD in the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds and was the lead scientist on the project, said the findings give a new perspective on the way oxygen levels were changing on Earth. He added: "The early Earth, for the first two billion years of its existence, was anoxic, devoid of atmospheric oxygen. Then oxygen levels started to rise, which is known as the Great Oxidation Event. "Up until now, scientists had thought that after the Great Oxidation Event, oxygen levels were either low and then shot up just before we see the first animals evolved, or that oxygen levels were high for many millions of years before the animals came along. "But our study shows oxygen levels were far more dynamic. There was an oscillation between high and low levels of oxygen for a long time before early forms of animal life emerged. We are seeing periods where the ocean environment, where early animals lived, would have had abundant oxygen - and then periods where it does not. Dr Benjamin Mills, who leads the Earth Evolution Modelling Group at Leeds and supervised the project, said: "This periodic change in environmental conditions would have produced evolutionary pressures where some life forms may have become extinct and new ones could emerge." Dr Mills said the oxygenated periods expanded what is known as "habitable spaces" - parts of the ocean where oxygen levels would have been high enough to support early animal life forms. He said: "It has been proposed in ecological theory that when you have a habitable space that is expanding and contracting, this can support rapid changes to the diversity of biological life. "When oxygen levels decline, there is severe environmental pressure on some organisms which could drive extinctions. And when the oxygen-rich waters expand, the new space allows the survivors to rise to ecological dominance. "These expanded habitable spaces would have lasted for millions of years, giving plenty of time for ecosystems to develop." (ANI) Chinese banks have fined Kenya 1.312 billion Kenyan shillings in the year ended June for defaults on loans provided to build the standard gauge railway (SGR), according to Treasury documents seen by Business Daily Africa. SGR posted an operating loss of Sh 3.4 billion, and wired Sh 22.7 billion in loan repayments in the year to June. Kenya tapped over half a trillion shillings from Chinese lenders, led by the Export-Import Bank of China, to fund the construction of the SGR from Mombasa to Naivasha. "This (Sh1.312 billion) relates to the cost of default on interest at one per cent of the due amount," said the disclosure documents seen by Business Daily Africa. Taxpayers have been forced to shoulder the burden of the SGR loans because revenues generated from the passenger and cargo services on the track are not enough to meet the operation costs, which stood at Sh 18.5 billion in the year to June against sales of Sh 15 billion, reported Business Daily Africa. The default came in a year when Kenya had asked for an extension of the debt repayment moratorium from bilateral lenders, including China, by another six months to December 2021, saving it from committing billions to the Beijing lenders. But the lenders, especially Exim Bank of China, opposed Kenya's application for a debt repayment holiday in a standoff that delayed disbursements to projects funded by Chinese loans, reported Business Daily Africa. China, which accounted for about one-third of Kenya's 2021-22 external debt service costs, is the nation's biggest foreign creditor after the World Bank. Kenya spent a total of Sh 117.7 billion on Chinese debt in the period, of which about Sh 24.7 billion is in interest payments and almost Sh 93 billion in redemptions, according to budget documents. Repayment of the SGR loan started in January 2020 after the lapse of a five-year grace period that Beijing had given Kenya. The loan default underscores Kenya's financial distress in the face of fast-maturing debts that have eaten deep into tax collections and squeezed funds for development projects, reported Business Daily Africa. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration largely took loans from China from 2014 to build roads, bridges, power plants and the SGR. The deal to fund the first phase of the SGR, Kenya's single-largest infrastructure project by cost since independence, saw China overtake Japan as Kenya's largest bilateral lender. Kenya's debt increased more than four-fold to Sh 8.58 trillion under the Kenyatta administration. The surge in liabilities left the country at high risk of debt distress, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Kenya spent almost 57 pe rcent of tax income in the past financial year on repaying loans, according to the Treasury, underlining the effects of the mounting public debt on State finances. The terms of China's loan deals with developing countries are unusually secretive and require borrowers to prioritise repayment to Chinese state-owned banks ahead of other creditors. The dataset -- compiled over three years by AidData, a US research lab at the College of William & Mary -- comprises 100 Chinese loan contracts with 24 low- and middle-income countries, a number of which are struggling with mounting debt amid the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, reported Business Daily Africa. It uncovered several unusual features, including confidentiality clauses that prevent borrowers from revealing the terms of the loans, informal collateral arrangements that benefit Chinese lenders over other creditors and promises to keep the debt out of collective restructurings -- dubbed by the authors as "no Paris Club" clauses. The Paris Club is a group of officials from major creditor countries whose role is to find solutions to the payment difficulties of debtor countries. President William Ruto last month reversed one of the most controversial policies of the previous administration that had made it compulsory for cargo clearance to be done at the inland container depots in Nairobi and Naivasha, reported Business Daily Africa. (ANI) Baltic nation Lithuania became Taiwan's most outspoken supporter despite outcry from China after Taiwan opened a de facto embassy in Lithuania's capital Vilnius late 2021, creating a diplomatic breakthrough. Zygimantas Pavilionis, a Member of the Lithuanian Parliament, writing in CommonWealth Magazine said that the bonhomie between them was created because they are like Taiwan, both fighting against autocratic regimes Lithuania developed a desire for freedom throughout its history, repressions from the autocracy in the past, whether it was from monarchs, or the Soviet Union had transformed into the determination of defending freedom at all costs, said Pavilionis. He said that when the 17+1 cooperation was proposed by China, they realized that was another trick. The trade with Communist China enslaved half of the European countries by dividing them from the western world. So we said 'goodbye'. He further said that the European Union should extend new trade links with Taiwan, adding "that will be the United Nations of democracies, fighting for freedom with every means we have." Speaking about Lithuania not being reliant on the Chinese market and the kind of impact getting closer to Taiwan has on the Lithuanian economy, he said, "We're used to economic coercion in this country. I remember when we declared independence in the 1990s, the Soviet Union introduced all possible blockades for us. But we survived." After the leave of Lithuania in the 17+1(now only 14+1), the Chinese government introduced all possible approaches against it, directly or indirectly, through existing trade links, on the European companies with a huge representation in Lithuania by discouraging them from developing their businesses, reported CommonWealth Magazine. However, many European countries are still making the same Russian mistakes as China, warned Pavilionis. Poland today is shaking hands with communist Beijing, the foreign ministers were meeting and speaking at the highest level. They didn't leave the 14+1. And that communist Chinese money to the European Union actually is dividing them. "You have to wake up before it's too late. Bringing more Taiwanese businesses to Lithuania- stopping empowering China with your own money," said Pavilionis. Expressing his views on Taiwan can be the trigger of WWIII, he said, "If you want to live in peace, be prepared for war. Don't be afraid of it. If you think by making Taiwan invisible, would create peace, you are wrong. It is a sign of weakness that provokes autocracies to attack democracy." In Lithuania, Taiwan is officially recognized by its proper name. It is a "Taiwanese" rather than a Taipei representative office. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar began his visit to Egypt visit in the capital city of Cairo on Saturday where he met eminent personalities in the field of foreign policy. Jaishankar is on a two-day official trip to Egypt for his first bilateral visit scheduled to take place from October 15-16. Following the meeting with the dignitaries today, the minister thanked them for their support for our relationship and insights into regional and global politics. "A great start to my visit to Cairo. Met eminent personalities in the field of foreign policy. Thank them for their support for our relationship and insights into regional and global politics," Jaishankar said in a tweet. During the visit, minister Jaishankar will discuss a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The external affairs minister will interact with the Indian community-based in Egypt, including students, and address a gathering of the Egyptian and Indian business community. In a press statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier said India and Egypt traditionally enjoy warm and friendly relations underpinned by historical and cultural linkages. Both countries are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Egypt has been invited as a 'Guest Country' during India's Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23. Egypt has been one of India's largest trading partners in Africa and the promotion of bilateral trade, commerce and investments will be one of the focus areas during the visit. India - Egypt bilateral trade touched a record high at USD 7.26 billion during FY 2021-22. Indian investment in Egypt exceeds USD 3.15 billion. Over 50 Indian companies are actively present in Egypt in a range of sectors like manufacturing, chemicals, energy, infrastructure, retail etc. Jaishankar's current visit provides an opportunity to review the entire gamut of our bilateral and multilateral relations and to exchange views with the Egyptian leadership covering a whole range of issues of mutual interest, according to MEA. The visit provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation and explore new initiatives in the bilateral partnership. (ANI) Assailants opened fire at Muhammad Noor Meskanzai outside the mosque in the Kharan area, which left him gravely injured, Kharan Superintendent of Police Asif Halim told Dawn. The former chief justice was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died of his injuries, the report said. Expressing condolences over the death of the "fearless judge", Balochistan chief minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo said his services were "unforgettable". Bizenjo said that the "cowardly attacks of the enemies of peace cannot intimidate the nation". Maskanzai authored the landmark judgement that declared the Riba-based banking system against the Sharia. Quetta Bar Association (QBA) President Ajmal Khan Kakar also condemned Muskanzai's killing. He said every citizen of Pakistan was deeply saddened by the death of the former judge. "We strongly condemn this incident and demand that the killers must immediately be arrest and brought to book," Ajmal Kakar was quoted as saying by Dawn. This comes amid the deteriorating security situation in the country. Earlier this month, Pakistan's State Minister for Law Shahadat Hussain conceded that terror activities had witnessed a sharp increase. The highest number of terror incidents in Pakistan this year was recorded in September, said an Islamabad-based think tank pointed to the resumption of attacks by the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The number of terror attacks increased in September compared to August this year, the Dawn said in an earlier report citing the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). September witnessed 42 militant attacks with an increase of 35 per cent compared to August. The Pakistani think tank also observed an increase of 106 per cent in violence in erstwhile Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In August this year, the think tank said the militants carried out 31 attacks across Pakistan, in which 37 people were killed and 55 others injured. (ANI) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned of a "global catastrophe" if NATO troops directly contact or clash with the Russian army, Reuters reported. "In any case, direct contact, direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move which could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who are saying this are smart enough not to take such a step," Reuters quoted Putin as saying in Kazakhstan's capital Astana. Earlier, Putin had warned that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory after annexing four regions of Ukraine last month, a move which the UN this week condemned. On Tuesday, the Group of Seven (G7) nations warned that the use of nuclear weapons on Ukraine will have severe consequences, according to a statement released by the White House. Leaders of G7 states (the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, the US, France, and Japan) said, "We deplore deliberate Russian escalator steps, including the partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which is putting global peace and security at risk. We reaffirm that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences." Earlier, US President Joe Biden spoke of nuclear "Armageddon" in a warning about the escalation in Russia's war in Ukraine during a speech on Thursday. Biden warned of the "assault" on American institutions and talked of the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons, at the New York home of James Murdoch, the son of media baron Rupert Murdoch. "We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis," Biden said in New York City. At a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Putin is "not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons." This is because, Biden said, "his military is -- you might say -- significantly underperforming," "I'm trying to figure out, what is Putin's off-ramp?" Biden said. "Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not only lose face but lose significant power within Russia?" According to a pool report, Biden told attendees at the event, "I don't think there is any such thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon." Putin has renewed his nuclear threats as he announced the annexation of Ukrainian territory, some of which Russia doesn't control, and with the call-up of 300,000 reservists to reinforce his flagging invasion. (ANI) The 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will open at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and conclude on Oct. 22, lasting seven days, state media outlet quoted congress spokesperson Sun Yeli as saying. Addressing a press conference, spokesperson Sun Yeli said the qualifications of 2,296 delegates to the 20th National Congress of CCP have been confirmed valid. The delegates will attend the 20th CCP National Congress, representing more than 96 million CPC members and over 4.9 million primary-level Party organizations, he added. China's most important political event of 2022, and indeed of the coming five years, will kick off on October 16 when the 20th National Congress of the ruling CCP and its 90 million members convene. Regional experts say that Chairman Xi Jinping will undoubtedly extend his term in power for another five years. He will either be re-elected as general secretary of the CCP, or will be newly elected as chairman of the CCP, a title that has lain dormant since 1982 and was once the highest position ever held by Mao Zedong. The congress is taking place at one of the most perilous periods in international affairs in recent years. A war is raging in Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin attempts to burnish his credentials as a great Russian leader, and China remains a staunch supporter of this would-be tsar. At the same time, Taiwan Strait tensions are at their highest in decades, as China attempts to pummel Taipei into acquiescence. Moreover, diplomatic tensions with the US, the after-effects of a global pandemic and China's own paranoid efforts to stamp out COVID-19, and all the ingredients for a brewing storm are present. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's support for Senator Azam Swati, who was arrested on Thursday, gave an explicit endorsement of what his party member of the Upper House stated against the Army Chief and others, local media reported. On Thursday, PTI senator Azam Swati was taken into custody over his anti-establishment tweet. While commenting on the news story of the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz by a court in a money laundering case, Swati in his tweet made a provocative allegation against the Army Chief, The News International reported. Swati's tweet clearly shows that PTI is not only targeting one or two members of the establishment but more than that. This is not the first time PTI leaders attacked the top military command but never went direct. The PTI always used the terms like "neutrals" and "handlers" but Swati, while levelling irresponsible allegations and threatening to "come straight to Gate-4" of military headquarter in Rawalpindi if allowed by Imran Khan, and in one of his tweet said that the "imported government's" masters in the establishment are 5-6, reported The News International. There has been condemnation of the senator's arrest and alleged treatment meted out to him by several PTI leaders and others too. And one of them was the PTI, who openly came in support of Swati. Taking to Twitter, Imran Khan said, "Azam Swati's custodial torture for a tweet on NRO 2 is yet another shameful act in our history. Can torture and intimidation make people respect any individual or institution? The Holy Quran teaches us respect & humiliation are solely in Allah's jurisdiction." "which He dispenses according to our deeds. Those who have allowed the biggest criminals not only to evade accountability after stealing billions from the nation but to come to power again are destined to be humiliated," he added. Asad Umar, PTI member opted not to respond. Meanwhile, Dr Mazari said, "We stand with our Senator and u can see IK tweets on this and many of ours to understand." Fawad Chaudhry's response was, "Sir! As Jang group is now an official spokesperson of PDM as per party policy, any interaction with Jang group is banned...... thx u." Meanwhile, today, PTI Senator Swati was presented in the Islamabad district and sessions court where he was granted a one-day extension in physical remand in the "controversial tweets" case against him, according to The News International. A district and sessions court had sent Swati into police custody on a two-day physical remand following his arrest. The agency's cybercrime wing registered a case against Swati later over the "controversial" tweets, reported The News International. (ANI) The Pakistan government is set to summon US Ambassador Donald Blome for an official demarche over American President Joe Biden's statement regarding the country's nuclear capability, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said. While addressing the news conference, Bilawal said, "We will call their ambassador and issue a demarche, but I don't think this was an official function [...] it wasn't an address to the parliament or an interview," according to Dawn This statement came after US President Biden, at a Democratic congressional campaign committee reception, said that Pakistan may be "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" as the country has "nuclear weapons without any cohesion", according to the statement released by the White House. "And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," the White House quoted Biden as saying. The remarks on Pakistan were made while Biden was talking about US foreign policy with regard to China and Vladimir Putin's Russia. Biden concluded by saying he considered Pakistan to be the most dangerous country in the world. "This is a guy (Xi Jinping) who understands what he wants but has an enormous, enormous array of problems. How do we handle that? How do we handle that relative to what's going on in Russia? And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," said Biden, as quoted in a White House press release of his remarks at the Democratic party event. Addressing the conference at the Bilawal House in Karachi today, the foreign minister said that Pakistan's nuclear assets "meet each and every international standard in accordance with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) as far as security and safety is concerned". "I am surprised by the remarks of President Biden [...] I believe this is exactly the sort of misunderstanding that is created when there is a lack of engagement." Bilawal said that Pakistan had embarked on a "journey of engagement" and just marked the 75th anniversary of bilateral engagements with the US, according to Dawn. "If this was such a concern, I imagine it would've been raised in that meeting with me, I believe that we have just started our journey of engagement and we will have many more opportunities to engage with the US and address any concerns and misconceptions they might have to this specific question," Bilawal said as quoted by Dawn. Although, Bilawal said that he doesn't believe it negatively impacts the relations between Pakistan and the US. but still, Biden's remarks could be seen as a setback to the Shehbaz Sharif government's bid to improve ties with the US. (ANI) For the first time after several years of sustained efforts, a resolution has been tabled in the US House of Representatives declaring Pakistan Army's action against Bengalis and Hindus in 1971 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh as a "genocide" and "crime against humanity". Sustained efforts were made in the last few years after which the first resolution has been introduced which has called on the Pakistan government to apologise to the people of Bangladesh for its role in such a genocide, United News Bangladesh reported. The legislation was introduced by two Congressmen Ro Khanna, and Steve Chabot, who recognized that such atrocities against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus constitute crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. Congressman Chabot said legislation looks to recognize that the mass atrocities committed against Bengalis and Hindus, in particular, were indeed a genocide. "The Bangladesh Genocide of 1971 must not be forgotten. With help from my Hindu constituents in Ohio's First District, @RepRoKhanna and I introduced legislation to recognize that the mass atrocities committed against Bengalis and Hindus, in particular, were indeed a genocide," Congressman Chabot tweeted. "We must not let the years erase the memory of the millions who were massacred. Recognizing the genocide strengthens the historical record, educates our fellow Americans, and lets would-be perpetrators know such crimes will not be tolerated or forgotten," he said further. "Proud to join Rep Steve Chabot in introducing the first resolution commemorating the 1971 Bengali Genocide in which millions of ethnic Bengalis and Hindus were killed or displaced in one of the most forgotten genocides of our time," Khanna said. The legislation which is eight-page long also mentions March 28, 1971 telegram sent by United States Consul General in Dacca, Archer Blood titled "Selective Genocide". Bangladesh Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque last month called the greater push for international recognition of genocide carried out on unarmed Bangalees, Bangladesh News Agency reported. Addressing a press conference in Dhaka, Haque said international recognition of the genocide of 1971 could not be realized 51 years after independence, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). However, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government declared March 25 as National Genocide Day. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry here on Saturday and said that both of them discussed the Ukraine conflict and Indo-Pacific and also invited Egypt to the G20 summit to be chaired by New Delhi. In the opening remarks at the joint conference, Jaishankar said, "We discussed the Ukraine conflict and its repercussions and also about fertilizers, food and energy security. We shared our views on the Indo-Pacific and had an exchange of views on Palestine issues as well. Our Chairmanship of G20 starts this year, and we've invited Egypt to be a guest." "After the COVID-19 outbreak, health is an important concern for all of us. We have an excellent history of vaccine collaboration and we believe that greater collaboration in drugs and pharmaceuticals will be mutually beneficial. Many of our companies do see Egypt as a production hub," Jaishankar added Jaishankar, who is on a two-day official trip to Egypt for his first bilateral visit, recalled Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Egypt and said that recently India and Egypt have also stepped up defence and security cooperation. Jaishankar said that the Indian Air Force with the Egyptian Air Force had important exercises and had regular ship visits to Egypt. Jaishankar also said that both countries had discussed air connectivity and tourism growth. One of India's universities reached an understanding with an Egyptian enterprise to establish a tertiary education institution. "Our tech institutes looking for international collaboration will find Egypt a suitable partner," Jaishankar said during the presser. "Last year was our highest-ever trade in excess of USD 7.2 billion. Today we reviewed that and agreed that there are possibilities for more growth. Investments have also been very positive. Indian companies today have a reported investment of more than $3 billion," Jaishankar said during the presser. After meeting Egyptian Foreign Minister, Jaishankar said that they have recognised the exchanges in defence and security; capacity building; economic and commercial domains, including in IT, energy, pharma & health, agriculture, infrastructure, chemical, and cyber security. "Will explore opportunities in new and renewable energy; trade and investment, education, tourism and connectivity. Extended India's support to Egypt for its COP27 Presidency," Jaishankar said in a tweet. Jaishankar began his first official visit to Egypt in Cairo on Saturday by meeting eminent personalities in the field of foreign policy. "A great start to my visit to Cairo. Met eminent personalities in the field of foreign policy. Thank them for their support for our relationship and insights into regional and global politics," he said in a tweet.The external affairs minister also honoured the memory of Indian soldiers at the Heliopolis Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in Cairo. "Indians have made sacrifices across the world in the service of humanity. They inspire us as we strive to create a more contemporary and equitable global order," the minister said. During the visit, minister Jaishankar plans to discuss a range of mutual interest bilateral, regional and international issues with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. The external affairs minister will interact with the Indian community based in Egypt, including students, and address a gathering of the Egyptian and Indian business community. (ANI) "Ms Apoorva Srivastava (IFS: 2001), presently Consul General, Consulate General of India, Toronto, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic," MEA press release stated. She is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Recently on Friday, Partha Satpathy, an Ambassador of India to the Republic of Hungary, has been appointed India's next Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Shri Partha Satpathy (IFS: 1990) presently Ambassador of India to the Republic of Hungary, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to Bosnia and Herzegovina with residence in Budapest," an MEA press release said. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Dr Adarsh Swaika, a joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs was appointed India's next Ambassador to Kuwait. "Dr Adarsh Swaika (IFS: 2002), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the State of Kuwait," an MEA release said. On another side, Avtar Singh, a Director in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as India's next Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea. "Avtar Singh (YOA: 2006), presently Director in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Guinea," an MEA release said. (ANI) Belt and Road Initiative drives common development of world 11:21, October 14, 2022 By He Yin ( People's Daily The dream of the Lao people to transform their landlocked country into a land-linked hub has come true. Cambodia finally has its first expressway. Islands in the Maldives are connected by a bridge for the first time. Belarus has established its first plant producing passenger automobiles. Africa has built its first electrified railway and light rail... A worker checks product quality with intelligent equipment at a workshop of LDK Solar Technology Group in Xinyu, east China's Jiangxi province, Dec. 17, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Zhao Chunliang) These cases of win-win cooperation exactly mirror how China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) promotes common prosperity. The BRI, comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013. As proved in the past nine years, the initiative leads the world to common development. It starts in China and brings opportunities and progress to the rest of the world. The BRI is a Chinese scheme promoting open cooperation and improving global economic governance. It sets a new benchmark for international economic cooperation. The construction of the Belt and Road calls on countries to join hands with each other instead of letting go of each others hands. It encourages countries to tear down walls, not to erect walls. By constantly promoting policy coordination, connectivity of infrastructure, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds, the BRI has injected positive energy into the building of an open world economy. As economic globalization is encountering headwinds and protectionism is on the rise, China is expanding its opening up to jointly build the Belt and Road with all relevant parties, which fully demonstrates the country's sense of responsibility in leading open cooperation. Containers are about to be loaded onto ships at a terminal of the Lianyungang Port, east China's Jiangsu province, Aug. 10, 2022. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chun) The Belt and Road construction, with its caring for the world and a win-win spirit, is of vital significance in today's world, especially when humanity is facing a growing governance deficit, trust deficit, development deficit and peace deficit. A general connectivity framework consisting of six corridors, six connectivity routes and multiple countries and ports has been put in place under the Belt and Road framework. China-Europe freight trains have become a transport artery running through the Eurasian continent, promoting in-depth economic integration among countries along their routes. From 2013 to 2021, the total volume of trade of goods between China and other Belt and Road countries was nearly $11 trillion, while two-way investment exceeded $230 billion. Pascal Lamy, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, noted that the BRI proposed by China will become an engine driving globalization. The construction of the Belt and Road is an important practice to promote common prosperity and build a community with a shared future for mankind. It writes a new chapter in global development. The world is becoming a community with a shared future where countries share weal and woe and rise and fall together. The construction of the Belt and Road conforms to this trend, upholds the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, rejects prejudice that is based on systems and models, and rises above ideological differences. It pursues not only China's development but also the common prosperity of the world. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, relevant parties have offered mutual assistance to each other to tide over difficulties, which has injected confidence and strength into the global community and made important contributions to global cooperation on the COVID-19 fight and economic recovery. A worker places commodity onto shelves at a Belt and Road supply chain base in a bonded zone in Lianyungang Economic and Technological Development Zone, east China's Jiangsu province, Sept. 5, 2022. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jianmin) So far, core concepts of the BRI have been incorporated in multiple important documents of international and multilateral organizations, such as the UN, G20, AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It fully indicates that the BRI is an international public product that builds consensus for cooperation. The BRI involves countries in different regions, at different development stages and with different cultures. It has been joined by over 140 countries and 30 international organizations. The initiative has constantly enriched its connotations, which now cover a wide range of aspects from digital development, innovation, green development and health. A large number of BRI projects have been implemented, benefiting more and more people in participating countries. China has set up over 50 joint laboratories with countries participating in the initiative, which enables many of them to have their own bases of production and intelligent manufacturing. The BRI closely follows the common ground of development and builds a better future with concrete actions. It is believed by the international society that the construction of the Belt and Road is a concrete move of China to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and an important contribution made by the country to promote the common prosperity of the world. China will keep working with all relevant parties to advance high-quality development of the BRI and build projects under the initiative to benefit the people, so as to make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind. (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), holds a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) BEIJING, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- To realize national reunification through peaceful means is our first choice to resolve the Taiwan question, said a spokesperson at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday, adding that non-peaceful means will remain the last resort. Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, made the remarks ahead of the opening of the congress. "We are willing to continue working with the greatest sincerity and exerting our utmost efforts to achieve peaceful reunification," Sun said. In not promising to renounce the use of force, we are in no way targeting our Taiwan compatriots, but rather foreign interference and an extremely small number of "Taiwan independence" elements and their separatist activities, Sun said, adding that the goal is to advance the process of China's peaceful reunification. Sun urged compatriots across the Taiwan Strait to join hands to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" forces and foreign interference, and to open up bright prospects for the peaceful reunification. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in its latest report has accused the Chinese Communist Party of spreading false narratives on numerous issues in the Solomon Islands ahead of the 20th National Congress which is due to begin on October 16. The report further claimed that the Chinese Communist Party is attempting to influence public discourse in the Solomon Islands through coordinated information operations that seek to spread false narratives and suppress information on a range of topics. Moreover, the Chinese Embassy has strong connections to media outlets in the Solomon Islands and the Chinese diplomats exert pressure to influence local publications and control press releases in support of the CCP's narratives, the Singapore Post reported. This authoritarian regime plays a crucial role in the CCP's information operations. CCP has also used its propaganda and disinformation capabilities to push false narratives in an effort to carve the public's perception of the Solomon Islands and their security issues. According to several politicians and analysts, the China-Solomons security pact was a deal shrouded in secrecy, which took diplomats and government officials, even those from within Solomon Island, according to the Singapore Post. Local media outlets have the highest level of online penetration and engagement in the Solomon Islands as CCP official-led articles published in local media including opinion pieces, press releases, and other quote-based articles--are the most effective method of propagating CCP narratives in the Solomon Islands' online information environment. Analysis of the anti-West online commentary following the leaked security agreement suggests that the local population used language featured in the CCP's narrative, the Singapore Post reported. Recently, the Solomon Islands' snap ban on foreign military vessels docking at Honiara port has stocked new fears over China's growing clout in the Islands, where China is accused of stationing its military warships and deploying troops, media reports said. Solomon Islands, a small country in South Pacific, gained independence in 1978. India established diplomatic relations in May 1987. The High Commission in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, is concurrently accredited to the Solomon Islands. (ANI) Pakistan's former Special Assistant to ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan, Iftikhar Durrani misstated the facts as mentioned in the agreement, signed in May 2021, probably to avoid the regulatory processes in the US. The News International citing the sources reported that Durrani had misrepresented the facts in the agreement, signed with a former Central Intelligence Agency contractor, probably to avoid the regulatory processes in the US. "Probably in order to avoid any regulatory processes in the US, Durrani had misrepresented the facts and gave government's cover for the agreement," The News International quoted the sources as saying. Earlier, on May 1, 2021, Durrani signed an agreement with a consulting firm headed by a former CIA contractor in a private capacity for the lobby and providing advice on Pakistan-US relations on May 1 of this year. As per The News International citing agreement, "the consulting firm will maintain contacts with US government officials of both the executive and legislative branches, as well as with think tanks and other informed individuals, in addition to consulting with the client and the client's associates, to determine how the scope of constructive relations between the U.S. government and the government of Pakistan might be enhanced, and will advise his Pakistani client and the client's associates accordingly, both through verbal and written communications." Durrani, who was not holding any government position at the time of contract signing, was representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, signed the agreement without involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs despite the fact that dues agreed in the contract were to be paid by the Government of Pakistan As per the agreement, the Government of Pakistan had to pay a fixed monthly amount of USD 25,000 to the lobbying firm in addition to the one-time service fee or expense retainer of UD 5,000. Although the agreement was signed on behalf of the PTI office-bearer, the amount as per the terms and conditions of the contract was to be paid by the government. Section 11 of the agreement, a copy available with this scribe, says, "Durrani is supervised by the senior leadership of the party, which is currently the party in government power. As Durrani is supervised by senior party officials, he is effectively under their direction, and under the direction of Pakistan government officials, as well. As some of his activities are supervised, directed and financed by officials of the government of Pakistan, Durrani is also effectively under their control. Durrani disburses funds from the government of Pakistan," according to The News International. Interestingly, on one side PTI chief Imran khan holds the US responsible for the regime change in Pakistan but on the other hand, it has a history of involving lobbying firms to build its positive image in the US. Recently, after Imran Khan was ousted from his government, PTI USA hired a lobbying firm Fenton/Arlook to provide its services for public relations in the US. (ANI) Ji Min Sha, a 22-year-old cybersecurity major from Seoul, South Korea, faces one count of murder in the killing of Varun Manish Chheda, 20, from Indianapolis earlier this month. Sha could face 45-60 years behind bars if convicted of the one count of murder. He is being held without bond. The prosecutors alleged that Sha stabbed Chheda, a data science major, multiple times in the head and neck with a folding knife that officers found on the floor near the chair where Chheda's body was discovered, according to the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Indiana. When the officers arrived at the scene on the West Lafayette campus in Indiana on October 5, they found Chheda dead in a chair with the knife on the floor near him, reports said. The cops found Sha wearing clothes with blood on them before he was arrested, prosecutors were reported as saying. Making his first court appearance last week before Tippecanoe County Magistrate Sarah Wyatt, Sha claimed "I was blackmailed" when asked why he killed Chheda, but did not elaborate further, according to local reports. He also said he was "very sorry" when asked if he had anything to tell the victim's family. --IANS mi/arm ( 239 Words) 2022-10-15-19:08:06 (IANS) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday hit back at US President Joe Biden for calling Pakistan "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" while raising doubts over the countrys nuclear security, media reports said. In a tweet from his official handle, Sharif unequivocally reiterated' that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state, adding that the country's nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements, Express Tribune reported. In a separate statement issued by the PM House, Sharif termed the US President's remarks as factually incorrect and misleading', the report said. "Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system. "Pakistan has also consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of its nuclear-weapons capability, marked by a very strong commitment to global standards, including those of IAEA on non-proliferation, safety and security," the statement said. Sharif said the real threat to international peace and security is posed by ultra-nationalism, violation of human rights in regions that are struggling against illegal occupation, violation of global norms by some states, repeated nuclear security incidents and arms race among leading nuclear weapon states and introduction of new security constructs that disturb regional balance. "Pakistan and the US have a long history of friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. At a time, when the world is confronted by huge global challenges, it is critically important that genuine and durable efforts are made to recognise the real potential of Pakistan-US relationship, while avoiding unnecessary comments. It is our sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security," the Prime Minister was quoted as saying, Express Tribune reported. Earlier, Biden had said that Pakistan may be "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" as the country has "nuclear weapons without any cohesion". "And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," Biden was quoted as saying in a transcript of the address published on the White House's website. --IANS san/arm ( 367 Words) 2022-10-15-21:32:07 (IANS) At least 11 people were killed and 15 injured on Saturday in a terrorist attack on a Russian military site in the Belgorod region. Two volunteer soldiers fired at other troops at a Russian military firing range near Ukraine, before being killed, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The ministry said in a statement that the shooting took place in the Belgorod region in southwestern Russia that borders Ukraine. It said that the two volunteers from an unnamed ex-Soviet nation fired on other soldiers during target practice and were killed by return fire. The ministry called the incident a terrorist attack. The attack happened Saturday during a training session at the Western Military District, according to TASS, which cited the Russian Defense Ministry. The gunmen were said to be from former Soviet states. Russian officials have branded the attack an act of terrorism. "As a result of a terrorist attack at a military training ground in the Belgorod region, 11 people were killed, 15 were injured and are receiving medical assistance," TASS reported. "The incident occurred during a shooting training session with volunteers preparing for a special operation. The terrorists attacked the personnel of the unit with small-arms fire." According to TASS, two individuals who committed the "terrorist act" were killed in retaliatory fire at the training ground. The Belgorod region is in western Russia on the border with Ukraine. The shooting comes amid a hasty mobilization ordered by President Vladimir Putin to beef up Russian forces in Ukraine -- a move that triggered protests and caused hundreds of thousands to flee Russia. Putin said on Friday that over 220,000 reservists already had been called up as part of an effort to recruit 300,000. Russian forces have launched hundreds of missile strikes in Ukraine over the past week. The latest came Saturday, damaging an energy facility near Kyiv and prompting fears of blackouts. President Vladimir Putin said he has no regrets about the missile barrage. He added there was no need for more massive strikes "at least for now." Moscow announced evacuations from the occupied Kherson region, where a Russia-backed official said Saturday that the counteroffensive has intensified. (ANI) The 74 A heated debate is burning about whether the country faces a looming teacher shortage that threatens students futures. But both sides of the argument miss a fundamental point: Even if schools could go back to the old approach of a single teacher in front of a class, they should not do so. First, because it [] CORRECTION: An earlier version of the report incorrectly described House Minority Whip Steve Scalises title. Republicans are favored to flip the House this November given the national mood, as well as the historic headwinds the presidents party normally faces in a midterm election. Yet Democrats still have a fighting chance, thanks to the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which has energized voters and given the party of President Biden hope that they can stave off a red wave. Democrats are going on offense in Californias 22nd Congressional District, represented by pro-impeachment Republican Rep. David Valadao, and Nebraskas 2nd District, represented by Rep. Don Bacon (R). Meanwhile, Democratic retirements in districts like Wisconsins 3rd District and Rhode Islands 2nd District have fueled possible pickup opportunities for the GOP. Heres a look at 10 races to watch for in November. Californias 22nd Congressional District The race for Californias 22nd Congressional District will determine if another House Republican who voted to impeach former President Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection will be defeated or if he will continue on for another term. Rep. David Valadao is one of two House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump who is running for reelection in November. The other eight either lost their primaries to Trump-backed challengers or chose to not run for reelection. Valadao is running against Democrat Rudy Salas, a California state assemblyman. Trump did not endorse anyone in the open primary for the seat, and Valadao placed second in the primary and advanced to the general election. FiveThirtyEight considers the race to be a toss-up, with Salas having a slight advantage in its election simulation. Michigans 7th Congressional District Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) represents one of the handful of districts that Trump and a Democratic House candidate both won in 2020. She was first elected in 2018 by a few points and won reelection in 2020 by about the same margin. Story continues She is facing Republican Tom Barrett, a Michigan state senator and member of the states National Guard who has been a vocal opponent of Gov. Gretchen Whitmers (D) use of emergency powers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Slotkin has campaigned on being a moderate who worked in the CIA under both Democratic and Republican administrations, while Barrett has criticized her for consistently voting in favor of Bidens proposals. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up. Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District Rep. Don Bacon (R) is fighting for reelection to represent Nebraskas 2nd District against Democratic candidate Tony Vargas, a state senator. The three-term incumbent won his last election by over 4 percentage points despite the fact that it was the only district in the state to swing for Biden. Vargas has leaned into issues like abortion in addition to lowering prescription drugs and affordable health care, among others. Bacon has focused on his record working with Nebraskans on issues and tackling issues like the infant baby formula shortage. This race is expected to be no less competitive, given the districts current Republican lean. The Nebraska Examiner reported last month that the top House leaders on both sides had visited the state, including House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). New Jerseys 7th Congressional District A rematch of the 2020 contest will decide who will represent New Jerseys 7th Congressional District for the next two years. Rep. Tom Malinowski (D) is running against Republican Thomas Kean Jr. for the second time. The district has swung back and forth between voting for Democrats and Republicans in recent years and will likely be the closest House race this year in New Jersey, a state where most districts lean comfortably Democratic. For this reason, many see it as a bellwether for how Democrats will do across the country in November. Malinowski defeated Kean in the 2020 race by only about 5,000 votes, or 1 percent. Malinowski served as an assistant secretary in the State Department during the Obama administration, while Kean, the son of a former governor, served as the minority leader of the state Senate for almost 15 years. FiveThirtyEights election simulation states that Kean is slightly favored to win, but a poll from last month found the candidates tied. New Hampshires 1st Congressional District New Hampshires 1st Congressional District has been hotly contested in recent years, as no one has held the seat for more than two consecutive terms in almost two decades. Rep. Chris Pappas (D) is running for his third term against Republican Karoline Leavitt, a 25-year-old former assistant in the Trump administrations press office. Leavitt defeated Matt Mowers, the Republican nominee for the seat in 2020 who worked on Trumps 2016 campaign and in the State Department, in the GOP primary last month. Leavitt received endorsements in the primary race from far-right Republicans like Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rep. Lauren Boebert (Colo.). Pappas is potentially one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents as Republicans seek to retake the House. A poll from last week showed Pappas leading Leavitt by 8 points, but one released Wednesday placed his lead at just 1 point, within the margin of error. Oregons 6th Congressional District The newly drawn 6th Congressional District in Oregon features a matchup between Democratic candidate Andrea Salinas, a state representative, and Republican candidate Mike Erickson, the founder of a consulting firm focused on supply chain and logistics. On the surface, there are signs that the seat should be more favorable for Democrats given that the data website FiveThirtyEight gives the new district a partisan lean of 7 points for Democrats. But the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report this week moved its rating from lean Democrat to a toss-up, noting that both parties surveys continue to show Republican supply chain consultant Mike Erickson tied or leading Democratic state Rep. Andrea Salinas, an avowed progressive policy wonk who was endorsed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the primary and hasnt lived in the 6th CD. The race is also likely complicated by the fact that Gov. Kate Brown (D) is seen as an unpopular governor within her state, which could add to headwinds for Democrats. Rhode Islands 2nd Congressional District Democrats have held the seat representing Rhode Islands 2nd Congressional District for more than 20 years, but Republicans have a decent chance to win it this year. Rep. Jim Langevin (D) announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection after holding the seat for two decades, and Democrats nominated Seth Magaziner, the general treasurer of Rhode Island. Magaziner is running against Republican Allan Fung, the former mayor of the city of Cranston. A Suffolk University-Boston Globe poll released Tuesday showed Fung leading Magaziner by 8 points, 45 percent to 37 percent, while 13 percent said they were undecided. Five percent said they would support an independent candidate. Cook Political Report rates the contest as a toss-up, indicating it could be a key pickup opportunity for Republicans in retaking control of the House. Magaziners opponents a quality opponent, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer admitted while speaking to reporters last month before the House recess. I think Magaziners going to beat him. But, you know, hes the mayor of a town, hes pretty popular, and hes not an extremist. Not every Republican is an extremist, dont get me wrong. But in the Republican Party, its a dwindling number. Texass 34th Congressional District Rep. Mayra Flores (R-Texas) made headlines earlier this year after she won a special election in the states 34th Congressional District over Democrat Dan Sanchez, filling the remainder of Rep. Filemon Velas (D) term. But the district Flores currently represents and the 34th Congressional District shes vying for in November are not the same, and shes now gearing up for a competitive reelection against Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), whose current House seat pertains to the 15th Congressional District. The data website FiveThirtyEight gives the seat a partisan lean of plus 17 points Democrat and Politico notes that Biden handedly carried the area in 2020 under the redistricted lines by 16 points. Washingtons 8th Congressional District Two-term incumbent Rep. Kim Schrier (D) is fighting for reelection in Washingtons 8th District against Republican candidate Matt Larkin, who once worked in the George W. Bush administration as a speechwriter, according to The Seattle Times. The district comprises parts of or all of the counties of Snohomish, Chelan, Kittitas, King and Pierce. Despite the fact that Biden won the district in 2020 by 7 percentage points, the data website FiveThirtyEight gives the seat an even partisan lean. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report also rates the seat as a toss-up. Still, Schrier is not to be underestimated: Her first election in 2018 made headlines given that the district had been under Republican control for decades before she flipped the seat that year. Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District Rep. Ron Kind (D) announced last year that he would not be seeking reelection, leaving the 3rd Congressional District seat in Wisconsin open after serving in the House for 25 years. He was among a group of Democrats who won their seat in a district that was also carried by former President Trump in 2020. The open seat is now considered one of Republicans best pickup opportunities in the House, which features a head-to-head between state Sen. Brad Pfaff (D) and retired Navy SEAL Derrick Van Orden (R), who lost against Kind in 2020 as the GOP nominee. The data website FiveThirtyEight gives the district a partisan lean of plus nine points Republican and coupled with the fact that Van Orden has an endorsement from Trump, Van Orden has a competitive shot at taking the seat this cycle. The seat is rated as lean Republican by the Cook Political Report, and FiveThirtyEight says Van Orden is favored to win in the election. Mike Lillis contributed to this report, which was updated at 10:37 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Getty) Its a pure delight when celebrities pull out all the stops to bring us the most elaborate and outrageous Halloween costumes. Spooky season is the perfect time of the year for them to stretch their creative wings and transform themselves into someone (or something) else for a time. But when it comes to celebrity couples, we have high expectations, especially for those who are known for loving all things Halloween. And boy, some of them do not disappoint. From punny pairings to classic couples, our favourite Halloween couple looks are always thoughtful, considered, and, most importantly, epic. While some celebrities have got their costume choices spectacularly wrong in the past, as shown here, there are others who have pulled it off with flair. Here, weve ranked the best celebrity couple Halloween costumes of all time. 20. Beyonce and Jay-Z A power couple dressed as another power couple? Power move. In 2016, Beyonce and Jay-Z dressed as iconic Barbie and Ken dolls complete with life-sized packaging boxes to pose in. However, they lose points for not making it a family affair and dressing Blue Ivy up as one of the younger Barbies. At least she wore a leather jacket with Barbie emblazoned on the back to keep it in theme. 19. Miley Cyrus and Cody Simpson (Instagram/Miley Cyrus) When they were still dating in 2019, Miley Cyrus and Cody Simpson went full punk for Halloween by dressing as Billy Idol and his long-time girlfriend Perri Lister. Cyrus turned up the heat in a corset and thigh-high fishnet stockings, while Simpson was fully clad in black leather and studs. Rock on. 18. Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams (Getty Images) Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams are big-time fans of Halloween and have previously come out with some seriously good fancy dress, like Eleven and Dustin from Stranger Things in 2017 or David Bowie and Freddie Mercury in 2019. But their 2018 couples costume pun Taco Belle has a special place in our hearts. Story continues 17. Brian Keys and Hunter McGrady (Getty Images for Heidi Klum) Plus-size model Hunter McGrady and husband Brian Keys take on Prince Eric and Ariel from The Little Mermaid is super cute. No Ariel costume would be complete without a dinglehopper, which McGrady gamely raked through her red wig while her handsome prince stood by her side. 16. Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson At the height of Game of Thrones fever in 2017, Khloe Kardashian and then-partner Tristan Thompson turned heads as Daenerys Tagaryen and Khal Drogo. Their highly elaborate costumes involved leather, fur, metallic armour, and fake tattoos. Thompson even sported fake facial hair to bring Khal Drogo to life. Sadly, modern-day Thompson is far from the sun and stars to Kardashian after his paternity scandal. Yikes. 15. Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake (Getty/Casamigos) NSYNC-era Justin Timberlake was the most iconic (not least because he was hanging on Britney Spearss arm), and Jessica Biel knows this. So in 2019, the 40-year-old star dressed up like her husband, curly ramen hair and all, and took centre stage while Timberlake dressed like a giant microphone to let his wife live her boyband dreams. Some dreams do come true. 14. Steve Aoki and Nicole Zimmerman (Getty Images for Casamigos) The most Halloween-y of Halloween couples, Jack Skellington and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, got the pop star treatment in 2019 when Steve Aoki and Nicole Zimmerman chose them for their Halloween look. While Aoki stayed true to Skellingtons signature stripes, Zimmerman glammed up Sallys look with a satin red jumpsuit and a silver-fringed jacket. Well allow it. 13. Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner absolutely killed it as the most romantic of spooky couples, Gomez and Morticia Addams. Perfection; no notes. 12. Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin (Getty Images for SVEDKA) We love it when celebrities turn to non-Western pop culture for inspiration. Dylan Sprouse and girlfriend Barbara Palvin have dressed up as anime characters for Halloween at least twice now, but their take on Ashitaka and San from Studio Ghiblis Princess Mononoke in 2019 takes the cake. 11. Josh Duhamel and Fergie (Getty Images) The late Karl Lagerfelds love for his Birman cat Choupette ran so deep that he once said he wished he could marry her. He told CNN: There is no marriage, yet, for human beings and animals I never thought that I would fall in love like this with a cat. Looks like Josh Duhamel and Fergie decided to make his wish come true in 2015. 10. Emily Ratajkowski and Jeff Magid (Getty) Were not sure how much yellow body paint Emily Ratajkowski and her then-boyfriend Jeff Magid used to transform into Marge and Homer Simpson from The Simpsons in 2015. Twenty tubes? Fifty? Only the couple and their makeup artists will ever know. 9. Antoni Porowski and Kevin Harrington (Getty Images for Heidi Klum) Who said VHS was dead? Well, it is at least declared undead thanks to Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski and his boyfriend Kevin Harrington, who dressed up as zombie Blockbuster employees covered in cobwebs and bits of popcorn in 2019. 8. Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld (Getty Images for Good+ Foundatio) The Big Bad Wolf revealed himself to be Jerry Seinfeld in 2018 when he and his wife Jessica dressed as characters from childhood fairytale favourite, the Little Red Riding Hood. The pair brought the cautionary tale to life for a good cause in 2018, when they hosted the GOOD+ Foundations third annual Halloween Bash. 7. Christian Siriano and Brad Walsh (Getty) Talk about surrealism meets realism. Designer Christian Siriano and his former husband Brad Walsh brought Picassos paintings to life in 2015 when they attended Heidi Klums annual Halloween party as real-life renditions of the artists cubist characters. 6. Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom (Startraks/Shutterstock) Are you telling me these arent Hilary and Bill Clinton? we hear you say. Yes, thats correct its actually Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, who used facial prosthetics to transform themselves into the former US president and Democractic presidential candidate. This costume gets our vote for one of Perrys best ever. 5. Winnie Harlow and Kyle Kuzma Bride of Frankenstein, but make it fashion, as Tyra Banks would say. Winnie Harlow certainly fulfilled the brief when she and former boyfriend Kyle Kuzma took on Frankensteins Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein in 2020. 4. Jenna Fischer and Lee Kirk It turns out that The Office star Jenna Fischer and her husband Lee Kirk are bigger fans of The Great British Bake Off than anyone else. In 2019, the couple dressed up as judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. While the latter is still a judge on the show, Mary Berry was replaced by Prue Leith in 2016. Time for some judging of our own while Fischer nails Berrys national treasure look, we think Kirk hasnt quite got the steely blue-eyed stare Hollywood is known for. Better luck next time. 3. The Weeknd and Bella Hadid (Getty Images for SVEDKA Vodka) Legend has it that if you call out, Beetlejuice! three times, The Weeknd will appear. 2. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend In memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, we just had to include Chrissy Teigen and John Legends 2018 Halloween costumes. They dressed as the royal couple, with Legends red costume adorned with medals and Teigen matching the colour of her hat to her coat, just like the late monarch was known for doing. Its what she wouldve wanted. 1. Heidi Klum and Tom Kaulitz (Getty Images for Heidi Klum) Heidi Klum is the undisputed queen of Halloween, and this costume was her ultimate best. At the 20th anniversary of her legendary Halloween parties, Klum set the bar in outer space when she slithered out of a biohazard truck with bloodied glass windows with her husband Tom Kaulitz, who dressed as a zombie astronaut. Presumably, her outfit was so good that it killed him. Heidi remains undefeated. Jean McGuire, the first Black woman to serve on the Boston School Committee, says, I will see you soon BOSTON (AP) A 91-year-old education equity pioneer and civil rights activist who was stabbed while walking her dog in a Boston park released her first public statement Friday since the attack, keeping the focus on her lifetime work of helping children. We as a community can never forget that we need to stand together and continue working to empower our children through learning, Jean McGuire said in the statement released by her family. We are at our best as a people; when its about we not me. I love you all and I will see you soon. McGuire, the first Black woman to serve on the Boston School Committee, was stabbed multiple times in an apparently unprovoked attack in Franklin Park about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. She remains in the hospital. Jean McGuire, then executive director of METCO, speak at a news conference, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in Boston. (AP Photo/Julia Malakie, File) The family of Jean McGuire would like to thank all of the doctors and dedicated health care workers who are assisting in her recovery, the family said in the statement. We greatly appreciate the outpouring of love and support that Jean has received from people in the Greater Boston area, across Massachusetts, and around the world. Jean has spent her entire professional life fighting for all families to have the best educational opportunities to achieve their dreams. The family added that they are in the process of establishing a nonprofit to help promote the education throughout New England to support McGuires legacy. The suspect has not yet been caught, but police say he might have been injured during the attack. In addition to being the first Black woman on the school committee, where she served for a decade starting in 1981, McGuire in 1966 helped found METCO Inc., the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, which sends students of color from Boston to predominantly white suburban schools. She became the programs executive director in 1973 and served in the position until 2016, according to a biography posted by Northeastern Universitys John D. OBryant African American Institute. Story continues She studied at Howard University and Boston State College, and taught in a city school for two years before being named the first Black pupil adjustment counselor for Boston Public Schools. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post 91-year-old activist releases 1st statement since stabbing in Boston appeared first on TheGrio. The two young climate protesters who threw tomato soup over one of the worlds most famous paintings have pleaded not guilty to criminal damage charges. On Friday, 20-year-old Anna Holland, and 21-year-old Phoebe Plummer made headlines around the world after they were filmed opening two cans of Heinz tomato soup and throwing the contents over Vincent Van Goghs Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London. There is some minor damage to the frame but the painting is unharmed, the museum said in a statement shared on social media. Sunflowers is unharmed and is now back on display in Room 43, the museum added. The two women who are members of the activist group Just Stop Oil were arrested after the incident and appeared in court on Saturday. They were charged with criminal damage to the frame of van Goghs masterpiece, according to the BBC. Prosecutor Ola Oyedepo said that even though they threw the orange substance over the painting knowing that there would be a protective case over it, there was still damage to the frame. Their lawyer, Katie McFadeen, said that the prosecution needs to prove that damage has been caused, and that the extent of the damage would be relevant to the proportionality assessment in weighing up their right to expression. The women were released Saturday, but District Judge Tan Irkam said that they are not to enter any galleries or museums. They are also not allowed to have any paint or adhesive substances in a public place. Their trial was set for Dec. 13 at the City of London Magistrates Court. LONDON (AP) Three climate activists appeared in a London court on Saturday on charges of criminal damage after protests including throwing soup over Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers painting in the National Gallery. Two women, age 20 and 21, were charged in relation to the soup-throwing protest on Friday, while a third was charged over paint sprayed on a rotating sign at the Metropolitan Police's headquarters in central London. The three women pleaded not guilty to criminal damage at Westminster Magistrates' Court during two brief hearings Saturday. Demonstrators from climate change protest groups Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, which wants the U.K. government to halt new oil and gas projects, staged a series of protests in London on Friday. Just Stop Oil said activists dumped two cans of tomato soup over the Van Gogh oil painting, one of the Dutch artists most iconic works. The two protesters also glued themselves to the gallery wall. Prosecutor Ola Oyedepo said the pair didn't harm the oil painting, which was covered by a glass protective case, but damage was caused to the frame. The painting, one of several versions of Sunflowers that Van Gogh painted in the late 1880s, was cleaned and returned to its place in the National Gallery on Friday afternoon. District judge Tan Irkam released the women on bail on condition that they don't have paint or adhesive substances on them in a public place. Police said they made some 28 arrests in relation to Friday's protests, and 25 others were bailed pending further investigation. On Saturday, police arrested a further 26 people after Just Stop Oil protesters blocked a major road in east London. Some demonstrators glued themselves to the road surface. Just Stop Oil has drawn attention, and criticism, for their disruptive tactics, including targeting artworks in museums. In July, activists glued themselves to the frame of an early copy of Leonardo da Vincis The Last Supper at Londons Royal Academy of Arts, and to John Constables The Hay Wain in the National Gallery. Story continues Activists have also blocked bridges and intersections across London during two weeks of protests against the U.K. government's approach to climate change. The latest wave of demonstrations came as Prime Minister Liz Truss ' Conservative government opened a new licensing round for oil and gas operations in the North Sea and reversed a 2019 ban on fracking in England. Environmentalists say the U.K. government was undermining the fight against climate change. ___ Follow APs climate coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment Women are not allowed to apply to study many subjects at universities under the new rules "I went to the entrance exam with lots of hope. But when I saw the selection paper, I couldn't find my favourite subject," says a tearful Fatima. The 19-year-old is a student from Laghman province in eastern Afghanistan. The BBC is not using her real name for her safety. Fatima's dreams of pursuing a career in journalism have been put in jeopardy because of a new order by the country's Taliban rulers. A year after banning most teenage girls from attending school, the Taliban are imposing sweeping restrictions on which courses women can enrol in at public universities. "I dreamed of being a journalist. I wanted to work on radio and TV. I want to fight for women's rights," Fatima told the BBC. She did not get to complete her final year at school as girls were banned from high school by the Taliban after they seized power in August 2021. The militant group have said the correct "Islamic environment" needs to be created for older girls to be allowed back into schools, but more than a year after they returned to power this still has not happened in most provinces, with reports suggesting hardliners in the group remain opposed to it. Some universities put up screens to comply with the Taliban's rules on gender segregation But the Taliban did make the decision that girls who were in the last year of school could also sit university entrance exams. Fatima's excitement was short-lived however. The Taliban concession came with limitations on the subjects women, but not men, could choose. For instance, at Nangarhar University where Fatima hoped to study journalism, in the province neighbouring hers, girls are now given the right to choose from only seven of 13 faculties. Women are not permitted to take subjects like journalism, agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering or economics. "All their hopes are gone now," says Fatima, of the girls who would have pursued studies in these areas if they'd passed the entrance exam. Female students in the capital - Kabul University and others reopened in the spring following the Taliban takeover She and the other female students were given the option of taking a test in subjects such as nursing, midwifery or literature, which are among the courses on offer at the seven faculties open to them at Nangarhar. Story continues University professors who supervised the entrance examination there confirmed to the BBC that boys would be allowed to choose any subject they want. "The selection paper was not given to us in advance. When we - a group of about 10 girls - saw the paper and couldn't find the faculties we wanted, we all broke down in tears," Fatima recounted. The choice for female students can vary from university to university, and depending on which part of the country you're in, the BBC has found. Women are allowed to take medicine and nursing in all provinces, as well as teacher training and Islamic studies. But veterinary science, engineering, economics and agriculture appear off-limits to women nationwide, while opportunities to study journalism are extremely limited. It has been a tough journey for Fatima and her friends. Since schools were shut to them, they have had to prepare for university entrance at home. Fatima organised group studies with other girls. "In our area there are no opportunities to take tuition classes. They were all closed." There have been numerous protests in Afghanistan demanding access to education Officials expect 100,000 students (including 30,000 women) to take university entrance exams in Afghanistan this year. The academic year starts either in March or August, and it usually takes two to three months for entrance exam results to be announced. Now, with the Taliban back in power, nobody is sure when the results will be released. Male and female students have been taking the exams separately - in line with Taliban rules on segregating students by gender - for example boys in the morning, girls in the afternoon or by using screens in exam halls. In some provinces where the candidate numbers were high, entrance exams were held over two or three days. Activists say the number of female students applying for university will fall dramatically in the coming years, unless the Taliban reopen secondary schools to girls from grades 6 to 12. In Laghman province last year nearly 1,200 girls took the test while this year the number had fallen to just 182 girls. There are fears that numbers of female university entrants will drop sharply Taliban officials are downplaying the restrictions. Abdul Qadir Khamush, who heads the examinations division in the Ministry of Higher Education, says girls can choose their favourite subject, with the exception of just three or four. "We need to provide separate classes for women. In some areas the number of female candidates are low. So we are not allowing women to apply for certain courses." Officials are yet to reveal the number of university places on offer this year. Afghanistan's education sector was badly affected after the Taliban takeover and there has been an exodus of trained academics after the withdrawal of US-led forces last year. The country's economy has been largely dependent on foreign aid in recent decades, but aid agencies have partly - and in some cases fully - withdrawn support to the education sector after the Taliban refused to allow girls into all secondary schools. Many of the teaching staff who remain go unpaid for months. The Taliban have reduced women's ability to learn and earn Taliban restrictions on which subjects girls can study are not always uniformly applied across the country, the BBC has discovered. For instance, in Kabul University, girls are still allowed on some courses in the journalism faculty. But Fatima cannot circumvent the rules by applying to universities in places as far away as the capital. The Taliban have divided the country into a number of zones and girls are not allowed to study outside them, in what amounts to another very serious restriction based on sex. "I can only study what they offer me. I have no option," says Fatima, but she has not quite given up on her dream. "If the government changes its policy next year, I will choose journalism." But if that doesn't happen, she and other girls like her will have no option other than to study what the Taliban let them if they want to go to university. For the tens of thousands of teenage girls currently being denied a secondary education - even that choice may not be open in future. (Bloomberg) -- Africas influence on issues of global importance remains far too narrow for a continent of 1.2 billion people who are bearing the brunt of external shocks, finance ministers said. Most Read from Bloomberg We are at the table and increasingly so, but we occupy a small stool at the table, Zimbabwean Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube told reporters Saturday after the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Most of the time we are recipients of support -- of aid, of resources -- as opposed to the giver of resources to the rest of the world and that creates a naturally uneven relationship, but we should strengthen ourselves and we should be listened to. Assistance would be more impactful if contributors, including international financial institutions, listened to those they are helping who better understand the conditions on the ground, Ncube said. Africas weight at the table is very narrow and it remains marginalized even as the continents population and youth demographic is second only to Asia, said Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambias finance minister. Their comments add to the growing list of criticism by African leaders of rich nations in Washington this week as emerging markets deal with the fallout of developed nations policy decisions, including aggressive interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve that raise loan-servicing costs and have effectively locked some nations out of capital markets. The Feds actions -- which strengthened the greenback -- also raised the cost of dollar-priced energy and food imports particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where floods and droughts are adding to price pressures induced by Russias war in Ukraine. Top Kenyan central banker Patrick Njoroge warned that the spillover effects for emerging markets will have costly consequences while South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said this week that the continents leaders have little faith in the developed world and that Group of 20 nations debt-restructuring mechanism needs to be reformed. Story continues While the war in Ukraine and other geopolitical issues were at the fore in Washington, African leaders presented their cases strongly and appealed for the continent not to be forgotten, said Dier Tong Ngor, South Sudans minister of finance and economic planning. We cant expect that the development burden of Africa will be on the shoulders of institutions like the World Bank and IMF and so forth -- their resource levels are just too small compared to the needs, Ngor said. Theres a disjoint between what we get out of these institutions and what will be required for private sector money to draw in and complement the effect of the public money from these institutions. That is one of the issues that, hopefully, institutions like the World Bank need to listen to very carefully and adjust the way they do the business. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Before Amanda Todd died in 2012, she uploaded a video describing the bullying she had suffered A Dutchman convicted of sexually extorting a teenage Canadian girl who later took her own life has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. Aydin Coban, 44, will serve his sentence in the Netherlands, prosecutors in British Columbia said. He was convicted in August of child luring, child pornography, extortion and harassment of Amanda Todd. Amanda, who was then 15, posted a video in 2012 detailing how the cyber-stalker had tormented her. Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find upsetting. The YouTube video was watched millions of times and sparked a national debate about online bullying. Coban was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Dutch court in 2017 for blackmailing and harassing dozens of young women on the internet, some as far away as Britain, Canada and the United States. He was later extradited to Canada where he faced the additional charges. He was not, however, charged with Amanda's death. The 13-year sentence handed down on Friday will begin after the term imposed by the Dutch court has expired, said the British Columbia Prosecution Service. Coban showed no remorse in court in New Westminster as he learned his fate. Amanda killed herself five weeks after uploading her widely watched YouTube video, and after explicit photos of her were leaked online. Coban harassed the girl for nearly three years online using 22 separate fake social media accounts. He sent messages to her between 2009, starting when she was 13, and 2012. In some, he threatened to send explicit images of her to her friends, family and school staff if she didn't agree to give him a webcam "show". Coban hid his IP address, so police were not able to trace the messages back to him at the time. During Coban's sentencing hearing this week, prosecutors argued for a 12-year prison term to protect other young people from his "repugnant" abuse. They said they believed Coban was at high risk of offending again. Story continues Coban's defence lawyers had pushed for a two-year sentence, arguing a longer punishment would be "disproportionate" to the crimes he committed. British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Martha Devlin read the sentence in court on Friday. She said that although Coban's behaviour was not the "dominating factor" in the girl's suicide, she did find that the "profound harm" he caused her aggravated mental health and substance abuse issues, according to CBC News. "Ruining Amanda's life was Mr Coban's expressly stated goal and was, sadly, one that he achieved," she said. His sentencing hearing in Canada began shortly after the 10th anniversary of Amanda's death. Her mother, Carol, has since become an outspoken advocate against online bullying and sex extortion. "We need to talk about it," she said. "We need to make sure there is justice for Amanda." If you want to talk to someone about the issues raised in this piece, you can call the US National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialling 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. You can call the UK Samaritans Helpline on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. Amazon workers and supporters picket at an air freight hub in San Bernardino on Friday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A group of workers at an Amazon air freight hub in San Bernardino that has been pushing for a $5-per-hour pay increase and more robust safety measures accused the e-commerce giant of unfair labor practices in a Thursday filing with the National Labor Relations Board. The group, which calls itself Inland Empire Amazon Workers United, alleged the company threatened an employee and ultimately terminated him in retaliation for activities including signing a petition for a wage increase, soliciting co-worker signatures, distributing literature, wearing a sticker in support of the wage increase and participating in a walkout, according to a copy of the filing reviewed by The Times. Inland Empire Amazon Workers United also alleged in the filing that Amazon had interrogated employees about their union-related activities, issued write-ups to other employees in retaliation for wearing stickers in support of the wage increase and surveilled workers engaged in organizing. Dozens of Amazon workers at the air freight hub walked off the job midday Friday to protest what they described in a statement as a "shameful" response by the company to their ongoing push for higher pay. In interviews, workers said the e-commerce giant has brought in anti-union labor consultants to their facility in recent months, contributing to a perception among workers that they are being watched and could face retaliation for speaking out to improve workplace conditions. NLRB spokesperson Matt Hayward confirmed Friday the board's Region 31 office received the allegations related to Amazons KSBD facility and is processing the filing. Amazon disputes the allegations. "We disagree with these claims," Amazon spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis said in an email. We do not retaliate against employees for exercising their federally protected rights." Inland Empire Amazon Workers United did not specify how many workers are formally involved in the unfair labor practice allegations but said the claims were drawn from the experiences of at least a handful of workers. Story continues At the protest Friday afternoon, workers, community activists, environmentalists and Teamsters union members supporting the effort crowded outside the San Bernardino fulfillment center known as KSBD carrying red signs emblazoned with the message "Prime shoppers beware: Amazon air is unfair." Organizers of the walkout estimated that about 100 workers participated and said they expected that number to increase as some employees on the night shift Friday also planned to walk out. Javier Martinez, an Amazon worker who participated in the Friday protest, said the company was scanning the badges of workers who were entering and exiting the facility around the time of the planned walkout. He said this was not a normal practice at this facility. Martinez said typically Amazon simply has security staff glance at workers' badges at the door when they enter for their shift. Martinez, 21, believes the company is seeking to collect names of workers who participated in the protest. Retaliation is "a real concern," Martinez said, especially for his co-workers who have families to support. Rex Evans, who works outdoors loading and unloading cargo from aircraft, marched with co-workers near the employee entrance, waving a flier titled "Caution!" with a warning about an anti-union labor consultant he said has been a near-constant presence at the KSBD facility in recent weeks. Evans and other workers began discussing in early September concerns that Amazon had dispatched anti-union consultants, including a woman named Miriam Navarro, who has introduced herself to workers as a representative of the company's employee relations department. Navarro's LinkedIn profile describes her as a bilingual professional "with an extensive record of successfully facilitating communication and resolving work force issues as a labor/employee relations consultant." Navarro appears to be listed as "M Navarro" in publicly available disclosures with the U.S. Department of Labor of consultants who have worked with Amazon. Navarro did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Two workers told The Times that in recent months as they have become more engaged in the push for higher pay they have been interrogated by supervisors and are more frequently sent to do jobs in different departments instead of their typical assignments, which they believe is a tactic by the company to isolate them from co-workers. Sara Fee, who works in an area of KSBD called the outbound dock, said that a supervisor interrogated her and explicitly warned her the company was watching her. Fee also said Navarro, the labor consultant, has followed her around closely at work and seems to track and then approach co-workers to whom Fee has talked throughout the day. Anna Ortega said on Thursday a manager sent her to retrieve a box of masks on the other side of the building. On her way there, Ortega said, she was approached by another supervisor who asked her how many workers were planning to walk out at the protest planned the next day. "They wait until I'm alone and then they come up to me and ask questions," Ortega said. "Seeing how that played out, I was suspicious, because I was in a group of people and then I was sent away." Amazon did not respond to questions about Fee's accusations. The company did not immediately respond to questions about supervisors' questioning of Ortega. Amazon warehouse workers and members of Teamsters Union protest together at Amazon Air Hub on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 in San Bernardino, CA. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) Paradis, the Amazon spokesperson, described the company's communications with employees about union activities as ordinary for the circumstances. "Holding meetings about unions with employees is a process thats been legally recognized for more than 70 years," Paradis said in an email. "Like many other companies, we hold these meetings because its important that everyone understands the facts about joining a union. Amazon did not answer detailed questions about its use of labor consultants at KSBD. A worker leading a union drive backed by the upstart Amazon Labor Union at another Amazon facility, ONT8, in nearby Moreno Valley, said earlier this week that she and other workers were required to attend anti-union meetings and were falsely told that their benefits would disappear if they unionized. These meetings, known as captive audience meetings, are legal under labor board precedent. But earlier this year the boards general counsel issued a memo saying that the precedent did not align with underlying federal law, and said she planned to challenge it. The accounts by Amazon workers in the Southern California facilities are reminiscent of other charges lobbed at the e-commerce giant earlier this year. The Amazon Labor Union, which led workers at JFK8, a Staten Island warehouse, to a watershed victory in April, also criticized Amazon for requiring workers at the facility to attend anti-union meetings and accused the company of threatening to withhold benefits from employees if they voted to unionize. ALU alleged Amazon had inaccurately indicated to employees that they could be fired if the warehouse were to unionize and they failed to pay union dues. The NLRB found merit to some accusations leveled by the union. Amazon objected to the union win at JFK8, and the result is still being litigated through an appeals process. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. An American Airlines passenger is asking the company for "reparations" after tweeting that she was "wedged" between two "obese people" on a three-hour flight. Sydney Watson, who describes herself as an Australian/American political commentator, posted to Twitter on Monday stating that she was "literally - WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight." "This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I'm stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours," Watson said. In the tweet thread, Watson said that "If you need a seat belt extender, you are TOO FAT TO BE ON A PLANE." AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT RETURNS TO AIRPORT AFTER FUMES FILLED THE CABIN, PROMPTING EVACUATION American Airlines plane "Buy two seats or don't fly," Watson added. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Watson said that the flight attendant on the plane "has asked me 4 times if I need anything" and gave her "the this is f--ked pity expression." According to Watson, she asked a brother to one of the women she was sitting next to if he'd like to "swap seats." "He says, 'no. That's okay :)' ...and then I started shrieking internally," Watson said. "I don't care if this is mean. My entire body is currently being touched against my wishes. I can't even put the arm rests down on either side because there's no f-ing room. I'm sick of acting like fatness to this extent is normal. Let me assure you, it is not" she said. JUST 'PLANE' BAD ETIQUETTE: AIRLINE PASSENGER DRAPES HER LONG, THICK HAIR OVER THE BACK OF HER SEAT After calling out American Airlines, the company responded, tweeting: "Our passengers come in all different sizes and shapes. We're sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight." "Holy s--t," Watson said of American Airlines response to her experience. "This is really their official reply to me being sandwiched between two obese humans," Watson said. "So, I'm expected to have only a quarter of a seat when I fly? I just experienced getting sweat on, touched without my consent, smacked in the face and subjected to hours of no personal space. And your response is essentially too bad? Is that what I'm getting here?," Watson said. Story continues At one point during the flight, Watson said that she "elected to close my tray table and hold my cup of tea between my teeth because it's jabbing her belly and I can't get it down properly." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP An American Airlines jet at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Travel experts say it's usually safer to book flights directly through the airlines than through a third-party vendor. Responding to media coverage of her experience, Watson said that she stands behind "everything I said" and tweeted "I'd like some reparations pls." Fox News has reached out to American Airlines and Watson for further comment. EXCLUSIVE Republican Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has asked the IRS and FBI to review the financials of the conservative nonprofit group True The Vote for allegedly raising money on false statements about widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. In a letter obtained Friday by Fox News Digital, Chief Special Agent Reggie Grigsby of the Special Investigations Section for Brnovichs office accused True The Vote (TTV) of repeatedly failing to provide promised information about alleged ballot stuffing and voter fraud to his office while publicly asserting they did so in order to raise funds. "TTV has raised considerable sums of money alleging they had evidence of widespread voter fraud and their efforts would train the public to protect election integrity at the polls and to help protect all voters' rights," the letter said. "They indicate they have provided the information to law enforcement agencies; in our case they have not after promising to do so. Another law enforcement agency has also stated they have not provided them the information, informing them they had given the information to us." "Given TTV's status as a nonprofit organization, it would appear that further review of its financials may be warranted." ARIZONA WOMAN SENTENCED TO 30 DAYS IN PRISON FOR COLLECTING 4 EARLY BALLOTS IN 2020 PRIMARY Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Grigsbys letter said TTV has specifically claimed to possess geolocation data from mobile devices indicating that some mobile devices made several trips to a ballot drop box, which TTV claims is evidence of ballot stuffing. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP He said TTV was "adamant" of its voter fraud evidence, but provided no information "as to the specific location, whether or not there is in fact a drop box at that location, nor is there any information on the person(s) who may be in possession of the mobile device." True The Vote is a Texas-based non-partisan 501c(3) established "to train citizens to protect election integrity at the polls and to help protect all voters rights," according to its website. TTV was founded in 2009 by Catherine Engelbrecht, who was recently featured in the documentary "2000 Mules," produced by conservative political commentator Dinesh DSouza. Story continues Grigsby said Englebrecht and her business partner Gregg Phillips met with representatives of the Special Investigations Section on three separate occasions June 3, 2021, April 5, 2022 and June 1, 2022. "Prior to each meeting with TTV, Ms. Engelbrecht and Mr. Phillips stated they would provide us with the information to support their allegations," Grigsby wrote. But he said TTV "never did provide the information it purported to have in its possession." Votes wait to be counted by staff at the Maricopa County Elections Department office Nov. 5, 2020, in Phoenix, Ariz. Still, TTV "began to publicly assert that they had provided us with the information to include a hard drive and made that claim to the Arizona State Senate and Phoenix Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation," which Gigsby said is "patently false." COLORADO SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS OFFICE ACCIDENTALLY SENT 30,000 VOTER REGISTRATION NOTICES TO NONCITIZENS Grigsby said at the last meeting on June 1, TTV representatives claimed to be informants with the FBI and instructed Grigsbys team to contact the Phoenix FBI office to obtain the alleged information on voter fraud. Grigsby said in the letter that his team then met with Phoenix FBI representatives a week later on June 8, only to discover that TTV told the FBI to work with the attorney generals office as they claimed to have provided all their information to Brnovichs office. "We again requested the information from TTV via electronic and U.S. mail correspondence and leaving voicemail messages," Grisby wrote. "TTV never responded to our email or phone calls, and registered mail was returned having not been signed for." FORMER DEM REP GETS 30-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE IN BALLOT-STUFFING ELECTION FRAUD CASE A resident walks past a "vote here" sign outside a polling location at the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix, Ariz. According to Grigsby, TTV still publicly took credit for the attorney general's office opening investigations into voter fraud. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "This is innacurate," Grigsby wrote. "TTV has not provided us any information/evidence of election fraud in Arizona that has led to us initiating and investigation." On Friday, Brnovich's office announced that the former mayor of San Luis, Arizona, Guillermina Fuentes, was sentenced to 30 days in prison for her role in a "ballot harvesting" scheme in a primary election in August 2020. Brnovich's office claims this investigation was in no way connected to work by True the Vote. KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2022, 19:04 The Ukrainian military repelled Russian attacks on the Kramatorsk, Bakhmut and Avdiivka fronts on Saturday. Source: Summary by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 Quote: "Units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine repelled enemy attacks in the districts of the settlements of Novosadove on the Kramatorsk front, Yakovlivka, Berestove, Bakhmut, Bakhmutske and Opytne on the Bakhmut front, Krasnohorivka, Nevelske, Pervomaiske, Mariinka and Pobeda on the Avdiivka front. Details: Air Defence Forces of Ukraine inflicted 30 strikes throughout the day. The destruction of 23 areas of concentration of weapons and military equipment, as well as seven positions of enemy anti-aircraft missile systems was confirmed. In addition, Ukrainian air defence units shot down six UAVs and one enemy helicopter. Missile forces and artillery over the past day hit five control points, seven areas of concentration of manpower, weapons and military equipment, and three ammunition depots. Russian artillery positions and other important military targets also fell into the zone of fire damage. During the day, the invaders inflicted four missile and 17 air strikes, and carried out up to 10 MLRS attacks. The occupiers struck military targets and civilians in more than 20 settlements. Among them are Konstiantynivka, Bilohiria, Ivanivka, Nikopol, Bakhmut, Soledar, Yakovlivka, Davydiv Brid and Nalyvaikivka. The affected area includes infrastructure facilities within the territories of Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv and other oblasts. For their strikes, the occupiers used cruise, aviation and anti-aircraft guided missiles. In addition, the occupiers continue to use Iranian-made Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicles. The enemy carried out shelling: on the Sivershchyna front - from mortars, barrel and rocket artillery, in and around the settlements of Senkivka and Prohres in Chernihiv Oblast and Pavlivka, Dmytrivka, Mezenivka, Bachivsk, and Sosnivka in Sumy Oblast. on the Slobozhanshchyna front - from tanks, mortars, barrel and rocket artillery, in the areas of the settlements of Vovchanski Khutory, Gatyshche, Lyptsy, Ohirtseve, Starytsa, Udy. The invading forces also used UAVs to correct artillery fire; on the Kramatorsk front - from tanks, mortars, barrel and rocket artillery, in and around the settlements of Verkhniokamianske, Vyshneve, Zarichne, Nadiia, Pershotravneve, Terny and Torske; on the Bakhmut and Avdiivka fronts the Russians carried out attacks from tanks and artillery of various types along the entire contact line. on the Novopavlivka and Zaporizhzhia front s, the occupiers did not carry out any offensive actions. More than 20 settlements were struck from tanks, mortars and barrel artillery, including Bilohiria, Vuhledar, Vremivka, Zaliznychne, Mykilske, Novoukrainka, Neskuchne, Orikhiv, Charivne and Olhivske; on the Pivdennyi Buh front, more than 35 settlements along the entire contact line came under fire. To conduct aerial reconnaissance, the invaders have deployed more than 60 UAVs. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russias invasion of Ukraine earlier this year caused a massive flight from both countries. Russians fled to the West, not wanting to be associated with a war President Vladimir Putin seemed to launch for no credible reason. Ukrainians fled too, because bombs and rockets were falling on their towns and villages, killing the very people Russia was supposedly eager to liberate. More than 30,000 refugees ended up in Israel, where an organization called Early Starters International offered their children early education classes. Hundreds of Ukrainian families accepted the offer, not realizing that in some cases, their children would be taught by Russians who had fled the same war they had escaped. Its not easy for me, says Sophia Kurtik, one of four Russian teachers who now work for Early Starters nurseries in Israel or Eastern Europe. Sometimes Im meeting with some parents, and with them I feel its a big problem. People look at the exterior of a damaged residential block hit by an early morning missile strike on Feb. 25 in Kyiv. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images) Once, an irate father demanded to know why she was giving the children Russian flags. She wasnt: The flags were French, distributed as part of an activity unrelated to war. But mistrust runs so deep that the fathers anger cannot be chalked up to confusion between the two somewhat similar tricolors. Of course, some of the parents, upon arriving to our centers, are apprehensive of having a Russian teacher but we quickly see that we are all on the same side, says Early Starters co-founder Sarah Wilner. No one wants this war. Although Ukrainians and Russians do share deep religious, cultural and ethnic ties, the rupture caused by Putins invasion may take generations to heal. I will never forgive Russia, a Ukrainian poet wrote in spring, expressing a sentiment shared by many of his compatriots, many of whom do not make a distinction between the good Russians who oppose the war and the millions who endorse it. That means that for Kurtik, every encounter with Ukrainian parents has the potential to become fraught, as she confessed to Yahoo News in a recent conversation. Most dont, however. Incomprehensible geopolitical forces have led her to Israel, a country locked in its own existential struggle. As for the Ukrainian refugees, they went from one of the worlds two nations with a Jewish president (Volodymyr Zelensky is the first Jewish person to lead Ukraine) to the other. Story continues Russian newspapers in a building previously used by the head of Russian occupying forces on Friday in Vyshneve, Ukraine. (Carl Court/Getty Images) Like them, Kurtik is outraged by the aggressive war Russia launched in February. She buys none of the reasoning Putin has offered about Kyivs fascistic tendencies, which only begs the question of why she and so many other sophisticated, savvy Russians didnt denounce the procession of falsehoods earlier. After all, Putins initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014 was launched under similarly fictional pretenses, as was the 2008 invasion of Georgia. And dont tell me these Russians didnt have a choice, Ukrainian journalist Veronika Melkozerova wrote in the Atlantic over the summer. Were the ones who didnt have a choice. All they had to do was disobey orders, and refuse to take part in Putins special military operation. Myriad fictions and deceptions have sustained Putins power for two decades, with complicity from millions of Russian citizens who had been enervated by decades of Soviet rule. Desperate for better lives, they gave Putin free rein. Only with the current invasion of Ukraine did Russians like Kurtik come to fully grasp what Russia had become under his leadership. Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, with Ukrainian separatist regional leaders during the annexation ceremony for four Ukrainian regions on Sept. 30 in Moscow. (Contributor/Getty Images) Its heartbreaking, Kurtik says of the war, noting that her own ancestry like that of many other Russians can be traced back to Ukraine. I was hoping it would end immediately, she recalls, imagining that Putin might be assassinated by a political rival. But his grip on the Kremlin remained as firm as ever, with internal Kremlin dissent let alone the possibility of a coup virtually nonexistent. Nor did he appear to be rattled by the protests that broke out across Russia. About two weeks into the invasion, which was already showing serious signs of faltering, Russia passed a new law criminalizing false information that is, honest reporting and open discussion about what the Kremlin insisted on calling a special military operation. Kurtik had not joined the protests, fearing repercussions from rough police tactics. But the new law proved too much. I feel like it was the end of free speech in our country, she told Yahoo News. And I cant live without free speech; I cant raise my son without free speech. Which is why she gave up her psychology practice in Moscow and fled with her husband and son to Egypt and then to Israel, where she now teaches the children of Ukrainian refugees in a kindergarten run by Early Starters International. She sees the work as a kind of duty and also, perhaps, a kind of penance. They were pulled from their homes, from their families. Their fathers are still in Ukraine, Kurtik says of her young charges, of their desperate need for normalcy in a deeply abnormal world. Its very meaningful for me to be there with the kids, to hear their stories, to listen to them, to play with them, to help them to process, somehow, this trauma. Wilner, the Early Starters co-founder, says that because Ukrainian men have mostly stayed behind, it is mothers who have had to manage the difficulties of life abroad, from housing to education. The resilience I see in women is one that always amazes me, no matter where in the world, she told Yahoo News. Helena, a teacher, outside a hospital after the bombing of the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on Feb. 24. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images) Early Starters International had experience in offering early childhood education in the developing world; as soon as the scope of the conflict in Eastern Europe became apparent, the organization started early childhood education programs in Moldova and Israel. As the war started, we felt the need to do something, says Early Starters co-founder Ran Cohen Harounoff. At the time, Israel was attempting a delicate diplomatic dance of showing support for Ukraine while not alienating Russia. Many felt that was not enough. I think at the beginning, we were compensating a little bit, Cohen Harounoff acknowledges. As a second-generation Holocaust survivor my mother was hidden by a Christian family in Holland I felt obligated to do that, he says of starting early childhood programs for Ukrainian refugees. Of the many needs Ukrainians face, restoring a sense of normalcy for children is among the foremost. Their schooling had been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, then the war with Russia. Schools in Ukraine are desperate for resources to build bomb shelters instead of playgrounds, with children being taught about unexploded ordnances instead of road safety. This is the stark reality for Ukrainian students, parents and teachers, UNICEF head Catherine Russell recently said. UNICEF also estimates that some 1.5 million Ukrainian children have been displaced by the war, meaning that many of them must begin school in another country, one to which they may have no genuine connection, whose language and culture may be utterly foreign. Newly arrived refugees from Ukraine proceed to be registered at the main shelter and relocation center in Przemysl, Poland, on March 16. (Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP via Getty Images) What we do comes from a very strong belief that children have a right to access an education, says Wilner. And its our responsibility as adults to provide it for them. Today, Early Starters runs seven early education centers in Moldova and six in Israel, with two now opening in Prague. Since the start of the war, some 3,500 children have received schooling and child care there, according to Wilner. The centers are nurseries, utterly ordinary in every way except that the children who learn there are refugees. Kurtik says that the trauma of war is obvious, especially in the aggressive behavior of some boys, who have clearly internalized the military mood of early 2022, when the war began. But there are also lighter moments. Wilner described how in early September she witnessed three girls returning to Early Starters after summer vacation, crashing into each other for a mirthful hug. They just hung on to each other, she says. It was the most touching thing Id seen in a long time. LONDON (Reuters) -British online fashion retailer ASOS is in talks with lenders to amend the terms of its 350 million pound ($391 million) borrowing facility, it said on Saturday. "ASOS ... confirms that it is in the final stages of agreeing an amendment to the future financial covenants in its revolving credit facility, which matures in July 2024," it said in a statement. The retailer said the move would give it significantly increased financial flexibility, against an uncertain economic backdrop. "ASOS retains a strong liquidity position and this is a prudent step in the current environment," it said. The statement was issued after Sky News reported that ASOS had recently approached its lenders, including Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group, to amend its borrowing agreements. Sky News said the lenders were lining up AlixPartners and law firm Clifford Chance to advise them on an "unfolding situation". ASOS, which sells fashion to 20-somethings, was an early pandemic winner as locked-down consumers shopped online but has struggled as people returned to stores and its shares have slumped 78% so far this year. It warned last month that it expected profit before tax in the year to Aug. 31 to be around the bottom end of its guidance of 20 million pounds to 60 million pounds after weaker than projected August sales. It said the August shortfall reflected the impact of accelerating inflationary pressures on consumers and a slow start to autumn/winter shopping. ASOS also forecast full-year net debt of about 150 million pounds, which was higher than previous guidance. The Sky News report also said at least one major trade credit insurer which provides cover to ASOS's suppliers in the event of its failure to pay them is said to have decided to reduce its support. "This happened towards the end of August and there has been no adverse impact on trading relationships with our suppliers," ASOS said in response. Story continues ASOS is due to report full-year results on Wednesday. ($1 = 0.8953 pounds) (Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru and James Davey in London; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and David Clarke) SRINAGAR, India (AP) Assailants on Saturday fatally shot a Kashmiri Hindu man in violence police blamed on militants fighting against Indian rule in the disputed region. Police said militants fired at Puran Krishan Bhat, who is from the minority community of Kashmiri Hindus, at his home in southern Shopian district. He was taken to a hospital where he died, police said in a statement. Police and soldiers cordoned off the area and launched a search for the attackers. In August, a local Hindu man was killed and his brother injured in Shopian in a shooting that police also blamed on insurgents. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety. Rebels in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country. India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and most Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict. Kashmir has witnessed a spate of targeted killings since October last year. Several Hindus, including immigrant workers from Indian states, have been killed. Police say the killings including that of Muslim village councilors, police officers and civilians have been carried out by anti-India rebels. The spate of killings come as Indian troops have continued their counterinsurgency operations across the region amid a clampdown on dissent and press freedom, which critics have likened to a militaristic policy. Kashmirs minority Hindus, who are locally known as Pandits, have long fretted over their place in the region. Most of an estimated 200,000 of them fled Kashmir in the 1990s, when an armed rebellion against Indian rule began. Some 4,000 returned after 2010 as part of a government resettlement plan that provided them with jobs and housing. The emergency department at Atlanta Medical Center has officially shut down and the rest of the hospital isnt far behind. Wellstar plans to have the hospital fully closed by November 1. Channel 2s Tom Regan has learned that patients who show up at the hospital within the next two weeks will be transported to another hospital. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] With the hospital on its last breath, Regan spoke with community members who say the closure is a big loss for the community who rely on it. Foster moms need help with kids. They stay maybe a few blocks away, they walk over here. Now, they wont be able to, Daryl Dennis said. When Im sick, I dont want to get up and move nowhere, so if Im at the hospital, they tell me I have to because theyre closing, Im pretty mad, Alzono Batista said. RELATED STORIES: Wellstar says it made the decision to close AMC because of mounting financial losses of more than $100 million last year. They expect to only have 50 patients left at the hospital this weekend. Grady Memorial Hospital say they are bearing the brunt of the closure. We have seen an increase in ambulance traffic, Grady Medical Director Dr. Robert Jansen said. We have seen an uptick of already about 30%. We also saw a big increase in air ambulance traffic, traffic helicopters coming that volume has probably double already. Jansen says Grady will add staff and beds to treat additional patients from AMC. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Mercy Care, a charity clinic in downtown Atlanta, says they are now welcoming patients that would normally go to AMC. Is there more than one suspect in the high-profile murder case of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh? An 11-page motion filed Oct. 14 by attorneys for accused disbarred South Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh raises that possibility. After scores of other criminal indictments, Murdaugh was charged July 14 with two counts each of murder and weapons charges in the June 7, 2021, shooting deaths after more than a year-long state police investigation. With a trial date set for January 2023 in Colleton County General Sessions Court, Murdaughs legal team, Richard Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, filed a motion to compel which presents information that may indicate there could be at least two other murder suspects: Curtis Edward Smith and an unnamed Murdaugh groundskeeper. What is Murdaughs criminal defense team asking for? The motion to compel seeks to force the SC Attorney Generals Office, which is prosecuting the case, to hand over the following materials: All polygraph data and notes related to the polygraph examination of Smith on May 5, 2022; All evidence collected by the execution of search warrants on Smiths home on Sept. 7, 2021; All evidence collected by the execution of search warrants on Smiths phone in September 2021; Records and notes of any interview with Donna Eason, an associate of Smiths; All DNA test results involving Smith; If the state did not collect DNA from Smith to compare to DNA taken at the murder scene, an explanation of why it didnt do so; The terms of all cooperation and non-prosecution agreements between the state and Smith. Motion reveals compelling new information and possible murder suspects Motion to Compel by USA TODAY Network on Scribd The motion states that Smith gave deceptive answers during a May 5, 2022, polygraph interview with Capt. Bryan Jones of the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Specifically, Smith gave questionable answers when asked if he shot either of the people at Murdaughs rural estate, Moselle, or if he was present when the killings occurred. Story continues "Smith failed," the motion states. "The polygraph report notes 'Responses indicative of attempted deception were noted'..." Murdaugh's legal team also requested the right to take DNA samples from Smith to compare with DNA from the crime scene, if the state had failed to do so. Moreover, the State is turning a blind eye to the obvious, that the reason Smith failed the polygraph when asked if he murdered Maggie and Paul is because he did in fact commit those heinous crimes, the motion adds. Smiths attorney Aimee Zmroczek told The (Columbia, SC) State newspaper on Friday that her client is innocent and has an ironclad alibi for the time of the shootings. Eddie Smith continues to be a victim of Alex Murdaugh and his deeds, Zmroczek told The State. Is there a third possible murder suspect? Since the July 14 murder indictments were levied on Murdaugh, prosecutors have not named any additional suspects or indicated they were looking for any additional accomplices in the killings. Not only does Murdaugh's latest motion raise the possibility of Smith as a suspect, it also presents a third option. When asked about the murders, Smith said that he was 35 miles away at home and provided three "convenient" alibi witnesses, the motion states, adding "I know I was nowhere near the place where Maggie and Paul got killed at." Smith then presented a new possible narrative: something Smith said he heard - that Maggie was having a thing with an unnamed Murdaugh groundskeeper and when Paul caught them he shot his mother with a rifle and the groundskeeper then shot Paul with a shotgun. In the motion, Harpootlian and Griffin also allege that the state's evidence is not only insufficient to prove that Murdaugh shot Maggie, it also proves that he did not shoot Paul. Murdaugh's attorneys also allege that the state has a "weak circumstantial" case that hinges on evidence that Murdaugh was at the crime scene within an hour of the killings. The motion also alleges that Smith regularly delivered drugs to Murdaugh near the dog kennels where Paul and Maggie were found shot and killed on June 7, 2021. It is unknown when Circuit Judge Clifton Newman will consider this motion. SC Attorney General's Office responds to motion, plans to file answer On Friday afternoon, Robert Kittle, spokesperson for the AG's Office, said the Attorney General plans to file an answer and issued the following statement: "We will be filing our written response Monday. We just received a copy of the motion from the defense close to 1 this afternoon and Creighton Waters has been on the road today with the plea and prison sentence of former Chester County Supervisor Shane Stuart. To date, we have provided over three-quarters of a terabyte of information to the defense. No Brady material will be withheld and, as always, we will address these issues in our pleadings and in the courtroom and will not try this case outside the courtroom." While these pretrial motions continue, Murdaugh remains jailed in Richland County's Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a $7 million bond he had been unable to meet. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Are there other suspects in the Murdaugh family double murders? Police are investigating the death of man in northwest Kansas City, Kansas on Saturday afternoon. Officers arrived to the scene at 10:16 a.m. in the 2800 block of Wood Avenue, said Nancy Chartrand, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. When authorities arrived, they discovered a man dead inside of a residence. The investigation is ongoing, according to Chartrand. Anyone with information can report anonymously to 816-474-TIPS(8477). Oct. 14A Bakersfield doctor pleaded guilty to tax evasion Friday in federal court after evading more than $300,000 of personal tax liability and pocketing money claimed as deductions on his tax returns, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney Office of the Eastern District. Pain management doctor Janardhan Grandhe, 65, who owns Central Valley Pain Management, gave checks to employees and said they were reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses such as their medical education, meals, mileage and travel expenses. The doctor would then tell his employees to cash those checks and give him the cash. Those dollars were then placed into accounts controlled by him or his family members, the news release stated. "In many cases, those expenses were never incurred by the employees," the U.S. Attorney's Office continued in the news release. The money given to his employees were claimed as deductions on his tax returns, and Grandhe gave false documents to his tax preparer to support his illegal behavior, the news release added. Grandhe also diverted business receipts into his personal bank account and didn't tell his tax preparer which led the receipts to be excluded from his tax returns. Examples of the unreported receipts include checks from customers for stem cell injection and credit card receipts for business medical services. The unreported income resulted in Grandhe's net income to be smaller on his personal tax returns, the news release noted. Grandhe is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 3 and faced the maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $100,000 fine. The Biden administration announced moves this week to tackle a surge in Venezuelan migration across the southern border, but the combination of an expansion of Title 42 expulsions and a new humanitarian parole path has upset lawmakers and activists on both the right and the left. The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday that it is launching a new large-scale border enforcement operation with Mexico combined with an expansion of removals of Venezuelan nationals. The campaign will see Mexico and the U.S. increase checkpoints for migrants, collaborate on targeting human smuggling operations and surge in resources and law enforcement personnel. But crucially, the cooperation also means that all Venezuelans entering the U.S. illegally would now be returned to Mexico under the Title 42 public health order. Venezuelans had not been returned under the order due to a lack of diplomatic relations with Venezuela and a refusal by Mexico to take them. BIDEN ADMIN ANNOUNCES BORDER OP WITH MEXICO, INCREASED REMOVALS OF VENEZUELANS Venezuelans are seen being put on buses after being expelled from the U.S. under Title 42. At the same time, the administration is launching a new parole program to provide a legal pathway for Venezuelan nationals to fly to the U.S. Capped at just 24,000, the humanitarian parole program requires Venezuelans to have a supporter in the U.S. to provide financial and other support, pass biometric and other security screenings, and complete public health requirements including vaccinations. It's similar to a program announced earlier in the year for eligible Ukrainians . Nationals would be ineligible for the program if they have previously been deported, have crossed into the U.S. or into Mexico illegally. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The measures come as the administration is continuing to deal with a historic border crisis of more than 2.1 million encounters this fiscal year alone -- including a recent surge in nationals from Venezuela. There were more than 25,000 encounters of Venezuelan migrants in August, up from just 4,000 in April. In August last year there were just over 6,000 migrant encounters from Venezuela. Its led to increased political pressure on the administration, with governors of Texas, Arizona and Florida transporting migrants north -- many of them Venezuelan. Story continues The administration sought to present the actions as prioritizing lawful entry and dissuading illegal entry. "These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. "Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future. Those who follow the lawful process will have the opportunity to travel safely to the United States and become eligible to work here." But the program saw a mixed reception from both the left and the right. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-NJ, praised the administrations legal pathway, but hit the administration hard for expanding Title 42 -- a move he called "inexcusable." "Expanding Title 42 to now include Venezuelans adds salt to an open wound while further eroding our asylum system that President Biden promised to restore," he said in a statement. He called for the administration to reconsider the expulsion, remove some restrictions on the parole program, and continue to seek the end of Title 42 in the courts as it has been doing. Meanwhile, immigration activists were similarly upset with the policy. Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, accused the administration of making "an end run around our humanitarian obligations." "By bending to the callous whims of Republican governors in Texas, Arizona and Florida as this country gears up for midterm elections, the Biden Administration has taken multiple steps backwards in time to the cruel immigration policies of Donald Trump," he said in a statement. HOUSE REPUBLICANS URGE BIDEN ADMIN TO TAKE EVERY POSSIBLE STEP' TO STOP ILLEGAL MIGRATION FROM VENEZUELA Dozens of non-governmental organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Human Rights Watch, RAICES and the Southern Poverty Law Center, wrote to Mayorkas expressing "deep disappointment and shock" at the announcement of expanded Title 42 removals. "While we welcome steps to provide safe processing for some Venezuelans, the creation of safe pathways should never be wielded to deny other people seeking protection access to asylum," they wrote in a letter. "We are also troubled that the announcement refers to attempted entry at the southern border by Venezuelans as illegal." Meanwhile, the announcement was not well-received by Republicans and groups on the right, either. IMMIGRATION ACTIVISTS DISMAYED AT BIDEN MOVE TO EXPAND TITLE 42 TO VENEZUELAN ILLEGAL MIGRANTS House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member John Katko called the move a "cynical and inadequate attempt to address the unprecedented crisis at the southwest border of which this administration has completely lost control." "With the midterm election just around the corner, the Biden administration sees the writing on the wall and is merely trying to place a band-aid on a hemorrhaging border to save face," the Republican said in a statement. Describing it as a "PR stunt" he said the policy was also "ripe for abuse and will likely contribute to migrants providing inaccurate information about their country of origin as they attempt to enter the interior of the country." Meanwhile, hawkish immigration groups remained unimpressed. "If Venezuelans can be turned back to Mexico why cant all migrants, regardless of country of origin?" RJ Hauman, head of government relations and communications at the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The new policy did receive some praise from Democrats, however. In New York, where officials have been overwhelmed with the migrant surge coming north via buses and other means of transport, said the move would stem the flow of individuals. "While details are still emerging, this federal action is a short-term step to address this humanitarian crisis and humanely manage the flow of border crossings," NYC Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement, while arguing that a "long-term and proactive strategy is still needed" from Congress. "We are grateful to President Biden and his administration for our ongoing dialogue to address this humanitarian crisis and look forward to continuing to work closely with them moving forward," he said. President Biden announced a new $725 million defense drawdown to support Ukraine on Friday as Russia conducts a series of missile strikes throughout the country. Biden announced the drawdown in a White House release, authorizing Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide the money for equipment, military education and training. Russia has launched hundreds of missiles against Ukraine, targeting its capital of Kyiv and other cities, in recent days following an explosion on a bridge that connects Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, a key supply line for Russian troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of being behind the explosion, but reportedly said on Friday that additional massive strikes against Ukraine are unnecessary at least for now. He also said he did not regret initiating the strikes. Many of the Russian missiles were aimed at civilian targets. The Biden administration had announced a $625 million security aid package earlier this month after Russia held four referendums to annex regions of Ukraine. Both the votes and Russias annexations have been condemned by the U.S. and its allies. The referendums took place in the occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia under the supervision of Russian soldiers. Ukrainian forces have seen major successes on the battlefield as they continue efforts to retake territory in the northern, southern and central parts of the country. Some of the territory includes areas Russia claims it annexed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The federal law prohibiting sex discrimination also bars colleges and universities from denying counseling and other services to abortion patients and contraception to all students even in states where abortion is now severely restricted, the U.S. Education Department said Tuesday. The guidance, which clarifies the longstanding rules for federal Title IX funding that virtually all colleges and universities receive, comes as several states have moved to ban or greatly limit abortion. The federal insistence on compliance with the Title IX regulations appears to be in conflict with some state policies. The University of Idaho, for example, issued a memo last month telling its employees not to provide reproductive health counseling or contraception in order to comply with a state law. No paywall. No pop-up ads. Keep The 74 free for everyone with a generous donation. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris singled out the University of Idaho during a public meeting of the White House Reproductive Rights Task Force on Tuesday. They told university staff they could get in trouble just for talking or telling students about birth control, Biden said, referencing the memo. Folks, what century are we in? Idaho is among the 13 states where nearly all abortions are illegal following the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in June that removed the nationwide right to an abortion, according to the reproductive rights policy research organization Guttmacher Institute. The Idaho Supreme Court convenes on Thursday to hear oral arguments on the merits of three Idaho abortion laws. The federal high court ruling has sown fear and confusion on our college campuses, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said at the task force meeting. Tuesdays guidance was intended to remind schools of their obligations under Title IX, he added. The departments civil rights office determined in June that a Utah community college violated Title IX by not making accommodations for a pregnant student and encouraging the student to drop a course because she was pregnant. Story continues The University of Idaho memo said university employees could not provide patients with birth control or emergency contraception. The document referenced a 2021 law that bans public funding to procure, counsel in favor, refer to or perform an abortion. Standard birth control can still be dispensed at student health facilities, whose workers are not employed by the university, according to the memo. A spokeswoman for the university did not immediately return an email seeking comment on the Education Department guidance and Biden and Harris remarks. Abortion bans have affected other health services, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Tuesday. Women have been denied prescriptions to treat miscarriage or conditions like arthritis and there are threats to contraception, including for college students, Jean-Pierre said. Harris noted that 19th-century laws banning abortion in Arizona and Wisconsin have recently gone into effect. Doctors testify The White House task force outlined some dire consequences of state abortion bans. In Wisconsin, the abortion ban is sending some patients to Minnesota and Illinois and leaving many who need care without access, Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a Green Bay OB-GYN, said. And its had a chilling effect on abortion providers, who can now only perform an abortion when the mothers life is at risk. But even the judgment required in that decision could scare doctors from performing a medically necessary procedure, she said. Pregnant people dont have a warning light that comes on when theyve crossed that threshold, she said. In places like Sheboygan County, where the district attorney has specifically said that he will prosecute physicians, can I count on him to trust my clinical judgment? Georgia OB-GYN Dr. Nisha Verma told the task force that shes had to turn away patients with high-risk pregnancies or fetal abnormalities since that states six-week ban went into effect. Imagine looking someone in the eye and saying, I have all the skills and the tools to help you. But our states politicians have told me I cant, she said. Appeal to Congress Biden, Harris and Jean-Pierre all urged Congress to pass a law codifying a nationwide right to abortion. If there were a national law that was passed in the United States Congress to protect reproductive care, so-called (state) leaders could not ban abortion, Harris said. They could not criminalize providers. They could not limit access to contraception. Biden added that congressional Republicans would seek a nationwide abortion ban, alluding to South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Grahams bill introduced last month to enact such a ban. Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Ohio Capital Journal maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor David DeWitt for questions: info@ohiocapitaljournal.com. Follow Ohio Capital Journal on Facebook and Twitter. Political commentator Bill Maher slammed Georgia GOP Senate candidate Herschel Walker as unfit for office and called him a fing idiot. On his HBO show Real Time on Friday, Maher pointed to numerous statements Walker has made and reports about him that have come out that he said show why Walker should not be elected to the Senate. Hes just a fing idiot on a scale almost impossible to parody, Maher said. He said Walker has admitted to threatening violence against multiple people around him, including his ex-wife. He also said Walker has lied about his past on numerous occasions, including by falsely claiming to have been a police officer and an FBI agent. Walker has also said that he was valedictorian of his high school class, but no evidence has been found to show that, and falsely claimed to have been in the top 1 percent of his class at the University of Georgia, from which he never graduated. Maher also mentioned the reports that have revealed Walker has four children with separate women and allegations that he paid for an abortion for a former girlfriend after she became pregnant despite running on a platform firmly opposed to allowing the procedure in all cases. Maher cited Walkers son, Christian Walker, who has been sharply critical of his father as the campaign has continued, saying that Walker did not spend time raising any of his four children. Maher said the reason why Republicans continue to support Walker is more complicated than that they are deplorables, ignorant and bad, although he said some of that is true. He said he has spoken with the other side, and part of the appeal of Walker or former President Trump is that they demonstrate how much Republicans do not support Democratic policies. Part of the appeal of a Herschel Walker or a Donald Trump or any number of egregious assholes Republicans have backed is, in their mind, the worse a candidate is, the more it says to Democrats, Do you see how much we dont like what youre selling? Maher said. Story continues He said its Republicans view that literally anything would be better than socialism, identity politics, victimhood and white self-loathing. Thats why you can be a really bad dude in Republican politics, and its not a deal-breaker, he said. Maher said Democrats also think the other side is an existential threat, but they do not nominate sickos to make a point. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Entrepreneur Peter Thiel gives remarks at the National Press Club on October 31, 2016 in Washington, DC. Thiel discussed his support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Alex Wong/Getty Images Peter Thiel is in the process of acquiring Maltese citizenship, The New York Times reported Saturday. The Silicon Valley investor and Republican donor has American, German, and New Zealand passports. The EU is trying to ban Malta's "golden passport" scheme, which grants recipients access to the EU. Silicon Valley investor and former Trump adviser Peter Thiel is hoping to add Malta to his foreign passport collection, according to a Saturday report by The New York Times. Thiel, who was born in Germany, is also an American and New Zealand citizen. The billionaire PayPal founder has donated approximately $30 million to Republican candidates running for office in next month's midterm elections, according to the Times, making him one of the race's most influential individual donors. But if his ambitions to "Make America Great Again" go awry, Thiel who's credited with kicking off the "doomsday prepping" trend among Silicon Valley's elite has multiple fallback plans, although the designs for his 10-bedroom bunker in New Zealand were rejected this summer by the local government. Among these plans is Maltese citizenship, a popular passport among the ultra-wealthy looking for access into the EU. It's one of the only European Union member states left with a "golden passport" program, where foreigners can receive citizenship in exchange for investing over $700,000 into the local economy. A spokesperson for the Thiel Foundation did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. The number of wealthy Americans applying for citizenship or residency in foreign countries has skyrocketed over the past three years as US billionaires, tech entrepreneurs, and celebrities look to create a "plan B" for their families, multiple investment migration firms told Insider in May. "We see these programs as an insurance policy," Ezzedeen Soleiman, a managing partner at Latitude Residency & Citizenship, said. "We've had some billionaires approach us and ask what's the best place to live if there's a climate catastrophe, or if there's another storm, or another global pandemic." Story continues Malta's program might not be around much longer if the EU has its way. The European Commission, which has cracked down on golden passports in recent years, announced last month that it's taking Malta to court over the nation's refusal to dissolve the scheme. Thiel may have already ruined his chances by listing his Malta apartment on Airbnb, according to the Times, as applicants are barred from renting out their residences before the citizenship process is finalized. Have a tip or story to share related to golden passports? Email this reporter at htowey@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast; Getty In his campaign to unseat Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Republican Blake Masters has consistently amplified skepticism and conspiracy theories surrounding the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. But during the final stretch of his own 2022 race, Masters is starting to cast doubt on the outcome of this electionbefore the votes are even counted. At a campaign stop on Tuesday in a small town north of Phoenix, Masters was confronted with one voters concern that he could win by a landslide but that voting machines would flip the vote in Kellys favor, according to audio of the event obtained by The Daily Beast. Unfortunately, we still have the machines in this election, Masters replied. The machines refer to Dominion Voting Systems machines, which were used in Arizona and have been the subject of countless unfounded conspiracies. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, used paper ballots in the 2020 election; audits found no evidence of fraud. Masters expanded on the voters concern by recounting a conversation he had with his father before launching his campaign. In Masters telling, his father said he didnt want him to run because he couldnt beat Kelly, because of voter fraud. Blake Masters Tells Fox News He Still Believes Trump Won in 2020 But say you beat Mark Kelly by 30,000 votes, Masters said. To which his father responded: Im worried theyll just find 40,000 for Mark Kelly. He invited me to prove him wrong, Masters continued. I said, Dad, I cant prove you wrong. All I know is, if those are the numbers, Ive got to win by 80,000. At that line, the crowd exploded in applause. A spokesperson for Masters did not respond to The Daily Beasts request for Masters to explain his exact concerns about voting machines. Sarah Guggenheimer, a spokesperson for Kelly, said in a statement that Masters is dabbling in conspiracy theories and has made it clear that he is willing to threaten our democracy because he believes his baseless lies matter more than Arizonans right to vote. Story continues The GOP hopefuls comments on Tuesday mark at least the second time he has publicly cast doubt on the upcoming November election. In June, before his primary election, Masters told a crowd about 2020, whatever their cheating capacity is, Im pretty sure they pulled out all the stops And the question is, will that happen again? These days, in the pro-Trump right, the idea that Republicans candidates need to win by wide margins so that they can overcome systemic pro-Democrat voter fraud is prevalent. Candidates have struggled to carefully validate continued baseless suspicion of voter fraud while not sowing so much doubt in the system that they turn off GOP voters. Emails Reveal Senate GOP Candidate Blake Masters Defended 9/11 Conspiracy Theorists The failure of that balancing act arguably cost Republicans control of the Senate in 2020. In the pivotal Georgia runoffs, former Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler amplified suspicion in the states election system and called for the resignation of the GOP Secretary of State while urging the party faithful to vote anyway. They didnt, and both lost, with turnout noticeably lower in conservative areas. Like Georgia, Arizona has been at the forefront of 2020 election conspiracies and continues to produce Republican leaders who put fixation on Trumps loss at the center of their political agenda. Mark Finchem, the GOP candidate for Secretary of State, has premised his candidacy on the lie of a stolen election, causing widespread alarm about how he might handle the 2024 election if elevated to the position. Masters, the 36-year old protege of conservative tech billionaire Peter Thiel, launched his GOP primary campaign as a hardline election denier. I think Trump won in 2020, begins one Masters video posted to Twitter last November. After his primary win, Masters backed away from that position slightly, scrubbing his campaign website to soften his rhetoric around 2020. But he has since shifted again, telling Fox News last week that he still believes Trump should be in power now. The contest between Kelly and Masters is expected to be among the closest in the country and could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. In 2020, Kelly defeated former Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ) by roughly 80,000 votes, while President Joe Biden defeated Trump by a mere 10,500-vote margin. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. (Reuters) - Brazilian Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said the government is seeking international support for the country's nominee to head the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), expected to be presented in the coming days, but whose name he did not reveal. The election for Latin America's largest development bank presidency will take place on Nov. 20 after the ouster of Mauricio Claver-Carone of the United States following an ethics scandal. President Joe Biden's administration has already said it will not nominate a candidate again. In a press conference on Friday afternoon in Washington, after attending the International Monetary Fund meetings, Guedes said he had revealed the Brazilian nominee to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in an informal conversation and that it pleased her. The topic was also discussed with Colombia and Chile this week, but with no mention of the nominee, said the minister. "We think whoever headed the bank cannot preside again before Brazil. Brazil has been watching for 63 years and has never presided. We think we deserve it, we have a representative GDP, we are a strong economy," he said. Guedes said he favors a five-year term with vetoed reelection for the IDB, a major investor in Latin America and the Caribbean, providing $23.4 billion in financing and other financial commitments in 2021. The Brazilian candidate will not be associated with a political position, added the minister. On Oct. 30, leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro will contest a presidential election run-off. (Reporting by Marcela Ayres; editing by Grant McCool) halloween-ends-jamie-lee-curtis Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode in Halloween Ends Credit - Ryan GreenUniversal Pictures Warning: This post contains spoilers for Halloween Ends Halloweens final girl Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) is taking her final bow in Halloween Ends. Director David Gordon Greenes last movie in his Halloween saga, a direct sequel to the 1978 original that ignores the 10 sequels that came after, marks Curtis last appearance in the 44-year-old horror franchise. Its now the end for Laurie and me, Curtis wrote in an essay for People before her last Halloween movie hit theaters and Peacock on Oct. 14. Im weeping as I write this. Im going to miss her. The final twist of Halloween Ends teases that Michael Myers reign of terror might finally be over, too. Halloween Ends is set four years after the tragic events of 2021s Halloween Kills, in which Lauries hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois was attacked 40 years to the day by the same masked murderer who murdered six people and one dog on Halloween night in 1978. Laurie is still dealing with the fallout of Michaels latest killing spree, which resulted in the shocking twist-ending death of her daughter Karen (Judy Greer). Laurie is trying to move forward with her life, unpacking her trauma by writing a memoir and making a happy home with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) in Haddonfield. When tragedy strikes the small town again, Laurie is ready to face off against her longtime nemesis, who at 60-something years old is still racking up the kills. Hopefully, for the last time. This time around, though, Michael has a bit of help in the murdering department. What happens in Halloween Ends? The movie starts with a recent flashback of a character Halloween fans wont know: Corey (Rohan Campbell), a 21-year-old prospective engineering student who, in 2019, is tasked with babysitting a rather difficult child on Halloween night. The little boy attempts to scare Corey by locking him in the attic. Its the one-year anniversary of Michael Myers attack on the town and everyone is on edge, including Corey, who kicks open the door only for it to slam into the child. The little boy goes tumbling over the railing, falling three stories to his death. It was an accident, but the town brands Corey a murderer for what happened. Story continues Flash forward four years, Corey is known to the locals as the psychotic babysitter who lost his temper and killed an innocent child in cold blood. Hes been ostracized not unlike Laurie Strode, who, no surprise, looks to nurture this outsider. The Laurie of Halloween Kills is much different than the one of the two previous films. Shes doing the work in therapy, trying to let go of the fear, paranoia, regret, and anger that the man known as the Boogeyman caused her. Shes also a bit of a matchmaker. After Corey is attacked by a group of teens, Laurie drives him to the hospital where he bonds with Allyson, the nurse who cleans his wounds so they dont get infected. What is clear is that the hate Coreys received has hardened him, but he begins to open up with Allyson. The two go to a Halloween party where he finally gets to cut loose, but at the bar, he runs into the mother of the boy he accidentally killed. Shes not happy to see the kid who ruined her life enjoying his. Laurie also runs up against this with locals who are quick to let her know that shes to blame for Michael Myerss return. Coreys interaction with the grieving mother causes him to lash out and blame Allyson for forcing him out of his comfort zone. Corey is a monster in the eyes of Haddonfield. After storming off from the bar, Corey runs into the same teens who came after him before. He fights back against them, but they end up throwing him over a bridge where hes dragged off into the sewer by a shadowy figure. When Corey eventually wakes up, he comes face-to-face with Michael Myers who has been hiding right under the towns noses in the years since the events of Halloween Kills. Previous Halloween sequels have hinted that Michael Myers might be a kind supernatural being, which would surely explain how he has managed to survive being stabbed and shot so many times over the years. 1982s Halloween III: Season of the Witch, the only sequel that doesnt feature Michael Myers, is a witchy slasher film focused on pagan rituals and child sacrifice that sets up the Thorn Trilogy arc, which reintroduces an immortal Michael Myers, a product of a satanic cult that has cursed him to kill his bloodline. In Halloween Ends, Michael Myers seems to psychologically infect Corey by forcing him to stare in his cold, black eyes. From that moment on, Corey becomes Michael Myers partner in gruesome crimes. Corey wears his own scarecrow mask and blue jumpsuit to kill Allysons former boyfriend and the doctor who didnt give her a promotion. Corey soon becomes a conduit for Michael, going so far as to wear the iconic mask to get revenge on those who have tormented him in the years since the child died under his care. Corey starts to delight in the killing, which becomes more gruesome as the movie goes on. It becomes almost preternatural, as if this evil has always existed within Corey. Laurie almost immediately sees a change in Corey after his run-in with Michael, telling fellow Halloween survivor Lindsey (Real Housewives of Beverly Hillss Kyle Richards) that his eyes reminded her of the Boogeymans. She later sees Corey standing outside her window, staring back as Michael once did. She never implies that its something supernatural that has taken over Corey. In fact, she seems to believe his evil side comes from something all too human. She confronts Corey by telling him that theres two kinds of evil in the world. The first one is an external force that threatens the well-being of the tribe, but the other lives inside us, she tells him. Like a sickness or an infestation. Its more dangerous because we may not know were infected. She alludes that Corey is in the latter category, that he has chosen to let evil take hold of him, to let it infect him figuratively and literally. (His hand becomes infected from holding the knife he uses to murder Allysons boss.) But this pep talk doesnt stop him from killingCorey just becomes more unhinged, killing his teen tormentors, his mom, and anyone else who gets in his way. He tries to get Allyson to leave town with him, to start anew, but he cant outrun his past. Its something Laurie knows all too well, which is why shes the only one who can stop Corey, the second coming of Michael Myers. Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in Halloween Ends Ryan GreenUniversal Pictures How does Halloween Ends end? Corey becomes hellbent on killing Laurie, realizing that as long as shes around he wont be able to continue seeing Allyson. Laurie is struggling with the rift that this relationship is causing between her and Allyson. She appears to be spiraling and calls the police to report a suicide at her home. She goes to her office, lights the jack-o-lantern on her mantle, and grabs a gun from a locked drawer in her desk. While she does this, the viewers see that someone is watching her from outside the office door. She brings the gun to her head and just as she pulls the trigger, the camera peers in from beyond the door. Something orange and gooey splatters on the wall and the creeper pushes the door open to find a smashed pumpkin on the floor. Laurie then pops into frame pointing the gun at them. You think Id kill myself, she says before pulling the trigger and hitting Michael Myers. But it isnt Michael shes shot, its Corey in Michaels clothing. Laurie isnt interested in killing Corey. In fact, she tries to appeal to his better senses to turn himself in for the crimes hes committed. But Corey decides to take things in his own hands. If I cant have her, he says in reference to Allyson before stabbing himself. Laurie pulls out the knife just as Allyson opens the door to see her grandmother standing over her boyfriends lifeless body. Its in that moment that Laurie seems to revert to the scared teen she was all those years ago. She cowers in the corner, pained by what Michael is doing to her, giving the masked maniac a chance to enter her home. The real Michael immediately grabs his mask back from Corey. As he reaches for the knife, Corey awakens and tries to stop him, but to no avail. Whatever power Michael may have had on him, hes no longer useful to him so he snaps on Coreys neck and continues on his menacing way. Laurie seems to sense that Michael is somewhere in the house and hides in a kitchen closet. Its similar to the final moments in the original Halloween when Laurie attempts to hide from the knife-wielding Michael in a bedroom closet, narrowly escaping by stabbing him with a hanger. This time, shes able to get the jump on him, barreling out of the closet with a fire extinguisher in her hand. He manages to stop her from bludgeoning him by getting in a few good hits. Laurie puts up a fight, stopping him from putting her hand in a garbage disposal by headbutting him. She then stabs him with a knitting needle, only to have him stab her in the side of the face with it. Luckily, she grabs a butcher knife and sticks it through his rotting two-fingered hand, the one she shot through in Halloween (2018). He becomes stuck to the butcher block table, unable to move, and in his vulnerable state, Laurie gets on top of him and stakes a knife through his other hand. She then pushes the refrigerator on top of him. She grabs another large butcher knife and pulls off Michaels mask. She uses the knife as a mirror, forcing him to look at himself one last time. I have run from you. I have chased you. I have tried to contain you. I have tried to forgive you, she tells him. I thought maybe you were the Boogeyman. No. Youre just a man whos about to stop breathing. With that, she slits his throat, but at the same moment, his arm goes up and grabs her throat. The two seem destined to die together and Laurie seems resigned to this fact. Do it! Do it! Laurie shouts as he tightens his grip. As she begins to lose consciousness, all her run-ins with Michael flash before her eyes. She is finally ready to let go, to end all of this, but Allyson isnt ready to let her go. Thanks to a call from Officer Frank Hawkins (Will Patton), Allyson manages to get to her grandmothers house in time. She runs in and stabs Michael, causing him to let go of Lauries neck, before breaking his arm to ensure he cant do anymore damage. Laurie then takes the knife and cuts Michaels wrist. Despite all the pain hes caused her, she gently holds his hand as he begins to bleed out. For once, it seems that Michael is dead, but Allyson already knows that Michael has a tendency to pop back to life. Allyson comes up with a plan that not everyone in law enforcement would agree with. She has Frank strap Michael to the top of her car as if hes a beast like King Kong so she can drive him to the auto body shop where they plan to throw him in the car crusher. The drive to the shop becomes an impromptu funeral procession in which the locals join in to make sure the monster is finally dead. The funeral goers include familiar faces from Greens previous Halloween films that managed to survive Michaels brutality. Theyre not there to fight, but to heal. Its Laurie that gets a front row seat to Michaels death. She seems to breathe a sigh of relief as she watches his body get crushed and disappear forever. The movie then flashes forward, though its unclear how long its been since Michaels death. Laurie is sitting in her office, finishing her memoir. With Michaels death, shes ready to finally put his story to bed. Her story, however, is one of survival. I said goodbye to my Boogeyman, she writes, but evil takes on many different shapes. (One of Michael Myerss nicknames is The Shape, in fact.) For now, shes looking to live a more peaceful life. In the final seconds of the film, she sits on her stoop next to Frank on a block that looks like any other in America. She seems calm and unbothered. The camera makes its way into her home, where everything has been put back in its rightful place. Theres no sign of the previous attack, no evidence that if things had gone differently Laurie may not be here to enjoy this beautiful day. The only sign that Michael Myers ever existed is his mask, which is propped up on Lauries table. In the daylight, its not quite as menacing as it once appeared to be. That final shot feels very, well, final. Michael really appears to be gone, but its possible someone else could put on the mask again. Greens Halloween saga is a reboot after all, and its hard to believe someone else might not want to reimagine this again sooner or later. By not destroying the mask with Michael Myers, Green might have created a symbolic passing of the torch for anyone who might be bold enough to revive the Boogeyman again. But Halloween has always been Laurie Strodes story so it feels only fair that she gets the final word on the matter. They can go off and make however many Halloween movies they want to make now and create a whole new narrative, Curtis told the New York Times in October. But our four movies can be played as a perfect quadthese three movies [directed by Green] and 1978and I feel very good about the completion of that. Long live Laurie Strode, the ultimate final girl. Brendan Fraser revealed he'd consider returning to the "Mummy" film franchise on one condition. Fraser opened up about his return to acting in a new interview. He recently starred in "The Whale" and has a role in the upcoming Martin Scorsese film "Killers of the Flower Moon." Despite the new roles, the actor said he'd consider revisiting the character of Rick O'Connell in the "Mummy" franchise. "I dont know how it would work," Fraser told Variety. "But Id be open to it, if someone came up with the right concept." Fraser appeared in "The Mummy" in 1999. He reprised his role with "The Mummy Returns" in 2001 and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" in 2008. Brendan Fraser said he'd consider returning to his role in the "Mummy" franchise. BRENDAN FRASER'S PERFORMANCE IN THE WHALE RECEIVES ANOTHER STANDING OVATION, ACTOR MOVED TO TEARS Tom Cruise attempted his own version of "The Mummy" in 2017. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In 2017, Tom Cruise attempted his own version of "The Mummy," which ended up being a box-office flop. "It is hard to make that movie," Fraser noted. "The ingredient that we had going for our Mummy, which I didnt see in the new one, was fun. That was what was lacking in that incarnation. It was too much of a straight-ahead horror movie. The Mummy should be a thrill ride, but not terrifying and scary." Fraser has largely stayed out of the spotlight after addressing physical ailments due to performing many of his own stunts on screen. The actor has also been outspoken about his struggle with depression after an alleged sexual assault incident in 2003. BRENDAN FRASER TALKS 600-POUND TRANSFORMATION IN THE WHALE': I WANTED TO DISAPPEAR In 2018, Fraser claimed that he was sexually assaulted by former Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk in 2003. The actor also alleged that the incident contributed to the downfall of his career. "[I] became depressed," Fraser told GQ at the time. "I was blaming myself and I was miserable because I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel.' [Work] withered on the vine for me. In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me." Story continues Berk denied the allegations, although he wrote about the incident in his 2014 memoir, claiming he pinched Fraser's backside "in jest." Fraser is returning to the silver screen for what many believe could be an Oscar-contending role as Charlie, a 600-pound gay man who feels as though his life is coming to an end, in "The Whale." Brendan Fraser took a step back from acting to deal with health issues and depression. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER The role represents a major comeback for Fraser's career as it is his first leading role in almost a decade. The "Crash" star said he enjoys being back in demand. "I was never that far away," Fraser told Variety. "You cant get rid of me that easy. But Im glad to have a job. Im still expecting somebody to walk over to me, hand me a dish towel and say, Fraser, get back in the kitchen." Brendan Fraser has returned to acting with his role in "The Whale." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report. BTS Jin will release a solo single soon, making him the second member of the superstar K-pop group to release a new solo project since they announced their hiatus. Jins news was delivered from the stage Oct. 15 at the massive BTS Yet to Come concert in Busan, South Korea, which was livestreamed in partnership with Weverse. The boy band announced in June that its seven members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook would be taking a temporary break from active group activities to pursue solo work. More from Billboard I got the opportunity to work with someone I like, so a single will come out soon, Jin revealed to screaming ARMY at the show. Fans have previously gotten a taste of solo material from Jin with a handful of one-off tunes, including Tonight (2019), Abyss (2020) and Yours and Super Tuna (2021). Related BTS' "Yet to Come in Busan" concert BTS Takes Over Busan With Massive Free 'Yet to Come' Concert in Support of South Korea's Bid for 10/15/2022 10/15/2022 Elsewhere from the stage, J-Hope addressed the future of BTS when he said to fans, I think were in a phase where we need your trust. In July J-Hope unveiled an official solo project of his own, the album Jack in the Box, following BTS sharing their plans for a break. Released on BTS label Big Hit Music, the set was J-Hopes first real studio album (although he dropped a solo mixtape in 2018 and a song with Becky G in 2019) and featured singles MORE. and Arson. Although its so sad that the concert is ending already, its not like we only have today. We will continue for 30 years and even perform when we are 70 years old, Jimin said at the Busan performance on Saturday. RM later added, All seven members have the same thoughts right now. We will continue to make and perform music if you give us your trust, like Jimin said. Click here to read the full article. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California's governor blocked the parole of Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel on Friday, more than five decades after she scrawled Helter Skelter on a wall using the blood of one of their victims. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Krenwinkel, now 74, is still too much of a public safety risk to be freed. "Ms. Krenwinkel fully accepted Mr. Mansons racist, apocalyptical ideologies," Newsom said. Ms. Krenwinkel was not only a victim of Mr. Mansons abuse. She was also a significant contributor to the violence and tragedy that became the Manson Familys legacy. A two-member parole panel for the first time in May recommended that Krenwinkel be released, after she previously had been denied parole 14 times. Newsom has previously rejected parole recommendations for other followers of Manson, who died in prison in 2017. Krenwinkel became the states longest-serving female inmate when fellow Manson follower Susan Atkins died of cancer in prison in 2009. Her attorney, Keith Wattley, said he understands Krenwinkel is the longest-serving woman in the United States. Related video: Patricia Krenwinkel was recommended for parole in May 2022 She and other followers of the cult leader terrorized the state in the late 1960s, committing crimes that Newsom said were among the most fear-inducing in Californias history. She was convicted in the slayings of pregnant actor Sharon Tate and four other people in 1969. She helped kill grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary the next night in what prosecutors say was an attempt by Manson to start a race war. Newsom agreed that she has been well-behaved in prison, has completed many rehabilitation and education programs and has demonstrated effusive remorse. But he concluded that her efforts have not sufficiently reduced her risk for future dangerousness. She still doesn't have sufficient insight into what caused her to commit the crimes or her triggers for antisocial thinking and conduct during bad relationships, Newsom said. Story continues Beyond the brutal murders she committed, she played a leadership role in the cult, and an enforcer of Mr. Mansons tyranny. She forced the other women in the cult to obey Mr. Manson, and prevented them from escaping when they tried to leave, he said. Wattley did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages seeking comment on Newsom's decision. But Anthony DiMaria, nephew of Jay Sebring, one of Krenwinkel's victims, had urged Newsom to block her release due to the rare, severe, egregious nature of her crimes. He said her actions incited the entire Helter Skelter legacy that has caused permanent historical scars" and inspired at least two ritualized killings years later. New laws since Krenwinkel was last denied parole in 2017 required the parole panel to consider that she committed the murders at a young age and is now elderly. Also, for the first time, Los Angeles County prosecutors werent at the parole hearing to object, under District Attorney George Gascons policy that prosecutors should not be involved in deciding whether prisoners are ready for release. She and other participants were initially sentenced to death. But they were resentenced to life with the possibility of parole after the death penalty in California was briefly ruled unconstitutional in 1972. Krenwinkel was 19 and living with her older sister when she met Manson, then age 33, at a party during a time when she said she was feeling lost and alone. He seemed a bit bigger than life, she testified in May, and she started feeling that somehow his take on the world was the right, was the right one. She said she left with him for what she thought would be a relationship with the new man in my life who unlike others told her he loved her and that she was beautiful. Manson had answers that I wanted to hear ... that I might be loved, that I might have the kind of affection that I was looking forward to in my life, she said. Instead, she said Manson abused her and others physically and emotionally while requiring that they trust him without question, testimony that led the parole panel to conclude that Krenwinkel was a victim of intimate partner battery at the time. It took about two years of traveling and drug use until he began emerging as the Christ-like figure who was leading the cult who began talking about sparking a race war and asking his followers, would you kill for me? And I said yes. Krenwinkel talked about during her 2016 parole hearing how she repeatedly stabbed Abigail Folger, 26, heiress to a coffee fortune, at Tates home on Aug. 9, 1969. The next night, she said Manson and his right-hand man, Charles Tex Watson, told her to do something witchy, so she stabbed La Bianca in the stomach with a fork, then took a rag and wrote Helter Skelter, Rise and Death to Pigs on the walls with his blood. The bone-handled fork was part of a set that we used at holidays ... to carve our turkeys, the couple's nephew Louis Smaldino, told parole officials, calling Krenwinkel a vicious and uncaring killer. Sharon Tates sister, Debra Tate, the last surviving member of her immediate family, was among victims who dismissed Krenwinkel's explanation that she was led to Manson by alcohol use and a non-supportive family while growing up. We all come from homes with problems and didn't decide to go out and brutally kill seven strangers, Tate told parole officials. Oct. 15BISMARCK The race for North Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives has shaken out to be between an incumbent Republican representative and an independent political newcomer. Incumbent Republican Rep. Kelly Armstrong and independent candidate Cara Mund are competing for the single, at-large seat in the House. Armstrong, from Dickinson, North Dakota, is running for his third term in office. Mund, a recent graduate of Harvard Law School, launched her campaign to become North Dakota's first female representative in August. Mund, former Miss North Dakota and the state's first Miss America, says her priorities, if elected, are the economy, upholding democracy and women's rights. She said she feels like she has been labeled a single-issue candidate for her pro-choice stance on abortion, but it was Armstrong's voting record that pushed her to enter the race. In November, Armstrong voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law later that month, which Mund says will bring jobs to North Dakota and help the state's farmers. She also disagrees with Armstrong's initial lack of support for the PACT Act, which provides coverage for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during military service, and his votes against the Inflation Reduction Act and legislation to address infant formula shortages. Mund says she will put the people of North Dakota first when tackling economic issues like inflation and workforce shortages, defending women's rights and medical privacy. "As the sole representative for North Dakota, you don't go in and represent just the Republicans of the state or just the Democrats of the state," Mund said. "You represent the whole." Inflation is also high on Armstrong's list of priorities for a third term. He said inflation is the biggest short-term threat facing the country. "It's doubly frustrating for North Dakotans because all of the things that are feeling the highest rate of inflation we do really well here," he said. "Food, gas, electricity we do all three of those things pretty well." Story continues Other high priority issues identified by Armstrong are national energy policy, reworking disaster relief programs in a new Farm Bill and cutting back on regulation in national energy policy. During his four years in Congress, Armstrong said, he has worked to cultivate relationships on either side of the aisle to accomplish his priorities in Congress. He serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and on the Consumer Protection and Energy subcommittees. "I've been a thought leader on holding tech accountable, national energy policy and heavily engaged in all of the things agriculturally that are important to, particularly, small producers," he said. Mark Haugen, the Democratic-NPL Party candidate in the race, suspended his campaign at the beginning of September. Haugen, who has an established anti-abortion stance, said he received pressure from Dem-NPL Party leaders to step away from the race after Mund entered the race. Despite being compared to a Democrat for some of her political beliefs, Mund says she has long valued putting people over policies, which is why she chose to run as an independent candidate. She says issues like taking care of veterans, women's rights and drug prices should not be partisan issues. She says after Armstrong's four years in Congress, North Dakota voters should look at his voting record and decide for themselves whether he represents what North Dakotans want. "If you're for not supporting veterans' health, not providing funding when our infants need it most and not equality for women, you know how to vote, because you'll get the same it's the status quo," she said. "But if you think it's time for a change, and it's time that we have an independent voice, then I'm the candidate for you." In the 2020 election, Armstrong received 69% of the vote over Dem-NPL and Libertarian Party candidates. He says as the state's sole member of the House, he has learned how to advocate for North Dakota, and hopes to continue that work in a third term. He said his approach to policymaking focuses on the greater role North Dakota plays in the country and added he likes "to explain to whoever I'm talking to about why what we do here is important to them." "I think I've been successful in that, and I think we'll continue to do that," Armstrong said. Election Day is Nov. 8, with early voting being held the week prior. Absentee ballots have been available since Sept. 29. Forum Communications' voter guide , in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota, has more information on local races. Caroline Manzo could make a big return to "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," but under a couple conditions. In a panel at BravoCon 2022 on Saturday, Oct. 15, the 61-year-old told fans that she is "completely open" to re-joining the show on the grounds that her former co-star Teresa Giudice admits that she lied about what she said about her. In May, Manzo spoke on her son Albie Manzo's podcast "Dear Albie," detailing how Giudice claimed that she reported the 50-year-old to the IRS, which ended up sending Giudice and her ex-husband to prison for fraud after a federal case. I am tired of certain things. I am tired of her opening her very uneducated mouth and using me as a weapon to say that I was the one that spearheaded her IRS claim and stuff like that, she said. We are not those people. Manzo said she would get "great pleasure" to verbally "just knock the s--- out of" Giudice and put her in her place. Aside from talking through differences with Giudice, Manzo added that the money would have to be right for her to come back to the show. During a game later at the conference on Saturday, "RHONJ" cast members Jackie Goldschneider, Evan Goldschneider, Melissa Gorga, Joey Gorga, Margaret Josephs and Joe Benigno all said they "agree" Manzo should return. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Oct. 14The Cavaliers finished their preseason Oct. 14 at Orlando with a 114-108 loss. They were 1-3 during the preseason. The regular-season opener is Oct. 19 at Toronto. Cleveland rested most of their key players, including Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Evan Mobley who had been nursing an injury in the preseason played 20 minutes and scored eight points, grabbed three rebounds and had three assists. Isaac Okoro led the Cavs with 17 points. Caris Lavert added 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Lamar Stevens had 12 points, and Cedi Osman 11. No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero of the Magic, led his team with 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting. (Reuters) - Europe's largest activist investor Cevian Capital has slashed its stake in UK-based Vodafone as scepticism grows that the telecoms company will be able to reverse its sluggish performance, the Financial Times reported. Cevian built a significant but undisclosed stake in Vodafone last year through shares and derivatives, becoming one of the ten largest shareholders, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter. The investor was pushing Vodafone's management to simplify its international portfolio and sell poorly performing divisions, the report said. However, Cevian sold the vast majority of its stake by June, it added. Vodafone and Cevian Capital did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Earlier in January, the FT reported that another of Vodafone's biggest shareholders, Abrdn, supported Cevian's call for a restructuring. (Reporting by Sneha Bhowmik in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Associated Press A shipwreck has emerged along the banks of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as water levels plummet threatening to reach record lows in some areas. The ship, which archaeologists believe to be a ferry that sunk in the late 1800s to early 1900s, was spotted by a Baton Rouge resident walking along the shore earlier this month. During the summer, receding waters in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area revealed several skeletal remains, countless desiccated fish, a graveyard of forgotten boats and even a sunken World War II-era craft that once surveyed the lake. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty It was a scene reminiscent of the orange haze that doused the ruins of Las Vegas in Blade Runner 2049: Menacing wildfires ripped through the mountainous forests surrounding the 31 million residents of Chongqing, threatening to torch the towering office buildings and high-rise apartments of southwest Chinas largest city. The fast-moving fire, which was triggered by a record heatwave and drought, also presented a serious challenge for firefighters forced to work in rugged terrain to push the blaze away from residential areas. But Chongqing, a city that more closely resembles a cyberpunk utopia that almost any other urban hub, fought back. Motorcyclists braved extreme heat to drive into the mountains and deliver materials and equipment to firefighters. Chinese state media shared stories of local residents chopping down trees to create fire barriers. Social media users shared dramatic images of firefighters and soldiers warding off flames, praising them as heroes of the city. Smoke and flames rise from a mountain during a wildfire in Banan district on Aug. 23, 2022 in Chongqing, China. VCG/VCG via Getty Images All of these efforts were supported by the worlds most advanced drone army, which swarmed the fire from all directions. Drones delivered food to firefighters and carried water pipes and supplies in payloads weighing up to 50 pounds. Surveillance drones flew into the thick of flames to monitor the fires trajectory and deliver crucial data to firefighters. Larger drones soaring miles above the fire ignited bars of silver iodide within clouds to trigger artificial rainfall, Chinas state broadcaster CCTV reported. Long-range drones developed by a state-backed corporation focusing on military equipment were used for cloud-seeding above a nearby fire in Sichuan, leading to rainfall in just 60 minutes. Smoke and flames rising from a mountain during a wildfire in near Chongqing, China last August. VCG / Getty It was the perfect encapsulation of how the most populous country intends to fight natural disasters this century. China is the world leader in drone technology, boasting a gauntlet of manufacturers straddling military and civil development that have launched solar-powered pseudo-satellite drones and AI-powered drone motherships. Its also home to the worlds largest drone maker, DJI. One would expect the rest of the world to import these strategies and follow suit with their drone armies for fighting climate disaster. Story continues A firefighter combats the blaze as a mountain forest fire triggered by persistent drought and heat waves is raging in Dazu district in Chongqing, China. VCG/VCG via Getty Images But while the U.S. military is keeping up with China in drone development, its far behind in its use of drones to tame extreme weather. Some American manufacturers and researchers have started developing devices that collect real-time fire data and ignite controlled burns, which are a crucial fire prevention tool. The unmanned monitoring missions also allow firefighters to cut back on dangerous helicopter flights. But security concerns have forced some firefighting agencies to ground their fleets of Chinese-made DJI drones, and the U.S. is years away from making up the shortfall. A view of Chongqing, Chinaand its futuristic cityscape. Wangwukong / Getty Theres a real need for more drones to be used in good ways on wildfires, said Carrick Detweiler, CEO of Drone Amplified, which manufactures ignition systems that attach to drones. Were moving into an environment where every firefighter needs some drone really close by. Drone Amplifieds IGNIS system embeds to drones and drops ping-pong-ball-sized chemical spheres to ignite backburns, which firefighters use to create defensive barriers and steer growing wildfires out of harms way. More than 150 IGNIS systems are currently in use, mostly by federal and state firefighting agencies, Detweiler told The Daily Beast. The IGNIS systems were originally designed for DJI drones, he said. But DJI is neck-deep in hot water with U.S. regulators over concerns their drones could collect data and send it back to China. DJI drones have been grounded by several federal agencies, including the Department of the Interiortaking hundreds of drones used to fight fires out of U.S. skies. Last week, DJI was formally blacklisted by the Department of Defense after its drones were found being used in Russias war in Ukraine. Chinas leading drone makers, including DJI, have been funded by the countrys government and military, including the makers of the drones used to fight back Chongqing's wildfires. . Thats led to a bipartisan consensus to root DJI drones out of federal fleetsand to approach other Chinese-made drones with caution. The security risk has pretty much been assessed, Alexandra Seymour, a technology and national security expert at the Center for a New American Security, told The Daily Beast. We need to make sure that were protecting our data and not creating a vulnerability. A firefighter prepares to fly a drone to patrol the forest in Chongqing. Wang Quanchao/Xinhua via Getty Images Drone Amplified has since adapted its IGNIS systems for use with U.S.-made drones. But they cost more and take longer to set up than DJI drones, which come out of the box with integrated thermal camera and visual camera systems. You have to build out more of it yourself, Detweilier said. To mitigate security risks, his company previously wrote software that prevented DJI drones from sending external communications. With additional safety barriers in place, for these really low-risk, non-national security missions, I still think theres very little risk of using DJI drones, he said. But experts worry about any data making its way back to China, even from local-level firefighting bureaus. Seymour expressed doubt that consumer-developed software could completely close DJIs external communications, warning it could always be breached by things like future software updates. In trying to solve problems, we also want to make sure that were not creating new ones, she said. That puts an impetus on U.S. drone makers to catch up. Along with an uptick in government-led investment, firefighters also must be trained to operate drones, and regulations on unmanned aircraft systems prevent operators from flying drones over swaths of federal lands. I definitely see people interested in using drones, Haiyang Chao, an associate professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Kansas, told The Daily Beast. Hes part of a team that has developed a lightweight drone that flies into prescribed fires and collects real-time data on wind speed and the fires growth. A view of Chongqing, Chinaand its cyberpunk-like cityscape. Wangwukong / Getty The device, called KHawk, is designed to deliver exact geolocations in smoky, high-wind conditions. That data is then fed into a model that predicts how the fire is going to spread in the next hour, or next few hours, said Xiaolin Hu, a computer science professor at Georgia State University who is also working on the project. This makes it ideal for potential use where wilderness converges with urban areas, a critical frontier in firefighting. Hu and Chao said theyve observed plenty of openness among federal agencies to deploy more drones to respond to extreme weather. Along with being used for prescribed burns, the Bureau of Land Management uses drones to monitor wildfires on federal lands. And at least eight U.S. states are using aircraft or drones to create rainfall through cloud seeding. Though the strategy and its underlying technology remains controversial, more and more officials are interested in cloud seeding after a 2020 study proved its ability to induce snowfall. Volunteers ride motorcycles to transport supplies to a firefighting site in Bebei district on August 25, 2022 in Chongqing, China. VCG/VCG via Getty Images Chao believes drones will slowly begin replacing manned aircraft in certain scenarios, such as collecting real-time data on wildfires and carrying water. But were a long way from autonomous technology being at the center of wildfire responses, he said. Its kind of like autonomous driving. Nobody could predict car driving standards 20 years ago, Chao said. It may take a lot of time. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A Chinese Communist Party spokesman has said the country reserved the right to use force over Taiwan as a last resort. Sun Yeli, the spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, said on Saturday that under compelling circumstances, the country reserved the right to use force for the reunification of China and Taiwan. He said the reunification meets the interests of all, including Taiwan compatriots, Reuters reported. Tensions between China and Taiwan reignited earlier in August when US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island. Following this, China initiated military drills with live-fire exercises along the Taiwan strait which went on for weeks threatening the island of 23 million people. The communist country also sent ships and planes across the midline of the Taiwan Strait which had long been agreed upon as a buffer zone between the sides. During these drills, shipping and air traffic were drastically disrupted for Taiwan, raising concerns about potential conflict in the region even as the world continues to deal with the impact of Russias war with Ukraine. Last month, US president Joe Biden said American forces, men and women, would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. While there are concerns that China and US may go to war over Taiwan, experts say full-fledged conflict could be more catastrophic for the communist countrys own interests. Meanwhile, Taiwan has said Chinas military threats are absolutely not an option adding that such aggression would only push our two sides further from each other. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said earlier this week that China should not mistake competition within the islands multiparty democratic political system for weakness and attempt to divide Taiwanese society. I want to make clear to the Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides, she said. However, China has refused to acknowledge Taiwanese self-determination, and has vowed to eventually unify it with the mainland. The latest developments also come at an unprecedented time when Chinese president Xi Jinping is expected to win a third five-year term as the ruling communist partys general secretary at the congress to be held on Sunday. Xi doesnt want to be seen as a leader who is entering into his third term which is historic with a hint of weakness, and he wants to go down in history as a leader who unified Taiwan. So certainly the costs for Taiwan will rise, Harsh V Pant, a foreign policy analyst at Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation (ORF) told The Independent last month. By Yew Lun Tian and Ryan Woo BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping called for accelerating the building of a world-class military while touting the fight against COVID-19 as he kicked off a Communist Party Congress by focussing on security and reiterating policy priorities. Xi, 69, is widely expected to win a third leadership term at the conclusion of the week-long congress that began on Sunday morning, cementing his place as China's most powerful ruler since Mao Zedong. Roughly 2,300 delegates from around the country gathered in the vast Great Hall of the People on the west side of Tiananmen Square amid tight security and under blue skies after several smoggy days in the Chinese capital. Xi described the five years since the last party congress as "extremely uncommon and abnormal", during a speech that lasted less than two hours - far shorter than his nearly three-and-a-half-hour address at the 2017 congress, because he did not read out the entire work report, which he did five years ago. The 2017 and 2022 work reports are roughly the same length. "We must strengthen our sense of hardship, adhere to the bottom-line thinking, be prepared for danger in times of peace, prepare for a rainy day, and be ready to withstand major tests of high winds and high waves," he said. Xi called for strengthening the ability to maintain national security, ensuring food and energy supplies, securing supply chains, improving the ability to deal with disasters and protecting personal information. The biggest applause came when Xi restated opposition to Taiwan independence. In the full work report, Xi used the terms "security" or "safety" 89 times, up from 55 times in 2017, according to a Reuters count, while his use of the word "reform" declined to 48 from 68 mentions five years ago. In his decade in power, Xi has set China on an increasingly authoritarian path that has prioritised security, state control of the economy in the name of "common prosperity", a more assertive diplomacy, a stronger military and intensifying pressure to seize democratically governed Taiwan. Story continues Analysts generally do not expect significant change in policy direction in a third Xi term. Alfred Wu, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, said that as China's economy has slowed, Xi is attempting to shift the basis of legitimacy from economic growth to security. "His narrative is - China faces many dangers, the country is in a war-like state, figuratively, and he is the saviour. With this narrative, he can get people to unite around him," Wu said. CONTINUITY In recent days, China has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to Xi's zero-COVID strategy, dashing hopes among countless Chinese citizens as well as investors that Beijing might begin exiting anytime soon a policy that has caused widespread frustration and economic damage. Xi said little about COVID other than to reiterate the validity of a policy that has made China a global outlier as much of the world tries to coexist with the coronavirus, which emerged in central China in late 2019. "We have adhered to the supremacy of the people and the supremacy of life, adhered to dynamic zero-COVID ... and achieved major positive results in the overall prevention and control of the epidemic, and economic and social development," Xi said. On the economy, he restated support for the private sector and allowing markets to play a key role, even as China fine-tunes a "socialist economic system" and promotes "common prosperity". "We must build a high-level socialist market economic system ... unswervingly consolidate and develop the public ownership system, unswervingly encourage and support the development of the private economy, give full play to the decisive role of the market in the allocation of resources, and give better play to the role of the government," he said. PARTY POWER Xi's power appears undiminished by the tumult of a year that has seen China's economy slow dramatically, dragged down by the COVID policy's frequent lockdowns, a crisis in the property sector and the impact of his 2021 crackdown on the once-freewheeling "platform economy", as well as global headwinds. China's relations with the West have deteriorated sharply, worsened by Xi's support of Russia's Vladimir Putin. The son of a Communist Party revolutionary, Xi has reinvigorated a party that had grown deeply corrupt and increasingly irrelevant, expanding its presence across all aspects of China, with Xi officially its "core". Xi did away with presidential term limits in 2018, clearing the way for him to break with the precedent of recent decades and rule for a third five-year term, or longer. "I support the re-election of Xi Jinping to a third term with both hands," Li Yinjiang, a delegate from Jiangsu province, told Reuters. "He can make our country strong and our people happy." The congress is expected to reconfirm Xi as party general secretary, China's most powerful post, as well as chairman of the Central Military Commission. Xi's presidency is up for renewal in March at the annual session of China's parliament. In the run-up to the congress, the Chinese capital stepped up security and COVID curbs, while steel mills in nearby Hebei province were instructed to cut back on operations to improve air quality, an industry source said. The day after the congress ends on Saturday, Xi is expected to introduce his new Politburo Standing Committee, a seven-person leadership team. It will include the person who will replace Li Keqiang as premier when Li steps down from that post in March after serving the maximum two terms. (Reporting by Yew Lun Tian, Ryan Woo, Martin Quin Pollard, Eduardo Baptista, Kevin Yao and Dominique Patton; Writing by Tony Munroe; Editing by William Mallard) (Action Images via Reuters) Savannah Marshalls bid to become Britains first female undisputed world champion was ended by old foe Claressa Shields on points at Londons 02. In what was the culmination of a simmering decade-long rivalry, American Shields avenged her only career defeat, at the hands of Shields in their amateur days back in 2012. The 27-year-old won a unanimous decision after a stunning bout to add Marshalls WBO middleweight belt to her WBC, WBA and IBF crowns. The fight, which topped Britains first all-female card, was supposed to take place five weeks ago but was postponed following the death of the Queen. At a sold-out O2, Marshall, walked to the ring by England Euro 2022 winner and fellow north-east native Jill Scott, had to withstand a flurry of early blows before pinning her opponent to the ropes in an explosive first round. Marshall, with 10 knockouts on her record to her opponents two, caught Shields early in the second, briefly putting the 27-year-old back on her heels. (Action Images via Reuters) Shields possessed the speed but Marshall had the power, and the pace continued through to a brutal fifth round with both women landing a some hefty hooks. The busier Shields was undoubtedly ahead on the cards by the eighth but a cut appeared on her forehead as Marshall found a way through her defence. (Getty Images) Marshall knew she needed a knockout and threw everything at Shields in another savage final round, but the American landed the cleaner shots and took the fight with the judges scoring it 96-94, 97-93 and 97-93. On a memorable night by the Thames in Greenwich there were also wins for British Olympians Lauren Price, Caroline Dubois and Karris Artingstall. Alycia Baumgardner beat fellow American Mikaela Mayer in the narrowest of split decisions to become unified world super-featherweight champion. KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2022, 17:42 Dmytro Orlov, the mayor of the occupied city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, warned local residents against sending their children to Russia "on holiday". Source: Orlov on Telegram Quote: "Despite the significant aggravation of the situation at the front, and in particular in the Kherson region, occupiers and collaborators in Enerhodar are sending children "on holiday" to Krasnodar Krai [region] in the Russian Federation. One can only guess what is going on in the minds of those parents who, during a full-scale war, are ready to part with their children and voluntarily send them not just into the unknown, but to a terrorist country. How can you be so sure that your children will return home?" Details: Orlov noted that the frontline in the Kherson region and then in Zaporizhzhia could and will be certainly cut off. Intense fighting will simply block every way back, the mayor warned. "When entrusting the lives of your children to terrorists, you should at least give some thought to what possible consequences may it have," he emphasised. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! NextShark The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has released body camera footage of the shootout that resulted in the death of officer Truong Thai. Thai, 49, and officer Ryan Gillihan responded to a call at about 1 a.m. on Oct. 13 made by the wife of the 24-year-old suspect Tyson Hampton, who she said had beaten her. In the footage released during a media briefing on Monday, Thais bodycam shows the officer walking over to Hamptons car and asking him to place his hands on the steering wheel. According to police paperwork, a convicted sex offender is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl, impregnating her and taking video of her performing a sex act. According to Pennsylvanias Megans Law website, Elmo Hartsfield III was convicted of sexual abuse of children and possession of child pornography in August 2017 from offenses committed in August 2016. However, Hartsfield is back behind bars after police say he was in a relationship with the teenager who lived near his home. The criminal complaint states the teens mother reported the inappropriate relationship to police. A neighbor says what happened is baffling. The problem may lie in the fact that a sex offender from just several years back was allowed to do it again, he said. Maybe there should be better constraints and practice to see there are more rules, and control, so it doesnt happen again. Court paperwork shows that text messages reveal Hartsfield was aware the girl wasnt 18, but evidence shows he continued his relationship with her after the fact. Hes in Westmoreland County Jail on a $40,000 bond. Hes due in court in late October. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: SKYLIGHTS 2022: Week 7 high school football scores Citizens begins to close Giant Eagle branches 6 Steelers players out for Sundays game against Tampa Bay VIDEO: Sister of home care abuse victim working to change laws to help nonverbal patients DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A womans harrowing escape from a Missouri basement where she was sexually assaulted and held captive for weeks made national headlines earlier this month. On Friday, the nonprofit newspaper The Kansas City Defender reported another disturbing factor in the case. Around the time of the womans disappearance from a Kansas City neighborhood, community members had reportedly expressed worry about a possible serial killer, citing the disappearance of multiple Black women and girls. But Kansas City Police dismissed their concerns. Police tape blocks off the Excelsior Springs residence of Timothy M. Haslett Jr., after the home was boarded up and fenced off Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. (Photo: Bill Lukitsch/The Kansas City Star via AP) Police tape blocks off the Excelsior Springs residence of Timothy M. Haslett Jr., after the home was boarded up and fenced off Monday, Oct. 10, 2022. (Photo: Bill Lukitsch/The Kansas City Star via AP) The 22-year-old Black woman told police that Timothy M. Haslett Jr. had abducted her and imprisoned her in a basement room in Excelsior Springs a city just northeast of Kansas City. There, he whipped and raped her repeatedly, she said. On Oct. 7, after about a month in the basement, she fled and sought help from neighbors while the man was taking his child to school. When she escaped, she was still wearing a metal collar locked with a padlock that authorities had to remove. The woman also said she had friends who didnt make it and claimed that the man had killed them, Ciara Tharp, one of the neighbors who helped her, told local news station KCTV 5. The Excelsior Springs Police Department confirmed to The Daily Mail that it was actively investigating the possibility of two more women victims. In the meantime, Haslett, who is white, has been arrested in the case. The 39-year-old pleaded not guilty last week to charges including rape, kidnapping and assault. Before the womans escape, claims about murdered and missing Black women in Kansas City had gone viral on social media. The Kansas City Defender also published a video in which community leader Bishop Tony Caldwell spoke about the issue, citing a specific stretch of Prospect Avenue where women had gone missing. That same location is where the escaped woman would later say she had been abducted. Story continues At the time, Kansas City Police called the claims completely unfounded, saying in a statement that there is no basis to support this rumor. On Saturday, police spokesperson Officer Donna Drake told HuffPost that the department made its prior statement because it had not received any formal missing person reports. We base our investigations on reports made to our department, she said in an email. There have been no reports made to our department of missing persons, more specifically women, missing from Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. In order to begin a missing persons investigation, someone would need to file a report with our department identifying the missing party. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Deep flaws in Russian military laid bare by recent mobilization drive Read also: Putin announces end of partial mobilization in Russia, likely over postponed autumn conscription, says ISW This was once again laid bare amid the preparation and deployment of the first mobilized Russians, the ministry said. Read also: EU proposes to slap same sanctions on Belarus as on Russia for war of aggression on Ukraine According to the ministry, the level of provision of personal equipment to mobilized Russian troops is lower than the already poor provision of already deployed soldiers. "Many reservists are likely required to purchase their own body armor, especially the modern 6B45 vest, which is meant to be on general issue to combat units as part of the Ratnik personal equipment programme," UK defense intelligence noted. Read also: Wagner mercenary, FSB officer seeking asylum in France, ready to testify on Russian war crimes the Insider Allegedly, this vest is sold on Russian online shopping sites at a price of RUR 40,000 (about $640) compared to about RUR 12,000 (about $190) in April. In 2020, Russian authorities announced the supply of 300,000 sets of Ratnik body armor to the Russian military, which was enough to equip the forces currently deployed in Ukraine. However, this amount is not enough to supply the newly mobilized. Read also: Russians plan to deport Ukrainian children from occupied Zaporizhzhya Oblast to Crimea and Russia 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. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu estimated the mobilization resource of Russia at almost 25 million people. Read also: Ukrainian forces change dynamics of war unleashed by Russia Austin Story continues According to media reports, one million people are planned to be drafted in Russia. After the announcement, Russians began to buy tickets abroad en masse to avoid participation in their countrys full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said on Oct. 14 that the current "partial" mobilization in Russia would end in two weeks. He also admitted that those drafted into the Russian army less than a month ago are already at the front. Ukrainian intelligence said the number of those mobilized was more than 100,000. The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine noted that it is still unclear why Russia overstated these figures. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A driver involved in a crash that left a man dead in Westwood nearly two years ago has been sentenced to serve time in prison. Raymond Chambers, 33, of Millvale, was sentenced Thursday to a prison term of four to six years, according to documents filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Chambers pleaded guilty in September to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide and one count of aggravated vehicular assault, court records show. Officers responded just before 11 p.m. on Feb. 2, 2021, to investigate a fatal crash in the 2500 block of Harrison Avenue, according to Cincinnati police. Officials said Chambers lost control of his 2010 Ford Fusion while driving eastbound on Harrison Avenue when he crossed the center line and struck a vehicle that was headed in the opposite direction. Chambers and the driver of the second vehicle both suffered minor injuries and were transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment, police said at the time. A passenger in the other vehicle, 56-year-old Paul Mizell, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police and court records. Chambers' passenger suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash, police said. Chambers was indicted over a year after the fatal crash. As part of his sentence, he will also have his driver's license suspended for 10 years. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Court docs: Driver sentenced 4-6 years for fatal Westwood crash Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty Shortly after 5 a.m. on June 9, 2019, a National Rent To Own van went missing from a commercial lot in Granite City, Illinois. When police pulled the vehicle over a few minutes later, they found a woman and her boyfriend inside. Theyd stolen it. Both were arrested and charged. It was an everyday crime in an everyday steel town, just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. In the days to come, however, things turned from mundane to bizarre. The womans mother, Debi Brumit, happened to live in Granite City in a home she shared with her long-time partner, Andy Simpson, and two of her grandchildren, then a toddler and a baby. Theyre good people. Their landlord liked them and wanted to keep them as tenants. Cops Love ImmunityUntil Theyre the Ones Abused by Police But days after Debis daughter stole the van, Debi and her landlord received a letter from the Granite City Police Department. Regardless of the landlords preferences, the police said Debi and Andy had to be evicted because of their association with a lawbreaker. Debi hadnt stolen the van. Neither had Andy. Nor the toddler. Nor the baby. Not a van thief among them. No matter. The police did not care that everyone in the house was innocent. Granite City had spoken: Everyone must go. Welcome to the topsy-turvy and cartoonishly malevolent world of crime-free housing. Benign in name, these laws are corrosive in reality. Under Granite Citys ordinance, police routinely forced private landlords to evict entire families if any household memberor even a guestcommitted a felony anywhere within city limits. Granite City's City Hall building. Institute for Justice In Debis case, her daughter did not even live with her. The daughter had been in town that weekend only because Debi had checked her into the hospital to get her treatment for substance abuse. When it came to collective punishment, Granite City didnt sweat the details. Once in 2019, the city ordered an entire familys eviction because one household member kicked an officers shin at a church picnic. The city ordered another households eviction because one member shoplifted from the Walmart across town. Another case started when a household member drove drunk. The police even ordered a womans eviction because her childs father was caught with drugs, and he often cared for their son at her home. Story continues More Guns and Cops at Schools Are Not the Answer Between 2014 and 2019, Granite City issued more than 300 compulsory-eviction orders against families living within its borders. Many were based on crimes that did not occur at the homes targeted for eviction. Debi and Andy ended up not losing their home. Represented by my law firm, the Institute for Justice, they secured a temporary restraining order against Granite City in federal court. And in the months that followed, the city modified its laws most outlandish features. So why should we care about this in 2022? For one thing, Granite City has continued to defend its old law vigorously. And in September, the judge in Debi and Andys case ruled that compulsory-eviction regimes like the one in Granite City are fine. The guilt-by-association angle? The court shrugged it off as a valid tool of crime deterrence and prevention. A law mandating family-wide evictions was obviously striking in its breadth and reach, the court had noted earlier in the case, but curtailing collective punishment was no business of the federal courts. Debi and Andy will appeal the decision, but their unjust and unnecessary plight puts a spotlight on the underreported fact that crime-free-housing laws remain a threat to the rights of thousands of renters nationwide. Trumps Coup Attempt Will Always Be a Way Worse Crime Than Stealing Documents Often, these laws fall hardest on low-income Black and Hispanic communities. One leading scholar, for example, has decried the Jim Crow effects of crime-free housing ordinances. Since 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice has been suing Hesperia, California, over a crime-free housing law thatthe DOJ maintainswas racially discriminatory in both intent and effect. Meanwhile in June 2022, Faribault, Minnesota, paid a $685,000 settlement in a lawsuit challenging racially biased enforcement of its crime-free housing program. Despite the court challenges, these types of laws remain pervasive. DeKalb, Illinois, is poised to convert its three-strikes policy into a more draconian one-strike regime. And in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, officials recently pledged to revive a law making it illegal for people to rent in the city if theyve been convicted of a felony drug crime. Dozens of towns and cities retain crime-free housing ordinances, from Illinois to Minnesota to California. Thats why we should continue to care, and thats why Debi and Andy are persisting in their fight: to ensure that what happened to them cannot happen to anyone else ever again. Sam Gedge is a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice in Arlington, Va. He and the Institute for Justice represent Debi Brumit and Andy Simpson in their lawsuit against Granite City. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Babies born right before and during the coronavirus pandemic have missed key milestones in their development because of the COVID pandemic and the lockdowns that were implemented as a result, a new study has revealed. The study, posted this past week in the peer-reviewed medical journal BMJ by researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, indicated that babies born between March and May 2020 struggled to communicate at one year of age, compared to babies born between 2008 and 2011, well before the pandemic. Said Dr. Nicole Saphier on Saturday morning, speaking on "Fox & Friends Weekend" about the study's results, "It is interesting first of all, children always have developmental milestones, especially [during] that 0-12 months of age" period. US EXTENDS COVID PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WEEKS AFTER BIDEN DECLARED PANDEMIC OVER She added, "Some of it's intrinsic it naturally comes as they get older but a lot of it is extrinsic, meaning they need to be stimulated to have some of these developmental growths." The babies' ability to "say a meaningful word by 12 months of age was decreased," as the new study indicated, she said. During the COVID lockdowns, many babies did not have the chance to see other children or people beyond their immediate families. A new study indicates that they have missed developmental milestones as a result of the coronavirus restrictions. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC "they lied," said Dr. Saphier, "when they said that children don't need to see their caregivers' faces and that it was OK for them to be physically distancing." She added straightforwardly, "That was false." Dr. Saphier, a Fox News medical contributor, also said, "Children need to be able to interact with other human beings that's how they learn words," she also said. CALIFORNIA BABY DELIGHTS INTERNET WITH COOL DANCE MOVES AS HE LEARNS TO WALK "If their caregivers' faces are covered, they're not going to be able to decipher those words." Amid the pandemic, young children were far less socialized than usual. They weren't leaving their homes and weren't exposed to new things. Now, a new study has revealed the specific ways young children were harmed by this. Plus, indicated Dr. Saphier, the young children weren't going out as much. They weren't on playgrounds or in other situations where they could even see other children or other people. Story continues And even if they didn't interact with other children directly, they weren't able to even observe them from a distance. They were far less socialized than before the pandemic. They weren't leaving their homes, they weren't exposed to new things so their "natural curiosity's not there anymore," she said. The pandemic "was really detrimental to their health," she said. KIDS NEED TO KNOW: IS MY MOM A SCRUNCHY PARENT? HERE'S THE TRUTH BEHIND A VIRAL TIKTOK TREND She also referenced the mental health crises among adults that emerged due to and during the pandemic. The new study found that babies lagged behind in saying a first word, in pointing and in waving goodbye likely due to the isolation from others that they experienced during their earliest months of life. "Children need to be able to interact with other human beings that's how they learn words," said Dr. Nicole Saphier on "Fox and Friends Weekend." The study was based on the results of a questionnaire from 309 parents of babies during the pandemic. Parents were asked about the different tasks their children could perform on their first birthday. Those results were then compared to a longitudinal study that looked into the same skills between 2008 and 2021. "Pandemic-associated social isolation appears to have impacted [the] social communication skills in babies born during the pandemic compared with a historical cohort," the study said. "Babies are resilient and inquisitive by nature, and it is very likely that with societal re-emergence and increase in social circles that their social communication skills will improve. However, this cohort and others will need to be followed up to school age to ensure that this is the case." Dr. Saphier also noted that children are resilient. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP While it may take years for some people to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, there is hope that children who suffered from the COVID-19 lockdowns will rebound as well in the future. Andrew Mark Miller contributed reporting to this article. To learn more, watch the video at the top of this article or click here to access it. RALEIGH, N.C. A North Carolina district attorney said Friday that she intends to charge the 15-year-old suspected in a mass shooting that killed five people in Raleigh as an adult. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said that her office had filed petitions to transfer the case "to Superior Court and to proceed against the individual as an adult. The suspect, who has not been identified, remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday, authorities said. Freeman's announcement came as a neighborhood northeast of Raleigh was left reeling and families of those killed mourned their loss. In 911 calls released Friday, several people described seeing bodies on the ground and begged the operators to send help. Theres people out front, one man said. I think someone just got shot. I think I heard three or four gunshots. There were people screaming. Another caller said that two of her neighbors had been shot and that one was lying in a bush and the other on a porch. We heard the shots and we heard them screaming, she said. And so we got down. In another call, a man said an off-duty officer had been shot in the chest and described the shooter as wearing all camouflage. The massacre unfolded Thursday evening on the street and then along the Neuse River Greenway as people were walking their dogs or out for a run, police said. The victims ranged in age from 16 to their 50s and have been identified as Nicole Connors, 52; Susan Karnatz, 49; Mary Marshall, 35; Gabriel Torres, 29, an off-duty Raleigh police officer who was on his way to work; and James Thompson, 16. Two people were injured in the attack: Raleigh Police Officer Casey Clark, 33, who was treated and released from a hospital, and Marcille Gardner, 59, who was listed in critical condition. Saynya Jones described her family's harrowing encounter with the gunman. My family was outside actually walking back on the greenway where he walked down and they had to run into somebodys house, Jones, 32, said Friday. Jones lives a few houses down from Torres, one of the victims. He shot somebody in the park and then came down and shot my neighbor while he was coming out to get something in the car. Story continues Why did a 15-year-old have access to stuff like that? she said of the suspects weapon. Officials said the suspect was taken into custody after a long standoff with police and was in critical condition. Nicole Connors (Courtesy Tracey Howard) Connors was killed alongside her dog, Sami, a roughly 13-year-old Jack Russell mix. Her husband remembered her Friday as a go-getter and a caring person who always looked out for others. She was a caregiver who left a job in human resources to care for her mother after she had a stroke, her husband, Tracey Howard, told NBC News on Friday morning. She always knew how to take charge of everything in order to help her loved ones, Howard said, his voice heavy with emotion. I always thought it would be me to go before she went, he said. Mary Marshall. (Mary Marshall via Facebook / via Facebook) Marshall, another victim of the shooting, was set to be married in two weeks, Oct. 29, her sister Meaghan McCrickard said on Friday. Her fiance Rob, he was just the love of her life, McCrickard said. I think were going to still do a celebration of life, thats the plan, for the date of the wedding. She is just a light. She loved everyone. The most loyal, loving person Ive ever known. And we just want people to know that about her, McCrickard said. But the family is still numb and in disbelief. Ginny Marshall, Marshalls mother, sobbed as she spoke about the loss of her daughter. Marys birthday is next week and she was going to be married in two weeks, she said with tears running down her cheeks. We dont know what to do. McCrickard said she wants the shooter to survive his injuries and face justice. I want him to know what he did and how he completely shattered our lives and we are never going to be the same. I dont want him to get off, she said. Susan Karnatz (Sue Butler Karnatz via Facebook) Karnatz, a wife and mother to three boys, loved life and nature, and had the most gentle of hearts, her sister, Sharon Butler Kaivani, wrote in a post on Facebook. She loved her family fiercely and there is a big hole there now, she wrote. As is the case for so many who lose loved ones too soon, the tragedy seems so very senseless, and I just cant understand it. I know that this loss is one of many yesterday, affecting so many people. Profoundly. Other families are aching just as we are, she wrote. Tom Karnatz, Susans husband, wrote a tribute to his wife describing plans together for big adventures and plans together for the mundane days in between, plans with their three children and plans to grow old together. Now those plans are laid to waste, he wrote. Instead, the couple now has memories together of joyous occasions and memories together of plain times in between, memories from before their children were born and many memories together with their boys. Keith Richardson, principal of Knightdale High School, said in a statement Friday that Thompson, the youngest victim, was a junior at the school. This is an incredibly difficult time for our school community as well as the broader Raleigh community, Richardson wrote in a statement. Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to James family, the other victims, their families and all who have been impacted by yesterdays events. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called the shooting spree the nightmare of every community. President Joe Biden said Friday that he was grieving alongside the families of loved ones killed "in yet mass shooting in America" and called for a ban on assault weapons. We are thinking of yet another community shaken and shattered as they mourn the loss of friends and neighbors, including an off-duty police officer," Biden said in a statement. Daniella Silva and Marlene Lenthang reported from New York, and Jo Yurcaba reported from North Carolina. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Druzhba oil pipeline runs from Samara to Mozyr, Belarus, and then divides into two threads A leak was discovered on one of the lines of the Druzhba oil pipeline about 70 kilometers from the Polish city of Plock on Oct. 11. Read also: Nord Stream possibly lost forever, say German goverment Pern stated that supplies have now resumed through both lines of the western section of the pipeline. The investigation into the cause of the leak is ongoing. Swift and decisive action allowed us to limit the consequences of the incident as much as possible and restore full-fledged service to our customers, said the president of the Board of Pern, Pavel Stanczyk. The pipeline is the main route by which crude oil enters Germany. In Poland, the leak is considered to be an accident, as the Polish authorities deny the possibility of sabotage or the involvement of third parties in the incident. Read also: Nigeria and Morocco to build gas pipeline to Europe The Druzhba oil pipeline was built in the 1960s. It runs from Samara to Belarusian Mozyr, and then is divided into two lines: the northern (Belarus - Poland - Germany - Latvia - Lithuania) and southern (Ukraine - Czech Republic - Slovakia - Hungary - Croatia). Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Daytona State $1.4 million to create the Upward Bound program with Mainland High School that will help underserved and first-generation 9th through 12th graders transition from high school to college. The program begins this Fall and will support up to 60 students annually. Students will be selected based on an application process to determine eligibility. Students participating in the program will benefit from a range of services, including classroom instruction, ACT preparation, career research, academic and career planning, tutoring, financial aid advising, and cultural enrichment and events designed to develop self-esteem and self-awareness. Read: Department of Education releases beta version of student loan forgiveness application Activities will take place during the school year and during the summertime. During the summers, an academy will be held that includes a residential experience in the recently opened Student Residence Hall on the Daytona Beach Campus. Students who meet participant requirements can receive a monthly stipend and will experience life on the college campus during the summer academy. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine (D) has opened an investigation into whether migrants sent north by southern governors were misled when they boarded transportation taking them hundreds of miles away. The Texas Tribune and ProPublica co-published an article on Friday that Racines office is looking to determine if trip organizers deceived the migrants into getting on buses that took them to D.C. in recent months. Racine told the outlets that migrants have talked persuasively about being misled with promises of services to be provided in interviews with investigators. He did not provide them with more specifics about the probe, including whether it is a criminal or civil matter. The Hill has reached out to Racines office for comment and additional details. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) sent the first bus of migrants to D.C. in April, saying that they would be voluntarily sent to allow President Biden to immediately address the needs of the people that they are allowing to come across our border. He sent two buses of migrants to Vice President Harriss residence at the Naval Observatory last month to protest the Biden administrations immigration policies. Abbott has sent more than 8,000 migrants to D.C. on more than 190 buses in recent months. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) followed Abbotts lead, sending a bus of migrants to D.C. in May. He has sent more than 1,800 migrants on 50 buses since the spring. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) declared a public emergency in September in light of the almost 10,000 total migrants that have been sent to the city. She also asked the D.C. National Guard to step in to help manage the influx, but the Defense Department has denied the request. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) stirred outrage after he chartered two airplanes to take migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard, Mass., a common vacation spot for the wealthy. A Texas sheriff opened a criminal investigation last month into whether Florida officials lured the migrants to the plane under false pretenses. Story continues Racine said that the governors are using people as props. Democratic lawmakers have also panned efforts by the governors as political stunts. Abbotts press secretary told The Texas Tribune and ProPublica that no deceit was used in sending the migrants north. She said the migrants signed a voluntary consent form that was available in multiple languages upon boarding. A spokesperson for Ducey told the outlets that Arizona is working with a regional health center to ensure the migrants are treated well and get to their destinations. A spokesperson for DeSantis did not respond to the outlets request for comment. The Hill has reached out to Ducey and Abbott for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. AMASRA, Turkey (AP) Funerals for miners killed in a coal mine explosion in northern Turkey began Saturday as officials raised the death toll to at least 41 people. Desperate relatives had waited all night in the cold outside the state-owned Turkish Hard Coal Enterprise's (TTK) mine in the town of Amasra, in the Black Sea coastal province of Bartin, hoping for news. There were 110 miners working several hundred meters below ground at the time of the explosion on Friday evening. Their wait turned to devastation by Saturday noon. Women cried at the funeral of miner Selcuk Ayvaz, whose coffin was wrapped in the red and white Turkish flag. Another miner, 28-year-old Aziz Kose, held his newborn baby just days ago. They mostly came from working-class families and went underground to the coal mines to make a living. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived at the scene and said the body of one missing miner had finally been reached, confirming 41 were dead. Erdogan was flanked by officials, miners and rescuers, as he vowed to bring an end to mining disasters, while saying he believes in fate. We dont want to see deficiencies or unnecessary risks, Erdogan said, and added that an investigation would reveal if anyone is responsible for the blast. He then joined funeral prayers for Rahman Ozcelik, 22, at a village where Turkish media said three other miners were also being mourned. Eleven were injured and hospitalized, with five in serious condition, while 58 others managed to get out of the mine on their own or were rescued unharmed. Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said rescue efforts were complete. Earlier, he had said that a fire was burning in an area where more than a dozen miners had been trapped. Preliminary assessments indicated that the explosion was likely caused by firedamp, which is a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines, Donmez said overnight. Three prosecutors were investigating the blast. A miner who works the day shift said he saw the news and hurried to the site to help with the rescue. Story continues We saw a frightful scene, it cannot be described, it's very sad, said Celal Kara, 40. They're all my friends ... they all had dreams," Kara, who has been a miner for 14 years, told The Associated Press after exiting the mine, his face covered in soot. Ambulances were on standby at the site. Rescue teams were dispatched to the area, including from neighboring provinces, Turkeys disaster management agency, AFAD, said. Dark smoke rose from the entrance of the mine, which is surrounded by forests. A mining technician from TTK told broadcaster NTV that his team of rescue and occupational safety personnel arrived at the site Friday night. Ismail Cetin said they went down into the mine and walked about 2 kilometers (1 miles) with their kit and stretchers. They recovered nine bodies, whom he called mine martyrs. Countries across the world offered their condolences to Turkey. Greeces prime minister offered rescue assistance even though relations between the two neighbors have recently been particularly tense. Separately, Turkish police said in a statement that legal action would be taken against 12 people who allegedly shared provocative content about the mine explosion to incite hate on social media. Turkeys worst mine disaster was in 2014, when 301 miners died after a fire erupted inside a coal mine in the town of Soma, in the west of the country. Five months later, 18 miners were killed in central Karaman province after a flood in a coal mine. The head of DISK, a left-wing trade union, said in a statement they were sad and angry because deaths were preventable and the unions safety suggestions were overlooked. Even though more inspections were mandated after the Soma tragedy, DISK's leader Arzu Cerkezoglu claimed some precautions were ignored for profitability, calling Friday's explosion a massacre. ___ Zeynep Bilginsoy reported from Istanbul. Oct. 15Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Tom Sherman will be hosting a town hall in Keene Tuesday at Keene State College. During the event, which starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Young Student Center Flag Room on the first floor, Sherman will be taking questions from the audience, according to an email from Sherman's campaign. The event is open to the public and is one of several campaign stops, in various communities, announced recently by his campaign. In the general election on Nov. 8, Sherman will be up against incumbent Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who is seeking his fourth term, as well as Karlyn Borysenko and Kelly Halldorson, both Libertarians. Hunter Oberst can be reached at 355-8546, or hoberst@keenesentinel.com. Kari Lake, the Republican nominee for governor, speaks during a campaign rally in Phoenix, Ariz., Aug. 14, 2022. (Rebecca Noble/The New York Times) Its angst season on the left and perhaps nowhere more so than in Arizona, which appears determined to retain its crown as the most politically volatile state in America. Democrats are openly expressing their alarm that Katie Hobbs, the partys nominee for governor, is fumbling a chance to defeat Kari Lake in one of the most closely watched races of the 2022 campaign. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Lake, a telegenic former television anchor who rose to prominence as she pantomimed Donald Trumps conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, has taken a hard line against abortion and routinely uses strident language on the stump. The Atlantic recently called her Trumpisms leading lady. She has largely overshadowed Hobbs, whose more subdued personality has driven far fewer headlines. The immediate object of Democratic hand-wringing this week is a decision by Hobbs, who has served as Arizonas secretary of state since 2019, to decline to debate Lake. Instead, she arranged a one-on-one interview with a local PBS affiliate, a move that prompted the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, a group established by a ballot initiative in 1998, to cancel its planned Q&A with Lake. Thomas Collins, executive director of the commission, said in an interview that the Hobbs campaign had never seriously negotiated over the format of a debate and that, in any case, the organization was neither willing nor able to accommodate what officials there viewed as an ultimatum from the secretary of states team about policing the content of the event. He shared an exchange of letters and emails between the commission and Nicole DeMont, Hobbs campaign manager, who wrote in an email that Hobbs was willing and eager to participate in a town-hall-style event but would not join a debate that would only lead to constant interruptions, pointless distractions and childish name-calling. On Wednesday, Lake repeated her challenge to debate Hobbs and accused Arizona PBS, which did not respond to a request for comment, of cutting a backroom deal with that coward to give her airtime that she does not deserve. Story continues Days earlier, Lake tried to ambush Hobbs during a town hall event at which the candidates made separate appearances onstage a stunt that was clearly intended to embarrass the Democrat. Hobbs has said she was simply reacting to the way Lake conducted herself during a Republican primary debate in June, in which she dodged questions and repeated falsehoods about what happened in 2020. I have no desire to be a part of the spectacle that shes looking to create, because that doesnt do any service to the voters, Hobbs said Sunday on CBS Face the Nation. Among those second-guessing Hobbs decision this week was Sandra Kennedy, a co-chair of President Joe Bidens 2020 campaign in Arizona. If I were the candidate for governor, I would debate, and I would want the people of Arizona to know what my platform is, Kennedy told NBC News. Laurie Roberts, a liberal columnist for The Arizona Republic, published a scathing column on Hobbs this week in which she wrote that the Democratic nominees refusal to debate Lake represents a new level of political malpractice. And David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, criticized Hobbs on his podcast for what he said was a mistake in avoiding debates with Lake. He added, I think its a recognition that Kari Lake is a formidable media personality. Democrats have also noted that when Hobbs appeared on Face the Nation directly after Lake gave an interview to Major Garrett of CBS News she spent much of the eight-minute interview on the defensive rather than prosecuting a political argument against her opponent. Democrats called it a missed opportunity to highlights Lakes slippery answers about the 2020 election. One reason for the fraying nerves among Democrats is their widely shared view that the stakes of the governors race in Arizona are existential for the party. Democrats fear that Lake, if elected, would conspire to tilt the state back into the Republican column during the 2024 presidential election and help usher Trump back into power. Her charisma and on-camera skills make her uniquely dangerous, they say. Hobbs Allies Push Back Privately, while Democrats acknowledge that anxiety about the governors race is running high, they insist that Hobbs is running about as well as any Democrat could. They note that the contest is essentially tied in polls even though Arizona is a purple state with a deep reservoir of conservative voting habits. The current Republican governor, Doug Ducey, won reelection by more than 14 percentage points in 2018. (Ducey is stepping down because of term limits.) And they say that Hobbs, unlike Lake, is aiming her pitch primarily at swing voters rather than at her partys base. According to the Cook Political Reports Partisan Voter Index, which measures the past performance of states and congressional districts across the country, Republicans have a built-in advantage in Arizona of 2 percentage points. Some Democrats say Hobbs has failed to campaign vigorously enough, in contrast to the seemingly omnipresent Lake. Allies of Hobbs defend her by noting she has been bopping around the state, but in something of an acknowledgment that she could do more, they say she is planning a third statewide tour as Arizonas scorching heat dissipates this fall. Katie Hobbs has been running an incredibly strong campaign, and the fact that this race is so competitive speaks to that, said Christina Amestoy, a communications aide at the Democratic Governors Association, who dismissed the concerns as angst from the chattering class. Amestoy noted that Hobbs was drawing support from independents and Republicans as well as from partisan Democrats a recognition, she said, that voters want substance over conspiracy theories. With the help of the governors group, which has transferred $7 million to the Arizona Democratic Party, Hobbs has spent more than $10 million on television ads since Labor Day. She has leaned heavily on two themes: her support for law enforcement, and a portrayal of Lake as an extremist on abortion. Several Hobbs ads show Chris Nanos, the grizzled sheriff of Pima County, in uniform. Nanos warns in one spot that Arizona law enforcement officers could be required to arrest doctors and nurses who perform abortions if Lake becomes governor. He says such a move would divert resources from fighting crime and illegal immigration. Other ads introducing Hobbs to voters have depicted her as a down-to-earth former social worker who drove for Uber as a state lawmaker to help make ends meet, an implied contrast to Lake, whose career as a newscaster made her moderately wealthy. The State of Play Democrats are counting on appealing to crossover voters in the suburbs, as they did when Biden won the state in 2020. They have highlighted Lakes comments ripping Republicans who have criticized her as a cavalcade of losers and depicted her attempts to distance herself from previous hard-line remarks on abortion as duplicitous. Hobbs might benefit, too, from the strength of Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat who is polling comfortably ahead of Blake Masters, the Republican challenger in Arizonas Senate race. Democrats in Arizona are running a coordinated statewide campaign that allows them, in theory, to reap economies of scale, target their spending and avoid duplicative efforts on traditional campaign activities like door-knocking and turnout operations. In contrast, Republicans in the state are in the midst of a power struggle between the fading establishment wing of the party, led by Ducey, and the emerging Trump-backed wing, spearheaded by Lake and Mark Finchem, the partys nominee for secretary of state. In one small illustration of the infighting on the right, the Republican Governors Association has begun funneling its advertising money through the Yuma County Republican Party rather than the official state party, an unusual arrangement that speaks to the level of mutual mistrust between national Republican leaders and Kelli Ward, the chair of the state Republican Party. That has given Democrats slightly more bang for their advertising dollar, because Republicans were paying higher rates before they made the shift to the Yuma County Republican Party. Republicans, projecting increased confidence in Lakes eventual victory, reveled in the Democratic shirt-rending over Hobbs a welcome diversion, perhaps, from their own internal squabbles. In a state where problems with illegal immigration and the economy are top of mind, Democrats were always going to be at a disadvantage because voters dont believe their party can adequately fix the issues, said Jesse Hunt, a spokesperson for the RGA. What Democrats couldnt plan for was Katie Hobbs self-immolation in front of a national audience. 2022 The New York Times Company For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. So we wouldn't blame long term Corporate Office Properties Trust (NYSE:OFC) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 24% over a half decade. On the other hand the share price has bounced 7.4% over the last week. On a more encouraging note the company has added US$186m to its market cap in just the last 7 days, so let's see if we can determine what's driven the five-year loss for shareholders. See our latest analysis for Corporate Office Properties Trust There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. While the share price declined over five years, Corporate Office Properties Trust actually managed to increase EPS by an average of 4.4% per year. Given the share price reaction, one might suspect that EPS is not a good guide to the business performance during the period (perhaps due to a one-off loss or gain). Or possibly, the market was previously very optimistic, so the stock has disappointed, despite improving EPS. By glancing at these numbers, we'd posit that the the market had expectations of much higher growth, five years ago. Looking to other metrics might better explain the share price change. We note that the dividend has remained healthy, so that wouldn't really explain the share price drop. It's not immediately clear to us why the stock price is down but further research might provide some answers. The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. So it makes a lot of sense to check out what analysts think Corporate Office Properties Trust will earn in the future (free profit forecasts). Story continues What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Corporate Office Properties Trust the TSR over the last 5 years was -6.0%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective While it's never nice to take a loss, Corporate Office Properties Trust shareholders can take comfort that , including dividends,their trailing twelve month loss of 12% wasn't as bad as the market loss of around 25%. Given the total loss of 1.2% per year over five years, it seems returns have deteriorated in the last twelve months. While some investors do well specializing in buying companies that are struggling (but nonetheless undervalued), don't forget that Buffett said that 'turnarounds seldom turn'. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Corporate Office Properties Trust better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Corporate Office Properties Trust you should know about. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. 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 NextShark Multiple Asian women have reportedly come forward to accuse a Chinese American cosplayer and her boyfriend of luring them into sexual relations through supposed opportunities for collaborative work. Cosplayer and influencer Kat Wong, who describes herself as just an Asian girl making silly content, came under fire on Twitter last week after actor, director and host Gina Darling revealed that multiple women have reached out to her with such allegations. Multiple women in the Asian community have reached out to me about @katkwo4tweets and her BF allegedly trying to trick them into having sexual relations with them under the guise of collaborating on cosplays, OF (OnlyFans) and modeling, Darling tweeted. Over the last several months, protestors have made clear that they are against a new state-of-the-art Atlanta police training facility being built in DeKalb County. The proposed facility will take up an 85-acre plot of land off of Key Road in the largest urban forest in metro Atlanta. Protestors say the facility would be bad for the community and for the environment. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne was among the protestors when they began their demonstration in Little Five Points. The Atlanta City Council may have decided to build the project in 2021, but the people say no, protestor Steven Hall said. Hall says Fridays protest was the beginning of a weekend of action meant to build community and stop cop city. The protest comes just one day after Channel 2 Action News revealed there are more than a dozen incidents aimed at stopping the building of the training center being investigated by local, state and federal authorities. RELATED STORIES: Some of those incidents include: Protesters throwing a Molotov cocktail at police officers as they attempted to arrest them for trespassing on the grounds of what will be the new training center. A fire at the westside At-Promise Center, which is a crime diversion program geared toward supporting at-risk youth in Atlanta. Vandalism of the Cobb County office of a building contractor working on the project, and weeks later vandalism at the Cobb County home of an executive. On several occasions, barricades or other material on the construction site set on fire on or near the project site. Ball bearings propelled via slingshot at a utility van, causing damage. Vandalism of the offices of the parent company of a subcontractor working on the project located in Florida, Nebraska, Minnesota and New York which included spray-painted phrases alluding to the Atlanta project. Story continues Atlanta police released a statement on Friday that read: The Atlanta Police Department is no stranger to protests. We respect and support the publics right to be heard. Our focus today and every day is public safety, being responsive to our community and the welfare of all our officers. We will be closely monitoring activity throughout the city and will work to ensure all demonstrations remain peaceful and participants are safe. We remain steadfast in our mission. Activists say they are not concerned about APDs investigation. Im not concerned with the alleged investigation of criminal activities because I know that there is a strong movement of organizers, neighbors and concerned Atlantans who are peacefully protesting the construction of this facility, Jesse Pratt Lopez said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Hall told Winne that opposition for the training center is driven by many factors from the alleged militarization of police to protecting communities to protecting the urban forest. Supporters of the center say it will help continue building police culture that better protects the civil rights of Atlantans. They also say the city has guaranteed to replace any hardwoods destroyed during constructing with 100 new plantings. DOVER A woman was seriously injured Saturday morning in a four-vehicle, chain-reaction crash in a construction zone on the Spaulding Turnpike, according to New Hampshire State Police. The 57-year-old woman from Sanbornville was the driving a Chrysler PT Cruiser, the first vehicle struck from behind in the incident, police said. She was in stable condition at Portsmouth Regional Hospital late Saturday afternoon after sustaining serious injuries and being extricated from the car, according to police. Police said "driver distraction" appeared to be the cause of the crash. It occurred just after 10:30 a.m. a short distance to the north of the Dover toll plaza and at the beginning of lane closure due to construction on the southbound side of the roadway, police said. A four-car, chain-reaction crash resulted in one woman being seriously injured on the Spaulding Turnpike in Dover Saturday morning, according to police. Police said a Subaru WRX sedan, driven by a 24-year-old Newfields man with a juvenile passenger, failed to slow down for the lane closure and crashed into the PT Cruiser. The PT Cruiser then crashed into a GMC Yukon, driven by a 41-year-old Dover man, whose vehicle struck a Chevrolet Equinox, driven by a 54-year-old Somersworth woman. What drivers need to know: Dover, Rochester tolls on Spaulding Turnpike going cashless The driver and passenger in the Subaru were brought to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and released, police said. The drivers of the Yukon and the Equinox were "medically cleared" at the accident scene, police said. The turnpike (Route 16) was shut down in the area of the accident for about 45 minutes, police said. Two crimes 3 minutes apart: ATM stolen, vehicle set on fire in Somersworth Police said the accident remains under investigation. They are asking anyone with information to contact Trooper Seth Parker at Seth.W.Parker@dos.nh.gov. State Police said Dover Fire and Rescue, Dover police and the Department of Transportation responded to the crash. In Rochester: What caused fire at Moe's Italian Sandwiches? When will it reopen? This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Spaulding Turnpike crash: Woman seriously hurt near Dover NH tolls By Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's government and indigenous community leaders reached a deal on Friday, ending months-long talks that lead to dozens of agreements for implementing economic and environmental concessions, which President Guillermo Lasso made to end deadly protests in June. Lasso, a conservative former banker, began negotiations in mid-July to establish how to enact his promises, which included price controls, debt forgiveness, and policies for the oil and mining sectors, among others. The government reached 218 agreements with the indigenous communities, it said. However, Leonidas Iza, president of the indigenous organization CONAIE, warned the agreements were just partial advances, with most failing to meet the requirements as laid out in June's protests. Demonstrations rocked Ecuador for more than two weeks starting June 13, leaving at least eight dead and severely affecting the country's oil industry, its main source of income, forcing immediate cuts to fuel prices and bringing the government to negotiation tables. "The dialogues were not the will (of the government), but by the pressure and force of the people in the streets," Iza said after the talks closed. One key agreement will see the introduction of a mechanism for differentiating fuel prices to ensure that subsidies only benefit the most vulnerable sectors of society, and not those who do not need it, the government said. The talks also managed to define a moratorium for 15 oil blocks and suspended the granting of some mining concessions until there is a law establishing prior and informed consultation for communities living nearby. Talks also reached deals to forgive certain debts for small-scale farmers and a socialized rate for telephone and internet services. "The negotiations have proven to be more productive in achieving joint solutions than the protests," said Ecuador's Minister for the Government, Francisco Jimenez. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; editing by Diane Craft) Our hopes and best wishes sail with any ship leaving a Hampton Roads port for deployment, but perhaps never more so than those accompanying the USS Gerald R. Ford as it makes its debut for service. When it departed on Oct. 4, the newest class of aircraft carrier unquestionably a triumph of modern engineering carried not only the brave men and women assigned to its decks and who call this region home but also, in no small measure, the fortunes of the region itself. That may sound like hyperbole, but it is not. When one considers the economic role Newport News Shipbuilding plays here both in terms of employment and generated revenue as well as the size of the Ford-class contract, its easy to see how much rides on that island of steel that moved gracefully out of port last week. Perhaps because they are part of the landscape a familiar, comforting sight to Hampton Roads residents it can be easy to lose a sense of perspective about aircraft carriers. Rarely do we stop and marvel at the audacity required to build an enormous floating runway, power station and apartment complex in one entity. These are among the most advanced machines humans have ever built, requiring tens of thousands of people and costing billions of dollars. That they are constructed here should serve as a source of immense pride, by the men and women who do the difficult, arduous work and for the region they call home. Carriers also require an enormous investment of time. The U.S. Navy awarded the Ford contract to Northrop Grumman, which then operated the shipyard, in 2008 and the Fords keel was laid in 2009, but construction actually began with a ceremonial steel cut in 2005 meaning 17 years passed between the first step of construction to the ships first deployment. But the time invested in construction is meant to be repaid in the ships life. The Ford is expected to be in service for 90 years and the innovations featured in its design are intended to allow the carrier to operate more efficiently and more effectively than any before. Story continues The new class of carrier is also filled with innovation and new technology expected to revolutionize how they operate. The Ford uses electromagnetic launch systems rather than the steam-powered systems utilized by the Nimitz-class carriers, which will allow it to launch more aircraft in a shorter time. Its nuclear reactor generates more power than previous carriers; its weapons and radar systems are more advanced; it boasts a larger flight deck than its predecessors and requires a smaller crew to operate. All told, the Ford class represents a bold leap forward in design and capability. And it means that American interests, at home and abroad, will be better served by having this ship and future Ford carriers on the water. Aircraft carriers remain central to the nations defense strategy, serving an invaluable role in helping project American firepower virtually anywhere on earth. Even as the nations military moves toward unmanned vehicles and other measures to reduce the threat to personnel, carriers will remain an essential piece of the Pentagon puzzle. Thats reflected in the contract Huntington Ingalls Industries secured in 2019 from the Department of Defense to build the next two Ford-class carriers at a price tag of $14.9 billion. It is a unique arrangement since ships are usually purchased one at a time, but officials with HII and the Navy agreed that securing plans for construction of two ships would reduce the overall cost to taxpayers. For Hampton Roads, that also provides economic stability, both for the shipyard and its employees and for the subcontractors and other local businesses who depend on ship construction for their livelihoods. Thats why the whole region has a lot riding on the Ford when it made its exit from Hampton Roads harbor this month and why well be hoping for a successful deployment and a safe return in a few months time. Elon Musk and Talulah Riley at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in March 2014. David Livingston/Getty Images Elon Musk once dug through snow to pick flowers after forgetting to buy his wife a Christmas gift. Talulah Riley, who lived in Colorado with Musk at the time, recounted the story for a documentary. She said Musk went out for two hours in the night and returned with a "bouquet of picked flowers." Elon Musk once got up in the middle of the night and dug through snow to pick flowers for his second wife after forgetting to buy her a Christmas present. In the second episode of a new BBC documentary, set to be broadcast in the UK next Wednesday, Talulah Riley recounted a time when she said Musk got out of bed and disappeared for two hours when they were living in Boulder, Colorado. "The Elon Musk Show" uses interviews with Musk's family, friends, employees and enemies to explain his rise to become the world's richest man. The first episode was broadcast in the UK on Wednesday. "It was one of the bad Christmases," Riley said. "He'd forgotten to get me a Christmas present. There's loads and loads of snow." She said Musk confessed his failure and told her: "It's not that I don't love you I do really, really love you. It's just that my brain is exploding." He later "got up in the middle of the night and disappeared," Riley told the documentary. "He came back two hours later and he'd gone outside in his T-shirt and shorts, barefoot, and he'd gone and dug through the snow and picked flowers." "He'd walked all over Boulder and came back with a little bouquet of picked flowers, and he was like, 'I just wanted to show you how much I loved you,'" she added. Riley married the Tesla CEO in 2010, but they divorced two years later. The couple reconciled and wed again in 2013 only to divorce a second time three years later. The actor called Musk the "perfect ex-husband" and thanked him in the acknowledgments of her recent novel. In the second episode of the documentary, Riley described Musk as the most emotional person she knew. "He has a kind of innocence to him," she said. "He feels with incredible purity the emotions that he is feeling at the time, whatever that emotion is. He feels very, very deeply." Story continues Riley said some people described Musk as "cold and emotionless," but she argued "that could not be further from the truth he is the most emotional person I know." "The Elon Musk Show" won't be broadcast outside the UK, the BBC said, citing rights issues. The first episode is available on the BBC's iPlayer streaming service. Correction: October 17, 2022 An earlier version of this story misidentified Talulah Riley's relation to Elon Musk. She was his second wife, not his first wife. Read the original article on Business Insider Patrick Pleul/Getty Images; Twitter; Vicky Leta/Insider Elon Musk has discussed his plans for X, an "everything app," in Twitter and in private texts. The billionaire has drawn inspiration for the idea from the popular Chinese super-app WeChat. Here's everything we know about Musk's plans for X and Twitter. If Elon Musk's deal to buy Twitter closes, the billionaire will have taken the first step toward something he calls "X," his vision for a new kind of social media platform that most in the US haven't experienced before. An "everything app," as Musk puts it. The Tesla CEO has said the acquisition will act as "an accelerant" to creating X jump-starting the process by three to five years. Musk has been talking about building X for months. In August, when a Twitter user asked him whether he had considered creating his own social platform, he replied, "X.com" a web domain he bought over five years ago. At Tesla's annual shareholder meeting that same month, Musk said he had "a pretty grand vision" for X as "something that would be very useful to the world." While it's unclear whether Musk plans to turn Twitter into X or use it to build an entirely new platform, the billionaire has dropped several hints regarding his plans to shake up the world of social media. Here's what he's said publicly and privately, via recently released text messages about the idea. A new super-app X wouldn't be the first app trying to do a bit of everything. In fact, Musk indicated in May might look for inspiration from Tencent's WeChat, a Chinese social media juggernaut that's one of the largest super-apps in the world. WeChat acts as an all-encompassing service from messaging and video chatting to video games, photo sharing, ride services, food delivery, banking, and shopping. In this photo illustration, the WeChat app is displayed in the App Store on an Apple iPhone on August 7, 2020 in Washington, DC. Photo Illustration by Drew Angerer/Getty Images "If you're in China, you kind of live on WeChat," he said. "It does everything sort of like Twitter, plus PayPal, plus a whole bunch of things, and all rolled into one, with a great interface. It's really an excellent app, and we don't have anything like that outside of China." Story continues At his first town hall with Twitter staff, the billionaire said there's a "real opportunity" to create a similar app outside of China. "I think if we could achieve that, or even close to that with Twitter, it would be an immense success," he said. Matt Navarra, a top social media consultant, told Insider it wouldn't make sense to gut Twitter and turn it into a super-app, but it could become a sort of "mini-app" within Musk's larger platform. Sha Zhu, of Washington, shows the app WeChat on her phone, which she uses to keep in touch with family and friends in the U.S. and China, Tuesday Aug. 18, 2020, in Washington. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Private texts about a blockchain-based platform Musk has also discussed creating a social media platform built on a blockchain. The billionaire is known for his love of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Dogecoin. In April, the billionaire privately outlined his idea for a "Doge" social media platform in texts to his younger brother, Kimbal Musk. The messages were made public as part of Musk's court battle with Twitter. "I have an idea for a blockchain social media system that does both payments and short text messages/links like Twitter," Musk texted. "You have to pay a tiny amount to register your message on the chain, which will cut out the vest majority of spam and bots." Musk said the site would have a "massive real-time database" that would keep permanent copies of messages and followers and a "Twitter-like app on your phone" that can access the database in the cloud. A subscription model Musk's idea for a blockchain-based platform feed into some of his discussions around Twitter's revenue model. The billionaire has repeatedly expressed his distaste for ads, but advertising makes up the vast majority of Twitter's revenue. In a since-deleted tweet from April, Musk said the company should exist without ads. Click the Subscribe button at the bottom to sign up for Twitter Blue. Will Fischer Instead, Musk has talked about making money from Twitter via alternative methods, including charging some users to be on the site. While Twitter has already begun charging some users for special features through Twitter Blue, the Tesla CEO has been critical of it. In April, he said that users of the premium subscription service should pay $3 per month and immediately get a verified account. The billionaire has also noted the app could help foster payments directly to users, though Twitter launched a "Tips" feature last year that includes an option to pay users with Bitcoin. "It's important for content creators to have a revenue share," Musk said at a May event for the "All-In" podcast. The billionaire has also discussed changing Twitter's algorithm and making its code open source, as well as adding an edit button a feature the site recently enabled for Twitter Blue subscribers. An emphasis on free speech Whatever Musk builds, expect it to have a far more free-wheeling free speech policy than Twitter today. Musk often refers to Twitter as a "town square" and has said he is against censorship that "goes far beyond the law." Donald Trump on Tuesday escalated his feud with Elon Musk in a series of Truth Social posts belittling the billionaire. Evan Vucci/AP Photo The billionaire has been critical of Twitter's ban on some users, including its permanent ban on former president Donald Trump following the insurrection at the US Capitol. Musk has said he will re-instate Trump if he goes through with the purchase. Social media expert Navarro said companies are unlikely to want to advertise next to posts that could be labeled as unsavory, but noted it could be a good move for Twitter to diversify its revenue sources. A battle against bots One thing is clear throughout Musk's dealings with Twitter the billionaire's social media platform will be tasked with eliminating scam accounts. Musk has called bots on Twitter the "single most annoying problem" and made the number of scam accounts on the site the centerpiece of his attempts to wiggle out of the purchase months ago. In an April 14 interview at TED 2022, Musk cited this issue as the first thing he would change as Twitter's new owner it's fair to expect whatever X ends up being to also focus on eliminating bots. Read the original article on Business Insider Twenty-four days after her son's swollen body was found in the Tallahatchie River, tied to a cotton-gin fan and bound in barbed wire, Mamie Elizabeth Till-Mobley made up her mind to travel deep into the racist South to testify at the trial of the two White men accused of murdering 14-year-old Emmett Till. She had to be smuggled into Mississippi because of threats against her life. But Till-Mobley was determined to identify the body in court and let the world know what Mississippi had done to her only child. She hoped that even in Mississippi, 12 White people might consider the testimony of a grieving Black mother. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. "They were going to turn the murder of my son into a case of self-defense, the self-defense of the Mississippi way of life," Till-Mobley wrote in her 2003 memoir, "Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America." In stifling heat in September 1955, Till-Mobley walked into the crowded courtroom in Sumner, Miss., passing Roy Bryant, 24, and J.W. Milam, 36, the men on trial for murder, and Bryant's wife, Carolyn, whose accusations of assault had led to the brutal killing of Till-Mobley's son. More than 60 years after Till-Mobley's riveting testimony during that trial, the film "Till" opened in the Washington D.C. area this week, with a nationwide release later this month. Directed by Chinonye Chukwu and featuring Danielle Deadwyler as Till-Mobley, Jalyn Hall as Emmett Till and Whoopi Goldberg as Till's grandmother, the film tells the story of Till-Mobley's fight for justice and the sensational murder trial. "The crux of this story is not about the traumatic, physical violence inflicted upon Emmett - which is why I refused to depict such brutality in the film - but it is about Mamie's remarkable journey in the aftermath," Chukwu said. "She is grounded by the love for her child, for, at its core, 'Till' is a love story." Story continues During the trial at the Tallahatchie County Courthouse, Till-Mobley took her seat on the witness stand. She had been born in Webb, Miss., two miles south of Sumner. Although she had moved with her family to Chicago when she was 2, she knew the dangers of the South for Black people. So, as Emmett packed for a trip to visit relatives in Mississippi, she testified, "I told him when he was coming down here that he would have to adapt himself to a new way of life. And I told him to be very careful about how he spoke and to whom he spoke, and to always remember to say 'Yes, sir' and 'No, ma'am' at all times." Emmett arrived in Money, Miss., on Saturday, Aug. 21, 1955, to stay with cousins and his great uncle, Moses Wright. It was the beginning of the cotton harvest season, and his cousins were excited to teach him about life in Mississippi. "And when he arrived, we weren't disappointed in him," his cousin Simeon Wright told the Southern Oral History Program in a 2011 interview, "because he was a great storyteller and he told us about Chicago." They showed him how to work in the cotton fields and swim in Mississippi rivers. On the fateful day of Aug. 24, Wright recalled, Emmett and his cousins picked cotton from "sunup to not quite dusk." Then they decided to go into the town of Money. Simeon's 16-year-old brother, Maurice, drove to Bryant's Grocery & Meat Market. "We were in Money less than 20 minutes," Simeon Wright said. According to Wright, Emmett "didn't say anything out of line" in the store. But after they left, Carolyn Bryant walked out toward her car, and Emmett whistled at her. "It scared us half to death," Wright said. "And we couldn't get out of town fast enough. We ran to the car. And Emmett saw our reaction, and it scared him." Three days passed. "Nothing happened; we forgot all about it," Wright said. But early in the morning on Aug. 28, "our world was turned upside down." Around 2 a.m., Roy Bryant and his half brother Milam marched into Moses Wright's home, shouting that they were looking for the boy from Chicago. Milam was carrying a gun. They made Emmett dress and put him in their truck. Wright remembered hearing the men ask, "Is this the right one?" A woman responded, "He is." Wright believed it was Carolyn Bryant. "And we never saw Emmett alive again," he said. Three days later, Emmett's body was found in the Tallahatchie River. It was beaten beyond recognition. His teeth were missing. An ear was severed. An eye was hanging out of its socket. Till-Mobley demanded that her son's body be sent to Chicago. When she went to the train station in Chicago to meet the body, she collapsed. Later, she declined to allow the mortician to change the appearance of her son's body. "I think everybody needed to know what had happened to Emmett Till," she said later. She asked for an open casket at his funeral, and the photos of his body became a catalyst in the civil rights movement. On Sept. 3, 1955, more than 50,000 people began lining up at a South Side Chicago church for a viewing of Emmett. When Jet magazine ran photos of the body, Black Americans across the country mourned. "Mamie empowered the media to nationalize the lynching," the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. wrote in the introduction to her memoir. "It was an earthquake and Mamie used the aftershocks of that earthquake to awaken, to transform a people and to redirect our course." More than two weeks later, the trial of Bryant and Milam began in Sumner. Moses Wright was asked to identify the White men who had kidnapped Emmett from his home. Wright, whom Milam had threatened, did not hesitate. "There he is," he testified, pointing at Milam. "That's the man." He also identified Bryant. Wright fled Mississippi that night. One of the most powerful moments in the trial belonged to Till-Mobley, when she identified her son by the ring he was wearing, which had belonged to his father. Despite the evidence, the all-White jury deliberated just 67 minutes before returning a verdict of not guilty. One juror said, "We wouldn't have taken so long if we hadn't stopped to drink pop." On Jan. 24, 1956, Look magazine published the confessions of Bryant and Milam. The murderers recounted that they beat Till with a gun, shot him and threw his body in the river with a cotton-gin fan attached with barbed wire to weigh him down. In an unpublished memoir, Carolyn Bryant, who now goes by Carolyn Bryant Donham, called herself "a victim" and declined to retract her disputed account of the events leading to Emmett's murder. In June, relatives of Emmett Till called for Donham's arrest after the discovery of a 1955 warrant for "Mrs. Roy Bryant" that was never executed. But in August, a grand jury in Leflore County, Miss., declined to indict her. After the 1955 trial, Till-Mobley returned to Chicago, becoming a teacher and civil rights activist. She spoke across the country against injustice. "So far as the healing is concerned," she said in the 2022 ABC documentary television series "Let the World See," "I will never get over that. I will take that hurt to my grave. That influenced everything I've done." Before she died on Jan. 6, 2003, she explained why she wanted the case reopened. "It would be sending out a message to everyone that truth crushed to Earth will rise again," Till-Mobley said. "You don't escape the evil you've done." Related Content Pirates, Vikings and a dry-river regatta - nowhere but Australia Leaders of democracies increasingly echo Putin in authoritarian tilt Senate race in Ohio is ground zero for hopes of more manufacturing jobs The U.S. and Saudi Arabia continue a war of words, and a new report shows a decline in wildlife populations. Meanwhile, not all Native American stakeholders are pleased with the Biden administrations first national monument designation. This is Overnight Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. For The Hill, were Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk. Someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Relations with Saudis sour as OPEC+ fight amplifies Tensions over Saudi Arabias decision with OPEC+ to cut oil production reached new heights on Thursday when the White House made the unprecedented move to publicly dispute the Kingdoms defense of the choice, marking a shift in long-standing relations between the two countries. The Saudi foreign ministry said in a lengthy statement that the decision was based on economic considerations and that all members of OPEC+, a group of oil producing nations, unanimously agreed to it. But Biden administration officials, who saw the move as benefiting the Kremlin, sharply pushed back. The bottom line is we dont want to see any nation helping Russia prosecute this war, whether thats moral support, military support, or economic support, and the decision that OPEC+ came out with this week was certainly economic support. And I would argue it also fell into the category of moral and military support, said John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council. He accused the Saudis of trying to spin or deflect and, giving insight into some private conversations, said that the Saudis conveyed to U.S. officials in recent weeks that they wanted to reduce oil production, and they knew it would increase Russian revenues. The administration had presented Saudi Arabia with an analysis to argue there was no market basis tocut production targets, Kirby said. President Biden also had a clear message on Thursday to the Saudis: Were about to talk to you. Story continues Stay tuned, he told reporters when asked what he will say to Saudi leaders. The administration has also brought other countries into the dispute, albeit without naming names. Kirby said other OPEC+ nations have communicated to the U.S. privately that they disagree with the Saudi decision but felt coerced to support it. He said those OPEC+ members that expressed their concerns to the U.S. can speak for themselves but that there was more than one OPEC member that did. Experts said the outward criticism of the Saudis by a U.S. presidential administration was unprecedented. The fact that they went public with it, its quite a statement in and by itself, said Hafed Al Ghwell, senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. I think this public roil is quite significant. And its really going to affect the relationship in general. Read more here, from The Hills Alex Gangitano. Many wildlife populations see decline since 1970 Populations of thousands of animal species from around the world have declined by an average of 69 percent since 1970, according to a new report. Researchers studied nearly 32,000 populations of 5,230 species from around the globe and found that on average, those populations declined by 69 percent between 1970 and 2018. The report does not suggest that extinction rates of individual species are rising, but researchers say the finding is significant because it provides a snapshot of overall changes to ecosystems and their health. Essentially, declines in abundance are early warning indicators of overall ecosystem health, the report said. The report, from the World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London, specifically looked at mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. It said that the reasons for the declines include habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, climate change and diseases. Read more about the research here. Tribes divided after national monument declaration The Ute Native American tribe, whose ancestral lands formed the newly designated Camp Hale National Monument, had mixed reactions to the Biden administrations announcement of the designation this week. In a statement, the Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee said the administration moved forward with a monument on our homelands without including us. They talk about tribal consultation, but their actions do not match their words. We cannot support a monument on our homelands that does not include the tribe. The tribe went on to decry the designation as an unlawful act of genocide. The committee said it learned of the designation only days before President Biden made it official, saying Instead of fully engaging the Ute Indian Tribe and its Uncompahgre Band in designating the Monument, the White House rushed forward with its own priorities, it said. However, not all Ute bands were critical of the designation. Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council Chairman Melvin Baker attended the designation ceremony and told The Colorado Sun the designation was a game-changer. Others can learn that we can work together, whether its states, tribes, governments working together to make this happen on behalf of the earth that we live on and Mother Earth that we protect, he said. I think it will be a big help moving forward. Read more about the disagreement here. WHAT WERE READING Lighter click: We have a winner! Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment page for the latest news and coverage. Well see you next week. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. European Union According to the outlet, Poland, the Baltic States and Ireland sent the European Commission their draft proposals regarding the ninth package of sanctions against Russia and the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. Read also: Russia moves 2,000 troops, warplanes, missile systems into Belarus Polish Radio noted that the issue of synchronizing the introduction of sanctions against Russia and Belarus has been discussed in Brussels for some time. Diplomats want to hit the economy of Belarus and force the Lukashenko regime to stop helping Russia, as well as prevent the Russians from circumventing sanctions. It is also reported that proposals for new sanctions against Russia include a ban on diamond imports, a ban on Kaspersky antivirus software in the EU, and a ban on the sale of real estate to Russian citizens. The Belarusian newspaper Nasha Niva reported on Oct. 13 that Lukashenko had decided to conduct a covert mobilization in the country. Read also: Belarus dictator Lukashenko orders dry run of mobilization in practice The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Oct. 12 that Lukashenko's regime allowed the use of the military-industrial complex of Belarus to repair damaged Russian military equipment and handed over some T-72 tanks to Russia. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has been launching its missiles at Ukraine from the territory of Belarus. Read also: Lukashenko regime says Ukraine planning to attack, Ukraine issues denial It also launched its failed attempt to capture the Ukrainian capital Kyiv from Belarusian territory. Columns of Russian troops and tanks advanced from Belarusian territory into Ukraine on both sides of the Dnipro River. However, the Russian forces were defeated and retreated from northern Ukraine in March and early April. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A 38-year-old employee is accused of hiding a camera in female staff bathrooms for years at a high school in Washington, authorities said. James Mattson of Vancouver was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 13, and faces 137 first-degree voyeurism charges, the Clark County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Authorities said they discovered videos taken from staff bathrooms at Skyview High School in Salmon Creek dating as far back as 2013. Mattson worked there as a custodian from 2008 to 2015. Mattson also has been a building operator at Alki Middle School in Vancouver since 2018 and the assistant flag football coach since 2021, Vancouver Public Schools said in a statement to McClatchy News. He was first hired within the district as a substitute custodian in 2007. He has since been placed on unpaid leave pending termination proceedings, the districts spokesperson said. Mattsons girlfriend made a report to authorities after finding a video on his computer of what appeared to be a girl changing her clothes in a locker room, The Columbian reported. The investigation is ongoing and no victims have been identified, the sheriffs office said. Vancouver Public Schools is aware of the arrest of a former VPS employee accused of voyeurism. We continue to work closely with the Clark County Sheriffs Office to support their investigation, the school district said. After learning about the allegations against Mattson, the district searched every locker room and restroom and did not find any devices. Our students and staff and their safety are at the heart of everything we do. We will continue to support our young people and staff by making counselors available, and fully cooperating with the law enforcement investigation, the district said. Man hid cameras in Starbucks bathroom twice, CA officials say. He faces 83 charges Planet Fitness worker put phone on record, slid it under tanning booth door, AL cops say Man lured teen boys to concerts and secretly recorded them nude in hotel, feds say A large group of Venezuelans expelled from the United States and sent to Mexico under a new Homeland Security policy protested at the border Friday, causing officials to briefly close an international bridge leading to Texas. The protesters gathered in Matamoros, Mexico, which sits across from Brownsville, Texas. Video footage posted on social media shows a group of people gathered on the bridge appearing to talk among themselves. A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection told Fox News that officers halted traffic and "and continues to implement appropriate port hardening measures, such as placement of K-rails and conducting periodic mobile field force exercises to ensure the safe and secure processing of travelers at our international bridges." The bridge was opened a short time later after the demonstration ended. Immigration activists have voiced concerns about the Biden administrations announcement that it will expel Venezuelans to Mexico using the Title 42 public health order. BIDEN ADMIN ANNOUNCES BORDER OP WITH MEXICO, INCREASED REMOVALS OF VENEZUELANS Venezuelans are seen being put on buses after being expelled from the U.S. under Title 42. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The new policy expands Title 42, a Trump-era public health order implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will return Venezuelans entering the U.S. illegally to Mexico. The order comes as the U.S. launches a border enforcement operation with Mexico that includes increased checkpoints, a surge in resources and a crackdown on human smuggling. "These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. "Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future. Those who follow the lawful process will have the opportunity to travel safely to the United States and become eligible to work here." Story continues Migrants from Venezuela have begun making their way to the southern border in larger numbers in recent months. There were more than 25,000 encounters of Venezuelan migrants in August, up from just 4,000 in April. Last August, there were just over 6,000 migrant encounters from Venezuela. Border agents have seen more than 2.1 million encounters this fiscal year. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Many immigration advocates have claimed Title 42 is cruel and sends people back to Mexico where they face poverty and safety concerns. "By bending to the callous whims of Republican governors in Texas, Arizona and Florida as this country gears up for midterm elections, the Biden Administration has taken multiple steps backwards in time to the cruel immigration policies of Donald Trump," Murad Awawdeh, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition, said in a statement, Fox News previously reported. Fox News' Adam Shaw contributed to this report. Fire at an oil depot near Belgorod We have another shelling, he wrote. One of the shells hit the oil depot in the Belgorod region. I am at the scene. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is already fighting the fire. There is no threat of the fire spreading. I will keep you posted. Read also: Explosions at ammunition depot near Russias Belgorod kills 3, injures over 10 Local residents are also posting photos and videos on social media The Ukrainian military command hasnt commented on the report of shelling. On Oct. 14, a fire broke out at the Luch thermal power plant in Belgorod after sounds of powerful explosions were heard over the city. After that, a local substation was caught fire. As a result of the explosion, some residents were left without electricity. Read also: Major fire breaks out at power substation in Russias Belgorod Meanwhile out of 10 Russian missiles launched from Russias Belgorod Oblast towards the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, all 10 exploded in the air, with debris from one accidentally hitting a thermal power plant in Belgorod. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine FEMA will open a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in St. Johns County on Saturday The DRC will be in the Wind Mitigation Building, located at 3111 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine. The DRC will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers provide disaster survivors with information from Florida state agencies, FEMA, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Survivors can get help applying for federal assistance, learn about the types of assistance available, learn about the appeals process, and get updates on applications. In addition to visiting a center, you can apply by clicking here, using the FEMA mobile app, or calling 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as a video relay (VRS), captioned telephone, or other services, provide FEMA with the number for that service. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Disaster Recovery Centers are accessible to people with disabilities. It has assistive technology equipment that allows disaster survivors to interact with staff. Video Remote Interpreting is available and in-person sign language is available by request. The centers also have accessible parking, ramps, and restrooms. FEMA Individual Assistance can help with temporary lodging expenses, basic home repairs, and other essential disaster-related needs. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, watch this official FEMA tutorial. For more information about Hurricane Ian recovery in Florida, visit floridadisaster.org. For updates on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts in St. Johns County, please visit sjcfl.us/hurricane or call the St. Johns County Emergency Management Citizen Information Line at 904.824.5550. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Carlos Benavides organizes his products for sale at his booth at the Los Angeles City College swap meet in July 2021. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) An ongoing feud between street vendors and the owner of the Los Angeles City College Swap Meet escalated this week when vendors showed up to set up shop outside the popular swap meet, but instead found a chain-link fencing blocking their usual spots. Official-looking signs citing city code warned sidewalk sales were prohibited, but the green signs in English and Spanish were clearly not from the city. The chain-link fencing is the latest incident in an ongoing battle between the new owner of the swap meet and vendors who set up shop along the street outside. Vendors have accused the new owner, Phillip Dane, of harassing them, trying to remove them from critical locations established during the pandemic, even turning on water sprinklers to keep them away. "They blocked everything," one street vendor, Sandra Escalante, told L.A. Taco, which first reported about the appearance of the new fence. Dane argues that street vendors are undercutting those sellers who set up booths inside, and avoid paying rental fees and stretch resources meant for the swap meet, such as restrooms and security personnel. A spokesperson for the city's Department of Public Works said they became aware of the fence Wednesday, and investigators with the department told the "responsible individual" to remove the fence, which had not been permitted. "The fencing is down, but our investigators will continue to follow up to ensure they remain down," said Elena Stern, spokesperson for the agency. Fines could be levied if there are "repeat violations," she said. Dane declined to answer questions about who may have put up the fence but said he welcomed the attempt to curb what he called "illegal street vending." "I'm not going to discuss the fence, how it got up or who put it up," Dane said in an interview with The Times. "But if you find out who put up the fence, let me know and I'll write them a thank you note." Dane bought the ailing swap meet in 2021 after the pandemic forced the previous owner to sell. The swap meet has been a steady source of income for vendors and a staple event for cheap goods for the community for more than two decades. The swap meet also has over the years forwarded part of its proceeds to the L.A. City College Foundation. Story continues The previous owners weren't the only ones affected by the pandemic. Some regular vendors set up shop on the street when the pandemic forced the swap meet to close, and many have continued to sell their goods there, luring visitors to the swap meet just outside the gates. Since taking over, Dane said he's faced accusations of trying to "gentrify" the swap meet, harassing street vendors, turning on water sprinklers on them and trying to remove people whose income relies on the foot traffic in and out of the swap meet. Dane denied harassing vendors and said the allegations of the sprinklers are false, and said street vendors removed the sprinklers before he took over. But he said street vendors continue to be an issue for the swap meet, undercutting its vendors' prices, and taking up resources meant for customers and vendors that pay rental fees. "They are all vendors, the difference is the guys inside that are trying to feed their families are contending with the guys outside," he said. "It's literally street vendors hurting street vendors and I'm the guy in the middle." To try to address the issue, he said he offered some of the street vendors a spot inside for one weekend, waving the $70 Saturday and $75 Sunday fee, but only a handful took up his offer. He said 90% of vendors there today are the same vendors that were there before he took over. "My commitment was to keep it the way it was," he said. Dane said he's reached out to the street vendors and to the offices of Councilmember Mitch O'Farrel to find a resolution, pointing out that a city ordinance prevents street vendors in the area, but has not received help. O'Farrel's office did not respond to a request for comment. Dane said he's had to use security personnel to settle disputes with vendors outside the swap meet, and his own crews to clean up the area outside. "They leave their trash, they've left cases of beer they're trying to sell on school property," he said. "There's nothing OK about this. If they want to paint me as a bad guy, I can't stop you from doing that." Still, he repeatedly declined to say whether he was responsible for the fence that went up this week. "I'm not allowed to talk about the fence," he said, but did not elaborate. "I'm not opposed to having a fence going up if it gets the job done, but it's ugly." Stern, with the Department of Public Works, said she could not identify the person who had the fence installed because of an ongoing investigation. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Desks and chairs arranged in classroom at high school Maskot / Getty Images Angelica Carrasquillo-Torres was arrested after she told her student she had a "kill list," police said. According to police, Carrasquillo-Torres admitted to having a kill list that included names of students and staff members. A 5th-grade student was told by Torres that they were at the bottom of the list, police said. A fifth-grade school teacher was arrested after police said she told a student they were at the bottom of a "kill list" that included the names of other students and faculty members. On Wednesday, a 5th-grade student at St. Stanislaus School, a Catholic elementary school in East Chicago, Indiana, told a guidance counselor that their teacher made comments about killing herself, students, and staff members, according to a statement posted to the Facebook page of the East Chicago Police Department. Police identified the teacher as Angelica Carrasquillo-Torres from Griffith, Indiana. According to the statement, Torres, 25, also told the student she had a "kill list" of other students and staff members and that the student was at the bottom of the list. After the "threatening report" was made, police officers were dispatched about four hours later, at approximately 5 pm, according to the statement. Before their arrival, Torres was taken to the principal's office, where she admitted to making the comments and confirmed she had a "kill list," police said. According to police, Torres did not provide the list during the discussion but named a specific student. Torres was advised to leave the school, but police said they weren't notified until the teacher was gone. "The East Chicago Police Department was not made aware of the situation until 4 hours later after the teacher was allowed to leave," according to the statement. East Chicago Police Chief Jose Rivera told Insider that not being notified immediately that Torres made those threatening comments impacted the investigation. "I'm not gonna blame, put any thought on the school," Rivera said. "I mean, they did what they felt was needed at that time and what they felt was proper according to their policies or protocol. But it does affect the investigation because if we were to be contacted while she was still in the office that she admitted to making those threats, we could have taken her into custody at that moment and not a whole 24 hours later." Story continues According to St. Stanislaus School, Torres left campus after students were dismissed. "After students were safely dismissed at the end of the school day, the teacher was escorted off campus and the East Chicago police department was notified at approximately 4:45 p.m," a statement that was posted to the school's Facebook page Friday. "When asked, the police assured the principal that the facility was safe and that they could proceed normally with all scheduled learning and school events for the next school day." The following day, Torres was arrested and charged with one count of felony intimidation at her residence in Griffith after the Criminal Investigation Division obtained an emergency detention order, Rivera said. "We're hoping to get Ms.Carrasquillo the help that she needs mentally," Rivera said. "Also still looking for the list and see if she would give us a list so that we can contact the families and make sure that they get the kids any counseling that they need." Classes at the school were moved to an "e-learning environment" after the incident, St. Stanislaus said in its post. The school did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "While we are still navigating this unimaginable event, we are grateful for the teachers and staff who carefully and compassionately listen to the concerns of students, with respect for their well-being," St. Stanislaus said in the Facebook post. Read the original article on Insider (Florida Department of Corrections ) Florida guards broke an inmates neck and denied him treatment for five days, before he died a month later, according to a new report. Craig Ridley, 62, died as a result of injuries he sustained when he was tackled down to the ground by Captain William Jerrels on 8 September 2017, The Miami Herald reported. Video recorded by guards and obtained by the Herald shows Mr Ridley, an army veteran, telling officers that he believed his neck was broken. Your blood pressure and all is fine. You aint paralysed, an officer can be heard saying. Mr Ridleys injuries at Reception and Medical Center in Lake Butler were largely ignored by staff, a review by the Florida Department of Law (FDLE) found. For days after Mr Ridley was assaulted, he was left in his confinement cell without medical treatment, as guards and nurses passing by his cell dismissed fellow inmates concerns for him. FDLE also reviewed video of an officer apparently mocking Mr Ridley by moving his head, and a fellow inmate who was interviewed by the department reportedly said that another inmate twisted Mr Ridleys head as staff watched and didnt do anything. Blatantly disregarding the untouched food trays and the fact that Mr Ridley would fall to the floor when he was placed on the toilet, medical staff only called for his transport to a hospital five days after he was left paralysed. Efforts to stabilise him failed and Mr Ridley succumbed to his injuries on 12 October 2017. Mr Ridleys cause of death was determined to be a homicide caused by blunt impact to the head and neck, but no criminal charges were ever filed against the officers or medical staff who treated Mr Ridley. The Herald surfaced the shocking details after Mr Ridleys familys yearslong fight to uncover the circumstances around their loved ones death. The report also comes a year after Mr Ridleys daughter filed a civil lawsuit against Floridas Department of Corrections secretary and correction officers and medical staff involved in the incident. Story continues Mr Ridley was attacked by Mr Jerrels when the inmate allegedly tried to hit him. The army veteran was a kitchen worker at the facility, and was serving a 20-year sentence for firing two rounds at his employers business door after an argument about salary. Inmates interviewed by FDLE attested to his character and a correctional officer called him a model inmate. A spokesperson for FDLE told the Herald in a statement that the circumstances that led to MrRidleys death do not represent the departments policies and it had have learned from [the case.] This was an inhumane death caused by an abysmal lack of medical treatment, Diane Ridley Gatewood, Mr Ridleys sister, told the Herald. It was torture. The report by FDLE also found that a nurse and a doctor determined Mr Ridleys injuries did not require medical treatment without conducting neurological testing. They were not directly employed by the facility and are no longer staffed there, the spokesperson told the Herald. Correction officials also produced documents and forged Mr Ridleys signature to fill out meal forms stating that Mr Ridley was eating adequately. VALENTYNA ROMANENKO SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2022, 14:47 Units of the Ukrainian rocket artillery continue to launch attacks on the occupiers using the Ukrainian 220 mm multiple-launch rocket system Burevii (Storm). The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine demonstrates the system in action. Source: Official media outlet of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Armiia Inform Details: The military claims that modern digital fire control and information exchange systems considerably cut the time between assuming the position and opening fire. Burevii also protects the Ukrainian troops with its armour. Quote: "Thanks to this rocket system we can move in the main direction without leaving the vehicle, which was not possible before. We do not need radio stations to transfer data and exchange commands. We do not need to leave the vehicle, pull out a compass, use it for navigation since all this can be done in the cab." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! By Raphael Satter WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A former Wall Street Journal reporter is accusing a major U.S. law firm of having used mercenary hackers to oust him from his job and ruin his reputation. In a lawsuit filed late Friday, Jay Solomon, the Journals former chief foreign correspondent, said Philadelphia-based Dechert LLP worked with hackers from India to steal emails between him and one of his key sources, Iranian American aviation executive Farhad Azima. Solomon said the messages, which showed Azima floating the idea of the two of them going into business together, were put into a dossier and circulated in a successful effort to get him fired. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, said Dechert wrongfully disclosed this dossier first to Mr. Solomons employer, the Wall Street Journal, at its Washington DC bureau, and then to other media outlets in an attempt to malign and discredit him." It said the campaign effectively caused Mr. Solomon to be blackballed by the journalistic and publishing community. Dechert said in an email that it disputed the claim and would fight it in court. Azima - who filed his own lawsuit against Dechert on Thursday in New York - had no immediate comment. Solomons suit is the latest in a series of legal actions that follows Reuters reporting about hired hackers operating out of India. In June, Reuters reported on the activities of several hack-for-hire shops, including Delhi area-companies BellTroX and CyberRoot, that were involved in a decade-long series of espionage campaigns targeting thousands of people, including more than 1,000 lawyers at 108 different law firms. At the time, Reuters reported that people who had become hacking targets while involved in at least seven different lawsuits had each launched their own inquiries into the cyberespionage campaign. That number has since grown. Azima, Solomons former source, is among those who have gone to court over the alleged hacking. His lawyers, like Solomons, allege that Dechert worked with BellTroX, CyberRoot and a slew of private investigators to steal his emails and publish them to the web. Story continues BellTroX and CyberRoot are not parties to the suit and could not immediately be reached. Executives at both firms have previously denied wrongdoing. Solomon and Azima allege that Dechert undertook the hack-and-leak operation in the interest of its client, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qasimi, ruler of the Middle Eastern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Reuters has reported that lawyers for Ras Al Khaimahs investment agency RAKIA used the emails to help win a fraud lawsuit filed against Azima in London in 2016. Azima, who denies RAKIAs fraud allegations, is trying to have the judgment thrown out. In addition to being deployed in court, the leaked emails also made their way to The Associated Press, which published two articles about Azima in June of 2017, including one that revealed the airline mogul had offered reporter Solomon a minority stake in a company he was setting up. The Journal fired Solomon shortly before the APs story was published, citing ethical violations. Solomon says he never took Azima up on his proposal or benefited financially from their relationship. In a first-person account of the scandal published in the Columbia Journalism Review in 2018, the ex-journalist said he never pushed back on Azimas talk of business opportunities because he was trying to humor a man who had been crucial to his reporting on the Middle East. Solomon acknowledged serious mistakes in managing my source relationship with Azima including accepting stays on the businessman's yacht. But he said he had been the target of an incredibly effective information operation. The Journal, which is not a party to suit, declined comment. The AP did not immediately return a message. Solomon said in a statement Saturday that the hack-and-leak he suffered was an example of "a trend that's becoming a great threat to journalism and media, as digital surveillance and hacking technologies become more sophisticated and pervasive. This is a major threat to the freedom of the press." (Reporting by Raphael Satter; Editing by David Gregorio) VERSAILLES, France (AP) Even close to midnight on a school night, the tipoff was too important to ignore: A nearby gas station had just been resupplied. So Aicha Far scooped up her 6-year-old and set off into the night. The home carer needed to refuel her car so she could continue looking after the vulnerable people on the outskirts of Paris who rely on her to keep them fed, clean and safe. The prospect of a full tank was worth dragging the kid out of bed for. I wrapped him in a blanket and put him in the back, Far recalled on Saturday, as she gently coaxed an older woman she looks after to drink her breakfast hot chocolate. Chronic fuel shortages in France sparked by strikes and panic buying are fraying nerves and testing both the resilience and ingenuity of millions of French workers who depend on their vehicles to do their jobs. More than a quarter of gas stations nationwide were still without one type of fuel or more on Saturday, the French energy minister said. In the Paris region, the number was above a third. Motorists have sometimes lined up for hours to refuel not always successfully and tempers have flared. In the town of Versailles, southwest of Paris, 41-year-old nurse Aurelie Martin is trying to eke out the precious fuel left in her tank and bracing for the next time she'll have to visit the pumps. She is up well before dawn to give jabs, change dressings and dispense other essential medical care to dozens of patients each morning. Rather than doing little hops in her Mini from one patient to the next, she's increasingly scurrying on foot between them when she can, racking up 10 kilometers (six miles) of walking each morning to save fuel. Im doing the bare minimum by car, she said as she made her rounds on Saturday. I had hoped up to now that the situation would improve, but unfortunately it doesnt seem to be getting better. The strikes have hit French refineries and fuel depots. Strikers have demanded higher wages from what they feel should be their share of windfall profits generated by high oil and gas prices amid the global energy crisis aggravated by Russias war in Ukraine. Story continues After runs on toilet paper, pasta and other essentials at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, fuel and where to find it are the latest obsessions in France. The government has urged motorists not to panic-buy. Some gas stations have banned jerrycans. When Martin bumped into other nurses also making their early morning rounds on Saturday, gasoline was the first thing they talked about. One nurse who'd run out of fuel told Martin that one of her patients was offering to lend her his car. On messaging groups, nurses share tips about gas stations that have been resupplied or that have priority pumps for them and other essential workers. Martin said some of her fellow nurses have been yelled at by other motorists for trying to cut to the front of lines. With 30 to 40 patients to home-visit per day, Martin knows she'll need to refuel early next week. My day off is on Tuesday and I think the full tank that I had will last until then, she said. So on Tuesday, Ill see if I need to spend the day lining up and that is what I will do if a gas station hasnt been set aside for us." Truth be told, she added, "I have been pushing back the inevitable moment. PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron has backed a proposal to train a large number of Ukrainian soldiers in the country, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu told newspaper Le Parisien on Saturday. "The president... has approved a training plan that will allow up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers to be welcomed in France," he said. "They will be assigned to our units for several weeks," he said, adding that military training for the use of Caesar howitzers had previously been offered to Ukrainian soldiers. "But now it's a change of scale," Lecornu said. The minister said France had delivered 18 Caesar howitzers so far to Ukraine and that talks were going on to send six more. On top of these, France is also weighing the delivery of ground-to-ground missiles, Lecornu said. He also pledged that France would provide Crotale short-range anti-air missiles, which are used to intercept low-flying missiles and aircraft. "The number (of Crotales) is being determined with the Ukrainians, but it will be significant to allow them to defend their sky," Lecornu said. The aim is to complete the shipment of Crotales "within two months," Lecornu said, taking into account the necessary training of Ukrainian soldiers. Macron said on Wednesday France will deliver radar and air defence systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks, in particular to help Ukraine protest itself from drone and missile attacks. Paris has previously supplied Mistral shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine. Ukraine's defence ministry posted a video on social media earlier this week aimed at giving France a gentle nudge to "win our hearts" through weapon supplies after repeated criticism that Paris has not been doing enough. (Reporting by Mathieu Rosemain, Editing by William Maclean and Philippa Fletcher) BERLIN (AP) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday called for reforms of the European Union to make it fit for the admission of new countries as well as more military autonomy of the 27-country bloc. Speaking at the Congress of the Party of European Socialists in Berlin, Scholz advocated for gradually abolishing the principle of unanimity for decisions in foreign policy, but also in other areas such as tax policy. I know that we still have a lot of convincing to do there, the chancellor said. But I also say clearly: if a geopolitical Europe is our aspiration, then majority decisions are a gain and not a loss of sovereignty. Currently, many EU decisions can only be made if all countries vote unanimously. Scholz also supports more military autonomy of the EU. He called for coordinated procurement of weapons and equipment, the establishment of an EU rapid reaction force by 2025, and a EU headquarters for European armed forces. In Europe, we need better interplay between our defense efforts," he said. "In the future, Europe will need a coordinated increase in capabilities ... we must confidently and jointly advance European defense. BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday called for an expanded European Union, telling a gathering of European social democrats that it would then be able to better pull its weight in global affairs. Since assuming office, Scholz has made European Union expansion to include the Balkans and others nations a major plank of his foreign policy. It has taken on more urgency since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which became a candidate for EU membership early this summer. "An EU with 27, 30, 36 states, with then more than 500 million free and equal citizens, can bring its weight to bear even more strongly in the world," Scholz said at the congress. The EU currently has 27 members. "I am committed to the enlargement of the EU. That the EU continues to grow eastward is a win-win for all of us," he said. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; writing by Tom Sims, editing by William Maclean) Max Mumby/Indigo Convicted sex-trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell undermined Prince Andrews assertions that he was never really that close to the convicted sex-trafficker, insisting in a bombshell jailhouse interview that he was actually a dear friend. Speaking to Britains Mail on Sunday, the imprisoned socialite who helped Jeffrey Epstein procure girls said she has pity for Andrew: I feel so bad for him. Andrews lawyers had argued in a legal filing back in January that a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre should be dismissed because her claim that Maxwell and Prince Andrew were close friends was wrong. Giuffre had alleged that Maxwell helped Jeffrey Epstein groom her as part of their sex trafficking ring. The prince always denied Giuffre's allegation of sexual assault, but he was stripped of his military titles in the ensuing fallout. He later settled out of court with Giuffre. Jeffrey Epstein Boasted That Prince Andrew Was His Useful Idiot, New Tina Brown Book Reports Told that Andrew had apparently sought to distance himself from her, Maxwell seemed to suggest that his claim had been a strategic, scandal-dodging maneuver. Yes, I follow what is happening to him. He is paying such a price for the association [with Jeffrey Epstein]. I consider him a dear friend I care about him, she said. But she went on to say: I accept that this friendship could not survive my conviction. She also declined to confirm or deny reports that she and Prince Andrew had been an item. I have read and seen and heard and had reported to me so many monstrous inaccuracies that I cant start to pick apart all of them. If I pick apart one and then dont address all the others, its going to say, Well, she said no to this, what about all those others? Im not going to discuss anything of that nature until after the appeal. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Councilmember Gil Cedillo at the Los Angeles City Council meeting Tuesday, where there were calls for his resignation. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) When four Latino leaders held a meeting to discuss Los Angeles' City Council boundaries last year, one in the group acted at points as the political elder in the room, a now-infamous audio recording revealed. City Councilmember Gil Cedillo, 68, stepped in to guide the discussion among himself, Councilmembers Nury Martinez and Kevin De Leon, and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor leader Ron Herrera, when the conversation strayed from the topic of the 15 City Council districts. Let me say this. So unlike 25 years ago, we now have a Mexican in charge of the [county Federation of Labor]. We have a Mexican in charge of the [City] Council, Cedillo said. "We have more members on the council. We're in a different spot now than we were 25 years ago. That thing for us is to exercise our power. Cedillo's description of the rise in Latino power matched his own path to City Hall. The Boyle Heights native, who went to high school with former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, is one of the most well-known Latino politicians in California. Now he faces widespread calls to resign and criticism for not speaking up, and for at points chiming in during the divisive and loaded conversation that has left allies feeling brokenhearted and opponents emboldened. Both Martinez and Herrera resigned this week after a furor over the racist and derogatory remarks. Sara Harris, a co-founder of 1866 in Solano Canyon, a neighborhood group in Cedillos district, sent a letter to acting council President Mitch OFarrell on Friday, demanding Cedillo step down. A self-described Mexican American Jew who has a Black brother-in-law and a Black nephew, Harris said she was left shaking after hearing Martinez's suggestion of striking the young Black son of a white councilmember, and questioned why Cedillo didnt shut down the talk. "Im listening to my own people talk that way about my own family," she said. "It's enraging." Communications consultant Helen Sanchez, who first worked with Cedillo in the late 1980s on then-presidential candidate Michael Dukakis' campaign, said the lesson is that "we need to speak up when someone is saying terrible things, even if they are our friends." Story continues I know Gilbert, I know hes not a racist, Sanchez said. "None of this can erase the work that hes done. Hes been an advocate for marginalized communities for years and you cant take that away no matter what he said." Cedillo hasn't made any public comments since issuing an apology, and told The Times earlier this week that he didn't make racist remarks or mock his colleagues. "While I did not engage in the conversation in question, I was present at times during this meeting last year. It is my instinct to hold others accountable when they use derogatory or racially divisive language. Clearly, I should have intervened," Cedillo said in the statement, which also noted that "remarks made about my colleagues son were simply unacceptable." He declined an interview request Friday, with his spokesman Conrado TerrazasCross saying, Councilmember Cedillo is at a place of reflection." What's next for the councilmember is unclear. When he walked onto the council floor Tuesday, the first day the body convened since the explosive audio was leaked, he was met with shouts of Resign, Gil! from the audience. Cedillo was already scheduled to step down Dec. 11 after community activist Eunisses Hernandez won the June primary in District 1. He could remain on the City Council until Dec. 11 without showing up, under rules that allow councilmembers to have absences for up to 60 days. O'Farrell canceled Friday's meeting and again called on Cedillo and De Leon to resign. Solano Canyon's Harris said she was already frustrated with Cedillo's representation of the district, and now is angry the council meeting was canceled. She wants the city to take action on the troubled Animal Services department. "Privileged powerful people stopping business from being conducted at City Hall is a gut punch, Harris said. In the conversation about redistricting which took place in October 2021 at the L.A. County Federation of Labor the group discussed maintaining Latino political power while also ensuring they and their colleagues would have districts that help them win reelection. Cedillo can be heard discussing his frustration with parts of his district. He noted that he doesnt need Eagle Rock, Highland Park and Lincoln Heights referencing Eastside neighborhoods that have grown increasingly gentrified and characterized his own base as Westlake and Pico-Union. I have poor people, he told Martinez. Earlier, the comments in the roughly hourlong audio veered into divisive and racist remarks. Martinez described Councilmember Mike Bonins son as Parece changuito, or like a monkey, and, in describing his behavior at a public event, said the boy deserved a "beatdown. At one point in that section of the recording, Cedillo appeared to say that the boy needs a "pinch." Later, when Martinez employed stereotypes long used against Oaxacans in Mexico and in the United States, saying she sees a lot of "little short dark people" in Koreatown, Cedillo chimed in and stated, Puro Oaxacans. Puro Oaxacan Korean. Not even like Kevin little ones." Fernando Guerra, a professor of political science at Loyola Marymount University, when asked specifically about Cedillo's comments, said, "It's not appropriate to discuss any group by their physical traits." Guerra decried the racism in the conversation and lack of leadership shown in the group, and added: "I have never heard [Cedillo] utter a single racist or anti-Black comment in my entire life." Guerra has known Cedillo for more than 20 years, and watched as labor and immigrant rights groups propelled Cedillo to the state Assembly in 1997, a campaign in which his allies tapped into anger over Republican Gov. Pete Wilsons anti-immigrant message. The county Federation of Labor identified new Latino voters, sending them mailers that Cedillo was the Democrat that Pete Wilson feared most." At the state level, Cedillo was nicknamed One Bill Gil for his tenacious and at times seemingly quixotic quest to pass legislation allowing immigrants who are in the country without authorization to obtain drivers licenses. A version of the bill was finally signed into law after Cedillo was termed out of office. But the transformative policy, which has since been replicated by a wave of other states, remains a key part of his legacy. After winning a L.A. City Council seat in 2013, Cedillo won reelection in 2017 in a race that saw his opponent, Joe Bray-Ali, undone for making incendiary comments on a website with racist content. Hernandez's win in June signaled the growing clout of progressives in L.A., but also vocal frustration among some in Cedillo's district that he hadn't done enough on housing. The population of District 1 is nearly two-thirds Latino, but some areas have seen wealthier, white residents move in. Rifts and alliances on the City Council are common, and Bonin endorsed Hernandez in the race. Bonin and Cedillo also had tensions in previous years over policy differences regarding bike lanes and homelessness. Cedillo texted Bonin the statement that he released Sunday night after The Times reported on the leaked audio. Cedillo didnt say anything else in the text, said David Graham-Caso, Bonin's deputy chief of staff. Cedillo attempted to speak to Bonin on the City Council floor Tuesday, but Graham-Caso advised Cedillo that an apology wasnt appropriate in front of the television cameras. Times staff writer Julia Wick contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. In this photo provided by NASA, the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom capsule splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida in a return trip from the International Space Station on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. A crew of four astronauts and their capsule safely blazed through 3,500-degree temperatures generated by atmospheric friction Friday afternoon, bringing an end to their six-month science mission on the International Space Station. After the fiery re-entry, NASA's Bob Hines, Kjell Lindgren, Jessica Watkins, and the European Space Agency's Samantha Cristoforetti splashed down off the Jacksonville coast at 4:50 p.m. EDT. Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named "Freedom," departed the ISS nearly five hours earlier. "Thank you for an incredible ride up to orbit and an incredible ride home," Lindgren said after mission control confirmed the capsule was "stable-1," or in the correct upright position. "Glad to be back." After splashdown, recovery forces approached the 17,000-pound capsule in an area cordoned off by the Coast Guard and confirmed no toxic propellants were leaking from the Draco thrusters. A recovery ship then hoisted Dragon onto its rear deck, where Crew-4's astronauts egressed and stood in full gravity for the first time since launch from Kennedy Space Center on April 27. WATCH: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carries two satellites to orbit, flies past a full moon After quick medical checkouts on the recovery ship, the crew was to be transported back to the mainland by helicopter. From there, NASA crews are transported back to Houston, Texas, while European astronauts in this case, Cristoforetti fly directly back to Europe. The Jacksonville return zone was selected out of a total of seven around Florida due to its favorable weather. NASA and SpaceX's options typically include waters off Cape Canaveral, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Panama City, Pensacola, Tampa, and Tallahassee. Story continues The return completes a nearly six-month tour on the ISS, where Crew-4 spent thousands of hours completing science experiments, maintaining the station, and exercising to ward off the effects of microgravity. It marked SpaceX's fifth crewed flight under contract from NASA to take astronauts to and from the ISS. Including private crewed missions to orbit and the ISS, SpaceX has now flown humans eight times. Crew-4's departure makes room on the ISS for Crew-5, which launched from KSC on Oct. 5 for a six-month tour. Assigned are NASA's Josh Cassada and Nicole Mann, Japan's Koichi Wakata, and Russia's Anna Kikina. NASA's next SpaceX-selected mission, Crew-6, is expected to launch sometime in the first quarter of next year. Follow Emre Kelly on Twitter: @EmreKelly. Contributing: The Associated P This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX capsule splashdown: Astronauts back on Earth Grippo Foods Inc. is recalling its Bar-B-Q potato chips sold in the 24-count snack pack because of possible improper cleaning procedures, the company said Friday evening. The Cincinnati-based company that is the Official Chip of the Cincinnati Reds said the packages in question have a use by date of Jan. 16, 2023. The product codes will fall between: 35 3 1011 20:20 and 35 3 1011 22:00 or 14 3 1012 22:01 and 14 3 1012 02:00 The products, distributed in Cincinnati, have the potential to be adulterated because of improper cleaning procedures, the company said in a news release shared as a public service by the Ohio Department of Agriculture on behalf of the maker of Grippos chips. Thirty-nine of the 260 boxes produced are unaccounted for, the company said. No reports of illness involving these products have been reported. Individuals exhibiting signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should contact a physician. All product involved in this recall can be returned to Grippo Foods, Inc, 6750 Colerain Ave., in Cincinnati. Customers or suppliers with any questions or concerns can contact the company at 513-923-1900 or customerservice@grippos.com. New Russian troops have arrived in Belarus The official telegram channel of the Belarusian Ministry of Defense published photos and video of the welcoming of the Russian military to the territory of Belarus. Read also: Belarus dictator Lukashenko orders dry run of mobilization in practice The meeting was unexpected, very pleasant, the Russian commander says in the video. We came to Belarus to help the fraternal Belarusian people. We are ready to carry out any tasks. The exact number of newly arrived Russians is not reported. Read also: Russia trying to draw Belarus into open war with Ukraine, says Ukrainian intelligence According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as of Oct. 13, up to a thousand Russian military personnel, as well as Russian military vehicles, are already in Belarus. On Oct. 10, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced that Minsk and Moscow had agreed to deploy a regional group of troops. According to him, the formation of the new force has already begun. Lukashenko said that the basis of the group would be the Armed Forces of Belarus. At the same time, he ordered to receive and deploy "more than one thousand" Russian soldiers on the territory of the republic. Read also: Russia moves 2,000 troops, warplanes, missile systems into Belarus According to Lukashenko, this decision was made following the alleged "aggravation on the western borders of the Ally State of Russia and the Republic of Belarus." Accusations against Ukraine like these have been heard from the Lukashenkos regime regularly since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, including from the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. On Oct. 8, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry handed a note to Ukrainian Ambassador Ihor Kizima with a statement that Ukraine was allegedly preparing a strike against Belarus. Kyiv denied this information and called it a Russian provocation. On Oct. 12, the Belarussian KGB stated that foreign intelligence services were allegedly trailing militants for a full-scale invasion in Ukraine. Story continues Read also: Belarus has shipped nearly 30 ammunition carriages to Russia since October, says General Staff Lukashenko threatened that a new grouping of troops joint with Russia would be involved "if the level of threat reaches the current level, as it is now." In addition, according to the Belarusian media, Nasha Niva, Lukashenko decided to start a mobilization in Belarus. On Oct. 13, the Parliament of the Republic of Belarus adopted a bill in the first reading, which proposes to limit citizens' ability to leave the country. Following aggressive accusations from Lukashenkos regime, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that G7 leaders send an international peacekeeping mission to the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. NATO also said that Lukashenko should stop supporting Russia's military actions against Ukraine. However, the alliance has said it doesnt believe that Belarus is ready to enter the war against Ukraine. Read also: NATO urges Lukashenko to stop supporting Russia's military actions against Ukraine Despite the fact that the Belarusian army doesnt directly participate in the hostilities against Ukraine, Lukashenkos regime has been actively helping Russia since the beginning of the full-scale war. The republic was a launching point for an invasion by Russian forces of the north of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Missiles are launched regularly from the territory and airspace of Belarus towards Ukraine. Russia also uses Belarusian airfields for military aircraft. Recently, Iranian drones were brought to the territory of Belarus. Russia is actively using these drones against Ukraine, including by attacking civilian infrastructure. In recent weeks, Russia has been actively importing military equipment and ammunition from Belarus. According to observers from Belarusian Hajun news and monitoring project Lukashehnkos regime has transferred at least 60 tanks to Russia. Read also: EU proposes to slap same sanctions on Belarus as on Russia for war of aggression on Ukraine Lukashenkos regime also uses the territory of Belarus to repair Russian vehicles. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine By Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) -Russia has opened a criminal investigation after gunmen shot dead 11 people at a military training ground near the Ukrainian border, authorities said on Sunday, as fighting raged in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia's RIA news agency, citing the defence ministry, said two gunmen opened fire with small arms during a firearms training exercise on Saturday, targeting personnel who had volunteered to fight in Ukraine. RIA said the gunmen, who it referred to as "terrorists," were shot dead. The incident in the southwestern Belgorod region was the latest blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" in Ukraine. It came a week after a blast damaged a bridge linking mainland Russia to Crimea, the peninsula it annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Russia's defence ministry said the attackers were from a former Soviet republic, without elaborating. A senior Ukrainian official, Oleksiy Arestovych, said the two men were from the mainly Muslim Central Asian republic of Tajikistan and had opened fire on the others after an argument over religion. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the comments by Arestovych, a prominent commentator on the war, or independently verify casualty numbers and other details. "As a result of the incident at a shooting range in Belgorod region, 11 people died from gunshot wounds and another 15 were injured," Russia's Investigative Committee said, announcing the criminal investigation. It gave no other details. Some Russian independent media outlets reported that the number of casualties was higher than the official figures. The governor of Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said no local residents were among those killed or wounded. Two witnesses later told Reuters they had seen Russian air defence systems repelling air strikes in Belgorod. Putin said on Friday Russia should be finished calling up reservists in two weeks, promising an end to a divisive mobilisation in which hundreds of thousands of men have been summoned to fight in Ukraine and many have fled the country. Story continues Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a strong Putin ally, said last week that his troops would deploy with Russian forces near the Ukrainian border, citing what he said were threats from Ukraine and the West. The Belarusian defence ministry in Minsk on Sunday said just under 9,000 Russian troops would be stationed in Belarus as part of a "regional grouping" of forces to protect its borders. RUSSIAN SHELLING Russian forces shelled Ukrainian positions on several fronts on Sunday, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said, with the targets including towns in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Kherson regions. Russian forces were trying to advance on Bakhmut in Donetsk region and in and around Avdiivka. Intense fighting is taking place around Bakhmut as well as the town of Soledar, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday in his nightly video address. "The key hot spots in Donbas are Soledar and Bakhmut," Zelenskiy said. "Very heavy fighting is going on there." Bakhmut has been the next target of Russia's armed forces in their slow move through the Donetsk region since taking the key industrial towns of Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk in June and July. Soledar is located just north of Bakhmut. Fighting has been particularly intense this weekend in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and the strategically important Kherson province in the south, three of the four provinces Putin proclaimed as part of Russia last month. Shelling by Ukrainian forces damaged the administration building in the city Donetsk, capital of the Donetsk region, the head of its Russian-backed administration said on Sunday. "It was a direct hit, the building is seriously damaged. It is a miracle nobody was killed," said Alexei Kulemzin, surveying the wreckage, adding that all city services were still working. There was no immediate reaction from Ukraine to the attack on Donetsk city, which was annexed by Russian-backed separatists in 2014 along with swathes of the eastern Donbas region. Russia's defence ministry said on Sunday its forces had repelled efforts by Ukrainian troops to advance in the Donetsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions, inflicting what it described as significant losses. Russia also said it was continuing air strikes on military and energy targets in Ukraine, using long-range precision-guided weapons. Reuters was unable to independently verify the battlefield reports. In the city of Mykolaiv, residents queued on Sunday - as they do every day - to fill water bottles at a distribution point after supplies were severed by fighting early in the war. "This is not war, this is a war crime. War is when soldiers fight with each other, but when civilians are being fought, it's a war crime," said Vadym Antonyuk, a 51-year-old sales manager, as he stood in line. A spokeswoman for Ukraine's Southern Military Command said Russian forces were suffering severe shortages of equipment including ammunition as a result of the damage inflicted last weekend on the Crimea Bridge. "Almost 75% (of Russian military supplies in southern Ukraine) came across that bridge," Natalia Humeniuk told Ukrainian television, adding that strong winds had also now stopped ferries in the area. "Now even the sea is on our side," Humeniuk said. Putin blamed Ukrainian security services for the bridge blast and last Monday, in retaliation, ordered the biggest aerial offensive against Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, since the start of Russia's invasion on Feb. 24. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by David Ljunggren, Matt Spetalnick, Gareth Jones and James Oliphant; editing by Michael Perry, Tomasz Janowski, Will Dunham and Nick Macfie) The Daily Beast Comedy CentralBefore Trevor Noah officially signs off from The Daily Show later this year, he is the only nightly host airing new episodes this week. Which meant he was also the first host to get a crack at Herschel Walker for flashing a fake police badge at his one and only debate with Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) over the weekend.After describing Walker as closed-captionings worst nightmare, Noah ran down some of the many controversies swirling around the candidate, from his attack on CARVER From September through early November, the South Shore wears the bright reds and crimsons of the cranberry harvest. Massachusetts Cranberries, a trade group, offers guided bus tours that satisfy the curiosity as much as the eye. Tours depart from the farm of growers Dick and Judy Ward in Carver. This week, a group of 20 tourists from across the country assembled at the Wards' farm. Guides Kimberly Miot and Debbie Kanady greeted tourgoers from as far away as California, Nebraska and Texas. Before the tour departed, Massachusetts Cranberries Executive Director Brian Wick spoke with tourgoers and answered questions. Massachusetts ranks second in the nation in cranberry production with more than 14,000 acres. Like most sectors of the economy, cranberry production faces higher costs across the board, including fuel, labor and fertilizer. "It's all increasing," Wick said. "The margins were already tight." A 'poster child' for rising costs: Quincy police station price rises $23 million Quincy: Councilors consider residency requirement for city employees, question affordability Pricing has also increased, but it hasn't kept pace with rising production costs, he said. But Wick said he's optimistic as burgeoning markets in India and China promise long-term growth for Massachusetts cranberry farmers, although trade wars initiated in 2016 continue to constrain exports to China. As the bus rolled along the meandering streets of Carver and Wareham, bogs in various phases of the harvest some dry, some flooded, some with the crimson berries floated and awaiting collection came into view. As tourists gazed out the windows, Kanady, speaking into a microphone, described the yearlong process of cultivating cranberries, as well as the history of cranberry production in the region. Cranberries are harvested at the Federal Furnace Cranberry Co. in Carver on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Native Americans, including the Wampanoag and other Algonquin tribes, harvested wild cranberries for medicinal and nutritional purposes. They mixed it into a paste of dried meat fat called pemmican for the winter. Native Americans introduced cranberries to Europeans. Story continues The bus pulled into a flooded bog where berries had already been separated from the vine and floated, creating a brilliant crimson film across the water. As tourists walked around the bog, Miot cut into a few plump berries, exposing the four interior air pockets, which account for their buoyancy. A frog is knee-deep in cranberries as they're harvested at the Federal Furnace Cranberry Co. in Carver on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. A team of Cambodian harvesters in chest-high waders worked strenuously to corral the berries with a boom, a kind of flexible foam chord, toward a receiving station. There, a vacuum drew up the berries to a machine that washed them and separated out debris, including frogs, and deposited them into a waiting trailer. A full trailer holds 50,000 pounds or 22 million cranberries. Dick Ward, who is in his 80s and still farming, greeted the tourgoers when they returned from the tour. People sampled fresh cranberries dry-picked on the 11-acre farm as he demonstrated how an old, but still operational, machine separates the good berries from the bad. Braintree's new school: On time and budget for now, but some costs worry officials Plymouth: South Shore couple bringing ice cream, internet-famous cookies to new Crumbl location "Pucker power!" he exclaimed with a laugh as a young girl reacted to the tartness of a cranberry. Tours depart the farm at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekends through Nov. 6. For more information, visit cranberries.org. 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 Peter Blandino at pblandino@patriotledger.com. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Cranberry tours offer a glimpse into Carver, Plymouth industry Krystal Mitchell was killed during a weekend trip to California in June 2016. Josephine Wentzel/Angels of Justice Krystal Mitchell was found dead inside a San Diego apartment in 2016. Officials said that her alleged killer, Raymond McLeod, fled the country after her death. Her mother, Josephine Wentzel, used her detective skills to track him down. Now she has a foundation to help families like hers. Josephine Wentzel, a retired detective, was determined to find the man she believed killed her daughter. "I would wake up at 3:30 in the morning, start my searches, go to bed late at night, and start getting emotional," Wentzel recently told Insider. "I felt that I had to fight every year to keep the story alive." Her daughter, 30-year-old Krystal Mitchell of Phoenix, Arizona, was found murdered in a San Diego, California apartment in June 2016, according to the US Marshals Service. Local police determined that Mitchell was last seen with a man, identified as Raymond McLeod. Mitchell and McLeod briefly dated but weren't in an official relationship, Wentzel said. The duo traveled to San Diego, Mitchell's favorite go-to city, for a weekend getaway. Wentzel never met McLeod and didn't know what he looked like, so she asked her daughter to send her pictures of him before the trip. Soon after, those very pictures would be used for his wanted poster as authorities zeroed in on McLeod as the prime suspect. Losing Mitchell was earth-shattering for Wentzel and her grandchildren, she said, calling her a bright light in their lives. "It just wrecked my life. It was a very difficult, heartbreaking, horrible time for all of us," Wentzel said. A mother's promise Nearly seven months after Mitchell's death, the San Diego Police Department contacted US Marshals to assist them with the case to locate McLeod. Authorities were under the belief the ex-Marine, who was eventually charged with murder, fled to Mexico. He was placed on the agency's 15 Most Wanted list as "Armed and Dangerous." At the time, officials noted that the bodybuilder had a "history of domestic violence" and was "an avid drinker." Story continues Frustrated with the progression of the manhunt, Wentzel decided to take action. She attended a three-day open-source training that was designed for law enforcement agencies and was able to make connections with private investigators. She started to use digital tools to track information and use social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to distribute McLeod's poster virtually even reaching out to people in Mexico and throughout Central America. "I put a geo fence around each section that I think he might be at. He loved the gyms, so I tried to look for places like that where backpackers might pass through," Wentzel said. "He was going hostel to hostel, so I notified all the hostels in Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, all the way down to Panama." And over the years, the tips relating to his whereabouts kept pouring in, and she would update authorities on her findings. "There was a time when I felt like taking a sledgehammer to all of the glass in my house, every window, every mirror, anything, I was just going to go crazy because I found out that I was getting tips faster than the Embassy can keep up with," she said. "That became very frustrating." Last year, the Marshals upped the ante and offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to McLeod's detainment. It was a tip from a source in El Salvador who saw his poster that led to his capture in August. According to officials, he was working as a teacher in the city of Sonsonate. US Marshals Director Ronald Davis acknowledged Wentzel's efforts and said in a statement that she "has worked so diligently with law enforcement these past years to see this day of justice arrive." Wentzel was dedicated to finding McLeod to bring closure to her grandchildren and to avoid her daughter's file falling to the bottom of the pile. "My faith and the drive was that I knew that I was getting older, time's flying by, and my grandkids were getting older. I wanted them to sleep at night knowing that this guy's behind bars," she said. "I spoke over my daughter's grave, and promised her that I would bring him to justice. Now, what they do from here, that's between God and the court system, and God helps the court system." 'I wanted him to look at me in the eye' Josephine Wentzel and her late daughter Krystal Mitchell. Josephine Wentzel/ Angels of Justice For Mitchell's family, the chapter of this tragedy is almost at a close, but for many others, they don't receive the answers about the suspect behind their loved one's death. An expert told CBS News that in 2020 a significant amount of murder cases remain unsolved. This is why, in 2018, during her search for her daughter, Wentzel started an organization called Angels of Justice to help other families regardless of their financial standing facing roadblocks in their cases. "Our mission is to empower, assist, educate, train, advocate, and encourage families dealing with murder or missing loved ones," the organization's mission says. "We hope to bridge the gap and facilitate better communications between families and LE." McLeod was deported to San Diego and pleaded not guilty during his court appearance last month. Wentzel said she tried to make eye contact with him, but he refused to look at her. "I wanted him to look me in the eyes because I was there representing my daughter," Wentzel said. "It was very important to have this moment. I was glad they credited the efforts to me." She continued, "His first question was, 'How did you find me?' Just knowing that I outsmarted him as a woman, an older woman, and as Krystal's motherI wanted him to receive that message." Read the original article on Insider (Getty Images) Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker doubled down on his denial of news reportsthat he paid for an ex-girlfriends abortion in his debate with Senator Raphael Warnock. Mr Walker made the remarks during his debate in Savannah on Friday a week after The Daily Beast reported that he sent a $750 check to an ex-girlfriend. The New York Times later reported that he pressured his ex-girlfriend to have a second abortion in 2011. But Mr Walker vehemently denied the allegations. That was a lie and Im not backing down, he said, mentioning how he had difficulty with mental health and wrote about it in a book. Mr Walker has previously said he opposes abortion bans including in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is endangered. But Mr Walker said that he supported a bill signed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp that limited abortion to when a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is typically at six weeks, which he said had exceptions. In response, the moderator asked Mr Warnock if he supported any limitations on abortion. I trust women more than I trust politicians, Mr Warnock said. And the women of Georgia the women of Georgia deserve a Senator who will stand with them. Mr Walker then responded to Mr Warnocks remarks saying the government shouldnt be in the room with a doctor and a woman by saying Mr Warnock did not respect the foetus. I will remind the pastor that there is also a baby in the room, he said, calling on Mr Warnocks career as a pastor. If Black Lives Matter, why are you not protecting those babies, and instead of aborting those babies, why are you not baptizing those babies? It's not possible to invest over long periods without making some bad investments. But you have a problem if you face massive losses more than once in a while. So spare a thought for the long term shareholders of Humm Group Limited (ASX:HUM); the share price is down a whopping 75% in the last three years. That might cause some serious doubts about the merits of the initial decision to buy the stock, to put it mildly. And more recent buyers are having a tough time too, with a drop of 43% in the last year. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. See our latest analysis for Humm Group While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. Over the three years that the share price declined, Humm Group's earnings per share (EPS) dropped significantly, falling to a loss. Extraordinary items contributed to this situation. Since the company has fallen to a loss making position, it's hard to compare the change in EPS with the share price change. However, we can say we'd expect to see a falling share price in this scenario. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for Humm Group the TSR over the last 3 years was -72%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective While the broader market lost about 6.2% in the twelve months, Humm Group shareholders did even worse, losing 40% (even including dividends). However, it could simply be that the share price has been impacted by broader market jitters. It might be worth keeping an eye on the fundamentals, in case there's a good opportunity. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 10% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Humm Group . Humm Group is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on AU exchanges. 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 (Bloomberg) -- Instacart Inc. is slashing its valuation to about $13 billion and steering clear of a highly anticipated public stock listing until market conditions improve, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The USs largest online grocery-delivery company set a new price of $38 a share, marking the third time it has reduced the valuation this year, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. Instacart cut its valuation in March by almost 40% to $24 billion and again in July to $15 billion. The new valuation was announced internally at a recurring employee meeting on Thursday where executives cited volatile market conditions as the reason for the revision. Leaders also reiterated the companys intention of going public, stressing the business fundamentals were healthy and ready for that milestone but that it was waiting for an optimal open market window, the people said. The San Francisco-based company, founded in 2012, filed confidentially to go public in May and intends to focus its listing on selling employee shares, allowing some of its earliest hires and other staff to cash out, the people added. A spokeswoman for Instacart declined to comment. The Information earlier reported on the devaluation. The latest valuation represents nearly a 67% drop from the $39 billion Instacart garnered in its most recent fundraising round in 2021, when it snagged $265 million from investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital and D1 Capital Partners, as well as Fidelity Management & Research Co. and T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. The internal share price revision was part of a 409A valuation. This process is conducted by an external, independent appraiser and determines the fair market value of a companys stock, also considered the strike price at which employees can buy equity in a company. Companies are expected to conduct 409A valuations at least once every 12 months, but they can be as frequent as every quarter, especially if a startup is approaching an initial public offering. Story continues (Updates with more background on Instacart in fourth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. China -- a global growth engine over past decade Xinhua) 10:12, October 15, 2022 * Over the past decade, the Chinese economy has sustained rapid growth and cemented its global status as a major growth contributor. * With a vast market of 1.4 billion people, solid economic growth, and an improving business environment, China has remained a favorite destination for foreign investment throughout the past decade. * Over the past decade, China has put innovation high on its agenda to boost competitiveness and invigorate the economy. * China's economic development has translated into a steady increase in resident income, improving people's livelihoods notably over the past decade. BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Through a decade of steady growth, China has evolved into the world's major economic powerhouse, with numerous milestone achievements made along the journey of high-quality development. Powering ahead on a development path that is innovation-driven, sustainable, and more open to the world, China has kept injecting momentum into the global economy. The following figures and facts provided by the National Bureau of Statistics shed some light on how the world's second-largest economy transformed and thrived over the past ten years. Aerial photo taken on July 23, 2021 shows the Yachihe Bridge of Guiyang-Qianxi Expressway in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) DRIVING GLOBAL GROWTH Over the past decade, the Chinese economy has sustained rapid growth and cemented its global status as a major growth contributor. In 2021, China's gross domestic product reached 17.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 18.5 percent of the world's total. From 2013 to 2021, it grew at an average annual rate of 6.6 percent, beating the global level of 2.6 percent. With the rapid economic expansion, China has become a major driving force for global growth. During the 2013-2021 period, its contribution to global economic growth averaged 38.6 percent, higher than that of the Group of Seven countries combined. Agriculture, a pillar of the economy, has registered stable growth. Since 2012, the output of grain, meat, peanuts, and tea ranked first in the world, while rapeseed output placed second. On the industrial front, the country's main industrial product output has risen steadily. The output of crude steel, coal, power, cement, fertilizer, automobiles, micro-computers, and mobile phones led the world. Aerial photo taken on June 2, 2022 shows harvesters reaping wheat in the fields in Tancheng County of Linyi City, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei) OPENING WIDER Amid endeavors to open up wider to the world, China's foreign trade has seen a robust expansion in the past decade. In 2020, the country surpassed the United States to become the world's largest trading country for the first time, with a total foreign trade volume of 5.3 trillion U.S. dollars, up from 4.4 trillion dollars in 2012. Last year, China's foreign trade volume further expanded to 6.9 trillion dollars, continuing to take first place globally. Its foreign trade in goods rose from 3.9 trillion dollars in 2012 to 6.1 trillion dollars last year, accounting for 13.5 percent of the world's total. The country has also remained the largest trader in goods and second-largest trader in services in the world. With a vast market of 1.4 billion people, solid economic growth, and an improving business environment, China has remained a favorite destination for foreign investment throughout the past decade. Since 2020, China has remained the second-biggest recipient country for foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI into the country, in actual use, came in at 173.5 billion dollars in 2021, compared with 113.3 billion dollars in 2012, increasing by 4.8 percent on average each year. Aerial photo taken on May 6, 2022 shows a view of the Longtan Container Terminal of Nanjing Port in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo) INNOVATION-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT Over the past decade, China has put innovation high on its agenda to boost competitiveness and invigorate the economy. The country rose to 12th on the Global Innovation Index 2021, up from the 34th in 2012, said the World Intellectual Property Organization. It ranked first among middle-income economies. Amid the innovation drive, the number of Chinese companies on the Fortune Global 500 list has grown since 2012. In 2021, 145 Chinese companies made it to the list, climbing from 95 in 2012 and increasing for 19 consecutive years. In terms of telecommunication infrastructure, the country has built the world's largest 5G network, with a total of 1.43 million 5G base stations installed across the country by the end of 2021, accounting for over 60 percent of the world's total. Backed by technological advancement, China has accelerated the construction of high-speed transportation networks. The country boasts the world's most developed high-speed rail network, with high-speed railways stretching to a total length of 40,000 km by the end of 2021, up 330 percent from 2012. The extent of expressways in operation has also reached 169,000 km, an increase of 80 percent over the past decade, ranking first globally. A Fuxing bullet train runs on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, April 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Chogo) BETTER LIFE China's economic development has translated into a steady increase in resident income, improving people's livelihoods notably over the past decade. The gross national income per capita reached 11,890 U.S. dollars last year, doubling from the figure recorded in 2012. The expansion helped elevate China from 112th to 68th in the same timeframe as per a World Bank ranking. China eliminated absolute poverty in 2020, with 12.37 million rural residents lifted out of poverty on a yearly average between 2012 and 2020. This achievement enabled China to meet the poverty eradication target in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ten years ahead of schedule. Thanks to the income growth and improvements in education and health care, the average life expectancy of Chinese people reached 77.9 years in 2020, 5.2 years above the global average. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu) With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 8.2x Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) may be sending bullish signals at the moment, given that almost half of all companies in the United States have P/E ratios greater than 14x and even P/E's higher than 27x are not unusual. However, the P/E might be low for a reason and it requires further investigation to determine if it's justified. Pfizer certainly has been doing a good job lately as it's been growing earnings more than most other companies. It might be that many expect the strong earnings performance to degrade substantially, which has repressed the P/E. If not, then existing shareholders have reason to be quite optimistic about the future direction of the share price. Check out our latest analysis for Pfizer pe Want the full picture on analyst estimates for the company? Then our free report on Pfizer will help you uncover what's on the horizon. Does Growth Match The Low P/E? Pfizer's P/E ratio would be typical for a company that's only expected to deliver limited growth, and importantly, perform worse than the market. Taking a look back first, we see that the company grew earnings per share by an impressive 140% last year. The strong recent performance means it was also able to grow EPS by 138% in total over the last three years. So we can start by confirming that the company has done a great job of growing earnings over that time. Turning to the outlook, the next three years should bring diminished returns, with earnings decreasing 14% each year as estimated by the analysts watching the company. With the market predicted to deliver 9.5% growth per year, that's a disappointing outcome. In light of this, it's understandable that Pfizer's P/E would sit below the majority of other companies. Nonetheless, there's no guarantee the P/E has reached a floor yet with earnings going in reverse. There's potential for the P/E to fall to even lower levels if the company doesn't improve its profitability. Story continues What We Can Learn From Pfizer's P/E? It's argued the price-to-earnings ratio is an inferior measure of value within certain industries, but it can be a powerful business sentiment indicator. As we suspected, our examination of Pfizer's analyst forecasts revealed that its outlook for shrinking earnings is contributing to its low P/E. At this stage investors feel the potential for an improvement in earnings isn't great enough to justify a higher P/E ratio. It's hard to see the share price rising strongly in the near future under these circumstances. And what about other risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Pfizer you should know about. Of course, you might also be able to find a better stock than Pfizer. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that sit on P/E's below 20x and have grown earnings strongly. 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 * Protests in northwest after teenage girl dies * In Tehran, students chant 'death to religious leadership' * Authorities say Islamic Republic will not be uprooted DUBAI, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Protesters across Iran defied a nearly month-long crackdown on Saturday, activists said, chanting in the streets and in universities against the country's clerical leaders in a sustained wave of anger at the death of Mahsa Amini. The protests sweeping Iran since Amini - a 22-year-old woman from the country's Kurdish region - died on Sept. 16 while being held for "inappropriate attire" pose one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution. Although the unrest does not appear close to toppling the system, the protests have widened into strikes that have closed shops and businesses, touched the vital energy sector and inspired brazen acts of dissent against Iran's religious rule. A video posted by the Norway-based organisation Iran Human Rights purported to show protests in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Iran's second most populous city, with demonstrators chanting "Clerics get lost" and drivers honking their horns. Videos posted by the group showed a strike by shopkeepers in the northwestern Kurdish city of Saqez - Amini's home town - and female high school students chanting "Woman, Life, Freedom" on the streets of Sanandaj, the capital of Kurdistan province. Protests were also reported in Isfahan, in central Iran, and in the southeast of the country. Reuters could not independently verify the videos. Phone and internet services in Iran have been frequently disrupted over the last month and internet watchdog NetBlocks reported "a new major disruption" shortly before Saturday's protests began. Amini died in custody after she was detained by morality police for violating strict religious regulations requiring women to be modestly dressed. TEENAGE GIRL DIES Story continues Human rights groups say more than 200 people have been killed in the crackdown nationwide, including teenage girls whose deaths have become a rallying cry for more demonstrations demanding the downfall of the Islamic Republic. Protesters called on Saturday for demonstrations in the northwestern city of Ardabil over the death of Asra Panahi, a teenage girl from the Azeri ethnic minority who activists say was beaten to death by security forces. Officials denied the report and news agencies close to the Revolutionary Guards quoted her uncle as saying the high school student had died of a heart problem. Videos posted on social media by activist website 1500tasvir purported to show street protests in Ardabil, while another social media video showed riot police retreating from rock-throwing demonstrators. Iran has blamed the violence on enemies at home and abroad, including armed separatists and Western powers, accusing them of conspiring against the Islamic Republic and denying that security forces have killed protesters. In his toughest warning yet to protesters, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - whose downfall many demonstrators have demanded - said on Friday that no one should dare think they can uproot the Islamic Republic. State TV has reported at least 26 members of the security forces have been killed. The Tehran commander of the Basij militia forces that have deployed against protesters said in Tehran that three Basij had been killed and 850 more injured. Hasan Hasanzadeh told the state news agency IRNA there were 380 Basij battalions in Tehran, without giving exact numbers. In Tehran's Shariaty technical college, female students chanted slogans against the four decade-long clerical rule. "So many years of crimes, death to this religious leadership", they chanted, according to a video posted on social media. Iran's foreign minister spoke on Friday with the European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell, who urged Tehran to stop the repression of protesters. In a phone call, Hossein Amirabdollahian told Borrell Iran allowed peaceful protests and its government enjoyed popular support, state media said. "Therefore, we recommend that Europeans look at the issue with a realistic approach," he said. New EU sanctions on some 15 Iranians are expected to be approved on Monday, diplomats said. Asset freezes and travel bans will have little concrete impact on the individuals, but diplomats said it sent a political message and showed growing international concern about the crackdown. (Reporting by Dubai bureau Writing by Dominic Evans Editing by Helen Popper) By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI (Reuters) -A fire broke out on Saturday in Tehran's Evin prison, where many of Iran's political and dual-national detainees are held, and witnesses reported hearing gunfire. State news agency IRNA said eight people were injured in the unrest, which erupted after nearly a month of protests across Iran over the death in detention of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman. The protests have posed one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution, with demonstrations spreading across the country and some people chanting for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. An Iranian judiciary statement said a prison workshop was set on fire "after a fight among a number of prisoners convicted of financial crimes and theft". Tehran's fire department told state media the cause of the incident was under investigation. The prison, located in the foothills at the northern edge of the Iranian capital, holds criminal convicts as well as political detainees. "Roads leading to Evin prison have been closed to traffic. There are lots of ambulances here," said a witness contacted by Reuters. "Still, we can hear gunshots." Another witness said families of prisoners had gathered in front of the main prison entrance. "I can see fire and smoke. Lots of special forces," the witness said. A security official said calm had been restored at the prison, but the first witness said ambulance sirens could be heard and smoke still rose over the prison. "People from nearby buildings are chanting 'Death to Khamenei' from their windows," the witness said. Early on Sunday, IRNA carried a video it said showed prison areas damaged by fire. Firemen were seen dousing the debris with water, apparently to prevent the blaze from re-igniting. The prison mostly holds detainees facing security charges, including Iranians with dual nationality. It has long been criticised by Western rights groups and was blacklisted by the U.S. government in 2018 for "serious human rights abuses". Story continues Siamak Namazi, an Iranian American imprisoned for nearly seven years on espionage-related charges rejected by Washington as baseless, returned to Evin on Wednesday after being granted a brief furlough, his lawyer said. Other U.S. citizens held in Evin include environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, who also has British nationality, and businessman Emad Shargi, according to human rights lawyer Saeid Dehghan. He added that several other dual nationals are held at Evin, including French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah and Iranian-Swedish Ahmadreza Djalali, a disaster medicine doctor. Asked about the prison fire, U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters during a campaign trip to Portland, Oregon: "The Iranian government is so oppressive." He said he was surprised by "the courage of people and women taking (to) the street" in the recent protests and had enormous respect for them. "It's been really amazing," he added. "They're not a good group, in the government." U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price tweeted, "we are following reports from Evin Prison with urgency. We are in contact with the Swiss as our protecting power. Iran is fully responsible for the safety of our wrongfully detained citizens, who should be released immediately." Human Rights Watch has accused authorities at the prison of using threats of torture and of indefinite imprisonment, as well as lengthy interrogations and denial of medical care for detainees. "No security (political) prisoner was involved in today's clash between prisoners, and basically the ward for security prisoners is separate and far from the wards for thieves and those convicted of financial crimes," an unnamed official told the Tasnim news agency. 'CLERICS GET LOST' The unrest at Evin prison occurred after nearly a month of protests across Iran since Amini - a 22-year-old woman from the country's Kurdish region - died on Sept. 16 while being held for "inappropriate attire". Although the unrest does not appear close to toppling the system, the protests have widened into strikes that have closed shops and businesses, touched the vital energy sector and inspired brazen acts of dissent against Iran's religious rule. On Saturday protesters across Iran chanted in the streets and in universities against the country's clerical leaders. A video posted by the Norway-based organisation Iran Human Rights purported to show protests in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Iran's second-most populous city, with demonstrators chanting "Clerics get lost" and drivers honking their horns. Videos posted by the group showed a strike by shopkeepers in the northwestern Kurdish city of Saqez - Amini's home town. Another video on social media showed female high school students chanting "Woman, Life, Freedom" on the streets of Sanandaj, the capital of Kurdistan province. Reuters could not independently verify the videos. Phone and internet services in Iran have been frequently disrupted over the last month and internet watchdog NetBlocks reported "a new major disruption" shortly before Saturday's protests began. The Iranian activist news agency HRANA said in a posting online that 240 protesters had been killed in the unrest, including 32 minors. It said 26 members of the security forces were killed and nearly 8,000 people had been arrested in protests in 111 cities and towns and some 73 universities. Among the casualties have been teenage girls whose deaths have become a rallying cry for more demonstrations demanding the downfall of the Islamic Republic. Protesters called on Saturday for demonstrations in the northwestern city of Ardabil over the death of Asra Panahi, a teenager from the Azeri ethnic minority who activists alleged was beaten to death by security forces. Officials denied the report and news agencies close to the Revolutionary Guards quoted her uncle as saying the high school student had died of a heart problem. (Reporting by Dubai bureau, additional reporting by Lucia Mutikani, Mike Stone and Jeff Mason in Washington, Writing by Dominic EvansEditing by Helen Popper, William Maclean, Paul Simao and Diane Craft) Ukrainian servicemen drive a T-72 tank on the frontline in eastern Ukraine on July 13, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images An Iraq vet who volunteered to fight with Ukrainian troops reportedly died this week. Dane Patridge died as a result of severe injuries following a Russian attack, per The Washington Post. Thousands of US citizens applied to help Ukraine. Patridge signed up this past April. An Iraq war veteran who volunteered to fight alongside Ukrainian troops for months amid their ongoing fight with Russia reportedly died during an attack there, his family said earlier this week. Dane Patridge, 34, of Idaho, succumbed to his injuries after being struck in a Russian attack earlier this month, on October 3, his family told The Washington Post. His injuries included severe damage to his neck and brain stem, which left him in a coma, the outlet reported. Patridge, who leaves behind five children, was on life support when he died on Tuesday, according to CNN. His sister, Jenny Corry, told the outlet that he has been on the ground in Ukraine since April. Thousands of US citizens applied to volunteer to help the country against Russia's invasion earlier this year, as Insider previously reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the formation of an International Legion for foreigners who wanted to"join the defense." "He had a spiritual conviction to just go," Corry told CNN. "He did not have a plan aside from putting on his backpack and showing up in Poland and figuring it out from there." Patridge served in Iraq between 2007 and 2009, according to the reports, and left the military about three years later with the "rank of private first class." His mother, Terri Hepworth, told The Post that she's never seen her son "happier than in Ukraine." "He did what few of us are willing to do he just packed up and went," his father, Dennis Partridge, added, the newspaper reported ."He was always willing to help. He was a hard worker, and he certainly cared about his family." Per CNN, four other US citizens have been reported to have died during the war against Russia, including 22-year-old Willy Joseph Cancel. Read the original article on Insider CAIRO (Reuters) - Iraqi outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi appointed Hayam Nemat as acting finance minister after accepting Ihsan Abdul Jabbar's resignation, the state news agency said on Saturday. It added Nemat will fill the position until a new government is formed. Iraqs parliament on Thursday elected Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid as president, who immediately named Mohammed Shia al-Sudani prime minister-designate, ending a year of deadlock after a national election in October last year. (Reporting by Yasmin Hussein; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Issa Rae attends the 74th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in September. (Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press) Embattled actor Ezra Miller is still making moves in Hollywood, despite the many troubling allegations against them and "Insecure" creator Issa Rae is not a fan. In an Elle story published Thursday, the Emmy-nominated actor weighed in on the industry's treatment of the "Flash" star. "Im gonna be real, the stuff thats happening with Ezra Miller is, to me, a microcosm of Hollywood," she said. "Theres this person whos a repeat offender, whos been behaving atrociously, and as opposed to shutting them down and shutting the production down, theres an effort to save the movie and them." While she did not refer to the film by name, the "Rap S" creator was likely alluding to Warner Bros. Discovery's "The Flash." Miller is set to appear in the title role. In recent years, Miller has been at the center of multiple controversies. The actor, known for roles in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise, was seen grabbing and choking a fan in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 2020 and was arrested twice in Hawaii earlier this year. In June, Miller also faced a protective order after they were accused of psychologically manipulating, physically intimidating and endangering the safety and welfare of an 18-year-old in North Dakota. Most recently, they were charged with felony burglary in Stamford, Vt., in August. But despite the claims, Warner Bros. Discovery has proceeded with its upcoming DC film. Days after the company scrapped its $90-million "Batgirl" movie, its chief executive, David Zaslav, confirmed that "The Flash" was still on. We have seen The Flash, Black Adam and Shazam 2. We think they are terrific, and we think we can make them even better, Zaslav said during the media companys second-quarter earnings call. Weeks after Zaslav's comment, Miller said in a statement to Variety that they apologize for their behavior and that they are seeking treatment for their mental health issues. Later in August, Miller reportedly met with Warner Bros. bosses to discuss the upcoming film, which is set to premiere in June 2023. Story continues TheWrap reported last week that Miller had gone back to the "Flash" set to do more filming. Meanwhile, Rae said Miller and "The Flash" are "a clear example of the lengths that Hollywood will go to to save itself and to protect offenders." "So, dont do that, and women may be able to thrive. They wont have to live in fear of keeping silent because itll ruin their careers," she added. "Its just a constant pattern of abuse thatll only persist if Hollywood continues to insist on being this way. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. An abandoned house on the Homestead Meadows trail outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider From New Zealand to Colorado, I've explored more than a dozen ghost towns. Along the way, I've encountered my fair share of eerie and spooky spottings. A cross in the doorway sent shivers down my back while dark basements always scare me. There's a certain thrill I get when I step into a ghost town and find eerie remnants of the past. I've seen peeling floral wallpaper, a line of rusting Pepsi cans, and stumbled upon bathtubs coated in decades worth of lichen. These discoveries are fascinating, but I keep coming back for the sense of fear these places spark in me. The author at Homestead Meadows outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider There are some people who can't understand why others enjoy haunted houses, scary movies, or the thrill of being spooked. I am not one of those people. Instead, I hunt down the experience. And as I've grown older, I turn to new places in search of fear. Every sound, every closed door, and every dark corner sparks a push-and-pull of curiosity and dread. Ghost towns are where I often find that feeling. In the last year, I've explored 13 ghost towns across the United States, New Zealand, and Australia. As I wander into abandoned buildings, explore old mining equipment, and search among ruins, I spot clues into what life was once like in these ghost towns and let my imagination run wild. And while I haven't been chased away by any ghosts or humans for that matter I still have encountered a few things that keep me up at night. Take a look. A cross in the door frame of a ghost town in Utah was an unsettling reminder of its unusual past. Although a bit hard to see, it appears a wooden cross dangles from the door frame of one building that was originally part of Home of Truth. Monica Humphries/Insider Heading to the southeast corner of Canyonlands National Park in Utah, visitors pass by a grouping of dilapidated cabins. Those unassuming buildings were once home to a religious colony. As I've previously reported, in 1933, the widower Marie Ogden believed that God spoke directly to her and told her that the world was ending. Everything would be destroyed except for a plot of land in Dry Valley, Utah, where she claimed Christ would have his second coming, according to Atlas Obscura. Story continues Upon that plot in the valley, she formed Home of Truth, a 100-person commune. But in 1937, Ogden attempted to resurrect a dead commune member, according to The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, and members became disenchanted with their leader. Many left and the abandoned buildings turned into a ghost town, according to the same source. Today, not much remains of the ghost town, which sits on private property. As I walked around the outskirts of the private land, I did spot a floating cross hanging in a door frame, which served as an eerie reminder of the town's religious past. The cross made me anxious to know what was inside each of the sun-bleached buildings. I wondered if there were more bodies or what other relics remained from Ogden's beliefs. As I started to sweat, I debated whether it was from fear, or the Utah heat. I thought a foggy hike on an old wagon road was one of the scariest parts of exploring a ghost town in Colorado. Through the fog, there is an abandoned wooden building. Monica Humphries/Insider In Estes Park, Colorado, a 15-mile hike along the Homestead Meadows trail leads to a handful of ghost towns. While perhaps bright on a spring day, I hiked an eight-mile portion of the trail in thick fog. As I wandered along the trail, which was once an old wagon road, I couldn't see more than a few feet in front of me. In addition to the fog, the trail was completely empty. Rarely in Colorado do I find such a deserted trail as the state draws droves of outdoors enthusiasts, and I found it off putting. The fog and emptiness combined left me thoroughly spooked, as it felt like I was about to walk into a doomed scene out of a horror movie. The eerie setting was the ideal backdrop for relics I was soon to discover along the trail ... At Irvin Homestead on the Homestead Meadows trail, I stepped inside a dimly-lit structure where the only thing remaining was a creepy, lichen-covered bathtub. An abandoned tub on the Homestead Meadows trail outside of Estes Park, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider The ghost towns along the trail were built following the Homestead Act of 1862, which allowed people to claim ownership of land to build homes and communities, according to Uncover Colorado. As for the Irvin Homestead, in 1889, landowner and settler, Frank Irvin arrived and started building the Irvin Homestead. Later, R.J. Nettleton moved onto the homestead to operate a sawmill and raise rabbits, according to Colorado's Incredible Backcountry Trails. Its last residents left in 1952, according to Uncover Colorado. As the Irvin Homestead came into view through the fog, I spotted one building that now sits on unstable foundation. The entire building was slanted, and inside the neglected structure, I discovered a large bathtub inlaid into the floor. It was unnerving to step inside the dimly-lit structure and only see the mold-covered tub. I wondered who the last person to use the bathhouse could've been. In New Zealand, a forested opening at the end of Waiheke Island leads to underground tunnels built during World War II. An entrance to tunnels built during WWII. Monica Humphries/Insider Off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand, is Waiheke Island, and on the island's eastern tip is Fort Stony Batter. Today, it's a sheep pasture, but in 1942 during World War II, buildings were constructed in secrecy and the area became a coastal defense fortress, according to the fort's website. On the surface level, cement buildings dot the farmland. Underground, there is about a mile of tunnels filled with passages, chambers, and stairwells. After the war, the area remained "abandoned and neglected" for six decades, the website states. Today, it's reopened to the public with the tunnels open to visitors, and the above-ground buildings and land are free for visitors to hike. The day I visited, the tunnels were closed, which meant I couldn't go inside the tunnels but I could still explore a handful of structures. It felt like I had the entire property to myself as I wandered around for a few hours. The only creatures accompanying me were sheep, and I roamed the property without coming across another soul. The fort's website also states that locals used to explore the property and its tunnels in the darkness. As I passed by gun emplacements and the foundation of a former workshop, which I identified using signs on the property, my imagination went wild picturing who or what could come out of the tunnels. I got shivers as I descended the steps of a basement at the Dearfield ghost town in Colorado. Pictures from the abandoned Dearfield ghost town. Monica Humphries/Insider The abandoned buildings that once made up Dearfield, Colorado, play a key role in Colorado's history. Entrepreneur Oliver Toussaint (OT) Jackson was tired of seeing the lack of economic and social progress for his fellow Black community in Denver, Colorado, Robert Brunswig, an anthropology professor at the University of Northern Colorado, previously told Insider. So in 1910, he founded Dearfield, which offered Black middle-class people a path to self-sufficiency, Brunswig said. The town thrived until the 1930s when rainfall vanished, farmland dried up, and Dearfield became one of the dozens of towns eradicated in the aftermath of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Brunswig said. I explored the ghost town's four remaining structures, and as I entered one building, it was clear people had been there relatively recently. Spray paint covered the walls and broken glass scattered the floor. Near the entrance, I spotted steps leading down into a basement. I was hesitant to descend but curiosity got the best of me. Without any electricity, I shined my phone's flashlight and anticipated a scare. Luckily, there wasn't anything or anyone to frighten me. Instead, cobwebs and dust coated the basement's empty shelves. Even though the dark room was deserted, I was spooked and quickly retreated back up to safety. A tourist attraction by day, I thought Paronella in Australia turned into a spooky park at night. The tunnel of love during the daytime. Monica Humphries/Insider Known as a top tourist destination in Queensland, Australia, Paronella Park attracts hundreds of visitors every day to explore the property's abandoned stone buildings, owner Mark Evans told Insider. The buildings, which are now coated in fuzzy, green moss, were once home to Jose Paronella, who dreamed of building a castle in Australia's lush rainforest, Evans said. Paronella succeeded and opened a castle along with a ballroom, cafe, gardens, and other buildings for the public to enjoy in 1935, Evans explained. In 1948, Jose died of cancer and left the castle and its surrounding buildings to his family. Eventually, in 1977, the family sold the land and its abandoned buildings. Mark and Judy Evans purchased the land in 1993 and reopened it as a tourist attraction. I stopped by to chat with Evans and wander through the property. Paronella Park was bustling in the early afternoon, but as the sun set, the majority of visitors were gone. I, on the other hand, stayed behind for a night tour. That's when the mood of the property shifted to spooky. As the sun disappeared, I noticed that the lush forest turned dark and the moss-covered buildings blended seamlessly into nature. After the tour, visitors have free reign to explore the property. I meandered in the dark, where every sound, smell, and shape had me on edge. I wasn't familiar with nighttime in Queensland, and I wasn't sure what animals I might encounter ... ... But the scariest part of Paronella Park, I thought, was a tunnel that is now home to bats. The interior of the tunnel of love at Paronella Park. Monica Humphries/Insider As I approached a castle-like structure, sounds slowly got louder and louder. Along with the crescendoing noise came an intensifying stench. I realized I was approaching what is most likely the most populated part of the park the tunnel of love, which is home to a large population of bats. A tour guide explained earlier that Jose built a tunnel into a small hill so he could access a nearby waterfall, which he named after his daughter, Teresa. Today, the tunnel is closed to protect the bats and their home. But visitors are still able to get close enough to hear their squeaking and flapping wings. While I'm usually happy to encounter wildlife, bats in the darkness were not something I was eager to see. As I peered into the tunnel, I couldn't see any, but I did smell and hear them. I'm not sure if it was the fear or the small that provoked me to leave, but I quickly fled from the tunnel to explore other parts of the abandoned property. I've encountered three mine entrances that gave me a fright. An arrow points to where miners would've entered the mine. Monica Humphries/Insider I've explored three Colorado ghost towns that were once mining towns with mine entrances on-site. While the towns themselves were safe to roam, the mine entrances were not. According to Colorado's Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety, the foundation around old mine entrances can be unstable and collapse. I thought that possibility was terrifying. At any point, the mining tunnels below could collapse under my weight. During a trip to the Boston Mine on the Mayflower Gulch Trail in Summit County, Colorado, I approached an entrance, but didn't get close enough to see the inside of the mine. And I definitely won't after hearing what happened to a few too-curious explorers. The Division of Reclamation Mining and Safety reports that people "have encountered deadly odorless gases, fell down holes that opened under their weight, drowned in near-freezing pools of water at the bottom of shafts, and were buried in unpredictable cave-ins." Those stories alone keep me up at night, and the next time I see a mine entrance, I'll be wise enough to stay away. Ironton near Ouray, Colorado, had ghostly empty picture frames throughout its buildings. An empty picture frame in an abandoned building near Telluride, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider Ironton, near the mountain town of Ouray, Colorado, was once a bustling mining town. Within a year of being founded in 1883, the town had more than 100 buildings including a schoolhouse, brothels, saloons, and churches, a sign on the property said. During the summers, almost 1,000 people lived in the mining town, which was a popular supply point for a nearby mountain that was mined for silver, the sign also stated. But when the price of silver plummeted in 1893, most of the miners left. The town had a resurgence in the early 1900s, but the aftermath of the Great Depression left Ironton a ghost town, the sign explained. Today, a handful of buildings remain on the property. While some old cabins are now piles of wood, I spotted other buildings that were standing tall. I noticed that almost every building had been completely cleared out. The only thing remaining on walls in multiple buildings were old, empty picture frames. The frames were identical across buildings and I questioned whether they were new or old and wondered what pictures originally filled them and why the pictures were gone, but they remained. A year later and I'm still on the hunt for ghost towns and their accompanying fear. The author at the Home of Truth ghost town in Utah. Monica Humphries/Insider I anxiously look forward to adding more ghost towns to my growing list of places I've visited and hope to add more discoveries and perhaps a few spooky sightings. Read the original article on Insider https://www.instagram.com/p/CjtZIJ5P8Vm/?hl=en hed: Josh Peck and Wife Paige Welcome Their Second Baby and Reveal His Name getty; Paige O'Brien/instagram Josh Peck and Paige O'Brien Peck now have a family of four! The Drake & Josh alum and his wife have welcomed their second baby together, Paige revealed on Instagram Friday. In an adorable set of photos, Paige and Josh's 3-year-old son Max Milo is seen kissing the newborn on the forehead. In another photo, Max sweetly lays next to his sleeping baby brother. A third photo shows the baby boy taking a nap. Paige also revealed his name in the caption, simply writing, "Shai ." 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. Josh also shared a photo of the two brothers together. "Shai Miller Peck," he wrote in the caption. The couple quietly revealed the baby news on Instagram, where Paige shared a baby bump photo from the couple's trip to Italy earlier this year. "Is mine or no?" Josh joked in a comment. Among the other comments was one from Kelly Rizzo, wife of the late Bob Saget, whom Josh appeared with on Fuller House. "There she is! So stunning! Love you!" said Rizzo, 43. "Gorgeous Mama!" added John Stamos' wife, Caitlin McHugh Stamos. The Snow Day actor tied the knot with Paige in June 2017 during a sweet ceremony held in Malibu, California. The couple then announced they were expecting their first child together in Instagram posts during the summer of 2019. "Oh baby. Literally, there's a baby in there. Love u @paigeobrienn," Josh captioned a photo of himself and Paige, where the latter's baby bump was visible under a pretty polka-dot dress. Wrote Paige on her post, sharing the same snapshot as well as a close-up of her belly from the side, "We're havin' a baby!" NextShark A 47-year-old Thai man is in critical condition after two Frenchmen assaulted him in an unprovoked attack caught on camera. According to Lakhana, Somkuan had said, That car is so beautiful, when will we get a car like this? They reportedly followed the Porsche to appreciate it for a bit longer before passing. The Porsche then allegedly began tailgating the couples motorbike and honked at them until they pulled to the side of the road in front of a grilled pork stall. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to tighten his grip on power when Chinas National Party Congress convenes Sunday. A spectacle held once every five years, the 20th Party Congress marks the culmination of Xis ascent in many ways, with the leader poised to secure a third five-year term, making him arguably the most powerful ruler in China since Mao Zedong. But Chinas sputtering economy threatens to overshadow Xis coronation, with the country in the midst of its slowest growth in decades. On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its growth forecast for the worlds second-largest economy to 3.2% this year, while calling for a 4.4% growth in 2023, citing a volatile geopolitical situation and Beijings hardline policy on covid among the factors. China's patch reform has really stagnated, said Nargiza Salidjanova, China Practice Director of the Rhodium Group, speaking to Yahoo Finance Live (video above). Its not enough to undo some good progress that they've done since the WTO accession, but in areas from openness to investment to market competitiveness, we see a pause or in some cases just all bad. A medical worker in a protective suit collects a swab from a resident for nucleic acid testing, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Shanghai, China October 13, 2022. REUTERS/Aly Song ZERO-COVID POLICY The future of Chinas restrictive Zero-covid policy remains a central focus. Since the first known cases of the coronavirus were first reported in the city of Wuhan in 2019, the country has imposed the worlds strictest lockdowns, shutting down entire cities and bringing businesses and factories to a halt, while isolating millions of people in their homes. That policy has dramatically slowed the economy, with Chinas Q2 GDP falling 2.6% from the previous quarter, at the height of the most recent covid lockdowns in the spring, bringing major cities including Shanghai to a halt. However, a recent communique issued ahead of the 20th Party Congress hints that a few changes may be on the horizon. The statement invokes battleground language, calling the fight against covid an all-out war. Story continues Putting the people and their lives first, we organized the people's all-out war against the COVID-19 pandemic and protected the people's lives and health to the greatest possible extent, the statement reads. In its annual China Pathfinder report, published in partnership with the Atlantic Councils GeoEconomics Center, the Rhodium group writes the policy has placed China at a crucial moment when foreign firms are reassessing their presence in the country, and determining whether it remains investible. Nothing has disrupted China's economy as much as going to the core of China's society as the zero-COVID policy. And it's really unlikely that there is going to be a real kind of aggressive shift unveiled at the party congress, Salidjanova said. But looking forward at what happens, it's going to be a much better situation for China if there is a stronger signal that the policy is going to be stopped rather than kind of a fudging and slurring its way through a kind of gradual decline. Security personnel form a human chain as they guard outside the Evergrande's headquarters, where people gathered to demand repayment of loans and financial products, in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China September 13, 2021. REUTERS/David Kirton PROPERTY SECTOR RECKONING A structural shock in the property sector threatens to create an even greater chasm across the Chinese economy. The country has come to rely on the sector to drive roughly a quarter of its growth over the past decade. A reckoning brought on by real estate bubbles and developer defaults that have ensued has reverberated across Chinas financial systems. Local governments that have long been dependent on infrastructure and housing investments to balance their books have suddenly found themselves short on funds. Salidjanova said there is little expectation for a shift in policy related to this key growth driver, given that party congresses have rarely been triggers for major announcements of economic policy. Any course correction that follows is likely to take years to filter through to the real economy, leading to a prolonged period of anemic growth, she said. There's no substitution for [the real estate sector], she said. The government has not been really able to set up new drivers of growth which will take China forward and be able to deliver the same kind of growth that China and observers have been able to enjoy. BEIJING, CHINA - JUNE 17: A logo of Chinese ride-sharing company Didi is pictured at its headquarters' building on June 17, 2021 in Beijing, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) REGULATORY CRACKDOWN Foreign investors will be keenly watching for any hints on Chinas approach towards data collection and advanced technologies, at a time when major high-growth companies have been targeted by the government. From the sudden cancellation of Ant Groups record IPO to the U.S. delisting of ride-hailing giant Didi Global and the regulatory crackdown of TikToks parent company Bytedance, Chinese officials have taken a more heavy-handed approach at a time of heightened global competition and skepticism towards these firms. In some cases, CEOs have been summoned by regulators to reportedly ensure that their loyalty and priorities lie with Beijing, not global profits. The domestic crackdown has coincided with global efforts to reign in Chinas tech prowess, amid fears of the countrys growing influence both in technology and geopolitics. Just last week, the Biden administration imposed the strictest restrictions on Chinas semiconductor industry, all but banning American firms from supplying chips and chipmaking equipment to Chinese firms. This has coincided with growing fears about Chinas strategic partnership with Russia, and concerns about a military invasion of Taiwan. Those tensions have led to a drop-off in foreign direct investments and prompted multinational companies to rethink their presence in China. In a recent member survey conducted by the U.S.-China Business Council, 65% of respondents said they had reduced confidence in the Chinese market. 40% said they were pausing or canceling investment projects or expansion plans in China. It is certainly true that political considerations and in many cases, security considerations have been overriding a lot of the economic priorities, Salidjanova said. I think regardless of what happens at the 20th Party Congress, China faces a prolonged period of growth. And this is because even if Chinese officials really decide to sort of go all in on a new aggressive reform package of tangible structural changes will take years to be realized. Akiko Fujita is an anchor and reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @AkikoFujita Click here for the latest economic news and economic indicators to help you in your investing decisions Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Download the Yahoo Finance app for Apple or Android Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and YouTube Air quality in Lane County continues to be affected by wildfire smoke blowing in from the east, so residents should stay indoors when and where they can, as well as take steps to keep the air inside their homes clean. The Cedar Creek Fire has been burning east of the Oakridge area since early August, often choking nearby residents with unhealthy air. Since the fire started, east winds have occasionally pushed heavy smoke toward Eugene-Springfield. A high pressure system sitting over the Pacific Northwest has trapped smoke in the region over recent days, and east winds have continued to push smoke into the rest of the county. The Air Quality Index score for Oakridge at 10 a.m. Saturday was 490, which is considered "hazardous;" the score in Eugene-Springfield was 181, considered "unhealthy." An air quality advisory is in effect for Lane County through the weekend. UPDATE: New Oregon wildfire reported as smoke to bring unhealthy air quality Where to find respite from unhealthy air Those in Eugene-Springfield seeking shelter from the unhealthy air this weekend can go to the downtown Eugene library, 100 W. 10th Ave. It is open Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and reopens Monday at 10 a.m. After the weekend, Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St., and Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., will be open as respite centers, a city news release said. The city canceled some outdoor recreation programs because of the smoke Saturday, including Amazon and Echo Hollow pool and Sheldon Community Center morning programs. Lane County Public Health Officials in a Friday news release urged Oakridge-Westfir area residents to be mindful of the effects of continued exposure to poor air quality and to see shelter from smoke when possible. Smoke from nearby wildfires reduced air quality in the Willamette Valley and downtown Eugene on Monday Oct. 10, 2022. Typically during periods of poor air quality we focus on warning the very young, the very old, and those with preexisting cardiovascular or pulmonary disease of health impacts, Lane County Public Health Officer Dr. Lisandra Guzman said in the release. But in situations like what we are seeing in the Oakridge area, continued exposure to hazardous air can cause short and long-term health impacts for all community members. Story continues LCPH has partnered with Oakridge Air and Willamalane to offer free all-access memberships to the Willamalane Park Swim Center, Bob Keefer Center and Camp Putt which will be accepted through November. Those interested in a free membership can visit the front desk of any Willamalane facility and show proof of residency in the Oakridge area with an ID card, utility bill or similar documentation. LCPH has advised residents to pay attention to air quality reports for Lane County by visiting lrapa.org . Tips for reducing impact of poor air quality Here are more tips from Lane County Public Health: Keep your indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed unless it is very hot outside. Run an air conditioner if you have one, but keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean. Seek shelter elsewhere if you don't have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with closed windows. Use an air filter if one is available: Use a freestanding indoor air filter with particle removal to help protect people with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions and the elderly and children from the effects of wildfire smoke. Follow the manufacturers instructions on filter replacement and where to place the device. Do not add to indoor pollution. When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles and fireplaces. Do not vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home. Do not smoke tobacco or other products, because smoking puts even more pollution into the air. Follow your doctors advice about medicines and your respiratory management plan if you have asthma or another lung disease or cardiovascular disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen. Masks can offer protection: An N95 mask, properly worn, will offer some protection. If you decide to keep a mask on hand, see the respirator fact sheet provided by CDCs National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Avoid smoke exposure during outdoor recreation. Contact reporter Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@registerguard.com. Follow on Twitter @DuvernayOR. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lane County residents warned to avoid unhealthy air by staying indoors In celebration of the undisputed Queen of Rock n Roll, Barbie has unveiled a doll in Tina Turners likeness commemorating her chart-topping hit. Its been nearly 40 years since Tina Turner strutted solo into a new phase of her already storied career, topping the charts with her 1984 hit, Whats Love Got to Do with It. In the video for the sultry single, Turner memorably struts down tough city streets in a jean jacket atop a black leather minidress and heels, her legendary legs accentuated by fishnet stockings and her bronzed hair in a spiky, rock goddess-worthy do. It was a new phase of life and career for the then 45-year-old Turner was an about-face from her years headlining the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, with a new look to match. Photos: Mattel In the nearly four decades since, Turners life and music have been commemorated by an Oscar-nominated film and Tony-winning Broadway musical. Now, the iconic look of Whats Love Got to Do with It can mesmerize a new generation and longtime fans alike. On Thursday, Barbie debuted a new doll in Turners likeness, recreating the moment that re-cemented her status as the Queen of Rock n Roll. Per a press release, the legacy toymaker explained why Turner was a natural choice of tribute to add to its Barbie Signature Music Series, where her doll joins the likenesses of fellow music legends Elvis Presley, David Bowie and Gloria Estefan. From a young girl singing in her rural church choir in Nutbush, Tennessee to becoming the legendary icon hailed as the undisputed Queen of Rock n Roll, Barbie celebrates the unprecedented music career and journey of Tina Turner. Throughout her acclaimed career, Tina Turner has amassed accolades and a lifetime of achievements befitting of a music legend. Source: Mattel Photos: Mattel Beyond being honored by the doll, Turner reportedly worked closely with the Barbie team at Mattel to recreate the signature look of the video, which includes her smoky-eyed makeup and red lipstick. I am honored to welcome my Barbie into the group of trailblazing women already represented and introduce more kids to my journey, said Turner in a statement, according to Rolling Stone. Story continues For fans clamoring to get their hands on this piece of the Queen of Rock n Rolls legacy, the limited-edition Tina Turner Barbie retails for $55, and is already selling fast at Mattel Shop, Walmart, Target, Amazon, and on Mattel Creations. Maiysha Kai is theGrios lifestyle editor, covering all things Black and beautiful. Her work is informed by two decades experience in fashion and entertainment, great books and aesthetics, and the brilliance of Black culture. She is also the editor-author of Body (Words of Change series). TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrios Black Podcast Network is free too. Download theGrio mobile apps today! Listen to Writing Black with Maiysha Kai. The post Whats love got to do with it? Everything, if its the new Tina Turner Barbie appeared first on TheGrio. Name: Lucy Inman Political party: Democrat Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 61 Campaign website: Lucyinmanforjustice.com Occupation: Judge, NC Court of Appeals Education: J.D. with honors, University of North Carolina School of Law, 1990. B.A., North Carolina State University, English with highest honors, 1984. Have you run for elected office before? NC Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have been an active member and served on the board of directors of the following civic organizations: The Roanoke Island Historical Association, Gregg Museum of Art & Design, BarCARES NC, The Lucy Daniels Foundation, Disability Rights NC (prior to my service as a judge), North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (prior to my service as a judge) and I am an active member of the Rotary Club of Raleigh. What reforms, if any, do you think could make the criminal justice system more fair? Appellate judges have no authority to make criminal justice reforms. We need increased funding from the legislature for courts, public attorneys, rehabilitation programs, mental health crisis intervention, and law enforcement. Trial judges and law enforcement officers have the authority and discretion to consider the specific facts of criminal cases, risk of harm to others, ability to post bail or pay fines, and other factors when deciding conditions of arrest, pretrial release, and sentencing. Are the states courts accessible enough to average North Carolinians? If not, what are some improvements you will advocate for, if elected? We must improve court technology and provide internet connectivity in every county so more citizens can resolve legal matters without visiting a courthouse. Online access increases compliance, reduces procedures and penalties triggered by nonpayment or a missed court date, avoids the costs and barriers of going to court, and reduces unnecessary crowds. We should replicate statewide the drug courts, mental health courts, and veterans courts that successfully serve some counties. Tell us about a specific event in your legal career of which you are most proud. As a Superior Court judge, I presided in a contentious personal injury trial that did not go well for the plaintiff. He appeared frustrated and angry, including when he testified. The jury returned a verdict against him. Weeks later, I received a letter from him thanking me for treating him with respect and making sure the trial was fair. He had nothing to gain from me at that time. When the party disappointed by the outcome has confidence in the justice system, I am proud of the work we do. Beyond ESG & SRI. Is it time for caring capitalism? New York, NY --News Direct-- 1BusinessWorld Lydia Alexandra Renders, the Founder and CEO of Willow, joins 1Sustainability to talk about beyond ESG & SRI, focusing on caring capitalism. Lydia Alexandra Renders at 1Sustainability Lydia Alexandra Renders is the Founder and CEO of Willow, a certified B-Corp and a designated WBE (Woman Based Enterprise) investment firm, one of a few woman-run firms with this distinction. As Chief Investment Officer and Strategist, Alexandra is known for her keen intuitive calls around thematic trends and market cycles. Particularly adept in predicting and understanding trends, this is the foundation of her work. Alexandra and the Willow team are client oriented and use a collective voice to push the needle toward a more sustainable future, integrating ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors into all of their work. Willow, a strategic partner of 1BusinessWorld at 1Sustainability, is an independent registered investment advisory firm offering personalized wealth management services for individuals, non-profits, and corporations. The firm manages retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401ks, 403bs, SEPs, and ROTH IRAs, in addition to trusts, corporate investment accounts, and taxable account. Willow also offers separately managed accounts for digital assets though Willow Crypto. Willow sees the power of distributed ledgers, smart contracts, decentralized and distributed infrastructure and the impact they can have on society at large. Willow also offers WillowESG a proprietary ESG ratings and equity research tool available to other Advisors, RIAs, wealth managers, and broker-dealers. WillowESG screens over 3,500 individual US listed companies on multiple ESG factors and examines how they address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Introducing sustainability leaders of the world, the 2022 1Sustainability Conference is a global sustainability conference, this year taking place, as a virtual event, from Monday, October 17, through Friday, October 21. Story continues All news and content distribution in partnership with News Direct. About Willow Willow is an independent registered investment advisory firm offering personalized wealth management services for individuals, non-profits, and corporations. The firm manages retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401ks, 403bs, SEPs, and ROTH IRAs, in addition to trusts, corporate investment accounts, and taxable account. Willow also offers separately managed accounts for digital assets though Willow Crypto. Willow sees the power of distributed ledgers, smart contracts, decentralized and distributed infrastructure and the impact they can have on society at large. Willow also offers WillowESG a proprietary ESG ratings and equity research tool available to other Advisors, RIAs, wealth managers, and broker-dealers. WillowESG screens over 3,500 individual US listed companies on multiple ESG factors and examines how they address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Willow About 1Sustainability As part of 1BusinessWorld, 1Sustainability is one of the most comprehensive business sustainability platforms and events in the world and features sustainability leaders of the world - entrepreneurs, founders, business leaders, investors and advisors with sustainability as a key component of their overall strategy - presenting on cutting-edge topics and the latest industry developments. 1Sustainability About 1BusinessWorld 1BusinessWorld is a global business ecosystem, network and marketplace that provides entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals with the information, tools, resources and connectivity needed to succeed throughout their companys growth journey, toward a better business world. Our vision is based on the reality that we live, work and do business in one global interconnected business environment, and hence our motto: One World, One Business World. Our mission is to encourage and support global communication and collaboration among entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses. 1BusinessWorld Contact Details Media Enquiries +1 212-220-6677 info@1businessworld.com Company Website https://1businessworld.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/lydia-alexandra-renders-at-the-2022-1sustainability-conference-623892982 Democrat Kendra Williams, of Sanford, is challenging Republican Matt Harrington, of Sanford, for the Maine Senate seat representing District 33 (Sanford, Lebanon, Alfred and Waterboro). Kendra Williams Kendra Williams Hometown: Sanford The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws? There should be no changes in Maine's abortion laws. However, Im aware that there are ongoing discussions and a review about whether the current Maine Constitution provides abortion protections or whether a constitutional amendment is required to ensure that they are permanent and not subject to change based on the political party with a majority. It takes two-thirds of the Legislature to support bringing the question of an amendment to the voters in a statewide referendum. I will vote in favor of doing so If its determined that such an amendment is necessary to ensure that womens reproductive rights are permanently protected in Maine. The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges? Id support ways to increase incentives for weatherization, including the installation of high-performance heat pumps, to achieve identified goals of having 100,000 heat pumps in Maine homes and businesses by 2025 along with other weatherization goals. Im in favor of initiatives that combine Maines existing rebate and tax credit program with the federal Inflation Reduction Act to maximize the incentives. With anticipated demand, a focus on ensuring adequate supplies of heat pumps as well as well-trained employees and installers is needed. Programs already begun at our community colleges for training and apprenticeships, along with stipends for transportation and childcare to support students while training, would have my support. As the state with the oldest population in the country, we have a large number of people leaving the workforce due to retirement without enough younger people to replace them. The solutions to employee shortages include offering incentives to retain our younger population, recruiting younger people from other states and working with Congress to loosen restrictions on immigrants and work visas. One thing I think the Legislature could do is to provide funding to create a recruitment campaign but there needs to be coordination to ensure affordable housing is available to those who would like to live and work in Maine. It will take a multifaceted and collaborative approach involving the Legislature, Congress and employers. Story continues What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8? A strong economy depends on supporting businesses as well as strengthening support for people across the lifespan. That includes our seniors, working people juggling families and multiple responsibilities, and our children. I'm a strong supporter of public education, especially P-K and Career Technical Education. We need to rebuild our healthcare system, including increased availability of mental health and substance abuse treatment and in-home supports for seniors and disabled persons. And we need to expand safe and affordable childcare for working families. I'm passionate about systematic reform of our child welfare system. And with everything we do, we need to consider the impact on our climate and natural resources. I support fiscal responsibility and am glad that Maine is required to have a balanced budget. I support policies that make Maine a place where there is equality, opportunity and where families can thrive now and in the future. A guide to voter rights in Maine: What you need to know before you cast a ballot Matthew Harrington Matthew Harrington Hometown: Sanford, Maine The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws? I have spent months hearing from constituents about this important issue. Maines abortion law was codified in the early 1990s. This law preserves the right for a woman to seek an abortion in the traumatic cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother. In addition, this law also addresses viability of the fetus. I believe Maine law strikes the appropriate balance and I do not intend to vote to add additional restrictions, or to remove the restrictions already in statute. I do not support taxpayer funding of abortions. I also oppose efforts to expand access to late-term abortions unless it involves saving the life of the mother, or a tragic circumstance where the pregnancy has failed. The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges? First and foremost, we need to address the short-term inflation and heating oil crisis facing Maine families. Too many families will be faced with the tough decision of whether to eat or heat their homes this winter. I am especially concerned about those living on fixed incomes, such as our elderly population. Second, Maine faces significant challenges that must be overcome to strengthen our economy. We must prioritize education to ensure our children are being educated for the jobs of the future, which includes emphasizing vocational education in younger grades. We must embrace all energy technology that will reduce heating and electricity costs for Maine families and small businesses. In the short term, we must embrace and invest in technologies that will lower prices for Maine families and small businesses to incentivize investment and strengthen Maines economy. We must ensure those who are able to work - go to work, and we have to stop incentivizing people to stay home. Lastly, we must address the housing crisis facing Maine - especially in southern Maine - by ensuring units being built are truly affordable. Despite the challenges facing Maine, I love this state and believe that we can come together to build a strong economy for our kids and grandkids. What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8? My father was a disabled Vietnam veteran. I remember seeing the coverage of 9/11 as a young teenager. That day shaped the rest of my life. My entire career has been spent working in various capacities in public safety. I spent the early years of my career working in fire and EMS. The last 15 years, I have spent working as a police officer. I have spent my time serving in the Maine House of Representatives focused on promoting policies to aid our first responders. In todays world, weve seen too many attacks on law enforcement. At a time when violent crime is on the rise, in Maine, what we say matters. I believe Maine is a desirable place for the best of the best to raise their families and to build a successful career in law enforcement. However, we need to ensure they know they will be appreciated, and we must stop demonizing the profession. I believe I have the proven skill sets necessary to reach across the aisle and find creative solutions to the issues facing Maine. Maine can be a thriving place to live and raise a family. However, we must put politics aside and address the issues facing Mainers. I have a proven track record of working with Democrats to pass legislation - and I ask for your vote to continue that work on Nov. 8th. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maine election 2022: Williams vs. Harrington for Senate District 33 A woman views the YouTube video of Amanda Todd on an office monitor in Washington, DC on October 16, 2012. Amanda Todd, 15, was found dead by suicide in a Port Coquitlam home on October 10, 2012 five weeks after posting the YouTube video outlining the abuse she endured both online and in person. MLADEN ANTONOV/GETTY IMAGES Aydin Coban, a 44-year-old Dutch man, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Friday for extorting Amanda Todd. Todd committed suicide in 2012 after posting a viral YouTube video detailing online harassment against her. Todd's mother told CBC that the sentence was a "breathtaking moment." Aydin Coban, a 44-year-old Dutch man who extorted Amanda Todd before she committed suicide ten years ago, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Friday. Amanda Todd was a 15-year-old Canadian girl who posted a viral video to YouTube in 2012 detailing her experience of being cyberbullied and harassed after someone threatened to expose compromising photos of her to her friends and family. Todd committed suicide on October 10, 2012, just over a month after she posted the video which currently has more than 14 million views. After Todd's death, the online term "todding" was coined to refer to abuse campaigns against people online. People exposed to these campaigns, often teens, can experience stress, depression, and anxiety attacks, Vincent F Hendricks, a professor at the Center for Information and Bubble Studies at the University of Copenhagen wrote. British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Martha Devlin sentenced Coban to 13 years in prison on Friday after he was convicted in August on two counts of possession of child pornography, child luring, and criminal harassment. Todd's mother, Carol Todd, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that the sentence was a "breathtaking moment" after the court hearing. "As breathtaking as August 6 when I heard the five guilty counts," Todd told CBC. Coban used 22 different aliases to message Todd on Facebook, YouTube, and Skype, more than 700 times and demanded webcam shows, threatening to expose compromising photos of her to her loved ones, Devlin said according to CBC. "When Amanda refused to comply with his demands, Mr. Coban made good on his threats," Devlin said, according to CBC. Devlin said in court that Amanda Todd was courageous to share her story with the world in her YouTube video while handing down her sentence, according to Canadian network CP24. Story continues "I have heard her voice," Devlin said in court according to CP24. "I have considered Amanda's words as expressed through her video and through messages she sent when she was alive." Devlin said that she was moved by impact statements from Todd's parents and added that they were secondary victims of Koban's extortion, CP24 reported. Devlin said that Coban "deliberately took advantage of a young girl" and "went to significant lengths to obtain information about Amanda and her family members, teachers and peers so he could maximize the number of people to whom he could distribute the images and videos." "She could not escape the images or videos. It was a 'never-ending story,"' Devlin said, quoting from Todd's video she posted in 2012, according to CP24. If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or has had thoughts of harming themself or taking their own life, get help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (dial 988) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations. Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line just text "HOME" to 741741. For lawyer-specific inquiries, you can find confidential, live assistance through Lawyer Assistance Programs offered through your state bar, as well as through the Lawyers Depression Project. Read the original article on Insider A man who was serving time in a Bloomfield halfway house pleaded guilty to escaping, according to federal authorities. Charles Harrison, 34 was sentenced in 2012 in the Northern District of New York to 10 years in prison for a narcotics trafficking offense, according to federal authorities. Then, in March 2021, he was transferred to the Drapelick Center, a residential reentry center, or halfway house, in Bloomfield, to complete his custodial sentence, federal authorities said in a statement. Harrison left the facility on a day pass on Sept. 7, 2021 and did not return. He was found and arrested in New York on March 29, 2022, and has been in custody since then, the statement said, Harrison is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford on Jan. 6 and could face up 5 more years in prison, the statement said. The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda S. Oakes. Prosecutors say Slaughter and Gottfried were among rioters who fought officers in a Capitol tunnel The Justice Department. A man and his stepson were arrested this week on several Capitol riot charges. Prosecutors say Richard Slaughter and Caden Paul Gottfried fought cops in a Capitol tunnel Jan. 6. More than 900 people have been arrested in connection with the attack thus far. A Washington state school board director and his 20-year-old stepson were arrested this week on multiple felony and misdemeanor Capitol riot charges, including assaulting police officers and obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder. Richard Slaughter, 40, and Caden Paul Gottfried, 20, were arrested and charged Wednesday for their role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. The duo made an initial court appearance in Tacoma, Washington, and were released ahead of further court proceedings. The two men were charged with 10 counts. Prosecutors say the duo was among a group of rioters who fought law enforcement officers near the entrance to the Lower West Terrace tunnel on Jan. 6. Amid the chaos, Slaughter grabbed a police shield from another rioter and kept it away from an officer, according to court documents. Slaughter then began to engage the officers, telling them to "stand down" and suggesting that "nobody will fucking hurt," the officers if they "just walk away," according to charging docs. Prosecutors say Slaughter then used a long pole to assault officers who were manning the front line of the tunnel and handed chemical spray to another member of the mob. Gottfried was also in the tunnel and used his body weight to push against the guarding officers, according to prosecutors. Law enforcement officers eventually pulled Gottfried into the tunnel where he was detained for a period of time before being released, per court records. Investigators were first alerted to Slaughter and Gottfried's presence at the riot on January 7, 2021, following an inflight incident on the duo's Alaska Airlines flight home, according to prosecutors, who said the men were cited for non-compliance with the airline's mask policy, as well as for protesting the results of the 2020 election. Story continues During a February 2021 interview, Slaughter told the FBI that he had been present at the Capitol building on Jan. 6 with Gottfried, but denied seeing any crimes committed. He reportedly told investigators: "conservatives don't protest, they have jobs." Slaughter was sworn in as an Orting School District school board director in December 2021. A spokesperson for the Washington school district did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment but told King 5 News on Thursday that he is still a member of the board. Neither Slaughter nor Gottfried had attorney information available. More than 900 people have been arrested in connection with the attack and nearly 400 people have pleaded guilty. Read the original article on Business Insider A crowded restaurant in Prince Georges County, Maryland, stayed open and continued to serve patrons after a customer attending a family reunion planning session died in the womens bathroom on Oct. 12. A family was dining at Jaspers Restaurant in the town of Upper Marlboro and had just paid the bill when one of them went to the restroom, one of the owners, Fred Rosenthal, told NBC News. She went to the womens room and when members of the family got up to leave and she hadnt come back, they went to check on her, Rosenthal said. Someone found her unconscious, notified our employees and we jumped into the scene and called 911. Police arrived within minutes. Jasper's Restaurant in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. (Google Maps) Officers with the Prince Georges County Police Department responded to a crowded Jaspers Restaurant at 9640 Lottsford Court at approximately 6:40p.m. Wednesday evening to investigate, spokesperson Brian Fischer said. Jaspers didnt close when the situation unfolded and continued to seat customers. A curtain barrier was put up around the womens restroom where the family gathered, and the mens restroom was converted into a unisex restroom. Hindsight is 20/20, we didnt know it was going to take the coroner two hours to collect the body, said Rosenthal on the decision to leave the restaurant open. If we did, we wouldve stopped seating people. We were trying to keep it as respectful as possible and not cause a scene. The coroners office arrived at the restaurant to remove the body at around 9 p.m., over two hours after police responded to the location, according to Rosenthal. The body was taken out of a side entrance so as not to disturb other diners. Jaspers stayed open until midnight Wednesday, continuing to seat diners until then. The woman died of natural causes, according to the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Rosenthal has since met with members of the womans family. They came in to celebrate and plan a family reunion and it ended in a terrible event, he said. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas waved away criticism from lawmakers calling for his impeachment on Friday, saying that his critics' rhetoric about the border being "open" was inspiring further illegal immigration. A group of Republican lawmakers led by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas demanded Mayorkas resign after Fox News reported he was alerted to an article stating that no Haitian migrants were "whipped" by Border Patrol agents on Sept. 19, 2021. "Ive got a lot of work to do, and I intend to continue to do it. Thats my response," Mayorkas told the Dallas Morning News editorial board Friday. MAYORKAS ALERTED THAT NO HAITIAN MIGRANTS WERE WHIPPED HOURS BEFORE WH PRESS CONFERENCE Mayorkas told the Dallas Morning News, "The political cry that the border is open is music to the smugglers ears, because they take that political rhetoric and they market it." Mayorkas came under even more intense scrutiny after emails obtained by the Heritage Foundation via FOIA filing showed the homeland security secretary was informed that reports of whipping at the border were likely inaccurate. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The email, which was sent on Sept. 24, 2021, by Marsha Espinosa, assistant secretary of DHS public affairs , alerted Mayorkas and other officials within DHS, pointing them to a news article with quotes from a photographer behind the images showing Border Patrol agents on horseback, and he denies ever seeing agents "whipping anyone." CBP FINDS 'NO EVIDENCE' BORDER PATROL AGENTS WHIPPED HAITIAN MIGRANTS, STILL SEEKS TO DISCIPLINE THEM A United States Border Patrol agent on horseback tries to stop a Haitian migrant from entering an encampment on the banks of the Rio Grande near the Acuna Del Rio International Bridge in Del Rio, Texas on Sept. 19, 2021. However, Mayorkas joined White House press secretary Jen Psaki at a White House press conference, where he continued to push the narrative: "Our nation saw horrifying images that do not reflect who we are. We know that those images painfully conjured up the worst elements of our nation's ongoing battle against systemic racism," Mayorkas said. A YEAR AFTER BIDEN FALSELY ACCUSED BORDER PATROL AGENTS OF WHIPPING MIGRANTS, THERE'S STILL NO APOLOGY Story continues Mayorkas, earlier in the week, had spoken alongside Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, and had defended the agents even pointing out that agents use long reins to control their horses, not as whips. But by the end of the week, that clarification was abandoned. An investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility in July found that no migrants were struck by reins and there were no whips in possession of the Border Patrol agents, but found other alleged infractions, including using "denigrating and offensive" language to migrants and maneuvering a horse around a child in a manner that was "unsafe." Agents were also accused of using "unnecessary use of force" to push the migrants back. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Immigration is at the top of the ticket this November as a record number of illegal immigrants continue to cross the border. The investigation is still ongoing more than a year later, but findings by the Office of Professional Responsibility in July found that no whips were in their possession and no migrant was struck by the reins although it did find other alleged infractions. Fox News' Bill Melugin and Adam Shaw contributed to this report. Medicare, the federal health insurance program that benefits more than 4.8 million people in Florida, helps pay for a variety of medical costs. But there are many expenses like co-insurance, co-payments and deductibles that basic Medicare (called Original Medicare) does not cover. Co-insurance is the percentage of costs a patient pays after meeting the deductible, while co-payments are a charge for each time a patient uses a service, typically visiting a doctor. The deductible is a portion each patient pays before health insurance kicks in. Medicare also does not cover most dental care, eye exams for glasses, hearing aids, long-term care and routine physical exams, among other things. Medigap or a Medicare Supplement Insurance is a separate plan supplied by private insurance companies that helps pay some or all Original Medicare costs, and offers additional benefits. Original Medicare covers people who are 65 or older, individuals under that age with certain disabilities and people with end-stage kidney disease who need dialysis or a renal transplant. Enrollees in Original Medicare are covered by two sections: Part A, which pays for in-patient hospital care plus some other services, and Part B, which covers visits to doctors, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive medicine, such as vaccines. READ MORE: As you turn 65, you must figure out Medicare even if you plan to work beyond that Medicare does not pay for everything But Parts A and B do not pay for all an individuals normal medical costs, or exceptional emergency expenses. Within the world of Medicare, there are a variety of options to enhance coverage and help reduce out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C), offered by private insurance companies, deliver almost all the same benefits as Parts A and B, but also offer additional coverage for routine vision, hearing, prescription drugs, dental and fitness programs. But you have to go to the doctors and facilities in those plans. Story continues Eye exams for eyeglasses are not covered under original Medicare plans. Many Medicare beneficiaries opt to buy a supplemental Medigap insurance plan to augment what Medicare does not cover. Getty Images File Some Medicare recipients buy the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan, which helps cover costs of some prescription medications. Medicare enrollees also can obtain drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage program. READ MORE: Deciding whether Medicare Advantage plans are right for you Some Medicare recipients buy the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan, which helps cover costs of some prescription medications. Elise Amendola/AP Medigap option Another option is Medigap or a Medicare Supplement Plan which helps pay some or all Original Medicare costs Private health insurance companies offer Medigap policies and charge monthly premiums. Some Medigap plans also provide coverage for individuals who suffer a health emergency while traveling abroad and for costs in a skilled nursing facility. Medigap as its name suggests fills in payment gaps in Original Medicare, and the right type of policy may provide financial relief to Medicare patients. Medigap plans help reduce out-of-pocket costs incurred under Medicare Parts A and B, and can supply other benefits. There are some conditions, though: You can only buy Medigap if you have Medicare Parts A and B. In addition, policies are available only to an individual, not to a couple or family, and you cannot obtain a Medigap plan if you are covered by Medicare Advantage. Also, there is no prescription drug coverage with Medigap, and premiums can reach several hundred dollars per month, depending on the age of the individual and the items covered. Most people enrolled in Part A do not pay a premium for hospital services. Everyone enrolled in Part B visits to doctors, tests, outpatient care, etc. must pay a minimum monthly premium of $170.10 (deducted from Social Security payments). But the premium increases according to income levels. Alphabet soup Like most things related to healthcare, Medigap is not simple. For example, companies in Florida offer an alphabet soup of 12 Medigap alternatives including Medigap Plans A, B, C, D, F, F-high deductible, G, G high-deductible, K, L, M and N. But three of the 12 (Plans C, F and F-high deductible) are not available to anyone who turned 65 on or after Jan, 1, 2020, or to some people under 65. But once a Medicare recipient obtains a Medigap policy, it will be valid as long as the individual pays Part B and Medigap premiums, even with health problems. The plans offer a variety of alternatives with or without coverage for costs associated with skilled nursing facilities, deductibles for Parts A and B, excess charges and foreign travel emergencies. They also stipulate different deductibles, copays and premiums. No plan pays for the standard Part B premium of $170.10. According to Medicare.gov, Medigap Plan G will provide a 65-year-old female who doesnt use tobacco with coverage for skilled nursing facilities, the Part A deductible, Part B excess charges and a foreign travel emergency (but not the Part B deductible) and zero cost (generally) for approved co-pays/co-insurance related to Part B services. The holder of this policy will have a zero cost Part A deductible and a $233 Part B deductible. She will pay premiums between $203-$403 per month. Monthly premiums for a 67-year-old male who doesnt use tobacco range from $253 to $397 for the same plan. The lowest monthly premium of all 12 Medigap plans available in Florida for the same age level is $65 (female) and $75 (male) for high-deductible plans. The highest monthly premium was $481 (female) and $530 (male). What to look out for Evaluating and choosing Medigap plans is complex, and people considering Medigap for the first time may need to find assistance. (See list of help centers below.) Medicare, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, specialized health information centers and insurance companies offer online comparisons of plans, coverage and costs. Some South Florida insurance companies have walk-in information offices. Aside from the plethora of plans and coverage levels, there are also complications related to enrollment periods, penalties, pre-existing conditions and conflicts when people with Medicare Advantage plans want to switch to Medigap coverage. While it is often touted that people can switch freely between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, consumers are not always aware that they may not always be able to purchase a Medigap policy if they dont enroll during certain time periods, said Jane Sung, senior strategic policy adviser with AARPs Public Policy Institute, in an email responding to Miami Herald questions. Federal law allows people to purchase Medigap without medical underwriting when they first enroll in Medicare. They also have federal protections that let people try out a Medicare Advantage plan for up to one year and still return to Medigap or enroll in Original Medicare and purchase Medigap, she said. But outside of these specific time periods, insurance companies may be allowed to require medical underwriting to purchase Medigap, which means it can be more expensive. Medical underwriting means that an insurance company evaluates your health when applying for health insurance. That way, they can decide if they will offer coverage, what limits or exclusions would apply and what to charge for premiums. Medicares website says that the best time to purchase a Medigap policy is during the six months that starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and are 65 or older. During this period, a buyer generally obtains more choices and better premiums, and a person can purchase any Medigap policies that are available in Florida even with pre-existing conditions, according to Medicare. After this period, the policy cost may be higher due to current or past health problems. People who work full time beyond 65 can delay signing up for Medicare Parts A and B if the individual (or spouse) is receiving group healthcare coverage at work and the company has more than 20 employees. When the job or coverage ends, there is a special enrollment period during which they can sign up for Medicare with no penalties. At that time, they are also eligible to enroll in Medigap or Medicare Advantage (but not both) with no penalties. How to get help understanding Medigap, Medicare Medicare.gov https://www.medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans/#/m?year=2022&lang=en Medicare Handbook Medicare & You https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you Alliance for Aging Miami Main: 305-670-6500/Elder Helpline: 305-670-HELP Toll free: 1-800-96-ELDER (35337) https://allianceforaging.org/ SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) 1-800-96-ELDER or 305-671-6536 in Miami and the Keys https://www.floridashine.org/ Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA) Phone: 860-456-7790 https://medicareadvocacy.org/ Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FOIR) https://www.floir.com/sitedocuments/medigapfaqs.pdf Insurance brokers and health insurance companies such as AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Florida Blue, United American Insurance Co., Bankers Life, Humana and others. Sources: Medicare.gov, Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), AARP, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FOIR), Florida Blue, Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), Alliance for Aging, Inc., Healthinsurance.org Megan Thee Stallion spoke out on social media on Friday, October 14 after her Los Angeles home was robbed the night before. On Twitter, the 27-year-old rapper penned a short message for her fans seemingly referencing the incident, writing, "Material things can be replaced but Im glad everyone is safe ." Material things can be replaced but Im glad everyone is safe TINA SNOW (@theestallion) October 14, 2022 Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the burglary took place on the evening of Thursday, October 13. It was reported that two men broke a glass door in the book of the rapper's home, taking cash, electronics, and jewelry. The Los Angeles Police Department could not confirm the burglary to NBC News. They also were not able to provide any additional information at this time, including whether there are suspects in custody. Megan Thee Stallion was not at her Los Angeles home at the time of the burglary. The "Body" performer is currently in New York City ahead of taking on double duty at "Saturday Night Live" on Saturday, October 15 as host and musical guest. Earlier this week, she appeared in promo clips alongside cast member Heidi Gardner on Thursday, October 13. The Texas native also shared a series of photos on Instagram on Thursday, donning a a full-length black lace bodysuit. "Hotties yall ready for #stallionnightlive @nbcsnl," she captioned the post. Minutes after Megan Thee Stallion shared the tweet in reference to the robbery at her home, she posted a candid message on Twitter with fans about the state of her physical and mental health. "Hotties im really sorry but after SNL I really gotta take a break Im so tired, physically and emotionally," she wrote. Story continues Hotties im really sorry but after SNL I really gotta take a break Im so tired, physically and emotionally TINA SNOW (@theestallion) October 14, 2022 Last month, the rapper quietly launched her own mental health resources website called Bad B----s Have Bad Days Too," seemingly confirming the news after sharing a tweet from Shea Jordan Smith. In another tweet, Smith shared what appeared to be a message from the rapper, reading in part, "Hotties! You know how much mental wellness means to me, so I created a hub with resources that can help when you might need a hand." This article was originally published on TODAY.com Mel Gibson can be called upon to testify in Harvey Weinstein's Los Angeles rape and sexual assault trial, a judge ruled on Friday, reports the Associated Press. The controversial actor's name was among those revealed as potential witnesses in Los Angeles Superior Court. Judge Lisa B. Lench said Gibson could testify about what he says he learned from one of Weinstein's accusers, known as Jane Doe No. 3, about her alleged encounter with the disgraced movie producer. Prosecutors claimed that in May 2010 a naked Weinstein followed the woman into a Beverly Hills hotel bathroom after receiving a massage from her and masturbated. Weinstein is accused of four counts of rape and seven counts of sexual assault involving five women in the trial, which began jury selection on Monday. He has pled not guilty and denied any nonconsensual sexual activity. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Mel Gibson poses at the Columbia Pictures' "Father Stu" Photo Call at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on April 01, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic); LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: Former film producer Harvey Weinstein appears in court at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on October 4, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Harvey Weinstein was extradited from New York to Los Angeles to face sex-related charges. (Photo by Etienne Laurent-Pool/Getty Images) Steve Granitz/FilmMagic); Etienne Laurent-Pool/Getty Mel Gibson; Harvey Weinstein Weinstein's lawyers objected to Gibson being allowed to take the stand, citing that Gibson obtained information about the incident while getting his own massage and, as such, it was not a "fresh complaint." Per California law, a "fresh complaint" allows the introduction of evidence of sexual assault or another crime if the victim reported it to another individual within a short period of time after it occurred. However, prosecution responded that Gibson understood that Weinstein had sexually assaulted the woman after she had an emotional reaction when the 66-year-old actor mentioned him. While Gibson could not recall when the moment took place, prosecutors say they will call an additional witness, Allison Weiner, who spoke with the woman and Gibson back in 2015. The judge noted, however, that her decision to allow Gibson to testify could change depending on Jane Doe No. 3's forthcoming testimony. One of Weinsten's attorneys, Mark Werksman, also claimed that, should Gibson be allowed to testify, prosecutors should be allowed to cross-examine him about his history of anti-Semitic and racist remarks. Story continues Gibson previously launched into an anti-Semitic tirade against a police officer in a leaked recording from his 2006 D.U.I arrest. His ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, later accused him of physical assault and released a secret recording of him hurling racist comments at her in 2010. Gibson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of battering Grigorieva in 2011, under a deal that would allow him to avoid jail and deny liability for the incident in any civil litigation. A judge of Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, accepted the plea and sentenced Gibson to 36 months of probation. Judge Lench stated that Gibson's history of racist remarks was not relevant to the case but that she would allow prosecution to question the star about whether or not he had any animosity or personal bias toward Weinstein. Werksman then claimed that there were already grounds for bias because his client is Jewish and once criticized Gibson's portrayal of Jewish people in his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ in a book. "Any evidence of Mr. Gibson's racism or anti-Semitism would give rise to a bias against my client, who challenged him," he said, per the Associated Press. Weinstein's lawyers also suggested that Gibson was attempting to rectify his tarnished image by testifying against their client and positioning himself as an ally of the greater #MeToo movement. The prosecution denounced the claims, asserting that Gibson had made no such comments about himself, and that at the time he mentioned Weinstein to the masseuse, Gibson was attempting to broker a deal with the producer. Gibson previously spoke about the scandal surrounding Weinstein in 2017, telling The Guardian that he considered alleged victims speaking out "a precursor to change." EW has reached out to Gibson's representatives, who declined to comment. Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence in New York after he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2020. He was granted a chance to appeal the conviction in August. His Los Angeles trial is expected to last eight weeks. Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. Related content: MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's government on Saturday moved to discourage the formation of caravans by Venezuelan migrants, saying any who do will not be eligible to enter the United States under a new humanitarian scheme announced this week. Under a plan announced on Wednesday, Washington said it would grant up to 24,000 Venezuelans humanitarian access to the United States by air, while enabling U.S. officials to expel to Mexico those caught trying to cross illegally by land. The plan is the latest bid to curb record numbers of illegal crossings at the Mexico-U.S. border fueled in part by a jump in Venezuelans entering Mexico to try to reach the United States. The Mexican government's National Migration Institute (INM said it would be in permanent communication with U.S. border authorities, and warned Venezuelans planning to take advantage of the scheme to enter the United States not to form caravans. "It is therefore important to note that marching in a caravan or traveling irregularly in Mexican territory cancels the process," the institute said in a statement. On Friday morning a caravan of several hundred mostly Venezuelan migrants formed in southern Mexico, and though it later dispersed, hundreds more set off on Friday evening in smaller groups also bound for the U.S. border. On Saturday, INM officials backed by the National Guard broke up migrant groups trying to move from the southern border state of Chiapas into neighboring Oaxaca, where Venezuelans have been gathering to obtain transit permits, an INM source said. An INM spokesperson said officials were carrying out routine checks. To qualify for the U.S. program, Venezuelans will need to be able to secure a sponsor in the United States in advance. Mexico's government had already instructed Venezuelans not to proceed to the U.S. border before making their applications. (Reporting by Dave GrahamAdditional reporting by Jose Torres in Tapachula; Editing by Sandra Maler) In a twist of fate bound to infuriate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), the migrants he had flown to Marthas Vineyard are now on track for special visas that will allow them to stay in the U.S. Forty-nine people were lured into boarding flights from Texas to the Massachusetts vacation island last month in a Republican political stunt devised by DeSantis. Bexar County Texas Sheriff Javier Salazar announced Thursday that he has filed federal paperwork to have the migrants certified as victims (or witnesses) of a crime, The Texas Tribune reported. That qualifies them to obtain a special U visa that allows them to stay in the country and often leads to a coveted permanent resident green card. Salazar has already launched a criminal investigation into the operation and said giving the migrants a new visa status will ensure the migrants availability as witnesses during the investigation and any subsequent trial. Based upon the claims of migrants being transported from Bexar County under false pretenses, we are investigating this case as possible Unlawful Restraint, Salazar told Boston Public Radio station WGBH. I have officially opened a criminal investigation against the individual(s) who lured and transported 48 migrants from the Migrant Resource Center in San Antonio, TX to Martha's Vineyard. If you or someone you know has been impacted, please email bcsotips@bexar.org SheriffSalazar (@sheriffsalazar) September 20, 2022 The migrants said they were lured into boarding charter flights from Texas to Marthas Vineyard by a woman since identified as an Army veteran who reportedly promised them jobs, housing and education if they went to Massachusetts. Attorneys are already working with a number of the victims. We are grateful for Sheriff Salazars recognition of the gravity of these events. These certifications are an acknowledgment of the wrongs done to our clients and a crucial step in helping them to chart their path forward, Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, said in a statement. The organization is currently representing nine of the migrants. Story continues Immigrants are human beings, not political props, she added. DeSantis office has yet to comment on the development. The governor is already the target of lawsuits. The Treasury Department inspector generals office is looking into whether DeSantis improperly used money linked to COVID-19 aid to fund the flights from Texas to the Massachusetts island, Politico reported on Wednesday. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... Miriam Margolyes gave a sweary comment about Jeremy Hunt. (PA) Miriam Margolyes has been asked to leave BBC Radio 4's Today show studio after unleashing a foul-mouthed comment about Jeremy Hunt. The actor had been invited into the studio on Saturday morning to share her memories of Robbie Coltrane, whose death aged 72 was announced on Friday, but added in a sweary insult about previous guest Hunt. Read more: Daniel Radcliffe pays tribute to Robbie Coltrane He has also been on the programme after being appointed by Prime Minister Liz Truss to replace Kwasi Kwarteng as Chancellor, but Margolyes, 81, made it known she wasn't a fan. As hosts Justin Webb and Martha Kearney thanked her for her tribute to Coltrane, Margolyes was expected to end her interview, but began: "I never thought I'd be sitting in this seat..." Miriam Margolyes didn't hold back her opinion. (PA) Webb prompted her: "...that Jeremy Hunt has just sat in, is what you were about to say." But Margolyes continued: "Yes, and the thing is, when I saw him there I just said, 'you've got a hell of a job, the best of luck', and what I really wanted to say was, 'f*** you, you b******', but you can't." Read more: North Macedonia pull out of Eurovision to save on energy bills A shocked but laughing Webb said: "Oh, no no no no no, you mustn't say that!" Margolyes replied: "You can't say that, it's not fair." Webb said: "No, you can't say that, we'll have to have you out of the studio now." Co-host Kearney agreed: "Yes, with many apologies." Margolyes could be heard protesting: "No, but I..." before she was cut off. Jeremy Hunt has been appointed as the new Chancellor. (PA) Webb has made his own live on air sweary comment about Hunt in the past, although his was accidental. In 2018, Webb was speaking on Radio 4's Today about a Daily Express report on elderly people selling their homes to pay for care during the time that Hunt was Health Secretary. He said: "The paper says that Health Secretary Jeremy C*** ... Hunt is understood to favour a cap on social care." Story continues Earlier in Saturday's interview, Margolyes had paid tribute to Coltrane, who she starred alongside in the Harry Potter films where he played Hagrid and she was Professor Sprout. She said: "He was a very fine actor and delightful man," also praising his starring role in the TV series Cracker. Watch: Miriam Margolyes does 'enormous fart' on This Morning KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2022, 18:46 Mobilised Russian soldiers are so poorly equipped that troops in a Russian unit that has arrived in the city of Polohy, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, are partly dressed in civilian clothing. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 15 October Quote: "The issue of material support for conscripted servicemen of the occupation forces remains problematic. For example, a unit of the Russian Federation in which personnel are dressed partly in civilian clothing has been seen in the city of Polohy in Zaporizhzhia Oblast." Details: The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue to work on finding possible ways of replenishing units that have suffered losses fighting on the territory of Ukraine. Commanders of all levels in the Russian Navy have reportedly started a campaign to persuade their personnel doing regular military service to transition to contract-based service. Military personnel are offered generous remuneration, an improved benefits package and a guarantee of service beyond the frontline. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Mortality among Russian seriously wounded exceeds 50% According to available information, a large number of wounded Russian soldiers are being admitted to medical facilities in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine. Read also: Ukrainian army repels enemy attacks in Donetsk and Kherson sections of front General Staff About 100 wounded were admitted to one hospital in Donetsk this week, according to reports. In the city of Tokmak in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Oblast, the hospitals are overcrowded, according to information from local residents. Civilian admissions are not accepted in these hospitals due to the heavy workload of doctors and lack of beds. Ukraines combat fatality rate is unknown. Read also: Almost 500 Russian troops, helicopter destroyed in one day, says General Staff According to recent studies, the combat fatality rate of U.S. forces in recent conflicts has been around 12%. In the Second World War, the rate was around 55%. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Smartphones can access a different car-service platform for seemingly every letter in the alphabet, but hailing the likes of a Hyundai Sonata doesnt represent the techs most elevated application. Case in point: An increasing number of mobility apps are taking the model to new levels of exclusivity. Riders Share, established in 2018, offers the largest fleet of motorcycles in the US and provides an experience thats seamless, intuitive and quick. When Los Angeles is entered into the search window, dozens of motorcycles, from rocket-like Aprilias to loaded Harley baggers, populate the screen. After a friend and I make our selections and choose the usually added expense for delivery and pickup, a gleaming candy-red Ducati Panigale V4 and a customized BMW cafe-racer appear in the driveway the next morningboth in mint condition and perfect for exploring Pacific Coast Highway and the canyons of Malibu. Back home, we pop open a couple of cold ones while our rides are retrieved. More from Robb Report But motorcycles are just the start. RVshare has leveraged the segments blockbuster growth during the pandemic to become the worlds first and largest recreational-vehicle rental app. The choice of more than 100,000 examples range from travel trailers to deluxe motorhomes to rock-star buses Bon Jovi would feel at home touring in. Inside Flexjets bespoke Sikorsky S-76 helicopter Of course, to supply the demand of the most affluent demographic, luxury mobility solutions are also solving for air and sea. App-based private-jet services, such as Wheels Up and VistaJet, have existed for years, but new player Flewber allows you to book one-way or roundtrip for up to 16 people and then selects the optimum airport for your itinerary. Need to access somewhere jets cant go? Wheels Up has formed an alliance with Bell Textron to make helicopters available to clients, and, this summer, Flexjet became the first (and only) private-jet provider to purchase them for its fleet, including Sikorsky S-76s, to complement the array of Bombardier, Embraer and Gulfstream executive aircraft. Story continues Then theres Europes aptly named Click&Boat, which recently entered the stateside market with 1,000 watercraft, part of a flotilla of more than 40,000 privately owned vessels docked in ports around the globe. Now competing with US-based GetMyBoat and Boatsetter, Click&Boat allows users to book a bay-cation. Selections can be tailored by size and style as well as the desired timeframehour, day or weekand location, whether its an eight-person Boston Whaler to fish Southern Californias Channel Islands or a helicopter-equipped 145-foot Suncoast to celebrate an anniversary in the Antilles. And, as with all of these upscale mobility apps, everything can be done while waiting for your macchiato to cool. 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. In a rare show of political protest in China, a mysterious person hung banners from a bridge in Beijing, calling for freedom and an end to the countrys zero-Covid policy. In the large banners mounted on the Sitong bridge in the Haidian district of Beijing, the protester called for an end to lockdowns and for worker and student strikes to force Chinese president Xi Jinping out, Associated Press reported. The handwritten banners were removed quickly and any mention of the protest is being erased from the internet as the ruling Communist Party bolsters security in the lead-up to its historic political meeting where president Xi is expected to win his third term as party leader. Users of the Chinese social media app WeChat who had shared pictures of the demonstration reportedly had their accounts suspended. Some had their accounts banned for 24 hours, while others were permanently suspended from the app, according to Financial Times. Local reports say one person has been arrested in connection to the demonstration. Many are praising the protester as the new Tank Man, in reference to the Chinese man who stood in front of tanks during the 1989 Tiananmen protests in which over 200,000 people were killed by the Peoples Liberation Army in a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations. The large banners mounted on the bridge on Thursday also called for an end to Chinas harsh zero-Covid policies. Dont want PCR tests, want to eat. Dont want a Cultural revolution, want reforms, the banners reportedly read. China had stuck to this policy as means to reduce the impact of the pandemic on its economy and society, enforcing mass testing, strict lockdowns as well as travel restrictions across various parts of the country. While countries in other parts of the world have opened up travel and workplaces and reduced pandemic-era restrictions, China continues to enforce stringent lockdowns. These guidelines are set to be in force at least until the upcoming Communist Party meeting in October and November where Mr Xi is expected to announce that he will continue as president of the country in his third 5-year stint. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. Climate change is terrifying. The thought of the sea level rising 1.6 feet seems unimaginable, but its very real. For years, scientists and governmental bodies like the United Nations have warned that climate change could completely change our planet. Despite that, theres still a lot we dont understand about climate change. But NASAs newest mission could change that. Today's Top Deals EMIT, also known as the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation, is a new mission led by NASA that hopes to provide more context and understanding about climate change. The mission is being run from aboard the International Space Station and has recently produced its first mineral maps. These maps provide detailed images of the composition of the surface found in regions of northwest Nevada and the Sahara Desert in Libya. NASA found that these windy areas are the sources of fine dust particles that heat or cool the surrounding air when lifted into the atmosphere. Combined with sites like Googles Dynamic World, we may be able to track changes in our world and understand them better. Dynamic World shows Earth's changes during caldor fire Before now, though, scientists havent been able to truly assess how those changes react on a global scale. With EMITs measurements finally released, NASA scientists may be able to come up with a better understanding of climate change as a whole and perhaps even come up with some new ways to solve it that dont include launching bubbles into space. NASAs chief scientist and senior climate advisor, Kate Calvin, says that the data EMIT is generating will give scientists more insight into how the Earth is heated and cooled, and even how minerals like these dust particles lifted from Nevada and the Sahara Desert affect all of that. With that information, the scientists are hopeful it will create a better way to understand climate change. Story continues NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory breaks down the specifics of how EMIT works, as well as the regions that they focused on for this data and even why they focused on those regions. Looking for more space news? Skywatchers can peer into the sky later this month to view the annual Orionid meteor shower. Plus, scientists now say that climate change on Mars could have been caused by ancient microbes now burrowed deep below the surface. More Top Deals See the original version of this article on BGR.com Photo Illustration by Erin O'Flynn/The Daily Beast/Getty In November of 2010, there was a rising female rapper who once spoke passionately during a live interview about an older colleague in her industry who she felt was hating on her. We all take from each, theres nothing new under the sun. When you see Gaga, you see Madonna, but Madonna never hated on Gaga, this once emerging artist told the interviewer. Why in the Black community we have to hate on each other instead of saying, Thank you for showing me love. Thank you for keeping my name alive. The young star in question was Nicki Minaj speaking to then-Hot 97 legend Angie Martinez about her once buzz-worthy beef with hip-hop heavyweight Lil Kim. At the time, Minaj had dropped her debut solo album Pink Friday, while Lil Kims best years were soon behind her. While shots were being fired on both sides, many at the time believed that Minaj was simply the new girl who posed a formidable challenge to a longtime rapper who was past her prime. Nearly 12 years later, its hard not to witness the irony in seeing Nicki Minaj, now about to turn 40 this December, beefing with newcomers left and right. First, it was Cardi B. Then it was Megan Thee Stallion. Now, it appears to be Latto. At some point, one has to look in the mirror and ask themselves whos actually at fault here? Cardi B vs. Nicki Minaj: An Illustrated Guide to the Greatest Rap Beef of Our Time Earlier this week, Minaj took to social media to protest the Grammy screening committees decision to switch her Billboard Hot 100 hit Super Freaky Girl from being placed in a rap to pop category. The Do We Have a Problem? rapper made it a point to single out Lattos Big Energy in a public tweet in which she shared a screenshot of a text exchange of the two discussing Minajs request for her to support calling out the Recording Academy. When Latto declined to do so publicly, Minaj went as far as to call her out on Twitter and open her up to a slew of online heat from her super-freaky-obsessive fans called the Barbz. But Latto didnt back down. In a series of back-and-forth, Minaj called Latto an entitled Karen, while Latto clapped back by tweeting that Minaj was a 40-year-old bully. Story continues And then a trending hashtag was born: #40YearOldBully and the rest is history. Latto performs in Toronto, Ontario. Robert Okine It would be one thing if this was just a bad day for a superstar who was simply pissed about fearing another potential Grammy campaign going down the drainbut this online drama from Minaj has become as predictable as her multiple hair color changes. At this point, any criticism about the We Go Up artist can lead to immediate online drama via cyberbullying, trolling, and/or doxxing. For a person who once begged the question of why in the Black community we have to hate on each otherit feels like the pot is calling the kettle black at this point. Since 2018when there was a noticeable rise of newer female rappers like Cardi B who were beginning to show staying powerMinajs penchant for indulging in embarrassing online nastiness skyrocketed. With the lukewarm success of her fourth studio album Queen, Minaj had more excuses and shots to throw than praise. There were several reports of the Barbz being a part of an abusive stan culture epidemic. And rather than squash the narrative, Minaj leaned into itsicing her toxic fans on reporters who criticized her (like that time when she was rightly questioned about her bizarre COVID-19 anti-vax claims). Nicki Minaj talks to Cardi B at the Met Gala in 2018. Kevin Mazur/MG18 Recently, a prominent YouTuber Kimberly Nicole Foster, a Black woman, had to submit a police report and file lawsuits after insufferable Barbz doxxed her following a few mildly critical tweets she posted about Minaj. Rather than tell her angry mob of supporters to cease and desist, the rapper was reportedly liking several tweets that were directed towards Fosterfurther fanning the flames that were thrown towards the 33-year-old commentator. Again, this is one of countless examples of when Minaj sat back and entertained her spiteful followers as they cyberbullied her critics on her behalf. Perhaps the most substantial example of Minajs evolution into becoming one of the music industrys real-life supervillains was how she came after the victim of her registered sex-offender husband, Kenneth Zoo Petty. Last year, The Daily Beast reported on the shameless campaign Minaj took part in that involved alleged bribing, legal intimidation, and threats towards accuser Jennifer Hough. Hough would later tell her story on the now-discontinued The Realand as expected, Minaj used social media to further the online bullying of some of the hosts (such as Garcelle Beauvais and Loni Love). Nicki Minaj and Kenneth Petty attend the Marc Jacobs Fall 2020 runway show in New York. Jamie McCarthy Why does any of this matter? Because at nearly 40 years old, one of the biggest names in music is yielding her massive global platform to cause harm. This isnt some simple immature Gen Zer on TikTok acting outbut a grown-ass woman who should know better. Whether youre a Barb or not, we should all be able to agree that how Minaj has been handling all of this lately isnt making her predicament any better. It wont inspire a new generation of women in hip-hop, appeal to the Recording Academy, elevate her once-aspirational legacy, or convince anyone differently about the questionable people shes been collaborating with lately. Instead, Minaj has now become the very evil she once accused Lil Kim of being. You cant listen to her 2010 diss-track Romans Revenge today without considering how much of what she then said about a certain has-been who needed to hang it up, flat screen. Perhaps in 2022, she should follow that same advice if all shes going to do is troll away her once stellar career. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. North Macedonia has had to drop out of Eurovision. (Getty) Montenegro has become the latest country to drop out of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 after North Macedonia announced it had quit to save on energy costs. Both countries have added that they were concerned about the cost of staying in the UK, with Liverpool hosting the contest for 2022 winners Ukraine. Read more: Liverpool mayor slams 4,000-a-night hotel rooms for Eurovision Explaining the decision, Montenegro's public service broadcaster RTCG said: "In addition to the significant costs of registration fees, as well as the cost of staying in Great Britain - we also faced a lack of interest from sponsors, so we decided to direct existing resources to the financing of current and planned national projects." Montenegro's 2022 Eurovision contestant Vladana. (AFP via Getty Images) Costs for countries to take part vary according to size and there are rumours that other countries have also considered quitting after entry fees increased when Russia, a major financial contributor, was banned from competing. North Macedonia's news was announced by the country's state broadcaster MRT, who shared that the decision had been made that it would cost too much to pay the entry fee and send a delegation to Liverpool for the contest. Watch: Liverpool chosen to host Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 Read more: Graham Norton cue card blunder reveals Eurovision news early It was recently confirmed that Liverpool will be the host city for the 2023 contest, after the UK stepped in as runners up to stage the next event in place of winners Ukraine. North Macedonia's 2022 Eurovision contestant Andrea. (AFP via Getty Images) But MRT posted on Facebook: "Due to the economic and energy crisis and high costs, Macedonia will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, scheduled to be held in May in Liverpool, United Kingdom. The decision to cancel Eurosong participation is valid for this year, and for the future we will see." In a longer statement on the MRT website, they explained: "Macedonian Radio Television informs the public about the decision it has made, not to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in the United Kingdom. Story continues Read more: All you need to know about Emmerdale's 50th anniversary episode "Such a decision is in the best interest of the citizens, taking into account the increased costs due to the energy crisis, which take up a large part of the public service budget, as well as the increased registration fee for participating at Eurovision 2023, which until now was 39,143 euros (34,000), and is expected to be higher in the coming year. (left to right) Claire McColgan, director of Culture Liverpool, Bill Addy, chief executive at the Liverpool Bid Company and Faye Dyer, managing director of the ACC Group, celebrating outside Liverpool M&S Arena after the city was announced as host of 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. (PA) "This decision will allow saving on funds that would have been allocated for the Macedonian delegations stay in Liverpool, where Eurovision 2023 is being held. However, MRT will broadcast the event, the two semi-finals and the grand final on its channels. "MRT hopes that the situation will stabilise, after which the country will once again participate in Eurovision in 2024." North Macedonia will not be taking part in Eurovision for the first time since the country gained its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. However, they have only placed in the top 10 once - in 2019, when they came seventh. Former President Obama will travel to Wisconsin to campaign for Democratic candidates in the state at the end of the month. A webpage from the Wisconsin Democratic Party states that Obama will visit Milwaukee on Saturday, Oct. 29 for an early vote event. Theres so much at stake in the upcoming election on November 8, and its imperative that we elect Wisconsin Democrats up and down the ballot in November in just a few short weeks, the page states. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, the Democratic nominee for Senate against Sen. Ron Johnson (R), tweeted the news on Friday, saying that Obamas 2004 speech at the Democratic National Convention is one of the reasons he decided to go into public service. Obama, who was then running for a U.S. Senate seat in Illinois, gained national attention for his keynote address at the convention in 2004. It helped propel him to the national stage and a presidential run in 2008. Wisconsin is seen as a possible pickup opportunity for Democrats seeking to maintain and expand their narrow majority in the Senate. Polls have shown a tight race between Johnson and Barnes, although Johnson has led in recent polls. FiveThirtyEights polling average lists Johnson leading by about 3 points. The states governors race is also expected to be tight as Gov. Tony Evers (D) attempts to win a second term against Republican Tim Michels. FiveThirtyEights polling average shows Evers leading by about 1.5 points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (AP) Former President Barack Obama is headed to Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin in the closing days of the 2022 campaign to give a boost to Democrats running for governor, senator and on down the ballot. He goes first to Atlanta, where Stacey Abrams is taking on Republican Gov. Brian Kemp on Nov. 8. She lost a close race to him in 2018. As in 2020, Georgia also may once again decide which party controls the Senate. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is facing a challenge from Republican Herschel Walker, a football star making his first bid for public office. After campaigning in Atlanta on Oct. 28, Obama plans stops the following day in Detroit and Milwaukee for events to help get out the vote. In Michigan, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is running against Tudor Dixon, a onetime commentator for a conservative online program who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Michigan voters also are deciding whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. In Wisconsin, Democratic Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and become the state's first Black senator. Barnes, who is from Milwaukee, the state's largest city and home to the largest group of African American voters, has been trying to energize Black voters in a race that a Marquette University Law School poll this past week showed Johnson with an apparent lead. Obama also hopes to give a boost to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is being challenged by Tim Michels, a construction company co-owner who is endorsed by Trump. Marquette polls for months have shown that race to be about even. ___ Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics Former President Barack Obama. Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Former President Barack Obama said John Fetterman has "some sense of how the rest of America lives." During an episode of "Pod Save America," Obama lauded the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate hopeful. Obama said people feel as though Fetterman's views are "informed by his real-life experiences." Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman, who has long staked his political career on addressing the economic needs of working-class voters, easily won the Democratic Senate nomination earlier this year on the strength of this appeal. Fetterman, who is running against Republican Mehmet Oz, usually campaigns wearing hoodies and shorts. He firmly stands behind his preference for Sheetz over Wawa, the two rival Pennsylvania-based convenience store chains. And former President Barack Obama on a recent podcast praised Fetterman as an authentic messenger who is able to connect with ordinary people. During an episode of "Pod Save America" that was released on Saturday, Obama said that Fetterman who is running in one of the most consequential Senate races this year understands how everyday people live. "The thing I love about Fetterman, and you see it in a lot of our other candidates, is you feel as if when you're talking to them that you're having a normal conversation and they have some sense of how the rest of America lives," the former president said. He continued: "It's pretty basic. You feel like if that guy walked into a diner, sat down and you just started talking about whatever issues came to mind, that you might not agree with everything he said, but you'd feel as if he had a point of view that was informed by his real-life experiences, that he was honest about what he believed, that he'd be open to potentially changing his mind if you made a good argument." Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) October 15, 2022 Obama, in lauding Fetterman, went on to say that there are "certain values that he cares about" and that "he cares about people." Story continues The former president then told hosts Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor all former Obama staffers that similar traits are often not evident among GOP candidates. "Those qualities don't seem to always apply to successful Republican candidates. What's going on there? I don't know exactly," he said. While running for president in 2008 and 2012, Pennsylvania was a pivotal state for Obama, who made a huge effort to make inroads with its wide swath of working-class voters; in both years, he won the state. During his first campaign, Obama barnstormed the state, visiting cities like Altoona and Wilkes-Barre, in addition to stumping in traditional Democratic strongholds like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Fetterman has made it his mission to campaign in many of the rural locales where Democrats may not be in the majority, but can still provide critical margins needed to win a close statewide race. And with Pennsylvania voters potentially determining which party controls the Senate in 2023, the next few weeks are shaping up to be deeply important in the Keystone State. Read the original article on Business Insider Former President Barack Obama in 2017. Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images Obama said he was concerned about the "weak" level of communication between Washington and Moscow. He said Putin has "consolidated decision-making" to a greater extent than during the Cold War. The ex-president made the comments on the Obama administration alum-run podcast "Pod Save America." Former President Barack Obama said on a recent podcast that he's "concerned" about the "weak" level of communication between the White House and Moscow in the wake of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and the international fallout from the conflict. Obama, who sought to forge diplomatic efforts with both Putin and ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev while in the White House, said during a newly-released episode of "Pod Save America" that even during the tumultuous Cold War which lasted from 1947 to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 the two countries could speak on the phone and engage with each other. "Lines of communication between the White House and the Kremlin are probably as weak as they have been in a very long time. Even in some of the lowest points of the Cold War, there was still a sense of the ability to pick up a phone and work through diplomatic channels to send clear signals," Obama told hosts Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor all former staffers in his administration. He continued: "A lot of that is broken down and I don't think it's the fault of our administration. I think that we're now dealing with a type of Russian regime that is actually even more centralized, even more isolated and closed off. I think Putin has consolidated decision-making to a degree that we haven't seen even during the Soviet era." Obama said such a dynamic creates "dangers," but added that the United States is seeking a way to "reestablish" some of those communication channels. The former president's comments come as President Joe Biden's administration this week set aside additional funding for Ukraine's military efforts against Russia, with a $725 million package in security aid set to go to the country. Since Putin launched the invasion in February, Russia has become increasingly isolated on the international stage, facing a raft of Western sanctions and rebukes from top world leaders. Read the original article on Business Insider Typical "Police Line Do Not Cross" barricade tape, often seen cordoning off crime scenes. OKMULGEE Authorities found multiple human remains on Friday as they were searching for four local missing men. "We don't know that this is our missing men," Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said during a televised news conference. The families of the missing men were notified before the discovery was made public, Prentice said. Okmulgee police said Mark Chastain, Billy Chastain, Mike Sparks and Alex Stevens were reported missing by family members earlier in the week. Prentice said a passerby reported "suspicious items" in a river southwest of Okmulgee. He said there were parts of what appeared to be multiple human remains visible above the water. Multiple agencies were working the scene, "Currently, we have more questions than answers," Prentice said. Because the remains were partially submerged, investigators were unable to immediately determine how many bodies were in the river and could not confirm their identities, he said. "If it turns out that these four missing men are the remains in the river, then the focus of our investigation will shift from finding them to what happened to them," Prentice said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Human remains found near Okmulgee during search for 4 missing men Police in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, found "multiple objects in the water that appear to be human remains" in the Deep Fork River Friday amid a days-long search for four missing cyclists, authorities said. Mark Chastain, 32, Billy Chastain, 30, Mike Sparks, 32, and Alex Stevens, 29, of Okmulgee , were reported missing Monday evening. Mark Chastain's wife, Jessica, and Alex Stevens' mother reported their disappearances. The city's police chief said that remains had been discovered in a news briefing, but he added that no bicycles were found. The remains had not yet been recovered from the water, he said. "At this time, we cannot make an identification, but out of respect we let the families know before it was officially announced," Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice said during a news briefing Friday that was streamed on Facebook. "If it turns out that these four missing men are the remains in the river then the focus of our investigation will shift from finding them to what happened to them." FOUR OKLAHOMA MEN MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEAR FOR DAYS AFTER BIKE RIDE He added, "If it is determined that it is not them, then we will have a separate investigation." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Okmulgee police believe the four "close friends" left Billy Chastain's home on the city's west side for a bike ride on Sunday evening. Two of the men had their cell phones with them, but attempts to call them went straight to voicemail, according to police. Mark Chastain was last heard from on the phone after 5 p.m. Sunday, Prentice said. No other reported sightings had been confirmed. Jessica Chastain told Fox News Digital Thursday it was typical of her husband and his friends to go on bike rides, and said he would not have left without a trace. He was supposed to watch their two children on Monday morning, when she started a new job. GEORGIA TODDLER QUINTON SIMON: MOM NOW MAIN FOCUS OF INVESTIGATION, POLICE SEARCH FOR CHILD'S REMAINS Story continues Prentice said Friday that a passerby saw something "suspicious" in the water and called police, who were securing the scene. "I need to be clear, we don't know that this is our missing men yet," he added. Investigators on Wednesday gathered video and GPS evidence and followed up on potential sightings of the men including one witness who reported seeing all four men walking down the street at 2 a.m. Tuesday. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP One witness claimed to have spotted Stevens by himself on Sunday around 4 p.m. outside the Okmulgee Indian Community Smoke Shop, or the "Smoke Shop," on the south side of Okmulgee. Another witness claimed to have spotted Mark and Billy Chastain on Monday near a YMCA. The formerly fawning Wall Street Journal scorched ex-President Donald Trump in a flaming editorial Friday for his dereliction of duty by failing to take expedient action to quell the violence that threatened the U.S. government early last year. The House Jan. 6 committee clearly demonstrated in a hearing Thursday the facts surrounding Mr. Trumps recklessness after the 2020 presidential election, stated the newspapers editorial board. An angry Trump continued to spur on and rile up his supporters with furious, but spurious, complaints about a rigged election, leading a crowd to riot at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021. He did this even though the Justice Department and Mr. Trumps own campaign repeatedly told him that his fraud claims were without basis. Whether it was willful blindness or an intentional strategy, he kept repeating them, the Journal noted. Trump publicly insisted that he had won the election, even though he told at least one witness that he had lost to this effing guy, referring to Democrat Joe Biden. Yet Trump nevertheless continued to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to toss out the Electoral College count, while calling for a Jan. 6 rally that he tweeted will be wild! the editorial recounted. As the violence at the Capitol unfurled on a television screen in the White House and police officers were savagely beaten by his supporters, Trump took no action for hours. Though the House committee voted unanimously Thursday to subpoena Trump to testify, hes unlikely to cooperate, the Journal noted. But the evidence of his bad behavior is now so convincing that political accountability hardly requires it, the newspaper declared. Despite the blast at Trump, all is hardly forgiven when it comes to right-wing publisher Rupert Murdochs Wall Street Journal and its former staunch support of the man it now criticizes. Early this month, MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace slammed the newspaper for its longtime defense of Trump following another jab at him. Story continues The Journal was seven years too late to the parade, Wallace complained at the time. The paper did more laundering and legitimizing of Donald Trumps presidency than perhaps any other outlet, added Wallace, who was the White House communications director for former President George W. Bush. Theyre as culpable as any news organization in this country for his presidency and his ongoing viability as a political figure, she said. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... DR-femicide - Credit: Erika Santelices/AFP/Getty Images When Bad Bunny dropped his critically acclaimed album Un Verano Sin Ti, fans flocked to the dream-pop track Andrea, which features the Puerto Rican indie duo Buscabulla. Immediately, many listeners thought of Andrea Ruiz Costas, a Puerto Rican woman who was murdered by her partner in 2021. Though Bad Bunny later said that the song isnt directly about Ruiz, Andrea has become an anthem that speaks to the rampant gender violence and growing femicide rates plaguing his home. It is perhaps the most poignant moment on the album, one that brings up the deep-rooted history of violence against Puerto Rican women, which includes a forced sterilization program the U.S. ran in the 1950s and coincides with the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, likely to impact access to safe and legal abortion in the U.S. territory. In 2021, Puerto Ricos governor declared a state-of-emergency on the island after growing violence against women, something many grassroots organizations and on-the-groud groups are working to address. More from Rolling Stone Puerto Rican women, and women in Latin America overall, will continue to suffer behind white patriarchal ideology, says domestic violence lawyer and professor at Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Rio Piedras, Mariana Iriarte. She suggests a history of toxic masculinity behind media and culture is a major reason why there continues to be violent behavior toward women in the Caribbean and Latin America. Although better data on gender-based violence is needed now more than ever, we know the COVID pandemic heightened femicides and attempted femicides, especially in Latin America, where many countries have been grappling with a deep-seated history of unequal gender dynamics. According to emerging evidence from the World Bank Group, Latin America saw increases in gender-based violence that can be linked to stricter social distancing measures: In Colombia, there was a boost in domestic violence calls by 91 percent, while in Brazil, the probability of femicides more than doubled during intense periods of isolation. Databases like the Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean aim to annually consolidate and update statistics on womens violent and gender-based deaths, based on the reported incidents provided by governments, which leaves room for egregious and incomplete documentation. Story continues The Caribbean continues to have some of the highest rates of violence as well. The Dominican Republic had the second-highest rate of femicides reported in 2020, according to the United Nations. Just one motoconcho ride away from the Dominican Republic, the Haitian feminist organization Neges Mawon hosted a campaign against femicides earlier this year, utilizing street art by local artists like V!cky Onelien. They simultaneously raised awareness about Haitis environmental issues, which they see as a direct correlation with how society treats Haitian women. The organization Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) in Cuba, as well as the #YoSiTeCreo platform in Cuba, verified 18 femicides on the island this year alone, leading groups such as Red Femenina de Cuba to urge the Cuban government declare a state of emergency for gender violence. Despite todays widened visibility and social criticism, femicide continues to rise throughout the Caribbean, with women from Black and poorer regions being disportionately affected, Iriarte explains. She helps victims of domestic violence in Puerto Rico obtain protection orders and works intimately with groups such as Taller Salud, a community-based feminist organization dedicated to improving acess to health care, to reducing violence, and encourage economic growth through education and activism for women. An essential part of the work needed is to examine issues of gender-based violence in an intersectional way that addresses the specific challenges and oppression Black and trans women face. We have to look at this from an intersectional lens; a white cishetero woman is not in the same position as a Black lesbian woman, she says. These intersectionalities are fundamental; we cannot talk about femicide without talking about the femicide rates involving trans women, let alone Black trans women. One constant obstacle is a lacking support infrastructure and a police system that often works against the interests of Black women in particular. Weve customarily made the association of safety with law enforcement, and the reality is when you look at the stats, the police do not serve us, Iriarte says. They do not serve our most vulnerable. For Black and trans women in particular, police are quite frankly not an option. She continues, If you are a Black or trans woman in Puerto Rico and you seek help from the cops, you yourself risk going to jail, being physically assaulted, or worse, assassinated under their watch. She urges the redistribution of wealth in the abolition of police. Weve adopted political strategies from the Black feminist political movements of the United States. Police abolition isnt just a matter of deconstructing police, but of redistributing the funds and resources robbed of the communities theyve sworn to protect and serve Thats money taken away from the communities that need it most. What is happening is alarming and more so in a scenario of economic and political crisis. We ask for help and support from all projects, organizations, and conscious and sensitive citizens, in seeking solutions to this problem, reads an excerpt from a statement of emergency that Cubas Alas Tensas earlier this year, expressing a similar distrust of police from their neighboring activists in Puerto Rico. The PNR [Policia Nacional Revolucionaria] does not do its job, use social networks and make it viral. If you have information about events of this type, write to us, and we will carefully investigate the sources. We need a citizen alliance for the end of feminicides. In the Dominican Republic, feminist organizations have also been tackling similar issues. The lack of protections women and girls face in the country has also played out in music and popular culture: On April 22, ahead of Bad Bunnys summer soundtrack, dembow rapper Rochy RD was arrested in Santo Domingo for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor and participating in child sex trafficking. According to a lawsuit filed against him and the artist La Demente 1212, the couple recruited and paid low-income girls between the ages of 16 and younger to engage in sexual activities with the rapper. While the recording artist awaited trial inside La Victoria prison, followers and colleagues across social media protested his innocence while blaming victims under the guise of respectability politics. Aquelarre RD is one such collective that has been raising awareness of what women and girls are up against since 2019. They formed in response to not just the lack of state protection around Black and queer women in the Dominican Republic, but a lack of solidarity and recognition among other so-called feminist movements on the island. We realized that the Dominican feminist movement, apart from the fact that it is largely concentrated in the capital of Santo Domingo, is not interested in connecting with all bases of feminism, which is to say that this is a movement made up of women who are privileged and from middle-to-upper class society, says Aquelarre RD founder, Esther Giron. They are not interested in connecting with the many different issues that uniquely impact Black women living in barrios, in populous provinces, in campos, where many are fighting over basic needs, like healthcare, access to healthy food, employment, and education. Currently, Aquelarre RD consists of 13 members from throughout the Monsenor Nouel province in the central city of Bonao. They have dedicated their efforts to creating spaces focused on safety and education for Black and LGBTQ women from neglected environments while championing womens rights and legal protection through popular education (or education in the language of the people), community workshops, and political activism and protest. In the case of Rochy RD, the violation of various articles of the Dominican Penal Code, including the Code for the Protection of Children and Adolescents were cited, yet local activists understood why justice would likely not be served. There is no social framework for those laws to ever actually be put into action, Dominican cultural critic and educator Zahira Kelly said in a recent interview. The police do not care; theyre the first ones to blame the victim. The laws in this case become useless, because not only does the state not care to enforce those laws, the social norms here say that they should not be enforced either. In September of last year, many young feminist leaders from various national groups met in Loma de Blanco, Bonao, Dominican Republic to reflect, share, and reimagine the challenges of the womens and feminist movement of the Dominican Republic, hoping to update the nations sex, gender and racial discourse while outlining the deeply fragmented and obscured history of violence against Black and brown bodies. As a result of that gathering, the National Pre-Encounter of Young Women (PNMJ) issued a political declaration to the state, with a thorough account of demands that include the construction of an anti-racist, plural and popular feminist movement that connects with the demands of Black women of the popular sectors and peripheries, and criticzes the feminism that prevails in the Dominican Republic, which has lost its social base and responds to Eurocentric currents of thought and universalizes the category of women, ignoring the oppressions that go beyond the essentialism of the sex-gender category; such as class and race. While the fight for womens right frequently focuses on access to abortion, Giron notes that countries in the Carribbean need muli-prong solutions that capture the nuances of the struggles for gender equality. It seems like the Dominican feminist movement stops at abortion, which is super important, but that is simply one struggle, Giron says. We cannot speak about the right to bodily autonomy if we are not considering what that looks like for our most vulnerable women and girls. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. From cobblestone streets to historical architecture, there's a lot to love about Quebec City. Joey Hadden/Insider I recently spent one day in Quebec City, Quebec, during a train trip through Eastern Canada. I explored Old Quebec and stayed at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, a historic luxury hotel. I loved the city's dramatic old-world architecture and quaint European-like streets. I recently went to Quebec City for the first time. I only had 24 hours in the French-Canadian city, but now I can't wait to go back. The author in front of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. Joey Hadden/Insider I took a train trip up to Eastern Canada from my home in NYC in August 2022 to explore Niagara Falls and Toronto in the province of Ontario, as well as Montreal and Quebec City in Quebec. It was my first time visiting Canada, and I left thinking I wished I'd had more time in each place. I booked three nights in Niagara Falls and only one night in Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City. Of all the locations I visited, Quebec City was the one I knew the least about. I was expecting the 400-year-old French-Canadian city to be filled with French signage and storefronts and old-world architecture, but I didn't think it would feel as frozen in time as it did. Located in the Eastern Canadian province of Quebec, the city drew me in with its dramatic historical buildings and charmed me with quaint cobblestone streets lined with colorful, modest buildings. I left Quebec City longing for more time to explore, shop, and dine. I traveled to Quebec City by train and stayed in the neighborhood of Old Quebec, where I explored nearby streets and parks. Arrows on a map of Quebec City point to the train station, Gare du Palais, Old Quebec, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Duffin Terrace, and Place d'Armes, a park. Google Maps Quebec City is the capital of Quebec, a province in Eastern Canada. Founded in 1608 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, it's also the oldest city in Canada, according to the city's website. Quebec City was conquered by the British in 1759, until it became part of Canada in 1867, according to the same source. But still carries on its French culture to this day thanks to the city's preservation efforts, according to Quebec City's tourism website. The Government of Canada reports that more than 85% of the province of Quebec speaks French. Story continues I traveled to Quebec City by train from Montreal and took a 20-minute uphill walk from the station, Gare du Palais, to the neighborhood of Old Quebec, where I stayed at the hotel, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, which is famous for being the most photographed hotel in the world, according to World Atlas. I spent my time in Old Quebec exploring the hotel's surrounding photogenic streets. The hotel sits on a cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, so there are plenty of stunning views from the top of the streets below, dotted with red and yellow rooftops. Near Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, there are several narrow cobblestone roads lined with European-style buildings. I spotted Art Deco homes and storefronts with pops of color on an otherwise pale facade. I stayed in Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, a historic luxury hotel, for about $600. A view of the hotel from the outside and from inside the author's hotel room. Joey Hadden/Insider A UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Canadian Pacific Railway opened the hotel, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, in 1893 to attract luxury train travelers traveling through Quebec, AFAR Magazine reported. The hotel was placed on the edge of Cap Diamant, a cliff on top of Old Quebec, so passing train travelers could easily spot it, as it looks like a gigantic castle, according to AFAR. The hotel draws visitors with its Renaissance-style architecture, and today, it holds the reputation of the most photographed hotel in the world, according to World Atlas. Aside from the 610 guest rooms, the hotel has publically accessible stores, restaurants, and hallways full of historical exhibits telling the story of Quebec City with timelines and images. There are five restaurants at the hotel, including the landmark restaurant Champlain Restaurant, which features dishes from a world-class chef. There's also a spa, pool, and fitness center, which I didn't get a chance to see for myself since my stay in Quebec City was so short. I thought the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac was the most beautiful hotel I'd ever stayed at, and located in the ideal spot for sightseeing in Old Quebec, a neighborhood that has been preserved for 400 years. Since it's on a cliff, the hotel offers dramatic views of the city streets below and the St. Lawrence River. And with so many nearby streets lined with shopping and restaurants, I didn't have to wander far to get a feel for the neighborhood. I thought it was impressive inside, too. I noticed that the hotel's lobby had an elegant, classic style with dark-colored walls and medieval-looking light fixtures. I booked a Fairmont room, the hotel's lowest tier room category. Fairmont rooms are between 175 and 220 square feet and are recommended for couples and solo travelers, according to the hotel's website. It cost $600 in the summer, but prices typically start at $160 in slower seasons, according to a recent search. My first impression of my room was that it appeared small and plain, especially for a place to be considered the most photographed hotel in the world. But it had an amazing view of Quebec City, which I appreciated. Unlike any other hotel I've stayed in, I thought the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac looked like it came straight out of a fairytale. The exterior and public areas made me feel like I was in a palace. But since I was less impressed by the inside of my room, I'd probably stay elsewhere next time. In my opinion, it's only worth the $600 price tag if you're a fan of historic hotels or want to stay in one of the best locations in Quebec City. But I think it's still worth visiting, even if you're not staying there for the chance to admire it up close and photograph and explore the surrounding areas of Old Quebec. Staying at this hotel also allowed me to marvel at all of the European-style architecture that filled Quebec City. A peek out the author's window in her hotel room. Joey Hadden/Insider While the hotel room itself felt tiny, I thought the view from the window was anything but small. Perched on the window sill, I could see the European-style architecture that filled Quebec City as well as mountains in the distance. Since Quebec City city was founded by the French and conquered by the British, there is a variety of architectural styles from British and French influences, like Neoclassical and Art Deco, according to Culture Trip. I spotted old-world cathedrals like Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral, which has a Neoclassical style, with towers and stained-glass detailing, according to Quebec City's website. I noticed government structures like the National Assembly building, L'Hotel du Parlement, which was inspired by the Second Empire, a European architectural style that was popular between 1877 and 1887 Culture Trip reports. Some of these buildings have been preserved for hundreds of years, according to the city's website. Viewing their details, like the statues of historical figures on the facades of Second Empire buildings and the turrets I spotted on the facade of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac made me feel like I was traveling back in time. I'd love to return to Quebec City to see them up close. Next to the hotel, Dufferin Terrace was one of the best viewpoints to take in the city, I thought. Dufferin Terrace, a boardwalk in Old Quebec. Joey Hadden/Insider Dufferin Terrace is a wide, wooden pedestrian walkway in Old Quebec between the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac and the cliff overlooking the St Lawrence River that has been enlarged twice because it's so popular with tourists and residents alike, according to the city's website. One huge reason people visit Dufferin Terrace is to take photos, according to the same source. And after visiting for myself, I thought it was easy to see why. I first visited the terrace around 7 a.m. after waking up in the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. All I had to do was go downstairs and walk outside to be welcomed with a view of the St. Lawrence river on the quiet, empty boardwalk. Since the terrace and hotel are situated on a cliff, I had a high position to view the lower streets of Quebec City. Leaning on the fence lining the terrace, I could see cobblestone streets and colorful rooftops below. I returned to Dufferin Terrace again in the afternoon to find the boardwalk had come alive with crowds of people taking a stroll or sitting on the benches next to the fences. Many had a phone taking pictures in one hand and ice cream in the other, as the terrace had a couple of restaurants and ice cream shops. Quebec City is filled with atmospheric shops, markets, and cobblestone streets. Markets (L) and a storefront (R) in Old Quebec. Joey Hadden/Insider I spent a few hours exploring and photographing the streets of Old Quebecfull of shops and restaurants, like Rue Saint-Jean, which is a hilly street that I explored. On Rue Saint-Jean, I spotted street vendors selling art as well as gorgeous brick-and-mortar storefronts with elaborate window displays that made me wish I had the time, budget, and luggage space to shop. But with little time to shop, I left Quebec City without any souvenirs. Next time, I'll bring a larger suitcase to make room for the unique finds I imagine I would have found here. During my short stay, I learned that you can't do Quebec City in a day. There are so many grand sights and quaint streets that warrant a much longer trip to properly explore. A quaint street in Old Quebec. Joey Hadden/Insider On my way to the airport leaving Quebec City, I couldn't help but feel like my trip was just an introduction to the unique and beautiful city. Since I live in NYC, just a 90-minute flight away, I'll definitely be back to get a better sense of the culture and history of this place. Read the original article on Insider LONDON (Reuters) - More than 1,000 Paddingtons and other teddy bears left by well-wishers as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth after her death last month, will be handed over to a children's charity, Buckingham Palace said on Saturday. The cuddly toys were among a huge number of floral tributes and messages which were left outside palaces and royal parks in London and Windsor in the days of mourning following Elizabeth's death at the age of 96 on Sept. 8. They will now be professionally cleaned before being passed to the Barnardo's charity. "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was Barnardos Patron for over 30 years, and we are honoured to be able to give homes to the teddies that people left in her memory," Barnardo Chief Executive Lynn Perry said. "We promise to look after these bears who will be well-loved and bring joy to the children we support." In June, the late monarch appeared in a video having tea with the children's literary character Paddington which became one of the highlights of four days of celebrations to mark her 70th year on the throne. During the comic sketch, she told Paddington she always kept the character's favourite - a marmalade sandwich - in her ever-present handbag. As the public mourned her death, the Royal Parks asked people not to leave Paddington bears and marmalade sandwiches because so many people had brought them. Prince William, her grandson and now the heir to the throne, admitted he had become "choked up" after seeing the Paddington tributes. To mark the announcement of its plans, Buckingham Palace has released a picture of Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles, with some of the Paddingtons. (Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Want to make a major impact in your kitchen? Consider learning how to paint kitchen cabinets. Though a pricy renovation may be out of the question, a fresh coat of paint can lighten, brighten, and give your space a completely new feel. And painting kitchen cabinets is a straightforward DIY makeover, albeit a time-consuming one, that most determined DIY-loving homeowners should feel confident taking on. Another benefit: Its relatively inexpensive (especially when you consider how much new cabinets cost), totally transformative, and is likely to make you feel incredibly proud of your DIY paint job. Since the kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, maintaining its aesthetic and creating a space that you and your family and friends want to gather in has the potential to offer a large return on investment. Heres what you should consider before getting started: Why should I consider painting my kitchen cabinets? Youve seen how a fresh coat of paint can do wonders to a room or an old bookshelf. Your kitchen cabinets are no different. Color trends change over time, and while the dark wood that you first fell in love with for your kitchen may still be in excellent condition, it may not evoke the light, bright space that you want to emulate from more contemporary designs you see daily in your Pinterest or Instagram feed. And when you consider that painting cabinets is a few hundreds of dollars, not the thousands that it would take to replace them, this project becomes an appealing fix for someone who isnt ready to tackle a complete kitchen remodel. Can I really paint kitchen cabinets myself? Painting kitchen cabinets is not hard, but follow all the steps in the process to ensure the paint job will get satisfying results. This isnt the time to take shortcuts. As with most projects, a buddy is helpful, but having one isnt necessary. If youre particularly motivated and savvy with a paint brush, this could even be a doable weekend DIY projectdepending on the size of your kitchen and how quickly you work. Story continues The more kitchen cabinets you have, of course, the more time-intensive the paint job will be. Youll also need a significant amount of space to lay out your cabinet doors for sanding, priming, painting, and drying in between applying the first and second coat. More patience means a smoother finish too. Can I just paint over my kitchen cabinets? Dont skip any steps with this makeover job. Painting over existing paint can make the new cabinet doors too thick, which can cause issues with closing and opening. And if you dont clean the original cabinets, the oils can botch the new paint job. That means youll need to remove all hardware, take cabinet doors off of their hinges, sand, prime, and then paint. Sound like a lot? Dont worry, youre likely to get into a groove and, since cabinet doors and drawers are usually flat, the process is easy once you are organized and get started. Do you need to sand cabinets before painting? Skipping this time-consuming step is a surefire way to lead to a messy finished product. Sanding helps fresh paint adhere to surfaces and will help prevent chipping down the line. Its also better to sand twice (first to remove old paint, then to smooth out the wood). Get ready for an arm workout! What kind of paint do you use on kitchen cabinets? As with other areas in your home, the type of paint you choose matters. Many brands, including Benjamin Moore, Behr, and more, have special formulations made just for doors, cabinetry and trim, which are easy to apply and provide a bit of self-leveling, providing a nice, smooth finish. But any high-quality paintlatex paint or enamel-based paintshould work well and will be durable enough for the daily wear and tear as well as routine kitchen cleaning. Keep in mind that a gloss or semi-gloss is likely to stand up better to cleaning and scratches and will provide the most durable finish. Is it better to roll on or brush on paint for kitchen cabinets? Youll likely want to use both. A brush is great for getting into any crevices, like the inside border on a classic Shaker door design. When its time to paint a larger area, grab a foam roller. It will help the paint go on more smoothly and is also likely to make the project go a bit faster. How do I choose the right paint color? If you go through all the work of painting your kitchen cabinets, you might as well pick a color you really love. Greenin all its shades and hueshas been on the rise in kitchens, so thats a great place to start, whether you love a jewel or or an earth tone. White paint is a forever classic and likely goes with everything you already have in your kitchen (just be aware of the potential for showing stains and grime). Black is a bold and moody option for creating a sleek look in your kitchen. Another good idea for picking a cabinet color: Take cues from the other elements in your kitchen. Take note of the pieces you already love (the hardware? fixed appliances?) to come up with a harmonious palette. Kitchen cabinets should also complement your countertops. What paint color would highlight your backsplash? What hue would stand out against the flooring? Most important, remember you can always change your mind and paint again. How much space do I need for this project? This project does take up a bit of space. Youll need a large-enough area where you can lay cabinet doors flat to prevent drips while the paint dries between the first and second coat. The more doors you have, the more space youll need, unless you plan to work in batches. If youre banking on borrowing sawhorses and using your front yard, greatjust be sure to check the weather first. (Rainstorms and freshly painted cabinets dont mix.) You might also run into debris flying onto your new paint job. If youre doing the painting indoors (a garage or covered patio is ideal), invest in little plastic tripods. Dont forget to get some fans going and open the windows for ventilation. Think youre up for this kitchen cabinet painting project? Great. Heres how to paint your kitchen cabinets, with simple, step-by-step instructions, including tips from Rick Watson, the vice president of product innovation at Sherwin-Williams. To paint kitchen cabinets, you will need: Step 1: Gather painting supplies Watson warns against blindly choosing the cheapest brushes and rollers: If you end up going with the dollar-store brushes and the $5 gallon of paint, itll look like it. Spend the time to vet each supply with your local paint store professional. The extra hassle of having to pick brush bristles off your cabinet doors or paint over unsightly brushstrokes is time-consuming and not worth the low price tag. Plus the better the supplies, the longer they will last for future DIY projects. Setting up a proper painting area is also worth the time commitment up-front as it will actually save you time when you cleanup. A drop cloth may be one of your most useful tools when it comes to repainting cabinets. Step 2: Remove cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware Photo: HMVART Youll be able to paint every surface a lot more quickly if you take all of the cabinet doors and drawer fronts off their hinges before you start. To avoid one of the cruelest jigsaw puzzles youve ever done with reassembly, label each cabinet with a number, and give its corresponding door the same one. (Youll thank yourself later.) Remove all cabinet hardwareeven if you want to buy new hardware and replace the old; you need to start with a clean slate. The more prep and planning you do, the less frustration youll have throughout the project. Youll want to leave the cabinet boxes in place and use painters tape where they meet the wall. The cabinet boxes usually have flat surfaces and are free from embellishments, so theyre easier to prep and paint while on the wall. Youll definitely want to paint any areas that you see from the outside, but its up to you if you want to put a fresh coat of paint on the inside. Step 3: Clean the cabinetry Woman Cleaning Kitchen Cabinet Handle with Disinfectant Product During Covid-19 Photo: Onfokus Eighty percent of all kitchen painting complaints are due to lack of surface prep, Watson says, and you shouldnt let yourself be part of this statistic. Degrease months (and possibly years) of cooking splatters and kitchen grease because paint adhesion is better on clean cabinet doors. If you think that you can just sand all that grime off, dont try to outsmart the system. Sandpaper cant always get the grime off, and you may be pushing the dirt right into the wood. Some people opt for a deglosser, but a multipurpose cleaning agent should work just as well. Clean your kitchen cabinets thoroughly using TSP degreaser to really banish oil, debris, and grease. Step 4: Use wood filler to repair scuffs and nicks Sealing cracks in old garden table with acrylic putty. Photo: Elena Mitskevich Look for any imperfections like deep scuffs, nicks, holes, gouges, or scratches. Squeeze wood filler into the opening to fill it up, then spread the remaining amount with a putty knife. Let it dry according to directions on the wood filler tube before proceeding to the next step. Youll be amazed at how this step can make repainting easier and make over the original cabinetry into new cabinets. Step 5: Sand the cabinet doors Create new look for my kitchen cabinets Photo: Biserka Stojanovic Sanding scuffs up the surface of the cabinet and opens up the pores of the wood for primer to sink in and create adhesion, Watson says. Sanding can be done by hand with 60-grit sandpaper or sanding block, if your cabinets only need a light sanding. On the other hand, if you dont have arms of steel, invest in an orbital sander. You can rent one from a home improvement store or borrow from a DIYer friend. Take note: The removal of old paint can generate dust or fumes that have lead (if your cabinetry was installed and painted before 1978). Always wear a sanding mask, even if you think your cabinet doors are free from lead paint. Finish up this step by wiping the cabinet surface with a tack cloth to help remove residual dust. Step 6: Apply a coat of primer Painting Oak Kitchen Cabinets Photo: dlinca Consult your paint store professional to be sure you have the right primer for your job. Zinsser Primer for All Surfaces is a good choice for laminate cabinets, as is Behr Kitchen, Bath, and Trim Stain-Blocking Primer & Sealer. For wood cabinet doors, try Zinsser Bin Advanced Shellac primer. Test a patch in a hidden area of the cabinetry before you start painting the exterior. If the primer fish-eyes, meaning you see a bubble forming on the surface, that tells you your surface isnt clean enough, Watson says. Step 7: Sand the cabinet doors again Photo: Biserka Stojanovic Note: This step is strictly optional. But if you roll with the Type A crowd or want a very professional-looking paint job, consider sanding the dry primer to ensure theres no grit, dust, or hairs from the brush or roller. If you choose this extra step, youll need fine-grain 360-grit sandpaper. The extra sanding guarantees a smooth finishyour future self will thank you, and you wont have to worry about repainting the kitchen cabinets a year from now. When done, grab a fresh sheet of tack cloth to remove dust. You can also use a vacuum attachment to get the dust out of cabinet door grooves. Step 8: Paint the kitchen cabinets Photo: Johner Images Wipe your cleaned, sanded, and primed kitchen cabinets down with a damp rag or microfiber cloth to get rid of any dust that may have settled. Watson suggests this interior/exterior paint for painting kitchen cabinets. Kitchens are high-traffic, so youll want to choose a type of paint thats really durable. Backdrop Premium Cabinet & Door is washable, and the right paint for a kitchen with a messy cook. The paint finishhigh gloss, no gloss, flat, or matteis totally up to you, however. And theres no need for a protective clear coat over the top. If you want extra insurance, Watson says, just do a second coat of your pigmented paint. Using a paint sprayer or spray paint is also an option. Let the paint dry completely before reinstalling your cabinetsconsult the manufacturers instructions for estimated drying time, usually anywhere from one to eight hours. Step 9: Reinstall the cabinet doors and hardware The kitchen makeover is almost done. Once the cabinet doors and drawers have dried, put them back on the cabinet frames. This is when labeling really pays off. Then reinstall knobs and other hardware. Without a doubt, the kitchens new look will make an impression. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Stories From AD By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam KARACHI, Pakistan, (Reuters) -Pakistan's foreign minister said on Saturday he had summoned the U.S. ambassador after President Joe Biden questioned the safety of Pakistan's nuclear programme. In a speech on Thursday, Biden said Pakistan is "maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world" as it has "nuclear weapons without any cohesion". Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he was surprised by the comments. "As far as the question of the safety and security of Pakistan's nuclear assets are concerned, we meet all each and every international standard in accordance with the IAEA," he said at a press conference on Saturday. A transcript of Biden's speech was published by the White House on its website. Bhutto-Zardari said he didn't think the decision to summon the U.S. ambassador would negatively affect relations with the United States, and said officials could address any specific concerns Washington had on the nuclear programme. "The United States regularly meets with Pakistani officials." A U.S. State Department spokesperson in Washington told Reuters in a statement, adding: "As standard practice, we do not comment on the specifics of private diplomatic conversations." Ties between Islamabad and Washington, once close allies, have just started to warm after some years of frosty relations, mostly due to concerns about Pakistan's alleged support of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Pakistan denies this support. The foreign minister said worries about Pakistan's nuclear programme were not raised on his recent trip to Washington, where he held extensive meetings, including at the State Department. (Reporting by Gibran Peshimam; Writing by Rupam Jain; Editing by Kirsten Donovan, Ros Russell and Sandra Maler) Pakistan's finance minister has promised international lenders to stay true to economic reforms despite a new estimate that his country quickly needs more than $16 billion to recover from devastating floods. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar also said that a flood donors' conference promised by French President Emmanuel Macron would take place next month which he hoped would help Pakistan both with immediate and longer-term needs. The International Monetary Fund in late August released $1.1 billion to Pakistan as part of a $6 billion package sealed in 2019 as the new government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif moved forward on reforms. "It will be our endeavor, even at the cost of extra effort, that we should complete the program successfully," Dar told AFP in an interview Friday evening in Washington. Doing so "sends a positive signal to the international community and the markets," he said, voicing appreciation to the "very responsive" promises of other nations for Pakistan. Dar -- who took the job for the fourth time last month after his predecessor quit -- acknowledged political risks. Former prime minister Imran Khan, the cricket star turned politician ousted in a no-confidence vote in April, has been plotting a return amid protests seeking an early election. Khan late in his term slashed petrol prices, defying his own government's package with the IMF, which says that subsidies should only benefit the neediest as Pakistan struggles to put its finances in order. Dar said that some of his political allies had advocated letting Khan stay on longer to face the consequences of the economic crisis. "It would have been selfish to have a political approach," Dar said. - Billions needed after floods- The new government took over to face unprecedented monsoon rains that submerged one-third of Pakistan -- the world's fifth most populous country. Such disasters are forecast to worsen in the coming years due to climate change, even though Pakistan contributes less than one percent to the carbon emissions heating up the planet. Story continues Dar said that a new study commissioned in part by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank found that Pakistan sustained $32.4 billion in flood losses and would require $16.2 billion for reconstruction and rehabilitation. "With that challenge, obviously, we have to go to the drawing board" to allocate funding, he said. He said that minor adjustments may be needed but "everything is in order" for the next review of the IMF which could release further funding. Dar said he expected Macron's donor conference sometime in November and that he hoped it would address needs beyond the three to four years typically eyed for immediate disaster recovery. The World Bank earlier this month once again downgraded the growth forecast for Pakistan, expecting its economy to expand by only two percent in the year through June due to the floods as well as inflation and troubled finances. Dar, while not criticizing the World Bank's methodology, said he was a "little more optimistic" and envisioned growth of three percent. "I think things are settling down already," he said, while not ruling out impacts from global troubles. Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, said that a mission would visit Pakistan next month to start the next review. He reiterated concern about Pakistan's blanket fuel subsidies, calling the policy "very regressive." "We are encouraging Pakistan as well as also other countries to move from an untargeted subsidy that is a waste of resources and to dedicate those resources to those who need it," Azour told reporters. sct/mca RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) A man died early Sunday from a gunshot wound he suffered during confrontations with Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. It was the latest death connected to clashes during Israeli raids in the Palestinian territory, which the military says target wanted Palestinians involved in planning or taking part in recent attacks on Israelis. The ministry identified the dead man as 30-year-old Mujahed Daoud. He was among five Palestinians wounded Saturday by live fire during clashes in the town of Qarawat Bani Hassan. Daoud was shot in the chest, the report said. The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, said the clashes broke out when Israeli forces entered the town and tried to seize agricultural machinery from farmers working off their land. Also early Sunday, the Israeli military said its troops shot a Palestinian who hurled a Molotov cocktail at a civilian bus near Hebron. The army gave no other details, including the man's condition. More than 120 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and east Jerusalem this year, making 2022 the deadliest year since 2015. The fighting has surged since a series of Palestinian attacks in the spring killed 19 people in Israel. Israel says most of the Palestinians killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in confrontations have also been killed. Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. Christian Hartmann/Reuters Police in Paris suspect a botched kidnapping attempt led to the fatal throat slashing of a 12-year-old girl whose body was found stuffed into a plastic crate late Friday night. The middle school student, named only Lola in French newspapers, was last seen after class on Friday in the 19th arrondissement, known for its leafy parks and residential apartment blocks. Lolas parents raised the alarm first with the head of the kindergarten school next door, where the girl sometimes stopped to play with the youngsters, and later with police. Cops searched surveillance camera footage to determine that Lola had, in fact, come home from school Friday, but had been lured to the basement of her building by a woman. According to Le Parisien newspaper, the footage was also seen by the father and neighbors who gathered to search for the girl. We see Lola inside, a neighbor who saw the video along with the girls father told the paper. But the little girl is not alone. She is accompanied by a woman in her twenties. The lady makes a gesture to her as if she were telling her to come. The neighbor added that Lola didnt look reassured at all. Police in Paris say the same woman seen talking to Lola in the entrance of the building was picked up again on CCTV footage leaving the building struggling to pull a plastic storage crate that appeared to be filled with colorful fabrics several hours after Lola entered the building. Two men who are not residents of the building were also seen leaving a short time later. At around 11 p.m. Friday, a homeless man summoned police to say there was a strange plastic crate and two pieces of carry-on style suitcases where he normally bedded down for the night in the courtyard next to the building where the girl lived. He is thought to have opened the crate, which led to the grim discovery. All fourthe woman, the two men and the homeless manwere taken into custody Saturday morning after police tracked them on the citys substantial CCTV surveillance system. Story continues Police told reporters the young girl was still wearing her cut-up white jeans and no jacket despite the cold autumn chill and that her throat had been cut several times. Her arms and legs were shackled with cellophane tape, which was found in the basement of the building, likely before she was murdered, according to blood splatters on the tape. An autopsy will be conducted over the weekend to determine her exact cause of death since the knife wounds did not appear to sever her jugular vein, according to Paris Match. The four people in custody have not been charged, but are under investigation for the murder of a child under the age of 15. Police expect to release more information on Sunday. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) It wasn't long ago that Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz would have been looking at a near-certain death sentence for murdering 17 people in Parkland, even if his jury could not unanimously agree on his fate. Until 2016, Florida law allowed trial judges to impose a death sentence if a majority of the jurors agreed. With a 9-3 vote Thursday supporting Cruz's execution, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer would have likely sent him to Death Row for the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. Now, however, a vote of anything less than 12-0 means an automatic sentence of life without parole a standard the Stoneman Douglas families and the head of the state's prosecutors association want changed. That would again put Florida in a distinct minority among the 27 states that still have the death penalty where almost all require juror unanimity. Ed Brodsky, president of the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, believes the Legislature will next year consider changing the law it passed after a pair of court decisions rejected the old law. "When there is an overwhelmingly majority and sentiment about what the ultimate penalty should be, should one minority voice be able to dominate and hijack justice? said Brodsky, the elected state attorney for Sarasota County and its neighbors. Gov. Ron DeSantis at a Friday press conference criticized the sentence, but wouldn't specify what changes he would support. We need to do some reforms to be better serving victims of crimes and the families of victims of crimes and not always bend over backwards to do everything we need to for the perpetrators of crimes, DeSantis said. Cruz, 24, pleaded guilty a year ago to the murder of 14 Stoneman Douglas students and three staff members on Feb. 14, 2018. That left it up to the seven-man, five-woman jury to only decide whether he would be sentenced to death or life without parole. The three-month trial included horrific prosecution videos, photos and testimony about Cruz's murders. That was followed by defense testimony about his birth mother's heavy drinking during pregnancy that witnesses said created a brain-damaged person who began displaying erratic, bizarre and violent behavior at age 2. Story continues After seven hours of deliberations, the jurors announced Thursday they unanimously agreed the prosecution's argument for aggravating factors such as the multiple deaths and Cruz's planning did exist, but not on whether those outweighed the mitigating circumstances. Scherer will impose Cruz's life sentence Nov. 1. If this was not the most perfect death penalty case, then why do we have the death penalty at all? said Linda Beigel Schulman, the mother of slain teacher Scott Beigel. But some defense attorneys and capital punishment experts said it wasn't surprising the jurors couldn't unanimously agree. Only 18 death sentences were handed down nationwide last year, two of them in Florida. The latest Gallup Poll showed 54% of Americans favor the death penalty, down from 80% in the mid-1990s. And while the Cruz jurors all said they could vote for the death penalty if chosen, they didn't say they support it. At first glance, you think to yourself, 'My God, how can you not vote for the death penalty?' said Richard Escobar, a Tampa defense attorney and former prosecutor. He has tried capital cases in both roles. But youve got to reflect and think to yourself, If this person was truly mentally ill, you shouldnt impose the death penalty because they got that mental illness through no fault of their own. Robert Dunham, the Death Penalty Information Center's executive director, said the Cruz case has a lot in common with the 2012 shooting at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater where 12 people died. In that case, 11 jurors voted for death while one disagreed based on testimony about the shooters mental illness. That meant a life sentence. Its not a question of does the murder warrant the death penalty. (Cruz) is clearly the type of case in which a jury could reasonably impose the death penalty," Dunham said. "The question is Does the defendant deserve the death penalty? Florida's law allowing for a majority jury vote had been in place for decades before it was overturned, but it was an outlier. Almost all death penalty states required unanimity throughout those years or adopted it. Alabama allows a death sentence after a 10-2 vote. Missouri and Indiana allow the judge to decide if jurors unanimously agree the aggravating circumstances exist but can't agree on a sentence. Then in 2016, by an 8-1 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court threw out Floridas law, saying the judge had too much weight in the decision. The Legislature passed a bill requiring a 10-2 jury recommendation, but the state Supreme Court overturned it. In 2017, the law was changed to require a unanimous jury. Three years later, however, DeSantis, a Republican, replaced three retiring Florida justices with more conservative jurists and the state court rescinded the earlier decision. It said a death recommendation no longer needed to be unanimous, but legislators through three annual sessions haven't changed the law back from unanimity. DeSantis never pushed them. David S. Weinstein, a Miami criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor, doesn't think DeSantis and the Legislature will make any changes to unanimity next year, either that would risk the U.S. Supreme Court throwing out the state law again. That ship has sailed, he said. But will the Cruz sentence make Florida prosecutors less likely to seek the death penalty? Craig Trocino, a University of Miami law professor who previously handled death penalty appeals, doesn't think so. It might even harden their resolve," he said. Still, he said, it is difficult to make broad predictions on the impact fringe cases like Cruz will have. No U.S. mass shooter who killed as many or more than Cruz had ever gone to trial nine were killed by themselves or police during their attack or immediately after. A 10th is awaiting trial in Texas. On Cruz's side, it is rare for attorneys to have so much documentation supporting their mitigating circumstances. The Broward public defender's office also had better-quality attorneys to assign to Cruz's case and more money for investigations than their counterparts in smaller jurisdictions typically do, he said. In those counties, Mitigation would be one witness and it would be mama saying, He was always a troubled kid,' Trocino said. __ Gresko reported from Washington, D.C. Farrington reported from Tallahassee, Florida. AP reporter Anthony Izaguirre in Tallahassee contributed to this report. Photograph: Marco Bello/Getty Images Peter Thiel is far from the first billionaire who has wielded his fortune to try to influence the course of American politics. But in an election year when democracy itself is said to be on the ballot, he stands out for assailing a longstanding governing system that he has described as deranged and in urgent need of course correction. The German-born investor and tech entrepreneur, a Silicon Valley disrupter who helped found PayPal alongside Elon Musk and made his fortune as one of the earliest investors in Facebook, has catapulted himself into the top ranks of the mega-donor class by pouring close to $30m into this years midterm elections. Related: Democracy, poisoned: Americas elections are being attacked at every level Hes not merely favoring one party over another, but is supporting candidates who deny the legitimacy of Joe Bidens election as president and have, in their different ways, called for the pillars of the American establishment to be toppled entirely. Thiels priorities this midterm cycle have partly aligned with those of Donald Trump, with whom he has had an on-again, off-again relationship since writing him a $1.25m check during the 2016 presidential campaign. Thiel, like Trump, has made it his business to end the careers of what he calls the traitorous 10, Republican House members who voted to impeach Trump in the wake of the January 6 insurrection. Four of these members opted not to run for re-election at all, and four more, including Liz Cheney, the vice-chair of the House committee investigating January 6, went down in the primaries. But there are also signs that Thiel is thinking around and beyond the former president. The lions share of his largesse $28m and counting has been directed towards two business proteges who, with his help, have established themselves as gadfly rightwing darlings: JD Vance, the best-selling author of the blue-collar memoir Hillbilly Elegy, who is running for Senate in Ohio, and Blake Masters, a self-styled anti-progressive and anti-globalist who is running for Senate in Arizona. Story continues Over the past decade, ever since the supreme court dramatically loosened the rules of political campaign giving in its Citizens United decision, Thiel has placed sizable bets on candidates who are not only conservative but have sought to challenge longstanding institutional traditions and break the Republican partys own norms: Senator Ted Cruz in Texas and Senator Josh Hawley in Missouri as well as Trump himself. Thiels largesse extends beyond Trump to rightwing darlings like anti-progressive Blake Masters. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Masters, who has campaigned on the notion that psychopaths are running the country right now and spoken approvingly of the anti-establishment philosophy of the 1990s Unabomber, and Vance, a frequent speaker on the university circuit during his book tour days who now says universities are the enemy, fit the same mould. They and Thiel all have ties to a branch of the New Right known as NatCon, whose adherents believe, broadly, that the establishment needs to be torn down, much as Thiel and his fellow Silicon Valley disrupters believed two decades ago that the future lay in destroying longstanding business models and practices. Thiel himself opined as far back as 2009 that he no longer believed democracy to be compatible with freedom and expressed little hope that voting will make things better. While a member of Trumps presidential transition team in 2016, he flashed his institution-busting instincts by proposing that a leading climate change skeptic, William Happer, be appointed as White House science adviser. He also pushed for a libertarian bitcoin entrepreneur who did not believe in drug trials to head up the Food and Drug Administration. Related: Conservatives could soon be swiping right on Peter Thiel-backed dating app Such proposals were too much even by Trumps iconoclastic standards. Steve Bannon, Trumps ultra-right campaign manager and political strategist, told a Thiel biographer: Peters idea of disrupting government is out there. Thiel did not respond to a request for an interview, and his representatives did not respond to multiple invitations to comment. Masters and Vance also did not respond to inquiries. Democracy under attack: the mega-donors Thiel sat out the 2020 election but appears to have been re-energized by the Covid-19 pandemic, Trumps claims of a stolen presidential election and the January 6 insurrection. Addressing a NatCon convention this time last year, he denounced the incredible derangement of various forms of thought, political life, scientific life and the sense-making machinery generally in this country. Liberal democracy, in his view, had turned the United States government into a dissent-squashing Ministry of Truth working toward a homogenizing, brain-dead, one-world state a problem to which only rightwing nationalism could provide an all-important corrective. Were close to a Toto moment, a little dog pulling aside the curtain on the holy of holies only to find theres nobody there, he told the crowd. We always think of democracy as a good thing. But where do you shift from the wisdom of crowds to the madness of crowds? When does it become a mob, a racket, a totalitarian lie? Such views might be easy to write off as the eccentricities of a wealthy man but for the money that Thiel has spent buying influence and supporting like-minded candidates thanks in large part to a campaign financing system that, while still capping contributions to individual campaigns, allows unlimited funding of nominally outside groups and political action committees. Campaign finance experts see Thiel as a symptom of a much broader problem: a political environment in which a small group of mega-donors are growing ever bolder in the size of the checks they write and the erosion of any nominal firewall between the war chests run by candidates and the funds controlled by outside groups dedicated to their success. Related: Americas billionaire class is funding anti-democratic forces | Robert Reich It does seem to be getting worse, said Chisun Lee, an expert on campaign finance who directs the Brennan Centers Elections and Government program at New York University. Outside spending in this federal midterm cycle is more than double the last midterm cycle. Since Citizens United, just 12 mega-donors, eight of them billionaires, have paid one dollar out of every 13 spent in federal elections. And now were seeing a troubling new trend that some mega-donors are sponsoring campaigns that attack the fundamentals of democracy itself. Thiels spending has been dwarfed this year by at least three other mega-donors Soros ($128m to the Democrats), shipping products tycoon Richard Uihlein ($53m to Republicans) and hedge fund manager Kenneth Griffin ($50m to Republicans). And Thiel has some way to go to match the consistent giving, cycle after cycle, of the Koch brothers or Sheldon Adelson, the late Las Vegas casino magnate. Many experts also believe the attack on democracy began long before it became as explicit as Thiel has made it, because the whole point of funneling large amounts of money into the political system is to sway policy away from the will of the majority to the narrow interests of the donors and their friends. This ability to control the policy agenda drives spending even more than the desire to see specific candidates win, says the Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig, whose 2011 book Republic, Lost offers an enduringly devastating analysis of the relationship between money and political influence. And the spending is likely only to increase. Youre going to see much, much bigger individual contributions and an acceleration of contributions to Super Pacs [like the ones established to support Vance and Masters], Lessig said. The candidates and the Super Pacs cant coordinate on spending, but that doesnt mean they cant coordinate on the fundraising. Since the Super Pacs are outspending candidates by orders of magnitude, its all a dance to flush money into Super Pacs They basically call the shots, and politicians cant get anything through that they oppose. The Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance. Photograph: Gaelen Morse/Reuters Less than a month from election day, both Vance and Masters are trailing their Democratic opponents in the polls (Vance by less than Masters). But, Lessig says, it would be wrong to conclude Thiel or any of the other mega-donors are wasting their money. If youre a candidate and you know $10m is going to come in against you on a particular issue, he said, you are going to bend to avoid the effect of that money, whether or not its going to decide the race If youre someone who would otherwise be a strong climate activist, but you know that if you mention a carbon tax, a million dollars will drop from some anti-carbon tax Super Pac, you wont talk about it. Thiels bid to overthrow the system, in other words, goes well beyond his ability to determine which party controls the Senate next year. The money will solidify the notion that the country is being run by psychopaths, at least among a hard core of Republican voters, analysts warn, and will further harden the ideological battle lines that have split the country in two and made common ground ever harder to find. It also brings the extreme opinions of NatCon further into the mainstream, making it easier for radical Republican candidates to run and win in future races, they say. We are at a crisis point here, not so much because the ideas are hard to defeat but we dont have a context in which to defeat them, Lessig said. The fact that the same number of people believe the election was stolen as believed it on 6 January is a profound indictment of the information ecology in America. The Brennan Center believes there are ways of improving the system, at least at the state and local level, and points to efforts in both red and blue states to close certain loopholes and introduce public financing models to rein in the influence of the mega-donors. Lee said she would also like to see federal legislation to build a meaningful firewall between campaign funds and Super Pacs. The legislation exists, she said, and it would be a constitutional improvement even under [the] Citizens United [ruling]. All we need is the political will to act. The fact that multiple Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM) insiders offloaded a considerable amount of shares over the past year could have raised some eyebrows amongst investors. Knowing whether insiders are buying is usually more helpful when evaluating insider transactions, as insider selling can have various explanations. However, if numerous insiders are selling, shareholders should investigate more. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. See our latest analysis for Philip Morris International The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Philip Morris International In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the Executive Chairman of the Board, Andre Calantzopoulos, sold US$8.3m worth of shares at a price of US$111 per share. We generally don't like to see insider selling, but the lower the sale price, the more it concerns us. The good news is that this large sale was at well above current price of US$85.26. So it may not shed much light on insider confidence at current levels. Insiders in Philip Morris International didn't buy any shares in the last year. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. 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. Philip Morris International insiders own about US$218m worth of shares (which is 0.2% of the company). Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. Story continues What Might The Insider Transactions At Philip Morris International Tell Us? The fact that there have been no Philip Morris International insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. While we feel good about high insider ownership of Philip Morris International, we can't say the same about the selling of shares. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Philip Morris International. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Philip Morris International you should be aware of. 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. 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 Worcester Police are investigating a shooting that left several people injured on Saturday morning. Police responded to a warehouse at 88 Webster Street just after 3 a.m. and located a male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, police said. Shortly after officers arrived, they became aware of five additional shooting victims located at various locations near the warehouse and at area hospitals. There is no word on their conditions. Police said during a press conference on Saturday afternoon that they believe there was a party at the location before the incident happened. Police have not identified any suspects or persons of interest in these shootings. This investigation remains ongoing. Police ask if you have information about this incident, please call the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW U.S. Vice President-elect Mike Pence (L) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) talk to reporters following their meeting in her offices at the U.S. Capt iol November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Previously unaired footage released by CNN shows a Jan. 6 phone call between Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence. The politicians, second and third in line to the presidency, discussed their safety and a plan to certify the election. "I worry about you being in the Capitol," Pelosi can be heard telling the then-Vice President. In previously unaired footage from January 6, 2021, Nancy Pelosi can be seen discussing safety and a plan to certify the election on a call with Mike Pence while the siege on the Capitol was underway. CNN on Friday released the footage, captured by the Speaker of the House's filmmaker daughter, Alexandra Pelosi. The politicians, who were second and third in the line of succession to the presidency at the time, talk through a plan to certify the presidential election during the call, despite the Capitol grounds being filled with violent protesters who sought to interrupt the proceedings and install Donald Trump as president for a second term. "Well, definitely we are still not safe enough for us to go back," Pelosi says to Pence in the clip. "They're even still trying to penetrate the building and it's not a safe thing, because we're trying to figure out how we can get this job done today." Pelosi mentions Fort McNair, an Army base in Washington, DC, as a potential "backup plan" location for the House and Senate to meet to complete the certification process. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer can be heard telling Pelosi that security forces indicated it would take several days to clear out and clean the Capitol enough for it to be used. Pence's responses cannot be heard in the footage, but Pelosi can be heard saying the politicians present were "unified," with "no partisanship, no anything," with the then-Vice President and stressed the importance of completing the certification the same day. "I worry about you being in the Capitol," Pelosi says to Pence at the end of the clip. In additional videos of previously unreleased footage, Pelosi told Pence not to let anybody know where he was hiding and told an aide she would punch Donald Trump if he arrived on the Capitol grounds. Representatives for Pelosi and Pence did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider ISW believes that Putin will use mobilized Russians on the battlefield in Ukraine for quite some time Read also: Russian dictator Putin announces partial mobilization, threatens to use nukes As ISW previously reported, Putin announced the postponement of Russias usual autumn conscription cycle from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 on Sept. 30, likely because Russias partial mobilization is taxing the bureaucracy of the Russian military commissariats that oversee the semi-annual conscription cycle. Putin therefore likely needs to pause or end his partial mobilization to free up bureaucratic resources for conscription, the analysts say. He ordered the conscription of 120,000 men for the autumn cycle, 7,000 fewer than in autumn 2021. However, Russias annexation of occupied Ukraine changes the calculus for conscripts. Read also: Seven key takeaways from Putins partial mobilization Putin may intend for mobilized personnel to plug gaps in Russias frontlines long enough for the autumn conscripts to receive some training and form additional units to improve Russian combat power in 2023, reads the assessment. Analysts noted that the Russian dictators statement about five-10 days of initial training of the mobilized forces corroborates dozens of anecdotal reports from Russian outlets, milbloggers, and mobilized personnel of untrained, unequipped, and utterly unprepared men being rushed to the frontlines, where some have already surrendered to Ukrainian forces and others have been killed. Meanwhile, Ukrainian and Western officials continue to reiterate that they have observed no indicators of preparations for a Belarusian invasion of Ukraine, despite alarmist reports in the Belarusian information space that dictator Alexander Lukashenko has introduced a counter-terrorist operation regime. Despite the contradicting claims of an escalated preparatory regime in Belarus, the White House said there are no indicators that Belarusian troops are preparing to enter Ukraine. Read also: Ukrainian army advances to Svatove as criticism of mobilization in Russia mounts ISW Story continues ISW continues to assess that joint Belarusian and Russian forces will not invade Ukraine from the territory of Belarus. Russian forces continue to attrit their own combat capabilities as they impale themselves on attempts to capture tiny villages in Donbas and simply do not have the combat-effective mechanized troops available to supplement a Belarusian incursion into northern Ukraine and certainly not to conduct a mechanized drive on Kyiv. At the same time, Russian authorities are continuing to engage in Russification social programming schemes that target Ukrainian children. Occupation authorities in Russian-occupied Mariupol are also reportedly pressuring Ukrainian teenagers to join the Youth Guard, a childrens paramilitary organization that encourages anti-Ukrainian sentiments. Read also: About the death of Putin and his entire system The coerced engagement of Ukrainian children in youth militarization programs fits into wider Russification schemes intended to erase Ukrainian identity in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, the analysts said. According to ISW, Putins Oct. 14 statement that there is currently no additional need for further massive strikes against Ukraine was likely aimed at mitigating informational backlash among pro-war milbloggers who oppose curtailing the costly missile campaign. Putins statement supports ISWs previous assessment that Putin knew he would not be able to sustain high-intensity missiles strikes for a long time due to a dwindling arsenal of high-precision missiles, the report says. Read also: Russia accuses Ukraine of terrorism, Iranian instructors help Shahed-136 launches ISW ISW also presents other key findings: a prominent Russian milblogger accused unspecified senior officials within the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) of preparing to censor Russian milbloggers on Oct. 14, but there is no official confirmation of an investigation or prosecution of these milbloggers; Russian sources continued to claim that Ukrainian forces are conducting counteroffensive operations in northeast Kharkiv Oblast east of Kupyansk; Russian troops conducted limited ground attacks west of Kreminna and Kherson Oblast in order to regain lost positions. Russian troops also continued ground attacks around Bakhmut and the city of Donetsk; Russian authorities expressed increasing concern over Ukrainian strikes against Russian rear logistics lines in southern Donetsk Oblast; Russian occupation authorities are continuing to consolidate control of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) through strengthened security measures amid negotiations to establish a nuclear safety and protective zone at the plant; Russian officials continued to brand their movement of populations out of Kherson Oblast as recreational humanitarian trips rather than evacuations. ISW ISW ISW ISW Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Vladimir Putin attends a cabinet meeting in August. Gavriil Grigorov/AP The president of Tajikistan, a firm ally of Russia, appeared to berate Putin at a summit. Emomali Rahmon said: "We have history, culture, we love, we want to be respected." The remarkable outburst at Putin indicates that the Russian leader's influence could be waning. The president of Tajikistan a close ally of Russia appeared to strongly rebuke Vladimir Putin at a summit of central Asian leaders and demanded that he showed respect. Emomali Rahmon, the Tajik ruler since 1994, complained and appeared to scold an uncomfortable-looking Putin at a meeting at the Commonwealth Of Independent States Summit, a gathering of central Asian leaders, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. "Yes, we are small nations, we are not 100-200 million, but we have history, culture, we love, we want to be respected," Rahmon said, according to Mail Online. Rahmon continued his criticism claiming Tajikistan had to "beg" Russia "to attend some miserable forum in Tajikistan? But we are never being treated like strategic partners! No offense, but we want to be respected!" the Mail reported Rahmon as saying. Rahmon also complained that African nations received better treatment from Russia, and asked Putin to commit to increase investment into the country. According to the New Voice of Ukraine, Rahmon also told Putin not to treat central Asian countries as if they were still part of the former Soviet Union. The outburst was witnessed by leaders from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and lasted for seven minutes, per MailOnline. The incident follows surprising recent public criticism from India's leader, another ally of Putin, of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in September, India's Prime Minister Modi told Putin that "now is not the time for war." Story continues "I know that today's era is not an era of war, and I have spoken to you on the phone about this," Modi told Putin, according to Reuters. Modi's comments followed an acknowledgment by Putin that even China, Russia's closest ally, had "questions and concerns" about the invasion of Ukraine. Opposition is also emerging within Russia from the elite of Putin's regime, according to reports. Last week, Yevgenia Albats, editor of the Russian-language magazine News Times, told The Guardian there was growing discontent among Kremlin officials over th conduct of the war in Ukraine. The Washington Post also reported that a member of Putin's inner circle had confronted the leader over the handling of the war in Ukraine, citing information obtained by US intelligence. Read the original article on Business Insider UPDATE: 12:50 P.M. Chaminade Julienne responded to News Center 7 and confirmed Nicole Connors was a 1988 graduate. INITIAL STORY Nicole Connors, one of five people shot to death in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, is a 1988 Chaminade Julienne graduate who is being remembered by friends and a former classmate. >> Police: 15-year-old boy kills 5 in Raleigh shooting rampage We went to Precious Blood together as young kids and then to CJ, Jennifer Bell Young told News Center 7 on Friday night via email. Connors, 52, was on the porch talking to a neighbor when she was killed, her husband, Tracey Howard, told The Associated Press. He confirmed the Dayton connection in interviews with media in North Carolina. News Center 7 has tried to reach out to him for more comment about Connors. News Center 7 also reached out to Chaminade Julienne for comment. Young said when Connors moved to Raleigh, we spoke about job hunting and I tried to help her job hunt. This is tragic. She was a good person. A 15-yer-old boy is in custody, accused of killing the five and wounding two more. Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson told The Associated Press that police have not determined a motive for the attack, the 25th mass killing this year in which the victims were shot, according to The Associated Press/USA Today/Northeastern University Mass Killings database. A mass killing is defined as when four or more people, excluding the perpetrator, are killed. We will update this developing report as we learn more. Family and friends of the five victims who died in a Thursday shooting spree in Raleigh, North Carolina, are mourning the lives that were taken suddenly away from them in a 15-year-old suspect's senseless act of violence. On Thursday, Wake County District Attorney Lorri Freeman filed a juvenile petition against the suspect, who remains in critical condition, with the intent to transfer the case to the Supreme Court and charge him as an adult, according to WNCN. The 15-year-old is accused of shooting the five victims within a two-mile radius of Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood, a middle-class golfing community, and the Neuse River Greenway that wraps around the neighborhood, just after 5 p.m. Here's what we know so far about the five victims who were killed: RALEIGH SHOOTING UPDATE: NORTH CAROLINA OFFICIALS IDENTIFY VICTIMS, INCLUDING POLICE OFFICER AND BOY, 16 Gabriel Torres was a 29-year-old officer with the Raleigh Police Department, a U.S. Marine, a husband and father of a two-year-old daughter. He was shot while off-duty and heading into work, according to authorities. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Torres lived on Osprey Cove Drive, where the shooter allegedly opened fire. NORTH CAROLINA SHOOTING LEAVES 5 DEAD, INCLUDING OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICER; SUSPECT IN CUSTODY Raleigh police have not said whether Torres had been responding to the shooting while off-duty when he was killed. Police have cordoned off a section of homes in the Hedingham community after a 15-year-old boy allegedly opened fire, killing five people and wounding two others. October 14, 2022. According to a GoFundMe for Torres titled "Benefit for the Family of Officer Torres," Back The Blue NC is hosting a fundraiser in which 100% of proceeds will go toward his family. "Gabriel Torres embodied the core values of the Raleigh Police Department service, courage, fairness, integrity and compassion," Carl Bailey, president of the Teamsters Law Enforcement League, said in a Friday statement. "From his time in the military to his service as a law enforcement professional, Officer Torres lived his entire adult life as a hero and dedicated guardian both of his country and his community. Teamsters everywhere can honor him by following the example he set." Story continues Thompson was the brother of the 15-year-old gunman and a junior at Knightdale High School in Knightdale, North Carolina. His brother was a sophomore at the same high school. "It is an unexpected loss, and we are saddened by it," Knightdale High School Principal Keith Richardson said in a Friday statement. "Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to James family, the other victims, their families and all who have been impacted by yesterdays events." The school and school district offered counseling to students in need of support following the shooting. Nicole Connors' husband, Tracey Howard, described the 52-year-old to ABC11 as "a fine, loving person" and "bubbly." MEMPHIS SHOOTING SPREE: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE DECEASED AND WOUNDED IN EZEKIEL KELLY'S RAMPAGE "Everybody in the neighborhood knew her," he told the outlet. Tracey Howard found Nicole and their dog, Sammy, both shot dead on their front porch. A neighbor was also injured and lying on the ground nearby after the shooting, according to ABC11. "Feel like we just walking through a daze right now," Tracey said. Susan "Sue" Karnatz was a runner, a wife and mother. She also had a dog, Lucy, whom she walked every morning, according to her husband, Tom Karnatz. "We had big plans together/ And we had little plans together. We had plans together for big adventures/ And plans together for the mundane days in between. We had plans together with the boys/ And we had plans together as empty nesters. We had plans together for growing old. Always together. Now those plans are laid to waste," Karnatz wrote in a Friday Facebook post. His post continued: "We have big memories together/ And we have little memories together. We have memories together of joyous occasions/ And memories together of plain times in between. We have memories together from before the boys/ And memories, many memories together with the boys. Always and for ever, memories together." Mary Marshall was a dog owner and engaged to Robert Steele. "This woman was my everything" Steele wrote in the description of a GoFundMe page for funeral expenses titled. "Mary Marshall." "She meant so much to me and her parents and sister. Please help us memorialize her in the way that she deserves." Another injured victim, Marcille Lynn Gardner, was shot just days before her 60th birthday and remains in critical condition. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Police took the gunman into custody about three hours later after he was allegedly "contained" inside a nearby home. Anyone with information about the shooting are being asked to call 919-996-1193. Regional One Health is open Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, in Memphis. Regional One Health, the areas main trauma center, has said it cannot give a city-sponsored violence intervention group access to patients at the hospital without violating federal privacy laws. This comes despite Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital allowing the program to operate at the center, which treats pediatric victims of violent crime. Regional One said it knows firsthand the impact violent crime has on this community and the importance of violence intervention strategies but that it was unable to grant access to the program. Our legal team has tried to work with Group Violence Intervention Program to find a compliant way to assist in their violence prevention efforts, however, to date the requests brought to Regional One Health potentially violate our patients privacy and Federal HIPAA laws, the hospital said in a statement. Regional One's response follows the Memphis City Council applying political pressure on the hospital after the city of Memphis said its group violence intervention program was not getting access to patients. Crime news:MPD was given Cleotha Henderson's name and still did not pursue him, lawsuit says Local news:Man charged with shooting that killed 10-year-old said he 'blacked out,' near Bartlett Jimmie Johnson, the city's director of GVIP, told the City Council Tuesday his program had not been granted access to the hospital to interview patients who had been impacted by gun violence and help stem retaliatory incidents. As of August, 837 violent crimes had been reported to Memphis police, according to a city data dashboard. Regional One is the Shelby County-owned public health facility, including the region's only level one trauma center. A "major violent crime," as defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, includes homicide, aggravated assault, rape and robbery. It was not immediately clear how many shootings had been reported this year. Johnson's program is relatively new, and he was hired earlier this year. The city, as part of the program, is funding two staff positions at Le Bonheur. The City Council grew alarmed at what Johnson said, and Councilman Jeff Warren, a local doctor who pushed Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland toward the group violence intervention program, questioned why Le Bonheur could give the city access but not Regional One. Story continues Dr. Jeff Warren speaks Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, at a Memphis City Council meeting at City Hall. The council introduced and then passed a nonbinding resolution urging the Shelby County Commission, which funds Regional One, to grant the city access. Regional One said it had previously launched a Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program, in partnership with the previous city administration and the Bloomberg foundation. That program is part of a nationwide network of HVIP programs. Related:Memphis Police Department updates on rape kits, says it can't enforce teenager curfew More:Mulroy announces Cold Case Unit to assist MPD in unsolved investigations That program has similar aims to the city-sponsored initiative, according to information from the Health Alliance for Violent Intervention. HVIPs are multidisciplinary programs that combine the efforts of medical staff with trusted community-based partners to provide safety planning, services, and trauma-informed care to violently injured people, many of whom are boys and men of color, according to the alliances website. Engaging patients in the hospital, during their recovery, is a golden opportunity to improve lives and reduce retaliation and recidivism. The support network continues once patients are released with a pathway for outpatient care and other services. Regional One Health is open Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, in Memphis. Regional One said it was open to exploring other options to reduce crime in our great city, and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate and leverage violence prevention resources. As we treat individuals that are victims of violent crimes, our primary responsibility is to provide the highest quality of care to them and their families, the hospital said. We have an obligation to not only treat them, but to follow Federal law that mandates we protect the privacy of our patients under our care. Corinne S Kennedy covers healthcare and economic development for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.Kennedy@CommercialAppeal.com. Samuel Hardiman covers Memphis city government and politics for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached via email at samuel.hardiman@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter at @samhardiman This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis hospital, city council clash over access to crime victims Photo: CBSA A former Alberta Progressive Conservative legislature member and his son have been sentenced to house arrest for immigration fraud. Carlito and Charles Benito pleaded guilty earlier this month to charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of employing unauthorized foreign nationals. The immigration consultants employed eight illegal foreign nationals in Edmonton and Calgary and paid them less than $10 an hour between 2016 and 2018. During this time, the two men operated three immigration consulting firms. Court heard the workers were told to say they were volunteers and some signed forms stating they were volunteering for no pay. The employees were also referred to by code names. No victim impact statements were provided at a sentencing hearing Friday. Justice Avril Ingles said Carlito Benito wilfully and knowingly committed immigration fraud while his son co-operated. The hearing was told Carlito Benito applied to Immigration Canada for study permits for the employees using forged acceptance letters from post-secondary institutions and false bank statements. She said both father and son abused their power and exploited the trust of their clients, the federal government and Canadian citizens. But the judge said neither of the two men have previous criminal records and have shown remorse. She sentenced 68-year-old Carlito Benito to two years of house arrest. He must also complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $75,000 fine. Born in the Philippines, Benito was the Progressive Conservative MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods from 2008 to 2012. He told the court the hours of community service will have a significant and positive impact. Charles Benito was sentenced to nine months of house arrest and 100 hours of community service. The 28-year-old, who is completing a plumbing program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton, addressed the court in overalls and work boots. "This will never happen again," he said. In addition to their sentences, the judge said both men cannot be involved in any kind of immigration service. A former GOP primary challenger to far-right U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado took the bold move this week of endorsing her Democratic rival in the 2022 election. In an op-ed Wednesday for the Montrose Daily Press, Republican state Sen. Don Coram painted Boebert as a liar who claims credit for things she had absolutely nothing to do with. Coram urged Colorado voters to back Adam Frisch, a former member of the Aspen City Council, in what the polls currently predict will be a close race in November. Boebert spends her time jet-setting around the country promoting herself and extreme rhetoric that only divides this country further, wrote Coram. Its disgraceful and we should expect more from our United States representative. He added, I believe Adam Frisch is a good man, and said the Democrat is decent, honest, and persistent. Frisch has demonstrated that he is more interested in representing the district than being a celebrity, Coram wrote. Thats important. Read the op-ed here. This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated. Related... BAGHDAD (AP) A huge fire blazed Saturday at a notorious prison where political prisoners and anti-government activists are kept in the Iranian capital, injuring at least nine people, according to state media. Online videos and local media reported gunshots, as nationwide protests entered a fifth week. Iran's state-run IRNA reported there were clashes between prisoners in one ward and prison personnel, citing a senior security official. The official said prisoners set fire to a warehouse full of prison uniforms, which caused the blaze. He said the rioters were separated from the other prisoners to de-escalate the conflict. The official said that the situation is completely under control" and that firefighters were extinguishing the flames. Later, Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi said that peace had returned to the prison and that the unrest was not related to the protests which have swept the country for four weeks. IRNA later reported nine people had been injured, without elaborating. It published video showing burnt debris scattered around a building, with firefighters spraying down the blaze's embers. Footage of the fire circulated online. Videos showed shots ringing out as plumes of smoke rose into the sky amid the sound of an alarm. A protest broke out on the street soon after, with many chanting Death to the Dictator!" a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and burning tires, circulating videos showed. Witnesses said that police blocked roads and highways to Evin prison and that at least three strong explosions were heard coming from the area. Traffic was heavy along major motorways near the prison, which is in the north of the capital, and many people honked to show their solidarity with protests. Riot police were seen riding on motorbikes toward the facility, as were ambulances and firetrucks. Witnesses reported that the internet was blocked in the area. The U.S.-based Center for Human Rights in Iran reported that an armed conflict broke out within the prison walls. It said shots were first heard in Ward 7 of the prison. This account could not immediately be corroborated. Story continues The prison fire occurred as protesters intensified anti-government demonstrations along main streets and at universities in some cities across Iran on Saturday. Human rights monitors reported hundreds dead, including children, as the movement concluded its fourth week. Demonstrators also chanted Down with the Dictator on the streets of Ardabil in the country's northwest. Outside of universities in Kermanshah, Rasht and Tehran, students rallied, according to videos on social media. In the city of Sanandaj, a hotspot for demonstrations in the northern Kurdish region, school girls chanted, Woman, life, freedom, down a central street. The protests erupted after public outrage over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. She was arrested by Irans morality police in Tehran for violating the Islamic Republics strict dress code. Irans government insists Amini was not mistreated in police custody, but her family says her body showed bruises and other signs of beating after she was detained. At least 233 protesters have been killed since demonstrations swept Iran on Sept. 17, according to U.S.-based rights monitor HRANA. The group said 32 among the dead were below the age of 18. Earlier, Oslo-based Iran Human Rights estimated 201 people have been killed. Iranian authorities have provided no death toll for weeks. Iranian authorities have alleged without providing evidence that the unrest is a Western plot, trying to downplay the demonstrations. Public anger in Iran has coalesced around Amini's death, prompting girls and women to remove their mandatory headscarves on the street in a show of solidarity. Other segments of society, including oil workers, have also joined the movement, becoming one of the greatest challenges to Irans theocracy since the countrys 2009 Green Movement. Riots have also broken out in prisons, with clashes reported between inmates and guards in Lakan prison in the northern province of Gilan recently. Evin Prison, which holds detainees facing security-related charges and include dual citizens, has been charged by rights groups with abusing inmates. The facility has long been known for holding political prisoners as well as those with ties to the West who have been used by Iran as bargaining chips in international negotiations. Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American who had been furloughed from prison while serving a 10-year sentence on internationally criticized spying charges, was recently sent back into Evin. His 85-year-old father, Baquer Namazi, was freed and allowed to leave the country. A lawyer for Namazi, Jared Genser, wrote on Twitter early Sunday that Siamak Namazi is safe and has been moved to a secure area of Evin Prison. He did not elaborate. In 2018, the prison was slapped with U.S. sanctions. Prisoners held at Evin Prison are subject to brutal tactics inflicted by prison authorities, including sexual assaults, physical assaults and electric shock, the U.S. Treasury Department wrote in a statement after announcing the sanctions in 2018. The U.S. State Department was following the reports with urgency and was in contact with the Swiss as the protecting power for the U.S., spokesman Ned Price said in a tweet Saturday. Iran is fully responsible for the safety of our wrongfully detained citizens, who should be released immediately, he said. President Joe Biden, on a trip to Oregon, said the Iranian government is so oppressive and that he had an enormous amount of respect for people marching in the streets. Commercial strikes resumed Saturday in key cities across the Kurdish region, including Saqqez, Amini's hometown and the birthplace of the protests, Bukan and Sanandaj. The government has responded with a brutal crackdown, arresting activists and protest organizers, reprimanding Iranian celebrities for voicing support, even confiscating their passports, and using live ammunition, tear gas and sound bombs to disperse crowds, leading to deaths. In a video widely distributed Saturday, plainclothes Basij, a paramilitary volunteer group, are seen forcing a woman into a car and firing bullets into the air amid a protest in Gohardasht, in northern Iran. Widespread internet outages have also made it difficult for protesters to communicate with the outside world, while Iranian authorities have detained at least 40 journalists since the unrest began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel speaks at the Republican National Committee winter meeting on February 4, 2022. Rick Bowmer/AP The Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee made a number of predictions about the midterms. Ronna McDaniel said she expects Republicans to retake the majority in the House. She also said that the GOP will "retire" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee made a number of predictions about November's midterms, including that the Senate will be narrowly split and that if the GOP wins, it will "retire" Nancy Pelosi as the House Speaker. In an interview with Jon Decker, a White House correspondent for Gray Television, Ronna McDaniel was referring to the fact that if Republicans take the house, they will be in charge of electing a new Speaker. She told Decker she thinks the Senate will be very tight. "I think it will be one seat either way," she said. The RNC chair added she's optimistic about Pennsylvania Senate candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz, despite him trailing Democratic candidate John Fetterman in recent polling. "Everything is trending towards Oz and we feel really confident in this race," McDaniel said. When asked about the allegations surrounding Herschel Walker, the Georgia Republican nominee for Senate, McDaniel told Decker he's been "very forthcoming" about his struggles with mental health. Those allegations include Walker paying for a former girlfriend to get an abortion despite being a staunch opponent of abortion rights. Walker has denied paying for an abortion, calling the story a "flat out lie." Walker's son and ex-wife have also accused him of being "physically abusive." According to FiveThirtyEight, Republicans are favored to win the House while Democrats are slightly favored to win the Senate. Representatives for McDaniel did not respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider A passerby stopped a road rage incident where a knife was brandished after he held a man at gunpoint until police arrived Friday night on 21st Street North near I-135, Wichita police spokesperson Chad Ditch said. Trevor Wende, 19, of Wichita was treated at a hospital before being arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property, Ditch said. The road rage incident started on 21st near Hillside while both drivers were headed west, Ditch said. He wasnt sure what exactly sparked the road rage. At the light at 21st and I-135, Wende reversed into the other vehicle, Ditch said. Both drivers then got into a fight before Wende brandished a knife, he said. A passerby saw Wende with a knife, stopped, pulled out his gun and held Wende at gunpoint until police arrived. Wende was checked at the hospital for injuries he got during the fight, Ditch said. Police tweeted about the incident just before 7 p.m. after rumors circulated on social media that multiple people were stabbed, Ditch said. A bystander with a gun also stopped a stabbing last month in the middle of the road in west Wichita. (Bloomberg) -- Robinhood Markets Inc. is poised to succeed in pushing a female former engineers claims about a toxic culture of gender bias at the company out of open court and into private arbitration. Most Read from Bloomberg A San Francisco judge issued a tentative ruling requiring the ex-employee to arbitrate her claims of sex discrimination, harassment and retaliation after the brokerage argued that she gave up the right to sue in a standard provision in her contract. Ayse Naz Erkan claims that after she was hailed as a superhero for helping rescue Robinhood from a meltdown during the meme-stock trading frenzy of 2021, she was passed over for a promotion and punished for complaining that her department was male-dominated. Ultimately she was fired the day she returned from a trip to India, where she went to care for her dying mother, according to her complaint. She sued the company and her former supervisor in June, seeking unspecified monetary damages and a court order barring further discrimination at Robinhood. Erkans lawyers said the misconduct she alleged at the company should be adjudicated in the full light of day. They argued she should be allowed to proceed in court under the federal Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 that took effect three months before she sued. What Banning Forced Arbitration for Harassment Means: QuickTake The company countered that the federal statute was wholly inapplicable because the dispute pre-dates the law and because the measure is aimed at harassment involving sexually inappropriate behavior, not claims of harassment based solely on gender. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Ulmer sided in his tentative ruling with Robinhood without detailing his reasoning on the public docket. Erkans lawyers could request a hearing Monday to contest the ruling. Story continues A sharp downturn in trading activity has triggered a sweeping overhaul to rein in expenses at Menlo Park, California-based Robinhood, including job cuts and office closures. The stock has tumbled 44% this year. Erkans lawyers and Robinhood didnt respond to requests for comment. The case is Erkan v. Robinhood Markets Inc, CGC22600149, California Superior Court (San Francisco). Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Russia has seen wave of arson attacks on army offices, especially after mobilization Read also: Putin announces end of partial mobilization in Russia, likely over postponed autumn conscription, says ISW RBC quoted Russian State Duma member Alexander Khinshtein said more security had been deployed in several cities. Read also: Ukrainian army advances to Svatove as criticism of mobilization in Russia mounts ISW Detention groups of the Russian Guards non-departmental security have been deployed near the military commissariat buildings in several cities, including in Moscow, RBC quoted Khinshtein as saying. In addition, they have been included in the patrol routes of the Russian Guards non-departmental security crews throughout the country. Read also: Belarus dictator Lukashenko orders dry run of mobilization in practice According to Khinshtein, suspects in arson attacks on a military commissariat were already detained at the scene when trying to throw a Molotov cocktail into one building. Russia faced a wave of arson attacks on the military commissariats after Russias invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, the number of such attacks significantly grew after Russian dictator Vladimir Putin early on Sept. 21 declared a partial mobilization in the country. Read also: About 700,000 people leave Russia after announced mobilization Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that 300,000 reservists would be called up during the partial mobilization. However, according to Russian opposition media, classified mobilization plans envisage sending one million Russians or more to war against Ukraine. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin has illegally annexed territory, attacked civilian targets, called up military reservists and threatened nuclear escalation. But the Kremlin still doesnt seem confident that its military can hold back a Ukrainian counteroffensive ahead of winter. Civilians in the countrys occupied south should evacuate to Russia, Moscow-installed officials there urged this week, in a sign that the Kremlin is worried about its hold on the strategic region as Kyiv pushes to reclaim more land there after recent breakthroughs. The head of the Moscow-appointed regional administration, Vladimir Saldo, without using the word evacuation, asked Moscow Thursday to welcome families from the Kherson region that want to protect themselves from what he described as constant Ukrainian shelling. The Kremlin promptly agreed to support such efforts, with officials in the southern Russian region of Rostov saying the first arrivals were expected Friday, the state news agency Tass reported. Western military analysts said the move underlined Russias growing concern over its ability to hold Kherson, just weeks after it claimed to annex the region and in light of sudden gains made by Ukraines military this month its biggest advance in the south since Russian forces seized it early in the war. You dont evacuate from a region that you have recently annexed (illegally) if you are confident of holding it, said Phillips OBrien, a professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. I think we can read this as a sign that they are very worried about their ability to hold the west bank of the Dnieper River. Image: (Leo Correa / AP) As Ukraine pressed on, Russian forces retreated from the front lines they had established in the area and sought to set up new positions they could hold along the strategic waterway. Just hours after Saldos comments, the deputy head of Khersons Russian-installed administration, Kirill Stremousov, rushed to clarify that this was not an evacuation but an offer that has been long in the making. Story continues No one is making plans to retreat, he said in a video message, as he urged people not to panic. The preparation to evacuate some civilians could mean that the Russians are anticipating that combat could extend to the city of Kherson itself, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its assessment of the situation Thursday. The city is a strategic gateway to the Black Sea and the neighboring Crimean Peninsula, and has been critical in cementing Moscows grasp on the area. Its the only regional center that the Russians have controlled since the start of the war. Losing Kherson would deal a major blow to the Kremlin, with Putin himself boasting that it had been reunited with Russia forever after the region became one of four occupied provinces that Russia claimed to have annexed last month. Kyiv has been striking Russian military sites and installations in the region for several months, according to its defense officials, as it prepared for its long-touted counteroffensive there. But Russian state media has been reporting that the strikes have also been damaging civilian structures and that some have resulted in civilian casualties. NBC News could not verify the claims. After making initial gains in the region earlier this month, Ukraines advance appears to have slowed. Kyiv said it had liberated some 75 settlements in the region in the last month, with even more settlements being freed this week. NBC News could not verify these numbers. It is difficult to assess what is actually happening on the ground in Kherson, analysts said, but Kyiv appears to be engaged in a kind of boa constrictor strategy in the region, said Neil Melvin, director of international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. Ukraine is gradually tightening its grip on that region, and so the Russians are now facing the reality that they are going to lose Kherson, probably in the next few weeks. Russia has some of its best-trained troops in that area, Melvin added, so it could hold out for longer, but I think we are starting to see signs that the Russian forces there are in real trouble, he added. Konrad Muzyka, the director of Rochan Consulting, based in Poland, which specializes in Russia and Belarus, agreed, calling Russian positions north of the river indefensible. Russians will have to pull back, Muzyka added. The only question is when. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin voiced confidence Wednesday that the Ukrainian offensive in the south and east would push through the winter. Ukraines army chief, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny, vowed Friday that no one and nothing can stop Ukraine. Image: (Leo Correa / AP) The optimism from Kyiv and its allies comes as Russias grip on the neighboring Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014, suffered a high-profile blow. A key bridge connecting the peninsula to the Russian mainland was damaged last week in what Moscow called a terrorist attack by Ukraine, retaliating with a wave of deadly air strikes on its neighbors cities just days later. The bridge, a personal project of Putin, has to be repaired no later than July 2023, a government document published Friday suggested an extended timeline that calls into question Moscows ability to use the key route to supply troops in the south. Faced with growing domestic criticism, Putin has been amping up his rhetoric in response to Ukraines battlefield successes and the bridge attack. A weakening grip on Kherson could see him pushed to escalate even further, although Western analysts pointed out Friday that Russian troops had made some tactical advances in an area of Ukraines east. With winter coming, Ukraines ability to push its counteroffensive will be put to the test, Melvin said, but for the Russians, the challenge will come in whether throwing newly mobilized, poorly trained recruits into battle while conditions worsen will further lower morale and weaken their ability to fight in the south. If Kherson falls, there will be a moment in which potentially there may be further breakthroughs by Ukraine, Mevin said. The Russians want to avoid that. But if the Kherson front collapses, then much of the south of Ukraine will be open at that point, so that could be a time when we may see an even bigger shift. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Minister of Defense of Finland Antti Kaikkonen Kaikkonen noted that both the European Union and NATO had already warned Moscow that the Wests reaction to the use of nuclear weapons would be harsh. Read also: EU adopts eighth sanctions package against Russia, including oil price cap According to Kaikkonen, it is prudent not to say exactly what this would mean so that Russia cannot use the information. The minister said it was important that the Wests approach to Russias actions and support for Ukraine remains unified, as Russia is testing the unity of the West. Ukraine needs all kinds of help: ammunition and weapons for the front, Kaikkonen said. Read also: Pentagon reveals $725 million military aid package for Ukraine A cold winter is coming, and those soldiers leaving Finland for Ukraine will definitely need winter equipment. At the moment, Finland has provided Ukraine with nine packages of defense equipment worth about EUR 105 million. The next assistance package is already being prepared, and the relevant decision will be made at the end of autumn, Kaikkonen said. At this point, it seems the war will largely be decided on the battlefield, and it will likely take some time, he added. Read also: Finland arrests assets of Yandex, Russian billionaires Rotenbergs Earlier Finnish President Sauli Niinisto announced he currently has no plans to hold talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. However, he said it was important that Europeans have the opportunity to hold a discussion with the aggressor country when the appropriate time comes. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ukrenergo workers repairing damage, ask citizens to reduce power consumption Read also: Russians attack Zaporizhzhya again, hit infrastructure with missiles, start fire Ukrenergo warned that there may be power outages due to the missile strike. Residents were urged to look out for messages from the emergency services and follow instructions. Read also: Russia will keep trying to destroy crucial Ukrainian infrastructure, Danilov warns Ukrenergo emergency workers are already working to restore a reliable electricity supply in Kyiv and the central areas of Kyiv Oblast. Ukrenergo also asked Ukrainians to reduce their electricity consumption, especially from 5.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m., so that emergency workers can quickly stabilize the situation and carry out repair work. The Russian military launched a missile attack on Kyiv Oblast early on Oct. 15. There were no casualties as a result of the attack. Read also: Nearly third of Ukraines energy infrastructure damaged in Russian attacks On Oct. 10, Russia launched more than 84 missiles at various targets across Ukraine. Although nearly half of the missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses, the attacks damaged critical infrastructure facilities, residential buildings, cultural institutions and other public facilities. The main targets of the Russian army were energy infrastructure facilities. After the attacks, a number of oblasts suffered outages of electricity, water supplies, and the Internet. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Armed Forces destroyed 400 Russian invaders in one day Read also: Mortality rate among Russian heavily wounded exceeds 50% General Staff The total combat losses of the enemy from Feb. 24 to Oct. 15 are the following: Personnel about 64,700 (+400); Tanks 2,524 (+3); Armored combat vehicles 5,179 (+7); Artillery systems 1,582 (+16); Multiple launch rocket systems 365 (+3); Air defense systems 186 (+0); Warplanes 268 (+0); Helicopters 242 (+2); UAV operational-tactical level 1,210 (+11); Cruise missiles 316 (+0); Warships / boats 16 (+0); Motor vehicles and fuel tankers 3,951 (+7); Special equipment 142 (+0). According to the General Staff, data are being verified and updated. Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Oct. 15 is the 234th day of full-scale war. The invading forces tried to advance from the north, east and south, shelling peaceful cities throughout Ukraine using artillery and bombing them from the air. During this time, the Kremlin has changed the goals of its war in Ukraine several times. After a failed operation to seize Kyiv and then the retreat of its troops from Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy oblasts, Russian forces concentrated on fighting for the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, which were under Ukrainian governmental control before the full-scale Russian invasion. Kherson is the only provincial capital under Russian control. Invading Russian forces currently occupy parts of Kherson, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Mykolayiv, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts. Read also: Kremlin mood changed after successful Ukrainian liberation of Kharkiv, reports Meduza The Ukrainian Armed Forces has launched a counter-offensive in the south and east of Ukraine, striking at Russian ammunition depots and troop concentrations. Shortly after the beginning of the Kherson counter-offensive, the Ukrainian army launched another counter-offensive in Kharkiv Oblast in the north-east of the country. Most of the oblast was liberated from Russian occupation in just a few days. Read also: Ukrainian army continues successful counter-offensive on southern front, says UK intelligence Story continues The Ukrainian military has already liberated more than 8,000 square kilometers of territory. After the successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the battlefield, the occupying authorities in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts held sham referendums on accession to Russia, and on Sept. 30, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of the captured Ukrainian territories. Read also: On Sept. 21, a partial mobilization was declared in Russia. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Photo: The Canadian Press FILE Trevor Milton, left, leaves the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, Sept. 12, 2022, in New York. Milton was convicted Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, of charges he deceived investors with exaggerated claims about his company's progress in producing zero-emission 18-wheel trucks, fueled by electricity or hydrogen. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman, File) The wealthy founder of Nikola Corp. was convicted Friday of charges he deceived investors with exaggerated claims about his companys progress in producing zero-emission 18-wheel trucks fueled by electricity or hydrogen. A jury reached the verdict against Trevor Milton after deliberating for about five hours in federal court in Manhattan. Milton's lawyer, Marc Mukasey, signaled there would be an appeal. We're going to keep fighting, he told reporters outside court. At trial, the government had portrayed Milton as a con man while his lawyer called him an inspiring visionary who was being railroaded by overzealous prosecutors. Those prosecutors alleged that Nikola founded by Milton in a Utah basement six years ago falsely claimed to have built its own revolutionary truck that was actually a General Motors Corp. product with Nikolas logo stamped onto it. There also was evidence that the company produced videos of its trucks that were doctored to hide their flaws. Called as a government witness, Nikolas CEO testified that Milton was prone to exaggeration" in pitching his venture to investors. The lies that is what this case is about, prosecutor Matthew Podolsky told the jury in closing arguments Thursday. Mukasey urged acquittal, saying there was a stunning lack of evidence that his client ever intended to cheat investors. Milton, 40, had pleaded not guilty to securities and wire fraud. He resigned in 2020 amid reports of fraud that sent Nikolas stock prices into a tailspin. At one point, the trial was delayed for more than a week after Miltons lawyer tested positive for the coronavirus. Sentencing for Milton was set for Jan. 27. City of Energodar Read also: Russians plan to deport Ukrainian children from occupied Zaporizhzhya Oblast to Crimea and Russia Despite the significant escalation of the situation at the front, in particular in the Kherson area, today the invaders and collaborators of Enerhodar are sending children to the Russian Federation, he said. The mayor noted the front line in the Kherson, and later in the Zaporizhzhya areas could be cut at any moment, while further intense battles would simply block all ways back. Read also: Russians continue to kidnap orphaned children from Luhansk Oblast, send them to Russia And we can only guess what is going through the minds of those parents who are prepared to part with their children during a full-scale war and are personally sending them not just into the unknown, but to a terrorist country, Orlov added. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Occupiers Exercises of Russian conscripts are reportedly being held in Severodonetsk. Read also: Ukrainian army liberates another settlement in Luhansk Oblast "About 7,000-8,000 residents remain in the city, the official said. Currently, according to the incoming information, the contingent of occupiers is slightly increasing in the city. Mobilization exercises are being conducted. He noted that social institutions and even hospitals are being used to accommodate the military. In addition, according to him, locals are seeking shelter for the winter in the surrounding villages and cooperative communities, where it is possible to use solid fuel for heating. Read also: Russia heavily mines Luhansk Oblast, hoping to halt advancing Ukrainian troops "People are surviving thanks to the surrounding villages, the governor said. In fact, it is a natural exchange: food for things. Medicine is at a primitive level, as well as other aspects of life. It is impossible to start the cold season in the city centrally, no matter what the occupation authorities declare. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The waters around the Crimean Peninsula became a lot more dangerous in recent months, with anti-ship missiles sinking Russian flagships, bridges exploding and any other spillover from Russia's disastrous "special operation," which is how Russian President Vladimir Putin insists people call the war in Ukraine. With Ukrainians rapidly taking back lost territory, Russia likely feels the need to keep what's left of its most important military asset, a naval base in Sevastopol, from spontaneously combusting. Before invading Ukraine, Russian state media touted its hypersonic missiles, T-14 Armata tanks and the S-400 missile defense system. To protect Sevastopol, however, Russia isn't relying on its nuclear-powered Poseidon underwater drone; it's using killer dolphins, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. Nothing in the region seems to be safe from Ukrainian weapons. The warship Moskva, formerly the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet before relocating to the sea floor, was hit by two Neptune anti-ship missiles closer to the coast of Moldova than Ukraine or Russia in April 2022. The Kerch Bridge connected Russia with Crimea on the far side of the peninsula, hundreds of miles from Ukraine's mainland. The destruction of the Kerch Bridge in October 2022 is a move akin to locking the door to Russian forces outside of the peninsula, while locking the occupiers inside. A logical follow-up, in the eyes of some naval experts, will be depleting the number of Russian defenders in Crimea, most likely through the Sevastopol base. Keeping saboteurs and special operators out of a port or harbor is a difficult job, requiring either constant vigilance or cutting-edge technology. Since technology can only be as cutting edge as the Russian draftee manning the controls, vigilance is the key. What could be better than an animal who never really loses consciousness, even while sleeping? Recent satellite imagery revealed what appears to be dolphin pens near the installation. This wouldn't be a first for Russia, as the Crimean pens are similar to ones used by Russia's navy in the Syrian port of Tartus. Russia isn't even the first country to weaponize sea life. The United States, North Korea and Israel also use trained dolphins to protect critical bases. Story continues Read: Militarized Dolphins Protect a Quarter of US Nuclear Stockpile The U.S. Navy not only uses dolphins but also enlists sea lions to detect undersea mines and search out combat divers infiltrating the waters around American bases. Russia has used dolphins and a number of other animals for the same protections since the days of the Soviet Union, including seals and beluga whales. One of those beluga whales likely appeared off the coast of Norway in 2019, wearing a harness meant to mount a GoPro camera. Like any other Russian conscript, the whale escaped its captivity and fled the Russian military, looking for help elsewhere in Europe. No one is certain how the Ukrainian military managed to detonate the Kerch Bridge, with speculation ranging from sabotage to long-range missiles and stealth boats to special operations divers. While there's not much a bottlenose dolphin can do against a long-range missile, they are widely accepted as credible protection from combat divers. In fact, they may be the best protection. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. An Executive Order was ordered by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster that is suspending Allendale Town Councilman Earl Morell. In Allendale County court on Wednesday, Morell was indicted on charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the second degree before a grand jury. ALSO READ: Gov. McMaster proposes pay raises for South Carolina law enforcement The order said Morell is suspended until such a time as he is formally acquitted, convicted or until a duly elected successor is qualified and takes the oath of office. The full executive order can be read, here. (WATCH BELOW: SC governor in State of State: More money and bold actions) Jamie Lee Curtis is taking a look back on her "Halloween" era. On Friday, Oct. 14, she shared some sweet throwback photos that the Academy Awards originally posted of her 1978 movie, "Halloween," directed by John Carpenter. In the post, Curtis shared a few cool behind-the-scenes moments that she had with the cast and crew on set. In one black-and-white photo, Curtis is seen holding a knife while she menacingly grins, and in another, she's seen holding Carpenter from behind while they both share a smile. There's even a funny photo of actor Nick Castle, who played the Shape, hilariously feeding the Michael Myers mask a Dr. Pepper. "Behind the scenes of John Carpenters Halloween (1978)," Curtis captioned the Instagram post. "Carpenters Halloween represents the Golden Age of slasher films gifting audiences the ultimate final girl in Jamie Lee Curtis Laurie Strode and the embodiment of pure evil with killer Michael Myers. Whats your favorite film in the franchise?" In the comments section, the Academy wrote, "The ULTIMATE final girl. ." In 1978, Curtis' career took off when she played Laurie Strode in the famous slasher film. After returning to the role of Laurie again and again in the "Halloween" saga, her character had her final showdown with Michael Myers in her new movie, "Halloween Ends," which was released in the U.S on Oct. 14. Image: On the set of Halloween (Sunset Boulevard / Corbis via Getty Images) During an Oct. 12, interview on TODAY, Curtis looked back on her over 44-year long career in Hollywood, and revealed why she liked playing Laurie so much. "I have finally figured it out after 44 years. Laurie Strode represented everybody's sister, everybody's friend. Her beautiful innocence, and intelligence and her ability in the moment to never give up," Curtis said. "And so for me, the legacy is that I never give up. And even if Jaime has given up, Laurie didn't. And because of that, people around the world look to me as someone who's a survivor and who's faced adversity and has kept going." Related: This article was originally published on TODAY.com In ancient times, people had to decide which deity they would serve. There were many from which to choose. There was Yahweh the God of Israel, and the pantheon ruler Zeus, Egypts Amon-Ra, the fertility god Baal, the detestable Molech, to whom child sacrifices were made, and many more. The list of possible candidates was long. The idea that one must choose between the gods is presented numerous times in the Bible. For example, Israels aged leader Joshua issued an ultimatum to his contemporaries: choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Shayne Looper Other examples include the famous prophet Elijahs challenge: How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. To this challenge, we are told, the people said nothing. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul praises the Christians in Thessalonica who turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. In each of these situations, ordinary people came to a decision about which God they would trust and serve. But the choice between competing Gods is only one aspect of the decision that needs to be made. It is not enough to say that this or that God will be my God; I must go on to relate to this God as Lord the one whose authority I acknowledge. The decision now is not about which God I will serve, but whether I will serve him, or he will serve me. This decision predates the other, for it predates the gods. The Bible tells how Adam, the most ancient of humans, chose. His was not a choice between the Gods, for there was then only one. The choice was between the one God and himself or, put differently, between going Gods way and going his own. He chose badly. This archetypal decision is made by each succeeding generation, and by each person in every generation. Though universal, the actual moment of decision can pass unnoticed. Rarely does someone think, I will choose myself over God. Instead, they think, I must do this; I have no other choice. The mind has camouflaged the true nature of the decision. Story continues There is a fascinating biblical account that sheds light on this. The nomadic Hebrew people had gone to Egypt for refuge during a time of famine and had remained there for hundreds of years. When societal sentiment and public policy turned against them, they left Egypt in one of historys largest refugee flights. Poised on the border of the Promised Land, their newly installed leader Joshua had a God encounter. On the eve of the Battle of Jericho, Joshua was alone when he met a soldier with a drawn sword. Being a man of extraordinary courage, he immediately approached the stranger with the challenge: Are you for us or for our enemies? The stranger, it turned out, was no mere soldier but the commander of the army of the Lord and, quite possibly, the Lord himself. He answered Joshua, Neither. It seems that God was not on Israels side nor their enemys. The question, as Joshua learned, is not whether God is on our side but whether we are on his. Joshua learned the lesson that everyone must learn. The true God will not serve us or our cause, no matter how just or noble. But we can serve him or not. Yet throughout history, people have tried to indenture God and claim him for their side. They have expected him to render service, as if they were the God and he were the servant. When he does not comply, they are reduced to using him as propaganda in their crusade. This causes people who hear about God to suspect that he is a fiction, a propaganda tool. What else would they think when the people who told them about God treat him as such? Clearly, Elijahs challenge remains relevant: If the Lord is God, follow him. Find this and other articles by Shayne Looper at shaynelooper.com. This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Shayne Looper: Whose side is God on? SPRINGFIELD, Mo. At 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 2, nearly 18 weeks into her pregnancy, Mylissa Farmer experienced what doctors call a preterm premature rupture of membranes her water broke before labor, followed by vaginal bleeding, abdominal pressure and cramping. She went to Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, where she'd been just the day before. Everything had been normal then. She and her boyfriend, Matthew McNeill, had already picked out a name for their daughter: Maeve. But the doctors had devastating news for them. If Maeve was delivered right then, chances of survival at 17 weeks and 5 days were zero, according to the assessment and plan section of Farmer's medical records outlining the visit. And the outcome wasn't much better if they tried to hold off on delivery. The doctors recommended terminating the pregnancy but 39 days after the state of Missouri banned abortions, that wasn't an option, at least not in Missouri. Post-Roe: Walgreens, CVS pharmacists are withholding medications for people. What you need to know. A year ago, the hospital could have offered a chance for the couple to say goodbye and hold their daughter, even though they knew she wouldn't survive outside the womb. Instead, Farmer and McNeill were left to make a series of trips across three states and countless phone calls. The couple wanted to be able to grieve the loss of their daughter, not sit at home or in a hospital "with a baby dying inside me," Farmer said. "I know it sounds horrible, but we just wanted to finish the process," she said. In the end, Farmer didn't just lose Maeve; she lost her friends and her trust that Missouri would allow medical professionals to do their jobs. Mylissa Farmer talks with the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader on Sept. 28 at her home in Joplin. In early August, Farmer had to travel to Illinois to terminate her pregnancy when her water broke at 17 weeks and 5 days and put her life in danger. "It was hard. You could tell the doctors were trying to tell us what we needed to do, but at the same time, trying to protect themselves. Were not angry with them," Farmer said. If her vitals plummeted or infection set in, or the fetus' cardiac activity stopped, the doctors could intervene, but not before then. Story continues "Current Missouri law supercedes (sic) our medical judgement and the MO law language states that we cannot intervene in the setting of a pregnancy with a positive fetal heart motion unless there is a 'medical emergency,'" reads Farmer's medical record from that Aug. 2 visit. But the language outlining "medical emergencies" in Missouri Revised Statute 188.017 is vague, which continues to cause concern as the Missouri government fails to issue any meaningful clarification that carries the full force of the law. Schools: In states where abortion is now outlawed, students ramp up activism More: Amid growing 'abortion deserts,' a haven in small-town Illinois takes shape At 41, Farmer worried that, by the time there was an emergency, it would be too late for both her and Maeve. And even if Farmer did live through it, she worried about what her recovery would be like. She was already at "risks of maternal thrombosis given her history of (deep vein thrombosis during a COVID-19 infection), infection/sepsis, severe blood loss, hysterotomy, hysterectomy and even mortality," according to the medical record. Even if Farmer could carry Maeve another six weeks and deliver her, the complete loss of amniotic fluid meant stunted development. "They said because I lost all of my amniotic fluid, that my uterus would be deforming our child and if we were able to carry another 6 weeks, she would come out deformed," Farmer said. "Her lungs wouldnt be any more developed than they were at 17 weeks ... If she were to develop, she would come out deformed and with major disabilities with breathing, and shed be on a ventilator for a very long time." The situation was further complicated when doctors found that Farmer's cervix was dilated, which increased chances that she would develop an infection and meant "there was no chance for me to even regain any amniotic fluid," she said. Freeman Hospital in Joplin said it cannot comment on Farmer's case "because it is a patient privacy HIPAA issue, which is hospital policy." Searching out of state proved fruitless Farmer's options were limited in Missouri: "Sit and wait in the hospital for however long it took for her heartbeat to either stop, or for infection to set in or for me to bleed to death. We didnt like those options." Doctors suggested she and McNeill travel out of state to receive care. But after calling four hospitals in Illinois and three in Kansas, it seemed no one would take them. They even drove to Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, that same day, where she said doctors told her the same thing she'd heard in Joplin: "This child is not viable. Your health is at risk." But after consulting with their legal team, Farmer said they told her that they wouldn't be able to offer a dilation and evacuation procedure. Mylissa Farmer and her boyfriend Matthew McNeill talked with the News-Leader on Sept. 28 at their home in Joplin. In early August, Farmer had to travel to Illinois to terminate her pregnancy when her water broke at 17 weeks and 5 days and put her life in danger. "Our providers evaluate each case individually to develop an appropriate treatment plan, and then discuss the options and alternatives for care with our patients," said Jill Chadwick, KUMC director of media relations. "Those are the medical decisions our physicians are trained to make every day, and at the same time always staying within the boundaries set forth by Kansas law." Farmer returned to Freeman Hospital on Aug. 3, staying overnight for observation and looking up stories about water breaking early after a nurse mentioned that antibiotics might allow Farmer to carry to term without infection. But reality came crashing down when more doctors came to advise them. One newborn intensive care unit doctor "went over the whole baby being deformed because their bones are so soft, she would have permanent disabilities the rest of her life even if she made it," Farmer said. "But he said because my cervix was open, there was no chance for me to even make it 6 weeks." "The thing he said was, 'There are things worse than death, and I have seen it.'" Abortion ruling's rapid impact: 66 clinics have stopped doing procedure in these 15 states Rather than stay at the hospital to wait for infection to set in, Farmer went home to wait, monitoring her temperature and her pain. On Aug. 4, she called her state senator, Bill White, and explained her situation to an aide. He told her, "Thats not what the law was designed for. Its designed to protect the womans life." "Its not protecting me. We have to wait for the heartbeat (to stop). Theres no chance for a baby; shes not going to make it. Its putting my life in danger," Farmer said she remembers telling him. "We just want to move on, we just want to grieve." The aide told her he would reach out to Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, and also connected her with Choices Medical Services, "which is basically an anti-abortion clinic" in Joplin, Farmer said. She never heard back about what Schmitt said. Choices Medical Services offers "pregnancy testing for confirmation of pregnancy, limited obstetrical ultrasounds, STI/STD testing and prenatal education classes." According to the website, it does not offer nor refer people to abortion services. "We are often contacted by individuals who request an appointment, but their specific needs are out of the scope of our services," said Mischa Long, director of nursing for Choices Medical Services in Joplin. "For these individuals, we clarify our services and offer a referral to a local doctor for prenatal care." Farmer's situation turned out to be one such case. Despite the clinic's compassion, they were "unable to give any answers to help my medical situation. In my case, it was unhelpful and slowed my progress for actual care," Farmer said. What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day An abortion clinic was Farmer's 'last hope for care' Farmer describes herself as "pretty pro-life" and Christian. She then did something she never thought she would do: Begin looking for abortion clinics. Planned Parenthood in Kansas, she said, was overbooked. They couldn't find anyone in Illinois. It was looking like they would have to travel to Colorado. After reaching out to a couple abortion services that help with finances and facilitating the procedure, one person contacted the Illinois HOPE Clinic for Farmer. "I got a call an hour and a half later, they said, 'Your case needs to be urgent; we are going to see you tomorrow,'" she said. Farmer and McNeill set out for Granite City, Illinois. Early in the morning on Aug. 5, Farmer began to have back pain while on their way to the place just 15 minutes outside of St. Louis. When she got to HOPE Clinic, she was in labor. For subscribers: Post-Roe, non-pregnant people are being denied medications over 'hypothetical' babies Traveling for Abortion: New executive order safeguards people traveling to Hawaii for abortion procedures After the fact, Farmer said it was almost reassuring that the labor came on. Friends in Joplin who knew of the situation had been telling her that she "could give birth at 17 weeks, that they knew people who have done it, that I was killing my child." "It did my heart good to know I was doing the right thing," she said, as if her body was telling her that it was OK. But still, the experience was harrowing. Protesters in front of the clinic echoed the things her friends had told her, "saying we were killing our baby and that we were evil." "It was awful, you know? We were just going through so much. We didnt want this ... but at the same time, we had no choice," Farmer said. Because labor had already started, what was supposed to be a two-day procedure was cut down to one. The clinic performed the procedure, Farmer and McNeil stayed there for one night, and then returned home. Farmer returned to her job Aug. 11. Mylissa Farmer and her boyfriend Matthew McNeill talked with the News-Leader on Sept. 28 at their home in Joplin. In early August, Farmer had to travel to Illinois to terminate her pregnancy when her water broke at 17 weeks and 5 days and put her life in danger. "The doctor wanted me to take more time but we werent prepared for anything this early," she said. She had already missed more than a week of work, and while her life had ground to a halt, there were still bills to pay. 'Lost trust' in ability to get needed care Farmer and McNeill are still grieving the loss of much-wanted Maeve. Farmer said they took all the extra steps and extra care they could to ensure the pregnancy was successful. She is quick to point out that hers was not an elective abortion. "We wanted this child. We named her after a warrior queen," McNeill told the Springfield News-Leader, part of the USA TODAY Network, standing in the kitchen of their Joplin home at the end of September. Farmer added that they had already bought clothes for Maeve, and that she would have been a daddy's girl. If they had been able to get the care they needed in-state, McNeill feels things would have been different. Though their daughter would have died, at least Farmer would have been able to deliver her close to home, among friends and support. "If this was a year ago, they could have induced labor and I would have been able to hold her and say goodbye, McNeill said. Along with the grief, Farmer is frustrated. She and McNeill have been encountering difficulty as they searched for attorney who might take their case. As of mid-October, Farmer told the News-Leader they secured legal counsel. Health: Lung disease tests are failing Black patients, studies show. Experts are calling for change. Period Action Day: 1 in 4 struggle to buy menstrual products. 22 states still tax them. During a visit with the News-Leader in September, Farmer explained they aren't seeking money in return for the emotional pain they've endured they just want people to be aware of the situations that will arise if they miscarry before viability. "This isnt for us. Its for other women, to help other people," she said. "I don't know what else we can do to try to make people more aware." The loss isn't limited to their child. The friends who told her she was killing her child have since been cut out of her life. "I either told them not to contact me or unfriended them, because we were getting judged harshly," Farmer said. "It was just more insult to injury that people are so uninformed and so unsympathetic." Since their ordeal, Farmer has lost trust. While she still feels her obstetrician at Freeman Hospital in Joplin is a good doctor, she's worried about whether medical professionals in Missouri will be able to offer patients necessary care. "I haven't lost trust in care, but Ive lost trust (doctors) will be allowed to make the medical decisions they need to make," she said. She's lost trust in the politicians who represent her, as well. Despite reaching out to various legislators, she has yet to receive an answer that satisfies her: Why is this law written this way? If it's to protect women, why did she have to be in danger before she could get care in-state? Why is it such a binary law? "The world is too nuanced to put such strict rules in place," Farmer said. What is preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM)? Farmer's story is not unique. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, preterm premature rupture of membranes happens in 2% to 3% of pregnancies in the United States, and leads to preterm birth in one out of four cases. Generally, a person's water will break when contractions begin. Any time the amniotic sac breaks before labor starts, it's called prelabor or premature rupture of membranes, but when the sac breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy, it's considered preterm. Amniotic fluid a liquid that is initially made up of mostly water from the mother creates space for movement in the womb, allowing for bone growth. The fluid also allows the lungs to develop properly, so a complete loss of the fluid inhibits development and can cause the uterus to crush the fetus. Experts: Pregnancy-related deaths could rise 20% or more in states that outlaw abortion Until about 36 weeks of pregnancy, the volume of amniotic fluid continues to increase. Generally, the age of viability the time at which the infant can survive outside the womb is 24 weeks, though advances in medical research mean that the prognosis for earlier delivery is better than it has been in the past. In Farmer's case, the amniotic sac broke and she lost all of the amniotic fluid at 17 weeks and 5 days into her pregnancy, 20 weeks before her pregnancy would be at term, and a little more than six weeks before her baby would be at the cusp of viability. Follow Susan Szuch on Twitter: @szuchsm. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri abortion ban left this woman 'with a baby dying inside' Photo: The Canadian Press Matthew Caruana Galizia, son of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, speaks to media outside the Valletta Law court, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. In a stunning reversal, the two brothers who are on trial for the car-bomb murder of the Maltese anti-corruption journalist entered guilty pleas on the first day of trial. (AP Photo/Jonathan Borg) A judge in Malta sentenced two brothers to 40 years in prison each after they abruptly reversed course and pleaded guilty Friday to the car-bomb murder of an anti-corruption journalist, which had shocked Europe and triggered angry protests in Malta. Hours earlier, at the start of the trial in a Valletta courthouse, George Degiorgio, 59, and Alfred Degiorgio, 57, had entered not-guilty pleas over the death of Daphne Caruana Galizia in the blast as she drove near her home on Oct. 16, 2017. Caruana Galizia investigated suspected corruption among political and business circles in the tiny European Union nation, which is a financial haven in the Mediterranean. This is an important step forward, to deliver justice in a case that represents a dark chapter in Maltas history, a statement from the office of Prime Minister Robert Abelas government said shortly after the sentencing. One of her sons, Matthew Caruana Galizia, told reporters: Im relieved that they have been convicted and sentenced. Now its about the remaining cases, he said, referring to prosecution of other defendants. But he said the five years it took to reach this stage of justice for his mother was far too long. The trial judge, Edwina Grima, retired to chambers after the change of plea before announcing the sentences an hour later. The two defendants were also ordered to pay 50,000 euros apiece from the money they received as a result of the crime as well as court costs. They could have faced a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Prosecutors alleged that the brothers were hired by a top Maltese businessman with government ties. That businessman has been charged and will be tried separately. Bringing the trial to an abrupt close, the Degiorgio brothers entered guilty pleas to all of the following charges: willful homicide; causing an explosion which resulted in the death of a person; illicit possession of explosives; criminal conspiracy; promoting, constituting, organizing or financing an organization with a view to commit criminal offenses, and active participation in a conspiracy. In the run-up to the trial, the Degiorgio brothers had denied the charges. A third suspect, Vincent Muscat, avoided a trial after earlier changing his plea to guilty. Muscat is serving a 15-year sentence. But at Friday's start of the trial Alfred Degiorgio pleaded not guilty while his brother declared that he had nothing to say which the court interpreted as a not-guilty plea. It wasn't immediately clear why the defendants abruptly reversed themselves. During the prosecution's opening arguments, the state argued they had evidence involving cell phones that would link the defendants to the bombing. The brothers had unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a pardon in exchange for naming bigger alleged conspirators, including a former minister whose identity hasn't been revealed. The bomb had been placed under the driver's seat and the explosion was powerful enough to send the car's wreckage flying over a wall and into a field. A top Maltese investigative journalist, Caruana Galizia, 53, had written extensively on her website Running Commentary about suspected corruption in political and business circles in the Mediterranean island nation, an attractive financial haven. Among her targets were people in then-Prime Minister Joseph Muscats inner circle whom she accused of having offshore companies in tax havens disclosed in the Panama Papers leak. But she also targeted the opposition. When she was killed she was facing more than 40 libel suits. The arrest of a top businessman with connections to senior government officials two years after the murder sparked a series of mass protests in the country, forcing Muscat to resign. Yorgen Fenech was arrested in 2019 and indicted in 2021 for alleged complicity in the slaying, by either ordering or instigating the commission of the crime, inciting another to commit the crime or by promising to give a reward after the fact. He was also indicted for conspiracy to commit murder. Fenech has entered not-guilty pleas to all charges. No date has been set for his trial. A self-confessed middleman, taxi driver Melvin Theuma, was granted a presidential pardon in 2019 in exchange for testimony against Fenech and the other alleged plotters. Two men, Jamie Vella and Robert Agius, have been charged with supplying the bomb, but their trial has not yet begun. In the morning session before a lunch break, Deputy Attorney General Philip Galea Farrugia told the court that Theuma was asked by an unnamed person to find someone to kill Caruana Galizia. Theuma allegedly approached one of the Degiorgio brothers and a payment of 150,000 euros ($146,500) was negotiated, said Galea Farrugia. Galea Farrugia also said that a rifle was initially selected as the murder weapon, but that was later switched to a bomb. Prosecutors also said that a cell phone one of three that George Degiorgio had with him on a cabin cruiser in Malta's Grand Harbor had triggered the explosion. A 2021 public inquiry report found that the Maltese state has to bear responsibility for Caruana Galizias murder because of the culture of impunity that emanated from the highest levels of government. The Council of Europes commissioner for human rights, Dunja Mijatovi?, has decried the lack of effective results in establishing accountability five years later. In a letter to Prime Minister Abela, the commissioner expressed the need for urgency in protecting journalists in Malta and cited defamation cases that are still ongoing posthumously against Caruana-Galizias heirs. After years of playing understudy to Hong Kong, Singapore has emerged as Asias leading aviation hub. Courtesy of Singapore Changi Group Not your typical in-terminal amenity: the Rain Vortex at Singapore Changi Airport. The cavernous arrivals and departures halls of Hong Kong International Airport were once among the busiest in Asia, handling nearly 72 million passengers in 2019. Today, its only a slight exaggeration to say theres nobody there at all. Though Hong Kong has lifted its mandatory hotel quarantine rules, Chinas strict zero-COVID policy has kept all but a handful of international travelers from flying in: recent figures show the airport on pace for just 1.5 million passengers in 2022. Hong Kong, the worlds most visited city in 2017, according to Euromonitor International, has slid to number 49. The picture is very different at Singapore Changi Airport. After the government of Singapore decided in April to allow fully vaccinated passengers to enter without tests or quarantine, traffic soared to more than 50 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels within two months. The airport received approximately 10 million arrivals through June, with many passengers arriving from Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco, as well as London and Paris. Courtesy of Singapore Changi Group Singapore Changi Airport is fast becoming the preferred gateway to Southeast Asia. Now Changi is ramping up services to become Asias new aviation leader. This could be our time, says Ke-Wei Peh, vice president of market development at Changi Airport Group. Were optimistic, and were expanding. Many facilities were closed at the height of the pandemic; Terminal 2 has reopened and Terminal 4 is slated to soon. Work has resumed on a new fifth terminal, and a third runway is due to reopen once nearly 25 miles of new taxiways are completed in coming years. Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines, which avoided bankruptcy during the dark days of 2020 by raising $16 billion of fresh liquidity, has added new routes, including nonstops to Seattle and Vancouver. The worlds longest flights, between Singapore and the New York City area, were grounded during the pandemic but resumed in January 2021 to JFK and March 2022 to Newark. Story continues Singapore Airlines now has three trips between Asia and New York every day, including one aboard a double-decker Airbus A380 that offers six private suites, each with a plush bed, private bathroom, Wi-Fi, and the choice of Dom Perignon, Krug, or Taittinger. All but one of the carriers 12 A380s are back in the air, and the company expects to serve more than 70 percent of its pre-pandemic destinations by the fall. Courtesy of Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines has refreshed many of its Boeing 737-8 jets. At Changi, Singapore Airlines gave its business- and first-class lounges a $36 million makeover, with splashes of blue, orange, and silver disrupting the usual symphony of beige. And, for the first time, there are free sleep pods for business passengers, as well as hotel-esque quiet rooms with beds for first-class fliers. Those amenities should appeal to transit passengers continuing on to destinations in Cambodia, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Thailand many of which will be served by new Boeing 737-8 planes freshly outfitted with lie-flat seats in business class. As long as China remains committed to its zero-COVID policy, aviation industry analysts argue Singapore has a golden opportunity as a hub for all of Southeast Asia. Most airlines in the region are structurally damaged by COVID, says Shukor Yusof, founder of the consultancy Endau Analytics. Post-pandemic, Singapore Airlines will be the airline of choice for many. When China does finally open, Singapore Airlines will be there: before 2020, the company and its sister airlines, including Scoot, had more flights to more mainland cities than any other aviation group. A version of this story first appeared in the October 2022 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "The Middle of It All." For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) Sri Lankan authorities have stepped up a search for a navy boat that went missing a month ago along with six sailors while patrolling in the Indian Ocean off the island nation, a navy spokesman said on Saturday. Navy spokesman Capt. Indika de Silva said the sailors ventured out from Sri Lanka's southern coast on Sept. 16 on a regular patrol and a day later, the navy had lost communication with the boat. He said that since then, the navy had deployed vessels to find the boat and the search operation intensified with the deployment of air force aircraft. Silva said they suspect the boat might have developed an engine trouble and drifted to the open sea after getting caught in a heavy current. So far, we have not been able to find the boat or the sailors, said Silva. Sri Lanka's navy conducts regular patrols to crack down on smuggling. In recent months, the navy has successfully carried out several missions targeting narcotic and human traffickers. Dozens of people have been arrested while trying to illegally migrate mostly to Australia along with traffickers carrying large quantities of narcotics. In May and April, the navy seized more than 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) of heroine that was being smuggled in vessels. Daria Korzhavina (right, sitting at computer) tests out a website adapted for the visually impaired. Daria Korzhavina is an active young woman. She is a journalist, civic and political activist, co-founder of the Fight for Right NGO, human rights activist, winner of the Top 30 Under 30 award, and a mother of a seven-year-old daughter. She constantly uses websites and social networks, and reads and writes a lot on the Internet. She is also blind. A screen reader helps her work online. This is a software application that renders text and image content as speech, and many mobile phones also have this software. Mobile applications operate on the following principle: when the user taps an application, they announce the name of the application; quickly double tapping the application opens it. But these functions dont always help, due to poor design of websites. Only yesterday, I wanted to sign a petition on a government website, and I couldnt do it, Korzhavina says. That was because using a screen reader I couldnt choose a way to access the site and enter my login details. This upset me, to be very honest. It is quite convenient to read government websites using a screen reader, she says of her experience. The problems usually arise when you want to do something more complex for example, if you want to choose a service or find your city or district in a drop-down list. When youre looking for services or goods, such lists are usually the biggest problem, she says. In the past, before speech generating devices became widespread, people with visual impairments had to remember how many times to press a key to perform a particular action on a mobile phone. Press down three times, right four times, then press OK. This is often the case with websites today, she says. Its 2022, the 21st century, screen readers are everywhere, and youd expect websites to be adapted, but you have to remember how many times you need to hit cursor control keys to select a search filter on a website, Korzhavina says with a smile. Why are some websites inaccessible? Lists are far from being the only problem faced by people who use resources that have not been made sufficiently accessible by their developers. Being unable to read a text on a mobile phone in bright sunlight is one such example. Story continues Poor contrast, small fonts, no subtitles for videos, no alternative text for images and text descriptions of icons, incorrectly marked headings or tables this is just the tip of the iceberg, says Dmytro Popov, a web accessibility consultant of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), commenting on common problems with websites. He has been working in the field of web accessibility for over 10 years, giving advice to a host of government bodies and international organizations. Screen reader users have problems when website developers fail to observe the basic principles of web accessibility. Often this is due to a lack of awareness, he explains. Many people, even website developers, are very surprised when they hear that people with disabilities use websites, order goods, products and tickets online, or even submit reports as sole proprietors via Diia, says Popov. They simply cant imagine that blind people can use a computer. Therefore, when creating products, developers are not thinking about how these products would be used with a screen reader. For example, they test a newly created website only with a computer mouse, while screen reader users usually use a keyboard. They also provide no alternative text for images, despite the fact that without them a screen reader cannot describe these images itll just say theyre there. Web accessibility expert Dmytro Popov explains basics of web-accessibility during a UNDP-supported training session for public servants in Osvitoria, Kyiv, in October 2021. Mariia Burlaka / UNDP in Ukraine However, web accessibility concerns not only people with disabilities, Popov says, as these people account for only 10-15% of all website users. Up to 50% of all of a websites viewers are users with limited mobility: a person who can hear, but cannot turn on the sound in a video because a child is sleeping nearby; a person with an injured hand or whose hands are busy, holding bags in one hand and trying to order a taxi with the other; or a person who can see, but poorly. Most of the requirements that meet the needs of such users are set in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAGs). These guidelines provide a detailed description of how web content can be made accessible to the greatest possible number of people. A lack of awareness and standards In the case of government websites, accessibility is critically important. While in the commercial sector a person can close an inaccessible website and use another one, there are simply no alternatives for government products, says Popov. That said, for a long time Ukraine ignored the problem of web accessibility. A state standard, DSTU (Ukrainian State Standard) regulating web accessibility was adopted only in 2016 in Ukraine, and it became mandatory for executive authorities only in 2019. Until then, there was no relevant legislation in the country. We thought: what do people with disabilities need websites for? says Popov, explaining the situation with web accessibility. When a blind person or a person with reduced mobility asked website owners to fix things, they werent taken seriously. As if they were just being fussy. At the same time, no Ukrainian translation was provided for WCAG 2.0, which underlay the national standard. As a result, the guidelines were not fully accessible to developers. However, in recent years the situation has gradually become on a par with Western countries, says Popov. In 2021, at the request of the United Nations Development Program in Ukraine (UNDP), he, together with other experts, tested 82 government websites that provide services online. Later, they tested another 100 of the executive authorities websites. He also analysed how the accessibility of government authorities mobile apps is regulated in other countries. At that time, the results showed that government websites in Ukraine are not 100% accessible. And one of the recommendations made by the compilers was to adopt the European EN 301 549 a leading accessibility standard as a new state standard in Ukraine. What will change now? Work is underway to incorporate the recommendations the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, supported by UNDP, has set up a new web accessibility standard. The standard came into force on 15 June. The new Ukrainian standard (DSTU EN 301 549:2022 Information technology. Requirements for the Accessibility of ICT Products and Services) completely duplicates the eponymous European standard. It is based on a newer version of WCAG 2.1, which has been used by European legislators for several years. These guidelines contain several new criteria that developers are required to meet in order to make their products accessible, says Popov, who helped review the Ukrainian translation of the European standard. A translation into Ukrainian of the standard, createdin partnership with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) was also provided to make it easier for developers to use it. Dmytro Popov talking about the basics of web accessibility during a UNDPs training session on the human-rights-centred approach in public policy. Kyiv, November 2021 Photo credit: Andrii Naumenko UNDP in Ukraine The main difference, however, is that the new state standard contains requirements for mobile applications and electronic documents the previous version was only applicable to websites. This is a big breakthrough, because now digitalization in Ukraine is based on the mobile-first approach, says Dmytro. This means that usually all important services are provided first in mobile applications. These are local applications such as Kyiv Digital, Diia which provides all state services, and the applications of Ukraines National Police. The Ministry of Digital Transformation, together with UNDP experts, also drew up a resolution that will require executive authorities at all levels to comply with the standard. The resolution is currently under consideration by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. After its adoption, all new government web resources in Ukraine both websites and mobile applications will be created in accordance with the new requirements. A transitional period will be established to change and adapt existing applications and websites. However, making changes to web resources will not take much time, Popov thinks. Bringing a website into line with accessibility requirements is not as difficult as it seems, he says. Accessibility usually does not require any special actions. Often all that you have to do is to provide text descriptions for buttons and to make the text more contrasting. This doesnt usually take a lot of time, or cost a lot of money. However, he recommends meeting accessibility requirements when developing a web resource in the first place: it is the easiest and cheapest way to do it. Greater accessibility, more users When government websites and mobile applications become accessible, people will use them more actively, says Korzhavina. Currently there are many state projects in which you can participate, for example, submit or vote for a participatory budgeting project in your city, she says. If this service is accessible to more people, more people will come, and peoples engagement will increase. After all, many people with disabilities want to be active, but they dont always have the opportunity to do this activity, she adds. It goes without saying that government websites should be accessible all people, including people with disabilities, pay taxes, so government websites should be accessible to them, Popov says. After all, providing accessibility is primarily about ensuring peoples rights, say Popov and Korzhavina, earnestly. You come into a pharmacy, ask, Why do you have no ramp?, and hear in response: Well, people in wheelchairs dont go to our pharmacy. Yes, maybe they dont go to your pharmacy because you have no ramp? Korzhavina says in exasperation. The same is true of web accessibility, she continues. People will not waste their time on an inaccessible website. Its like a vicious circle no accessibility, no people. And there wont be any if there is no accessibility. Therefore, the benefits for commercial websites are obvious: the greater the accessibility of a website, the greater number of people will be able to use it, and the greater the profit that the owner makes. Websites often have separate versions for people with visual impairments. Korzhavina says that she has never used them. I dont think theres a need to make a separate version. Can you make a website that all people (including those with impaired vision, hearing, or motor skills) can go to and use just like all other users, without having to follow a special link? she asks. After all, in times of war, web accessibility has become important for us as never before, says Korzhavina. Many soldiers have lost their eyesight in battles, says Korzhavina. Its unthinkable that these days people can be cut off from information and be unable to use the Internet like they did before. Its like youre missing out on life. And we have no right to deprive those people who have saved our lives of their online lives. This material was prepared by UNDP in Ukraine to mark International White Cane Day, which is celebrated worldwide on Oct. 15. Established to raise public awareness about people who use a white cane, this official UN international day now draws attention to the rights of the visually impaired in general. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (AP) Police have arrested the suspected Stockton serial killer and said officers apprehended him as he was out looking to kill in the California city. Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said on Saturday that the suspect was taken into custody following community tips and old-fashioned police work. The police chief said that a surveillance team has followed the suspect while he was driving around and determined early this morning that he was out looking to kill, he was hunting. Authorities say that the suspect is 43-year-old Wesley Brownlee and that he was stopped by officers at around 2am in the Village Green Drive area of the city. Police say that the suspect was found with a mask around his neck and armed with a gun. We are sure we stopped another killing, Chief McFadden added. Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln thanked the community for helping the department catch the suspect. Thank you for everything that you have done. Thank you for stepping up, thank you for exercising your voice, thank you for submitting the hundreds of tips that have come in on a daily basis, he said. Six men and one woman between the ages of 21 and 52 were shot in darkness in or near the Californian port city of Stockton since April 201. One victim was white, but the rest were Hispanic males. A seventh victim a homeless woman who survived an attack by what is believed to be the same perpetrator in April of last year. Ive had people tell me, Im not leaving my house, Tashante McCoy, community activist and founder of the Owl Movement, previously told The Independent. My mom texted today and she said, Im so glad that I dont have to go to work at night anymore. The U.S. Department of Education on Friday started accepting applications from federal student loan borrowers for up to $20,000 in debt forgiveness. (Ben Margot / Associated Press) The U.S. Department of Education officially opened the window Monday to applications for student loan debt relief, following a weekend test of the online application form. President Biden announced the formal launch of the applications Monday afternoon, saying, Were going to make sure the system works as smoothly as possible. During the "beta test" of the online form (https://studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application), Biden said, more than 8 million people successfully submitted applications in less than three days. About 40 million people with federal student loans stand to benefit from the one-time debt relief program, Biden said. Borrowers who meet the income limits less than $125,000 in either 2020 or 2021 for a single taxpayer, or less than $250,000 for a couple filing jointly will be eligible for up to $10,000 in federal student loan forgiveness, or up to $20,000 if they received a Pell Grant. "Not a dime will go to people in the top 5% income bracket," Biden said. Some critics of the blanket forgiveness say it will benefit many college graduates in high-paying fields. The weekend beta test was aimed at avoiding the problems the department encountered after the White House first announced the debt relief plan in August, when borrowers experienced long delays or could not access an overwhelmed studentaid.gov website The department has said that most borrowers will not have to submit an application form to obtain the loan forgiveness. The relief will be offered automatically to you if you've already reported your income to the Department of Education for example, as part of an income-driven repayment plan. Biden stressed that the form, which is due by the end of 2023, is simple to fill out and requires no documents to be submitted. It asks for so little information, in fact, you could fill it out on a smartphone in minutes. Student Debt Relief Update: Today, the U.S. Department of Education is previewing the student debt relief application form. Heres the latest: pic.twitter.com/efSzRbions The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 11, 2022 The application asks only for your name (or former name, if that's what is on your loan records), Social Security number, date of birth, phone number and email address. Instead of requesting copies of tax returns or other financial records, the form simply asks you to attest, under penalty of perjury, that you met the program's income limits. Story continues Specifically, you have to attest that at least one of the following things was true in 2020 or 2021: You made less than the income required to file federal taxes; You were a single tax filer or you filed a return separately from your spouse, and you made less than $125,000; You were a married person filing a joint return, a head of household or a qualifying widow or widower, and you made less than $250,000. The form states that the department may ask you to submit proof of your income, which you'll have to do by March 31, 2024. One wrinkle not mentioned on the application form is that if your parents claimed you as a dependent on their federal income tax form, their income, not yours, may determine whether you're eligible for the one-time relief. According to studentaid.gov, "if you were enrolled in school as a dependent student for financial aid purposes between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, your eligibility is based on parent income." If you fall into that category, the department said, it will contact you after it receives your application form to have your parent submit a "Parent Income Form." Biden urged borrowers to be wary of fraudsters offering to help you apply for relief. If you get a call from someone purporting to be from the government seeking to guide you through the process, Biden said, "lets be clear: Hang up." You can report such scams at the Federal Trade Commission's website, reportfraud.ftc.gov. Which loans are eligible? The forgiveness applies only to loans issued or held by the federal government. It doesn't extend to loans issued or held by private lenders. Generally, if the payments and interest on your student-loan debt are still paused because of the pandemic, that debt is eligible for forgiveness. Some Federal Family Education Loans and Perkins Loans, which are guaranteed by the federal government, are held by private lenders and are not eligible for forgiveness. To determine whether your loan is held by the government or by a private lender, sign in to your account at 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. If you consolidated or applied to consolidate privately held FFEL or Perkins loans into a federal direct loan before Sept. 29, the consolidated loan should be eligible for the one-time forgiveness program. If you have more than one eligible loan, the department said it will apply relief in this order of priority: Defaulted loans it holds Defaulted Federal Family Education Loans held by private lenders Non-defaulted direct loans FFELs and Perkins loans held by the department. Within each of those categories, forgiveness will be applied first to loans with the highest interest rate, with unsubsidized loans taking precedence over subsidized loans and more recent loans over older ones. Can you opt out? No one is required to accept the loan forgiveness, which would be considered taxable income in some states. If you qualify automatically for relief, the department said, it will email you to confirm that you want to accept it before forgiving the applicable amount of your debt. What happens after you apply? The department said it will email you to confirm that it received your application. If it needs more information, such as proof of your income or your parents' income, it will ask for it. And if the department determines that you do not qualify, it will contact you with the bad news. When will my debt be reduced? If your application is approved, the department said, it will notify the company or companies servicing your loans about the reduction in your debt. But the department's website cautions that "it may take some time for your account to reflect this change." The relief is expected to arrive before federal student loan payments, which were put on hold during the pandemic, are set to resume in January. Your servicer or servicers will let you know what your new balance is and, if you have remaining debt, what your monthly payment will be. If you're on an income-driven repayment plan, your income, not the amount you owe, will dictate your payment amount. If you are on a standard payment plan, the department said, your servicer will reduce your monthly payments to reflect the lower balance. You can opt to write a bigger monthly check to pay off the loan faster and reduce the amount of interest you'll pay over the life of the loan. Again, if you don't qualify automatically for relief, you have until the end of 2023 to submit an application form. The longer you wait, the longer you delay any reduction in your monthly payments. Will the debt relief be taxable? Under federal law, the amount of loan forgiveness you receive will not be considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. But it will be considered taxable income in California, the state Franchise Tax Board has said, unless legislators change state law. That's because state lawmakers didn't conform California tax law to the 2021 American Rescue Plan, which excluded all forgiven student-loan debt from federal taxes. Instead, state law excludes only debt forgiven as part of an income-driven payment plan or public-service loan forgiveness program. In a tweet last month, the state's two top lawmakers pledged to push through legislation early next year to prevent the state from taxing the loan amounts forgiven by the Biden administration. Can I get a refund for past payments? If you owe less than $10,000 in federal loans (or $20,000, if you received a Pell Grant), the one-time relief will wipe out that debt, but you won't receive a check for any amount left over. However, if you've been making student-loan payments voluntarily during the pandemic, you'll get that money back automatically. The amount you'll receive in forgiveness and refunded payments is capped at $10,000 (or $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients). The department also said it won't refund any of the voluntary payments you made if your federal student loan debt is greater than $10,000 (or $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients). All the relief will be applied to your loan debt. Is there anything that could block the debt relief? At least two federal lawsuits have been filed by conservative opponents of the loan-forgiveness program, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would cost taxpayers $400 billion. A court could enjoin the department from carrying out the debt relief until the legal issues are resolved. A common argument against the debt relief is that blanket loan forgiveness can be done only through an act of Congress. For its part, the Department of Justice asserts that the HEROES Act, a post-9/11 law enacted to help service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, authorizes the administration to cancel student loan debt broadly during times of emergency, such as the pandemic. Biden defended the debt relief plan as "economically responsible" and criticized Republicans for trying to deny help even to their own constituents. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Education Department (ED) opened up a beta version of its student loan forgiveness application process at studentaid.gov/debt-relief/application, offering periodic access to some borrowers who can apply ahead of the official launch. "We're accepting applications to help us refine our processes...If you submit an application, it will be processed, and you won't need to resubmit," according to the website. No official launch date was provided. The simple online form is the same one as the preview given to the press on Tuesday. It asks borrowers to provide their name, Social Security number, date of birth, phone number, and email. Borrowers won't need to upload any documents or log in with a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. To prevent fraud, all borrowers must attest to their eligibility under penalty of perjury and jail time. After submitting the application, borrowers should receive a confirmation email. ED will contact borrowers by email if additional information is needed. The borrower will also receive notification when the application is approved and sent to the loan servicer. The loan servicer will then notify the borrower when the debt relief has been applied and if there is a new payment based on any remaining loan balance. (Screenshot: StudentAid.gov) Borrowers have until the end of 2023 to apply, but are encouraged to get their applications in by mid-November. Applying early gives loan servicers enough time to recalculate a borrower's monthly payment based on their new loan balances before payments resume in January 2023. An ED official said that borrowers should receive debt relief "in a matter of weeks" after completing the form. The department expects to process the majority of claims by mid-November before January payments resume. In August, the Biden administration announced $10,000 in student loan forgiveness along with an additional $10,000 in forgiveness for Pell Grant recipients. Single borrowers who make less than $125,000 in adjusted gross income (AGI) and heads of household or married filing jointly borrowers who earn less than $250,000 in AGI are eligible for loan forgiveness. Story continues More than 40 million borrowers are eligible for student debt relief, while nearly 20 million borrowers could have their entire remaining balance forgiven, according to White House projections. Here's what else you need to know about Biden's student loan forgiveness. Beware of scammers Be wary of anyone offering loan forgiveness who also requires payment and/or sends a link that is not the official website at StudentAid.gov, which is the only site where the application is available. White House Avoid Student Loan Scams Which types of student loans are eligible for forgiveness? Only federally backed student loans are eligible for forgiveness. Loans from private banks and lenders don't qualify this includes federal loans consolidated with a private lender. Both undergraduate and graduate direct loans are eligible for cancelation along with Parent PLUS loans taken out by parents or guardians. As of September 29, 2022, borrowers with federal student loans not held by the Education Department are not eligible for debt relief by consolidating those loans into federal direct loans. If you had FFEL and Perkins Loans not owned by the Education Department and applied to consolidate them into the federal direct loan program before Sept. 29, 2022, they are eligible for loan forgiveness. If your loans are in default, use the Fresh Start Program to get them back in good standing. Loans eligible for Biden's loan forgiveness Who qualifies for $20,000 in student loan debt forgiveness? Borrowers who received Pell Grants and make less than $125,000 as individuals or less than $250,000 as married couples are eligible to receive $20,000 in student loan debt forgiveness. Your income is based on either your 2020 or 2021 federal tax return AGI. What is a Pell Grant? A Pell Grant is a federal grant to low-income undergraduates who have not yet earned a first bachelors degree with the greatest demonstrated financial need. Eligibility is determined from documentation provided on the free application for federal student aid, known as FAFSA. In 2020-21, approximately 6.4 million students received a Pell Grant with the average award of $4,166 and over 78% of recipients had family incomes of less than $40,000, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). Who qualifies for $10,000 in student loan forgiveness? Those who did not receive Pell Grants but make less than $125,000 as individuals or less than $250,000 as a married couple are eligible for $10,000 in student loan debt forgiveness. Your income is based on either your 2020 or 2021 federal tax return. It is expected that income will be based on adjusted gross income (AGI), but we are awaiting confirmation from ED. Credit: NASFAA What happens with my payments if I'm not eligible for forgiveness or the forgiveness doesn't cancel all my debt? Biden also extended the pause or forbearance on federal student loan payments until December 31. It is not expected to be extended again. If you have debt remaining after loan forgiveness, your loan servicer will recalculate your new balance and monthly payment. Payments will resume in January 2023. Is the forgiven student loan debt taxable? Not on the federal level. This debt relief will not be considered taxable income for federal income tax purposes because of a provision in the American Rescue Plan passed in March 2021. However, some states like Arkansas, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Wisconsin may consider it taxable income. What happens to any payments I made during the payment pause? If you made payments during the federal student loan moratorium (beginning March 13, 2020), you can get a refund for payments made by contacting your loan service provider, according to the Federal Student Aid website. Is this the same as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program? No. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness provides student debt forgiveness to those who have worked at least 10 years in public service jobs with federal, state, local, or certain non-profit organizations such as teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. The PSLF waiver expires October 31. Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Money and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on Twitter @writesronda Read the latest personal finance trends and news from Yahoo Money. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn Altimatou Kaos passion for Black history and culture was never reflected in her school social studies lessons. It wasnt ever important enough for schools to teach us about it in the classroom, Kao, a 2022 graduate of the Bridge Academy in Bridgeport, said. I always had to do the research myself if I wanted to learn about any historical Black figure that wasnt MLK or Frederick Douglass. That changed Kaos senior year when she found herself learning, for the first time, a history that she could connect with, as she sat in the Bridge Academys first African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino studies course. This class helped me get a new identity of self-love, Kao said. Kao and others praised the states newly mandated African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino studies curriculum at the Connecticut State Board of Education meeting in Meriden on Wednesday evening, saying that the course ignites engagement and empowers students. This school year marks the first time that Connecticut districts were required to offer the course, which 54 high schools piloted during the 2021-2022 year. The full-year history elective covers African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino political movements, cultural contributions, struggles and more. Connecticut State Department of Education Chief Academic Officer Irene Parisi and Ingrid Canady, executive director of the State Education Resource Center, said that some schools could not offer the course because not enough students signed up to take the class. All but about 10 of Connecticuts school districts are running the course. Parisi said that the CSDE is in the process of conducting an audit of the course to record, among other factors, the number of high schools offering the course, student participation and demographics, and whether districts are implementing the course as a graduation requirement. Daisha Brabham, a teacher at Windsor High School, said that teaching her schools African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino studies course reignited her passion for teaching. Story continues Brabhams first unit focused on language and how it was used to marginalize and empower Black and Latino Americans. For their final assessment, her students chose to debate a topic of their choosing: In what way should language aim to be more exclusive or inclusive. This experience kind of taught me something, that theres a power for our students by giving them the resources and then watching their voices shine, Brabham said. Bridge Academy graduate Hiromi Lozano alongside her teacher, Denise Moller spoke to the board about her experience taking the course. Coming from a Colombian background, I had only learned little to nothing about the history of Latinos in the U.S. Lozano said. We always learned small bits of our history as Latinx and our African American students, but there had never been a class dedicated to our culture and our history. We realized the importance of it because we could all relate to the people we were learning about. This course taught us the real hard history of the U.S., which we need to understand in order to not repeat. This class is important to not only me but my classmates because it is our history. Moller said that going into the class many students did not know that Connecticut used to be a slave state. In her teaching, Moller made sure to incorporate the local history born in the schools backyard of Bridgeport alongside the conversations of national movements. These local stories to which students can connect help to carry through the theme of agency and resistance. Seeing what ordinary Bridgeport residents did to fight oppression in the past will hopefully encourage my kids to do the same in the future, Moller said, Stephen Armstrong, the social studies consultant for the CSDE, said that the most common phrase he hears while speaking with students and teachers is I cant believe we didnt learn this before. Thats a very, very common statement, Armstrong said, This is not in two schools, 30 schools this is statewide. Advocates for the course say that African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino studies should be a required course for all students. Others have considered revising social studies standards to reflect more racial, cultural and ethnic identities in the curriculum. State board member Erik Clemons said that he hopes the course will not be presented as an elective but as part of the regular history course. My hope is that Black history, African American history, Latino history will be considered U.S. history, Clemons said. Maryam Wardak, the social studies supervisor for Capitol Region Education Council Magnet Schools, said that CREC made the African American, Black, Puerto Rican and Latino studies course a graduation requirement for all students. Representation matters, but not just only for our students of color. Its also imperative for everybody else and all the other students that do not identify as students of color to also learn this history, Wardak said. CREC was among the first districts to offer the course in 2021-2022. Wardak said that the class received an abundance of positive feedback from students. Wardak said more education must occur outside the classroom to show the community what the course is about and address misconceptions. The other important thing that we talked about was a communication of this course to not only parents and the school community, but the community at large, emphasizing the fact that this is a history course. This is not an isolated course. This is not critical race theory. This is U.S. history, Wardak said. Alison Cross can be reached at across@courant.com. Emomali Rahmon is dissatisfied with Putin's policy President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon directed an emotional outburst at the Russian dictator, asking him not to treat the Central Asian countries as the former Soviet Union. Read also: Servicing of Russian Mir payment cards suspended by big bank in Tajikistan Among other stinging comments, Rahmon expressed his dissatisfaction with the attitude of the Russian authorities towards Tajikistan. Why do we have to beg (Russia to attend) some miserable forum in Tajikistan? he asked Putin. I gave instructions to the Foreign Ministry, I even talked to you to ask (Russis) to attend at least at the ministerial level. No, at the level of deputy ministers. Is this what Tajikistan deserves, a strategic partner? Read also: Putin wants new grand bargain with the West, says Turkish official We arent 100-200 million, but we want to be respected. Did we violate something? Did we greet each other inappropriately? Theres no need to invest a lot of money (in Tajikistan). Vladimir Vladimirovich (Putin). I ask you not to pursue a policy towards the Central Asian countries as (if they are) the former Soviet Union, Rahmon said. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Teachers in Haverhill and Malden are preparing for potential strikes Monday. Both unions voted overwhelmingly Friday night to go on strike following failed contract negotiations with their respective districts. Both teachers unions the Malden Education Association and the Haverhill Education Association are fighting for many of the same things including pay increases, improved safety in schools, smaller class sizes and more. The respective unions have made numerous proposals to address staffing shortages, racial and social justice, safety in schools, adequate time for educators to prepare and collaborate, and wages that have been chronically suppressed, the unions said in a joint statement. We acknowledge the disruption our strikes can cause. But we can no longer in good conscience see our students receive less than they deserve and for educators to be continually disrespected as professionals. Both unions will be meeting with district leaders over the weekend for more negotiations. Not only is a strike detrimental to the children and families of Haverhill, it is also illegal here in Massachusetts, said Scott Wood, chairman of the Haverhill Teacher Negotiating Committee. Striking does nothing to bring us together to come to a mutual decision on a contract which is fair and equitable for our teachers, Haverhill families, and taxpayers. Rolling rallies are planned for Saturday at 1 p.m. outside Haverhill City Hall and at 4 p.m. outside Malden City Hall. The Haverhill School Committee said its working with local community organizations to assist parents and caregivers who need help with childcare and food services in the event of a strike. Its illegal for public employees in Massachusetts to go on strike, so if the teachers do walk out of the classroom on Monday, they could face legal action. The Haverhill School Committee said it would join the State Labor Relations Board at Essex Superior court in Salem to file an action against the Haverhill Education Association should they go on strike. Story continues This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Photo: Ganong Canadas oldest candy and chocolate company Ganong Bros., Ltd. is teaming up with the head of seafood giant Cooke Inc. in a bid to grow the family-run confectionery business. The partnership will see Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke the parent company of multiple aquaculture, seafood processing and wild fishery divisions invest in Ganong and help the company modernize and expand into new markets. Bryana Ganong, president and CEO of Ganong and the fifth generation of the family to run the business, said the investment by Cooke will be directed into new equipment and upgrades at the company's St. Stephen, N.B., facilities. It will also allow Ganong to leverage Cookes global retail grocery presence, helping grow the candy company's sales around the world, she said. "This is new territory for us as a privately owned family business," Ganong said. 'But it's important that we be open to change and adaptation to continue for future generations. "We're an almost 150-year-old company and we are very connected to our community. It was really important for us to prioritize a partner that was going to understand that connection and want to see the business grow here in New Brunswick, and Cooke is a perfect match." Established in 1873, Ganong is Canadas oldest family-owned and operated candy and chocolate company, with popular brands including Chicken Bones, Pal-o-Mine bars and Delecto boxes of assorted chocolates. Ganong has been working to optimize its product offerings, reduce the labour intensity of products and improve and streamline operations for several years, Ganong said. In the middle of the pandemic, the company launched an allergen removal project and began manufacturing some products in different ways to separate allergens in the facility, Ganong said. As a result, the company was able to secure two new contracts to make products for other brands, she said. "We produce confectionery products for a range of companies in Canada and the U.S. under their own brands here in our facility in St. Stephen," Ganong said. "That is definitely the fastest-growing piece of our business." But Ganong said the company realized that to continue its growth, an investment would be needed. "We operate in an environment where we're competing against large multinationals," she said. "There certainly aren't very many smaller players left in the industry anymore. There's been a lot of consolidation." Cooke's support will help ensure the company remains competitive in an ever-changing global confectionery market, Ganong added. Glenn Cooke, CEO of Cooke, said in a statement that his company is proud to make an investment in Ganong to help strengthen and grow the candy maker. 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. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com? So should Aroa Biosurgery (ASX:ARX) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purpose of this article, we'll define cash burn as the amount of cash the company is spending each year to fund its growth (also called its negative free cash flow). We'll start by comparing its cash burn with its cash reserves in order to calculate its cash runway. View our latest analysis for Aroa Biosurgery Does Aroa Biosurgery Have A Long Cash Runway? A company's cash runway is calculated by dividing its cash hoard by its cash burn. In March 2022, Aroa Biosurgery had NZ$57m in cash, and was debt-free. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through NZ$16m. So it had a cash runway of about 3.5 years from March 2022. Importantly, though, analysts think that Aroa Biosurgery will reach cashflow breakeven before then. In that case, it may never reach the end of its cash runway. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below. How Well Is Aroa Biosurgery Growing? Notably, Aroa Biosurgery actually ramped up its cash burn very hard and fast in the last year, by 152%, signifying heavy investment in the business. While that isa little concerning at a glance, the company has a track record of recent growth, evidenced by the impressive 78% growth in revenue, over the very same year. Considering the factors above, the company doesnt fare badly when it comes to assessing how it is changing over time. Clearly, however, the crucial factor is whether the company will grow its business going forward. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years. How Easily Can Aroa Biosurgery Raise Cash? We are certainly impressed with the progress Aroa Biosurgery has made over the last year, but it is also worth considering how costly it would be if it wanted to raise more cash to fund faster growth. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn. Aroa Biosurgery has a market capitalisation of NZ$298m and burnt through NZ$16m last year, which is 5.5% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money. How Risky Is Aroa Biosurgery's Cash Burn Situation? It may already be apparent to you that we're relatively comfortable with the way Aroa Biosurgery is burning through its cash. In particular, we think its revenue growth stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. While we must concede that its increasing cash burn is a bit worrying, the other factors mentioned in this article provide great comfort when it comes to the cash burn. One real positive is that analysts are forecasting that the company will reach breakeven. After considering a range of factors in this article, we're pretty relaxed about its cash burn, since the company seems to be in a good position to continue to fund its growth. While it's important to consider hard data like the metrics discussed above, many investors would also be interested to note that Aroa Biosurgery insiders have been trading shares in the company. Click here to find out if they have been buying or selling. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, 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 Thirteen state attorneys general sent a letter to U.S. attorney general Merrick Garland on Wednesday urging the Department of Justice to stand down on targeting critics of child gender-transition procedures. Their petition came after three major medical organizations demanded that the DOJ investigate and prosecute threats against health-care facilities that offer such life-altering surgeries for minors with gender dysphoria. Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the Childrens Hospital Association asked Garland to probe recent incidents of violence against certain hospitals and physicians. However, in the letter obtained by journalist Christopher Rufo, the organizations also asked the DOJ to deploy technology companies to censor content that is skeptical of sex-change surgeries for children on their platforms. The groups alleged that a few high-profile social-media pundits have waged an intentional campaign of disinformation that is fueling a rise in intimidation against these medical centers and personnel. Speaking specifically about people who question the medical establishments current treatment of children struggling with gender dysphoria, the 13 state attorneys general told Garland you cannot and should not undertake such investigations and prosecutions. Attorneys general from Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia signed the letter. The three medical organizations, they wrote, are asking you to direct the criminal enforcement power of the federal government not only at those committing or threatening violence but also at those whose speech may provoke such threats. The 13 accused the groups of asking the DOJ to suppress ideas that oppose gender-transition surgeries, even though they are protected by the First Amendment, they argue. A free and open dialogue is urgently necessary, given that new research has found limited evidence to support gender-reconstructive surgeries as effective for treating gender dysphoria in children. Story continues While the American medical organizations endorse a monolithic consensus they tout as impermeable to doubt, other countries have moved to restrict the medical treatment of gender dysphoria, the letter notes. One might expect a bit more humility from U.S. medical organizations when they address the life-altering, irreversible procedures they are championing as the cure du jour for pediatric gender dysphoria. The attorneys general asked Garland to stand down and allow the national conversation to continue, rather than jumping to stifle speech that challenges the medical apparatus current accepted thinking. More from National Review Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) shareholders have seen the share price descend 11% over the month. But that doesn't change the fact that the returns over the last five years have been pleasing. It has returned a market beating 72% in that time. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. View our latest analysis for Union Pacific There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. Over half a decade, Union Pacific managed to grow its earnings per share at 15% a year. The EPS growth is more impressive than the yearly share price gain of 11% over the same period. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). We know that Union Pacific has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Union Pacific, it has a TSR of 91% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective While it's certainly disappointing to see that Union Pacific shares lost 12% throughout the year, that wasn't as bad as the market loss of 25%. Of course, the long term returns are far more important and the good news is that over five years, the stock has returned 14% for each year. In the best case scenario the last year is just a temporary blip on the journey to a brighter future. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Union Pacific that you should be aware of before investing here. Story continues Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on US exchanges. 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 By Tarek Amara TUNIS (Reuters) -Two rival Tunisian opposition groups staged one of the biggest days of protest so far against President Kais Saied on Saturday, denouncing his moves to consolidate political power as public anger grows over fuel and food shortages. Thousands of supporters from the Islamist Ennahda party and the Free Constitutional Party held parallel rallies in adjacent areas of the capital, Tunis, accusing Saied of economic mismanagement and of an anti-democratic coup. "Tunisia is bleeding. Saied is a failed dictator. He has set us back for many years. The game's over. Get out," said protester Henda Ben Ali. Saied, who moved to rule by decree after shutting down parliament last year and expanding his powers with a new constitution passed in a July referendum, has said the measures were needed to save Tunisia from years of crisis. In a speech on Saturday to commemorate the departure of French troops upon Tunisia's 1956 independence, he demanded the departure today of "all who want to undermine independence" - an apparent allusion to his political foes. Saied's opponents say his actions have undermined the democracy secured through a 2011 revolution that ousted autocratic leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and triggered the Arab spring. Ennahda and the Free Constitutional Party have long been bitter foes, but both are now more focused on their struggle against Saied. Tunisians are meanwhile struggling to make ends meet as a crisis in state finances has contributed to shortages of subsidised goods including petrol, sugar and milk on top of years of economic malaise and entrenched unemployment. The president, who has blamed hoarders and speculators for the shortages, appears to retain broad support among many Tunisians, but the growing hardships are causing frustration and increasing the flow of illegal migrants to Europe. In the southern town of Zarzis this week, residents protested over the burial in unmarked graves of local people who had died in one of the many shipwrecks of migrants trying to reach Italy. Story continues "While our youth are dying at sea in boats to escape from hell, Saied is only interested in gathering power," said Monia Hajji, a protester. In Tunis, there have been some isolated clashes this week in poor districts between police and protesting youths, and there was a heavy police presence in the city on Saturday. The Free Constitutional Party leader Abir Moussi, a supporter of the pre-revolution autocracy, criticised the stringent security arrangements in a speech to protesters, asking Saied: "Why are you afraid?". At both rallies, protesters chanted "the people want the fall of the regime", the slogan of the 2011 revolution. "The situation is about to explode and is dangerous for the future," said the Ennahda former prime minister Ali Larayedh. (Reporting by Tarek AmaraWriting by Angus McDowallEditing by Helen Popper) Guided by the broad beam of a torch light, four beekeepers softly tread towards a wooden hive atop a mango tree in Bossangoa, a town in northwestern Central African Republic. The area boasts lush and varied vegetation which helps account for the prized fragrance of its renowned honey. Relying on the darkness to calm down the bees, the team dislodges the buzzing hive to extract some of the precious nectar. The Central African Republic was Africa's fourth biggest honey-producing nation in 2020 and ranked 20th in the world, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. But nine years of dwindling resources and civil war that left producers cut off and isolated have hampered the sector. "Before the crisis, we sold our honey to neighbouring countries and to (the capital) Bangui," says Philippe Mobompte, secretary general of CAPICO, the regional beekeepers' cooperative. "It's difficult now." As one of the team frantically pumps metal bellows, the smell of burnt, dry grass wafts through the air. Using smoke is an age-old technique to reduce the bees' aggressiveness. "In Bossangoa, there are many shea trees, mango trees, papaya trees, grapefruit trees, banana trees... This is what lets us have high-quality honey," Mobompte says. The cooperative is supported by the international non-profit organisation Action Against Hunger, which provides modern hives and equipment such as honey extractors and protective clothing for harvesting. In his beige overalls, 64-year-old Mobompte -- who has 20 modern and 25 traditional hives -- reaches for the first batch of the glistening honeycomb cells. - 'Consumption is low' - One of the poorest countries in the world, the former French colony was plunged into civil war in 2013. A Muslim-dominated rebellion overthrew president Francois Bozize, sparking reprisals from predominantly Christian and animist self-defence militias. The fighting peaked in 2018 and rebel groups controlled two-thirds of the country's territory until early 2021. Story continues Rebels tried to oust President Faustin-Archange Touadera in late 2020 by launching an offensive on Bangui, but the army -- with purported help from Russian mercenaries -- managed to repel it. But the state still struggles to establish its authority in many remote areas of the vast nation. Although the security situation has improved slightly in recent years, conflict still affects communities as you move away from Bangui, with sporadic fighting breaking out. For Bossangoa's beekeepers, the danger and upheaval has left its mark. "I remember a period when Chadians, Cameroonians and Sudanese came to buy their honey here, but today consumption is low," says Francine Webouna, 42, a honey trader in the Bossangoa market. In February 2021, Bossangoa, in the Ouham region, was recaptured from rebels by the army. Although calm has returned, the few hundred CAPICO beekeepers cannot venture far into the bush to further their operations. "They might run into rebels who are still on the prowl," Mobompte says. He himself says that while "the armed groups never touched my hives, they looted and destroyed my house twice." - 'Thugs and taxes' - "Taking the road to sell your honey is also dangerous, and expensive, because you can run into thugs and the taxes at the various checkpoints are high," Mobompte adds. He is still marked by a recent assault on beekeepers from his cooperative as they headed to an agricultural fair. Like the people he trains, Mobompte cannot live on the proceeds from honey. "There are no outlets elsewhere and, locally, people do not consume enough of it, I am currently storing 200 litres of honey while waiting to find a buyer," he explains. "A litre and a half sells here between 2,000 and 2,500 CFA francs (three to 3.81 euros, $3.00 to $3.71)," the beekeeper says. "In the Central African Republic, it's not a luxury product." Convinced of its quality however, the cooperative's members hope to branch out by processing their honey to manufacture derivative products. But in the current circumstances, that could prove a tall order. "We could make food supplements, shoe polish, cosmetics and be recognised for this," Mobompte says. "But the lack of equipment, funds and knowledge do not facilitate this development," he concedes, mechanically wafting away the bees around him. bdl/gir/nb/kjm-jj President Joe Bidens attempts to court Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were destined to end in failure, analysts and dissidents told NBC News, after the White House and the deeply conservative kingdom clashed over cuts to oil production. Without elaborating, the White House warned there would be consequences for the Middle Eastern powerbroker after the oil-producing alliance OPEC+ announced earlier this month that it would cut oil production by 2 million barrels a day, a move thats likely to send gas prices higher again. The cut is also seen as helping Russia, the worlds second-largest oil exporter, finance its war in Ukraine. And for some, the decision by the group of 13 oil exporting countries, whose de facto leader is Saudi Arabia, was a sign that Bidens bid to reset ties between Washington and Riyadh during a visit to the kingdom earlier this year was doomed to fail. It failed both on blood and on oil, Dr. Khalid Aljabri, a Saudi rights activist, told NBC News Thursday by telephone. Aljabri, who works as a cardiologist in Washington, D.C., added that bin Salman had zero incentive to change his behavior. The Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul pictured in February 2021. (Lina Alhathloul / Twitter) As a presidential candidate, Biden made no bones about his stance on the U.S.-Saudi relationship. Shortly after announcing his candidacy, he declared he was going to cancel the blank check the Trump administration had given Saudi Arabia during its war in Yemen, in which thousands of people have lost their lives. He also vowed to treat Saudi Arabia as a pariah state in the wake of the brutal killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, which the CIA has said was likely ordered by the crown prince. Bin Salman has long denied any knowledge or involvement in the killing of the journalist, one of his most prominent critics, which was carried out inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by agents who worked for him. A U.S. intelligence report that Biden declassified after coming to office said Khashoggis killing could not have happened without the crown princes knowledge. Story continues In July, despite the criticism and with the war raging in Ukraine, Biden visited the kingdom, which is a vital American ally and one of the largest oil producers in the world. Biden, who promised ahead of his visit that he would bring up the kingdoms rights record, famously fist-bumped the crown prince, who is Saudi Arabias de facto leader, and held meetings with him and other senior figures. Jamal Khashoggi (Mohammed Al-Shaikh / AFP - Getty Images) For Lina al-Hathloul, a Saudi human rights activist, it was clear that the president would not be getting anything out of this visit at the time. Al-Hathloul, whose sister Loujain al-Hathloul was imprisoned after making global headlines for campaigning for women's right to drive in Saudi Arabia, said they had warned that Bidens visit would empower bin Salman and that had proven to be the case. Aljabri agreed. He said that the crown prince had been actively rewarded, by Biden for his very bad behavior with presidential visits and fist bumps. Its been a positive reinforcing loop, he said. He commits a mistake, gets zero consequences, gets emboldened, pushes the line more, commits a bigger mistake, and that is going to keep happening. The decision by OPEC+ to cut production was a hostile act that is deliberate with intended consequences, Aljabri added. Sarah Leah Whitson, the executive director of Democracy for the Arab World Now, also called the decision a deliberate kneecapping of Biden ahead of the midterm elections. Its pretty clear that theyre doing this to inflict deliberate pain on the Biden administration ahead of the elections, added Whitson, whose group is a New York based nongovernmental organization that campaigns for better governance and human rights across the Middle East. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday that the decision to cut oil production had been taken to protect the global economy from oil-market volatility and that the move was not politically motivated. It also suggested the U.S. asked it to wait a month before it cut oil production, a move that could have staved off price rises at American pumps until after the midterm elections. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson subsequently rejected that claim as categorically false. However, Annelle Sheline, a research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington, said that Saudi Arabia was more in tune with the administration of former President Donald Trump, who placed the kingdom at the heart of his Middle East policy and backed its stance against Iran. The Saudis would be delighted if Trump were to run again in 2024, she said. Crippling Biden and the Dems in the midterms would certainly align with this objective, she added. The U.S. has several options on how it can respond to Saudi Arabia, such as freezing all arms sales and security cooperation, to withdrawing U.S. troops from Saudi Arabia, Sheline said. In the longer run, the U.S. must continue to invest in a less oil dependent future, so the decisions of foreign oil producers would no longer have the capacity to swing U.S. elections, she added. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Kyiv, Ukraine-based Kate Leschyshyn always had an urge to travel when she was younger. It wasn't until she got divorced that she finally had the freedom to do it. She was able to take more long weekend trips that soon turned into working from different cities and, eventually, becoming a full-on digital nomad. As a sales team lead for a flexible company, Leschyshyn has to take calls with people all around the world at all times of the day. Her unstable schedule meant it didn't really matter where she lived. But when Russia invaded Ukraine, she decided the best move was to leave the country for the long term. For more than four months now, Leschyshyn has been living as a digital nomad in Berlin. She chose the city because she wanted to practice her German, experience the culture and spend time with a close friend who lives there. Kate Leschyshyn found herself as a digital nomad after her divorce and the war in Ukraine. Now she's spending over four months immersing herself in Germany. "There are some places I knew and dreamt about since childhood or from friends," she said. "Right now, I can travel to these places, not as a tourist, but rather to integrate into the local lives and culture. And I dont even need to use my vacation days for this." She's found the digital nomad lifestyle to be rewarding, especially helping to "better understand other people," she said. "I build more meaningful connections in my personal life and at work it's priceless." 'I left all my stuff, all my dreams': Refugees fleeing Ukraine find help, housing online Not everyone wants to come to the US: Gun violence, safety concerns are keeping travelers away A growing movement Leschyshyn is among the many people who are involved in the booming digital nomad lifestyle. In 2021, 15.5 million Americans said they were a digital nomad, a 112% increase from 2019. The steep rise is partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic making jobs more flexible, and more people itching to travel now that places are reopening. More digital nomads are staying put in one destination versus traveling more frequently too. Story continues Countries are responding to the trend. Now there are almost 40 special visas for digital nomads, including in Spain, Mexico, Germany and Australia. To find the right destination, people are considering factors such as cost of living, visa requirements, and health and safety. With more than 70% of digital nomads being women, especially solo women travelers, making sure their destination is relatively safe and healthy tends to be top of mind. Is it safe for women to solo travel, live abroad? The global prevalence of violence against women can make solo travel seem like a risky choice. Women often have to face societal customs and laws in certain countries, and are considered to be easier targets by criminals compared to men. In a 2018 survey, more than half of 400 U.S. women said they have felt unsafe when traveling alone, and 40% have been sexually harassed while traveling. "Although I have no fear of traveling solo, I have to be more attentive," Leschyshyn said. "At the same time, I always say that you have to be attentive in your own country too, so not much changes." She said she always does her research before going to a new place, which she feels helps her be smart and avoid being taken advantage of. She remembers taking extra precautions when she was traveling through Colombia, such as using an old watch and phone to ward off robbers. 'Do you have to cover your face (in Saudi Arabia)?': What to know about solo female travel in the kingdom 'I just want to see more of us': The importance of seeing people like you while traveling Leschyshyn takes precautions when she visits new countries and makes sure to do her research so she's familiar with an area. There are also things that she always does, no matter where the location. She said she won't drink alcohol with people she doesn't know, and listens to locals when they warn her against doing something. Tech company Lemon.io analyzed data from the Global Health Security Index, which measures the capacity of countries to prepare for epidemics and pandemics, and the Global Peace Index, which measures "national peacefulness" to pick the safest, healthiest six countries for digital nomads. (And Leschyshyn called it: Germany made the list.) Read on to learn more about the healthiest and safest countries for digital nomads. Australia A recent report found that Australia was the worlds safest country for women, making this a particularly appealing destination for solo female travel. Ranking second (the U.S. ranked No. 1) out of 195 countries on the Global Health Index, and 27th out of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index, Australia earned the study's title as the best country for digital nomads. It's a place that offers a cosmopolitan scene as well as a diverse range of wild nature to explore. The Land Down Under offers a digital nomad visa for young adults without dependents to "have their first extended holiday in Australia and work here to help fund their trip," although working remotely is allowed, too. The visa is good for one year, but you can renew it twice for a total of three years. Australia is known to be a relatively safe place to visit, although travelers are urged to "remain vigilant" by the State Department. Want to leave the US?: These women found a home, community in Mexico A pilgrimage to the goddess of fertility: How my Egyptian vacation empowered my path to motherhood Germany With rich historical attractions and a vibrant arts and culture scene, Germany was found to be another best country for digital nomads, ranking eighth for GHI and 16th for GPI. The European country offers a D-Visa to citizens from the U.S., United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Korea (Republic) who want to live in Germany longer than 90 days and "pursue an economic activity" or study during that time. The visa is specifically friendly to freelancers, like writers, and young people from select countries between 18 and 31 years old "to gain insight into culture and daily life in Germany." Leschyshyn said she's happy with her decision to live in Germany and has yet to feel in danger. "In Berlin, you can wear whatever, no one cares, and youre safe," she said. However, as of April 19, the State Department posted a warning for U.S. citizens going to Germany to "exercise increased caution" in case of an increase in terrorist attacks in public areas, like hotels, transportation hubs and malls. Hungary Budapest, Hungary People who want to enjoy thermal baths and stunning mountains and lakes can head to Hungary. Ranking 34th on the GPI and 13th on the GPI, Hungary is the third safest and healthiest country for digital nomads. The central European country offers a White Card visa for non-EU citizens who are employed in other countries and want to work remotely from Hungary for more than 90 days. One requirement is that you had to have made more than 2,000 euros a month for the past six months. The White Card lasts for one year and can be renewed one time. Once you have it, you can also visit the other 25 Schengen Area countries, such as nearby Romania. There are no travel advisories from the State Department for U.S. citizens wanting to go to Hungary. CIA safety tips: 17 CIA tips on how to think like a spy and stay safe while on vacation Looking to move abroad for a while?: You might need a nomad visa New Zealand Solo travelers who love hiking, mountain biking or other outdoor activities shouldnt miss New Zealand. With a GHI ranking of 13th and a GPI ranking of 2nd, New Zealand is another ideal destination for solo female digital nomads. Besides breathtaking nature and outdoor adventures, the country had some of the strictest quarantine requirements in the world during the height of the pandemic. Working holiday visas are offered to young people between the ages of 18 and 30 (or 35 for some countries) and let you travel and work in New Zealand for a year. (Although U.K. and Canadian citizens can stay for 23 months.) Requirements for this visa include not bringing dependents or accepting a permanent job. You don't have to work during your stay, but you do need to show evidence that you can meet the cost of living people will need to make at least 350 New Zealand dollars month or 4,200 New Zealand dollars over 12 months. The State Department issued "Level 1" travel advisory for New Zealand in July, noting that the crime rate was "relatively low," but that thieves can target tourists in crowded public areas. Portugal With a GHI ranking of 33 and a GPI ranking of 6, Portugal has recently become a hotspot for expats the number of Americans who moved to Portugal rose by 45% last year, driving gentrification among locals. The country draws people in with its warm climate, access to health care and affordable cost of living. This summer, the country announced it would soon offer a visa specifically for digital nomads. "Portugal is a country for immigration. Every year, we receive thousands of immigrants seeking opportunities in our country," Ana Catarina Mendes, minister in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister and for Parliamentary Affairs, said in a statement. "A country that wishes to welcome immigrants as it wishes its emigrants to be welcomed too." Currently, the country offers a two-year D7 Visa to retirees or people who make more than a year's worth of minimum wage in passive income, such as from rental income, which may apply to some digital nomads. This visa also allows you to travel throughout the Schengen Area, although you'll need to spend six consecutive months or eight nonconsecutive months in Portugal. Unlike other long-stay visas, the D7 welcomes families as long as you can prove you can financially support them, too. The State Department issued a "Level 1" Travel Advisory for Portugal on Tuesday in response to possible terrorist attacks across Europe. Visitors should also watch out for "crimes of opportunity," such as pickpocketing. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The safest, healthiest 5 countries for female digital nomads ROMAN PETRENKO SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2022, 12:55 Trains carrying Russian servicemen, who are part of [the joint Russian-Belarusian] regional grouping of troops, have arrived in the Republic of Belarus. Source: the Ministry of Defence of Belarus on Telegram Details: According to the Belarusian Defence Ministry, the invaders "were warmly welcomed" in Belarus "with bread and salt" [a traditional way of welcoming guests]. The ministry claims that the decision to create a regional grouping of troops was made and is being implemented "in the interests of strengthening the protection and defence of the border of the Union State [an organisation aiming to deepen the relationship between Russia and Belarus through integration in economic and defence policy ed.]." Photo: the Ministry of Defence of Belarus Photo: the Ministry of Defence of Belarus Quote: "This decision has been dictated by the continuous activity in the areas bordering us." Background: On 10 October, Alexander Lukashenko announced that the Russian Federation and Belarus had agreed on the deployment of a joint regional grouping of troops, and "more than one thousand" Russian troops should be arriving in Belarus. On 11 October, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated that Russia is trying to directly draw Belarus into the war, and as a pretext for this, some kind of provocation involving an alleged attack on Ukraine may be organised. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Fox News host Sean Hannity on Friday pressed former Democrat and current right-wing media darling Tulsi Gabbard on whether she believes the U.S. has a moral obligation to provide support to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia. Gabbard, who claimed earlier this week that the Democratic Party is being controlled by an elitist cabal of warmongers, has openly questioned the aid measures the U.S. has taken since the Russian invasion in February. Its comments like those that have earned her adulation from Hannitys more isolationist-sounding colleague Tucker Carlson, who gushed Tuesday that every Republican candidate who comes on his show should sound like her. Hannity, not shy about calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a thug and murderer, asked Gabbard what the U.S.s role should be regarding Ukraine. Do we stand by and say thats your problem, or do we have a moral obligation to say were not going to let anybody kill innocent men, women and children? Gabbard avoided answering the question directly, instead reiterating her stance that President Biden has been escalating the war rather than working to bring these parties together. But as the former Hawaii congresswoman was poised to invoke the words of President John F. Kennedy to make her case that a negotiated, peaceful solution was possible, Hannity interjected: If I maywe can have a dialogue about it. If you look at it though, he invaded a sovereign country. Hes claiming it to be his own. If anyone said, Hawaii is ours, I know its your home state, I dont think you would like that and would want America to come defend you, wouldnt you? Well, Gabbard replied, Hawaii is part of the United States. So yes, that would be a problem for the United States. Once somebody invades a country and kills innocent men, women and children, does the world have an obligation to stop it early, or do you give in to nuclear blackmail? continued Hannity, who has bristled before at Gabbards Putin-friendly talking points. Somebody could say Im going to nuke you if you dare support Ukraine or whatever country it happens to be. Story continues The path that we are on has been escalating and making this war Gabbard said before being cut off. No, Im not asking you that part, Hannity pressed, prompting Gabbard to ask for the Fox host to let her answer the question. If the moral obligation is to do what we can to end the suffering of the Ukrainian people, who are suffering death and destruction, its to bring about an end to this war as quickly as possible, Gabbard said. President Biden has failed to do that, and he has failed the American people, the people of Ukraine, and the world in doing that. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. TUNIS, (Reuters) - Protestors clashed with police in the Tunisian capital of Tunis on Saturday, for the second night after a man died from injuries sustained during a police chase in August. Riot police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds in the poor Ettadamen and Intilka districts, with protesters chanting slogans against the police and throwing stones at them. The fresh protests come as the country suffers an economic and political crisis amid fuel and food shortages. The family of the young man, Malek Selimi, 24, told local media on Saturday that their son died after suffering a neck injury from a fall during a police chase at the end of August. The protests began on Friday after the funeral of the young man. The Ministry of Interior did not comment on the death of Selimi. The North African nation is suffering a severe political crisis since Tunisian President Kais Saied seized power and dissolved parliament in 2021. Earlier on Saturday, two rival Tunisian opposition groups staged one of the biggest days of protest so far against the president, denouncing his moves to consolidate political power as public anger grows over fuel and food shortages. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; editing by Diane Craft) China to work with int'l community to oppose protectionism, bullying practices in sci-tech Xinhua) 10:36, October 15, 2022 BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- China will work with the international community to oppose unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices in sci-tech, and promote the steady recovery of the world economy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday. The U.S. government introduced new export bans on China's chip industry not long ago. According to reports, the United States is scrambling to tackle unintended consequences of the new policy that could inadvertently harm its own semiconductor supply chain. In response to these reports, Mao told a daily news briefing that China firmly opposes the United States' overstretching of the national security concept and abuse of export control measures to wantonly hobble Chinese enterprises. The global industrial and supply chains come into shape as a result of both the law of the market and the choices of businesses. Arbitrarily placing curbs for political purposes destabilizes the supply and industrial chains, hurts others and backfires on oneself. It will only further weaken the already fragile world economy, Mao said. China plays an important role in global supply and industrial chains and in shoring up their security, Mao said. This year, China and six other countries, including Indonesia, launched and supported the Initiative of International Cooperation on Resilient and Stable Industrial and Supply Chains. "We will work with the international community to oppose unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices in sci-tech, uphold the principle of openness, fairness and non-discrimination, jointly safeguard the stability of the system, rules and foundation of the world economy, and promote the steady recovery of the world economy," she said. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu) Photo: File photo The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives has suspended an unnamed nurse for a year for stealing narcotics for personal use. In a public notice posted to the college's website, a panel said the nurse was identified as ordering and taking a notable amount of narcotics from the workplace in spring 2020. The nurse later acknowledged the narcotics as being removed for self-use. The decision said the nurse provided an independent medical assessment documenting a health concern to the college related to the misconduct and which could impact the ability to provide safe patient care. The assessment provided information about treatment and monitoring recommendations to deal with the situation, the college said. The suspension is retroactively effective to the date the conduct was admitted to. As part of a consent agreement, the nurse must also disclose treatment recommendations to relevant employer representatives and comply with biological monitoring and treatment recommendations. Limits have been placed on the nurses practice, designed to prevent problems from reoccurring. ?The nurses name was withheld by the college under the Health Professions Act, which specifies not identifying personal health information. The college is one of 18 regulatory bodies empowered under the Health Professions Act to regulate health professions in B.C. It regulates the practice of four distinct professions: nursing, practical nursing, psychiatric nursing and midwifery. Similar legislation in other self-regulated areas such as the legal and notary public professions also allows citizens to know about discipline issues in the public interest. The inquiry committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public, the college said. Ennahda supporters protest against President Kais Saied Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Tunisia's capital to demonstrate against the president. Parallel demonstrations by political movements who are deeply opposed to each other were held in Tunis. Both groups denounced Kais Saied as an autocrat who is reversing the democratic progress made since the 2011 uprising. They also demanded accountability for the country's economic crisis which has seen food and fuel shortages. Critics of Mr Saied accuse him of staging a coup and attempting to turn Tunisia back into an autocracy - a system of government run by one person with absolute power. After sacking the prime minister and suspending parliament in July 2021, a year later Mr Saied pushed through a constitution enshrining his one-man rule after a vote boycotted by the main opposition parties. The new constitution replaced one drafted in three years after the Arab Spring in 2011 which saw Tunisia overthrow late dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. It gave the head of state full executive control, supreme command of the army and the ability to appoint a government without parliamentary approval. Mr Saied has said it was needed to break a cycle of political paralysis and economic decay. He said his reforms were being done in the spirit of the 2011 revolution and would ensure a better future. His supporters welcomed his actions, saying the country needed a strong leader to tackle what they see as a fractious and corrupt system. On Saturday, protesters in central Tunis chanted, "down, down", "revolution against dictator Kais" and "the coup will fall". One of the marches was organised by the National Salvation Front, a coalition of opposition parties including the Islamist-inspired Ennahda that had dominated Tunisia's parliament before its dissolution by Mr Saied. Ali Laarayedh, Tunisia's former prime minister and a senior Ennahda official, told AFP news agency that the protest was an expression of "anger at the state of affairs under Kais Saied". Story continues "We are telling him to leave." Protesters call for President Kais Saied to go. He added that if Mr Saied remains in power, "Tunisia will have no future", citing growing despair, poverty and unemployment. The National Salvation Front has announced it will boycott a December vote to elect a new parliament with limited powers. Ennahda's deep ideological rival, the secular Free Destourian Party, also organised a protest in the capital on Saturday. Some of its protesters carried empty containers to symbolise the rising cost of water due to inflation, which hit 9.1% in September. Mr Saied "is doing nothing, and things are only getting worse", said Souad, a pensioner in her 60s. Around 1,500 people joined the Ennahda-led demonstration, while nearly 1,000 attended the PDL protest, the interior ministry told AFP. Tunisia's revolution in 2011 is often held up as the sole success of the Arab Spring revolts across the region - but it has not led to stability, either economically or politically. The cash-strapped country has reached a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund on Saturday for a rescue package loan of $1.9bn (1.7bn) to help it restore economic stability and strengthen social safety nets. The 74 This year will likely present unique challenges for teachers and administrators, particularly with school discipline. Not only have math and reading scores plummeted, but more than 80% of public schools report that the pandemic has impacted student behavior and social-emotional development. Even when suspensions significantly declined through the pandemic, racial disparities in school discipline persisted. [] (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Russian forces caused serious damage to an electrical installation near Kyiv on Saturday, grid operator Ukrenegro said, with emergency blackouts possible even after power was restored. Residents in the Kyiv area and in neighboring regions were urged to immediately cut their electricity use. If we dont follow this advice, we will have to take out the candles and suffer all the consequences, said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraines presidential administration. Ukraines battlefield effort got a potential boost when Elon Musk said hed keep providing SpaceXs Starlink satellite-based internet service for free. South Koreas central bank head called on China to persuade Russia to end the war. (See RSAN on the Bloomberg Terminal for the Russian Sanctions Dashboard.) Key Developments Russia Failed to Swap Out Western Military Parts: 2021 Audit Ukraine IT Sector Tested as Putin Bombs Civilian Infrastructure Saudi Arabia Announces $400M in Aid to Ukraine Putin Says Has No Regrets About Ukraine Invasion After Reverses Musk Tweets Complicate US Diplomacy From Ukraine to Taiwan Canada Wants Arsonist Russia to Be Barred From IMF and G-20 On the Ground Russian forces launched missiles at the Kyiv region again overnight, with damage reported to energy systems. Kamikaze drone attacks also took place in the Dnipro regions and Zaporizhzhia regions. Ukraines military estimates Russian still has about 300 Iranian-made drones with plans to buy several thousand more. A large number of wounded people are being admitted to medical facilities in the regions annexed by Russia last month after a vote called illegal by the UN. Several people were wounded by Russian shelling in the Nikopol region in southern Ukraine that a regional administrator said were designed to cause maximum damage to civilians. Story continues (All times CET) Musk Signals Hes Backing Off Starlink Threat (8:42 p.m.) Elon Musk said Saturday hed continue to fund Starlink satellites in Ukraine for free after a standoff with the US Defense Department over the cost of their deployment. Musk threatened a day earlier to cut financial support for SpaceXs satellite internet service in Ukraine, claiming that the operation had cost his company $80 million so far. The Pentagon said it was in talks with SpaceX, while saying the US is looking at other options. S. Korean Central Banker Calls on Chinas Help to End War (5:30 p.m.) Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong urged Beijing to take on a more active role in trying to end the Russian war in Ukraine and calm the worlds geopolitical situation. I really hope that China can play a very important role, Rhee said in Washington on Saturday. I really hope that my old friends in China can step up efforts to stop the Russian war. If any country can talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin, its China, he said, adding that Beijing can be a bridge between Russia and the West and help its own relations with Washington in the process. More Ships Sail With Ukrainian Farm Products (5:25 p.m.) Another seven vessels with a total of 101,000 tons of agriculture products left Ukraines Odesa-area ports on Saturday for destinations in Asia and Europe, Ukraines infrastructure ministry said on Facebook. Since the safe-transit agreement was reached with Russia in late July, 7.5 million tns of grains and other farm products have departed on 341 ships, the ministry said. Fire at Oil Depot in Russias Belgorod (5 p.m.) A major fire at an oil depot near the Russian city of Belgorod was caused by a second day of Ukrainian cross-border shelling, the regions governor said. Social media posts showed black smoke billowing in the area. Belgorod is about 60 miles north of the Ukrainian border. Ukraine hasnt commented. Poland Says Oil Flows Resume on Druzhba Pipeline (4:14 p.m.) Oil flows via the northern leg of the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies, Germany and Poland with Russian crude oil, resumed in full on Saturday after an accident earlier in the week, according to Polands pipeline operator PERN. Poland early ruled out third-party involvement in the incident, at a time Europe is on high alert about potential sabotage to infrastructure. Ukraine Expects Red Cross Officials in East on Monday (1:57 p.m.) Ukraine expects representatives of International Committee of the Red Cross to reach the contact line in the countrys east on Monday, Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraines Office of the President, said on a video call with new ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger. Yermak urged Egger, who took up her post this month, to do everything possible to send the ICRC mission to the penal colony in Olenivka in the Donetsk region and to have access to prisoners of war. This is my priority, Egger said on the call, according to a post on the presidential website. In late July, more than 50 Ukrainian POWs were killed in shelling at the prison that Ukraine has blamed on Russia. Moscow has said Kyiv was responsible for the attack. First Russian Troops Arrive in Belarus for Joint Force (11:22 a.m.) Russian forces have started arriving in Belarus to man the new joint force with troops there, the defense ministry in Minsk said on Saturday. The first convoys of Russian servicemen from the regional force group have arrived in Belarus, the ministry said, saying their mission was to strengthen the protection and defence of the border. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Monday that he and Russias president had agreed to deploy a regional grouping of forces. Moscow launched its failed push toward Kyiv in February from Belarusian territory. Observers this week have cited the movement of Belarusian military equipment to Russia, potentially to shore up dwindling supplies. Grid Operator Reports Russian Strike on Kyiv Region (9:10 a.m.) Russian forces struck critical energy infrastructure in the Kyiv region, causing severe destruction, the grid operator Ukrenergo said on Facebook. Repairs are under way. Ukrenegro warned of potential emergency shutdowns and asked consumers to use power sparingly. Such measures give our specialists the opportunity to stabilize the situation as soon as possible and carry out the necessary restorative work, it said. The strike comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that seven of 29 of sites targeted in a mass bombing of Ukraine earlier in the week were not damaged as planned by the Defence Ministry, and that the attacks will be renewed. Russian Reservists Buy Own Body Armor at Inflated Prices, UK Says (8 a.m.) Many newly-mobilized Russian reservists have been deployed to Ukraine this month with personal equipment almost certainly lower than the already poor provision of previously deployed troops, the UK defence ministry said. Many reservists are likely being required to buy their own body armor including 6B45 vests, which are currently selling online in Russia for 40,000 rubles ($640), up from about 12,000 rubles in April, the UK said on Twitter. Russian authorities in 2020 announced that 300,000 sets of the armor had been supplied to the Russian military, the UK said, suggesting much of the equipment has since gone astray. Canada Wants Arsonist Russia Banned From IMF, G-20 (6 a.m.) Canada is pushing for Russia to be shunned from the international community entirely over its invasion of Ukraine, now approaching the eight-month mark. Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland didnt hold back on her opposition to Russian officials being at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings this week. The IMF and World Bank meetings are meetings of the firefighters -- of ministers and central bank governors, whose jobs is to protect the global economy, Freeland, whos of Ukrainian heritage, said Friday. Russia right now is the arsonist. Russia shouldnt have been at the IMF meetings. Arsonists have no place in meetings of the firefighters. Russia Failed to End Reliance on Western Parts, Audit Shows (3:20 a.m.) Even before sanctions cut off access to vital components and technologies for Putins defense industry, an internal Russian government review found years of attempts to reduce reliance on imports had largely failed. Previously unreported assessments show a program with specific targets was put in place from 2019 to slash Russias dependence on Western parts for its arsenal by 2025 everything from radar to advanced submarines to anti-missile defense systems. But an internal review of the plan 10 months before Putin invaded Ukraine found it was falling short on almost every metric. Read more: Russia Failed to Swap Out Western Military Parts: 2021 Audit Zelenskiy Speaks to Saudi Crown Prince (5 a.m.) Ukrainian President Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had spoken to Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, and expressed gratitude for his support of Ukraines territorial integrity. Following Zelenskiys reference to macro-financial aid, the Saudi Press Agency reported that Riyadh will give $400 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine. US to Give Another $725 Million in Security Aid (2:55 a.m.) The Biden administration on Friday announced $725 million in additional security aid for Ukraine. The package includes more ammunition for the HIMARS long-range artillery systems, which Ukraine has credited with helping its military counteroffensive in the east and south of the country by striking deep behind Russian lines. In the wake of Russias brutal missile attacks on civilians across Ukraine, the mounting evidence of atrocities by Russias forces, and the firm and unequivocal rejection by 143 nations at the United Nations of Russias illegal attempted annexation of parts of Ukraine, the United States is offering additional military assistance to help Ukraines proud defenders protect their country, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2022 Bloomberg L.P. Russian president Vladimir Putin has warned that a direct clash of Nato with Russian forces could lead to a global catastrophe. At a conference in Kazakhstan on Friday, he said he had no regrets about invading Ukraine, adding that any introduction of troops into a direct confrontation with the Russian army is a very dangerous step that could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope that those who speak of this have enough sense not to take such steps, he said amid fears that the war could escalate into a nuclear conflict. The Russian president said there was no need for more massive strikes on Ukraine. We now have other tasks, he said. The Kyiv Independent reported today that air raid alerts have been sounded all over Ukraine, signaling the threat of missile strikes. A UN envoy also reported that Moscows forces are using rape and sexual violence as part of a deliberate military strategy to dehumanise the victims. Air raid alerts go off over whole of Ukraine 06:58 , Vishwam Sankaran Air raid sirens reportedly went off over the whole of Ukraine on Saturday. The Kyiv Independent tweeted that air raid alerts were activated in every administrative division of Ukraine, with the exception of Russian-occupied Crimea. These alerts signal the threat of missile strikes. The report comes even as Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday that there was no need for more massive strikes on Ukraine. Air raid alerts sound over whole of Ukraine. Around 7 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 15, air raid alerts were activated in every oblast of Ukraine, with the exception of Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukrainska Pravda reports. Air raid alerts signal the threat of missile strikes. The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) October 15, 2022 He said after a summit in Kazakhstan that designated targets had already been hit and that he did not aim to destroy Ukraine. Consequences of Russian shelling in Kharkiv Reconstruction work in the regions after the recent series of Russian terrorist strikes continues, Zelenskyy said. Read also: 11 killed and 87 injured across the country in mass Russian missile attack, says DSNS The technical possibility of electricity supply has been restored in most regions. However, energy companies are still forced to use stabilization shutdown schedules in some cities and districts. As many as 15 objects that the Russian terrorists wanted to destroy have already been fully restored. Well restore all the others. Zelenskyy also once again called on Ukrainians to limit their consumption of electricity during peak hours so that the entire power grid can work stably. Russia carried out over 84 missile and air strikes against the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv, and other Ukrainian cities on Oct. 10, killing 20 civilians, and injuring over 100. Read also: State Department calls Russia's air and missile strikes against Ukraine "signs of weakness" In addition, 205 objects were damaged, including 45 buildings (30 of which were multi-story residential buildings), critical infrastructure objects, cultural sites and other civilian objects. The next day, on Oct. 11, Russia launched almost 30 cruise missiles at Ukraine, and carried out seven air strikes and about 25 attacks from multiple launch rocket launchers. Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 32 air targets. Read also: Russian dictator Putin claims no need now for mass missile strikes against Ukraine The enemy damaged infrastructure in around a dozen settlements across Ukraine. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine ROMAN PETRENKO SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2022, 09:05 The Ukrainian forces attacked the Russian military base in Melitopol on the evening of 14 October, reported Ivan Fedorov, Mayor of the temporarily occupied city. Source: Fedorov on Telegram Fedorovs quote: "Attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Russian invaders (referred to by Fedorov as roasting - ed.] in Melitopol continue. Yesterday [14 October - ed.] in the evening, it was loud near the airfield: four powerful explosions were heard. Preliminary information indicates that the Russian military base was hit, which the occupiers are unsuccessfully trying to rebuild". Details: The mayor stated that after the explosions, the Russian troops were removing destroyed equipment from the base. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A United Nations official said Russia is using rape as a strategy in its war against Ukraine, according to the international French news agency Agence France-Presse. Pramila Patten, the U.N.s special representative on sexual violence in conflict, told AFP in an interview that Russian forces have been carrying out sexual assault as a deliberate tactic to dehumanize the victims, part of its military strategy. When you hear women testify about Russian soldiers equipped with Viagra, its clearly a military strategy, she said. Patten said the U.N. has verified more than a hundred cases of rape or sexual assault since the war began in February, and the first cases were reported just three days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. She said the victims are mostly women and girls, but some men and boys are included too. She said the victims range in age from 4 to 82 years old. Patten said the reported cases are only the tip of the iceberg, and maintaining reliable statistics is difficult during an active conflict. She added that the reported numbers will not reflect reality because sexual violence is a silent crime. Russia has faced accusations of war crimes throughout much of the conflict from Ukrainian officials, as well as the international community. The U.N. released a report last month on instances of rape, torture and unlawful confinement occurring in Ukraine. It found that some Russian soldiers have committed sexual- and gender-based violence during the war. Russian forces have also forced family members to witness crimes committed against their loved ones, the report states. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pushed for the international community to hold Russia accountable for war crimes it has committed during the conflict. Russia has attacked numerous civilian targets, most recently through hundreds of missile strikes it conducted throughout the country, the Pentagon said Friday. Ukrainian soldiers have also found and begun to exhume mass graves in territories they have reclaimed from Russia. Russia, for its part, has denied allegations of war crimes. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. After a violent return to school for students at the University of Washington, school officials along with the U-District Partnership are adding unarmed security guards to patrol one of the busiest areas. The two unarmed guards will patrol University Way Northeast and Brooklyn Avenue Northeast between Northeast 42nd and Northeast 45th. The guards will do these patrols until the end of the calendar year on Friday and Saturday nights from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. However, students KIRO 7 spoke to overwhelmingly say its not enough. I should not be worried about, like, being held at gunpoint while walking to my campus thats, like, 10 feet away, Sophia Tastor, a sophomore at UW, said. Students have felt on edge since the start of the school year. The first weekend students were back on campus, shots rang out near the universitys Parrington Lawn. In the midst of the chaos, a person was hit by a car and killed. Within 24 hours of that, four students were shot outside of a popular bar on University Avenue. No one is ever caught. No one is ever identified, nothing like that, and it really is a damper on the mood around here, Hakeem Hernandez, a sophomore at UW, said. Tastor said she feels like not enough is being done. Scroll down to continue reading More news from KIRO 7 DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP They said they were going to enhance security when the guy broke in and held the girl at gunpoint in the live out. I have not seen a single cop car, she said. Its absolutely terrifying. Less than a week ago, Seattle police said a man broke into a home in the U-District and allegedly held a woman at gunpoint and assaulted her. This past week, I havent slept before work because Im just terrified that even walking to my car someone in the alley is going to hold me at gunpoint, Tastor said. Students KIRO 7 spoke with said the security guards are a step in the right direction but that more needs to be done. Story continues It doesnt exactly feel like its making it that much safer, Andy Majoros, a freshman, said. Gabbie Shull feels the same. I feel like there is crime that happens on other days of the week, so I feel having them around more would be great, Shull said. The U-District Partnership said its also looking at other ways to make things safer. We cant be a police force; thats not what we are set up to do. The police are also providing an emphasis patrol, so it will be a compliment to what theyre doing already, Don Blake, the executive director of the U-District Partnership, said. A United Airlines passenger jet bound for Miami had to return to Chicago on Friday after hitting a bird, the airline said. The bird strike happened just after it took off from OHare International Airport, according to United. Flight 1930, a Boeing 737-900, returned to the airport. "The aircraft landed safely and passengers deplaned at the gate," United said in a statement. Passengers were put on a different plane, it said. The Chicago Department of Aviation said that it got a call for standby alert at 11:14 a.m. Reported bird strikes on civil aircraft have generally been increasing over the years, although the number varies per year. In 2021, there were 14,564 reported bird strikes, according to a Federal Aviation Administration report, and aircraft also struck bats, terrestrial mammals and reptiles. Of all the wildlife strikes last year, 648 caused damage to the aircraft. Over half of bird strikes, around 53 percent, happen from July to October when young birds emerge from the nest or when fall migration occurs, according to the FAA. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A UIHC logo is seen on the Pappajohn Pavilion, Friday, April 10, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) in Iowa City, Iowa. The Board of Regents has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a class-action lawsuit with current and former University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics employees. The healthcare system and about 11,000 workers have been engaged in a legal fight since 2019, when employees alleged that managers didn't pay overtime, bonuses or accrued leave as quickly as state and federal laws require. U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Rose granted part of the workers' motion for summary judgment in March, but attorneys for the Board of Regents raised the specter of appealing that ruling. In a motion asking the judge to approve a settlement filed Friday, lawyers for the employees wrote that their side could have won $64 million. But they added that they believed a higher court could have overturned a significant portion of the workers' claim, reducing the amount owed to $11 million. "Based on these concerns, Plaintiffs believe they have obtained a great result for the class members," wrote the attorneys, Boston-based Harold Lichten and Nate Willems, of Cedar Rapids. Laura Shoemaker, a spokesperson for the healthcare system, confirmed the settlement in a statement Saturday. She declined to say why the Board of Regents didn't pursue an appeal. "We are pleased to reach a final resolution that is in the best interest of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC) employees, who are critical to our ability to deliver excellent patient care for all Iowans," Shoemaker said in an email. RelatedIowa workers lose $900 million to wage theft per year, report finds 11,000 workers will receive a share of the $11.6 million settlement According to the proposed settlement, the employees' lawyers will receive about $3.4 million. The six employees who led the lawsuit will each receive $10,000. The rest of the 11,000 workers will each receive a share of the remaining $11.6 million, based on how many payments employees allegedly received from the hospital later than the law allows. Story continues About 3,600 workers are each eligible for an extra $100 in the settlement because they received overtime payments under a separate, federal law that the healthcare system allegedly violated. Another 5,600 employees are eligible for $50 each because the healthcare system allegedly did not quickly enough pay them for accrued leave after their terminations. In her March ruling, Rose found that the Board of Regents did not need to pay any damages for those supposedly late termination payments. But the Board agreed to make a payment under that category anyway. According to Friday's motion, the bulk of the payments will go to a small set of the class. About 80% of the money will go to one-third of the employees about 3,700 workers, who will get an average of about $2,500. The payments to the workers in the class will receive damages, meaning they are payments on top of the owed compensation, which the healthcare system already paid. The class consisted of both healthcare employees and support services staff. When the workers filed the lawsuit in October 2019, they argued that the healthcare system violated state law beginning two years earlier for a couple of reasons. What does the Iowa law say about payments and how was it allegedly violated? In Iowa, companies must pay workers within 12 days of the end of a pay period. The workers argued that two of the healthcare system's payment schedules violated that law. First, managers paid support services employees on the first of each month. But they allegedly waited two months to pay overtime. A worker who accrued overtime in January would not see that extra money until the beginning of March. Healthcare employees, meanwhile, received payments every six weeks. But the managers allegedly didn't issue overtime payments until the following pay cycle. A worker could wait 11 weeks to see the overtime compensation. RelatedTwo Micronesians plead guilty to labor trafficking at JBS Ottumwa plant Lawyers for the system argued that employees agreed to this arrangement. They said that unionized employees approved a collective bargaining agreement that allowed the system to withhold to delay the overtime payments. They also said workers signed offer letters that told them that an operations manual governed their employment. In her March ruling, Rose rejected this argument. She said union officials had objected to the overtime payment schedule in 2018, proof that workers didn't agree with the system's policy. She also said that the offer letters didn't specify what the operations manual said about overtime payments, meaning many workers likely didn't agree to this payment schedule. According to Friday's motion, the Board of Regents' lawyers prepared to raise other arguments if they took the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals or the Iowa Supreme Court. The lawyers allegedly would have told judges that employees accrued overtime from the halfway mark of one month to the halfway mark of the next. If judges sided with the healthcare system on this issue, attorneys for the workers wrote, the managers could successfully argue that "the bulk of the employees did not receive payments late. The healthcare system also adjusted its payment schedules to move money to employees faster in November 2020, a year after the workers filed the lawsuit." This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: University of Iowa hospitals settle lawsuit over overtime pay, bonuses A group of demonstrators supporting Mayor Harold Washington pickets against Ald. Eddie Vrdolyak outside City Hall before a City Council meeting in 1983. (Charles Osgood / Chicago Tribune) Never say anything important to anybody, I once heard a Chicago politician say, without presuming that theyre wearing a wire. I know some Los Angeles City Council members who should have followed that advice before talking trash about some of their fellow Democrats. Advertisement Our best ideas often come out of freewheeling discussions. Unfortunately, so do some of our worst inclinations. In an uproar that reached all the way to President Joe Bidens White House, the City Council members who can be heard in an audio recording reported in the Los Angeles Times probably wish their private conversation had stayed private. Advertisement The central figures in this October 2021 conversation were City Council President Nury Martinez who has since resigned from the council and two fellow council members, as well as a labor ally. They talked about a range of subjects, including the citys once-in-10-years redistricting process. But much of what they said was grounded in a couple of faulty although widely held ideas. Im talking about the assumption that politics, the art of managing power relationships, is mostly about tribes which, if youre not careful, can lead you down the road to deeply held prejudices and outright racism. This is hardly a new hazard. Rather, it is well grounded in decades of navigations and manipulations by a multitude of racial, religious, ethnic and other demographic groups jockeying for power in U.S.cities. You can hear it in Martinezs voice as she denigrates a colleague because hes with the Blacks. Right. My memory flashed back to Harold Washingtons ultimately successful campaign in 1983 to become Chicagos first Black mayor. At a meeting of precinct captains, then-Ald. Eddie Vrdolyak, who was from the very ethnic and white Southwest Side, was caught on a radio reporters mic rallying the crowd to get behind incumbent Mayor Jayne Byrne. Mayor Jane Byrne listens to Ald. Eddie Vrdolyak during a City Council meeting on Jan. 31, 1983. (Karen Engstrom / Chicago Tribune) Its a racial thing. Dont kid yourself, he said. Im calling on you to save your city, to save your precinct. Were fighting to keep the city the way it is. Advertisement Many credit that sound bite with turning the election toward Washington in those final days of the primary campaign. Washington calculated that a coalition across racial and ethnic lines was the best way to win. Good for him and good for the city. The city was already divided enough along racial lines. Ethnic politics are a reality of urban life, especially for groups that are trying to carve out a place for themselves in our ethnic jigsaw puzzle. But the pieces of that puzzle are not rigid. Neighborhoods and communities must constantly reach out with Los Angeleno Rodney Kings famous question: Can we all get along? Los Angeles is proud of its image as a city of people too cool to hate. But Martinez, as captured in the recording, sounds like shes out to grab all the clout she can and redraw council districts to benefit Latino leaders. Thats politics, but it doesnt pay to be too bold and clumsy about it or forget that you can often gain more ground through coalitions than open warfare. For now, her saga appears to be over. Martinez, the councils first Hispanic female president, apologized in a statement to the Los Angeles Times: In a moment of intense frustration and anger, I let the situation get the best of me and I hold myself accountable for these comments. For that I am sorry. She also resigned as president and later stepped down from her seat altogether. Advertisement And before Republicans could take cheap shots at so-called liberal wokeness, the White House used the occasion to jab Republicans for their treatment of racism allegations within their own party. Heres the difference between Democrats and MAGA Republicans: When a Democrat says something racist or antisemitic, ... we hold Democrats accountable, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. When a MAGA Republican says something racist and/or antisemitic, they are embraced by cheering crowds and become celebrated and sought after. Redistricting predictably brings partisan arguments as the parties jockey to carve out more districts for themselves. Yet demographic change brings new disputes over fair representation for groups that have grown faster than others. But neither party should want to be divided by factional splits within their own party. Since the 1992 riots that followed Kings recorded beating by police, their numbers are increasingly underrepresented by the land most of them occupy. They deserve more, and Im sure theyll get it, if they dont destroy the goodwill alliances they need first. Yes, we can all get along, but we have to work at it. Sign up here to receive Clarence Pages columns by email as soon as they are published. Advertisement Clarence Page is a member of the Tribune Editorial Board. cpage@chicagotribune.com Twitter @cptime At a luncheon for Republican women in Mesa County, Colorado, last week, Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., warned that educators are putting litter boxes in schools for people who identify as cats. To a person not steeped in the culture war battles over gender identity that have engulfed school districts nationwide, its the kind of claim that would sound bizarre and confusing and, from high-profile GOP members, authoritative. The week before, on Sept. 29, Minnesota GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Jensen asked during a campaign stop, Why do we have litter boxes in some of the school districts so kids can pee in them, because they identify as a furry? And during a legislative hearing last month in Tennessee, two Republican state lawmakers discussed the growing crisis of public schools providing litter boxes for children who identify as cats, and claimed its happening across the state. At least 20 conservative candidates and elected officials have claimed this year that K-12 schools are placing litter boxes on campus or making other accommodations for students who identify as cats, according to an NBC News review of public statements. Every school district that has been named by those 20 politicians said either to NBC News or in public statements that these claims are untrue. There is no evidence that any school has deployed litter boxes for students to use because they identify as cats. But the claim has taken on a life of its own among a growing number of Republicans, conservative influencers and political commentators. In an episode of Spotifys The Joe Rogan Experience podcast this week, host Joe Rogan told former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard that a litter box was installed in a school that his friends wife worked at for a girl who identifies as an animal. A clip of the discussion quickly began to circulate on social media. Rogan did not name the school, and his publicist did not respond to a request for comment. Story continues There is a real subculture of people known as furries, a community of children and adults who roleplay as anthropomorphized animal characters. But the vast majority of them still identify as humans, while sometimes adopting an animal-like persona and engaging in short-term roleplay, according to furries and experts, one of whom noted that there are no litter boxes at furry conventions. Three school-age furries told NBC News they have at times dressed up at school, typically wearing just part of their full costume such as a mask or gloves that look like paws, but theyd never heard of any furry ever asking for a litter box. That has not stopped such rumors from circulating on social media, where they have been repeated like a game of telephone, often with descriptions of friends of friends who supposedly saw such things firsthand. And it has not stopped some politicians from picking up these claims and using them to alarm people by saying that this is where protections for LGBTQ students will lead. Whats most provocative about this hoax is how it turns on two key wedge issues for conservatives: educational accommodations and gender nonconformity, said Joan Donovan, research director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University and co-author of Meme Wars: The Untold Story of the Online Battles Upending Democracy in America. The rise of the litter box rumor shows the power of false claims that start on social media to shape political discourse. And it demonstrates how quickly some elements of truth can be twisted and mashed up with fully debunked assertions to create a viral narrative amplified by prominent politicians, as well as commentators with large audiences. Its only used to kind of sensationalize untruth, and to harm our community, in particular our transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive youth, said Nadine Bridges, executive director of One Colorado, an LGBTQ rights organization, when asked about the litter box rumors. Why would you attack our most vulnerable to get your point across, especially since the point is baseless? NBC News found one example of a school district keeping cat litter on campuses for students to use but it had nothing to do with accommodating children who identify as animals. In Colorado, GOP gubernatorial nominee Heidi Ganahl insisted in several recent interviews that students were dressing and identifying as cats, disrupting class, and the states schools were tolerating it. Some children, she alleged, would only communicate in barks and hisses. Her campaign declined to answer questions about Ganahls claims, but in one interview with a local Fox affiliate, she suggested theres a lot of this going on in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County school district disputed Ganahls claims and said its dress code prohibits costumes at school. The district where Columbine High School is located has been stocking classrooms with small amounts of cat litter since 2017, but as part of go buckets that contain emergency supplies in case students are locked in a classroom during a shooting. The buckets also contain candy for diabetic students, a map of the school, flashlights, wet wipes and first aid items. This thing has gotten out of control with politicians just wanting to have a talking point, said John McDonald, former director of campus safety at Jefferson County schools, whos now a school security consultant. The wave of misinformation reflects discontent among many conservatives around how the concepts and politics of gender identity are rapidly shifting. Governors Forum (Andy Cross / Denver Post via Getty Images) As the number of people identifying as trans and nonbinary has increased in recent years, particularly among young people, so has the amount of anti-LGBTQ legislation from conservative politicians. The spread of rumors about litter boxes has grown alongside other extreme and baseless rhetoric accusing LGBTQ people and educators of grooming children through lessons and policies on gender and sexuality. Some politicians issued warnings about children acting as cats during debates regarding school policies related to transgender and nonbinary youth. Tim Kraayenbrink, a Republican Iowa state senator, said at a forum in May that local schools had been required to put cat litter boxes in the bathroom for furries to use, as he discussed schools that allow transgender students to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. He later told a local newspaper he didnt verify the claim was true, and he did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News. Last month, Brendan Shea, a Republican and member of the Ohio State Board of Education, introduced a resolution to oppose civil rights protections for LGBTQ students. As he argued for the resolution in a public meeting, Shea said, Weve literally got kids who think theyre cats and dogs using litter boxes in classrooms. Shea did not respond to requests for comment. The rumor of litter boxes in schools appears to have begun among parents on social media, and one of the first schools to confront the falsehood was in Canada last fall. In an Oct. 19, 2021, Facebook post, the Public Schools Branch of Prince Edward Island said that for several months it had fielded calls, been sent emails and been pointed to numerous social media posts that make broad sweeping assertions regarding students who identify as cats. Many of these assertions claim that schools have or are in the process of having litter boxes placed in schools. This claim as well as many others are simply false and are causing unnecessary stress to students and staff, Norbert Carpenter, the director of schools, said in the post. Within a few months, similar rumors began to spread in the U.S., where they quickly became culture war fodder. In December 2021, conservative activist Lisa Hansen claimed at a school board meeting in Midland, Michigan, that an unnamed school in the district had placed a litter box for the kids that identify as cats in a unisex bathroom as part of the agenda thats being pushed. Hansen, who later started a local chapter of Moms for Liberty, a conservative activist group, did not respond to requests for comment. On Jan. 20, Meshawn Maddock, the co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, advanced the rumor, posting on Facebook that Kids who identify as furries get a litter box in the school bathroom, with a link to a parent activist group. The next day, the popular conservative Twitter account Libs of TikTok tweeted the video of Hansen at the school board meeting. The post quickly went viral, racking up nearly 860,000 video views on Twitter. As the video circulated, the Midland superintendent issued a statement to clarify Hansens claim was false. Libs of TikTok noted as much in a subsequent tweet, but questioned why no one said so at the school board meeting, where some people applauded after Hansen spoke. Maddock did not respond to requests for comment. In April, three Republican lawmakers in Minnesota took turns during floor debate discussing rumors theyd heard about children identifying as cats at school, cutting holes in uniforms for tails and possibly using litter boxes. That same month, school board candidates in Arkansas and Tennessee made similar remarks, and Jennifer Benson, a school board member in Fargo, North Dakota, told a local news outlet children were wearing leashes to school and using litter boxes. Catalina Lauf, a Republican congressional nominee in Illinois, tweeted this month that schoolchildren were using litter boxes in her state. Many parents and teachers have confided in me privately about the madness thats happening pertaining to this trend, Lauf told NBC News in an email. She declined to connect NBC News with any parents or teachers shes spoken with. When asked by NBC News for evidence to support her assertion, Lauf referred to an anonymous far-right blog that claimed a student was permitted to wear a furry suit to school in Hinsdale, Illinois. The school district called that blogs story completely inaccurate and not something it would permit. Beyond Republican politicians and officials, plenty of social media users have latched onto the rumor, most notably on Facebook and TikTok. On Facebook, public posts show variations of the claim popping up throughout the country every day, citing unnamed grandchildren or neighbors, from Florida to California. Some say litter boxes are located in transgender bathrooms in schools. One post calling for school districts to take action has been shared more than 31,000 times. Meanwhile on TikTok, one video claiming kids are now requesting litter boxes at school collected 3 million views on the platform. A reaction from another user calling for schools to stop admitting furries to schools brought in over 1 million views. Furries are part of an established subculture that has existed for decades. The fandom is centered around an interest in anthropomorphism, or human characteristics given to animals, according to Sharon Roberts, co-founder of a furry research group called Furscience. Roberts, an associate professor at Renison University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo in Canada, said that nearly all furries maintain distinct human personas and do not identify as animals. Surveys and pre-publication research from Furscience also indicate that the vast majority are LGBTQ and as many as a third are transgender. Roberts said that in her research career, shes never heard of or seen an instance of a furry wanting a litter box. Roberts also noted that the vast majority of furries characters are wild or mythical animals, who wouldnt use a litter box in the first place. Ive studied more than 40,000 furries from 70 different countries over a decade, she said. Theres no such thing as a litter box at a furry convention. NBC News spoke to three school-age furries who have posted on TikTok about the experience of being a furry at school. NBC News agreed to keep their last names private due to their fear of harassment. Olivia, 16, from California, said shes been part of the furry community for six years. I dont go out wearing tail, gloves, ears, or fursuit heads on any normal day, she said in an email. She said when she has worn part of her fur suit to school, I dont act like an animal, or think that I am one. Dayna, 15, who lives in Canada, said she brings a mask and tail to school every day but only wears them during lunch and keeps them in her bag during class. I like bringing them because its a way to show my creative outlet and something to talk to my friends about. Ive actually made new friends at school because of it, Dayna said in an email. Kymera, 14, of Colorado, said being a furry is just a hobby, akin to being a mascot. I have never once heard a furry say they want to use a litter box, Kymera said. These rumors put us at risk of being hurt or bullied. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. Related: This article was originally published on TODAY.com By Daina Beth Solomon and Jose Luis Gonzalez MEXICO CITY/CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (Reuters) - A new U.S.-Mexico border policy geared at deterring Venezuelans fleeing hardship in their home country from entering the United States illegally has separated some families, migrants said on Friday, with several women known to have been sent back to Mexico as their husbands stayed on in the United States. The separations of at least three married couples, as well as a mother returned without her 20-year-old son, occurred during some of the first expulsions of Venezuelans from the United States back to Mexico under the policy announced by officials from the two countries on Wednesday. Under the policy, up to 24,000 Venezuelans may apply for humanitarian entry into the United States by air. U.S. authorities have said they will turn back Venezuelans who attempt to enter at the land border. About 200 Venezuelans who had crossed by land into the United States were expelled on Thursday to Mexico's Ciudad Juarez, according to the Jesuit Migrant Services rights group. U.S. officials told Reuters that 300 had been expelled border-wide from the United States the day before. Before Wednesday, Venezuelans who crossed illegally into the United States, many seeking U.S. asylum, were often allowed to stay because it was difficult to send them back to Venezuela or Mexico. "I am alone in a country where I have no one to help me," said Angelica Ramirez, who had traveled for two months with her husband before entering the Texas border city of El Paso on Monday. Ramirez said her husband was allowed to stay in the United States while she was sent back on Thursday, a move she called "inexplicable." "He was my only companion, my only help, my only support," Ramirez said, fighting back tears in an interview near the border wall in Ciudad Juarez, contemplating how to return to Venezuela without money or a cellphone. Ramirez said her two sons, ages 2 and 8, remain in Venezuela. Story continues Venezuelans by the millions have left the South American country in recent years, fleeing corruption, economic hardship and political upheaval. Those trekking over land toward the United States have an arduous route through Central America and then into Mexico. Gretchen Kuhner, director of an advocacy group for female migrants in Mexico, said the current situation at the U.S.-Mexico border is chaotic. Numerous advocacy groups have said they are disappointed by the changes under the new policy that they say differentiate unfairly based on nationality and expand the use of a U.S. expulsion order that limits asylum access. Luis Cazorla, 27, said he reached the El Paso border wall on Monday with his wife Katherine Carantona, 29. Once in U.S. detention, they were separated and lost touch for two days, he said. When they spoke again, he had been granted entry to the United States, and said he was shocked to hear she had been sent back to Mexico. "They separated us so unfairly," Cazorla said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to questions about the separated Venezuelans. U.S. border agents do not treat couples and parents with adult children as "family units," so it is possible for those people to be processed separately. More than 150,000 Venezuelans have been caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border this year, according to U.S. government data, a sharp rise that has strained American resources at the border and in receiving cities. Some of the Venezuelans sent to Mexico urged fellow migrants to stay where they are to avoid the same outcome, even as a caravan of hundreds of people set off from southern Mexico early on Friday. (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City, Jose Luis Gonzalez in Ciudad Juarez and Ted Hesson in Washington; Additional reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Ana Isabel Martinez; Editing by Will Dunham) Yesterdays Just Stop Oil protest at Londons National Gallery was another reminder that the good old PR stunt is alive and well. This latest protest pushed Just Stop Oils civil disruption tactic to a new extreme by smothering Van Goghs world-famous Sunflowers painting in tomato soup. While we await news of any possible damage (the painting is actually sealed behind glass), just by targeting a globally recognised painting, the activists have guaranteed its global newsworthiness. In recent weeks, the group have continued their pattern of shock and awe tactics, which have so far included gluing themselves to roads, motorways, bridges, buildings and vans, typically during rush hour. Much of the UK press has reported on those impacted by the stunts. However, the activists are pushing for broader awareness of their existence and the cause, so in their case, all publicity is good publicity positive or not. If the groups warnings of fossil fuel dependency and climate destruction were ignored by the public and politicians in the past, they certainly resonate more today as the cost of living crisis has directly impacted millions of hard-working Brits. During the stunt, one of the activists even said: The cost of living crisis is part of the cost of oil crisis. Fuel is unaffordable to millions of cold, hungry families. They cant even afford to heat a tin of soup. Like it or not, this generation of activists know that for their activism to have clout, it must be timely. The simple act of splattering an iconic, priceless painting in one of the UKs leading cultural institutions is a headline in itself, but the current chaos in the UK made it ripe for a media metaphor and has given the stunt more publicity. The absurdity of their act complemented the chaotic major headlines of the day the sacking of a chancellor, an economic U-turn, spiralling markets and waning faith in the government. There is a wonderful irony in that the value of Van Goghs Sunflowers might actually increase, because, right now, its of major world relevance again. Story continues Any seasoned behavioural specialist or marketer will tell you that the worst thing you can do as an influencer is to be bland. Any head-turning method to garner attention will never win all hearts and minds. But to provoke and get a reaction, to start a debate, ignite movements and get to the heart of an issue can cost millions in promotion, or, as in this instance, be a well-timed symbolic act. To keep up to speed with all the latest opinions and comment, sign up to our free weekly Voices Dispatches newsletter by clicking here In other words: its OK to be a little divisive. PR stunts are not the end goal. Just Stop Oils stunt is a jolting, momentum-starting tactic to ensure that their message remains at the top of the news agenda, despite everything else thats happening at the moment. This maximum impact using minimum means method isnt anything new. Who can forget Fathers 4 Justices superhero Batman scaling the Buckingham Palace balcony? Or Greenpeaces Who voted for this? protest at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham earlier this month? But as with everything, theres a catch: PR stunts can only get you so far. They can embolden your core audience, but they can further entrench differences too. The more newsworthy and controversial your stunt, the less willing those beyond your circle of influence could be to step up and support your goals. You only have to scan Twitter to see that while many people can deal with a blocked road and mild civil disobedience, vandalism of a treasured piece of art may have crossed the line. Just Stop Oil have achieved a short-term injection of visibility, and politically, they were bang on the money. The question some may ask though, is now that Just Stop Oil have upped the stakes in dramatic action, what headline-grabbing stunt can they do next? Professor Paul Springer is Director of the School of Communication at Falmouth University. In recent months, several employees of the special services were able to leave Russia, ask for asylum and also testify Quoting head of the Gulagu.net anti-corruption project Vladimir Osechkin, the Insider reported that the two men are giving evidence that will help the international investigation into Russian war crimes. Read also: Wagner mercenaries forcibly recruiting Russian prisoners for war, reports Russia media SOTA The mens testimony concerns corruption schemes of the FSB and the history of the creation of the Wagner Group private military company as a "branch" of Russias military intelligence service, the GRU. Now both of these people will testify about war crimes, I hope they will have the opportunity to cooperate with the international investigation and testify against (Wagner company owner) Yevgeny Prigozhin and other members of the regime (of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin), Osechkin said. Read also: Ukrainian IT Army hacks Russias Wagner mercenary companys website He also noted that in recent months, several other Russian intelligence officers have been able to leave Russia, seek asylum, and also testify. Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine A father and son were fishing for striped bass and tuna off the Jersey Shore near Belmar on Wednesday when they hooked a prize memory: A massive humpback whale breached the sea inches from them. The son, Zach Piller, 23, of the Philadephia area, captured the moment on video. The water boiled with activity, with dozens of small fish jumping from the sea, before the humpback's head emerged next to the duo's small boat. "Uh-oh," Piller is heard saying just before the animal breached the surface and raised its head above the boat's midships. Humpback whale breaches the water near fishermen in NJ. (zachpiller18) Got that on video!Piller said among excited swearing. The whale's head landed with a splash, and soon it was deep in the sea. Piller said that small fish are abundant and nearshore this time of year, attracting whales and other animals that eat them. The weather was exceptionally nice Wednesday, with the high above 70 degrees and the water calm and glassy, Piller said. Piller was on an 18-foot Starcraft built by his father. Its based at a marina in Belmar. Eric Otjen, SeaWorld San Diego vice president of zoological operations said apparent humpback whales feeding on small fish near shore is nothing unusual, but breaching near a boat is. This whale just happened to chase bait fish right next to a boat, he said. The feeding part is common. Being that close to the boat is not. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery. It popped up where it popped up. Otjen said its possible the mammal was engaging in bubble-net feeding, in which humpback whales dive below a school of fish, blow bubbles in a circle around them to act as a virtual net, and then head for the surface, mouths open, to scoop up the fish. "The guys on the boat had an experience of a lifetime," he said. "A lot of people would pay a lot of money to see what they saw." Experts say humpbacks may use breaches to communicate because the resulting collision with the surface creates sound waves that travel far. They might also slap their fins for the same reason. Story continues The Jersey Shore has been unusually active when it comes to whale sightings since at least July. And, reaching back to 2011, humpbacks have been staying longer for feeding season, possibly to feast on Atlantic menhaden, a small fish they prefer, researchers say. Though the nearshore activity could be a sign that the endangered species is rebounding following the dark ages of hunting them for oil, scientists are concerned that boat traffic and fishing lines are posing serious threats. On Sept. 26, the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team, as part of the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program, helped to disentangle a humpback whale from 300 feet of lines and buoys that appeared to be from crab fishing, the park said. The parks rescuers, joined off the coast of Carlsbad, California by responders from federal and local jurisdictions, were able to see the mammal set off for deeper climes. We celebrate and all that stuff, but we really want to not have to do it, Otjen said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Welcome to this weeks weekly wacky travel story roundup, where the skies are anything but friendly and the seas are anything but shining. The rise in travel incidents for lack of a better word may be due to pandemic fatigue, the rise of social media, or perhaps a little bit of both. But whats definitely clear is that things are just getting started when it comes to the lack of act-right. A recent report from NBC News reveals that travel incidents jumped exponentially since 2019. To wit: prior to the pandemic, there were only about 10 or so incidents a month. But after the pandemic, that number jumped to a whopping 500 incidents a month. And, according to the report, what were seeing in travel is nothing compared to what were seeing in everyday life. Rage in the not-so-friendly skies is also a manifestation of anger happening on the ground, reported the outlet. For every video of an airline passenger losing it on a flight, there are others at grocery stores, school board meetings, and banks. So, with each weekly wacky travel story we talk about here, its worth remembering that there are real people behind them that get affected negatively every time. A Magic Mushroom Ride Goes Wrong Its probably not a good idea to take a hallucinogenic drug before one boards a flight but someone should have told that to Cherruy Loghan Sevilla. On October 12, 2022, Sevilla was traveling on a United Airlines flight from Miami to Washington, D.C., when the shrooms kicked inand chaos ensued. Read on to find out what happened next The TOO Friendly Skies In 2020, Christine Janning co-piloted a flight from Philadelphia to Orlando with Michael Haak. And this, really, is where the story should have ended. But Haak proved that if men will have nothing else, theyll have the audacity. Two years later, Janning is suing for the audacityand we cant say we blame her. Book a Hotel Instead When people go away on vacation, they go to relax. Unfortunately, Melissa Forrest of Southern California who owns 10 homes that shes put on AirBnB (yes, shes one of those) didnt get the memo. Story continues If you want to stay at one of her houses, youll have to clean up after yourself. Read on to find out more details Dinner and a Show Never, ever get between a woman and her dog. A flight from New York to Atlanta went as might be expected when a woman was told to take her dog off her lap. Three guesses as to what happened next Locked Up Abroad In April 2022, a crew from Pivot Airlines was detained in the Dominican Republic after illegal drugs were reportedly found on the plane. Six months later, theyre still in the DR with no sign of when they may possibly be going home. This isnt Locked Up Abroadthis is real life. Check out the story to find out more. Advanced registered nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife Melanie Jensen, left, talks with patient Bryana Wood, of Belfair, at the end of her appointment at Kitsap OB/GYN in Silverdale on Sept. 27. Kitsap County faces a shortage of OB/GYN's that has been exacerbated by Naval Hospital Bremerton and Peninsula Community Health Center no longer offering comprehensive pregnancy care. BREMERTON When Teresa Westik moved to East Bremerton late last year, she was already 6 1/2 months pregnant. She'd had no trouble booking prenatal appointments in Georgia, where her husband was previously stationed in the military. But the first obstetrician's office in Kitsap that she called told her she'd need to wait until March for an appointment. Her baby was due in February. "It was like, 'Are you kidding me?' I thought I was on top of this and was calling months in advance," Westik said. "It became a very stressful time." Westik was eventually able to find appointments early this year through Naval Hospital Bremerton, but someone in her situation today wouldn't have that option. A hospital that once birthed about a quarter of the babies born in Kitsap is no longer delivering them at all following ongoing cuts. It's made an existing nationwide shortage of obstetricians a dire situation in Kitsap County. "We're doing our best to see as many people as we can, but it's an extremely stressful job already, and now, it's 10 times that," said longtime obstetrician Dr. Kathy Hebard, who delivered 15 babies in 72 hours one weekend in September. "This isn't sustainable. We're all going to crack and quit." More: St. Michael Emergency Department director exits as ER issues continue to mount The numbers tell the story. The United States, the country with the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, has a projected "critical deficit" of OB/GYNs by 2030, according to one study suggesting about 27 doctors per 100,000 people is the necessary ratio. As a state, Washington has 15 OB/GYN practitioners for every 100,000 residents. Kitsap County, by contrast, is closer to 3 per 100,000, according to local providers. "It's been an ongoing dwindle," Hebard said, calling it a crisis. "It's not tenable." Hebard's clinic, Kitsap OB/GYN, has the most such doctors on the peninsula. She said insurance rates have remained flat for more than a decade, and as a result, her practice has struggled to add staff even as its volume has ballooned. Story continues "All of us are double and sometimes triple-booked every day," said Hebard, noting the clinic has had no choice but to move back patients' first prenatal visits to 12 weeks. The peninsula's problem was exacerbated by the Navy's decision to reduce many services at Naval Hospital Bremerton, which is open to active duty and many retired military members and their families. That includes delivering a baby. The facility used to provide that service hundreds of times per year. Doug Stutz, a spokesman for the hospital, said it still provides prenatal and postpartum appointments for eligible beneficiaries. There are still two OB/GYN providers and two midwives on staff, though some may be deployed to other areas to support sailors elsewhere. "We stand in the gap for our active duty service members and family new to the area until care is established in town," Stutz said. "The intent is to have care established before 15 weeks (of pregnancy) ... We do not have the support services to provide consistent care through pregnancy." To make matters worse, other clinics in the community have closed as practitioners have become too hard to come by. Peninsula Community Health Services spent hundreds of thousands of dollars recruiting nationally to fill specialist positions, including OB/GYNs. But Peninsula closed its OB/GYN program this year after its four providers either quit or left on medical leave, said Jennifer Kreidler-Moss, chief executive officer of Peninsula. "It is with great sadness that we have had to close our program," Kreidler-Moss said The annual percentage of pregnant patients who saw a prenatal health care provider within the first trimester of their pregnancy over the last two decades. In a statement, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, which operates St. Michael Medical Center's birthing unit, echoed others in the challenges of finding OB/GYNs. It's a particularly challenging specialty given the demands of working on-call on 24-7 shifts. Burnout runs high in the specialty. The demand for obstetrics has reverberated into birth centers staffed by midwives. Ashley Jones, executive director of Poulsbo's True North Birth Center, said case volume has roughly doubled, and she's added two more midwives to bring a total to four at the birth center she's run since 2020. A midwife can provide prenatal, birthing and postpartum without an OB/GYN, she said. But certain pregnancies require a doctor for certain procedures, including Pitocin induction and management of miscarriages. With clinics in Kitsap slammed and the county's ER critically short of staff, Jones has had to send patients to Tacoma for care when an OB/GYN is necessary. "If its safe for us to go to Tacoma, we go to Tacoma," she said. 'Staggering' and 'sobering': More than 80% of US maternal deaths are preventable Hebard said both midwives and obstetricians are needed to provide care during pregnancy. She hopes local lawmakers will consider ways to help medical students training to be OB/GYNs with school debt. She said that would help offset the stress and relative pay disparities between it and other specialty fields. She'd also like to see insurance companies increase reimbursements, enabling her clinic to expand. She noted Kitsap County doesn't have the same pay scales or reimbursement rates found in King County or denser metro areas. "In that way, we are an island," she said. Pushed beyond the limits of what they can safely handle, any doctor is likely to overlook things or make errors in what is the critical field of bringing babies into the world. "You don't want things to fall through the cracks," she said. Ashley Jones, executive director of the True North Birth Center in Poulsbo, examines expecting mom Aleya Veach at a recent prenatal appointment. True North is seeing more patients with the closure of other hospital birth centers and providers in Kitsap County. This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Kitsap's shortage of obstetricians has become a crisis, providers say Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. 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 the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse. So, the natural question for Actual Experience (LON:ACT) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn. Check out our latest analysis for Actual Experience Does Actual Experience Have A Long 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 March 2022, Actual Experience had UK5.4m in cash, and was debt-free. Importantly, its cash burn was UK4.6m over the trailing twelve months. So it had a cash runway of approximately 14 months from March 2022. 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 Well Is Actual Experience Growing? Some investors might find it troubling that Actual Experience is actually increasing its cash burn, which is up 27% in the last year. Also concerning, operating revenue was actually down by 11% in that time. Taken together, we think these growth metrics are a little worrying. In reality, this article only makes a short study of the company's growth data. You can take a look at how Actual Experience has developed its business over time by checking this visualization of its revenue and earnings history. Can Actual Experience Raise More Cash Easily? Since Actual Experience can't yet boast improving growth metrics, the market will likely be considering how it can raise more cash if need be. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. One of the main advantages held by publicly listed companies is that they can sell shares to investors to raise cash and fund 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. Since it has a market capitalisation of UK406m, Actual Experience's UK4.6m in cash burn equates to about 1.1% of its market value. That means it could easily issue a few shares to fund more growth, and might well be in a position to borrow cheaply. Is Actual Experience's Cash Burn A Worry? On this analysis of Actual Experience's cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. Cash burning companies are always on the riskier side of things, but after considering all of the factors discussed in this short piece, we're not too worried about its rate of cash burn. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 4 warning signs for Actual Experience (of which 3 are a bit concerning!) you should know about. If you would prefer to check out another company with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow. 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 A house for sale. Thomas Northcut/Getty Images Here are three of the week's top pieces of financial insight, gathered from around the web: Wire-transfer real estate frauds Potential homebuyers have a new scam to worry about, said Natalie Wong in Bloomberg Businessweek: hackers stealing their down payments. Real-estate wire fraud is on the rise, with hackers targeting "random players involved in any real estate transaction lawyers, brokers, title agencies, mortgage lenders." Once inside a company email system, thieves may "monitor correspondence about a specific transaction for months." When it's time for, say, an eager homebuyer to wire a down payment, the thief will send "a fraudulent email to the buyer, pretending to give official instructions from the real estate or title agent." Danny Gonzales, a homebuyer in Texas, mistakenly wired $123,500 to thieves who had accessed his title agent's system. The thieves' email, which came from a Gmail account, "looked identical to hers, except for an 'e' that was changed to a 'c.'" The burnout-relief industry "Quiet quitting" has already spawned a cottage industry of workplace consultants pledging to "pump up employee enthusiasm," said Callum Borchers in The Wall Street Journal. "If you're running a company now, chances are your inbox is full of messages from experts claiming they can goose morale, foster connection, (and) boost buy-in." Of course, gurus have always pitched their techniques for solving burnout, but the viral "quiet quitting" meme referring to workers doing only what's in their job description seems to have "intensified the sense of urgency." One start-up, Rising Team, even closed a second venture capital round for "camaraderie building software." Jail for breaking security rules Senior security managers are worried they could face prison time for security breaches, said Jacob Carpenter in Fortune. Federal jurors last week found Uber's former chief security officer, Joe Sullivan, guilty of "two felonies related to concealing a massive hack of customer data from federal regulators." It's "believed to be the first time that prosecutors have charged a tech security executive" for failure to disclose a corporate breach. Sullivan handled the incident using "a somewhat common security practice" paying the hackers through the company's "bug bounty" program to keep it quiet. But he later "intentionally hid the hack" from investigators and lied about Uber's security protocols. So fears of "rampant prosecutions" are "a bit exaggerated." Story continues This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here. You may also like 5 cartoons about Alex Jones' billion-dollar penalty Holiday season airfare could be among most expensive ever, report says Harvard's record endowment shrinks for 1st time since 2016 Two-hander plays starring Latinas are having a moment in this years Destinos, the fifth annual Chicago International Latino Theater Festival. Among the festivals 13 productions are Teatro Vistas Enough to Let the Light In, a psychological thriller about two women in love, and American Blues Theaters Alma, a tender mother-daughter drama. In Vision Latino Theatre Companys Sancocho, the latest Destinos show to focus on female relationships, two sisters cook a family recipe together as their conversation meanders through shared memories, past traumas and long-held secrets. Written by Christin Eve Cato and directed by Xavier M. Custodio, the play is set in the cozy kitchen of Caridad (Antonia Arcely), a middle-aged Puerto Rican American woman who deftly chops vegetables for sancocho a traditional Latino stew while wielding an ever-present wine glass in one hand. Her sister, Renata (Amber Lee Ramos), 25 years younger and pregnant with her first child, comes to visit and discuss their terminally ill fathers will. As they chat, the smell of the stews ingredients wafts into the first few rows of the audience, creating a pleasant multi-sensory experience. Advertisement The two sisters used to be close but now have a more distanced relationship, and the family history that unravels throughout the play explains why. Caridad was forced to grow up young, learning to cook for her father while her mother worked long hours, and went on to raise her own children mostly on her own. Renata, on the other hand, felt the weight of her parents expectations as they pressured the bright girl to be the first of the family to attend college; she exceeded their hopes and put herself through law school too. Arcely and Ramos are quite convincing as sisters with a large age gap between them an odd dynamic in which the eldest often plays a role somewhere between parent and sibling, while the two siblings may experience very different sides of their actual parents. Caridads irreverent humor and practical approach to life contrasts with Renatas analytical bent and overachieving tendencies, but its clear that they love each other despite their differences. Their mother never taught her youngest to cook, but Renata hopes to pass along Puerto Rican culture to her child, so Caridad teaches her sister how to make sancocho. She also gives Renata relationship advice as she angsts over whether her husband is truly the one. Advertisement Eventually the conversation veers into darker territory, including discussions of past verbal, physical and sexual abuse within the family, and Renata expresses concern that her baby will inherit her generational trauma. Despite being the golden child, she admits that she resented her father for the way he treated her mother but felt helpless to push back. I never agreed with their way of being, she says of her parents, but I regretfully accepted it. Caridad shares the pain she suffered from the colorism their father directed toward her; he favored the lighter-skinned Renata and the blond, blue-eyed son that died before either of the girls was born. As if that were not enough family skeletons for one evening, Caridad shocks Renata with the news that they also have a living half-brother, their fathers child from an extramarital affair. This complicates the plans for their fathers will, as a third sibling represents another possible beneficiary of the estate. Although some elements of their story are culturally specific, anyone with a messy family life will find points of connection with Caridad and Renata, whether in their sibling rivalry or the traumatic memories that haunt them. The inspirational crux of the play lies in what the sisters do with all this baggage they have the hard conversations, face down their generational trauma and find a path forward toward healing. The stew that they prepare throughout the evening serves as a metaphor for this process, as ingredients are sliced and crushed to create a meal that Renata describes as healing to the soul. Sancocho is one of the final productions to open during the 2022 Destinos Festival, and its fitting that the show is about two strong Puerto Rican American women. This years festival is dedicated to the late Myrna Salazar, cofounder and executive director of the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, the organization that co-produces Destinos along with the National Museum of Mexican Art, the International Latino Cultural Center and the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Chicago, Salazar championed Latino theater artists and companies from Chicago, the U.S. and Latin America. Those who carry on her work are surely doing her proud. Emily McClanathan is a freelance critic. Review: Sancocho (3 stars) When: Through Oct. 30 Where: Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park Road Advertisement Running time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Tickets: $30-$60 at visionlatino.com Alexia Barton founded Porto & Bello after being diagnosed with breast cancer (Alexia Baron / SWNS) A woman with breast cancer has created an accessible clothing line for other patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Alexia Baron, who was diagnosed with the disease in March 2020, underwent a double mastectomy and 18 sessions of chemotherapy. After struggling to find accessible clothing to wear during her own treatment, she set up a company which makes tracksuits with zips, pockets and holes to make inserting a chemotherapy port easier and more comfortable. A port is a small implant with a thin silicone tube that attaches to a vein to administer chemotherapy treatment without a needle. The brand, Porto & Bello, also makes clothing for patients who require IV treatments or PICC a long, thin tube that is inserted through a vein in the arm. Baron founded the brand after she had a port placed to the left of her chest. I remember my nurse asked me to name my port and I named it Portobello. I know it sounds silly, but it took away some of the anxiety of the treatment, Baron said. I was about to start treatment and had a port placed to the left side of my chest. I knew that meant I needed access to my chest at all time. Alexia Baron (Alexia Baron / SWNS) Baron said that when she first started treatment, she would sit with her T-shirt around her neck, with her chest exposed. I also had a cold cap on my head, and I was freezing cold. We looked everywhere to find some clothing to make me more comfortable, but we couldnt find anything, Baron said. You lose a lot of yourself going through cancer treatment, and I just wanted to feel a bit more myself. Baron said she felt inspired to create the clothing line because we cannot treat people who are going through cancer as patients. They need to be seen as humans. They should feel comfortable in going from the treatment to work, picking their kids up or board a bus and not feel like a science experiment, Baron said. Since the launch of Porto & Bello in April this year, it has served a wide range of customers, including those who are undergoing treatment for kidney dialysis, Crohns disease and sepsis. The brand currently sells a range of tracksuits in pink, grey and black. A woman was spotted climbing from a bedroom window in distress last year, leading North Carolina authorities to arrest and charge her two caregivers, according to media reports. Winston-Salem police were alerted to a domestic disturbance in a suburban neighborhood on Jan. 29, 2021 according to the Hickory Daily Record, a local newspaper. Upon arrival, they saw a woman who is disabled hanging from a bedroom window and yelling for help. The woman lived in the home and was cared for aided by a woman whose brother appeared to have been standing in for her at the time of the incident, according to News19. After an investigation, police determined that the siblings left the 30-year-old victim in a locked room for over 12 hours without supervision or the necessities of life, according to Fox8. The Winston-Salem Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News, and an attorney representing the siblings could not be reached by McClatchy News. The caregiver is accused of gross carelessness, resulting in mental injury to the woman, according to a warrant obtained by the Winston-Salem Journal. She was charged with two counts of domestic abuse/neglect/exploitation of a disabled adult, while her brother has been charged with a single count of the same charge, according to Fox8. They first appeared in court on Oct. 10. The caregiver told the Winston-Salem Journal that the charges brought against her were untrue and did not comment further. Her brother declined to comment. Individuals with disabilities are often subject to disproportionate levels of abuse and neglect, according to the Department of Justice. Between 2017 and 2019, the rate of violent victimization against people with disabilities in the U.S. was nearly four times the rate for persons without disabilities. Customer in wheelchair stabbed in random attack at a Taco Bell, California cops say Restaurant with dead body in the bathroom stayed open to customers, Maryland cops say Accused robber dies in police chase days after Walgreens stickup, Georgia troopers say Timothy Haslett Jr (CCSD) A woman who escaped from a Missouri sex dungeon told police that her captor had killed two of her friends, according to a report. Authorities say that the malnourished woman fled from Timothy Haslett Jr last week after the 39-year-old took his child to school. The alarm was raised when she ran barefoot to a neighbours home in Excelsior Springs wearing a latex dress and a metal dog collar with a padlock around her neck and begged for help. The woman told police that she had been picked up in Kansas City in early September and been kept in restraints in a small room built in the basement of the house where she had been raped and whipped. Excelsior Springs Police told DailyMail.com that they were actively investigating the womans claims. Lisa Johnson told the news outlet that she had been shocked when the woman arrived at her home in obvious distress. She was wearing a very, very short black latex dress, which appeared opened up in places, you could plainly see what she had been through, Ms Johnson told the outlet. And she was clearly dehydrated and very malnourished super skinny, she was maybe no more than 70lbs. Short hair, although not matted, not dirty. She said that when she told the woman she was calling the police she panicked and told her that her captor would kill her. She said he had been holding her, wouldnt let her go. And that he was going to kill her and he had killed her two friends, she said. The woman then left and went to the house of another neighbour, Cira Tharp, whose grandmother answered the door to her. Youve got to help me, Ive been held captive, Ive been raped, youve got to help me, hes going to end up killing me, the girl reportedly told Tharps grandmother. My grandma brought her in, wrapped a blanket around her and went and got her some food and water. She was pretty hungry. And my grandma sat with her and held her until the police came. Ms Tharp said the woman also told her that the suspect had allegedly killed her friends. She told her, my friends didnt make it, he killed my friends, Ms Tharp said. The suspect has been charged with rape and kidnapping and will be back in court on 18 October. Ryan Baudhuin, a combat veteran who uses his charity High Point Adventures to organize dream hunting trips for veterans struggling with returning to civilian life, poses with a championship belt he had made as the winner of the Wahl "Benevolent Beards" contest. GREEN BAY Already home to the best mullets in America, Wisconsin now has the most benevolent beard in the country. Arguably making the dairy state a "bearder" place to live. Ryan Baudhuin of Wrightstown is the winner of the Benevolent Beards Contest which is put on by Wahl Clipper Corporation, a national hair and grooming company. The contest looks to reward bearded men who are making the world a better place through charity work. Baudhuin is one of the founders and board members of High Point Adventures, an organization that takes military veterans on hunting trips across the country. The organization's mission was inspired by Baudhuin's own experience with hunting and how it transformed his life after returning home from his military service in Iraq during the early 2000s. In 2011, Baudhuin was invited on the Horicon Marsh Veterans Hunt in Horicon, and it "sparked something" in him. "What got me into hunting was when I came back from the war I was pretty jacked up," he said. "I mean, I was battling substance (use issues). I was battling PTSD. My life was spiraling out of control, and I got invited on a veterans duck hunt." The hunt gave him purpose, got him outdoors and connected him with other veterans. It's all come full-circle for Baudhuin who started his journey by being invited on a hunt and now he hosts them for veterans like himself through High Point Adventures. The Colorado-based organization sponsors five to seven hunts with veterans across the country each year, creating a network of support through sport since it started in 2019. While the veterans are there to hunt, bringing home an animal to mount on their wall isn't the point of the trip. "It's therapeutic to be outdoors. It is healing between just the power of nature and the camaraderie aspect," he said. "It kind of gives you a little drive, a little purpose. It is not the answer to PTSD. That is a multifaceted attack route, but it's a tool. It's one tool in the toolbox (that) a guy has something to look forward to." Story continues Ryan Baudhuin, a Wrightstown combat veteran who won the title of Most Benevolent Beard in America, poses with a fish he caught. And Baudhuin sees the impact the trips have. They create lifelong friendships and connect veterans who have a shared experience of military service and what it's like to transition back to civilian life. "I've had individuals who I know for a fact this changed their lives. That (first duck) hunt sent me on a path and sent other guys on paths where we stay in contact," he said. "Two guys that met on a hunt that never met each other before, you see them hunting together like two years later. "Guys that are on the hunt can be that guy you call when you're struggling. It builds those bonds." Packers partner with Baudhuin to support veterans, raise money As the winner, Baudhuin gets $20,000 for himself and $5,000 for High Point Adventures. On top of being crowned as having the most benevolent beard, Baudhuin will also be named the Wahl Man of the Year at a charity beard grooming event before the Packers game Sunday in Green Bay. In partnership with the Packers, Wahl is bringing a mobile barbershop outside of Lambeau Field by the Kwik Trip Gate on game day from 8 a.m. to noon. All beards, mustaches, fuzzy faces and whiskers (humans only) are welcome to get a free trim at the mobile barbershop. For every beard trim, Wahl will donate $100 to support High Point Adventures, giving up to $5,000. You can catch Baudhuin with the mobile barbershop bus sporting his signature sleeveless flannel, regardless of how cold it is. "People know me as (having) the sleeveless flannel, tattoos and the beard," he said. Since the organization operates on a tight budget, Baudhuin said, the money is huge and could fund up to five hunting trips for veterans. High Point Adventures pays for the food, lodging, gear and guide for the trips. All veterans have to do is cover their own travel. "We operate at a very, very low budget. We're small," he said. "But the bigger your nonprofit gets, the more the money doesn't go where it's supposed to, so we keep it small. Everybody's (a) volunteer." When Baudhuin isn't busy hunting or helping run High Point Adventures, he's capturing animals and landscapes with his photography and videography business Ryan Off The Grid. Having gone on that first veterans duck hunt and continuing duck hunting thereafter, Baudhuin began to learn about the hundreds of different species and their beauty. It inspired him to try out photography. "I picked up a camera ... and people said that I need to look into this and the rest is history," he said. More: Wisconsin recently ranked No. 1 in mental health care. So why can't it keep up with mental health care needs? More: New survey results show Greater Green Bay residents are sadder, more isolated and less hopeful of the future Mental health resources: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 1-800-273-8255. The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line: connects veterans and service members in crisis and their families and friends with qualified U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs responders, available via a toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. 1-800-273-8255 Press 1. To learn more and get help, visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ Crisis Text Line: a national and confidential text messaging service that connects individuals in crisis with trained listeners. Text "Hopeline" to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com or 907-717-6851. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Dr, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wrightstown man's fantastic facial hair benefits fellow veterans Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and Co will join in the half-time performance of the Michigan-Penn State college football game ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Wynton Marsalis has done just about everything in the world of music. One thing he hasnt, however, is team up his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with a college marching band until now. Ive never seen a jazz band like ours play with a marching band, where the actual music were playing is integrated into the music the band is playing, Marsalis said during one of his many stops this week in Ann Arbor, where the Grammy and Pulitzer winner is taking part in a weeklong residency at the University of Michigan. In this image made from video, Wynton Marsalis plays the trumpet during a rehearsal with the Michigan Marching Band on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Mike Householder) On Thursday, the 60-year-old Marsalis and members of the JLCO strode onto the Michigan Marching Bands practice field to rehearse for Saturdays show. Theyll play during the Michigan football teams game against Penn State at the 107,000-seat Michigan Stadium. The legendary trumpeter opened the rehearsal with a solo that was met with raucous applause from those who packed the field. Afterward, Marsalis was surrounded by band members and others who waited patiently to pose for a picture with him. The University Musical Society, a nonprofit affiliated with the University of Michigan and one of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, brought Marsalis and his orchestra to southeast Michigan for the residency. It includes a pair of concerts at the schools Hill Auditorium as well as masterclasses and workshops, plus a performance for K-12 students and a visit to a federal prison. And, of course, the halftime show at the Big House. Hopefully, you are going to win the game. We know the music is going to be good, Marsalis jabbed at Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel during a lecture and discussion earlier in the week at the Michigan Theater. Thats the plan, Manuel said. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Wynton Marsalis joins forces with Michigan Marching Band appeared first on TheGrio. On Tuesday, New Zealands government proposed a tax on farming emissions. Al Jazeera reports Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters the proposal would make New Zealands farmers not only the best in the world but the best for the world. The tax would take effect by 2025, but it has already generated criticism. Here are some specifics: Why Was The Policy Proposed? Photo by David Dolenc The chief reason is to combat climate change. According to Al Jazeera, New Zealands government has proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing. Moreover, the government hopes to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and make the nation carbon neutral by 2050. Part of that plan includes a commitment to reduce methane emissions from farm animals by 10 percent by 2030 and by up to 47 percent by 2050. Where Do New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Come From? Photo by Dan Meyers Al Jazeera explains that nearly half of New Zealands total greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, which was previously exempted from the countrys emissions trading scheme. Prime Minister Ardern said, New Zealands farmers are set to be the first in the world to reduce agricultural emissions, positioning our biggest export market for the competitive advantage that brings in a world increasingly discerning about the provenance of their food. New Zealand is home to 10 million beef and dairy cattle and 26 million sheep. The Prime Minister Has Spoken About Climate Change Before Photo by Markus Spiske This isnt the first time Prime Minister Ardern has voiced her climate change concerns. In 2020, she declared a climate emergency. She added that it was an acknowledgement of the next generation and of the burden we will carry if we do not get this right and do not take action now. What Are Opponents Of The Policy Saying? Photo by Hari Gaddigopula Not all farmers are in favor. A group called Federated Farmer claims the levy would effectively disembowel small- town New Zealand. They added, it would affect food production because farms would be replaced with trees. The president of the group, Andrew Hoggard, claims farmers will be selling their farms so fast you wont even hear the dogs barking on the back of the ute (pickup truck) as they drive off. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated in an address on Saturday that almost 65,000 Russians have died in their countrys war on Ukraine. So many citizens of Russia gave their lives for the possibility of a handful of people in the Kremlin to ignore reality, he said, adding that not even the deaths of 100,000 Russians will prompt the Kremlin to think a little bit. Zelensky estimated last month, just over three weeks before Saturdays address, that 55,000 Russians had been killed in the conflict. The Russian military, meanwhile, has killed a number of Ukrainians and caused widespread destruction in cities across the country in recent days using missiles and Iranian-made drones. Unfortunately, there is destruction and casualties, mourned Zelensky, naming the Donbas region, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk as regions where attacks have landed in the past two days. Russia shelled an energy facility in Kyiv early on Saturday morning, causing officials to call on residents of the province to limit their use of electricity as Ukrainians attempt to rebuild. Although in some of our cities and districts the power companies are still forced to limit the supply of electricity to maintain the stability of the system, we are doing and will do everything to restore the technical capabilities for supply, said Zelensky in his speech. The Ukrainian leader praised the U.S., especially Congress and President Biden, for providing the war-torn country with a new $725 million defense package, which he called necessary. The package includes ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and artillery, anti-tank weapons and anti-radar missiles. Zelensky said the way of peace in the months-long war lies through the free world protecting Ukraine with sanctions and other help and through the complete displacement of the occupiers from Ukrainian land and dismantling of the aggressive capabilities of the terrorist state. Story continues Peace will become possible when its terror becomes impossible for Russia, he said. The president also promised that his military would do everything to make the occupiers feel that they have no prospects, particularly in the east and south of the country, where Ukraine is currently mounting a major counteroffensive. Ukraine will definitely return everything that belongs to it, warned Zelensky. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. VALENTYNA ROMANENKO SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2022, 11:41 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked US President Joe Biden and the American people for their new aid package to Ukraine in the amount of $725 million. Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyys Tweet Quote: "Sincerely grateful to @POTUS and the American people for providing another $725 mln security aid package. We will receive, in particular, much-needed rounds for HIMARS and artillery. A wonderful gift for Ukrainian Defenders' Day! The Russian aggressor will be defeated, Ukraine will be free!" Background: US President Joe Biden signed a decree providing Ukraine with a new military aid package worth $725 million. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A small victory was granted to the residents of the 828 building at James Crossing on Friday, said Paul Robertson, managing attorney for the Virginia Legal Aid Society, as some residents will be allowed to return to their apartments. Others will be granted extended hotel stays, he said. Lynchburg Circuit Court Judge J. Frederick Watson ruled in favor of the residents Friday afternoon, ordering residents of apartments deemed livable by city inspectors be allowed to return to living in their residences. For residents whose apartments have been deemed unlivable by city inspectors, Watson ordered the apartments management company, Atlantic Housing, provide hotel arrangements for displaced residents for up to 90 days, or the expiration of their lease, whichever comes first. Heather Fields, an attorney representing Atlantic Housing, declined to be interviewed following the hearing. Residents of the 828 building at James Crossing were displaced from their apartments the night of Sept. 11, after the Lynchburg Fire Department deemed the building unlivable. According to Matt ODaniel, assistant fire marshal and master firefighter with the fire department, officials on duty that night responded to James Crossing for a call about water and sewage leaking into electrical outlets and lights. In the weeks since, residents said they have bounced between hotels and have had minimal-to-no contact with management from James Crossing. Tenants of the 828 building were recently issued lease termination notices effective for Oct. 17, but following Watsons order, residents in apartments deemed livable will now be allowed to stay until the end of their leases. Fridays hearing stemmed from the residents seeking a temporary injunction to force Atlantic Housing to provide housing past Oct. 17. Robertson said Friday that of the 12 apartments in the 828 building, seven of the apartments have been deemed livable, meaning those residents can return home. The other five apartments have been subject to flooding and mold, a city inspector said during the hearing, and have not been cleared for residents. While three of those five apartments are vacant, Watson ordered the residents of the two occupied apartments be granted extended hotel stays. One resident, LaTeissa Graves, said in court Friday her hotel room only had a mini-fridge, no microwave Watson, as part of the order, is requiring Atlantic Housing to provide residents with hotels that have similar housing options as their apartments. While Robertson declared it a small victory, concern still exists for many of the residents of the 828 building, including Rebeca Torres, who wonders if the management group will even be held accountable to these obligations. Realistically, were not getting anything done because theyre still not putting any people or anybody to do any type of work in the building. So whats going to make this be any different in three months? Torres asked. One concern that arose during the hearing was the existence of mold in the apartments on the lower floors, specifically 86, 87 and 88, Fields said during the hearing. She argued in court that due to water and mold remediation on the lower floors, the building needed to be closed to all residents during the remediation process, making the entire building unlivable. Robertson said concerns still exist among the residents going back into their apartments, and they will address violations of the housing quality standards if there are any. If theres mold, that would mean potentially testing for mold to verify its presence, so thats something that would potentially be in play for people experiencing that, Robertson said. As some residents return home, Robertson pointed out that management at James Crossing still is required to fix any issues inside the apartment, and there will be a strong push to make sure the apartments are taken care of. Fridays court ruling, Robertson said, is merely just the beginning in a long journey of holding the management company to their end of the bargain. This has been a difficult ordeal for them, Robertson said of residents hardship. And my heart goes out to the fact that this was a very small, short victory and theyve got such a long road ahead, but were committed to helping them in doing that. But I know its a long road for them. While the temporary injunction was granted, several residents still have a civil suit filed against management, seeking damages, among other things. Robertson said there is not yet a trial date set in the civil suit. Rotary Clubs locally and globally observe World Polio Day on Oct. 24 At this time of heightened concern for disease prevention, its appropriate to remember another deadly and debilitating disease thats seen a recent resurgence. On Oct. 24, Rotarians and others around the globe observe World Polio Day. For more than 35 years, Rotary International has been committed to the eradication of polio globally. In anticipation of World Polio Day, the Council Bluffs Rotary Noon Club featured Gretchen Bren as their speaker on Oct. 6 at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center to address the latest developments with polio. Bren has been the Rotary District 5650 Polio Plus chair for the past several years and is also the immediate past chair of the Rotary Action Group for Polio Survivors. So, when she speaks about polio eradication, it comes from personal experience. In November 2008, Bren made her first polio immunization trip to Kaduna, Nigeria, and has since been there six more times. She has also traveled to Chad, Mali, India, Madagascar and Pakistan for immunization projects in those countries. In light of those efforts, Bren received the Citation for Meritorious Service from the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation in 2012, and two years later, she was recognized again by the foundation with the International Service Award for a Polio-Free World. To date, there has been a 99.9% worldwide reduction in polio cases over the past three decades. However, more vaccination efforts are required to eliminate the wild poliovirus from Afghanistan and Pakistan, where it is still endemic. Polio is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of five. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system and, in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine one which Rotary and its partners used to immunize more than 2.5 billion children worldwide. Unless polio is eradicated, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 new cases could occur annually around the world. In the past few years, only two countries have reported cases of polio caused by the wild virus, but no child anywhere is safe until every child is vaccinated. In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative with an initial fundraising target of $120 million. The International Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication announced that polio had been eliminated from the Americas in 1994. By the year 2000, a record 550 million children almost 10% of the worlds population received the oral polio vaccine. Rotary International asks each club member to make an annual contribution to the Polio Plus Campaign. During October, club programming is focused on education for this important health issue and why it is so important to continue these efforts. The mission of Rotary Clubs is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. The Council Bluffs Rotary Noon Club has been serving Council Bluffs since 1915 with the leading purpose of service above self. An aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 31, 2022. The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court on Friday, Oct. 14, to overturn a judge's appointment of an independent arbiter to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. (Steve Helber/AP) WASHINGTON The Justice Department asked a federal appeals court on Friday to shut down the work of an independent arbiter who was appointed last month to review documents seized during an FBI search of former President Donald Trumps Florida estate. The appeal is the latest salvo in weeks of litigation over the scope of duties of the arbiter, also known as a special master, who was assigned to inspect the records taken in the Aug. 8 search of Mar-a-Lago and weed out any that may be protected by claims of legal privilege. Advertisement The special master process has caused some delays to the Justice Departments investigation into the holding of top-secret documents at the home. But a major hurdle was cleared last month when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit lifted a temporary bar on the departments ability to use the seized classified documents as part of its criminal probe. The move permitted a core aspect of the probe to resume, greatly reducing the odds that the process could have a significant impact on the investigation. Even so, department lawyers returned to the court Friday to ask for the entire special master review to be shut down, saying the judge who made the appointment had no basis for doing so and that Trump was not entitled to an independent review of the seized records or to claim privilege over them. Advertisement Plaintiff has no plausible claim of executive privilege as to any of the seized materials and no plausible claim of personal attorney-client privilege as to the seized government records including all records bearing classification markings, according to the departments brief. Accordingly, they added, the special-master review process is unwarranted. The Justice Department says it seized about 13,000 records, including roughly 100 with classification markings, during its court-authorized search in August. The department is conducting a criminal investigation into the retention of those records as well as into whether anyone obstructed its probe. As part of the investigation, the FBI has interviewed multiple Trump aides, including a lawyer for him who served as a custodian of the records and who in June presented investigators with a signed letter asserting that all the classified records the Justice Department had asked for in a subpoena had been located and turned over. Agents believed more records remained at the house, returned in August with a search warrant and removed 33 boxes of documents, including material classified at the top-secret level. Weeks later, the Trump team asked a judge in Florida, Aileen Cannon, to appoint a special master to do an independent review of the records. Cannon agreed, naming a veteran Brooklyn judge, Raymond Dearie, to inspect the records and segregate from the rest of the investigation any documents that could possibly be covered by claims of executive privilege or attorney-client privilege. The 11th Circuit subsequently lifted Cannons prohibition on the departments use of the classified documents for its investigation pending Dearies review, as well as a requirement that the Justice Department provide those specific records to Dearie for his review. The Supreme Court on Thursday declined a request from Trumps lawyers to intervene in the dispute. Advertisement The Justice Department has repeatedly rejected the idea that a special master review was needed, and though it has been able to resume its review of the classified records, it said its investigation remains slowed by its inability to use the much larger set of non-classified documents as part of its probe. The district courts injunction barring review and use of the other seized records harms the government and the public as well, the department said. A magistrate judge has already found probable cause to believe that those records may constitute evidence of crimes, and the government has demonstrated a clear need for them. Two Florida men added to the list of states where they faces charges when they tried to flee from Iowa State Patrol officers Wednesday east of Council Bluffs on Interstate 80. The men were westbound on I-80 at 7:08 a.m. in a white Ford Explorer with Florida license plates when a patrolman tried to initiate a traffic stop at about the 35 mile marker, according to Public Information Officer Ryan DeVault. The vehicle kept going and sped up, reaching speeds of more than 120 miles per hour while the trooper continued pursuit. After radio contact, other officers got involved and set up stop sticks at the 15 mile marker and the 8 mile marker, he said. The Explorer went over the first set and continued west on I-80. After hitting the second set of stop sticks, the driver began to lose control and struck a 2013 GMC Terrain driven by Donald Sorensen, 67, of Portsmouth near the 7 mile marker. Both vehicles ended up in the west ditch. After stopping, the two fugitives got out of the vehicle and ran. An ISP vehicle with a canine arrived quickly, and a foot pursuit began. Officers soon apprehended the two men, Victory Ogiste, 26, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Xavier Ajee, 28, of Plantation, Florida. Sorensen was transported to Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Ogiste faces charges of eluding law enforcement, possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, reckless driving, speeding, following too closely and interference with official acts, DeVault said. Agee faces charges of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, possession of a controlled substance and interference with official acts, with other charges pending. They were taken to the Pottawattamie County Jail. The men also face two other Iowa arrest warrants and several from other states. Fire wont wait plan your escape was the theme for the 100th annual Fire Prevention Week and a poster contest held this year by the Council Bluffs Fire Department. The department invited students in Council Bluffs middle schools to enter and chose winners in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The three winners were: sixth grade, Drake Rees of Wilson Middle School; seventh grade, Lacie Keller, Wilson; and eighth grade, Kylee Cook of Lewis Central Middle School. Each received a plaque donated by Midwest Trophy & Award and a $100 cash prize. The students were invited to the main fire station for lunch and an awards ceremony Friday. They each arrived in style, getting a ride from their schools to the station in department fire engines. Fire Chief Justin James congratulated the students and told them a little bit about the fire department. The department has 115 employees, when fully staffed, James said. Crews respond to more than 10,000 emergency calls each year and transport about 6,000 people to a hospital. Every year, thousands of lives are lost and billions of dollars in damage is done by fires, he said. The department hopes to prevent the loss of life through its public education program, James said. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported home fire in half, according to a proclamation by Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh designating Oct. 9-15 Fire Prevention Week in the city. Council Bluffs residents who have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan are more prepared and will therefore be more likely to survive a fire, it stated. During Fire Prevention Week which lasts all month for the department rank-and-file firefighters help members of the public education program visit all the elementary schools in Council Bluffs, James said. James credited Firefighter Zack Sadler for restarting the departments poster contest, which lapsed seven or eight years ago. Sadler took the idea to Fire Marshal Alex Ford and, Once he had permission, he was off and running. Its a great idea, and it really highlights what we want to do with the community. I grew up in Des Moines, Sadler said as people lined up for lunch, and every year they would do a program similar to this for the middle schools. I remember doing it, and I won a year and it was a memory that I really enjoy. It fueled me thats one of the reasons I wanted to be a firefighter. I figured if I could bring that here, that would be a good thing to do. After pizza provided by Hy-Vee, firefighters brought out reproductions of the winning posters that had been mounted on magnetic backing by Sandau Brothers Sign Co. and hung them on the quick response vehicle so the artists could be photographed next to them. The department uses the vehicle on a lot of medical runs instead of sending a full-size truck. The International Association of Firefighters, Local 15, also helps sponsor Fire Prevention Week activities. The Westside school district is suing the Omaha Public Schools in an attempt to recover money it didnt receive from the Douglas County treasurer over the past six years. The suit follows an investigation by the Nebraska State Auditors Office, which concluded in May that the Douglas County Treasurers Office miscalculated distributions of millions of dollars in revenue in 2021. The errors resulted in overpayments and underpayments to several school districts, the city of Omaha and Douglas County. Westside was underpaid by about $3.7 million while OPS was overpaid by about $5.6 million in 2021. The suit, filed on Oct. 5, alleges that the Treasurers Office also underpaid Westside and overpaid OPS in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Westside alleges in the lawsuit that OPS unjustifiably obtained the overpayments, has been unjustly enriched by the money and should pay Westside the amount it was underpaid the past six years. The suit was filed based on advice from the districts legal counsel to expedite a solution and recover the money due to Westside and improperly paid to OPS over the course of multiple years, said Superintendent Mike Lucas in an email sent to families on Wednesday. The email was sent after the World-Herald sent an inquiry to the district seeking comment on the lawsuit. We understand the importance of this lost revenue to our patrons, community, students and staff, Lucas wrote. We are trying to secure $10 million-plus of lost revenue that was overpaid to the City of Omaha, Douglas County and Omaha Public Schools. Michael Coyle, the districts attorney, said that OPS officials have ignored Westsides requests for a solution. A statement from OPS on Wednesday said the district had not been formally served with legal paperwork. OPS will remain relentlessly focused on educating the young people we serve, according to the statement. John Ewing, Douglas County treasurer, manages the handling of tax payments to school districts each year. The State Auditors Office investigation said that Ewing and his staff incorrectly interpreted state statute that spells out how counties with more than one school district within a single city are supposed to distribute annual payments from the Omaha Public Power District. OPPD makes the payments, which are ultimately transmitted to local governments and school districts in lieu of property and real estate taxes. The utility directs 5% of its gross revenues from the previous years retail electricity sales to those entities. The Treasurers Office started the calculation by using levies only from OPS to determine the amount to be disbursed to the five school districts within the city of Omaha, according to a letter from State Auditor Charlie Janssens office. A similar mistake was found last year in Sarpy County and is the subject of a lawsuit filed by four school districts, including OPS, which was allegedly underpaid by $1.4 million. The case is currently under advisement by a district court judge. In its statement Wednesday, OPS noted its participation in the Sarpy County lawsuit. As Nebraskas Auditor of Public Accounts has stated, the errors at the heart of Westside Community Schools filing were made by the County Treasurer, the statement read. That is why the Omaha Public Schools chose to initiate its action in Sarpy County against the Treasurer rather than our fellow school districts. Westside also filed a separate lawsuit in July against the Douglas County Treasurers Office in an effort to recover the missed payments. In the months since, we have worked closely with the City of Omaha and Douglas County to resolve this matter in a positive and timely manner, Lucas said in the email. We feel good about where we are today, but still have a little work to do with these two important entities. The State Auditors Office found that three metro area districts besides Westside were underpaid, but none have filed litigation to recover the funds. The Elkhorn Public Schools was underpaid by about $4.2 million, the Ralston Public Schools by about $4 million and the Millard Public Schools by about $820,000. While we value our relationship with Omaha Public Schools, ultimately, our responsibility is to you, our stakeholders and taxpayers, as well as our students and staff, Lucas said. That money is imperative in our mission to promote student achievement and success, to fairly compensate our dedicated teachers and staff and to improve the safety and infrastructure of our schools and facilities. Its acknowledged that a high percentage of the offenders who come into Nebraskas prison system are dogged by mental health and behavioral health problems. Yet of 18 staff psychologist positions within the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, only six are currently filled. And all three clinical psychiatrist positions are also open. I think were at a tipping point right now, one prison employee said in a recent opinion survey. If we lost one more psychologist, things would really start to go downhill. State senators said during a hearing Thursday that such behavioral health staffing shortfalls must be addressed if inmates are to be rehabilitated and the public protected. The lawmakers and others also offered a common refrain for how to close those gaps: offer more pay. We know the formula it is raising pay, said Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, chairman of the Legislatures Judiciary Committee. The goal is rehabilitation, not storing people. State corrections officials acknowledged the staffing shortfalls, but said they do take the health needs of inmates seriously. While our health care staff do a remarkable job of managing a multitude of situations around the clock, admittedly, staffing challenges are a concern, said Diane Sabatka-Rine, interim director of the corrections department. She called recruiting people to work within the prison system challenging. But she also said the state is providing robust medical assistance and clinical treatment. The state is using a number of strategies to make sure the health needs of prisoners are met, she said, including contracting with outside providers and utilizing overtime. The hearing came a month after a state watchdog agency cited critical health care staffing shortages within the states prison system. The Office of Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System said addressing the shortfalls is critical not only for the welfare of the prisoners, but the safety of correctional staff and the public, too. Now the inspector general has initiated an investigation to determine whether the corrections department is meeting the required standard of care for inmates, said Zach Pluhacek, assistant inspector general. Prisoners are essentially entitled to the same level of care that would be provided to anyone else in the community. Questions of whether the state is meeting that standard were raised earlier this week by an inspector general report on a 40-year-old inmate who died of cervical cancer. She had been in custody for nearly 10 years before she received a Pap smear, a preventative screening that could have revealed her treatable cancer. Sabatka-Rine, a longtime state prison administrator who took over as interim director just last weekend, said the corrections department is actively working to develop an electronic health records system. Just such a system which could track needed health screenings was required by the Legislature seven years ago. Pluhacek also suggested it might be time for the state to have the University of Nebraska Medical Center conduct an assessment of the level of care provided within prison facilities. Lathrop agreed and said the Legislature next year should initiate such a review. Sabatka-Rine said the staffing issues are largely rooted in nationwide shortfalls of health care providers. She said the department has initiated targeted recruiting drives, offered hiring bonuses and increased pay in an effort to attract more workers. A new labor contract last year increased pay for workers in some health classifications by 30%. The department also has some discretion to offer higher pay for certified positions like psychiatrists. The inspector general said a survey it distributed last week also found morale issues among health care and behavioral health staff. While most said they liked coming to work and felt safe, fewer than 10% felt strongly that they were supported by the corrections departments central administration. One worker suggested the central office was making clinical decisions without consulting the mental health team. Another issue causing morale problems is the higher pay offered to the outside providers who are coming in to assist with care. One nurse said the staffing agency nurses working beside her were being paid $65 to $75 an hour. The most recent state labor agreement with prison employees offers registered nurses base pay of $25 to $46 an hour. Currently, only half the prison systems registered nursing positions are filled. The executive director of the state employees union said sometimes nurses even leave state employment to take the higher-paying jobs with the staffing agencies. Its a scam, said Justin Hubly of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees. Lets fix it. ... Pay a fair wage and staff the facility. Hubly noted the state has gone a long way toward eliminating shortages of security staff by offering pay increases of up to 40%. Now the same needs to happen in the medical and behavioral health fields. When we increase wages, it works, he said. I have the receipts now. While no one has an accurate figure of what percentage of prisoners have health needs, the states chief justice has said as many as 80% of those in the court system have behavioral health or addiction problems. Those needs must be addressed, said ACLU lobbyist Spike Eickholt. We dont want them coming out worse than they went in, he said. Zambia is hosting a two-day business summit in Lusaka this week to try to attract American investors to the country, in effort to diversify the economy and decrease dependence on extractive industries such as copper, according to Zambian officials. Moving away from dependence on extractive industries, which account for most of the countrys exports, is Zambias priority and the United States should be a key partner in that effort, the countrys Commerce Minister Chipoka Mulenga said. But our focus right now is to see how best we can create jobs and revive our economic fortunes by value addition, he added. We want to take advantage of the new energy system that the world is migrating to from fossil fuels into clean and green energy. And we are trying to take advantage of the minerals that we have and bring a consortium of developed players that have the technology already to see how we can develop our copper from exporting concentrates in its raw form into developing it into finished products for the green energy system that we want to go into. Zambia is Africas second-largest producer of copper after the Democratic Republic of Congo and an important source of other critical minerals like cobalt, manganese and nickel. But economists say the South African nations dependence on minerals means it has not taken advantage of being a member in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) or the Southern African Development Community (SADC). But going forward the engagement with the US is very critical, said Boyd Muleya of the think tank Zambia Trade and Policy Dialogue. We need to change the narrative because what we have seen in the past is mostly, we focus on aid that comes from the US, approximately about $500 million United States dollars annually. Zambia-US annual, bilateral trade was only $182 million in 2019, according to government figures. Ethiopian Airlines, Africas largest air carrier by fleet size, is reviving Nigerias bid for a national flag carrier, as it seeks to build its regional network and add to its portfolio of stakes in airlines across the continent. After many failed attempts to launch a profitable airline, Nigerias federal government has enlisted Ethiopian Airlines to help its new national carrier take off. Abuja has recently selected a consortium led by Ethiopian Airlines to help organize and launch its new flag carrier. The establishment of a Nigeria Air was one of President Muhammadu Buharis campaign pledges when he first won the presidency in 2015 and he is keen to see the promise implemented before he relinquishes office in May 2023. Despite lots of skepticism, especially regarding the planned national airlines relevance, sustainability and burden on the government budget, now the project is back in the works. In September, Ethiopian Airlines was revealed as the preferred bidder for shares in the new airline. Under a new deal Ethiopian Airlines will own a 49% stake in Nigeria Air, while the Nigerian Sovereign Fund will take 46% and the Nigerian federal government the remaining 5%. With initial capital of $300m, and plans to have 30 aircraft within four years, Nigeria Air will launch a service between Abuja and Lagos and add other routes later. Ethiopian Airlines has a history of helping other continental carriers take off. In 2018, then-Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, outlined plans to found new African carriers across the region by helping countries to set up new companies or overhaul existing ones. The airline has invested in carriers in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Chad, and Togo and has this year been involved in talks with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Republic of El Salvador has inaugurated an embassy in Rabat, the Latin American Countrys first in Africa. The opening of the first embassy of El Salvador in Africa, here in Rabat, is a living testimony to the excellence of bilateral relations, Salvadoran Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco said during the inauguration ceremony Thursday. It is a historic moment in Salvadoran foreign policy. The head of Salvadoran diplomacy emphasized her governments commitment to working closely with Morocco on a wide range of issues of mutual concern. Despite the geographical distance and cultural diversity of our peoples, Morocco and El Salvador share the same values and principles, Tinoco said. The visit of my Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, to San Salvador in June 2019, marked the beginning of the consolidation and strengthening of bilateral relations, to the point that Morocco has become our main ally and partner in Africa and the Maghreb region, Tinoco noted. Actually, it was in 2019 that El Salvador withdrew recognition of the self-proclaimed SADR, inaugurating an era of strong diplomatic relations with Morocco. Earlier this week, on Tuesday, the representative of El Salvador to the UN, Carlos Efrain Segura Aragon, expressed before members of the UN General Assemblys 4th Committee, his countrys support for Moroccos efforts to find a realistic, pragmatic, and lasting political solution to the Sahara dispute, respecting the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the North African Kingdom. The diplomat stressed that the Moroccan autonomy initiative, described as a viable solution in the Security Council resolutions since 2007, is the fundamental element of these efforts. The Salvadoran diplomat also praised the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to revive the political process under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations, as well as his recent visits to the region. Two police officers were injured while responding to a call of shots fired in an accident on the Southwest Side in the West Lawn neighborhood, Chicago police said. Shortly after 2:10 a.m. Saturday, the officers were southbound on St. Louis Avenue with the lights and sirens activated when their vehicle was struck by a black sedan headed west on 63rd Street. Advertisement A 16-year-old driver failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the police vehicle at an intersection, police said. The teen suffered injuries to the mouth and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital where he was listed in good condition. The officers who complained of pain also were taken to a local hospital where they were listed in fair condition. Advertisement Citations were pending against the teen driver. The Nebraska Public Service Commission announced Wednesday that an Iowa company has surrendered its Nebraska grain dealer license. Global Processing Inc. of Kanawha, Iowa, which owns and operates grain facilities in Lexington and Haigler, surrendered its license Wednesday after a PSC audit showed it did not have enough funds to cover its grain purchases made in the state. The PSC said in a news release that members of its Grain Department staff conducted an examination of the company's two Nebraska grain facilities last week and discovered the financial shortfall. Through discussions with company management, it was determined that it was in the best interest of Nebraska producers/sellers that the company no longer be allowed to do business as a grain dealer in our state, PSC Commission Chair Dan Watermeier said in a news release. By surrendering its license, Global Processing cannot take any action that would classify it as a grain dealer in the state, the PSC said, including but not limited to buying grain from producers/sellers with the intent to sell such grain. Watermeier said producers and sellers who may have done business with the company and have questions should contact the PSC Grain Department. Easy to imagine Trumplethinskin in a cheeto orange jumpsuit. It'll match his makeup. Reply Thread Link Quite the opposite. He's not gonna have makeup artists in prison lol Reply Parent Thread Link no tanning bed or toupees either lmaoooooooooo Reply Parent Thread Link oh god are we going to see what he actually looks like? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Omg thank you for posting this amazing Fio image Reply Parent Thread Link How is Herschel Walker a real guy and not a Family Guy character? Reply Thread Link The republicans are sooooooo desperate to have the majority again that they will give full throated support of these MAGA morons. They dont care that Walker is not fit to even tie his own shoes, but they know they can get more fascist laws passed if he wins the seat. Reply Parent Thread Link concussions are bad for you, y'all! Reply Parent Thread Link his testimony will be a fucking event, my husband will be calling out of work and I ain't going to lectures Reply Thread Link He wont testify. He says so now, but at the last minute he will find some reason to back out. Reply Thread Link Hell say that he wants to testify but his lawyers wont let him. Reply Parent Thread Link Yup. Then hell turn to Hunter Bidens laptop, but her emails, Obama did it, etc to distract his brain dead base. Reply Parent Thread Link Ah sorry guys I can't, those pesky bone spurs are acting up again.. Reply Parent Thread Link is he allowed to back out? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Thats not how subpoenas work. Its not really a choice. Reply Parent Thread Link throw him in the Bronx Zoo Reply Thread Link the animals have suffered enough Reply Parent Thread Link they might throw shit at him Reply Parent Thread Link Trump testifying would be the most hilarious thing ever because he wont deliver on any of his big talk. Reply Thread Link We need the Marjorie stonem judgegoing off on his ass Reply Parent Thread Link I. Just. Want. To. See. Live. Footage. Of. Hilary. Rodham. Clinton. Watching. It. Unfold. Live. On. National. Television. And her facial expressions And then I can die a happy man with a truly fulfilled life. Reply Thread Link this is why I bought her "BUT HER EMAILS" baseball cap. I wear it whenever the GOP is fucking around and finding out Reply Parent Thread Link she was right about everything she predicted with Trump and I will be forever bitter I want to live in the AU where both Hillary and Al Gore won their stolen elections. I bet JJ Abrams never got his hands on Star Trek in that universe. In that universe, Daenerys sat the Iron Throne, Legend of the Seeker was never canceled, and everyone understood that Walter White was the villain of the series Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Every time something else happens legally in Trumpland I'm astounded by how much he can get away with. It really is truly insane how there is no accountability for the rich and powerful. Our culture/society is disgusting. And on a political note, my local state senate election is a whole ass clusterfuck and I'm mad as hell. My current State Senator resigned to take a job as a lobbyist for one of the local power companies even though he'd also just run in the primary for this year too and WON (I voted for his challenger so I'm extra mad). So now the seat is up for write-in candidates only. The local committee for my district had a vote to determine (from a pool of people who put themselves up as candidates) who they would officially stand behind and promote for the seat. Well, one of the dudes on that committee who was also in the candidate pool for the Senate seat and DID NOT win the committee vote has decided he's going to keep running for the seat anyway. So there are two Dems running as write-in candidates... And even though it's a Democratic stronghold seat, now there's a Republican running for the write-in ballot too. The worst part is that I've gotten multiple texts from the rogue Dem who's running anyway and there is literally NO PROMO for the person the committee chose except a tepid online presence. Like, tweets that get 4 likes. A Facebook page that gets even less engagement. I hate street signs but this is literally the time to have those out there! Why have I received no text messages about her?!?! So now I've got this conundrum of...do I vote for her as the chosen candidate or do I vote for the kinda slimey guy who is running anyway despite losing the vote in that committee? He's getting his name out there way better and I'd rather any Dem win than the Republican because Republicans are going to be MOBILIZED to try and steal this seat. Fucking mess. Excuse my rant, I'm just mad as hell about it. lmao Anyway, did you guys get your applications in on the beta website for student loan debt relief? I did. Now it's up to all the lawsuits whether it actually happens... Reply Thread Link I was listening to an episode of the Imani State of Mind podcast and they mentioned that Herschel said he was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder and that his alter was responsible for the domestic violence against his ex-wife. Like he literally held a pistol to her head. I cannot believe hes running for office, I had never heard that about him before. Reply Thread Link Please Georgia, do not elect Herschel Walker. Reply Thread Link The fact that that's even a possibility... Reply Parent Thread Link that's how I felt in 2015 when Trump announced he was running Reply Parent Thread Link I can't read this. It's giving me flashbacks to "A Scarlet Letter" when I realized Nathaniel Hawthorne was trolling us all in his run-on PARAGRAPHS Reply Thread Link lmaooooo this description of the book is killing me Reply Parent Thread Link *me turning the page* SPIT IT OUT, NATHANIEL!!!! Reply Parent Thread Link unless there is a Terms section in this memo, what's up with the random capitalization? A witch hunt? But Trump isn't a witch, he's the opposite of magic: an abyss of patriarchal-loving dead brain cells. Reply Thread Link my first thought was "did a German write this lmaooooo" but no this is just prob his unhinged stream of consciousness typed out by an intern that never used Mavis Beacon Edited at 2022-10-15 10:53 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Mavis Beacon, the real unsung hero of our lives Reply Parent Thread Link I can't believe the race is still close when different horrible shit comes out about Walker every week. Like, jesus christ what is wrong with people. Reply Thread Link Every day I get less and less sure that America is a real place. Why did this nigga have a fake police badge on his person? Does he always have it on him or did he know Warnock was going to mention it beforehand? And does he actually think he's a cop? A lot is happening but this is the one thing I'm stuck on Reply Thread Link He probably has CTE from his years of football, if that helps to explain things. Reply Parent Thread Link Scandanavia also stands out for its hydroelectric energy use. France is the only country in Europe whose energy is mostly comprised of nuclear power. Europe is racing to ramp up renewable energy capacity, but many countries are still reliant on fossil fuels. Much of Europe has set itself the goal of switching away from heavily polluting fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. However, as the following chart from Statista's Anna Fleck shows, a snapshot of the energy landscape in Europe right now, using data from BPs latest annual report, reveals that while theres some variation in energy types across the bloc, fossil fuels still make up the lions share of the energy sources the continent is most reliant on. You will find more infographics at Statista Exceptions to the rule include France, which stands out for its nuclear power usage, and Denmark, which relies predominantly on renewables - mostly wind energy. Iceland, Norway and Sweden are the only countries in Europe to rely mostly on hydropower. While this is also a type of renewable energy, bp gives it its own subcategory. In Iceland and Norway, hydropower makes up more than 60 percent of the countries energy supply. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: In July 2022, military analysts loyal to the Kremlin noted that Russia lacked the manpower for a massive offensive (Topwar.ru, July 23). At the beginning of September, Russian pro-war experts predicted a radical increase in the Russian contingent due to the transfer of other units of the regular army to Ukraine, now located on the Russian border (YouTube, September 2). It is quite logical that, to legalize the transfer of conscripts to the front, Moscow needed a formal declaration of the occupied regions of Ukraine as Russian territory. However, even this, combined with the replenishment of the army with new conscripts, will not solve the Kremlins problems. Despite defeats at the front, Russian President Vladimir Putin does not appear to have abandoned his plans to attack Odesa and Mykolaiv, especially if he fails to persuade Ukraine and the West to accept the annexation of the occupied Ukrainian territories (Meduza, July 21). However, analysts seriously doubt the possibility of such an offensive. Mobilization in Russia has been chaotic and demonstrates a shortage of training facilities and even basic equipment for fresh recruits (see EDM, September 29). In early October 2022, the governor of Kursk region, Roman Starovoyt, who visited the military facilities of the newly mobilized soldiers, described the decrepit conditions there: Wrecked dining room, broken and rusty showers, not enough beds and those that exist are falling apart. Lack of uniforms, parade ground looks like it was bombed (Nakanune.ru, October 5). Volunteers from various Russian regions do not hide the fact that they have to provide basic medicines and everyday items for themselves, including rugs, sleeping bags, warm linens and dishes, among other essentials (Eanews.ru, September 28). More videos are appearing each day in which enlistment offices are instructing conscripts to buy everything themselves: from first-aid kits to womens tampons, which can be used as hemostatic agents (Inauka.ru, September 27). Some well-known propagandists openly admit that, out of all the Russian regions, only one has considered vaccinating those mobilized against COVID-19, influenza and pneumococcus and that, even without mobilization, after the fall draft, hospitals are full of conscripts with pneumonia (T.me/vityzeva, October 4). The combat training of the new military is not faring any better. British journalists note that people who have never served in the military are often drafted and sent to the front with little or no training. In addition, the Russian army is in dire need of experienced junior combat commanders (Bbc.com/russian, October 5). Against this backdrop, it will be problematic for Russia to hold the already captured territories, not to mention mount an offensive. However, front-line failures are only part of the Kremlins new problems. As expected, the mobilization has led to increased discontent and anxiety in Russian society (see EDM, September 20). According to the latest survey by the Levada Center, 47 percent of Russians experienced anxiety or fear upon learning of the partial mobilization decree. Meanwhile, support for the actions of Russian troops was at its lowest level since the beginning of the war, amounting to only 44 percent (Meduza, September 29). Military propaganda increasingly claims that the war gave Russia a chance to rebuild its economy and free itself from economic enslavement; however, this has turned out quite the opposite in practice (see EDM, August 15). Ilya Grashchenkov, director of the Center for Regional Policy Development, admitted that mobilization is destroying Russian entrepreneurship and leading to a mass exodus of startups from the country, which is becoming hardly interesting for business development (T.me/russica2, October 5). In addition to problems with mobilization, defeats at the front have led to a new round of conflicts in the Russian military leadership, which are now being fought openly. At the beginning of October 2022, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, and the founder of the notorious private-military company Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, publicly criticized the Russian General Staff and Ministry of Defense, accusing Colonel General Alexander Lapin of surrendering Krasny Liman and the military leadership of covering up Lapins incompetence and negligence. The military, in turn, said that such statements are harmful and hinder the attainment of the common goal (Ura.ru, October 5). However, Kadyrov has a number of supporters among the professional military. Publications on the website Military Review, which is close to the Russian Ministry of Defense, clearly show that a split has occurred not only between the regular army and other paramilitary formations but also within the Russian army itself. Thus, a number of authors on the site have sharply criticized the Ministry of Defense, accusing it of strange and illogical actions against the backdrop of deathly silence (Topwar.ru, October 3). Some publications directly accuse the generals of incompetence in that they draw beautiful reports and put them on the Supreme Commanders table but do not tell the real story (Topwar.ru, October 4). However, these difficulties pale compared to the long-term problems caused by annexing the occupied territories in Ukraine. After the capture of Crimea, Russia became a state without internationally recognized borders. Now, these boundaries have become completely blurred. Moscow announced that the new territories would become part of Russia within their existing borders on the day of their formation and annexation (RBC, October 2). According to this logic, Krasny Liman, recently liberated by Ukrainian troops, is also considered a Russian city (Pravda.com.ua, October 1). This fact testifies to several points. First, what the Kremlin calls Russia today has become a territory of war, since formally, according to Russian law, there is no difference between Liman and, say, Belgorod. The liberation of Liman also became a clear signal to other Russian regions that Moscow can easily lose control over its territory, and the federal government is in no way able to interfere with this process. Indeed, Russian military analysts are already expressing their indignation at the fact that for the first time since the end of the Great Patriotic War, a Russian city has been handed over to the enemy, revealing the deepest crisis of the Russian army (Topwar.ru, October 2). Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a Russian opposition politician and former head of Yukos, expressed similar thoughts. According to him, with the annexation of Ukrainian territories, Putin formalized the collapse of his own state, since the peoples of Russia can also exercise the right to self-determination, to which the Russian leader so insistently appeals. Khodorkovsky expressed confidence that, after Putin loses the war in Ukraine, similar referendums will be held all over Russia (YouTube, October 4). By The Jamestown Foundation More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: For the six candidates seeking a contested seat on the Omaha Public Schools board, there are a variety of high-profile issues that they hope to address from low staff morale to academic performance. As Election Day approaches, though, nearly all the candidates said they are focused on one key topic: the districts ongoing staff shortage, which officials say shows no signs of easing now months into the school year. The six candidates are spread across three subdistricts, with two candidates an incumbent and a challenger vying to represent each subdistrict. In Subdistrict 2, located in north-central Omaha, Brianna Full is competing against incumbent Marque Snow. In Subdistrict 6, in west Omaha, incumbent Nancy Kratky is running against Hina Agarwal. And in South Omahas Subdistrict 8, incumbent Margo Juarez, who was appointed to the board in December, is facing a challenge from Carl Satterfield. Shavonna Holman, current board president, is running unopposed and poised to retain her seat representing Subdistrict 4 in North Omaha. Snow, who was first elected to the OPS board in 2013, did not respond to multiple requests from The World-Herald seeking comment. The other candidates all voiced concerns about the staff shortage in OPS, along with student misbehavior and academic performance. Full said she believes that the districts challenge with recruiting and retaining staff feeds into how students behave and perform. If there isnt enough support for the kids, if they dont have consistent teachers or counselors and if they dont have people in the building ready to support them, obviously they cant get the care they need to succeed at school, Full said. It is a ginormous issue. We are inching our way there we are very, very slowly making progress on that, but its just simply not enough. OPS officials have noted that staffing struggles, particularly a lack of bus drivers, are being experienced in school districts across the U.S. Full said she doesnt think OPS should compare itself to other districts when looking at ways to improve. Full said she will support more pay and better benefits for staff, along with more sick time and planning time for teachers. If we really wanted to, we could, she said. Juarez said she also supports boosting teacher pay, but improving teacher morale and lightening workloads also are high priorities. Teachers have expressed for more than a year that the extra weight of subbing for coworkers, larger class sizes and feeling unappreciated have taken a toll on their lives. Juarez said she wants to keep an eye on class sizes, while ensuring current and new teachers know they are appreciated. She and other board members have been distributing gift bags to student teachers to show them how much they are valued in OPS, she said. Staff retention has been an issue for the district. Nearly 600 educators left OPS in May, a 40% jump from the previous years resignation numbers. Im certainly hoping we dont have many mass exoduses again, Juarez said. I really want to talk with teachers to find out what other issues might be out there. Kratky said one change she wants the district to make to improve teacher morale is to offer more options when reassigning teachers to different schools. More than 70 teachers were reassigned this year to help counteract staff shortages. Kratky said instead of forcing someone to go to a specific school, OPS should offer them at least two schools to choose from. Agarwal wants to help improve the relationship between teachers and the district through more communication. She said if elected, she will be a liaison between the Omaha Education Association and OPS. Agarwal also wants to increase communication between the community and district, something she said is lacking. We have to find better ways to engage our community and inform them of what is happening in all of our schools, Agarwal said. Another common concern among candidates is academic performance. Last years test scores showed that about 28% of OPS students were proficient in English language arts and 20% in math, more than 20 percentage points below the state average. Satterfield said one of his main goals is to help the district find ways to improve academic performance. OPS and other education officials have attributed recent dips in test scores to the COVID-19 pandemic. Satterfield said officials need to stop using COVID-19 as an excuse. Everybody is blaming things on the pandemic and thats not true, to a degree, Satterfield said. The pandemic has put everyone behind a little bit, but teachers during the pandemic were supposed to be teaching online, and if students didnt learn online what they should have learned, thats the teachers fault. Satterfield said he supports increasing teacher pay based on their students academic performance. He said teachers shouldnt receive as much compensation if their students fail to meet standards. Rising student misbehavior also is an important issue in the district, Juarez said. Its very upsetting to me when I hear on the news about kids having altercations at school. Its just unbelievable to me to be honest, she said. I really want to find out how things are being addressed, how teachers feel or even principals, how are policies working and I want to stay focused on that. Kratky, Satterfield and Full said they would look to increase parental involvement as one way to help curb misbehavior. People who live within OPS district boundaries are able to vote for candidates in their own subdistrict. The subdistrict map can be viewed on the OPS website. Election Day is Nov. 8. Hugo Villagran, 16, and Damian Garcia, 17, stand in Lerner Park in Chicago's West Ridge neighborhood on Oct. 15, 2022, where their friend, Lavell Winslow, 13, was fatally shot the night before. Police found Lavell at the bench in the foreground under the gazebo bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. (Andrew Johnston/Chicago Tribune) Family members are mourning the loss of Lavell Winslow, a 13-year-old boy shot and killed Friday night at a West Ridge neighborhood park. His smile. Im just going to miss him coming in and talking to me, lying his head on my shoulder, the boys mother, Vanessa Winslow, told the Tribune on Saturday. Advertisement Lavell, the youngest of Vanessa Winslows five children, got good grades in school and was extremely smart, she said. The West Ridge Elementary School eighth grader had just been moved into an advanced math class. Family plan to hold a service for Lavell later this month. They are raising money on GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. Advertisement Candles burn on Oct. 16, 2022, where 13-year-old Lavell Winslow was fatally shot during a birthday party in Chicago's Lerner Park on Friday night. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) He wanted to work in computer technology or construction when he graduated high school, his mother said. She could already see his bright future. Lavell would have turned 14 years old a week before Christmas, his mother said. She said shell remember her sons excitement around the holidays, she added. He was fun to be around. Social, kind, just a lovable young man. He had lots of friends that adored him because he was so kind and nice, she said. An off-duty Chicago police officer heard a loud pop and found Lavell Winslow, 13, on a Lerner Park bench at 7000 N. Sacramento Ave. about 10 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2022. Lavel was pronounced dead a short while later at an Evanston hospital. (Family photo) Lavell had gone to the North Sides Lerner Park to celebrate a friends birthday. But another boy had brought a gun, Vanessa Winslow said. The other boy fired the gun, apparently unaware that a bullet was loaded in the gun, she added. Her son was shot in the head. Shortly before 10 p.m., an off-duty Chicago police officer heard a loud pop and saw a large group of teenagers fleeing on foot, according to a Chicago police report. The officer called it in after finding Lavell under a gazebo in the middle of the park, seated on a bench and bleeding from the gunshot wound to the head, police said. Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. > Lavell, who lived in the neighborhood where the shooting happened, was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition, but was pronounced dead there at 11:45 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiners office. An autopsy Saturday determined Lavell died of a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a homicide. One shell casing was found near his body, but no one was in custody, the report said. Advertisement My son was a great kid, Lavells father, Jeffery Brown, said. He had a real good heart. Lavell played basketball and football, his father said. He told his dad that he dreamed of becoming a hockey player one day. The 13-year-old could take a phone and make it do things Brown didnt know were possible, Brown said. Brown felt that his son had been affected by peer pressure and had begun to hang out with the wrong people while hiding that from his parents, a challenge he senses many children face. He had all the right opportunities. He had all the right support, he added. On Saturday morning, he said he was thinking about how much he loved his son. State troopers arrested a New York woman Thursday after they discovered more than 100 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in the Nebraska Panhandle. A trooper stopped the SUV, a Mazda CX9, around 10:15 a.m. MDT near Sunol, Nebraska, because the driver was speeding, according to a press release from the Nebraska State Patrol. The trooper initiated a search after suspecting criminal activity and found about 103 pounds of marijuana concealed in luggage in the rear of the SUV, according to the press release. The driver, a 48-year-old resident of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested on suspicion of possessing more than 1 pound of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute. She was taken to the Cheyenne County Jail, according to the patrol. Sunol is about 390 miles west of Omaha. NORMAL Several police agencies are investigating after a woman was grazed in a shooting early Saturday morning in south Normal. Sgt. Rob Cherry with the Normal Police Department said officers responded at 1:54 a.m. Saturday for a shots fired report in the 1200 block of Roland Drive. He said a witness reported hearing loud bangs, and a woman in a home was grazed by a bullet. Cherry said the woman refused medical treatment, and no other injuries were reported. No suspect information was available Saturday morning and no arrests have been made, according to the police sergeant. Cherry added Illinois State Police crime scene investigators are assisting NPD. He also said anyone with additional information on this shooting is asked to call NPD at 309-454-9535. PONTIAC Decaturs Scott Davidson said he spends his Thursdays working his forge at home with two of his sons, 15-year-old Brennan and 16-year-old Samuel. The family forging party trekked out Friday to the first Upper Midwest Regional Blacksmith Conference at Threshermens Park in Pontiac, which kicked off with intermediate classes on Monday. About 14 attended from Illinois, Missouri and Indiana, with instructors traveling from California. Workshops on beginner blacksmithing tasks were held Friday, and Davidson attended the class as a student. He said he was forging a half-inch square drift tool, for punching a handle hole through a hammerhead. Compared to a punch tool, he said the drift bulges out an oval shape on the side of the head, giving it more of a grip on the handle. After heating the drift, he struck it with a hammer several times, pausing to measure its width. Davidson said accuracy is important, so he can keep a standardized size for projects. Earlier in the week, he said they made a punch tool, a fire poker and a bending fork. Other tools blacksmiths use, Davidson said, are a jig, which forms hot steel into a consistent scroll shape, and a leafing stake that uses a grove to bend metal in finer shapes. Those latter apparatuses are used by advanced blacksmiths. Conference students used an open-tray teaching forge fired up with coal, with a hand-cranked blower and vice with a hammer stand. Heating up Bud Harvey, of Chillicothe, organized the event, which was co-sponsored by the Illinois Valley Blacksmith Association and the Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association. He said the conference is a means to introduce the area to the Artist-Blacksmith Association of North America with its prototype curriculum. With about a dozen training stations set up at the park, Harvey said they were almost fully registered for the event. He said just over half of new blacksmiths start off after watching the History Channel show Forged in Fire, and only about a quarter of them are serious about continuing to develop their skills. Harvey said he thinks there still a lot of motivation with new students, who may have been exposed to the craft by a grandfather who was a blacksmith. Davidson said hes an agriculture teacher with long-term plans to instruct first-level certifications for new blacksmith students. He said he was introduced to the craft at a candlelight walk and tour at Abraham Lincolns home in New Salem, and they now stop by the blacksmith shop there each year. He said hed always been interested in blacksmithing, but his kids also thought it was cool. Another smither in attendance was 27-year-old Cory Martin, of Manteno. In grade school, he said he was offered a class taught by Jerry Weekly at the Perry Farm Park in Bourbonnais. And it started him off on his metalworking career, Martin said: Hes now a full-time welder. Under pressure Harvey said he hears a common response from the general public that blacksmithing is a dying art. He said the case is actually the opposite of that. Its a hands-on, physical art that people are really attracted to, so I see more and more interest all the time, he said. Harvey said he makes house jewelry, or metal art that can decorate a home. He added theres a lot of interest in making sharp, shiny objects, such as knives, axes and tomahawks. Thats because the History Channel showcases those projects, he said, but theyre at an advanced level. He said the IVBA will start new students off from the beginning. They might start by making simple hooks or latches. A lot of students have never picked up a hammer, he said, adding they'll teach them how to swing. For Harvey, he said he enjoys the mental challenge of learning the skills and applying them to make something. When finished, he said he feels accomplished. The journey of making the piece, learning the process has always been my satisfaction and my reward, said Harvey. Davidson said its also therapeutic to get something hot and fire it with a hammer. He said its self-care. Thats one benefit I didnt realize, he said. Its cool to come out at the end whether the project came the way you expected or not and youve got something that you made out of metal thats unique. A lot of people cant do that, he said, and added that seeing the results of your work is immediate. You can make things machines cant make, said Davidson. Reditus Laboratories CEO Aaron Rossi is set to appear in court Monday morning on charges that he violated the terms of his pretrial release by using marijuana, according to court documents. Rossi was arrested Friday morning and held in the Knox County Jail, according to a petition his attorneys filed Friday night. They argued that he should not be jailed over the weekend and asked for the court appearance to be moved up. (What exactly were the terms of Rossi's release? Click here for the court order.) He opened Reditus in June 2019, adding infectious disease testing in December 2019. The Pekin-based company went on to collect more than $220 million in state contracts to administer COVID-19 tests. In seeking his release, Rossi's attorneys also cited President Joe Biden's Oct. 6 announcement of a pardon for thousands of Americans convicted of "simple possession" of marijuana. "It is entirely unclear if in the aftermath of the President's marijuana pardon that was issued last week there is any lawful authority for the United States ... to lawfully hold any defendant on marijuana usage charges let alone, as the Government wrongly seeks to do here, for a period of three nights and three days," the attorneys wrote. Rossi previously told an officer during a pretrial services interview that he took marijuana edibles as a medically directed sleep aid, according to the petition. Additionally, he had provided a letter from his doctor in May. A Sept. 7 drug test allegedly revealed the presence of marijuana in Rossi's system, according to the petition. A warrant for his arrest was issued Wednesday. Rossi's attorneys said he was willing to cooperate with authorities, but he and his counsel were not given the chance or informed about the warrant. "The context of the arrest, unannounced without an opportunity to voluntarily surrender, was unjustified and unreasonable," they wrote. His initial court appearance was first scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday and then moved up to 9 a.m., roughly 71 hours after his arrest. In addition to the federal charges, Rossi is also involved in civil lawsuit brought against him in Tazewell County by his business partner, James Davie. That case accuses Rossi of using company money for personal expenses. Reditus has been placed in receivership by the Tazewell County judge. Rossi's legal team did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. 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 Oct. 15, 1922: Gas has been struck by the city in Stein's Grove, where a well was being dug for use of picnickers. With the discovery comes an idea which may give Bloomington the most up-to-date tourists' camping around. It has been suggested that the gas be piped to ovens, which could be done at little expense. Tourists would then be without the annoyance of seeking fuel wood to build their first. 75 years ago Oct. 15, 1947: Whether Bloomington stick strictly to President Truman's "meatless Tuesday" in restaurants appeared to be up to the customer to decide in most local businesses. Eight restaurants surveyed last week had been planning, in general, to adopt Truman's proposal; another check with them found only three had planned fully meatless menus for the second Tuesday since the president's request, made with the goal of providing assistance to Europe. Read the story. 50 years ago Oct. 15, 1972: Thousands gathered in downtown Bloomington for the annual Illinois Wesleyan University homecoming parade. Normal Community High School won the parade judging among the 10 participating high school bands. In the float competition, Theta Chi Fraternity and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority created a whale named "Moby Titan" and won first place. Their clown team also was first. The homecoming queen was Kim Holland of Lake Zurich. Read the story. 25 years ago Oct. 15, 1997: McLean County has completed a transition to basic 911. The switchover means residents anywhere in the county can dial 911 in an emergency. Before, 911 was available only to residents in Bloomington-Normal, Chenoa and Lexington, with other residents having to dial seven-digit numbers. The more sophisticated enhanced 911, which provides the location of callers by matching them with a computer database of addresses, should follow in a year. Read the story. BLOOMINGTON For over a century, two election authorities have operated in McLean County: the county clerk's office and the Bloomington Election Commission. Although this has caused some confusion among voters over the years about where they can cast their ballots, election officials say they are confident that both entities are operating on the same page now that they are operating the same equipment. Until recently, that had not been the case. Before the June primary election, the county had been operating on 10-year-old election equipment, McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said. But thanks to the federal funding the county received through the American Rescue Plan Act, Michael said, her office was able to purchase about $1 million of new equipment from Omaha-based Election Systems and Software. The Bloomington Election Commission has used the same voting equipment for years but relies on different check-in software. "We are now all on the same page for the most part for joint early voting," Michael said. "We didn't always have that." Why two election authorities? All 102 Illinois counties have election authorities: 101 use their county clerks' offices, while Peoria County maintains its own county election commission. However, there are six Illinois cities that also have municipal election boards: Bloomington, Chicago, Rockford, Galesburg, East St. Louis and Danville. These commissions are responsible for counting votes for 35% to 40% of the state's population, according to Paul Shannon, former director of the Bloomington Election Commission from 2009 to 2020. In Bloomington's case, concern about fraudulent elections spurred the creation of the city commission in 1914. At the time, the county clerk had established certain competency requirements about whether a citizen would be allowed to vote but the standards could vary, Shannon said. For example, one voter could be asked to recite the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution before being allowed to vote; the next constituent might be asked to spell his name to demonstrate competency, he said. "They weren't being consistent on how they were administering the election," Shannon said. "So to help eliminate that, they established a nonpartisan (commission) to making sure (voters) all had the same access." Therefore, the Bloomington Election Commission aimed to ensure that one person or one political party wasn't dictating each election. The commission is overseen by a three-person board appointed by the circuit judge with representatives from both major parties. Commissioners serve for three years but Shannon said a new chairperson is appointed annually. Over the years, multiple efforts have been made to dissolve the commission. Shannon said the most recent occurrence was in 2018. During that election, 55.7% of Bloomington voters wished to keep the election board in place. "Only the people in the city of Bloomington get to vote on that (and) it's not McLean County," Shannon said. "The taxing authority for us is the homes within the city of Bloomington pay a portion of their taxes to the city election commission." By law, any referendum to dissolve the election commission must be recorded as "shall the city election law be rejected?" Shannon said to his knowledge, the wording of the referendum has never been challenged. Early voting opportunities Early voting will be available for McLean County voters from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center and Watterson Towers. However, Bloomington residents will not be able to vote from these locations. Early voting still is available at the McLean County Government Center, 115 E. Washington St., for voters that live outside of Bloomington. It is open for early voting between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 4. Bloomington voters can cast their ballots at the Bloomington Election Commission office, 121 N. Main St. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both Bloomington and McLean County voters can take part in early voting at Eastland Mall, 1615 E. Empire St., at the former MC Sporting Goods location from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Because hours of operation vary after Oct. 28, visit mcleancountyil.gov for full early voting schedules. The election is Nov. 8. The political action committee affiliated with the Illinois Network of Charter Schools is always well-funded, well-organized, well-run and often quite successful at electing legislative candidates who are supportive of their cause. But, unlike, say, Personal PAC, which focuses almost solely on the issue of abortion in its ubiquitous direct mailers, you dont often see charter schools even mentioned in the cash-rich INCS Actions mailers. And INCS is the only identifier on its mailers. They dont mention the full name of the group itself. Theres nothing illegal or even particularly wrong about that. The group wants more allies at the Statehouse, so they use polling to shape their campaign messaging, instead of using their own core issues, which may not move enough voters. And because theyre an independent expenditure committee, campaign contribution caps do not apply. So they can spend big. And they do. This year, though, INCS broached an issue that caused them some Statehouse trouble. Repeal the dangerous SAFE-T Act, blares one dot-point in a mailer on behalf of Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich). Violent Criminals shouldn't be allowed out on the streets with no cash bail. Its the top item in what INCS claims is Chris Bos' plan to reduce crime and make our communities safer. Theres probably not a huge overlap between staunch charter school proponents and enthusiastic criminal justice reform advocates, but the latter group does have quite a bit of influence in both legislative chambers, which is how the SAFE-T Act was passed in the first place. Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who has been one of the SAFE-T Acts most vocal proponents since the massive pushback against the criminal justice reform law began, issued a statement last week about the INCS mailer. Its disappointing to see this from the charter school industry especially since their own website says they serve 92% of students of color, Peters statement read. They should support the elimination of cash bail given 87% students are on free and reduced price lunch and are profoundly impacted by the issue. I hope they reconsider their position especially for the families their schools serve. Sen. Peters was described by the Chicago Teachers Union earlier this year as being a staunch CTU supporter, and that union is perhaps the most vocal opponent of the charter school system. Ive since been told that INCS Action will no longer use the issue in future mailers. Somebody over there just wasnt thinking things through. Its one thing to help a super-minority party candidate win, its quite another if how you aid that person winds up damaging your core issue with the super-majority party. I figure theyll find a way to patch things up. Theyre usually pretty good at this stuff. According to disclosures filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, INCS has, as of this writing, sent three mailers on Bos behalf, at $11,400 a pop. It reported having $1.9 million cash on hand at the end of September. Rep. Bos definitely needs the help. He ended June with just $10,000 in the bank and has since reported raising just $19,000. INCS has already reported spending more money on Bos than the incumbent has available. Bos is up against Nabeela Syed, a hard-charging opponent who has reported raising about $372,000 between the beginning of July and October 14. Rep. Bos isnt yet a Tier One target, but Syed walks a lot of precincts and convincingly won a Democratic primary, which undoubtedly boosted her name recognition. So, unless the bottom drops out on the Democrats, she could make it a close race, particularly if the House Democrats put her cable ads on Chicago broadcast TV. What money has been spent by the Republicans has focused mainly on the crime issue, which INCS evidently picked up on. The Republicans have been criticized, however, for using a photoshopped image of Syed which falsely makes her look like shes holding a sign saying Defund the police. The Democrats have been known to do this sort of thing, too, of course. The House Dems are running two cable TV ads for Syed. One mixes economic issues with abortion. Rising prices hurt everyone, the 15-second ad begins. I'm Nabeela Syed. I'm fighting to cut property taxes and prescription costs. Extreme politician Chris Bos opposes a woman's right to choose, no exceptions. I'm Nabeela Syed. I'll protect your pocketbook and your rights. The other 15-second spot focuses solely on Bos, claiming he will outlaw a woman's right to choose, even in cases of rape and incest. According to Illinois Right to Life Action, Rep. Bos is Fully pro-life. The best governor money can buy? Two back-to-back billionaire failures from each political party. The current governor would like you to believe he turned the state around. So much so, he is thinking about running for president in two years. Lets look at J.B. Pritzker's Illinois record during a time where he received billions of Biden bucks from the federal government. Crime up. Murder up. Police retirements up. Teacher vacancies up. People fleeing the state up. Businesses leaving the state up. Combined local and state tax rate highest in the country with a graduating gas tax still in play. Medical provider shortage up. A total of 500 public historic monuments in the state are being reviewed as part of possible cancel culture project. I am voting for Darren Bailey for governor in hopes that this state cannot only survive but maybe thrive. Darren has worked hard, owned a small business and was an active leader in Springfield calling out executive orders that never followed the science. Example: just last week the CDC announced that all health care providers can now make masks optional in their workplace. Not in Illinois. The Governor still has an executive order that will not allow Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to follow the science. Sound familiar? J.B. Pritzker made sure that Illinois was the first state to lock down and one of the last three states to open back up, causing harm to our kids and small business. Vote for Darren Bailey for governor now or on November 8. Jeff Aaberg, Bloomington The Trades and Industry Minister has paid a working visit to Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited located in the Tema Heavy Industrial Area. Alan Kyerematen was to ascertain the status of work in the development of a 5 million tons/year refining project. The project is part of the Ministrys Industrial Transformation Agenda in developing new Strategic Anchor Industries. It is aimed at diversifying the Ghanaian economy beyond Cocoa and Gold. The operationalisation of this and many such companies are part of efforts by the government to dampen the demand for foreign exchange for imports and grow our gross domestic product. The Minister said in a social media post on Friday, October 15. He was accompanied by one of his deputies, Michael Okyere Baafi. Source: Myjoyonline 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 Rev. Michael Pfleger stands outside St. Sabina Church to greet people for a gun buyback event in the Gresham neighborhood on June 11, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) For the second time in less than two years, the Rev. Michael Pfleger is stepping away from his popular ministry while under investigation for a decades-old sexual abuse allegation, the Archdiocese of Chicago confirmed Saturday. In the latest allegation, a man in his late 40s has filed a claim with the archdiocese alleging the long-tenured activist South Side priest sexually abused him at St. Sabina Church in the late 1980s. Advertisement The mans attorney, Eugene Hollander, said his client was a member of the acclaimed Soul Children of Chicago choir when the alleged incidents occurred on two separate occasions in the church rectory. The choir rehearsed at St. Sabina once or twice a week, the attorney said. The boy was a minor, between the ages 13 and 17 at the time. Hollander declined to provide further details Saturday while the archdiocese investigation is ongoing. Advertisement The Soul Children of Chicago have a 40 year history of excellence and a disciplined focus on educating and empowering the lives of our youth, said Andrew M. Stroth, an attorney for The Soul Children of Chicago and choir director Dr. Walter Whitman in an emailed statement. During the rehearsals at St. Sabina the choir always had chaperones and parent attendants watching over the children. Dr. Walter Whitman and the Soul Children denounce the recent allegations and support Father Pfleger as a man of integrity, Stroths statement said. Pfleger, 73, has stepped aside from his day-to-day church duties. Cardinal Blase Cupich also is requiring him to live away from the Auburn Gresham parish while the civil matter is investigated by the archdioceses independent review board. Such moves are in keeping with archdiocese policies. He has agreed to cooperate fully with this request, Cupich said of Pfleger in an Oct. 15 letter to St. Sabina parishioners posted on the churchs website Saturday. As is required by our child protection policies, the allegation was reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the law enforcement officials. The person making the allegation has been offered the services of our victim assistance ministry and the archdiocese has begun its investigation and we will do our best to keep you informed. Pfleger is not facing criminal charges. Neither he nor his attorneys immediately responded Saturday to Tribune requests for comment but Pfleger released a statement posted on St. Sabinas website in which he said he learned of the allegation Friday and has been removed from all public ministry while they investigate again. He maintained his innocence. Let me be clear, he wrote, I am completely innocent of this accusation. He was sidelined from his ministry for several months in early 2021 after two adult brothers filed claims accusing Pfleger of decades-old abuse. The priest returned to St. Sabina that summer after the review panel found insufficient reason to suspect that the passionate anti-violence advocate was guilty of the allegations. The two brothers, in their 60s and living in Texas, had alleged in the 2021 claims to the archdiocese that they were molested over several years beginning in the 1970s at Precious Blood Catholic Church on Chicagos West Side when Pfleger was a seminarian, and the brothers were members of the choir. The abuse continued, the brothers said, when Pfleger was a deacon at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Parish in Glenview and at St. Sabina. Advertisement A third man came forward months after the two brothers to say Pfleger made an unwanted sexual advance toward him as well, when he was 18 in 1979. That man did not file a claim with the archdiocese, given the fact he was no longer a minor at 18, but he did submit an affidavit shared with church officials in support of the two brothers. Pfleger maintained his innocence at the time and his legal team said the allegations were false, concocted in hopes of receiving a financial settlement. In a May 2021 letter, following the review boards decision, Cupich told St. Sabina parishioners that their longtime priest would be returning as senior pastor. Cupich, at the time, wrote: The review board has concluded that there is insufficient reason to suspect Father Pfleger is guilty of these allegations. Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. > Pfleger celebrated his return in a Sunday morning service on June 6, 2021 with standing ovations, exclamations of support and worship. He repeatedly thanked his faithful supporters throughout the nearly three-hour service. His parishioners had rallied behind him, including when St. Sabina announced in late February 2021 it was withholding $100,000 in monthly assessments to the archdiocese until it completed its investigation. Inspired to become a priest by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, Pfleger as a young seminarian student chose to live and work in the predominantly Black community at Precious Blood while commuting to a Mundelein seminary for classes, according to his online biography and Tribune archives. He was ordained in 1975. For decades, the firebrand white minister has led Chicagos largest Black Catholic parish and crusaded against racism and poverty. Hollander also represented the two Texas brothers. And he previously represented some victims of defrocked priest Daniel McCormack in an infamous abuse case that helped lead to an overhaul of Chicago church policy. Advertisement In his Saturday statement, Pfleger asked his supporters to pray for him. Unfortunately, the process of the Archdiocese today is that a priest is presumed guilty until proven innocent. Priests are vulnerable targets to anyone at any time. He continued: While I am confident that the new allegation will also be determined to be unfounded, the process is so unfair and painful to me and to the community I serve. cmgutowski@chicagotribune.com Candidates sitting for the 2022 Basic Certificate Examinations (BECE) in the Senfi, Dominase, Adjamesu and Ofoase Kokobin communities of the Ashanti Region have had a sigh of relief as assorted stationery have been made available at no cost to the finalist who are scheduled start their examinations on Monday 17th October, 2022. On Friday 14th October, 2022, a philanthropist Daniel Agyei Sarpong together with some persons of good will donated some items to various public basic schools in the selected communities ahead of the start of the examination. About 500 pieces of Mathematical sets were distributed. Also Pens and Pencils and other reqired items for writing the papers were handed over to schools heads for onward distribution to the students. Adressing the media on the sidelines of the outreach programme, Mr. Agei Sarpong noted that Students at that level also deserve our support and motivation to fully prepare to face the challenge ahead. I encouraged them to deal and wash away the fear that comes with exams and also remain positive minded and maintain a positive attitude. Management of Ghana Education service (GES), in a statement released to the general public particularly Candidates, Parents, Teachers, Heads of Basic Schools and Directors of Education on Friday, October 14, 2022 stated that the Basic Education Certificate Examinations for 2022 will be written from Monday 17th to Friday 21" October 2022 at all the 2,023 designated Centres throughout the country. In all, 552,276 candidates, comprising 276,988 males and 275,288 females are expected to sit for the examination. All Candidates and Stakeholders are assured that Management has worked very closely with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to ensure the smooth conduct of the examinations throughout the country. The statement further indicated. In the bid to ensure that students remain focused and also as a sign of encouragement, Daniel Agyei Sarpong remarked that he was hopeful that his gesture will serve as a further boost to the morale of the students to excel in the forthcoming papers. In his words; I have pledged two thousand GHc 2000 support to candidates who obtain aggregate six(6) with eight 1s in all 8 subjects in the upcoming exam. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A middle-aged man has died after he climbed an electricity transmission tower belonging to the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) which passes through Galilea, near Kasoa in the Ga South District of Greater Accra Region and committed suicide. He then stepped on the transmission line and got electrocuted It is however unclear what might have necessitated his action but eyewitness accounts suggested he was protesting the economic hardships. In a viral video sighted by DGN Online the man was seen quickly climbing the high-tension pole as bystanders made many pleas in attempts to get him down. Also in the video, a vehicle of the Ghana Police Service could be seen, creating the impression that the police officers were at the scene to persuade him to get off the pole before he endangered his life even more. In the video, an onlooker, were heard running commentary in the background, saying that a man had climbed the pole because of the hardships in the country with someone joining him to get him down but failed. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has defended the former National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party, Freddie Blay, over the decision by his law firm to offer legal representation to some persons believed to be Chinese nationals arrested along with galamsey queen, Aisha Huang. The immediate past National Chairman says that his law firm, Blay & Associates, is not offering any legal counsel to Aisha Huang and her accomplices in the illegal mining case before the Accra Criminal High Court 5. According to him, Blay & Associates are only representing Shi Yang alias Philip, Li Wei Guo and Shi Mei Zhi, all Chinese nationals, and a fourth accused person, Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen, a Vietnamese national who he claims are wrongfully accused supermaket owners. In an interview on Peace FM's morning show "Kokrokoo" on Thursday, October 13, 2022, he explained his four clients "were arrested in their homes in Kumasi; one is even married to a Ghanaian and they operate a supermarket and so he pleaded with me to represent them. Per his (friend) explanation, there might have been a mistake or an issue of stereotyping and so I instructed my office to make a representation to defend them". Freddie Blay has however come under intense criticisms with his critics strongly opining that he is defending illegal miners. Responding to the criticisms, Mr. Pratt has sought to find out the crime that Mr. Blay and his law firm may have committed even if they were defending a criminal. He noted that lawyers are bound by their legal code to defend every person no matter the crime he or she commits. To him, Blay & Associates are not doing anything out of blue. "I don't agree with them. I don't agree at all because every person who knows the law knows that even a murderer is entitled to legal defence. A person who we all can see has stabbed someone to death is entitled to legal defence." "What crime do you commit in this world that you are not entitled to legal defence?", the Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper queried. He stressed; "Whatever crime you commit, you are entitled to legal defence and if you are entitled to legal defence, it means a lawyer must defend you." "For a lawyer to refuse to defend your case, he must have sufficient reasonable grounds in law . . . everybody is presumed innocent until convicted," he expounded. Kwesi Pratt made these submissions on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Friday morning. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video NASA's Lucy Mission passes an asteroid. Artist rendition. Credit: NASA/SWRI Mission engineers will track NASA's Lucy spacecraft nonstop as it prepares to swoop near Earth on Oct. 16 to use this planet's gravity to set itself on a course toward the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. But they also will be closely tracking something else: more than 47,000 satellites, debris, and other objects circling our planet. A greater than 1-10,000 chance that Lucy will collide with one of these objects will require mission engineers to slightly adjust the spacecraft's trajectory. Although an adjustment is unlikely, and collisions are rare, the chances are increasing as the number of objects in Earth's orbit grows, NASA experts say. The International Space Station, for instance, has maneuvered out of the way of space debris 31 times since 1999, including three times since 2020. "Low-Earth orbit is getting more crowded, so that has to be part of the consideration nowadays, especially for missions that fly low, like Lucy," said Dr. Dolan Highsmith, chief engineer for the Conjunction Assessment Risk Analysis group at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The group determines the probabilities of collisions between NASA's robotic spacecraft and Earth-orbiting objects. NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston does the same for crewed spacecraft, such as the space station. Launched on Oct. 16, 2021, Lucy is on a 12-year-journey to study multiple Trojan asteroids up close. It'll be the first spacecraft to visit these remnants from the early solar system, helping scientists hone their theories on how the planets formed 4.5 billion years ago and why they ended up in their current configuration. But Lucy has a long way to go before it arrives at the Trojans in 2027. The upcoming gravity assist is one of three the spacecraft will rely on to catapult itself to its deep-space targets. When Lucy comes nearest to Earth for its first gravity assist it will cruise 220 miles (350 km) above the surface. That's lower than the altitude of the space station and low enough that the spacecraft will be visible with the naked eye from western Australia for a few minutes starting at 6:55 p.m. local time (10:55 UTC). On its way down, Lucy will fly through the most crowded layer of Earth's orbit, which is monitored by the U.S. Space Force's 18th Space Control Squadron. The squadron helps NASA identify close approaches. Engineers began collision analysis for Lucy a week before the spacecraft's Earth approach. Starting the process any earlier would render collision predictions futile, Highsmith said: "The further you're predicting into the future, the more uncertain you are about where an object is going to be." Determining the positions of spacecraft, plus orbiting satellites and debris, is challenging, particularly when trying to anticipate the future. Largely that's because the Sun plays a major role in pulling or pushing objects around, and future solar activity is hard to predict. For example, the Sun's activityhow much plasma and radiation it shoots outaffects atmosphere density, and thus how much friction will tug on a spacecraft and slow it down. So the closer the collision assessment is to the Earth flyby time, the better. NASA sends Lucy's whereabouts to the Space Force squadron daily. If the squadron determines that Lucy could intersect with something, Highsmith's group will calculate the probability of a collision and work with the mission team to move the spacecraft, if necessary. With such a high value mission, you really need to make sure that you have the capability, in case it's a bad day, to get out of the way," Highsmith said. Lucy navigation engineers have two maneuver options ready in case the spacecraft needs to avoid an object. Both maneuvers require engine burns to speed up the spacecraft, which is traveling about 8 miles (12 km) per second. Each maneuver can move Lucy's closest approach to Earth up by 2 seconds or 4 seconds, respectively. "That's enough to avoid any one thing that could be in the way," said Kevin E. Berry, Lucy's flight dynamics team lead from NASA Goddard. Explore further NASA's Lucy spacecraft prepares to swing by Earth In this photo provided by NASA, the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom capsule splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida in a return trip from the International Space Station on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP Four astronauts returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule Friday, ending their nearly six-month space station mission with a splashdown in the Atlantic off Florida. Wet and windy weather across Florida delayed their homecoming. SpaceX and NASA finally gave the all-clear on Friday, and the three Americans and one Italian departed the International Space Station, their residence since April. The capsule parachuted into the ocean, just off Jacksonville, Florida, about five hours later. It carried NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Bob Hines and Jessica Watkins, the first Black woman to complete a long-term spaceflight, and the European Space Agency's Samantha Cristoforetti. SpaceX delivered their replacements last week. Before checking out, the astronauts said they couldn't wait to have a cold drink with ice, eat some pizza and ice cream, take a shower, revel in nature and, of course, reunite with their families. NASA planned to hustle them to Houston once they were off SpaceX's recovery ship and back on solid ground. "Getting the first few hugs when we get back is really going to be awesome," Hines told reporters earlier in the week. Remaining aboard the space station are three Americans, three Russians and one Japanese. In this image provided by NASA, NASA astronauts, from left, Jessica Watkins, Robert Hines, Kjell Lindgren, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, right, sit inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan shortly after having landed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Lindgren, Hines, Watkins, and Cristoforetti are returning after 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins is helped out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after she, NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, NASA astronaut Robert Hines, and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, landed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Lindgren, Hines, Watkins, and Cristoforetti are returning after 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti is helped out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after she, and NASA astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, and Jessica Watkins, landed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Lindgren, Hines, Watkins, and Cristoforetti are returning after 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren is helped out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after he, NASA astronaut Robert Hines, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, landed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Lindgren, Hines, Watkins, and Cristoforetti are returning after 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP NASA astronaut Robert Hines is helped out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after he, NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, landed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Lindgren, Hines, Watkins, and Cristoforetti are returning after 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP In this photo provided by NASA, the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom capsule approaches the surface of the Atlantic Ocean off Florida for splashdown in a return trip from the International Space Station on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, carrying astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, Jessica Watkins, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP In this photo provided by NASA, the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom capsule approaches the surface of the Atlantic Ocean off Florida for splashdown in a return trip from the International Space Station on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, carrying astronauts Kjell Lindgren, Robert Hines, Jessica Watkins, and European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti. Credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP Explore further Jessica Watkins makes history as first Black woman launched to ISS for extended space mission 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Mablink Bioscience announces a 31 million Series A funding round led by Sofinnova Partners and Merieux Equity Partners Details Category: Antibodies Published on Saturday, 15 October 2022 10:44 Hits: 2039 The financing will enable the company to advance its lead candidate to the clinic and to build a pipeline of next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) Its proprietary ADC technology opens the door for new and better treatment options for cancer patients LYON, France I October 14, 2022 I Mablink Bioscience (Mablink), a biotechnology company aiming to transform cancer therapy using next-generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), announced today that it has raised a 31 million Series A funding round to advance its lead candidate to the clinic and to build a pipeline of ADCs using its proprietary platform technology. The round was led by Sofinnova Partners and Merieux Equity Partners, with participation from the existing investors. Mablinks technology is based on a unique structure of chemical links (called linkers) placed between an antibody and any chosen cytotoxic molecule to be delivered into tumor cells. The unique structure of those linkers masks the cytotoxic molecule which provides a stealthy property to Mablinks ADCs, conferring two highly desirable pharmacological properties. First, it enables ADCs to stay longer in the body and gives them more time to destroy tumor cells. Second, these stealth ADCs have greatly improved tolerability. These two aspects translate into a 10-fold increase of the therapeutic index observed in animal models, a potentially game-changing factor for future clinical successes in the ADC space. We are very proud to be joined by such experienced investors, said Jean-Guillaume Lafay, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Mablink. They bring the necessary funds but also the expertise and network that will be critical for the success of Mablink in bringing its first ADC to the clinic. We are also thankful to our historical investors who decided to reinvest in this round. The proceeds of this financing round will enable Mablink to become a clinical-stage biotech by bringing its lead candidate, MBK-103, into clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors, notably ovarian cancer. At the same time, Mablink will build a pipeline of ADCs for solid tumors. Mablink offers a complete solution that tackles the challenges currently limiting the development of ADCs, said Graziano Seghezzi, Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners. With its masking technology, we have the potential to build a pipeline of products for patients without real treatment options today. We look forward to working with Jean-Guillaume and his team to transform Mablink into a global ADC player. Valerie Calenda, Managing Partner of Merieux Equity Partners, said: Merieux Equity Partners was attracted by the project at its inception in 2019 and decided to support it through its industrial accelerator M2Care before advising UI Investment and Pertinence Invest 2 to participate to the seed round. Since then, the quality of the team and the progress made reinforced our conviction that this platform can bring to millions of patients safer and more potent ADCs thanks to an improved therapeutic window. We are delighted to continue supporting MabLink by co-leading this Series A financing with our venture fund OMX Europe. After a 4M Seed funding a year ago, Mablink enters a new era. We are particularly proud of the success of this Series A funding, which will exponentially increase the capacities and investments of the company in research and development, the consolidation of its pipeline as well as the hiring of seasoned profiles. says Florian Denis, Investment Director at Elaia, for the historic investors. Dr Calenda and Mr. Seghezzi both join Mablinks Board of Directors. Existing shareholders, Elaia Partners, UI-Investissement / Pertinence Invest 2 (advised by Merieux Equity Partners), Sham Innovation Sante (advised by Turenne Capital), Fondation Fournier-Majoie, Simba Sante (Angelor) and Credit Agricole Creation also participated in the Series A. About Mablink Bioscience Mablink Bioscience is a biotechnology company that seeks to bring new and better treatment options to cancer patients with unmet needs. The company is developing the next generation of an emerging class of cancer drugs called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Mablinks patented hydrophilic drug-linker technology enables the design of homogenous, plasma-stable next generation ADCs that have high DAR (drug-to-antibody ratio) while retaining excellent pharmacological properties and tolerability. For more information, please visit mablink.com About MBK-103 MBK-103 is an ADC designed with Mablinks proprietary linker, and exatecan, a potent Topoisomerase-I inhibitor, as the payload. MBK-103 targets Folate Receptor Alpha (FRa), a protein overexpressed in several solid tumors with high unmet medical needs including ovarian or triple-negative breast cancers. About Sofinnova Partners Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specializing in healthcare and sustainability. Based in Paris, London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of professionals from all over the world with strong scientific, medical and business expertise. Sofinnova Partners is a hands-on company builder across the entire value chain of life sciences investments, from seed to later-stage. The firm actively partners with ambitious entrepreneurs as a lead or cornerstone investor to develop transformative innovations that have the potential to positively impact our collective future. Founded in 1972, Sofinnova Partners is a deeply established venture capital firm in Europe, with 50 years of experience backing over 500 companies and creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over 2.5 billion under management. For more information, please visit: sofinnovapartners.com. About Merieux Equity Partners Merieux Equity Partners (MxEP) is an AMF-accredited management company dedicated to equity investments in the health and nutrition sector. MxEP actively supports entrepreneurs and companies with differentiated products and services, giving them privileged access to its sector expertise and international network. MxEP currently manages over 1 billion in assets and recently closed its latest Venture Capital fund, OMX Europe Venture Fund, with the co-sponsorship of Korys. www.merieux-partners.com SOURCE: Mablink Biosciences FORT ANN A Schenectady woman is expected to receive a sentence of 1 to 3 years in state prison after admitting to trying to bring drugs into the Washington Correctional Facility. Lamess A. Ahmed pleaded guilty in Washington County Court on Sept. 30 to a felony count of attempted promoting prison contraband. She was arrested on April 23 after state police were called to the medium-security prison in Fort Ann just before noon for a report of a visitor attempting to bring contraband into the facility. Ahmed was in possession of about 35 strips of Suboxone, 1.3 grams of marijuana and 3.4 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, according to police. Ahmed is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1. Candidates for state Senate in the 43rd District differ in approaches to the states planned reduction in the threshold for farmworker overtime wages. I would push for the repeal of lowering the threshold for farm overtime, said state Assemblyman Jake Ashby, R-Castleton, who is running for the open state Senate seat in the new 43rd District. Andrea Smyth, the Democratic candidate, said officials should continuously evaluate the impact of the change as it is implemented in phases over a 10-year period. At this point, where the budget makes downturns, and we may have to stop the subsidies that are supposed to hold the farmers level, at that point, I would advocate for freezing the movement toward the 40-hour overtime, said Smyth, speaking at a recent Rensselaer County League of Women Voters virtual candidate debate. On Sept. 30, state Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon announced that the department ratified a recommendation of the state Farm Laborers Wage Board to reduce the threshold for overtime pay from 60 hours per week to 40 hours per week, over a 10-year period. A public comment period on the recommendation is to begin later this month. The threshold had been 60 hours since Jan. 1, 2020. Before that, overtime pay was not required for farmworkers in New York. The threshold would be reduced to 56 hours starting Jan. 1, 2024, and be reduced in subsequent biannual increments. A tax credit enacted as part of this years state budget will help cover the additional cost of increased overtime wages. The 43rd Senate District includes Rensselaer County and portions of Washington and Albany counties. In Washington County, the district includes from Fort Edward south to the Rensselaer County line. Ashby, who has served four years in the Assembly, and Smyth, a health care and family issues policy advocate from Troy, debated for an hour, responding to questions that residents submitted to the League of Women Voters in advance of the debate, which was conducted over Zoom and video recorded for viewing over YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7stF0V0-ps. The candidates also differ on approaches to bail reform and euthanasia. Smyth said that legislators should consult with district attorneys and law enforcement officers about whether additional changes are needed to bail reform legislation. I am prepared to look at what is working and what is not, and make sure that bail-eligible offenses are correct in protecting our communities, she said. I am definitely interested and know that this bail vs. jail discussion is going to be part of my first session in the Senate. A 2019 bail reform law ended the practice of requiring cash bail for the release of those arrested for misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses, in most cases. Some changes to the 2019 law, providing more discretion for judges, were enacted as part of this years state budget. Ashby said the 2019 law should be repealed entirely. We need to start from scratch on this issue, he said. Ashby said the 2019 law was rushed through without adequate input from district attorneys and law enforcement officers. We need to do a better job of creating these laws and not just getting them done to check a box to say that we have addressed this issue, he said. Ashby said he opposes a proposed state law that would allow physicians to assist with euthanasia. I believe that all life is sacred, from conception to death, and even during these times of immense struggles and suffering, I believe that life still has value, he said. Smyth said euthanasia is a personal decision, without addressing the specific legislation. I think, like other personal health care decisions, this requires the Legislature to allow personal autonomy in their decision-making, she said. Smyth said she has 30 years of experience helping to craft legislation in her role as an advocate, and that she has empathy and enthusiasm. I do 23 push-ups daily as a reminder of the average number of American veterans who have died by suicide daily, and I do one extra for a family member who died by suicide, she said. To me, this is a daily reminder that those of us with hope must share it with those who have lost hope. Ashby, an occupational therapist and Army veteran, said that he has a record of bipartisanship and a reputation for tenacity. Ashby said he was initially rejected for military service because of flat feet and a heart murmur, but challenged the rejection. At the time, I had to write to my congressman, it was Michael McNulty, and (he) helped get me on that track to be able to serve, Ashby said. Warren County Health Services has reported three COVID-related deaths in the last seven days. On Friday, the county reported the death of a resident in their 70s who lived at home prior to contracting the virus and dying at the hospital. The report said the individual was vaccinated. This is the 135th death since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Services also indicated 91 new COVID cases were identified between Wednesday and Friday, including 32 from home tests. Over the last five days, 141 new cases have been recorded. Currently, nine county residents are in the hospital, out of the 17 patients reported by Glens Falls Hospital. The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 9.6%. The CDCs most recent community COVID-19 risk update on Oct. 13 moved Warren County into the high community levels category, with other Capital Region counties at medium or high risk. High levels include recommendations for residents to wear masks in indoor public places and avoid non-essential indoor public activities where you could be exposed to COVID-19 if you are at high risk of getting very sick. Warren County Health Services next COVID vaccine clinic offering the Moderna bivalent booster shot is Oct. 18. Registration is required and information can be found here. Washington County According to New York state COVID data, out of the 208 test results reported in Washington County on Thursday, 14 positive cases were identified. The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 8.4% on Friday. The county has COVID-19 home test kits available at the following Washington County facilities in Fort Edward on Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Washington County Municipal Center (Building B entrance) Washington County Public Health Department Statewide On Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced her COVID precaution recommendations for the colder weather. As we get further into the fall season, I urge New Yorkers to take advantage of all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy, Hochul said. Stay up to date on vaccine doses and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options. Out of the 72,755 test results reported across the state, 5,302 new cases of COVID were identified on Friday. According to state data, 466 new patients were admitted to the hospital, making the total now 2,714. The seven-day rolling positivity rate was at 6.5%. GLENS FALLS The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the injury of a construction worker during a paving job on Warren Street. The incident took place on Oct. 6 at about 5:15 p.m. An employee of the D.A. Collins Construction Co. was injured while cleaning or maintaining a machine on Warren Street, according to OSHA. The worker reportedly became stuck in the machine. Glens Falls firefighters responded to free the worker from the machine, according to a post on the Glens Falls Fire Department Local 2230 Facebook page. OSHA declined to discuss specifics of the injury. The investigation will determine whether or not there were any violations of workplace safety standards in connection with this incident. The agency has up to 6 months to complete an inspection. Other agencies dispatched to the scene were Bay Ridge EMS and South Queensbury Fire Department. In addition, a Glens Falls Hospital doctor and nurses responded to the scene to assist with medical care, according to the Facebook post. West Glens Falls and Bay Ridge Fire also provided assistance. Chicagos office of inspector general released its third quarter report to the City Council Friday that detailed its investigations into a former Chicago police officer who operated an unlicensed security company and a Civilian Office of Police Accountability investigator who released an unredacted police report. The inspector general found that the former Chicago Police Department officer who had operated an unlicensed private security company had also assisted the officers children in operating a second unlicensed security company, according to the 41-page report. The officer also used CPD resources to help with both businesses, which violated several of the police departments rules of conduct by providing security services to bars and nightclubs that served alcohol. Advertisement The inspector general also found that the officer had entered into contracts with private clients and lied about the security companies being licensed, the report said. The officer also had improperly used CPDs Citizen Law Enforcement Analysis and Reporting database to search for people as part of the security work. The officer retired during the investigation, the report said. The inspector general recommended that CPD designate the officer as having resigned under inquiry, making the retired officer ineligible for rehiring. The police department agreed with the recommendations. Advertisement The inspector general also opened an investigation into a COPA investigator who released a confidential, unredacted police report, which was a violation of COPA policy, the report said. The investigator admitted to releasing the document but said they were never told that police reports were confidential. The inspector general showed the investigator a copy of COPAs confidentiality policy, which dictates that police reports are confidential, the report said. The investigator also did not redact the names, addresses and phone numbers of victims and witnesses in the report before releasing it, the report said. The inspector general recommended that COPA discipline and possibly fire the investigator, the report said. COPA agreed with the recommendation and began the disciplinary process with the citys Department of Law. pfry@chicagotribune.com Twitter @paigexfry The Regional Operations Intelligence Center was monitoring the situation and has not deemed any of the threats as credible, State Police said. In Lower Township, students were placed into a shelter in place, after which school were dismissed early, police said on their Facebook page. OCT. 15 NIGHT TO HONOR ISRAEL "Quad Cities Night to Honor Israel," 6:30 p.m. Saturday; doors open at 5:30 p.m., New Life Church, 2345 19th St., Moline. Night of singing, dancing, prayer and giving, where Christians and Jews join together in support of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. Music and dancing this year will feature the Scott Schaefer Band, the Temple Elim Dancers and Flagbearers, and Ballet Quad Cities. Keynote speaker is Kasim Hafeez, field coordinator for Christians United for Israel. Donations may be sent at any time to Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, P.O. Box 2, Moline, IL 61266 or online at www.qcnthi.com or during the event. All funds raised for 2022 will go to assist Ukrainian Jewish families fleeing the deadly war in Ukraine and immigrating to Israel. Join live on Facebook: www.facebook.com/QCNTHI CHICAGO STAFF BAND, HURRICANE RELIEF CONCERT The Salvation Armys premier brass band in the Midwest, the Chicago Staff Band, will be in concert 7 p.m. Saturday in Davenport at St. Johns United Methodist Church, 14th and Brady streets. The event is free, and an offering will be received to benefit Hurricane Ian relief efforts. All funds given for hurricane relief go to direct assistance of victims. Gifts may also be given online at give.helpsalvationarmy.org/ OCT. 22 CRAFT AND VENDOR SHOW Christ United Methodist Church craft and vendor show will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 22, inside the new Family Life Center building, 3801 7th St., East Moline. Admission is by donation. Showcasing handmade items, jewelry, art, sewn creations, woven rugs, Color Street, sweet treats, seasonal items, Paparazzi, clothing, home decor, Scentsy, pottery, Mary Kay, and so much more. A new QC pop-up coffee bar, Keep Roaming Coffee, will be in the parking lot, and concessions will be available inside. The raffle has more than 45 prizes. OCT. 25 FALL HARVEST LUNCHEON Christ United Women of Faith, Fall Harvest Luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25. A casserole and a variety of salads will be served in Fellowship Hall, 3801, 7th St., East Moline. Cost $15. Tickets will be sold at the door or may be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets or questions contact Cheryl at 309-749-8156. NOV. 1 CHILI SUPPER After a two-year absence the St. Marys Rock Island Chili Supper is back. The Altar and Rosary Society and Men's Fellowship Group are preparing for the event serving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 1., St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2208 4th Ave., Rock Island. Tickets will go on sale the weekends of Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 in the Glass House before and after Mass on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Tickets, available at the door, cost $10 for adults (13 years and older), $5 for children and free for children 5 and younger. Call Nancy at 309-781-2039 to reserve your tickets. DES MOINES Four Iowa law enforcement agencies will split $750,000 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to hire six new law enforcement in Dubuque, Postville, Le Mars and Jefferson County to advance community policing. Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson announced the funding on Friday through the Department of Justices Office of Community Oriented Policing Services COPS Hiring Program. Hinson, in a statement, said Iowa needs more law enforcement officers to protect our communities, but recruitment has been a major challenge. Funding for the COPS Hiring Program was included in the FY22 appropriations package Hinson supported. I'll continue working to keep our neighborhoods safe and supporting our brave men and women in blue, said Hinson, who sits on the budget-writing House Appropriations Committee. The funding is part of a combined $139 million grant awarded by the Department of Justice to 180 law enforcement agencies across the nation to hire 973 additional full-time law enforcement professionals. The competitive award program provides grant dollars directly to law enforcement agencies to hire new or rehire additional career law enforcement officers and deputies to advance community policing and crime prevention efforts. According to a DOJ news release, of the 180 agencies awarded grants, nearly half will use the funding to focus on Building legitimacy and trust between law enforcement and communities; 30 agencies will seek to address high rates of gun violence; 26 will focus on other areas of violence; and 28 will focus resources on combating hate and domestic extremism or supporting police-based responses to people in crisis. The complete list of awards can be found at the federal justice department website. Pipeline hearing postponed State utility regulators will reschedule a public hearing regarding a hazardous liquid pipeline in Iowa after the board determined proper notice had not been provided to all affected individuals. The public hearing must be rescheduled due to an error regarding sending notice to landowners and any other affected people with an interest in property over which eminent domain is being requested, an Iowa Utilities Board news release said. The Iowa Utilities Board will meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss possible dates for the public hearing. The hearing is regarding a 14-mile anhydrous ammonia pipeline entirely in Lee County in southeast Iowa. The project is proposed by the San Antonio, Texas-based energy company NuStar. It would give Iowa Fertilizer Co., near Wever, Iowa, access to a larger anhydrous ammonia pipeline network. Water quality projects funded The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced $3.3 million in grants to water and sewer infrastructure projects in nine Iowa communities. The funding comes through the states Community Development Block Grant program. Investments in water infrastructure are vital to supporting Iowa families and businesses, IEDA director Debi Durham said in a news release. The awards announced today will not only support nine water quality projects but also will create opportunities for these communities to thrive. The projects that received funding are in Arcadia, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Fostoria, Guttenberg, Hospers, Oelwein, Spencer and Yale, and the grants range from $1.9 million for water system improvements in Arcadia to $322,000 for wastewater plant improvements in Elgin. Gazette Des Moines Bureau Pennington County Judge Matt Brown accepted a not guilty plea from a man accused of first-degree murder Friday afternoon as family members of the deceased held each other. There were approximately 10 people in the courtroom honoring the memory of 61-year-old Shirley Bartolotta of Box Elder. Bartolotta was found dead Aug. 31 in her home in the Valley Village Mobile Home Park on North Ellsworth Road. Jamie Prince, 43, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in September after allegedly fleeing the scene, according to previous reports. Additional details surrounding the homicide have not been made public and court documents related to the case are sealed. Prince appeared in court Friday from the Pennington County Jail for his arraignment. First-degree murder is a Class A felony. The maximum penalty is death. Brown said alternately he could face mandatory life in prison without parole and/or up to a $50,000 fine. Brown said due to the nature of the case and more complicated emotions, the case in time may be set on a separate track instead of appearing in block schedules. Defense attorney Matt Laidlaw requested a non-evidentiary motions hearing for the case. It's scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 14. He also requested a deadline for the state to file if it's seeking the death penalty. The deadline is Jan. 20, 2023. Prince has five previous criminal records include charges of reckless driving, driving under the influence, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, open alcoholic beverage container accessible in a vehicle, driving without a license and insufficient funds. A student-created change.org petition opposing the location of South Dakota Mines new Nucor Mineral Industries Building has garnered over 300 signatures, and sparked discussion about administration transparency and student communication. The $41.8 million building, funded in part from a $19 million contribution from the state and $5 million from its namesake Nucor, held its groundbreaking Sept. 30 on the Mines campus, located across the street from the O'Harra building on the south side of the Quad. For some students, the location came as a surprise. Returning from the Native American Day holiday weekend, fences raised on a portion of the campus Quad were the first indication to some that the building plans had been moved from its original location, which was planned across the street from the Quad, not within it. The buildings original location was set back in 2019 with the schools Campus Master Plan. According to South Dakota Mines President James Rankin, the 2019 plan had participation and feedback from faculty, staff, students and alumni. During that planning stage, he said, the changed location was on the shortlist, and received no major opposition from students. The decision to move the location was finalized at a May 10 Board of Regents meeting in response to inflated construction costs and a volatile construction environment, according to meeting documents. Moving the building saved an estimated $2 million and reduced the size from 90,000 square feet to 63,800 square feet. The student petition described the project as one of the most universally hated projects in [the] schools history, calling it damaging to students and destroying a significant portion of the green space on campus and the removal of several of the oldest trees on our campus and the relocation of memorials in our Quad. Student opposition to the location was only part of the petitions concerns: the rest was how the decision was made and communicated. The petition reads that student input was not considered in the planning and location of the new facility and the school administration has remained silent in the face of significant anger from the student body and faculty. According to Rankin, the decision was largely based on the original discussions and feedback from the 2019 Campus Master Plan, where the current location on the Quad was an option that had been discussed. We were relying on the input we'd had from students back in that 2019 activity, Rankin said. Samantha Pfeiffer, currently finishing up her masters degree in computer science and engineering at Mines, felt the level of communication both prior to and after the decision was less than upfront. An electronic communication trail provided by senior electrical engineering student Joseph Chamberland between students and the administration showed the first mention of the Nucor building in an April 13 email, when the the $5 million donation from Nucor was announced. Another email from Rankin days prior to the groundbreaking referenced the location, with a map indicating the new location at the bottom of the email. Chamberland, the creator of the change.org petition, described the email as not really covering the location, saying the map at the bottom was pretty tightly cropped. Pfeiffer said the map was not an accurate footprint, and a blue box drawn over the campus map indicating the location lacked attention to detail. The current Campus Master Plan on the schools website has not yet been updated with the new location. To me, that says, I dont think that students are worth the time to get accurate information to them. And that is incredibly frustrating, she said. One of the petitions demands was full building plans, including a rendering of the Quad with the Nucor building in place, floor plans of the new building and a map of the impact to the Quad. Chamberland said these have been provided. Rankin and Mines Communications Manager Mike Ray referenced emails, social media posts, a publication in the Journal and a press release speaking to the methods of and frequency of communication alerting the student body to the location change. To be honest, not a lot of people in my generation read the news, Chamberland said. Both Pfeiffer and Chamberland felt the change in location merited its own announcement, rather than paragraphs in routine newsletters. We tried to be very transparent about what's going on through emails, through presentations to alumni, through presentations and communications to the student senate last spring and trying to make sure people know what's going on. This has been a tough situation, Rankin told the student senate Wednesday night. One student asked how the administration plans to replace the green space being built on. Rankin said the site where the old Mineral Industries Building is being torn down will provide an additional area of green space. A lot of people are concerned with that, Chamberland said. Due to road noise, because St. Joseph is a traffic area. Rankin said there were at least four students involved in a steering group, along with open sessions with architects on campus, a student session and a presentation at a student senate meeting. Rankin said the decision was based on the 2019 feedback, rather than open invitations for students to weigh in this year. During our 2019 campus master planning study, student input was specifically sought for potential building sites on campus, Ray told the Journal in an email Thursday. Students were in favor of locating a building in the Quad because the green space was large and not heavily used, plus it made their walk between classes shorter. The chosen location comes from that student feedback. Rankin said he received only two emails regarding the new location, and that he feels the administration is already doing what they can to communicate with students. He referenced twice-weekly newsletters, monthly meetings with student senate leadership, cabinet meetings and social media posts. You just never know if people are going to actually read the message," he said. "And I think that will just continue to be a problem. We'd like to get better. Rankin said the memorials in the Quad will be moved to a new spot. He said the school has worked with a fraternity that planted a memorial tree in memory of fraternity members who have died, and the wood will be used to build something. Part of the change.org petition demands new standards to ensure input from students and faculty is taken into consideration for any new construction project that would affect green space on campus or cause significant disruptions. Rankin said he feels theyre doing that already. Reaching out to students and making sure theyre part of discussions. Ray noted the 300-some signatures on the petition represent a small portion of the school's 2,400 students. Were hearing from a vocal group of students who are concerned with the process. There are a significant number of other students that are very happy with the location where it's at, Ray said. We really have to balance all of those voices." While the Quads transformation is already underway, Pfeiffer hopes for an effort to restore trust. Joe [Chamberland] is really trying to make sure that the students are heard, she said. And that does give me hope. Rankin sent an email in response to student concerns, saying I appreciate when students bring concerns forward in a constructive way. We have tried to be very transparent with the campus community in planning this new building, but it is apparent that our communications have not reached everyone. Chamberland said the letter struck the wrong tone with many students. The petition asks for a public apology among its five conditions. Acknowledgement, Pfeiffer said, that the administration caused distress to students and that they are actively looking at better ways to communicate would be fantastic. Chamberland said he would like to give the administration the benefit of the doubt, and use the student feedback as a catalyst for change moving forward. "Students always have an avenue to address concerns like this through the Student Association," Ray said. "It is the official channel for these sort of concerns." More bears are moving into the Bitterroot Valley and the message from Fish,Wildlife & Parks officials is simple: Be prepared. State and federal wildlife managers led a meeting at Hamilton City Hall on Thursday to give an update on genetic sampling research being conducted on bears in the Bitterroot Valley and to discuss steps people living in bear country can take to reduce conflicts. While the study found many black bears in its first year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services biologist and project lead Jennifer Fortin-Noreus said it only found one detection of grizzly bears. Fortin-Noreus discussed different ways researchers went about identifying bears for the study and gathering hair samples for DNA analysis. DNA testing of hair samples provides more information than a photo or verified citing can offer, allowing researchers to determine where grizzly bears are moving into the Bitterroot Valley from as their home ranges expand. We currently have no known population here in the Bitterroot Recovery Zone, Fortin-Noreus said. However, we have the Greater Yellowstone population and the Northern Continental Divide (population), which are slowly expanding towards each other, and towards the Bitterroot. As that happens, we want to know, when we see bears in the intervening areas, where those bears have come from. We can use DNA to tell the population of origin. And we also want to know if there's presence of reproduction, so females if they're having cubs and if they're surviving here. In order for researchers to officially verify a location, they either need a bear specialist to actually see the bear or they need a picture of the bear, a picture of a track, or hair DNA to consider it verified. Researchers can learn a lot from a bears claws. Pictures of the front track are better when possible as they provide more information. If you are taking pictures of tracks, officials encourage you to put something in the picture that gives a sense of size. Anything you have in your pocket, Fortin-Noreus said. A quarter, a key, your phone, just so that we have a sense of how wide the track is. We really encourage the public to submit their photos of bears, photos of tracks ... We know that people have a lot of game cameras out there, and they're great to see. That information is very helpful for us. Biologists set 124 survey sites throughout the Bitterroot, mainly on the east side of the valley. Researchers built hair corrals consisting of barbed wire wrapped around trees. They then placed a pile of rotten wood with a scented lure made from a fermented mixture of ungulate blood and fish in the center to draw in the bears. When the bears try to access the lure they leave hair behind on the barbed wire which is then gathered for DNA testing. It will bring in bears from parts like a mile away, Fortin-Noreus said. But they're not going to get a food reward, it's only a smell. So they come in and they investigate it. And then usually they won't come back again because then they know what it is and you can't really trick them twice usually unless you move it to a different location. Researchers have collected what looks like potential grizzly bear hair and will be sending it to a lab for analysis. Final results are expected in the spring. We will be sending that in to the lab probably the next month, we will get the results back in the spring, Fortin-Noreus said. "It takes us a while in our DNA back, because everybody from the Lower 48 states sends their hair to the same lab in Canada. And that's the reason that they can determine population of origin, and they can even determine parenthood and sibling if other bears have been caught on hair corrals in other places, which is pretty cool." Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bear Conflict Technician Bruce Montgomery was also on hand to discuss living in bear country and talked about steps people can take to limit human-bear conflicts. Wildlife managers are seeing more conflicts than normal due to food failure this fall. Reports of orphaned cubs and extreme behaviors such as breaking into homes are also on the rise according to Montgomery. Montgomery emphasized the importance of securing attractants such as garbage, pet food, bird feeders, fruit trees, livestock feed, bee boxes, compost piles and barbecues, smokers or outdoor grills to help limit conflicts. He also emphasized the importance of utilizing electric fencing around chicken coops and bee boxes. There is no chicken in the valley thats safe Montgomery said. Chickens are another thing that just is really frustrating. People want to have chickens and I get it, I want to have chickens too. But in this part of Montana, if you're going to be running chickens, you have to have electric fencing around it. Because if you don't, it's gonna get smashed. The people that are experiencing problems today will not be experiencing them tomorrow by securing their attractants, Montgomery said. Whether that's not taking their trash out until morning pickup, whether it's putting electric fence around their chickens, taking down their bird feeders. They can literally solve their own problem, and they can do it like overnight. Just by securing attractants. It's that easy. The Rocky Mountain Laboratories Community Liaison Group (RML CLG) will meet Monday, Oct. 17, and will mark its 20th year with a special presentation. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the Golden Age Club, 727 S. 5th St. in Hamilton. The presentation will include an overview of the biodefense and emerging infections research done at RML in the past 20 years; Drs. Carrie Long and Andrea Marzi will lead the presentation. Other discussion items include an update on RMLs new animal holding facility and recent and upcoming RML happenings. The public is invited to attend and participate in the meeting. The RML CLG includes representatives from local government, education, business, medical and emergency services, and community and civic groups. The RML CLG represents a long-term commitment to structured interactions with the community. The group began meeting in 2002. RML is a component of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), based in Bethesda, Maryland. NIAID conducts and supports researchat NIH, throughout the U.S., and worldwideto study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. 14 dead, 28 hurt in Turkish mine blast Turkeys interior minister says a blast Friday inside a coal mine in northern Turkey has left 14 workers dead. Suleyman Soylu said at least 28 others were rescued with injuries from the coal mine in the Black Sea coastal province of Amasra. Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said the explosion is likely to have been caused by firedamp, a reference to flammable gases found in coal mines. Rescue teams were dispatched to the area, including some from neighboring provinces, Turkeys disaster management agency, AFAD, said. Families face man charged with killing 22 Ellen French House was among family members who gathered at a Dallas courthouse Friday to speak to a man charged with killing 22 elderly women a week after his second conviction. In her victim impact statement, House told Billy Chemirmir, who was wearing a striped jail uniform, that she wanted him to see two photos of her mother: one of Norma French alive, the other after the 85-year-old was killed. This is my beautiful mother, House said as she displayed the first photo. This is my mother after you pried her wedding ring off of her finger that she couldnt even get off. For most of the families, Friday was likely their only chance to face Chemirmir in a courthouse. After trying Chemirmir in two of the deaths and obtaining two sentences of life in prison without parole, Dallas prosecutors have said they will dismiss their remaining 11 capital murder cases against him. 2 gay men shot dead honored in Bratislava Slovakias president joined a rally of thousands Friday to honor two gay men who were shot dead in the capital earlier this week and demonstrate support for the LGBTQ community. People lit candles at the site of the shooting before marching to a central Bratislava square. Police said Friday they are investigating the killings as a hate crime. In her address to the crowd, President Zuzana Caputova asked LGBTQ people for forgiveness for not being able to feel safe in Slovakia. You belong here; you have a value for our society, she said. 10 dead after bus hits bomb in central Mali A passenger bus struck an improvised explosive device in central Mali, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens of others, authorities said Friday, blaming Islamic extremists with links to al-Qaida. The explosion took place Thursday afternoon in the village of Tile in Bandiagara region, the Malian military said in a statement. Among the victims was a 5-year-old girl. Some 38 other passengers were taken to regional hospitals for treatment. The bus leaving for Koro hit an improvised explosive device that was placed by terrorists and deliberately aimed at innocent civilian targets, military spokesman Col. Souleymane Dembele said in the statement. The attack has not been claimed but bears the hallmark of al-Qaida-linked extremist groups who are known for placing mines on roads to target Malian army vehicles and U.N. peacekeepers. For the first time in a decade, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is growing. With four campuses in Richmond, Henrico County and Goochland County, Reynoldss enrollment has grown 9% from last year to roughly 7,800 students. Between 2011 and 2021, it shrank by 46%. Its not the only community college finally seeing a rebound. After losing a quarter of its student enrollment during the past decade, Virginias community colleges have enjoyed slight growth this year, increasing by less than 1%. Fewer community college students can lead to unfilled jobs and smaller universities Virginia Commonwealth University has shrunk each of the past four years, and one reason is that fewer community college grads are transferring in. The rebound came from bringing back those who left during the pandemic, attracting more high school dual-enrollment students and shifting resources to helping pupils. This wasnt by accident or happenstance, said Reynolds President Paula Pando. Its focused work. To re-energize its student base, Reynolds found 400 students who left during the pandemic and persuaded them to come back. Many low-income and minority students either stopped attending college or never came at all in 2020 and 2021, so Reynolds focused on rebuilding those populations, too. The number of female Latino students has jumped 20%, the number of Black students is up about 8%, and the number of Asian men is up 15%. Minority students make up half of Reynolds student body. To attract more high school grads, Reynolds added a summer bridge course a three-week, five-hour-a-day curriculum for students to build confidence in math and English and connect with students and professors. The idea was to give students unsure of college a trial run. Dual-enrollment when a student takes high school and college classes simultaneously has grown at Reynolds. There are almost 1,700 Reynolds students enrolled in at least one dual-enrollment class. Growing the college this way hasnt been difficult, Pando said. High schools are asking for more dual-enrollment opportunities. Its not a hard sell for families when they think about the thousands of dollars they save, Pando said. Dual-enrollment students typically earn an associates degree by the time they graduate high school. School districts often pay some or all of the cost, meaning a student can save up to half the cost of a college education. Even if students do pay for their college credits, community colleges charge roughly one-third the cost of a four-year university. Richard Bland Junior College in Prince George also has experienced growth by expanding its dual-enrollment. Had the pandemic not occurred, Pando says he believes Reynolds would have experienced this kind of growth two years ago. When she was hired in 2018, Reynolds had just experienced its seventh straight year of declining enrollment. She made sweeping changes, eliminating administration jobs, including three vice presidents. She replaced them with advisers, financial aid employees, admissions staffers, Spanish-speaking employees and a dean of enrollment. The idea was for Reynolds to become more student-focused. The school streamlined its enrollment process, which Pando said was too time-consuming. Reynolds established a scholarship fund for students who needed small amounts of money to stay in school. It opened a food pantry with free fruits and vegetables in an effort to make sure students werent attending class hungry. Enrollment almost flattened in 2019 a sign the school was on the right track. Then the pandemic came, and the school shrank in each of the next two years. Although enrollment has rebounded this year, some effects of the pandemic are long-lasting. More students are taking classes online the percentage of students taking all their classes in person has plummeted from 71% in 2019 to 38% this year. Reynolds 7,800-student enrollment doesnt count those earning short-term workforce credentials, such as a commercial drivers license, becoming a clinical medical assistant or learning Python programming. These programs have seen significant growth. Reynolds shares a workforce education program with Brightpoint in Chesterfield County. The program, called the Community College Workforce Alliance, has roughly 4,000 students between the two schools. In 2011, Reynolds grew to 13,000 students, its largest enrollment in the schools 50-year history. Now, the goal is to get to 15,000, including degree-seeking students, dual-enrollment students and short-term workforce credential students. The makeup of the student body will depend on the needs of businesses, Pando said. Our commitment to student success and regional employers demands flexibility and innovation, she said. And we are already on that path. On Saturday afternoon, a crowd filled the auditorium at Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Institute for Contemporary Art to watch a live podcast pitch competition in which finalists presented their ideas for a new podcast to a panel of three judges. The competition was part of Resonate, Richmonds first podcast festival. The two-day event sold out at 252 tickets, according to the ICA. The winner, Katy Sewall, pitched her idea for The Ex-Files, in which she interviews two people who were once in a relationship and arent anymore. Its a very simple concept, actually: You interview two people, separately, about the same thing, Sewall told the audience on Saturday. She played a sample audio clip in which a divorced couple talked separately about which one of them wanted to have kids and which one didnt but they had conflicting answers. Sewall won a $10,000 production contract to create a pilot episode of the podcast with Virginia Public Media. Resonate also featured a live presentation by Nick van der Kolk of Love + Radio, one-on-one consultations where attendees received feedback from podcast professionals, and several other workshops and performances. VCU professor Chioke IAnson, who spearheaded the festival, said he wanted a podcast festival that Richmond could call its own. The core idea, the thing that drives our work, is that there can be no critical thinking without media literacy, said IAnson, who also works as an announcer for National Public Radio. If were going to live in the modern world, we have to know how to communicate across media. We have to have the skills. Resonance was an extension of the work of the ICA + VPM Community Media Center, which is a free production studio and workspace open to the public. The goal of the studio is to help people new to podcasting develop their media skills and produce their own podcasts. Were helping new shows get made here at Resonate, IAnson said in an interview. I couldnt have asked for anything more. Tower Rock -- a massive island in the middle of the Mississippi River south of St. Louis -- is typically surrounded by water and only accessible by boat. But as severe drought spreads across the Midwest and pushes river levels to near-record lows, people can now reach the rock formation on foot. "The river has dropped low enough that you can walk over to Tower Rock and not get your feet wet or muddy," Missouri resident Jeff Biget told CNN. "I only remember being able to do this one other time in my life." Photos taken by Biget show people hiking across the rocky river bed to the island tower -- a trek that poses little risk in the near-term as water levels are expected to continue to drop for at least the next two weeks. Tower Rock can be reached on foot when the water level is below 1.5 feet at the Chester, Illinois, river gauge, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. That gauge dropped to around zero on Thursday and shows no sign of significant recovery in the forecast. More than 55% of the contiguous United States is in drought, according to the US Drought Monitor, which is the largest area since April. And more than 133 million people live in those drought-stricken areas -- the biggest population affected since 2016. Severe drought covers more than 70% of Arkansas and nearly 40% of Missouri, up from just 5% a month ago. Several locations have seen record-low precipitation over the past few weeks, including Memphis, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Springfield, Missouri. The forecast from the Climate Prediction Center is dry, with below-average rainfall in the outlook through at least October 23. The drought's early autumn expansion in the central US has had a significant impact on the Mississippi River. In Memphis, the river was at its lowest level since 2012 this week and and its fifth-lowest on record. By next week, the forecast calls for it to decline further, to the third-lowest level on record. More than 40 river gauges in the Mississippi River Basin are reporting low water levels, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Bailey White, who lives in Tennessee north of Memphis, tells CNN she has never seen the Mississippi River's water level drop this low. White says she and her family boat on the river a few times a month, but they had a difficult time putting it in on Saturday. "I've seen the water levels drop a little and I've seen them super high -- but I've never seen them this low before," White said. "We couldn't even get our small boat on the river. We had to try five different docks until we were able to do so. It's a small boat, so it doesn't sit deep in the water, but we definitely had to pay extra attention a few times or we would've hit some sand." Photos show how the river has contracted away from its banks. The usually mighty Mississippi looks more like a trickle in some areas, with dry sand exposed where several feet of water usually flows. The low water levels come at a crucial time of the year for the transport of crops from the nation's heartland, CNN has previously reported. The Army Corps of Engineers has been dredging portions of the river to keep traffic flowing -- albeit at a much slower pace. Hundreds of barges and vessels have been queuing up, waiting for the all-clear to pass through the treacherously-low river. The Consolidated Grain and Barge Company, which buys, stores and sells crops for shipping, can usually move grain on barges loaded up to 80,000 bushels, according to David Gilbert, the company's superintendent at its Greenville, Mississippi, office. But recently the low water levels have forced the company to keep the loads far lighter, at around 55,000 bushels. "I ain't seen it lower than it is now," Gilbert told CNN. "We're not loading right now." Gilbert said that instead of shipping their harvests right now, many farmers are "just throwing it in their bins" and waiting for better conditions, which could still be weeks away. But even as the supply chain crisis grows, a playful mood is taking hold around Tower Rock. "Tower Rock, walking on the river out to it only happens every so often," Elainna Froemsdorf told CNN affiliate KFVS. She took her grandchildren to make the hike on Monday, which was a school holiday. "Today was no school, so it means fun grandma day," Froemsdorf said. She tells KFVS that her grandchildren are the third generation in her family to experience walking out to the formation. And her granddaughter, Adilyn Chowder, was happy for the new experience. "I haven't done anything like that before, and it was kind of challenging, but it was fun," Crowden told KFVS. The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. On a brisk Saturday morning, Claire Sanderson and Allen Hammer waded through the chilly waters of Ivy Creek in Charlottesville with a net, tweezers and microscopes. Their task: to collect and analyze samples of macroinvertebrates that discreetly live within the creeks mud and along its rocks. The process is called benthic monitoring and is one of several methods to test water quality. A diversity in the types of bugs available in samples helps indicate the quality of the water. If we dont see a lot of diversity when it comes to some of the creatures that are more sensitive to pollution, then we can say that this stream needs to be worked on, Sanderson said. Net-spinning caddisflies were common among the collection, but their presence told Sanderson and Hammer little about the water, as the creatures are more resistant to pollution. However, the presence of various mayflies which are less resistant to pollution indicated good quality in the water. At one point, a small fish found its way to Sanderson and Hammers net. Thats a good sign, Hammer said. Sanderson is the monitoring program manager with Rivanna Conservation Alliance, while Hammer is a volunteer who has been trained to assist with sample collections. The nonprofit organization is one of several around Virginia that are qualified to collect water samples. The work helps the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality keep track of water quality around the state. This matters to ensure safe recreational and drinking waters along with the quality of the Chesapeake Bay, which creeks and rivers throughout Virginia all eventually flow to. The DEQ is the state agency that oversees various environmental protections in Virginia. Reports from its own monitoring and organizations like Rivanna Conservation Alliance help determine if waters are safe and to develop cleanup plans if needed. For its most recent report, the DEQ collected samples from more than 3,400 locations across Virginia and received reports from qualified organizations like Rivanna Conservation Alliance and others. The DEQ also provides resources for volunteers who want to help with monitoring. 50th anniversary of landmark act State and nationwide efforts to protect water quality were largely born when Congress passed the Clean Water Act. The landmark law was published 50 years ago Tuesday and established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollution into waters. As a result, Virginias DEQ compiles reports that are submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency. Virginias state Legislature has also built on the act to pass other water quality-related laws over the years, but there was a time when chemicals and untreated waste was knowingly dumped into rivers. We used to think of those as dumping grounds. Thats where you put your waste so that it flowed out of your city or town from you, and it all went downstream, and thats just not accepted anymore, said Anna Killius, director of advocacy with the James River Association. I think we all have come around to this new understanding that that is not what our rivers and streams are for. The James River Association is another organization, like Rivanna Conservation Alliance, that conducts water testing to send to the DEQ. It also advocates for laws to the General Assembly. Killius noted a few significant bills to pass in recent years, the effects of which some Virginians are still seeing come to fruition. An example includes a 2019 law to clean up coal ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, from unlined ponds. The law required companies like Dominion Energy, the states largest utility, to move the coal ash to lined landfills or recycle it safely. Different metals and contaminants would leach out into the groundwater and make its way into the rivers, Killius said. She said the Clean Water Act was a mindset shift for the nation and added that she believes legislation from 2020, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan, can be as well. The law created a cost-share program to help farmers install fencing along waterways to keep livestock out of the water and to establish management practices for crop runoff. Peggy Sanner, Virginias executive director with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, noted the significance if Virginia is to remain on track for water quality goals. Virginia, along with five other states and the District of Columbia, is part of the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint. Established in 2010, the states share a goal of reducing pollution by 2025. A recent report outlined overall progress but noted that the cohort is not on track to meet its goals. The report also pointed to agricultural and urban runoff as areas that can have a significant impact in meeting future goals. Agriculture is Virginias largest industry covering the largest area, and thats frankly across the state, Sanner said. That is in and of itself a cause for that sector to be the leading sector. Combined sewer factor But more than agriculture in rural areas, cities have their role to play as well. The CBF report indicated that upgrades to water treatment plants around the state in the past two decades have helped enhance water quality. Weve made major progress in Virginia because of wastewater. But that story is a little bit more complicated here on the James, Killius said. We have quite a few facilities on the James River that arent using the most modern technologies and the state-of-the-art technology to remove their pollution. Thats because Richmond, Alexandria and Lynchburg are three cities that use a combined sewer system meaning the infrastructure that collects stormwater runoff from streets connects with wastewater infrastructure and it is all sent to water treatment plants. The system becomes an issue when theres heavier weather patterns because sewage and stormwater can bypass the plants and flow into the James River. Its just a product of old infrastructure and how we designed cities way back when, she said. Thats why the association has continued to connect with state and local governments on plans and funding to update the areas water infrastructure. Richmond residents already pay a lot in utility fees, and we know we have communities that cant afford to pay more, Killius said. So we really need the state and the federal government to step up to help contribute some of the costs of doing this. JAMES RIVER, OFF DUCKING STOOL POINT The Atlantic eel that Ken Slazyk pulled from the pot in the James River, 8 miles downstream from Hopewell, was a green, 18-inch-long juvenile that had, in one of the greatest mysteries of modern biology, swum up the river where its parents had spent their early days, fattening on the James baby crabs, tiny shiners and insects. So this eel could, like its mother, turn gray and white, grow as thick as Slazyks forearm and swim out to the mid-Atlantics wide Sargasso Sea, mate and, in the spring, see its tiny elvers or glass eels, make their way back to the James just as eels that swam to the Sargasso over the winter from the Delaware, the Hudson, the Connecticut and a dozen European rivers from Norway to the Mediterranean will return unerringly to their parents spring and summer feeding grounds. If, that is, this eel manages to escape the eel pots of a growing Chesapeake Bay fishery, said Slazyk, the Chesapeake Bay Foundations Virginia senior field manager for education. Eels are a popular food fish in Europe and Asia, and one this size could easily bring a fisherman $2 or $3; smaller ones are popular for bait. A short boat trip down the James from Hopewell, where from 1966 to 1974, Allied Chemical dumped the insecticide Kepone, a poison that shut down crabbing and oystering in the rich waters off Newport News where the James flows into the Chesapeake for more than a decade, Slazyk had also pulled some fat male blue crabs Jimmys. Nobody is quite sure why some male blue crabs like to hang out this far up the river, while mature females, after spawning, head for the saltier middle of the bay itself. But one key issue for a just-launched stock assessment will be finding out more about male crabs, said Chris Moore, a foundation senior scientist involved in the assessment, the first since 2011. Virginia and Maryland manage their blue crab fishery by watching female and juvenile crab numbers, but Moore said scientists are beginning to wonder if there are enough males around. The assessment will also see what new data about rainfall, water temperature and predators suggest about ways to manage blue crab numbers. After returning the eel to the James, Slazyk would shortly drag a small trawl net through the rivers Herring Creek tributary, and bring up baby crabs, some barely as big as the first knuckle of a finger, tiny freshwater shiners, small shad and a flounder-like hog choker so called because when colonists tried to feed them to their pigs, the animals would gag if the fish were fed tail first, said foundation senior scientist Chris Moore. And a surprise: A spot, 80 miles from the bay, said Slazyk, holding a 4-inch-long specimen of Leiostomus xanthurus, a small short-lived saltwater fish that anglers routinely pull from the Chesapeake as they chase such popular gamefish as striped bass, cobia and drum. The water here is barely salt roughly the equivalent of slipping one grain of salt into a quart of water but even this far up, the same tides that make the bay rise and fall 3 feet make the rivers waters at Hopewell ebb and flow as well. Kepone was really a turning point in Virginia, said Peggy Sanner, the foundations Virginia executive director, as the foundations Baywatcher set out from its berth by the Benjamin Harrison Bridge outside Hopewell for the trip down to Herring Creek. People realized we had a big problem. But these days, Hopewell is a leader in tackling one major challenge for the bay. After cleaning up its act with Kepone, the small city at the confluence of the Appomattox and James rivers has been focused on keeping runoff from rainstorms from flowing into those streams. Stormwater runoff is a major source of the nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that pollutes the bay, feeding the algae that create summers oxygen-starved dead zones and smothering the underwater grasses and tiny creatures, from juvenile crabs to baby striped bass, that shelter there. Sanner said one priority for the next General Assembly is boosting the states Stormwater Local Assistance Fund, which provides matching grants to local governments for the planning, design and implementation of stormwater best management practices, such as retention ponds and wetlands or stream restoration projects. The Kepone disaster, meanwhile, prompted formation of the Virginia Environmental Endowment, the $41 million fund that makes grants for projects around the state including the agricultural best practices program that Moore helps run up near the headwaters of the James in the Shenandoah Valley, in addition to his day job of monitoring trends in crab, oyster and fish populations in the bay. The push up there is to persuade farmers to plant trees along stream banks to slow erosion and the movement of groundwater carrying nitrogen and phosphorus remnants of fertilizer and animal waste into waters that eventually reach the bay itself. Moore also urges farmers to install fencing to keep cattle out of streams and to think about shifting cattle from field to field more frequently to reduce erosion. These days, as the foundation launches a new effort to plant threatened freshwater mussels in the upper reaches of the watershed including some just raised at Herring Creeks Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery that are to be planted in the James by the southern Albemarle County town of Scottsville Moore makes a point of reminding farmers that their efforts to cut pollutants flowing into the bay have a big payoff locally as well. Clearer streams are good for trout; preventing erosion preserves fertile fields; buffers attract deer for hunters; and keeping cattle out of streams means they are less exposed to bacteria and less likely to get stuck in mud and risk broken limbs, he makes of point of telling farmers an argument that cattleman Robert N. Whitescarver, a foundation trustee from Augusta County in the Shenandoah Valley, also makes. Agricultural runoff is perhaps the biggest source of pollutants still to be tackled if Virginia is to hit 2025 bay cleanup goals, Sanner said. While Virginia farmers are interested and the General Assembly has boosted cost-sharing funds to help them with these efforts, she plans to ask the assembly to authorize still more help in the form of an incentive program. Agriculture and stormwater runoff are tough challenges because there are so many individual sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment, unlike the wastewater treatment plants where Virginias investments since 2010 have made a significant impact. Stormwater is a particular concern because the amount of pollutants flowing into the bay from city and suburban streets is actually on the rise, the one area where thats the case, she said. At the same time, the states overworked environmental regulators have fallen behind reviewing stormwater permits and have simply extended expired ones without demanding updated pollution reduction standards. Another area of growing concern is the aging septic systems in rural coastal counties, Sanner said. Rising sea level and failing systems mean the foundation will ask the assembly to find ways to help people on the Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck and Eastern Shore install the costlier new systems that can cope with higher water tables, she said. On the Baywatcher, chugging along far upstream from the bay itself, Sanner said its important to remember that cleaning the bay has to involve more than just those who live on its shores. The foundations boat, for instance, has a mission to take Richmond-area students on the river for environmental education field trips. And a favorite way to make a point about the connection of upstream with the bay is the run from the bridge to Ducking Stool Point, named for the Colonial-era test for witches, where on this trip came a chance to spot a darting blue kingfisher and a giant bald eagle making its way back to its nest in a tall loblolly pine. In 1966, an Allied Chemical plant in Hopewell began producing kepone, a non-biodegradable insecticide, and depositing toxic waste from production into the James River. By the mid-1970s, the effects of this pollution were so severe that Gov. Mills Godwin was forced to ban fishing on the entire lower James River, from Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay. The ban lasted for 13 years. Kepone pollution wasnt the only problem on the James. The once-pristine river that set the scene for Richmonds existence had long been used as a sewer for disposing of human, industrial and agricultural waste, like many other rivers across Virginia and the nation. In 1969, Time Magazine published riveting pictures of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland on fire due to dumping of oil, cyanide, and other debris by local manufacturers. Serious pollution of the nations waterways spurred Congress to pass the Clean Water Act 50 years ago and invest the newly-created Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, with significant new power to clean up the James and other rivers. The Clean Water Act was initially introduced by Maine Senator Edmund Muskie in October 1971. It passed the Senate five days after introduction! The House passed its version of the bill in March 1972 and the full Congress agreed on a compromise conference report in early October. President Richard Nixon vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden by bipartisan supermajorities in both chambers and the CWA became law on Oct. 18, 1972. Fifty years later, the effects of the Clean Water Act on Americas rivers have been dramatic. The James River has gone from environmental disaster to success story. Restoration of key species such as the bald eagle and sturgeon has been remarkable. In Richmond, the James and its adjoining park system attract significant recreational use and have earned our capital city the title of Americas Best River Town, according to Outside Magazine. We proudly celebrated when the James River was awarded the prestigious Thiess International Riverprize in 2019, a global recognition of its remarkable restoration and impact on our communities. As a public official who has battled for river improvement at the local, state, and federal levels, and as the president of the premier nonprofit formed to protect and improve the James, weve been part of the daily struggles to restore Americas Founding River. As a result, we have witnessed firsthand what has made the CWA successful. First, it harnesses the strengths of each level of government: federal minimum standards, state decision-making, and local implementation. The CWA also empowered citizens with the power to legally challenge decisions made by government agencies as a check and balance. Cleaning up our waterways, particularly Virginias rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, has remained a bipartisan issue with widespread support. As a result, the restoration of the James was led by many, but it would not have been possible without the framework of the Clean Water Act. The CWA has been most effective in regulating industrial pollution and raising standards for sewage treatment plants, which has significantly improved the health of the James, as it receives over 70% of Virginias wastewater discharge. This transformational success should give us optimism about continued progress in years to come. However, important work remains. The Act has been less successful in managing stormwater and agricultural run-off, and the river faces many emerging threats like microplastics pollution and climate change impacts. Despite the CWAs express goal of making all waters fishable and swimmable, the James still has fish consumption health advisories and at times is unsafe to swim due to raw sewage from aging wastewater systems. Additionally, the Act needs improvements to address environmental injustices that threaten access to clean water and to provide tribes with the resources they need to protect their waterways. These difficult issues point to the need to strengthen the law and our efforts. It is also important to note that as the James has gotten cleaner, the city of Richmond has grown. During the last decades of the 20th century, the citys population fell from a high of 249,000 to about 196,000. Today, the population has rebounded to nearly 230,000, a major turnaround. Many factors have contributed to Richmonds 21st century renaissance, but the efforts to clean up the river and reorient daily life around its natural beauty have absolutely been key to our success. So, we salute the Clean Water Act at 50. The James River and the Richmond community have been tremendous beneficiaries of this impactful law. And we pledge to keep working with all individuals and organizations to improve the James for today and tomorrow. See you on the river! The madarasa students are involved in the attacks on the processions for the Shri Durga puja Idols immersion Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) Presently a survey of the madarasas of Uttar Pradesh is being conducted. There is an information that terrorists of the terrorist organisation Jamat -ul-Mujahidin-Bangladesh (JMB) are preparing to infiltrate the Madarasas on the Nepal border. (Credit : IndiaTV) An investigation has revealed that there was the involvement of madarasa in the violence during the procession of the Durga Devi Idols immersion procession in Sultanpur. It has been revealed that the attackers on the procession were students of the madarasas. 32 individuals have been arrested in this connection. The plan for this attack was made long ago. Stones and bricks were collected for this. The electricity for the area was shut down as planned. A witness has said that the madarasa maulana (religious leader of the Muslims) provoked the Muslims to attack the procession. A federal judge has ruled that the current version of a federal policy that prevents the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the U.S. as children can continue, at least temporarily In an extraordinary step, the House Jan. 6 committee has voted unanimously to subpoena former President Donald Trump a final effort to get the full story of the Capitol insurrection as the panel wraps up its work by the end of the year You have permission to edit this collection. Edit Close Tarnished plant bugs and thrips are major insect pests for South Carolina cotton. But Clemson University researchers assure growers help is on the way. During the 2022 Agronomic and Vegetable Field Day at the Edisto Research and Education Center (REC) in Blackville, Clemson entomologist Jeremy Greene told growers, although not available now, Thryvon Bt technology from Bayer has been found to show increased protection against these pests in cotton. Pending regulatory approvals, Thryvon should be available soon, Greene said. To predict thrip risks, Greene encourages the use of the Thrips Infestation Predictor for Cotton tool, https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/ag/cottontip/. This tool predicts thrip risks using information based on field location and planting date. As for the effectiveness of other cotton technologies, Greene reported bollworms are developing resistance to older traits used in Bt cotton. Other cotton insect pests growers should pay attention to include the brown marmorated stink bug, green stink bug, southern green stink bug and other species. Other topics at the field day included a discussion by Jose Payero, Clemson Extension irrigation specialist, about the potential use of subsurface drip irrigation to irrigate row crops in fields where installing a center pivot would not be feasible. Payero also discussed and demonstrated the use of a wireless sensor network to automate irrigation based on real-time soil moisture data. Clemson doctoral student Bennett Harrelson talked about his research related to double-cropping soybean after corn. Harrelson is studying under Michael Plumblee, Clemson Extension corn and soybean specialist, and is looking at several different agronomic factors revolving around the double crop corn and soybean production system including planting and harvest dates, row spacing and the use of at-plant nitrogen. The researchers also are studying to determine if this double-cropping system leads to issues with plant-parasitic nematodes building up under certain scenarios. Nematodes can present problems for South Carolina farmers. John Mueller, Clemson Extension row crop pathologist, talked about nematode management in cotton and soybeans. Mueller also talked about fungicides for foliar diseases in cotton and soybeans. Seed treatment fungicides normally do a good job of controlling seedling diseases in soybeans. Seedling diseases occur on South Carolina cotton every year. Disease incidence and severity are determined by environmental factors such as soil temperature and moisture, as well as by seed quality and vigor. Seedling disease management relies on using cultural practices and fungicides. Participants also heard about nitrogen management in grain sorghum by Alex Coleman, in addition to information about seedling cotton response to pre-herbicides and 2,4-D herbicide programs in Enlist Soybeans by Sarah Holladay, Clemson doctoral student, and Michael Marshall, Clemson Extension weed scientist. Field day participants also learned of sweet potato studies Phillip Wadl, research geneticist in charge of the Sweet Potato Breeding Program at the United States Department of Agricultures Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, is working on with Gilbert Miller, Clemson Extension vegetable specialist housed at the Edisto REC, and Brian Ward, Clemson organic vegetable specialist and Matthew Cutulle, Clemson vegetable weed scientist, both housed at the Coastal REC in Charleston. One test involves clones planted on beds covered with organic black plastic mulch. The researchers note that, although more research needs to be conducted, it appears that plastic mulch may deter subterranean insects and the results of this study show that black plastic mulch is a viable production system for organic sweet potato in South Carolina, as well as other southern states in the United States. Recommendations have been provided for growers. More information about this research can be found in the March 22 edition of HortTechonology magazine. Henry Houser from Bowman grows peas, okra, butterbeans, watermelons, sweet potatoes and more. He depends on Clemson Extension information to help him be successful. He attended the field day to hear about the sweet potato research and drip irrigation. I try to plant a little bit of almost everything, Houser said. I attend these field days so that I can learn more about growing different crops. I trust information from the Clemson Extension Service because I know agents and specialists have already done the research and I will benefit from the information they provide. In addition to attending field days, Houser said, he also gets information when he visits his local Clemson Extension office to talk with agents. Clemson Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology J. Drew Lanham is a man of many talents and titles, but he often refers to himself simply as a wondering wanderer or man in love with nature. Now he can add genius to the list not that he plans on calling himself that. On Wednesday, Lanham was announced by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as one of its 2022 MacArthur Fellows, which have come to be known by their own descriptive title: genius grants. Ill dismiss that quickly, Lanham said with a laugh. I think the genius of it is really in the Foundation having the vision to see that you can give license and liberty to thinking in a way that is truly saying to a group of people, Look, youre doing some unique work here that moves the worlds needle toward some better place. We want to support you in that and do so in a way that can be significant and life-changing and allow you to focus on that for a significant amount of time. So, thats the real genius to me: that the MacArthur Foundation sees fit to fund dreams. An investment in originality The fellowship is awarded to talented individuals in a variety of fields who have shown exceptional originality in and dedication to their creative pursuits. Fellows receive $800,000 stipends bestowed, quarterly over five years, with no conditions; recipients may use the money as they see fit. Nominated anonymously by leaders in their respective fields and considered by an anonymous selection committee, recipients learn of their selection only when they receive a call from the MacArthur Foundation just before the public announcement. When I got the congratulatory call, I was both speechless and, I think, a babbling idiot, Lanham joked. But its a great honor. For a while I thought of it almost as an intellectual lottery, but really what it is, is creative liberation. It allows me to continue the work that Ive been doing, but now without so much explanation as to why that I do the work that I do. Although nominees are reviewed for their achievements, the fellowship is not a lifetime achievement award, but rather an investment in a persons originality, insight and potential. Indeed, the purpose of the MacArthur Fellows Program is to enable recipients to exercise their own creative instincts for the benefit of human society. In addition to recognizing and supporting exceptional creativity, we hope that the Fellowship will inspire people to pursue their own creative interests, said Kristen Mack, vice president, communications, fellows, and partnerships. Lanham is an ornithologist, naturalist, writer and poet combining conservation science with personal, historical and cultural narratives of nature. His research and teaching focuses on the impacts of forest management on birds and other wildlife. Drew stands out among our faculty, not only because of his achievements and recognition, or his extensive knowledge and experience, but because he is one of those rare individuals who leads from his heart, said Keith Belli, dean of Clemsons College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS). His passion for his craft and his beliefs is special. I am very honored to call him a colleague and proud to have him as member of the CAFLS Family. Advocacy through storytelling The poet laureate of Edgefield County, from where he hails, Lanham brings his ecological knowledge as well as his perspective as a Black man living in the South to bear on his work as a storyteller, poet and passionate advocate for birdwatching, outdoor recreation and environmental conservation and stewardship. Lanham is also an affiliate faculty member in the Department of English in Clemsons College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities. One aspect of Drews genius is that he embodies the understanding that our fields of inquiry are interconnected and interdependent, said Nicholas Vazsonyi, dean of the college. Whatever academic discipline we pursue, being able to communicate it in writing brings it alive and to the public. That is the most powerful part of Drews gift to us all. In his 2016 book, The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Mans Love Affair with Nature, Lanham traces his love of birds and nature back to his familys small farm in rural South Carolina. His lyrical descriptions of childhood explorations around the farm are a hallmark of Lanhams conservation ethos: the head to heart connection. Lanham believes that the combination of scientific facts and emotional connections to nature can more effectively encourage conservation action. A critical component of the head to heart connection is understanding peoples historical and cultural associations with land, a point he illustrates through an affecting account of the painful legacy of slavery attached to the farm. Before his family owned, shaped and nurtured the farm, slavers forced Lanhams ancestors to work it. Jim Crow segregation is a frequent topic of his grandmothers stories of life on the farm, which his family lost after his fathers death. The loss is all too common in a region where policies and practices frequently deprive African American families of their land. Engagement with the land Lanham continues to investigate how African Americans historical relationship to land influences their present perceptions of nature and its appreciation and stewardship. This work is part of a larger effort to broaden, diversify and sustain engagement with the natural world. A faculty member in Clemsons Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation (FEC), Lanham also writes and speaks powerfully on the implicit and overt racism people of color often face when engaging with their natural surroundings. Dr. Lanham, on one hand, is a highly accomplished scientist who has mentored nearly 50 graduate students in (FEC) and published in prestigious scientific journals. And on the other hand, he is a highly accomplished and awarded author and poet, most recently receiving a 2022 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship, said Todd Petty, professor and FEC department chair. But Petty said what is truly remarkable about Lanham is his ability to connect science and art through a unique perspective of race. No one has done more to demonstrate how racial identity, art and science can interweave in ways that transforms the disciplines of both art and science. It is a truly unique gift, and we are so grateful to have him as a close colleague, Petty said. In a 2013 essay, Lanham shared 9 Rules for Black Birdwatchers based on his own experiences with veiled threats and armed passersby while in the field. He also provides specific ways to bring social justice principles into conservation work. In addition to calling out racism in action, the list includes recommendations such as adopting Harriet Tubman (who used an owl call to identify herself) rather than James Audubon as a bird-loving inspiration and renaming birds that are named after slave owners. In short, Lanham, who received a BA (1988), an MS (1990) and a Ph.D. (1997) from Clemson University, bridges the arts and sciences to create a new model of conservation and care for nature that includes space for diverse perspectives. Lanham noted that another effect of the Fellowship, for him personally, was that it was simply validation as an academic that his work was being noticed and appreciated by his peers for its impact and uniqueness. Because I have hands and feet in so many different places in science and art and literature and social activism all those things dont always fit in the normal way of thinking about how you evaluate someones work. But this sort of cuts through any confusion and says, Your work is worthy, and so that means a great deal: to have your work not just seen as worthy where we work, but also beyond it. We are a university after all, and ultimately I think the goal should be to affect our world and universe in some bigger way, and this was validation that maybe some of my work has been doing that. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Might new Justice Jackson create a whole new Court in criminal cases (at least on acquitted conduct)? | Main | Another discouraging dispatch about BOP's shaky First Step Act steps October 15, 2022 Notable comments on drug sentencing policies from rival Senate candidates in Pennsylvania NBC News has recently run a couple of interesting pieces based on interviews with the Pennsylvania US Senate candidates that probed some sentencing issues. Here are links to the pieces and some of the passages: "Fetterman says his stroke recovery 'changes everything' but that hes fit to serve as senator" He also pushed back on Republicans who accuse him of being soft on crime. Though he used his seat on a state parole board to advocate for the early release of some prisoners including felons convicted of murder and other violent crimes Fetterman said paroles were only granted in a small fraction of cases and to convicts who had demonstrated remorse through years of good behavior.... He also praised President Joe Bidens decision last week to pardon thousands of people convicted only on charges of marijuana possession at the federal level; he said earlier this year that he had pressed Biden to decriminalize pot. At the same time, Fetterman told NBC News that he favors strengthening federal drug laws to make it easier to apply mandatory minimum sentences to fentanyl dealers, an idea incorporated into GOP legislation on Capitol Hill. Pennsylvania, like many states, has grappled with the abuse of pain-killers such as fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that can be lethal in small doses. Despite his approval for releasing some violent criminals early, and without committing to signing onto a GOP bill in Congress, Fetterman endorsed the basic aim of the legislation. Id have to see whats in front of me when its there. But the bottom is that being an addict, you know, we havent been able to arrest our way out of, you know, to the addict, he said. But its the, actually the pushers and the dealers, thats a completely different issue. And they deserve to be in prison. "Oz says he supports Biden on marijuana pardons and opposes federal mandatory minimum prison sentences": Mehmet Oz opposes federal mandatory minimum prison sentences and thinks President Joe Biden made a rational move by announcing a broad pardon for certain marijuana users, Oz, the Republican Senate nominee in Pennsylvania, said Thursday in an exclusive interview with NBC News. The remarks represent a slight tack to the center in the final days of a race in which Oz, who trails in public polling, has repeatedly attacked Democratic rival John Fetterman as being too soft on crime. Oz said he supports Bidens decision to clear the records of ex-convicts who were in federal prison solely on charges of simple marijuana possession, a rare area of agreement with Biden and Fetterman. Going to jail for marijuana is not a wise move for the country. I think folks who have used marijuana and thats the only reason theyre in jail should not have those criminal those rulings held against them, Oz said, crediting Biden with a rational move. He also said he broadly opposes federal mandatory minimum prison sentences, just days after Fetterman voiced support for applying them in more cases involving fentanyl dealers in an exclusive interview with NBC News. I really think judges should be empowered to make the difficult decisions, and they generally do it well, Oz said. When we tie their hands by making laws at the federal level, it hinders their ability to do what needs to be done. October 15, 2022 at 06:23 PM | Permalink Comments Post a comment 7 5% 1500 iPhone 14 Plus 14 Pro M2iPad Pro Apple TV 15%10% Netflix 241 8% 144.8%164.8% 0.64% 5% 1019 -B101835.645500 1018230100 6.07-6.57144.8%164.8% 70.34 1.46% 10181.59320 9CARVYKTI5500 700 2023 3.9% 1 PARK YOHO13088 Long Covid affecting 2 mln people in Britain: report Xinhua) 10:47, October 15, 2022 LONDON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Long Covid is now estimated to affect 2 million people in Britain, and almost 145 million globally, the British newspaper The Guardian has reported. It's a complicated diagnosis to receive and those affected have to cope with both the physical symptoms and the psychological strain of having an illness that is not yet well understood and does not have well-established treatments, said the report on Thursday. The report said children are also among those affected by long Covid, unlike what was previously anticipated. Up to one in seven children and adolescents still have symptoms 15 weeks after infection -- including unusual tiredness and headaches -- while about one in 14 have five or more persistent symptoms, according to the report. "The biggest challenge is that GPs (general practitioners) don't know how to recognize long Covid, and they don't understand when to refer," Sammie McFarland, founder of the Long Covid Kids support group, was quoted as saying. "We are still fighting against that early narrative that children weren't affected. It has created a barrier to getting any support or belief," McFarland added. (Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Hongyu) SIOUX CITY A man who illegally re-entered the United States was sentenced Wednesday in Sioux City to 10 years in federal prison. Miguel Rodriguez-Chavez, 38, from Mexico, pleaded guilty in May in U.S. District Court to illegal re-entry as an aggravated felon. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Rodriguez-Chavez was arrested in April 2021 in O'Brien County for domestic abuse assault and provided a false name. Authorities determined his real name, that he was a Mexican citizen and had previously been deported five times, most recently in March 2020. His criminal history includes attempted robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic abuse and other offenses while in prison. He was arrested again in May 2021 for drunken driving and, after serving time in jail for his OWI and domestic abuse convictions, was turned over to federal custody. SIOUX CITY The City of Sioux City is reminding residents not to dispose of grass clippings and leaves in streets, detention basins, creeks, ditches or drainage ways. The city said in a statement that depositing grass clippings and leaves in the street is a violation of city code and can result in blocked storm inlets, which can cause local flooding and has a negative impact on water quality. Homeowners are responsible for proper disposal of grass clippings and fallen leaf debris. SIOUX CITY Saturday night, at 7 p.m., a number of local organizations will take part in a candlelight vigil at Miracle Field to "honor, celebrate and remember babies gone too soon." The gathering is the third-annual "Wave of Light" event put on by No Foot Too Small, an Iowa City-based group that raises awareness to the issue of pregnancy loss and infant mortality. It's part of a larger happening where people in their own local time zones light a candle at the called-upon time so that there's a "wave of light" around the world. Registration for the event, which is presented by Siouxland Women's Health as well as the Junior League of Sioux City and the Iowa SIDS Foundation, starts at 6:30 p.m. and things are slated to get going at 7 p.m. "During this hour, we will begin with lighting of the candles, opening remarks, reading of each angel's name," said Katie Kruse, an "angel ambassador" for No Foot Too Small. "Together as a community; love, celebration, and support fills the air." The most-recent data from the Iowa Department of Public Health shows that the infant mortality rate in Woodbury County was 4.28 deaths per 1,000 live births from 2016 through 2020 which is lower than the national rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About one pregnancy in 100, at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later, is affected by stillbirth. And each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States. HONOLULU (AP) A magnitude 5.0 earthquake was the strongest of a series of temblors that struck Friday on Hawaii's Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet that scientists say is in a state of heightened unrest." Smaller aftershocks followed, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The series started with a 4.6 magnitude quake seconds before the larger one, which the USGS previously reported as having magnitude of 5.1. The first one was slightly offshore and south of the town of Pahala, followed by the larger quake just south of Pahala beneath a highway, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement. Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries. He said later there was some minor damage in Pahala, including tiles that fell in a county building. Shaking from the larger earthquakes may have been strong enough to do minor local damage, especially to older buildings, the observatory's statement said. The two earthquakes occurred within 24 seconds of each other creating shaking of longer duration and possibly greater intensity than either of the earthquakes would have created on their own. The aftershocks could continue for several days to possibly weeks and may be large enough to be felt, the observatory said. Mizuno Superette, the only grocery store in rural Pahala, closed for about an hour and a half after the shaking left broken jars on the floor and knocked out electricity, said cashier Laurie Tackett. The ground was just shaking, she said by phone while ringing up purchases after the small store reopened. It was a little scary. Mauna Loa is not erupting and there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time. This sequence of earthquakes appears to be related to readjustments along the southeast flank of Mauna Loa volcano, the observatory said. On several occasions large earthquakes have preceded past eruptions of Mauna Loa, though these have typically been larger than todays earthquakes. It is not known at this time if this sequence of earthquakes is directly related to the ongoing unrest on Mauna Loa. Scientists at the observatory were monitoring Mauna Loa closely for changes. Hundreds of responses on the USGS earthquakes website reported feeling varying degrees of shaking across the vast island. Those near Pahala reported strong shaking, while others further away felt weaker tremors. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii. CHICAGO (AP) A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Miami had to return Friday to Chicago OHare International Airport when the aircraft struck a bird shortly after takeoff, the airline said. United Airlines said in a statement that Flight 1930 returned safely to Chicago O'Hare International Airport after experiencing a bird strike shortly after take-off." No one aboard the Boeing 737-900 aircraft was injured, the airline said. The passengers later boarded another aircraft that was expected to depart OHare early Friday afternoon bound for Miami International Airport. United Airlines provided no other details on the incident, including when it occurred, but a spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Aviation said a stand by alert" was issued for Flight 1930 at 11:14 a.m. The spokeswoman said the situation was secured" about 15 minutes later. The U.S. experienced 15 disasters in the first nine months of 2022 that each caused at least US$1 billion in damage. Hurricane Ian is taking the largest toll of these disasters by far but the extent of the damage could take years to calculate with any precision. The Conversation U.S. asked Adam Rose, a senior research fellow at the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Threats and Emergencies at the University of Southern California, to explain how experts make these estimates and what could be done to make disasters less costly. Ian leveled hundreds of buildings in Fort Myers, Fla. Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images What did Ian cost? Preliminary property damage estimates for Ian so far range from $42 billion to as much as $258 billion, with some landing in the middle. If the higher end of the estimates proves more accurate, that alone would make Ian the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. However, property damage is only one aspect of disaster costs. Another, which is often neglected, is business interruption the decrease in economic activity measured either in terms of lost revenue or a combination of lost wages and profits. Business interruption begins when the disaster strikes and continues until the economy has recovered. In this case, it is likely to take several years, as happened after Katrina wreaked destruction on Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi in 2005. Of course, these costs do not count lives lost or human misery, such as the number of people left without power or clean water. Who makes these estimates and how are they made? The earliest estimates of a disasters cost are often made within a few days, but they subsequently get refined as more data becomes available. Insurance companies and insurance trade associations typically make the first estimates, which focus on property damage. Insurers base these estimates on losses covered by insurance and then extrapolate those calculations to also include losses related to noninsured property. These initial estimates often omit damaged infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and utilities. One way that analysts can also estimate those losses is by studying and refining data collected by satellites and reconnaissance airplanes through a process called Earth observation. Property damage can readily be translated into initial estimates of direct losses of economic activity, including the effects on employment and gross domestic product, using the Federal Emergency Management Agencys loss estimation tool. The tool, known as Hazus, combines data related to wind speed, flood height and the size of the region affected. However, an accurate estimate of total losses must consider three more factors. The first pertains to the multiplier effects that reverberate through supply chains. For example, earthquakes in Taiwan have in the past damaged semiconductor factories, disrupting the production of electronics in the U.S. and elsewhere. The second is how quickly and efficiently businesses get back on their feet after a disaster by relying on strategies such as relocating or consuming less water and power. Disaster recovery experts refer to this way of reducing the risks associated with a disasters aftermath as resilience. The third has to do with what happens to people who live in disaster zones. If they flee the area on their own or after being forced to do so by government evacuation orders, the local economy loses its labor base and demand for goods and services in the area declines. I led a team that developed software that quickly makes these estimates the Economic Consequence Analysis Tool. Known as E-CAT, it can provide almost immediate estimates of losses from hurricane-related flooding and other disasters once some basic information on the initial size of the disaster and rough estimates of the extent of resilience and behavioral responses become available. It can be used by non-experts and requires much less data than the governments Hazus system. Precise estimates of the cost of a given disaster can only be determined after a careful case study, which takes months or years to complete. That is why theres no reliable estimate yet for Ian. Who bears the greatest costs of damage from big disasters? A National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine committee on which I served issued a report noting that low-income people and communities of color bear a disproportionate amount of disaster losses. They are more prone to live in floodplains where property values are lower, are less able to afford to build homes that can withstand water and wind damage, and have less access to credit for rebuilding. They also have less political power in the overall decision-making process to prevent and cope with disasters. Hurricanes, as well as sea-level rise, represent some exceptions to this pattern. Very wealthy people with beachfront property are disproportionately affected by hurricanes, and many of the homes that collapse into the ocean belong to the rich. Can massive losses from hurricanes be avoided? At this point, preventing losses from hurricanes is probably impossible, as it would require turning back the clock 50 years. The U.S. would have benefited from better land-use planning in the mid-20th century. And it would have also helped if Americans had started decades ago to take action to mitigate climate change in the first place by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing the pace of deforestation. What could make future disasters less costly? Natural disasters occur due to a combination of physical events, like hurricanes and earthquakes, and the vulnerability of homes, businesses and all the structures people rely on. Storms are getting stronger and human settlement systems are expanding, thereby increasing their vulnerability. More people are moving closer to the coastlines as others who lost homes in disasters are rebuilding in floodplains perpetuating losses. In 2005, I led a report to Congress known as the Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves study, for which our team examined 10 years of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants. This money flows to state and local governments, Indian tribal organizations and nonprofits for projects designed to rebuild and lower the risk of future property damage and business interruption losses after a presidential disaster declaration. We found that one of the most effective tactics to reduce disaster losses was to buy out properties from homeowners residing in flood-prone areas to eliminate the need to help them rebuild again and again. Adam Rose is currently receiving funding from the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (including FEMA), and U.S. Department of Defense. He is currently serving as a consultant on concepts of disaster losses for a legal case involving Smithfield Foods, Inc. He is also a member of a National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Health Committee that produces reports on disaster recovery and resilience. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. As any reader of The Canterbury Tales is well aware, Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous medieval English poet, wrote prolifically about sexual violence. But the question of whether Chaucer himself was a rapist, and, more specifically, whether he raped a woman named Cecily Chaumpaigne, has clouded the poets reputation since the founder of the Chaucer Society, Frederick J. Furnivall, announced the discovery of a suggestive legal document in 1873. In the text, dated May 4, 1380, Cecily Chaumpaigne released one Galfridus Chaucer of all legal consequences de meo raptu. Or, as the Latin phrase translates in English, she released him of charges concerning my rape. A similar document, discovered by Christopher Cannon in 1993, seemed to solidify the case, for, while this text omitted the word raptus, it referred to a felony (as rape would have been) in connection to Chaucer and Chaumpaigne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chaucerian scholarsand you will perhaps be unsurprised that we are talking largely of male scholars, with a few female exceptionshave argued passionately in defense of their poet since the first document came to light, from the pages of Victorian newsletters to the digital scroll of the 21st-century Times Literary Supplement. Some scholars (including Furnivall himself) simply wished the discovery to be unmade, to put the rabbit back in the hat, so to speak, and pretend theyd never seen it. Others disbelieved the charges. Anyone who can believe the man who wrote the poems we know could possibly have been guilty of committing rape under any circumstances must be capable of accommodating far more complicated and contradictory notions of human character than I can, wrote Edmund Wagenknecht in 1968. Or perhaps, as was one of the leading scholarly theories for decades, raptus wasnt sexual at all but merely some form of (slightly) naughty kidnapping? Perhaps Chaucer had merely been trying to abduct Cecily Chaumpaigne, and the humorless girl hadnt quite appreciated it? Advertisement Advertisement This week, two scholars, Sebastian Sobecki and Euan Roger, announced in a publicly livestreamed presentation that they had discovered a new document in the British National Archives that sheds significant light on the Chaucer-Chaumpaigne tangle. A year before the Chaumpaigne raptus release was filed with the courts, Sobecki and Roger learned, Chaucer and Chaumpaigne had served as co-defendants in a lawsuit brought against them by one Thomas Staundon under the Statute of Labourers, a postBlack Death piece of legislation that restricted the free circulation and bargaining power of English workers, in the midst of the acute labor shortage brought about by the plague. Moreover, the lawyers whom Chaucer had hired to represent him in that case were the same lawyers who represented Chaumpaigne in the release. In other words, Roger and Sobecki suggest, Chaucer and Chaumpaigne should be seen as legal allies rather than antagonists, and the word raptus likely referred not to sexual assault, but to the unlicensed transfer of Chaumpaigne as a servant, from Staundons household to that of Chaucer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sobecki and Roger collaborated on the release (and concurrent special issue of the Chaucer Review) with three feminist Chaucerians: Sarah Baechle, Carissa Harris, and myself. We spoke at the livestreamed presentation, as well. All three of us tried to contextualize the new possibility that Chaucer hadnt raped Chaumpaigne with what we do know about Chaucers investment in what we now call rape culture. Baechle noted how frequently Chaucers poetry exploits stories of female violation, while Harris commented on the sexual vulnerability and limited legal recourse of medieval servant women (like, perhaps, Chaumpaigne) in the households of their employers. Since the presentation on Tuesday, other feminist scholars, like Holly Crocker and Anna F. Waymack, have also pointed out that the two documents might not necessarily clear the writers namethat Chaumpaigne might have been Chaucers servant, and that he might have raped her and been charged with that crime. Advertisement Advertisement But if we cannot make a definitive statement, even now, on precisely the relationship between the historical Geoffrey Chaucer and his apparent servant woman Cecily Chaumpaigne, we can say quite a bit about the role that the idea of Chaucer as rapist has played in developing the modern versions of our mythological Father Chaucer. If Chaucer scholars have been, over the years, unwilling to commit to the idea of their poet as a violent felon (for only in such limited terms were they willing to conceptualize rape), they were disturbingly eager to imagine the progenitor of English poetry engaged in the sexual exploitation of a young woman. For, as one biographer of Chaucer, Derek Brewer, wrote in 1978, Inside many a fat middle-aged man is a randy little thin one trying to get out. Perhaps [Chaucer] sometimes did. Or, look to another of his slyly winking biographers, John Fisher, who wrote in 1991 that while Chaucers wife was absent at court, Geoffrey may have found solace elsewhere [with Chaumpaigne]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Chaucerian biographies, the poet is not always fat, but Chaumpaigne is always young and beautiful, a pretty wench, as John Gardner wrote in 1977. Even Chaumpaignes name (so delightfully fizzy, as Gardner continued) becomes a matter of erotic titillation, a way for male author and (presumedly male) reader to gather together to ogle and lust over an entirely fictitious creation, a woman whose only role in the historical record is to let you know that even after he turned 40, Geoffrey Chaucer was still sexually desirable. Chaumpaigne, whatever she may have looked like in actuality, cannot have been violently raped by the poet, because that would make Chaucer a violent rapist. But seduced? Absolutely. And what man among us, Chaucers biographers have asked over the years, has not wanted, indeed felt entitled, to sleep with a beautiful young woman? Advertisement The history of Cecily Chaumpaigne in Chaucer studies is a filthy one, a record of sniggering men passing among themselves the literary version of a Playboy spread. It is also something even worse. For while many biographers used the Chaumpaigne story as a way to introduce a sexy human-interest angle to their work, others used modern disbelief of womens rape claims to solidify their arguments in favor of Chaucers innocencea move that heavily implied the assumed maleness of their reading audience, and of the scholarly community around the poet. Brewer cited the usual modern male lawyers view that the lady was probably seduced and after regretted it; another, Donald Howard, wrote in 1987, this is essentially the same notion of accusations of rape that many current police officers and lawyers have, namely that the woman consented and regretted it later. What was important, T.F.T. Plucknett wrote in 1948, was that there is nothing to suggest that she could have convicted him of a felony. Chaucer did not need to be actually innocent of raping Chaumpaigne, for these critics; he only needed to be innocent in the eyes of the law. These scholars treated Chaucer as they would have treated their fellow man, accused of something similar: Perhaps he had made mistakes, but nothing criminal. Certainly nothing some girl could prove. Imagine reading such biographies as a female colleague, student, or administrative assistant, or as a wife? The message was clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And women lie, Chaucers biographers and scholars tell us. They consent to sex and then regret it, using a change of heart to ruin mens lives. Such critics cite current police officers and lawyers not as a critique of the patriarchal systems within which they live but rather to extend the privileges of those systems to their medieval brother. Just because Chaucer did not benefit in his own lifetime from the modern male advantage in a court of law, they argue, does not mean that he cannot now be offered the same courtesy, the same deference, which any of us would expect as our due right if we found ourselves similarly charged. Indeed, the biographer Howard made this point quite explicitly when he noted the supposed inferiority of medieval legal systems to the contemporary one: Whatever mitigating circumstances there were, Chaucer did not want the matter to go further: in the law of his day, the accused was not allowed to testify in his own behalf, so there was a grave risk that the whole truth, whatever it was, would not emerge. Advertisement And just what were those mitigating circumstances? Howard continued, [Chaucer] may have had an intimate relationship with Cecily and she may, when things went wrong, have threatened to accuse him of rape. Or in the heat of passion or exasperation he may indeed have raped her. Chaumpaignes experience (whether of physical or emotional violation) is beyond the scope of his biography, and, it seems, his care. It is only Chaucer who is of value here, Chaucer whose reputational integrity counts. For Chaucers male critics, to mention, and dismiss, Cecily Chaumpaignes potential rape charges against Chaucer was also to remind the reader of how little importance such accusations would be given in the present moment, to remind them of how very little power women have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So perhaps the historical Geoffrey Chaucer was not a rapist; perhaps, according to this new discovery, he simply made some unwise hiring decisions that landed him in legal jeopardy. Or perhaps (reading the poems closely suggests) he was a rapistif not of Chaumpaigne, then of some other woman. I am comfortable allowing some ambiguity to a man dead 600 years. But to his criticsno. For while Geoffrey Chaucer might not have been a rapist, Father Chaucer was made into one in the imaginations of his literary sons. This history will not be unmade, whatever Chaucer scholars might have wished, whatever discoveries still await us in the archives. For it is not the story of medieval men but of modern ones, not of medieval privilege and entitlement but of their modern descendants. Chaucer is past accountability now, but Chaucer studies is not. And it will change. The Surge is doubling up on Hollywood this week! Polling in the L.A. mayors race shows billionaire shopping mall developer Rick Caruso, a former Republican who is running as a conservative Democrat on lightly sketched-out promises to restore law and order, making up some ground against Rep. Karen Bass. (Shes also a Democratits allowed, given how the primary and runoff system worksand she still leads Caruso by 15 points among likely voters.) On Tuesday, the two met for a debate where, for better or worse, Caruso came out with the viral moment of the night by insisting he doesnt count as white because hes Italian American. Thats Latin, thank you, he told the moderator. (She had said the citys next mayor would either be a Black woman or white man; the topic that led to this back-and-forth was the Nury Martinez scandal.) The moment will be relatable to Surge readers with an older relative who insists that, because European ethnic groups such Italian, Irish, and Jewish people were not considered white when they immigrated to the United States in the 19th century, they dont really count as white in 2022. Those who dont have such a family memberor are such a family member themselves, and if you are, sorry but thank you for reading!can watch this classic scene from The Sopranos and consider the fact that Caruso subscribes to the Tony Soprano school of racial sociology as one more reason to suspect that the people of L.A. will not choose him to run their city. New York (United Nations) 15 October 2022 (SPS)- Minister Coubnsellor at the Permanent Mission of Mozambique to the UN, Mr. Antonio Bambissa, affirmed that the right to self-determination is inalienable to all peoples, stressing the need to implement UN and AU resolution to decolonize Western Sahara. In his countrys statement last Thursday before the UN General Assemblys 4th Committee, the Mozambican diplomat affirmed that Mozambiques position on this matter is very clear. We continue to defend the unconditional implementation of all United Nations relevant resolutions and all African Union decisions on Western Sahara, aimed at bringing a positive, peaceful and durable solution that can meet the aspirations and the will of the people of Western Sahara. The Republic of Mozambique, he added, strongly believes that the right to self-determination is an inalienable right to all peoples, as clearly enshrined in our Constitution, in the UN Charter and other relevant documents of our organization. It is against this background that the Republic of Mozambique continues its longstanding support aimed at finding the acceptable solution to allow the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self -determination, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution 1514, he said. While recognizing the importance of the appointment of the Special Envoy of United Nations Secretary General for Western Sahara during the 76th Session, Mozambique considers that the delay on the implementation of legal instruments approved, with a view to granting self-determination for the people of Western Sahara is a matter of serious concern, as it is impacting negatively on the lives of the Saharawis, he concluded. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) New York (United Nations) 14 October 2022 (SPS) - The European Union reaffirmed the support of the union for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara after the approval by the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) of the 77th sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) of a new resolution on Western Sahara. Czechia, on behalf of the European Union, the candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and the Republic of Moldova, countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that the EU looks forward to the consensual adoption of the resolution on the situation concerning Western Sahara. They welcomed the commitment of the UN Secretary General to relaunch the negotiation process with a new dynamic and a new spirit leading to the resumption of a political process with the aim to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangement consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. They also affirmed that they continue to encourage the parties to work towards such a solution, within the framework of the United Nations." The EU is further deeply concerned about the lack of funding and urged the international community to provide new and additional financial contributions for the Sahrawi refugees. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) New York (United Nations) 15 October 2022 (SPS)- Botswana Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Collen V. Kelapile, affirmed that his countrys firm support to the Saharawi people stems from Botswanas strong belief in the right of peoples to self-deterination, in his statement Friday before the UN 4th Committee on decolonization. Botswanas solidarity with the people of Western Sahara stems from a strong belief in the right to self-determination and also from our conviction that the total eradication of colonialism will have a positive impact on peace and security, human rights and development in the concerned territories and globally, he said. Botswana he adds is concerned that in some Territories, certain actors have put obstacles in the path to decolonization. Such is the situation in the last colonial case in Africa, Western Sahara, where the holding of a referendum has been obstructed for thirty (30) years. Botswana Ambassador further considered that the unilateral obstructionist actions including, among others, military aggression, human rights violations, undermining of a raft of relevant UN resolutions and international law, have delayed progress, and led to the collapse in November 2020 of the 1991 Ceasefire. He also considered that whereas the situation has become dire, recent consultations with concerned parties in the region by Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara, are a welcome development. In this vein, he urged parties to muster good faith and political will and recommit to a political process whose objective will be to grant the people of Western Sahara the long-awaited opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination and independence. Botswana however considers that while it commends the Secretary-Generals provision of good offices through his Personal Envoy, we also wish to underscore the primacy of the General Assembly in the decolonization of Western Sahara and other remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories. In this connection, Botswana continues to encourage the Special Committee on Decolonization (C24) to undertake a visiting mission to Western Sahara in order to assess the situation in the Territory. The visiting mission is long overdue given that the last one was conducted in 1975. Also greatly important is the contribution of the African Union (AU) towards finding a just, peaceful, and lasting solution to the Question of Western Sahara. It would be recalled that in March 2021 the AU reinvigorated its historical role as a guarantor of the UN-OAU Settlement Plan, he concluded. (SPS) 090/500/60 (SPS) https://sputniknews.com/20221014/ex-dod-officer-bidens-schizophrenic-security-strategy-fraught-with-risk-of-igniting-ww3-1101860994.html Ex-DoD Officer: Biden's 'Schizophrenic' Security Strategy Fraught With Risk of Igniting WW3 Ex-DoD Officer: Biden's 'Schizophrenic' Security Strategy Fraught With Risk of Igniting WW3 The White House's new National Security Strategy (NSS) targets Russia and China as the US' major "threats" while also claiming that it does not seek conflict... 14.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-14T22:55+0000 2022-10-14T22:55+0000 2022-10-14T22:55+0000 opinion & analysis us ukraine joe biden donald trump pentagon us national security strategy china cold war new cold war /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/105347/81/1053478118_0:276:4000:2526_1920x0_80_0_0_3de9880c1360cbd7e13f615c1956a4bd.jpg "What is most striking is that it calls for the US to pursue a policy based on peaceful international cooperation while at the same time pursuing a policy of military confrontation with Russia and China in opposition to US national security interests," said David T. Pyne, an EMP Task Force scholar and former US Department of Defense officer.According to Pyne, Washington had an opportunity to facilitate European security and build a predictable and stable relationship with Russia. He referred to Russia's draft security agreements, handed over to the US and NATO in December 2021. The documents envisaged NATO's non-expansion, Ukraine's non-admission to the military bloc, non-deployment of offensive weapon systems near Russia's borders, and the return of NATO's European capabilities and infrastructure to 1997 levels.Nonetheless, "the Biden administration rejected it out of hand even though accepting part or all of it likely would have averted Russias perceived need for its special military operation in Ukraine to forcibly restore Ukraines pre-February 2014 coup neutral buffer state status," the former Pentagon officer highlighted.When Russia and Ukraine came up with mutual preliminary peace accords in late March 2022 in Istanbul, the Biden administration did not support the initiative; quite the contrary, it encouraged Kiev to prolong the armed conflict by pledging millions worth of weapons. "The Biden administration seems content with continuing to fight its proxy war in Ukraine for many months if not years," Pyne underscored.Remarkably, the classified National Defense Strategy and Nuclear Posture Review two documents that are typically published after the NSS were sent to Capitol Hill in March. According to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the Biden administration intentionally held back the NSS due to Russia's ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, which kicked off on February 24.Judging from the NSS's "lines of effort," the Biden administration never sought to facilitate a peaceful settlement between Russia and Ukraine, but instead wanted to instrumentalize the conflict to weaken Moscow.Likewise, the doctrine names China as the only competitor with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to advance that objective." Thus, the White House's doctrine places emphasis on modernizing the US military in order to deter two major nuclear powers within a decade.The White House's actions related to Ukraine speak volumes about Washington's intentions. Overall, the US has sent Ukraine $16.8 billion in weapons and other aid since February 24. For comparison's sake, the US had committed $2.5 billion in support of Ukraines military forces between 2014 and 2021, according to the White House September 2021 statement.The ex-DoD officer suggested that "the other pressing national threat likely to materialize by the end of next year is a Chinese air and naval blockade of Taiwan" as well as a potential takeover by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of the island, which Biden has stated four times he will defend militarily."The fact is that the US has been engaged in a Second Cold War with Russia and China for some time now whether the Biden administration is willing to admit it or not, certainly since the US imposed economic sanctions on Russia in 2014 following Russias reunification with Crimea," Pyne said.According to the military expert, Sullivan's assertions to the press that the US doesn't want to see the world just through the prism of strategic competition, nor have that competition become a Cold War or confrontation with others is nothing but "empty words."'Biden is Afraid of Looking Weak'"The Biden NSS talks about the importance of diplomacy and establishing a more inclusive and prosperous world and yet they continue to rule it out with regards to Russia, which is a nuclear superpower on par with the US," said Pyne. "It is unclear how they can talk about an inclusive world when they refuse to even consider Russias legitimate security concerns in Ukraine."On top of this, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken hailed the unprecedented attack on Russias Nord Stream pipelines as "a tremendous opportunity" for the EU to end its dependence on Russian natural gas, despite the fact that thousands of EU citizens may end up freezing this winter, according to Pyne.These obvious contradictions lead Pyne to conclude that the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft's assessment of the document as "strikingly schizophrenic" is right.Likewise, it seems unclear what political benefits President Joe Biden and his entourage could gain from escalating tensions with both Russia and China, according to the military expert.Probably, Joe Biden is "afraid of looking weak on Russia before the November congressional elections by trying to mediate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine as former President Donald Trump has wisely called on him to do," Pyne presumed.However, the crux of the matter is that the incumbent US president does not look stronger by fanning the flames of the conflict, which he could have prevented and helped bring to an end in the first place, according to the former Pentagon officer. "I think that Biden is almost universally perceived as a weak President and his popular support has decreased to less than 43% in the advance of next months mid-term congressional elections," he remarked.Lasting Peace and Spheres of InfluenceAccording to Pyne, it is "very important for the US to return to pursuing a policy of peaceful co-existence with Moscow and Beijing and to stop sending military forces to interfere in Russias sphere of influence in the former Soviet republics, other than the Baltic states, which are NATO members, and Chinas sphere of influence which includes Taiwan and the South China Sea."Pyne outlined his vision of comprehensive peace agreements with Russia and China in his January 15, 2022 article for the National Interest. Earlier, in October 2021, the EMP Task Force scholar called upon Biden to give peace a chance and consider Yalta 2.0, warning against taking on Russia and China simultaneously. "Much like the 1945 Yalta Agreement, a global sphere of influence between the United States, Russia, and China might have similar success for the entire world," he wrote. Interestingly, the concept outlined by Pyne in some sense echoes the idea of the "Big Three" voiced by former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski in his November 2016 interview with MSNBC.When it comes to the most immediate steps, Pyne believes that it is very important that the Biden administration do everything possible to avoid unnecessary conflicts with Russia and China "while at the same time re-affirming its commitment to defend its NATO and Pacific Treaty allies, which Ukraine and Taiwan are not." https://sputniknews.com/20221012/white-house-unveils-new-security-strategy-saying-us-not-seeking-conflict-or-new-cold-war-1101775757.html https://sputniknews.com/20220928/bidens-approval-rating-takes-a-hit-1101319593.html https://sputniknews.com/20220918/us-veterans-if-nato-didnt-want-ukraine-grid-hit-it-shouldnt-have-taken-part-in-kievs-offensive-1100916066.html ukraine china russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova us, ukraine, joe biden, donald trump, pentagon, us national security strategy, china, cold war, new cold war, ww3, russia, europe https://sputniknews.com/20221014/new-uk-chancellor-of-exchequer-to-set-out-medium-term-fiscal-plan-on-october-31---london-1101866403.html New UK Chancellor of Exchequer to Set Out Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on October 31 - London New UK Chancellor of Exchequer to Set Out Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on October 31 - London MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Jeremy Hunt, the newly appointed UK chancellor of the exchequer, will set out the UK government's Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on October 31... 14.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-14T22:59+0000 2022-10-14T22:59+0000 2022-10-14T22:59+0000 world europe uk jeremy hunt /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/0a/0e/1101850061_0:32:3093:1772_1920x0_80_0_0_435561f7fb85ffd155c9481a002d1373.jpg "Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt will set out the government's Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on 31 October, alongside a full forecast from the independent Office for Budget Responsibility," the government said on the website.On October 31, the UK Office for Budget Responsibility will also assess the fiscal impact of an increase in the Corporation Tax rate from 19% to 25%, announced by Truss on Friday. The government expects to raise some 18 billion pounds ($20 billion) per year through the increase in the tax.Earlier in Friday, Kwasi Kwarteng announced his resignation as the chancellor of the exchequer after reports leaked that he has been fired over a controversial tax cuts plan for big corporations, which triggered a negative reaction from both markets and the general public. Kwarteng, who was relieved of his post barely three weeks after his appointment, is now replaced by Hunt.The decision was triggered by Kwarteng's "mini-budget" plan to support the country's economy, which included a large-scale tax cut for corporations. According to the plan, the tax on incomes over 150,000 pounds a year should be cut from 45% to 40%.The plan's announcement sent markets into meltdown, with the British pound falling to an all-time low of $1.0384 against the US dollar, and triggered a barrage of criticism against the government of UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, including from her fellow Conservatives. https://sputniknews.com/20221014/liz-truss-u-turns-on-corporation-tax-cut-after-sacrificing-chancellor-kwarteng-1101852006.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International europe, uk, jeremy hunt https://sputniknews.com/20221014/sen-johnson-draws-boos-laughs-for-saying-wisconsin-lt-gov-barnes-turned-against-america-1101866523.html Sen. Johnson Draws Boos, Laughs for Saying Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barnes Turned Against America Sen. Johnson Draws Boos, Laughs for Saying Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barnes Turned Against America During the final debate in the US Senate race in Wisconsin on Thursday, incumbent Republican Sen. Ron Johnson elicited an unexpected reaction from the audience... 14.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-14T23:34+0000 2022-10-14T23:34+0000 2022-10-14T23:34+0000 americas wisconsin ron johnson debate us /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/0c/05/1091268100_0:0:3000:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_329567d4f3b2cb043be69707dfc22f08.jpg The debate, held at Marquette University in Milwaukee, saw Johnson pitted against his Democratic challenger, Mandela Barnes, the states lieutenant governor. However, the final question wasnt about what policies they would pursue in the US Congress, but of a more personal nature: each was asked what they found admirable about their opponent.Charles Benson, a journalist for NBC local affiliate TMJ4 who co-moderated the debate, said the question arose after voters surveyed said they were tired of divisive politics and attack ads.Barnes answered the question straight: the senator has proven to be a family man, and I think thats admirable. You know, thats absolutely to be respected. He speaks about his family. [Hes] done a lot to provide for them. I absolutely respect that.However, his answer then took a turn for the hostile.The surprise attack drew boos from the crowd.Its unclear what specifically prompted Johnsons statement, although he has taken many hard-line conservative stances on issues, most notably siding with former US President Donald Trumps claims that the November 2020 election was fraudulently won by Democrats.A poll released earlier this week by Marquette University Law School showed Johnson has a slight lead over Barnes, with 52% of responding voters saying they would vote for the incumbent and 46% saying they would vote for Barnes. The election is on November 8. https://sputniknews.com/20221014/poll-republican-kari-lake-takes-lead-over-katie-hobbs-in-arizona-gubernatorial-race--1101830374.html americas wisconsin Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier wisconsin, ron johnson, debate, us https://sputniknews.com/20221015/china-not-ruling-out-use-of-force-against-foreign-meddlers-over-taiwan-1101876030.html China Not Ruling Out Use of Force Against Foreign Meddlers Over Taiwan China Not Ruling Out Use of Force Against Foreign Meddlers Over Taiwan China considers Taiwan an unalienable part of its sovereign territory and opposes any official contact between the island and other countries. 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T10:21+0000 2022-10-15T10:21+0000 2022-10-15T11:18+0000 world asia & pacific taiwan china chinese communist party congress reunification tensions weapons /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/13/1100949419_0:0:2900:1631_1920x0_80_0_0_fff0d670d6985ba5871ca321950ade77.jpg China does not exclude the use of force to resolve the Taiwan issue, but only against the supporters of the islands independence and interfering forces from third countries, Sun Yeli, a spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, said on Saturday. According to the spokesperson, Chinas actions will not be directed against the people of Taiwan, as Beijing's goal is to promote the process of peaceful reunification of the island with the Chinese mainland.We will do our best to achieve peaceful reunification. Even if there is the slightest possibility of such a reunification, we will implement it to the end," he pointed out.The spokesperson underlined that a military solution to the issue is the last resort, accusing Taiwanese separatists of conducting provocations and "outside forces" of using Taiwan to contain China.This runs counter to the interests of peoples on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and leads to instability in the region. We hope that our compatriots will understand that reunification is a good thing and that separatism is a road to nowhere. We hope that they will also understand that they should not trust strangers," he concluded.Taiwan TensionsThe situation around Taiwan escalated after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in early August. China condemned the trip, slamming it as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military exercises in the vicinity of the island. However, other high-level US delegations have since visited Taiwan in the face of Beijings stern rhetoric.China sees Taiwan an integral part of its sovereign territory and opposes any official contacts between the island and other countries. Washington maintains active contacts with Taipei and is selling billions of dollars' worth of weapons to Taiwan.Beijing has repeatedly said that the One China principle is a political foundation of China-US relations and that violations by Washington of its own obligations have been jeopardizing cooperation between the two countries, threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. https://sputniknews.com/20221007/report-us-contingency-plan-for-chinese-invasion-of-taiwan-includes-airlifting-out-chip-engineers-1101619578.html https://sputniknews.com/20220905/china-us-arms-sales-to-taipei-send-gravely-wrong-signal-to-taiwan-independence-separatist-forces-1100404930.html china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg asia & pacific, taiwan, china, chinese communist party, congress, reunification, tensions, weapons https://sputniknews.com/20221015/commander-in-creep-netizens-slam-joe-biden-for-giving-dating-advice-to-young-girl-1101883421.html 'Commander-in-Creep': Netizens Slam Joe Biden for Giving 'Dating Advice' to Young Girl 'Commander-in-Creep': Netizens Slam Joe Biden for Giving 'Dating Advice' to Young Girl Earlier this year, Joe Biden also told a group of young girls "no serious guys 'til you're 30 years old." 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T16:05+0000 2022-10-15T16:05+0000 2022-10-15T16:05+0000 viral joe biden girl interaction dating advice /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/06/09/1096168698_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_139c17546bbf8aa72c22c861f15de82d.jpg US President Joe Biden has once again managed to attract attention for the wrong reasons during his appearance at Irvine Valley College on Friday.During a photo op, Biden was filmed leaning toward a young girl standing in front of him and giving her some unsolicited dating advice while touching her shoulder."Now, a very important thing I told my daughter and granddaughters, no serious guys 'til you're 30," Biden told the girl who appeared surprised by this interaction.TPUSAs Frontlines reporter Kalen DAlmeida, who filmed this scene and later shared it online, also tweeted that Secret Service agents appeared to try to stop him from recording the episode in question.In March, Biden similarly dispensed the same advice to a group of young girls, telling them "the only thing I want you girls to remember, no serious guys 'til you're 30 years old."Joe Biden has managed to raise eyebrows on a number of occasions due to his behavior around women and young girls, often being labeled creepy online.News of this weeks episode at Irvine Valley College has left many social media users visibly unamused, with netizens using words such as creepy and pervert while voicing their thoughts on the subject.Why do parents keep allowing him near their kids? one netizen wondered, with another user promptly responding: Good question.And yet another social media user branded Biden as Commander in Creep. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International joe biden, girl, interaction, dating, advice https://sputniknews.com/20221015/dozen-people-killed-in-armed-attack-in-drc---reports-1101868636.html Dozen People Killed in Armed Attack in DRC - Reports Dozen People Killed in Armed Attack in DRC - Reports MOSCOW (Sputnik) - At least 12 people were killed, and another four were injured as a result of an attack in the northeastern province of Ituri in the... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T03:25+0000 2022-10-15T03:25+0000 2022-10-15T03:25+0000 africa democratic republic of congo allied democratic forces (adf) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/06/1e/1096822662_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1f1d0fca6f3cfadae208be082f37f4f3.jpg The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday, in the village of Masome.At least 12 civilians were killed, one of them died at the Komanda hospital, Actualite said on Friday, adding that four people were injured.A survivor told the news outlet that militants of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) were not involved in the attack.According to DRC media reports, various armed groups can pose as ADF militants.ADF was established in 1995 and is active in the DRC as well as in Uganda where it is recognized as a terrorist organization. The United Nations blames ADF for killing hundreds of civilians since 2014. ADF has strong ties with the Islamic State terror group*.* The Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia. democratic republic of congo Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International democratic republic of congo, allied democratic forces (adf) https://sputniknews.com/20221015/fck-you-bastard-harry-potter-star-roasts-new-uk-chancellor-live-on-radio-1101879632.html 'F*ck You, Bastard': Harry Potter Star Roasts New UK Chancellor Live on Radio 'F*ck You, Bastard': Harry Potter Star Roasts New UK Chancellor Live on Radio While the programs host deemed Miriam Margolyes language unacceptable, many social media users praised the actress over her remark about Jeremy Hunt. 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T13:57+0000 2022-10-15T13:57+0000 2022-10-15T13:57+0000 viral uk jeremy hunt criticism /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/101811/81/1018118112_0:245:4701:2889_1920x0_80_0_0_460740b832b7278b903959207195bf92.jpg Prominent British actress Miriam Margolyes, who played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter saga, was asked to leave the BBC Radio 4 studio during her interview on Today after she used the f-word to slam Jeremy Hunt, the countrys latest chancellor of the exchequer.Recalling her previous encounter with Hunt, Margolyes said during the interview that she told him You've got a hell of a job, best of luck."No, you can't say that, host Justin Webb concurred. Well have to have you out of the studio now.Many social media users, however, cheered on Miriam over her remarks, voicing their admiration for her.Miriam Margolyes speaks for the nation! I dont really approve of swearing but used in a specific context it can be very effective, one netizen remarked.When I heard she was on after Hunt I got the popcorn out-and tbh it could have been sooo much worse, quipped another.Another social media user called Margolyes a national treasure. https://sputniknews.com/20221014/new-uk-chancellor-of-exchequer-to-set-out-medium-term-fiscal-plan-on-october-31---london-1101866403.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International uk, jeremy hunt, criticism https://sputniknews.com/20221015/france-concerned-with-russias-growing-influence-in-africa-energy-chamber-head-says-1101870865.html France Concerned With Russia's Growing Influence in Africa, Energy Chamber Head Says France Concerned With Russia's Growing Influence in Africa, Energy Chamber Head Says MOSCOW (Sputnik) - France is concerned with Russia's growing influence in Africa, as Paris considers the continent to be its sphere of influence, the chairman... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T06:21+0000 2022-10-15T06:21+0000 2022-10-15T07:53+0000 africa russia france africa burkina faso /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/0a/0f/1101870718_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6949b2288b87a576f01e05c3818276e9.jpg There are many countries that are interested in cooperating with Africa, what raises concerns in Paris, because the continent is considered to be France's "property," Ayuk said, adding that the main concerns are caused by the situation in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic and Mali.According to Ayuk, the European energy crisis has shown that Africa needs to build up partnership with Moscow in order to create sustainable resource exchange chains, because the issue of energy security cannot be ignored. Russia has a huge potential and experience in this sphere, and is a world leader in implementing infrastructure projects and investing in energy, the chairman added.According to the head of the African Energy Chamber, if Africa continues to be dependent on other countries, it will have a negative affect on the continent's development, which requires new opportunities and technologies to advance.Burkina Faso's military leader Capt. Ibraim Traore Traore replaced Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba at the helm of the ruling military junta, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, following a coup on September 30, the second since the West African nation's president, Roch Kabore, was overthrown in January. Damiba said he had agreed to go after several conditions were met. He is reportedly in Togo.Paris faces a tide of discontent from African nations as over the past years the French troops have proved to be unable to resolve security crisis in Sahel region. Various groups of jihadists, - some of them aligned with Daesh* and al-Qaeda* - continue their attacks in the region.To make things even more tense, Mali authorities accused France of backing the terrorists and even providing them with weapons. In the meantime, the local population expresses sympathy towards Russia, believing that assistance from Moscow can solve the security crisis. *Daesh (ISIS/ISIL/Islamic State) and al-Qaeda are terrorist organizations banned in Russia and many other countries. russia africa burkina faso Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, france, africa, burkina faso https://sputniknews.com/20221015/german-minister-slammed-over-nazi-wonder-weapon-remark-on-kiev-arms-supplies-1101881871.html Bundestag Member Slams German Minister Over 'Nazi Wonder-Weapon' Remarks on Kiev Arms Supplies Bundestag Member Slams German Minister Over 'Nazi Wonder-Weapon' Remarks on Kiev Arms Supplies In September, the German Defense Ministry said that it doesnt plan to deliver its battle tanks to Kiev. Russia has repeatedly cautioned the US and its allies... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T15:14+0000 2022-10-15T15:14+0000 2022-10-15T16:46+0000 world russia germany ukraine weapons tanks special operation /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/102606/43/1026064303_0:235:2297:1527_1920x0_80_0_0_f8cf473e480b63ce00ab97bb1e8796d0.jpg Germanys Minister for Special Affairs Wolfgang Schmidt has come under fire from a hawkish Bundestag member over his vision of Berlins recent move not to provide Kiev with German battle tanks, according to the German news outlet n-tv.Speaking at a government gathering earlier this week, Schmidt upheld the position of the German government on the matter, comparing calls for the supply of the Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev with Nazi Germanys desperate hopes that its long-range V-2 ballistic missiles, also known as Wunderwaffe (wonder-weapon), would have helped them win WWII.Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee and member of the liberal Free Democratic Party, was quick to balk at Schmid, saying that she collegially urges him to deepen his knowledge of weapons a little bit.The remarks came after German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht made it clear last month that Berlins new batch of weapons to Ukraine, including MARS II multiple rocket launchers and Dingo armored vehicles, will not include the battle tanks that Kiev requested.Russia Raps West Over Its Arms Supplies to UkraineMoscow has repeatedly slammed the West for its weapon supplies to Kiev amid the ongoing Russian special military operation in Ukraine, warning that western countries are playing with fire. Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cautioned that "any weapon [and] any arms shipment on the Ukrainian territory" would be considered a legitimate target by the Russian military.For her part, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has recently stressed that Washington has once again demonstrated how much it has lost touch with reality, having actually become a party to the Ukraine conflict. According to her, further evidence of this is the US Congress recently agreeing on the allocation of a new assistance package to the Kiev regime worth almost $12 billion.Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, for his part, underlined that the Ukraine conflict had become another pretext for the US and its allies to unleash an economic and information war against Moscow in order to deplete it strategically. Ukraine has been picked [by the West] as an instrument of a hybrid war against Russia, he said.The Russian Foreign Ministry warned that the Wests supplies of such weaponry to Kiev would become red lines for Moscow, which the ministry said had enough instruments to retaliate.The worlds first long-range guided ballistic missile, the V-2, was developed during the Second World War in Nazi Germany as a "vengeance weapon". The weapon was designed to attack Allied cities as retaliation for the anti-Hitler coalitions bombings of Germany. https://sputniknews.com/20221010/germany-drained-by-ukraine-crisis-has-enough-ammo-for-just-1-2-days-of-combat-report-1101689375.html https://sputniknews.com/20220415/russia-warns-us-against-irresponsible-arms-supplies-to-ukraine-in-diplomatic-note---media-1094788351.html russia germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Oleg Burunov https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e4/09/0b/1080424846_0:0:2048:2048_100x100_80_0_0_3d7b461f8a98586fa3fe739930816aea.jpg russia, germany, ukraine, weapons, tanks, special operation https://sputniknews.com/20221015/imran-khan-rips-into-biden-for-calling-pakistan-one-of-most-dangerous-nations-1101874442.html Imran Khan Rips Into Biden for Calling Pakistan 'One of Most Dangerous Nations Imran Khan Rips Into Biden for Calling Pakistan 'One of Most Dangerous Nations While Washington has continued to support Islamabad over recent years, including upgrading its fleet of fighter jets, successive US presidents have raised... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T10:14+0000 2022-10-15T10:14+0000 2022-10-15T10:14+0000 pakistan pakistan us joe biden president us president antony blinken war on terror war on terror f-16 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/0a/0f/1101875324_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_00697edde7ffc1189eddc4889f96d5dd.jpg Former Pakistani Prime Minister and PTI chief Imran Khan has slammed US President Joe Biden after he called Pakistan "one of the most dangerous nations in the world," pointing at the country's huge stockpile of nuclear weapons and what he termed the non-transparent nature of its command and control structure."What I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," the 79-year-old US leader said during a Democratic congressional campaign committee reception on Friday.Khan, who has accused the incumbent Pakistani government of conspiring with the US to oust him, raised some questions regarding the POTUS' comment.Khan went on to insist that Bidens remark proved the total failure of the imported governments foreign policy and its claims of a reset of relations with the US.Is this the reset? This government has broken all records for incompetence, Khan continued, adding that he was concerned that the current government would end up compromising national security.The South Asian country's former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, also weighed in on Biden's remarks, saying that Pakistan's nuclear program is in no way a threat to any country."Like all independent states, Pakistan reserves the right to protect its autonomy, sovereign statehood and territorial integrity, Sharif tweeted.Shortly after Biden's address was made public on the White House's website, Pakistani Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir likewise rejected the president's statement as baseless.Biden's comments came nearly a month after Washington and Islamabad agreed on a $450 million sustenance package for Pakistan's fleet of US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets.Under the package, Pakistan will not only receive maintenance support for the airplanes which are vital for the nations security, but the jets can also be upgraded with specific enhancements at the request of the South Asian country's air force.Justifying the decision, US State Secretary Antony Blinken emphasized that Washington was duty-bound to help nations with military supplies, especially countries that have helped in its "War Against Terror"."To be very clear, this is a sustainment programme for F-16s that Pakistan has long had. These are old planes and systems that they already have. We have a responsibility and obligation to whoever we provide military supplies to maintain and sustain them. Pakistans programme bolsters its capability to fight terror and terrorist threats emanating from Pakistan or from the region," Blinken said at the time. https://sputniknews.com/20220928/imran-khan-demands-sharif-govt-release-us-cable-on-big-foreign-conspiracy-in-pakistan-1101310821.html pakistan asia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Pawan Atri https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/05/12/1082926219_0:0:358:358_100x100_80_0_0_aca1d9bdccc7af990e49b4511ee80344.png pakistan, pakistan, us, joe biden, president, us president, antony blinken, war on terror, war on terror, f-16, f-16, aircraft, military aircraft, fighter jets, nuclear weapons, asia https://sputniknews.com/20221015/jurors-in-parkland-shooting-case-reported-feeling-threatened-and-disrespected-during-deliberations-1101868369.html Jurors in Parkland Shooting Case Reported Feeling Threatened and Disrespected During Deliberations Jurors in Parkland Shooting Case Reported Feeling Threatened and Disrespected During Deliberations On Thursday, a jury in the Parkland school massacre case ruled that school shooter Nikolas Cruz would not get the death penalty, instead recommending life in... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T03:15+0000 2022-10-15T03:15+0000 2022-10-15T03:15+0000 americas nikolas cruz parkland shooting parkland shooting /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107768/34/1077683473_0:137:3001:1825_1920x0_80_0_0_9831e887c7afe5607e2b226a2d21119c.jpg A Florida jury in the case of the gunman who killed 17 people, including students, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 decided not to pursue the death sentence for Cruz. However, the jury was so divided in their deliberations that one juror reported feeling threatened by another panelist. The threat, according to prosecutor Carolyn McCann, will not affect the jurys decision, but was reported out of safety reasons and may be investigated by the Broward Sheriffs Office.According to the SunSentinel, none of the jurors looked at Cruz as they reentered the courtroom after deliberating. The jurors told a local TV station that the final vote was nine to three in favor of the death penalty. However, Florida law requires a unanimous vote. One of the jurors who voted for life said she had seen evidence in the trial that Cruz had been failed by the mental health system.There were negative sarcastic remarks, said Melody Vanoy, a juror in the case. I heard comments like, were going to let the families down.It got ugly, Vanoy said.According to Richard Escobar and David Weinstein, who are criminal defense attorneys in Florida, a threat made to a juror cannot overturn the jurys decision because of double jeopardy. Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer said she would not direct the sheriffs office to investigate the threat made by one juror to another, but said the office could investigate it if they thought it was appropriate.I dont like how it turned out, but thats how the jury system works, said Benjamin Thomas, the jury foreman.The prosecution team, led by Mike Satz, had argued that Cruz was aware of his actions and that his ability to formulate and carry out the attack should overshadow his mental and developmental issues which the defense argued were left untreated.After spending months and months listening, and hearing testimonies, and looking at the murderer his composure I believe justice was not done, said Anne Ramsay, the mother of a senior student who was killed by Cruz in the shooting. The wrong verdict was given out today.Tony Montalto, who lost his daughter Gina in the shooting, and is the president of the advocacy group Stand with Parkland, called the ruling yet another gut punch for so many of us who devastatingly lost our loved ones on that tragic Valentines Day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. https://sputniknews.com/20221013/florida-jury-recommends-life-sentence-for-parkland-school-shooter-nikolas-cruz-1101820241.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg nikolas cruz, parkland shooting, parkland shooting Chinese Foreign Ministry Urges Citizens to Leave Ukraine - Reports The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China is calling on Chinese citizens to leave the territory of Ukraine, the Global Times newspaper reports citing a ministry statement. The foreign ministry, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine, urged Chinese citizens on Saturday to leave Ukraine, adding that the embassy could help evacuate people. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday that Beijing hoped for a speedy de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine in light of the strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russia's Security Council on Monday that Russia had carried out retaliatory strikes using precision-guided weapons against Ukrainian infrastructure, in response to the crimes committed by Kiev against the Russian civilian infrastructure. Putin condemned the bombing of the Kerch Strait Bridge, also known as the Crimean Bridge, that took place on October 8, saying that such a terror act cannot be left without retaliation. Precision strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure were carried out throughout this week. https://sputniknews.com/20221015/new-russias-gas-pipeline-to-turkey-to-be-safe-protected-from-interference-expert-says-1101869565.html New Russian Gas Pipeline to Turkey Will Be Shielded From Interference, Expert Says New Russian Gas Pipeline to Turkey Will Be Shielded From Interference, Expert Says SIMFEROPOL, Russia, (Sputnik) - Foreign interference in the work of the underwater parts of the new and existing Russian gas pipelines to Turkey via the Black... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T05:05+0000 2022-10-15T05:05+0000 2022-10-15T09:53+0000 russia russia turkey gas interference energy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/103758/96/1037589646_0:37:3774:2160_1920x0_80_0_0_4a9ddb4334303bb93ca449f5ddd81eb8.jpg "Basically, it is safe. There are two territorial zones of Russia and Turkey, exclusive economic zones of both countries... The underwater route has already been prepared for the construction of the TurkStream [pipeline], all the studies have been conducted, it has been checked for the presence of munitions of the [Second World] War," Martsinkevich said when asked how protected the new pipeline would be from foreign interference if constructed along the pipelines' existing strings.The expert noted the Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits gives Turkey control over the entry into the Black Sea of warships of countries not belonging to the Black Sea Basin. He added that Turkey is a NATO member state, and a conflict within the alliance would be inevitable in the event of an attack on the pipeline.The expert added the land infrastructure for the expansion of the underwater section of the pipeline has already been built. The total volume of gas pumped through the new strings of the pipeline would be about 31.5 billion cubic meters per year, possibly excluding the volume of gas that is already used for the deliveries to the North Caucasus, he said.Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow could move the transit of gas from the Nord Stream network to the Black Sea region and Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that he and Putin have already discussed this idea and ordered relevant departments to work out this issue.In late September, leaks of fuel were registered on pipelines of the Nord Stream network, which plays a key role in the transit of Russian gas to Europe. The Swedish and Danish authorities suspect that the incident was the result of sabotage. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office is investigating the pipeline incidents as acts of international terrorism. Denmark and Sweden have barred Russia from investigating the attack. russia turkey Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, turkey, gas, interference, energy https://sputniknews.com/20221015/new-transitional-government-formed-in-chad-1101877962.html New Transitional Government Formed in Chad New Transitional Government Formed in Chad MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A new transitional government has been formed in Chad, the office of President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said on Saturday. 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T11:34+0000 2022-10-15T11:34+0000 2022-10-15T15:13+0000 africa chad idriss deby /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/0a/0f/1101877816_0:0:2730:1537_1920x0_80_0_0_6c97cff992c148674d0d7453285926ce.jpg On Tuesday, the office of the president said that Chadian Prime Minister of the transitional government Albert Pahimi Padacke resigned after the completion of the "first phase of the transition period." Saleh Kebzabo, one of the leaders of the opposition in Chad, was appointed as the new prime minister.The statement added that a number of ministers retained their positions, in particular, the heads of departments responsible for national defense, state security, finance, and energy.In April 2021, long-ruling Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno died from wounds sustained in clashes with rebels from the Front for Change and Concord in Chad. Following his death, the country's military established the Transitional Military Council set to rule for 18 months until new elections were held.The council was headed by 37-year-old General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, the son of the late president. As that deadline approached, a nationwide forum organized by General Deby set a new 24-month time frame for holding the elections and proclaimed him Chad's interim president on October 8. chad Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International chad, idriss deby https://sputniknews.com/20221015/sudanese-leader-says-consensus-between-political-forces-in-sight-1101883305.html Sudanese Leader Says Consensus Between Political Forces in Sight Sudanese Leader Says Consensus Between Political Forces in Sight CAIRO (Sputnik) - The head of Sudan's Sovereignty Council and the country's de-facto leader Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan said on Saturday that political forces in... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T16:02+0000 2022-10-15T16:02+0000 2022-10-15T16:02+0000 africa sudan abdel fattah abdelrahman burhan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/107657/48/1076574816_0:177:3015:1872_1920x0_80_0_0_db97e5c60dbaa93bca2b559c1c5e1a4d.jpg Burhan spoke on Saturday at a forum on security in Africa in the Ethiopian city of Bahir Dar.The leader added that these positive signals "add guarantees of transitional stability and the formation of a civilian government."In October 2021, the Sudanese military, led by Burhan, overthrew the government, declaring a state of emergency and establishing a transitional sovereign council under his leadership. Subsequent protests forced Burhan to sign a pact stipulating the reinstatement of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, releasing all political prisoners, holding elections in July 2023, and handing power to an elected civilian government. The political crisis persisted, however, and Hamdok stepped down on January 2.In early July, Burhan said that the military was not going to be involved in national dialogue between rival groups to "provide an opportunity for the revolutionary and national political forces to conduct a dialogue among themselves."Weekly protests against military rule have continued in Sudan, resulting in dozens of deaths. sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sudan, abdel fattah abdelrahman burhan https://sputniknews.com/20221015/us-designed-european-sky-shield-initiative-to-escalate-tension-with-russia-analyst-says-1101880792.html US Designed European Sky Shield Initiative to Escalate Tension With Russia, Analyst Says US Designed European Sky Shield Initiative to Escalate Tension With Russia, Analyst Says Fourteen NATO member states and Finland, which is in the process of joining the military bloc, signed a letter of intent on October 13 for the development of a... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T13:57+0000 2022-10-15T13:57+0000 2022-10-15T13:57+0000 opinion & analysis us europe russia ukraine nord stream crimean bridge donbass special operation aegis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/103974/45/1039744576_0:268:4595:2852_1920x0_80_0_0_2f50adb3919f51ec8498d8dd0ea734bc.jpg Fourteen European member states of NATO and Finland agreed to jointly acquire air defense equipment and missiles earlier this week "to strengthen their deterrence and defense in an efficient and cost-effective way," according to the alliance's website. The new assets will be fully interoperable with NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense.The NATO press release specifically cites Russia's special operation to demilitarize and de-Nazify Ukraine as a trigger for the move. Moscows latest precision strikes on military and infrastructure facilities across Ukraine followed the October 8 terrorist attack on the Crimean bridge. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) stated on Wednesday that the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate was behind the blasts which killed four civilians and damaged the bridge.Prior to the bombing of the Crimean bridge, three of four Nord Stream natural gas pipelines were blasted in the Baltic Sea. The sabotage was hailed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a "tremendous opportunity" for the EU to reduce dependence on Russia's fuel.According to Quinn, the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) is "almost certainly designed" to further escalate tensions between the US/EU and Russia. The political analyst explained that "any such 'air defense' system would undoubtedly have dual use, i.e. defensive and offensive, hence NATO's remark that the new shield will boost both "deterrence and defense" of the bloc's European allies.The US already operates two Aegis Ashore ballistic missile sites in Romania and Poland. Several years ago, Moscow warned that the Aegis deployments could be detrimental for Europe's peace and stability due to their offensive capabilities. For their part, NATO officials tried to alleviate Russian concerns by claiming that the Aegis systems were purely defensive and primarily aimed at shielding Europe from Iran's ballistic missile threat. Ironically, the officials' remarks came shortly after the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal by Tehran, the US and major European nations.In addition to the ESSI initiative, NATO member states pledged to boost Ukraine's air defense capabilities. In particular, Germany announced on Monday that it will provide the first of four new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine within days. For his part, US President Joe Biden promised his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that Washington would "continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems." White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby noted on Tuesday that the US was speeding up the delivery of eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) promised to Ukraine. "We think that were on track to get those first two over there in the very near future," Kirby said as cited by Reuters.Last month the Biden administration announced that the US would provide Ukraine with $600 million in military assistance in addition to an August package amounting to nearly $3 billion. Since 2014, the US has provided over $19.6 billion in military assistance to Kiev, according to the White House. https://sputniknews.com/20221010/crimean-bridge-attack-ukraines-sabotage-teams-take-orders-from-washington-senior-official-reveals-1101698419.html https://sputniknews.com/20221014/ex-dod-officer-bidens-schizophrenic-security-strategy-fraught-with-risk-of-igniting-ww3-1101860994.html russia ukraine crimean bridge donbass Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova us, europe, russia, ukraine, nord stream, crimean bridge, donbass, special operation, aegis, missile defense, nato https://sputniknews.com/20221015/us-envoy-summoned-over-bidens-remarks-on-pakistans-nukes-1101878671.html US Envoy Summoned Over Biden's Remarks on Pakistan's Nukes US Envoy Summoned Over Biden's Remarks on Pakistan's Nukes MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Pakistani Foreign Office summoned US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome for an official demarche regarding US President Joe Biden's remarks... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T12:27+0000 2022-10-15T12:27+0000 2022-10-15T12:27+0000 world asia us pakistan nuclear weapons joe biden /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/12/1100929797_0:124:3201:1924_1920x0_80_0_0_cf098a1ffc061fc58a2f323d34e8069d.jpg "As far as president Biden's statement is concerned I have discussed it with the prime minister, and we have summoned the ambassador of the United States to Pakistan Mr. Donald Blome to the foreign office of Pakistan for an official demarche," Zardari said.The minister added that Pakistan complies with all international standards regarding its nuclear capabilities. On Friday, Biden said at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception that he believed Pakistan to be "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" because the country has "nuclear weapons without any cohesion."Pakistan and the United States have recently marked the 75th anniversary of the bilateral relations, the minister said, adding that this issue was not raised at the reception. https://sputniknews.com/20221015/imran-khan-rips-into-biden-for-calling-pakistan-one-of-most-dangerous-nations-1101874442.html asia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International asia, us, pakistan, nuclear weapons, joe biden https://sputniknews.com/20221015/us-running-out-of-resources-to-supply-weapons-to-ukraine-1101884974.html US 'Running Out of Resources to Supply Weapons to Ukraine' US 'Running Out of Resources to Supply Weapons to Ukraine' MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States is close to running out of opportunities to continue delivering military aid to Ukraine, while Washington's concern about... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T17:40+0000 2022-10-15T17:40+0000 2022-10-15T17:40+0000 military us ukraine special operation military operation weapons /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/09/1d/1101335388_0:7:770:440_1920x0_80_0_0_0d525dfa29fa2d8decef62ef36451912.jpg Washington intends to slow down the delivery of modern weapons to Ukraine, including HIMARS missile defense systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger air defense systems, and M-777 howitzers, the broadcaster reported.At the same time, according to a congressional source, the risks of an escalation of the conflict with Russia are also forcing the US authorities to reduce their activity in the supply of arms, although the possibilities for providing Kiev with new military aid packages still remain.Later in the day, Defense Department spokesman Patrick Ryder said that Washington and its allies will continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, including planned deliveries of "key" weapons."Well continue to support Ukraine in their fight to defend their country for as long as it takes, working closely with Allies and partners to provide Ukrainian forces with key battlefield capabilities," Ryder said on Twitter.On Friday, the US Defense Department said that Washington would donate more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and additional artillery shells to Ukraine as part of a new $725 million military assistance package. In addition, the new package will include 5,000 anti-tank weapons, additional High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs), more than 200 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, and more than two million rounds of small arms ammunition.Since 2021, the US has already provided $18.2 billion in military aid to Ukraine, while the amount of aid provided since 2014 has reached $20.3 billion. On February 24, 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.In April, Russia sent a note to NATO member states condemning their military assistance to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that any arms shipments on the Ukrainian territory would be "legitimate targets" for Russian forces. https://sputniknews.com/20221005/pentagon-himars-rockets-supplied-to-kiev-can-reach-crimea-1101523471.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us, ukraine, special operation, military operation, weapons https://sputniknews.com/20221015/weekly-news-wrap-up-washington-price-gouging-eu-trump-says-end-ukraine-conflict-with-diplomacy-1101866963.html Weekly News Wrap-up; Washington Price Gouging EU; Trump Says End Ukraine Conflict with Diplomacy Weekly News Wrap-up; Washington Price Gouging EU; Trump Says End Ukraine Conflict with Diplomacy The Dow dropped 630 points on Thursday; indigenous people in Venezuela protest against US sanctions, and Washington is price gouging the EU for energy... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T11:16+0000 2022-10-15T11:16+0000 2022-10-15T11:16+0000 the critical hour radio sputnik julian assange venezuela haiti dow jones taiwan ukraine radio /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/0a/0e/1101866804_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_3a6703dda0c1bf88352be9d5d2eaa8b8.png Weekly News Wrap-up; Washington Price Gouging EU; Trump Says End Ukraine Conflict with Diplomacy The Dow dropped 630 points on Thursday; indigenous people in Venezuela protest against US sanctions, and Washington is price gouging the EU for energy products. Dr. Jack Rasmus, professor of Economics and Politics at St. Mary's College in California, joins us to discuss the economy. The Dow dropped 630 points on Thursday after the latest jobs data scared investors. Also, OPEC has dealt a severe blow to the Biden administration, and EU members are speaking out about US price gouging for liquefied natural gas.Kweku Lamumba, co-chair of the Georgia Green Party, joins us to discuss Haiti. The Black Alliance for Peace is rejecting calls for US military intervention in Haiti. Additionally, the Haitian people are taking to the streets in massive protests arguing that Western intervention is the cause of their problems rather than the cure.Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, joins us to discuss this week's news stories. Europeans seem to be working to turn a blind eye to the overwhelming evidence that the US attacked German energy infrastructure. Also, a major rail union has rejected the Biden White House-brokered plan to address their grievances and President Biden is all-in on the plan to take out China.Jim Kavanagh, writer at thepolemicist.net and CounterPunch, and Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, join us to discuss this week's stories. Thousands rallied around the world last week to call for the release of Julian Assange. Also, Tulsi Gabbard has challenged the war machine and Donald Trump argues for a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.Ajamu Baraka, 2016 US vice presidential candidate for the Green Party, and Netfa Freeman, Host of Voices With Vision on WPFW 89.3 FM Pan-Africanist and internationalist organizer, join us for the weekly wrap-up panel. Brazil's ongoing presidential election is important for world affairs. Also, Indigenous people in Venezuela protest against US sanctions and Washington is price gouging the EU for energy products.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 venezuela haiti ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Wilmer Leon https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e5/02/12/1082114047_0:-1:238:238_100x100_80_0_0_4e3adef3e334e381bffe19d388f4b776.jpg radio sputnik, julian assange, venezuela, haiti, dow jones, taiwan, ukraine, , radio https://sputniknews.com/20221015/whistleblower-says-trump-media-allegedly-violated-us-securities-laws---reports-1101886494.html Whistleblower Says Trump Media Allegedly Violated US Securities Laws - Reports Whistleblower Says Trump Media Allegedly Violated US Securities Laws - Reports WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Trump Media & Technology Group Corporation could have violated securities laws, and Former US President Donald Trump, who is the... 15.10.2022, Sputnik International 2022-10-15T21:52+0000 2022-10-15T21:52+0000 2022-10-15T21:52+0000 americas donald trump us us securities and exchange commission (sec) fraud whistleblower /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdnn1.img.sputniknews.com/img/07e6/04/1c/1095121832_0:66:960:606_1920x0_80_0_0_cb8dd3912bfdeef47923da96e2d58456.jpg Will Wilkerson, who was one of the original founders of Truth Social, Trumps social media platform that was established shortly after the former presidents permanent suspension from Twitter, was an executive at Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates Truth Social.Wilkerson filed a whistleblower complaint with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August, and also shared internal documents with The Washington Post, which reported on his complaint on Saturday.According to the newspaper, Wilkerson alleges that Trump Media violated securities laws and that Trump pressured executives to hand over their shares to his wife, Melania.Trump allegedly threatened to "blow up the company" if his demands were not met, according to an email Wilkerson and his attorneys shared with The Washington Post.Wilkerson and his attorneys also allege that Trump Medias bid to raise money via an investment vehicle known as a special purpose acquisition company relied on "fraudulent misrepresentations in violation of federal securities laws."Wilkerson was fired from his job as a senior vice president of operations at Trump Media on Thursday, after he spoke to The Washington Post, the newspaper said, adding that the company had cited Wilkersons "unauthorized disclosures."Trump was banned from Twitter and Facebook* following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. The platforms deemed that his activities in relation to the event violated their policies. The former president later launched a new social network Truth Social to fight Big Tech censorship and protect the right of free speech and expression.*Facebook and its parent company Meta are banned in Russia as extremist, terrorist organizations. https://sputniknews.com/20220830/google-play-reportedly-holds-up-approval-of-app-for-trumps-truth-social-1100187789.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2022 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International donald trump, us, us securities and exchange commission (sec), fraud, whistleblower Cokstile made international headlines in 2020 as the placed-first winner in that year's Elitlopp, but there was no need for a disqualification to place the star trotter in the Yonkers Raceway winner's circle after a sensational effort in the 2022 $1 million International Trot on Saturday (Oct. 15). There wasn't much notable activity for the opening stanzas of the 1-1/4 mile trotting event as Ecurie D (Ake Svanstedt) tried to bottom out the field with a hot early tempo. After a :27.4 opening quarter and :55.2 half, Ecurie D had some six lengths on his rivals but the backfield was starting to made serious gains approaching the 1:24 three-quarter mile mark. Most aggressive in the outer flow was Ecurie D's stablemate Back Of The Neck (Tim Tetrick) with Cokstile (Vincenzo Dell'Annunziata) second over. As the one-mile mark was reached in 1:54.2, both Back Of The Neck and Cokstile were poised to put away the early pacesetter and break away from the field for a two-horse sprint to the wire. In the stretch, Cokstile pulled away from the 2022 Maple Leaf Trot champion and tripped the timer in 2:23. Cokstile is a product of both European and North American bloodlines. Bred in Norway by Per-Erik Hagen, Cokstile's sire is Quite Easy, a son of Andover Hall from Maritas Victory, she a three-quarter sister to the great Passionate Glide. His dam is Joystile by the star trotter Coktail Jet. The win was his 28th from 77 lifetime starts, lifting him into double millionaire territory for owner Scuderia Santese Srl of Italy and trainer Mattia Orlando. The nine-year-old paid $46.20 to win. "It's unbelievable for him, the owners and the trainer. The owners, they spend money, they invested to buy this horse in Norway," Dell'Annunziata told Yonkers through an interpreter. "It was an advantage for him that the race was very fast to the half-mile because he's a strong horse. When he saw that the second horse was not fresh, he moved to go behind [Back Of The Neck]. He knew here that that's the time. He pushed the horse and opened up. "He loves New York, he loves the race and he loves the people that organized this big race. For him, it's fantastic." Co-owner Stefano Paladini indicated that a decision to race beyond today in North America has yet to be determined. "This evening we will speak and maybe. We will see. "We believed he could win [the International Trot]. In the Lotteria [his last race in Italy on Oct. 2], he had a little problem with one of his feet," noted Paladini. "He never lost to Ecurie D in Europe. In the first position, he is very strong. He's an aggressive horse who likes to push and push and push. When he races in the front from the beginning, it is too much for him." Its Academic (David Miller) closed well to edge out Lovedbythemasses (Todd McCarthy) for third. Favoured Etonnant finished eighth, while Ecurie D faded to finish ninth. Two $250,000 Invitational events were featured on the International Trot undercard. When Dovescry and driver David Miller made every call a winning one to take the $250,000 Robert Miecuna Invitational Trot, winning the 1-1/4 mile trot in wire-to-wire fashion in 2:26.4. Favoured at 4/5, the six-year-old talented trotter was a length and a quarter better than Hillexotic (Yannick Gingras) and Amigo Volo (Todd McCarthy). Owned by John Lengacher of Grabill, Ind., When Dovescry (Muscle Hill - Cedar Dove) is trained by Brett Pelling. She paid $3.80 to win, the 23rd victory of her career and third this season. The winner's share of the purse puts her career bankroll just shy of $2.15 million. "I didn't really expect it to go that smoothly," Miller told Yonkers media. "I got to the lead, and she relaxes so well. Every quarter that flashed up, it was getting slower and slower. Up the backstretch I was like 'we should be home free from here.' Yannick was the only one I was worried about. He was running me over and I didn't want to let him out, but going that slow, 1:58.3, I figured she could out-sprint him. "She's well-deserving of that win, that's for sure." Speaking of millionaires, None Bettor A became harness racing's newest millionaire by virtue of a narrow score in the $250,000 MGM Aria Invitational Pace. Driver Dexter Dunn positioned 7-1 shot None Bettor A forwardly off the gate in the 1-1/4 mile event and yielded to This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) after a :27.2 opening quarter. Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman) pressured the half-mile track world record holder on the lead through the :56 half, 1:23.2 third quarter and 1:51.2 mile markers before relenting. Dunn slid out None Bettor from the pocket around the final turn, but This Is The Plan wasn't done yet and rallied strongly turning from home. The pocket trip proved fruitful for None Bettor A, who stuck a head in front at the wire over a dead game This Is The Plan. American Courage (Matt Kakaley) completed the triactor. The race was clocked in 2:20.3, more than a full second better than the previous world record of 2:21.4 set by Perfect Son in 2000 at Freehold Raceway. Travis Alexander trains None Bettor A (Bettors Delight - Limerick Star) for Joe P Racing LLC of Delray Beach, Fl. and Oldford Racing LLC of Port Huron, Mich. Now nine, None Bettor A picked up his 42nd career victory in 131 starts to lift his earnings to $1,020,177. He paid $16.60 to win. "First and third, very happy. Both horses raced great," Alexander told Yonkers media. "None Bettor had a wicked trip. It worked out and Dexter did the job. It was a big mile." According to Alexander, None Bettor A is expected to be back in the local Opens while American Courage will be transitioning to a stallion career. "American Courage is going to stand and race next year at Blue Chip. We might call it quits now and get him ready for the Borgata." A Gering mobile home sustained significant damages during a fire Monday, displacing the residents of the home. Gering and Scottsbluff fire departments responded at about 6:40 p.m. to the report of a structure fire on Ridge Drive. Gering Fire Chief Nathan Flowers told the Star-Herald that arriving firefighters found a significant amount of smoke coming from the mobile home. Firefighters assessed the fire and found the source of the fire to be in a bathroom in the rear of the mobile home. Flowers said the occupants of the home had already evacuated, and firefighters extinguished the fire and ventilated the home. The origin of the fire was determined to be a fire burning in a trash can in the bathroom. Occupants of the home said that the home was being renovated, and there was no gas service to the home. A resident of the home had lit a fire in a trash can and left the fire burning. Upon returning, the resident found the fire had escaped the trash can and was burning curtains and other materials. Fortunately, Flowers said, no one was injured. The fire could have quickly spread, he said. The home sustained $3,000 in damages. Firefighter Ministry organizer Carissa Schank told the Star-Herald that the organization provided aid to two adults and one child displaced due to the fire. The American Red Cross was also notified to offer assistance. The fire does serve as a reminder for people to take care with heating sources in their home. Flowers said firefighters dont advise using fire as a heating source inside the home, unless in a properly constructed structure, such as a fireplace or stove. He said he advises against such use in mobile homes, which tend to be vulnerable to fires that spread quickly. During the winter months, use of alternative sources such as space heaters are often used. Space heaters draw large amounts of electricity, Flowers said, so people should be sure to purchase a surge protector. Schank told the Star-Herald that the organization also provided assistance to a family of eight impacted by a fire in the Sidney community. The cause of that fire at a home on Rancho Drive is reported to be under investigation. The American Red Cross is also reported to be providing aid in the Sidney fire. Regional West and The Community Pharmacy at Regional West are working to reduce the presence of potentially dangerous medications in the community through an opioid stewardship program. A Regional West interdisciplinary opioid stewardship team began looking at trends primarily relating to pain medications in 2017 in an effort to raise awareness of prescription drugs. As a result of awareness created by the program, the number of prescriptions for OxyContin and Fentanyl patches disbursed by Community Pharmacy dropped substantially by 2021. As one replacement, buprenorphine is being prescribed more often for pain relief. Buprenorphine comes with fewer side effects than some of the opioid medications while still being effective for pain. Michelle Smith, RPh, operations manager for Community Pharmacy at Regional West, said many prescriptions are now written for a seven-day supply of the medications rather than for a month supply. Patients should use the lowest dose medication possible and the least amount possible to acceptably cover their pain control, Smith said. An open conversation with a physician or prescriber about expectations for pain relief can help determine proper medications to achieve the desired level of pain relief, or it may be determined that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, exercise, massage therapy, or simple hot packs or cold packs may be used. By reducing the number of opioid medications prescribed, even though they are legal drugs, the incidence of overdose is also reduced as fewer pills are available. In partnership with StopODNE, Community Pharmacy offers free NARCAN Nasal Spray to Nebraska residents without a prescription. NARCAN can help reverse an overdose. Any Nebraska resident can pick up as many as four boxes of the spray for personal availability or in the event a family member or friend may be at risk of an overdose. Community Pharmacy has seen success in getting the spray doses out to the community through the NARCAN program and StopODNE, but Smith said it is important that people recognize the importance of this availability for anyone and to take advantage of the program Accidental overdose can happen to anybody, Smith said. It knows no social, economic, or any other types of boundaries. It can happen without knowing that theyve taken anything dangerous. People can get help, and we can help them. For more information about the free NARCAN program, visit stopodne.com. A battle is raging in the 90500 block of County Road 19 in rural Scottsbluff. A group of long-dead British redcoats fire upon a pirate ship haunted by equally skeletal pirates. Every night, from 7-9 p.m., they wage war in the front yard of husband-and-wife Chris and Stormie Haywards home. We wanted to make something for people to come and enjoy and not have to pay anything for something kind of special, Chris said. The couple has made Halloween displays for years, often spending a month putting them together and brainstorming new ideas once Halloween is over. I kept a folder at work and every time I had an idea, I would sketch down the idea, he said. The pirate ship I kind of had partially planned were going to keep adding to it probably until Halloween. Not a whole lot, but the details are where were at now and thats what really starts bringing it alive. With the help of a few friends, the Haywards converted a gooseneck trailer into the pirate ships platform and used frames to shape it. They weathered their plastic skeletons to look more aged and frightening. In previous years, theyd had witches and werewolves in their display. The redcoat army was a spur-of-the-moment idea. It actually got started when we were accidentally shipped two of these horsemen. They were actually supposed to be grim reapers, but we repurposed them and made (redcoat) costumes, Chris said. Filling out the redcoat ranks are some rank-and-file soldiers and a cannon operator Chris built from scratch called Trigger. Each side is dressed in era-specific attire and has taken prisoners. They each have their own show, too. From 7-9 p.m., Chris and Stormie start a series of strobe lights, projectors and no fewer than seven fog machines to create a 10-minute performance. First the pirates are introduced, followed by the redcoats, and then they clash. Chris said he wants people to use a nearby field as a parking lot because, for the first time, the Haywards are inviting people to walk through their display. Theyll be handing out candy the weekend before Halloween and will keep repeating their front yard performance throughout the month of October. Theyll also feature the haunting sounds of their performance on 90.5 FM for drivers to tune into as they travel the dark country roads of Scotts Bluff County. A few miles northeast from the Haywards, across from Regional West Medical Center, another crew of skeleton pirates sails across a lawn in the 210000 block of East 42nd Street. Andrew and Amanda Reiner married last year, and this is the first time theyll have Andrews two children and Amandas three children with them for Halloween. We wanted to do something kind of big and get the kids involved, so we did the pirate theme. We got the big 12-foot skeleton and weve been planning all year how to do it, Amanda said. For around half a dozen years, Andrew had made increasingly elaborate Halloween decorations in his front yard with an army of plastic skeletons. One year, they grew a pumpkin patch. Another, they built a giant skeleton of their own. For one of his first decorations, Andrew even had them engage in naval warfare. We try to change it around a little bit just to keep it interesting because I know so many people in the community have seen it and like driving by it, so we like keeping it fresh for them every year, Andrew said. The family tells a story through their displays, changing them up every few days. This year, they started work in September. The five children each painted their own five-foot skeleton. We started by putting them in the trees, Amanda said. They were kind of poking out where you couldnt really see them unless you were looking for them. Then we started moving them out where they are now. We got the other six five-foot skeletons, and they started building the pirate ship. Using wood they had available and blue lights to mimic the ocean, the Reiners and their kids started a story of the skeleton pirate crew as they built and repaired their ship and even fought one another with swords. Each skeleton is dressed up to more closely resemble pirates; some even have eyepatches and peg legs. Currently, the crew has constructed a lifeboat to save the massive 12-foot skeleton that fell overboard. Its been a family affair for sure. Everybodys really excited to go out there and help out, Amanda added. The kids have all been involved in dressing the skeletons and moving them around. Andrew is a big Pirates of the Caribbean fan, Amanda explained, as are her three sons, so it was a natural fit to make their skeletons pirates this year. One pirate in particular is oddly adorned in a Santa hat and can often be seen loafing off. His name is Screwball and hes always up to something mischievous, Amanda said. Right now, hes out doing the backstroke in the ocean, but weve had him sitting in a lawn chair watching everybody work. Andrew said he enjoys spending time with the kids putting everything together. Often, passersby stop to marvel at the scene. He said the family will trick-or-treat early so they can be back in time to hand out candy and have folks take pictures of their display. Its a really fun, family activity, he said. The kids really enjoy it. They love being out here, coming up with ideas sometimes its hard for me to come up with ideas for Screwball, but the boys come up with fantastic ways for him to be screwing around. The final decorations will be put in this weekend. There are still a few surprises in store for the skeleton pirates of East 42nd Street. From one end of Scottsbluff to the other, hundreds of houses are adorned for the Halloween season. For some families, they go all-out its something they and their community can all enjoy. Heres what we have learned about the suspect in Thursdays mass shooting in Raleigh: Who is the suspect in the Raleigh shooting? Sources have confirmed for The News & Observer that the suspect in Thursday nights mass shooting is 15-year-old Austin Thompson, a sophomore at Knightdale High School and the brother of 16-year-old shooting victim James Thompson. Austin Thompson is hospitalized in critical condition at WakeMed, where he was taken after being captured by police Thursday night. Where did the suspect live? Austin Thompson lived in the Hedingham neighborhood. Neighbors said he lived with his father, a handyman in the neighborhood, and would help on odd jobs. Several described unusual behavior from the son. I used to see him at 4:30, 5 in the morning with a bookbag on, said Lavarius Thompson, a neighbor. Buses dont run till 7 in the morning. Lavarius Thompson, who is unrelated to a victim with the same last name, said he normally works out in his garage, but something kept him from the habit Thursday night. I could have been a victim myself, he said. Was the suspect shot? Austin Thompson was hospitalized after his capture late Thursday. The nature of his injuries has not been released. A long standoff unfolded Thursday evening, Police Chief Estella Patterson said. What was the motive behind the Raleigh shooting? Police declined to discuss the motive or circumstances of the shooting, but promised to share more details in five days. In North Carolina, police prepare five-day reports outlining what transpired during a significant crime incident, usually when a police officer shoots someone. Did Raleigh shooter know the victims? Its not yet clear whether the suspect knew any of the victims other than his brother. Police declined to say. Patterson said the gunman shot people in the streets of the Hedingham neighborhood, then fled in the direction of the Neuse River Greenway Trail, where he continued shooting. The victims were identified as: James Thompson, 16 Gabriel Torres, 29 Mary Marshall, 34 Susan Karnatz, 49 Nicole Conners, 53 Torres, a Raleigh police officer, was on his way to work when he was shot. Patterson said the crime scene spanned two miles and the investigation is ongoing. What kind of gun did the Raleigh shooter use? Authorities havent said what type of weapon the shooter used. A 911 caller said he was dressed in camouflage and carrying a long gun and backpack. A jury awarded a former Longview dental assistant nearly $770,000 this week after finding her former employer dentist Sam Wise and clinic manager Rima Wise, his wife subjected her to a sexually charged hostile work environment. The jury found that Sam Wise shorted plaintiff Darci Coopers pay, created a hostile work environment because she is a woman and then fired her without just cause. Cooper filed the lawsuit in 2020, and the verdict for the four-day civil trial in Cowlitz County Superior Court was announced Monday. Wise operated Lower Columbia Oral Health at 1538 11th Ave. for almost three years and was evicted in February. Attorneys for the Wises did not return messages from The Daily News. A person who answered the phone number listed for Wises Texas clinic online declined to comment. The jury found Sam Wise breached contracts with Cooper by not giving Cooper bonuses during certain pay periods or paying for worked lunches. The panelists also agreed Coopers reporting of Sam Wises misconduct to the Washington Employment Department was a substantial factor in Sam Wises decision to fire Cooper. The jury found both Sam Wise and Rima Wise discriminated against Cooper because she is a woman, which created a hostile work environment. Court records show a work policy posted in January 2020 includes rules about women wearing decent makeup and perfumes, and said makeup, perfume and outfits would be provided if female employees could not afford them. According to text messages in court records, Sam Wise said women who dont want to work where they are called sexy or hot should leave. Coopers attorney Maria Witt of Portland-based Stutheit Kalin said witnesses told the court Sam Wise regularly talked about the weight and breasts of female employees and patients. During trial, Sam Wise admitted to laying dental tools on the chests of female patients as opposed to a tray, Witt said. In a July motion to dismiss, the defendants argued the allegations did not constitute workplace harassment. In a deposition, Sam Wise said he did not believe he had made any offensive statements or actions, and his statements didnt harm his employees. The January 2020 work policy also includes rules about employees showing allegiance to Sam Wise, including: Dr. Wise preserves his right of unlimited freedom of speech to express his opinions by words or acts ... Under no circumstances any employee can consider his statements/behaviors inappropriate, offensive or harassment. Any employee who doesnt believe in Dr. Wise as the most talented, qualified and highest credentialed dentist in the area must leave the job immediately. All employees are mandated to like all pages related to the business and they are requested to leave good reviews expressing their honest opinion without any criticism and without mentioning they work in this business. The Washington State Department of Health is reviewing allegations including whether Sam Wise will face disciplinary actions for prescribing his wife a weight-loss drug for sleep apnea as her dentist in Washington in 2019, according to state documents. Enforcement action for Sam Wise was listed as pending on the Department of Healths website as of Friday and his dental license was listed as expired. Wises' Longview dental practice, which is officially called German Wise Dental LLC, filed bankruptcy in June according to court records. Editors note: A previous version of this story was an inaccurate draft and prematurely posted online and deleted. After narrow victories in his first two campaigns for the state House, Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, said hes seeing growing local support for his brash approach in the Legislature and lengthy Facebook videos about state policy. People are excited to have someone whos a forceful voice for them in Olympia and doesnt pussyfoot around with policy issues, Walsh said. His challenger for House seat 1, Ilwaco Democrat Kelli Hughes-Ham, views that forcefulness as a problem. Hughes-Ham said Walsh has alienated so many Democrats that he cant accomplish things the district needs. She said she can use her background as a teacher at Ilwaco High School to communicate and find common ground with as many people as possible. I dont see us being represented very well by our current reps. They say theres no use in complaining if your arent willing to step up and do it for yourself, Hughes-Ham said. The candidates in Washingtons 19th Legislative District have a significant fundraising split. Walsh received $119,000 in campaign contributions as of Tuesday and has spent more than $100,000. Hughes-Ham, meanwhile, has collected $15,000 in contributions. Kelli Hughes-HamA self-described dirt-road Democrat, Hughes-Ham faces a familiar problem for the regions liberal candidates: how to balance preserving the environment with supporting the areas businesses that rely on natural resources. Hughes-Ham has seen the economic impacts up close. Her grandfather worked at a lumber mill and her father repaired fishing boats, both major industries for Pacific County. Hughes-Ham said she wanted to bring those types of workers views to Olympia to shape the discussions. I want people to hear these stories because, quite frankly, thats when you connect with people, Hughes-Ham said. Kelli Hughes-Ham, Democrat Age: 47 City of residence: Ilwaco Occupation: English and art teacher at Ilwaco High School Political experience: Precinct committee officer for Democrats of Pacific County Civic activities: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum board member Notable endorsements: Cowlitz County Democratic Women, Washington State Labor Council, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Sierra Club Given her job as a teacher, schooling has also been a major priority for Hughes-Ham. She is supportive of the Wahkiakum School Districts lawsuit attempting to overhaul the limits on funding Washingtons rural schools. Under the current formulas, she said Ilwaco isnt even funded for a half-time guidance counselor. To address the housing crises affecting Southwest Washington, Hughes-Ham mentioned relaxed permitting process and ways to give fulltime residents the first shot at buying homes instead of property companies. We cant make a law saying you need so many apartments built in a city, but we could make it lucrative for cities, for private property owners to build for families, Hughes-Ham said. Jim Walsh For much of the year Walsh has been lending his support to the initiative drive from the Project to Restore Washington. The conservative action group is pursuing a list of 11 initiative proposals covering many issues that Walsh and other state Republicans have regularly pushed for: multiple tax cuts, reinstating felony drug possession and limiting the governors emergency powers. If the initiatives receive enough qualifying signatures by the end of the year, each item will be brought forward as a bill during the legislative session. Any measure that isnt passed into law by the Legislature will automatically appear as a ballot measure in 2023. Jim Walsh, Republican Age: 57 City of residence: Aberdeen Occupation: Owner of Silver Lake Publishing Political experience: Three terms in state House, former vice president of Washington State Republican Party Civic activities: St. Mary Catholic Church Notable endorsements: Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs, WA Farm Bureau, Mainstream Republicans of WA, Log Cabin Republicans WA Personally Id rather do them as a bill but the tenor in Olympia in the last session was so partisan, it was hard to get good bills considered, Walsh said. One of Walshs biggest issues heading into next year is law enforcement. If re-elected, he plans to bring back measures to ease police officers ability to pursue suspects and restore the felony drug possession rules the state dropped after the Blake decision. He said that stricter drug possession laws would also have a positive impact on homelessness by forcing more addicts into treatment through drug court. If we can do more to enforce the law on possession of hard drugs, we have the ability to make diversion programs more effective, Walsh said. Walsh has been an outspoken opponent of how Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee has handled COVID-19, including suing the state Legislature for COVID-19 safety measures during the last session and wearing a Star of David while protesting COVID vaccine mandates, for which he later apologized. Walsh said this week the virus is no longer a pandemic and the Legislatures priority should be on emergency power limits. The local Salvation Army will run the upcoming pallet home community for the homeless in Longview. The city announced the partnership to run the shelter community, which has been named HOPE Village, on Thursday afternoon. Fifty pallet homes are planned to built on Alabama Street in Longview sometime in November after being approved by the Longview City Council over the last few weeks. The village will be run by the Longview chapter of the Salvation Army with support from the regional office in Seattle. As the host organization for the site, the Salvation Army will have an office amidst the pallet homes where they help residents connect with counselors and case managers as they look for a permanent housing solution. It was important to have someone with the experience, someone who had the infrastructure to scale up and be able to operate one of these communities, Longviews assistant city manager Kris Swanson said. We will continue to work closely with city leadership in an effort to ensure we are able to provide a safe, healthy and orderly community that focuses on longterm housing and programs that guide individuals towards a hopeful future, Jonathan Harvey, General Secretary for the Northwest Division of the Salvation Army, said in a statement Thursday. Longview considers the pallet homes enhanced temporary shelters, not a longterm solution for the unhoused. The announcement Thursday said the homes are intended to be a first step toward helping these individuals find permanent homes. The city arrived at the deal with the Salvation Army over the past week using the emergency declaration. The emergency conditions allowed the city to settle the contract without going through a competitive bidding process, which some people criticized at Thursdays council meeting as a lack of transparency. Swanson said the city was following the councils direction from August and working on an aggressive timeline to replace the current camp. The city and Salvation Army are still negotiating the final details of the contract, including the requirements for anyone staying in a pallet home and the final cost. Longview police see benefits of enforcement blitz In addition to the new site managers, the city announcement said the Longview Police Department initiated an enforcement blitz in and around the current campsite after neighbors complaints about suspected nearby increased crime. Since the end of August, the Longview police have run nightly foot patrols in the Highlands neighborhood and the blocks around Alabama Street. Capt. Branden McNew said the patrol officers had been able to stop multiple burglaries in progress because of the increased presence. Officers have also cracked down on citations for smaller offenses like illegal camping, taking shopping carts from stores and disorderly conduct. The result has been a steep decline in criminal behavior, to the point McNew said officers have almost become bored on recent shifts. In the first few weeks, it was very easy to observe criminal behavior, McNew said. Officers that go down there now are observing almost none. The police actions are supported by the presence of Northwest Enforcement, the private security firm contracted by the city to watch the Alabama Street camp on nights and weekends. The security firm focuses more on enforcing the rules within the camp than serious crimes, which are reported to the Longview police. Once the pallet community is in place, McNew said the department would likely ramp down the foot patrols because of the excessive overtime it requires. With our staffing levels, we cannot continue this tempo of work indefinitely with the number of officers we have, McNew said. Wildfire smoke moving into Cowlitz County and the region prompted an air quality alert through Monday. The Southwest Washington Clean Air Agency issued the alert Thursday, as air quality fell from good to moderate levels. As of Friday, air quality was at the moderate level in most of the region, with some areas reaching unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to AirNow.gov. Smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose and a sore throat, and aggravate heart and lung diseases, according to the state Department of Health. People should limit outdoor activities when it is smoky, the department advises. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for wind and low relative humidity from 2 a.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday in the region. These conditions may cause rapid fire spread and people are asked to use extra caution. Cowlitz Countys seasonal burn ban remains in effect, and many recreational areas have campfire restrictions. A newborn is dead weeks after sustaining injuries from a single-car crash in Longview that also took the life of the babys 26-year-old mother and injured two others. The single rollover crash occurred in the early morning of Sept. 19 on Industrial Way near 26th Avenue. Police say the vehicle was traveling west on state Route 432, or Industrial Way, when the SUV rolled over multiple times and crash-landed upside down on its roof near a drainage slough. Bystanders pulled out the newborn and the 5-year-old from the distorted SUV. According to state patrol, the driver, 26-year-old Celeste A. Williams, died at the scene. The passengers, Ryson D. Nicholson, 19, of Longview, and a 5-year-old child were transported to St. Johns Medical Center due to injuries sustained in the crash. The newborn was rushed to Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Childrens Hospital, where the child later died. A relative of the family, Mary Jo Locke, said Williams and Nicholson are siblings, and both of the minors are Williams children. Locke said Williams was driving the youth to school at the time of the crash. Police had to use their winch to retrieve the SUV from the slough so firefighters could reach trapped Williams inside the SUV. The SUV Williams was driving was declared totaled, and the accident remains under investigation by law enforcement. It was around a decade ago that the Clean Tech 1.0 boom crashed. Several industry darlings dropped one after another in quick succession after taking millions of dollars in loan from the U.S. government. The same pattern repeated in Germany too.There are multiple reasons why so many businesses went kaput. Some were in the right place at the wrong time, or rather, had the right tech at the wrong time. Others depended on venture capital, which ideally seeks returns on a charted timeline thats ruthlessly brief for deep tech companies. A few others were undercut by bigger competitors. And many others collapsed under the pressure of general market forces that took the world by storm during the Great Recession. Regardless of the reason, the grand bust spooked venture capitalists, who shied away from the sector for years despite seeing promise for enormous long-term gains.However, in the last few years, venture capital has roared back, pumping in tens of billions of dollars in start-ups that aim to solve environmental issues. What changed? For starters, the name. Clean tech is passe. Climate tech is the new thing! The skeptics might ridicule the change as marketing fluff incepted to mask the dark of the past. One may say theyre not entirely wrong. Post the last boom-bust era, the clean tech reputation was damaged. Founders, regardless of all their talk of failing quick and learning from failures quicker, ideally dont like to be associated with that kind of defeat, even by syntactic association.Yet if you investigate a little deeper, itd be apparent that climate tech is much more than just repackaged clean tech. Its both an organic progression and a revised bottom-up think of founding and investing in climate-friendly startups. Climate tech allows founders and investors to collaborate to introduce promising technologies and conversations to market in a manner that will ensure significant profits while also tackling climate change in a purposeful way. Investing in climate tech doesnt refer to investing in non-profit ventures or plain investing in enterprises that produce environmentally conscious deliverables. It means investing in any business that consciously removes or reduces greenhouse gas emissions.The reason why Climate Tech is unlikely to fail like CleanTech 1.0 is that it makes economic sense. Climate change can result in natural calamities which are unfavourable to businesses and governments alike. As such, investing in climate tech can help reverse the effects of climate change and help the world be better prepared.India could, in fact, gain $11 trillion in economic value merely by slowing down rising global temperatures and passing on the climate solutions to the rest of the world.According to credible reports, currently, India ranks 7th on the global climate change crisis index and is set to lose 35 trillion USD in the next five years if climate change issues are not tackled. This is a blockade to an economy that is bound to grow to 5 trillion USD in the next few years.Furthermore, with support from governments and conglomerates in the form of announcing ambitious net-zero targets, the practicality and applications of Climate Tech increase multifold. Also, as consumers become increasingly conscious of the implications of climate change, they make smarter choices. Nearly one-third of consumers across the globe are inclined to invest in sustainable products. Another important point to note is that CleanTech 1.0 had one major inherent defect. It was not cost-aggressive with the fossil fuel industry. Today, solar and wind energy are not only cost-competitive but, in some cases, cost-effective as well, largely owing to the technical developments in the last decade. Clean technologies have become more inexpensive. The average price of energy utilities is on the decline. For instance, the cost of solar panels has declined by 71% in the last ten years.While Clean Tech 1.0 mostly focused on clean energy, which at the time, was not scalable owing to economic and technical constraints. On the contrary, climate tech today concentrates on a wide range of issues from electric mobility to carbon offsetting and desolation and has several applications and far higher demand. Climate Tech aims to concentrate not merely on decarbonising energy but also on reducing carbon dioxide emissions in mobility, agriculture, construction, industries, and practically everything else in the world that is carbon intensive.There are several ways in which investors can avoid repeating previous mistakes. They can opt to invest at later stages, at a time when the technological risk has been mitigated; concentrate on digital and software avenues that dont necessitate the buildout of huge factories or plants; embrace an investment model that doesnt heavily depend on returns as rapidly; and scout for technologies that slot into, and not compete against, existing means of manufacturing products.The unanimity around clean energy as one of the primary opportunities in the short term will determine where investments will be going on, and consequently, the movement of skilled workers. The green economy is fast becoming omnipresent and plans to polarise its decarbonisation mind-set across different sectors in the global industry. Theres sufficient room for talent, and the surge in demand doesnt show any signs of slowing down. Be it in business or research, business leaders are all vying for a slice of the Cleantech 2.0 pie. A Nikola Two truck, as presented by the Nikola truck company, whose former chief executive has been found guilty of fraud. The former head of Nikola, a start-up making electric- and hydrogen-powered trucks, was found guilty of fraud on Friday for misleading investors about his company's alleged progress and capabilities in order to raise more money. After a trial that began in mid-September in a Manhattan federal courthouse, jurors found Trevor Milton, 40, guilty on three out of four counts. "Trevor Milton lied to Nikola's investorsover and over and over again," said Damien Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. "That's fraud, plain and simple, and this office has no patience for it... Let this case serve as a warning to anyone who plays fast and loose with the truth to get investors to part with their money. It won't end well." Prosecutors accused the entrepreneur of having exaggerated the number of orders placed and the company's ability to produce hydrogen and having lied about prototypes. They said instead of holding a traditional public offering, Nikola went public by merging with an already listed company (known as a Spac, or Special Purpose Acquisition Company) which meant there were fewer constraints about releasing important information. Nikola made a splash when it debuted on Wall Street in June 2020 before sealing a promising partnership with General Motors in September, which seemed to confer legitimacy on the company based in Phoenix, Arizona. But the company was engulfed in a whirlwind of controversy days later when the investment firm Hindenburg Research claimed Nikola was "an intricate fraud built on dozens of lies over the course of its founder and executive chairman Trevor Milton's career." Faced with charges filed by US authorities in July 2021, Milton pleaded not guilty. His lawyers argued that any exaggerated statements he made about Nikola were aimed at car enthusiasts and specialists rather than investors. Official documents presenting the company's market strategy and submitted to the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) have always been correct, Milton's lawyers said. They attempted to show that the statements submitted as evidence by the prosecution had no significant impact on the share price. Nikola has already paid $125 million dollars to the SEC to settle similar lawsuits. Explore further Electric truck maker Nikola to pay $125 mn US fine for fraud 2022 AFP Through a decade of steady growth, China has evolved into the world's major economic powerhouse, with numerous milestone achievements made along the journey of high-quality development. Powering ahead on a development path that is innovation-driven, sustainable, and more open to the world, China has kept injecting momentum into the global economy. The following figures and facts provided by the National Bureau of Statistics shed some light on how the world's second-largest economy transformed and thrived over the past ten years. Driving global growth Over the past decade, the Chinese economy has sustained rapid growth and cemented its global status as a major growth contributor. In 2021, China's gross domestic product reached 17.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 18.5 percent of the world's total. From 2013 to 2021, it grew at an average annual rate of 6.6 percent, beating the global level of 2.6 percent. With the rapid economic expansion, China has become a major driving force for global growth. During the 2013-2021 period, its contribution to global economic growth averaged 38.6 percent, higher than that of the Group of Seven countries combined. Agriculture, a pillar of the economy, has registered stable growth. Since 2012, the output of grain, meat, peanuts, and tea ranked first in the world, while rapeseed output placed second. On the industrial front, the country's main industrial product output has risen steadily. The output of crude steel, coal, power, cement, fertilizer, automobiles, micro-computers, and mobile phones led the world. Opening wider Amid endeavors to open up wider to the world, China's foreign trade has seen a robust expansion in the past decade. In 2020, the country surpassed the United States to become the world's largest trading country for the first time, with a total foreign trade volume of 5.3 trillion U.S. dollars, up from 4.4 trillion dollars in 2012. Last year, China's foreign trade volume further expanded to 6.9 trillion dollars, continuing to take first place globally. Its foreign trade in goods rose from 3.9 trillion dollars in 2012 to 6.1 trillion dollars last year, accounting for 13.5 percent of the world's total. The country has also remained the largest trader in goods and second-largest trader in services in the world. With a vast market of 1.4 billion people, solid economic growth, and an improving business environment, China has remained a favorite destination for foreign investment throughout the past decade. Since 2020, China has remained the second-biggest recipient country for foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI into the country, in actual use, came in at 173.5 billion dollars in 2021, compared with 113.3 billion dollars in 2012, increasing by 4.8 percent on average each year. Innovation-driven development Over the past decade, China has put innovation high on its agenda to boost competitiveness and invigorate the economy. The country rose to 12th on the Global Innovation Index 2021, up from the 34th in 2012, said the World Intellectual Property Organization. It ranked first among middle-income economies. Amid the innovation drive, the number of Chinese companies on the Fortune Global 500 list has grown since 2012. In 2021, 145 Chinese companies made it to the list, climbing from 95 in 2012 and increasing for 19 consecutive years. In terms of telecommunication infrastructure, the country has built the world's largest 5G network, with a total of 1.43 million 5G base stations installed across the country by the end of 2021, accounting for over 60 percent of the world's total. Backed by technological advancement, China has accelerated the construction of high-speed transportation networks. The country boasts the world's most developed high-speed rail network, with high-speed railways stretching to a total length of 40,000 km by the end of 2021, up 330 percent from 2012. The extent of expressways in operation has also reached 169,000 km, an increase of 80 percent over the past decade, ranking first globally. Better life China's economic development has translated into a steady increase in resident income, improving people's livelihoods notably over the past decade. The gross national income per capita reached 11,890 U.S. dollars last year, doubling from the figure recorded in 2012. The expansion helped elevate China from 112th to 68th in the same timeframe as per a World Bank ranking. China eliminated absolute poverty in 2020, with 12.37 million rural residents lifted out of poverty on a yearly average between 2012 and 2020. This achievement enabled China to meet the poverty eradication target in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ten years ahead of schedule. Thanks to the income growth and improvements in education and health care, the average life expectancy of Chinese people reached 77.9 years in 2020, 5.2 years above the global average. Dylan Hieb of Alda has developed a friendship with rocker Kid Rock. Hieb, 28, has met Kid Rock several times. At a concert in Omaha in April, Kid Rock gave Hieb the saxophone he was playing. Kid Rock then said from the stage, I love you, Dylan. Hieb and his parents, Tim and Tina, initially met Kid Rock on a music cruise. They also interacted with him at a fish fry hosted by the rocker in Nashville and at a concert in the Dominican Republic. Hieb, who has autism, has become well-known among Kid Rocks fans, who raised money for Hieb and his parents to attend the fish fry. Kid Rock matched the amount that had been raised by his fans. At the Nashville event, many Kid Rock fans wore T-shirts that said, Chillin with Dylan. On another occasion, Kid Rock gifted Hieb with a pair of Armani sunglasses he was wearing. The family has attended two Kid Rock concerts in Oklahoma, and another in Sturgis, S.D. If Kid Rock sees the Hiebs in the audience, he could call out the names of each of them, Tim Hieb said. Tina Hieb said Kid Rock has a good heart. Hes been so generous with our son, she said. With the 5th China International Import Expo set to be held in Shanghai in less than a month, around 50 business representatives gathered in London on Thursday to learn about investment opportunities in the East China's biggest metropolis. Xue Feng, president of Invest Shanghai, the foreign investment development agency of the city, spoke to the audience via video link, giving insight on a wide range of business opportunities on offer. "Shanghai's economy has been deeply integrated into the world, and Shanghai's future development is inseparable from the extensive participation of enterprises from all over the world," said Xue. Shanghai hosts a total 857 regional headquarters for multinational companies and 516 foreign-invested research and development centers. Xue said that over the next three years the city will continue to cultivate integrated circuit, biomedicine and artificial intelligence as its leading industries, while electronic information, healthcare, automobiles, high-end equipment, new materials, and modern consumer goods will be further promoted. Bao Ling, minister for economic and commercial affairs at the Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom, said Shanghai's utilization of foreign capital stood at $16.3 billion from January to August, up 8.4 percent year-on-year. Trade between Shanghai and the UK increased by 15.6 percent in 2021 and 176 British companies were set up in the city, making the UK one of its key trading partners, she said. "The city is keen to welcome investment in financial services, high-end design and manufacturing, higher education and scientific research, where the UK has traditional strengths," said Bao. "Shanghai looks forward to even closer exchanges with Britain through the upcoming 5th China International Import Expo." Lise Bertelsen, executive director of public affairs at China-British Business Council, which co-hosted the session with Invest Shanghai, said the council has a very long history of promoting trade and investment between the UK and China, and has established an office in Shanghai for more than 25 years. "Shanghai is one of the most vibrant cities in China, and it is very much the first choice for a lot of British companies when looking at the China market its history and experience makes that no surprise," said Bertelsen. Kan Ng, global business director at VCCP, a UK advertising agency, said the China market is very important for the company's global reach and so it opened an office in Shanghai in 2020. "The city has the best talent in China with an international mindset, and a lot of opportunities," said Ng. "In the past two years, I haven't been to Shanghai because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but our office has started operations. We hired employees, and established clients and relationships, and won six awards. I just say miracles can happen there." Bob Smith and Dylan Hieb are two of the success stories from CHI St. Francis inpatient rehabilitation unit. People whove suffered strokes, brain or spinal cord injuries and who have neurological conditions are among those who spend time in the unit, which is on the hospitals sixth floor. The staff also works with people who suffer from general debility, such as those recovering from COVID. The people working to return to normal are patients in the hospital. Depending on a patients diagnosis, the rehabilitation might last from 10 days to three or four weeks, said physical therapist Nicole Morris. The staff gets the people functioning so theyre able to go home safely and so that family members wont have to care for them. On June 29 of this year, Hieb was in a terrible accident. Riding an electric scooter, he was hit by a vehicle on Highway 30, at the entrance to West Park Plaza. Hieb broke both legs, his right arm and four ribs. The 28-year-old was taken by helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center Bergan Mercy in Omaha, where he had three surgeries. A rod was placed into his right leg. He then spent four weeks at CHI St. Francis. Both Hieb and Smith pushed to do as much therapy as they could, Morris said. The quicker you heal, the quicker you get home, said Dylan Hiebs parents, Tina and Tim. Dylan, who has autism, has an upbeat personality. Dylan will light up a room, Morris said. You cant have a bad day when hes around, she said. Hieb was thrilled to finish his rehab and return to the familys Alda home on Aug. 19. Were just really grateful to St. Francis. They taught him how to walk again, Tina Hieb said. Smith, 76, lives in Grand Island. In July, he suffered a stroke, a heart attack and blood clots within a one-week period in Texas, where his mother lived. After three days at a Dallas hospital, his daughter drove him to CHI St. Francis. Smith speaks highly of the staff at the inpatient rehabilitation unit. Im so happy that they have a facility of that magnitude that can help people in Grand Island, which is super, especially for us seniors, he said. The patients devote three hours a day to their rehabilitation. That time is usually broken up into three sessions. People whove had a brain injury or a stroke usually undergo speech therapy. Some spend more time with physical or occupational therapy. The work is tailored to what each patient needs. The unit has daily physician oversight. Dr. Shane Burr is our medical director, Morris said. The patients in the inpatient rehabilitation unit should be commended. They work hard every day to get better. Morris also finds satisfaction in her work. Oh, its wonderful, she says. For the second time, Nebraska State Fair Deputy Director Jaime Parr is serving as the fairs interim executive director. Parr was appointed to the position at the October meeting of the State Fair Board, which was held Friday. She was also in charge of the fair after the departure of Lori Cox and the arrival of Bill Ogg in 2020. The fair board announced Oct. 5 that Ogg had resigned. Ogg was not present at the meeting. Board chairman Bob Haag of Indianola said Fridays meeting was meant to be Oggs last as executive director. But Ogg went to a funeral Friday in Lincoln for Tom Lorenz, who was general manager of Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Haag said Lorenz was a friend of Oggs. Ogg also went to represent the fair, Haag said. Ogg is now the fairs executive director emeritus. At Fridays meeting, the board heard favorable reports about this years fair. In her deputy directors report, Parr said the 2022 event was hugely successful. In an interview after the meeting, Haag said he hates to see Ogg go. But Parr has a lot of experience with the fair, Haag said. You can tell from listening to her at meetings that she knows whats going on. Ogg shepherded the 2020, 2021 and 2022 fairs. Running the fair has probably taken a toll on Ogg, Haag said. I think hes got a family that he wants to enjoy. As we get older, theyre more important to us. Haag said he can sympathize. Ogg put together a heck of a good staff, Haag said. He got our finances from being in the hole to where weve got reserves. Such a turnaround is appreciated by board members, Haag said. He then mentioned former State Fair financial officer Patrick Kopke, who embezzled more than $150,000 in 2019. We had bad public perception when you have the deal with Kopke writing his own checks and taking the money, and we had to get that money back, Haag said. The fair is going well, but it just took a lot of time, and Im sure it took its toll on Bill and on the board members. You worry about things like that. So I wish him the best in the future. Haag was asked if he wanted to say any more about Oggs departure. I dont know what itd be. Bills a great guy. I like Bill a lot. I wish him the best, he said. Haag was asked if Ogg signed an agreement in which he agreed not to talk about his departure. Haag said he wasnt aware of such an agreement. I know he signed a transition agreement to help us bring on a new executive director, he said. I dont know what hes agreed to and what he hasnt. Haag was asked if there were many staff resignations after this years fair. Vaughn Sievers, the fairs livestock director, resigned after this years Aksarben Stock Show, he said. Two members of the operations cleaning staff resigned. Its normal turnover, Id say, probably as much as anything, Haag said. People find new jobs. This years fair, though, was a success. Look at the numbers, Haag said. He doesnt know of anyone who doesnt think the fair went well, he said. In an interview, Parr was asked about Oggs departure. I was so excited when Bill Ogg started at the State Fair in June of 2020. I was so excited for him to come. And as excited as I was then, I am disappointed today that his term has completed so soon. I did enjoy working with Bill and I learned a lot from working with Bill, she said. Parr was asked if Ogg resigned of his own accord. As far as I know, she said. She was also asked if Ogg signed an agreement in which he agreed not to talk about his departure. Im not privy to that information, she said. Oggs age is not available. But the Wyoming native graduated from high school in 1972. In 2023, the State Fair will have its third executive director in six years. Cox was in charge in 2018 and 2019. RMC thanked the Orangeburg County Sherriffs Office and other area law enforcement for their assistance locating a patient who walked away from RMCs Emergency Department Saturday morning. At approximately 9:30 a.m., a 41-year-old male left RMC on foot. He was found safe and unharmed in Cayce, S.C. early Saturday afternoon, RMC said in a prepared statement. We are grateful for the support provided by local law enforcement and our community, said Echo McAlhany, senior director of physician services and administrator on-call. OCSD is an invaluable partner, and their fast response and efforts resulted in the individual being found quickly and safely returned to RMC where he can receive necessary treatment. For Michael Borchmann, a former senior official in the German state of Hessen, it's clear that any company wanting to sell its products to the vast Chinese market can't afford to ignore the China International Import Expo, or CIIE. The 5th CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov 5-10 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. And from the perspective of Borchmann, a former director of the European and International Affairs Department of the Hessen State Chancellery, there is no event like the CIIE anywhere else in the world. "It has gained such importance that no enterprises which want to sell their products can afford to ignore the CIIE and the attractive Chinese market," he told a conference in Frankfurt on Wednesday held by the Frankfurt office of the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board to promote the expo and Shanghai. More than 170 German companies participated in the 4th CIIE in Shanghai last year. And this year, 280 of the top 500 global companies will attend the 2022 edition, with 90 percent of these companies being repeat participants. Borchmann notes that the expo is not just a platform for global multinational companies, but also small and medium-sized enterprises. "CIIE is also a showcase for Shanghai, an ideal location for German businesses," said Borchmann, who has visited China 16 times. China has been Germany's largest trading partner for the past six years. China is the largest source of imports for Germany and the second-largest export destination, trailing the United States. Some 5,000 German companies operate in China. Top German automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen sell about 30-40 percent of their products in the Chinese market. Norbert Noisser, senior adviser for China at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Giessen-Friedberg, said that the CIIE is a strong signal for the opening of the Chinese domestic market to foreign investors. "Shanghai is the most important location for companies to invest in China," he said. "China is a driver for innovation, and an important partner with a huge domestic market. This opens great opportunities for German companies." Noisser notes that the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, along with other pressures on global supply chains, have posed major challenges for companies, and he said these problems require international cooperation. Both Noisser and Borchmann applaud the huge progress achieved between Germany and China over the past 50 years of diplomatic relations, not just in trade and investment but also in wide-ranging people-to-people exchanges. Business climate Zhu Yi, vice-chair of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, welcomes the participation of German companies in the CIIE and their investment in Shanghai. She said that Shanghai is dedicated to creating the most optimal business climate to facilitate investment and trade and with the most efficient government administration. Xue Feng, president of the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board, talked at length about Shanghai's business climate for foreign investors. "Innovation and inclusiveness have always been Shanghai's most distinctive characteristics," he said. Zhu Weige, the economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt, said that China-Germany relations have achieved huge progress in the past 50 years and will maintain their momentum despite some recent negative coverage by news media. Interim Secretary of State Karl Allred said Friday that, of the few county clerks who responded to his letter requesting they consider getting rid of ballot boxes, none of them have indicated they would do so. Allred, whom Gov. Mark Gordon appointed to the interim position last month following former Secretary of State Ed Buchanans resignation, sent a letter recently to all 23 of Wyomings county clerks requesting that they consider, if not for this election, for 2024 and all future elections, getting rid of ballot drop boxes. He noted that hes mindful of the fact that there have been no issues reported so far with drop boxes in Wyoming, but that theres future potential for abuse or destruction of ballots that are delivered through drop boxes. Allred told the Star-Tribune, however, that the county clerks who responded werent interested in discontinuing ballot boxes now or in future elections. Getting rid of ballot boxes and concern about voter fraud more broadly were a focus for secretary of state Republican nominee Chuck Gray during his primary campaign. Gray is all but assured to take over the post in January, given that he isnt facing any challengers in the general election next month. In a text to the Star-Tribune, Gray said that banning ballot drop boxes is a basic election integrity and security measure and that its pivotal to discontinue their use. He didnt respond by the Star-Tribunes deadline to a follow-up question asking whether he thinks there have been past issues with Wyomings ballot drop boxes, even though there havent been any reported problems. He was also asked his thoughts about the lack of enthusiasm from county clerks toward Allreds request. Drop boxes became a target after the release of the film 2,000 Mules, which alleges that widespread voter fraud occurred in the 2020 presidential election. Gray has sponsored multiple showings of the film across the state while on the campaign trail. Amid a tidal wave of suspicion around election processes, others including Grays Republican primary opponent Sen. Tara Nethercott have emphasized that theres insufficient evidence pointing to widespread voter fraud and that they believe in the integrity of Wyomings elections. Dozens of courts nationwide have also rejected allegations of widespread voter fraud in 2020. There are seven counties in Wyoming Albany, Laramie, Fremont, Converse, Big Horn, Sweetwater and Teton that currently use drop boxes. Theyve been in use since 2020, when former Secretary of State Ed Buchanan encouraged clerks to use them as a safety measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. But county clerks have used drop boxes prior to that for other business. Mary Lankford, a lobbyist with the Wyoming County Clerks Association and former Sublette County clerk, told the Star-Tribune she thinks there would be a lawsuit if there was a hard push to ban ballot boxes right now, given that voting is already underway. She noted that Allred recognized that difficulty in his letter to the county clerks and didnt make a hard push for county clerks to take action for this election cycle. I do not wish to interrupt or cause confusion to the voting process that is already in-progress, Allred wrote, but I will ask that you make an honest assessment as to whether or not discontinuing the use of your drop box would cause any disruption for your voters. If, after your assessment, you ascertain that discontinuing the use of your drop box would not disrupt the ability for your voters to participate in the absentee process, my request is that you would voluntarily discontinue use in this election after proper notification to your voters of this change and in any future elections. Lankford also said that, as of a couple days ago, she hadnt heard of any county clerks considering taking up Allreds request. When the Star-Tribune asked Allred if he would try pushing the request again, he responded by saying that he wont be here. (His interim post will end once the new secretary of state takes over in January.) I do think that it needs to be addressed and looked at the future, he said. As of the Star-Tribunes deadline, Gray had not responded to a question asking how he might change his approach were he to make the request to county clerks in the future as secretary of state. Of the county clerks in Wyoming who responded to the request, none have indicated they will get rid of ballot drop boxes for future elections. Wyoming Interfaith Network held a discussion on Indigenous spirituality on Thursday night in Lander. The discussion was part of the networks Voices of Faith in Leadership program, which runs for nine months with the goal of educating and training (leaders) to collaborate boldly with each other and with their faith communities in envisioning and implementing a more just, welcoming, and inclusive Wyoming. Rev. Roxanne Jimerson-Friday and Rev. Warren Murphy, both Episcopalian pastors in Wyoming, gave the presentation. The network brings together people of all different religious backgrounds to encourage interfaith discussion and collaboration, even for those who may be spiritual but not religious. Jimerson-Friday is an enrolled Eastern Shoshone tribal member and also part of the Seneca Nation of Indians, an Indigenous tribe in Salamanca, New York. She is a priest at the Shoshone Episcopal Mission in Fort Washakie and Our Fathers House in Ethete. Her personal spirituality is a blend of both Indigenous and Christian beliefs. I call myself a Christian, she said while introducing herself. But I also follow the traditional ways of our people. Murphy spent five years as a visiting priest, as he described it, at the Shoshone Mission Church, an Episcopal church on the Wind River Reservation. The title of the talk was Circles and Squares. Murphy jumped into the analogy immediately. Native American spirituality is circular and cyclical in nature, he said. Protestant and Roman Catholic faith traditions are more square-like. One specific analogy that was offered: many Indigenous peoples lived in teepees circular while many non-Natives live in houses rectangular. Everythings circles, he said after the presentation. And Native people often have different perspectives on time and space, Murphy noted. Many white congregations would get upset if their pastor tried to change the time that church started, he said. But the pastor could change the place they meet with little resistance. For Native Americans, the space is whats sacred. Time is of less importance. Still, Jimerson-Friday is certain that the way forward the way to heal is through bringing together these seemingly opposite spiritual cultures. Blending the Native American culture with the church is a form of healing for the people. That is what keeps me going, she said. Spirituality, Murphy said, is all around. Indigenous peoples see it in everything. So the addition of the church can make sense, because they already have an understanding that spirituality is in everything. Jimerson-Friday noted, however, that no two tribes are alike and no two Natives are alike. Spirituality is never monolithic for her people. So when youre talking about Native American spirituality, there is so much that goes into that, she said. It has to do with their location, where they lived. The door of the room was left wide open, letting the golden hour sunlight in. Attendees represented all kinds of religious backgrounds: interdenominational, Presbyterian, LDS, Episcopal. Notebooks and binders sprawled on the tables as Jimerson-Friday and Murphy talked. Blank pages soon filled up. The drum can be a key part of Native American spirituality, Jimerson-Friday explained. Music in general is very powerful for Indigenous peoples, but the drum is essential, the rhythm by which their hearts beat. Each generation receives the training to play the drums from the generations before them. There are different songs, different beats, for different times. And, for many, its a way to lift up prayers. It does something, though, you know the drum, she said. It does something to your soul, to your spirit. Much of the conversation focused on funerals. In Native cultures, funerals can be a multi-day processes, with a wake, the funeral and a feast at the end. The drum group is always part of that whole funeral ceremony, Jimerson-Friday said. The drum groups they never say no (to a funeral). They are what bring the spirituality to those funerals, she said. Jimerson-Friday has done so many funerals at this point (over 250 in five years) that she and the drum groups have formed a sort of arrangement when performing the ceremonies. She can call upon them knowing that theyre ready. As soon as they hit that drum, it makes everybody come together, she said. And they all stand. When they stand, they are honoring the drum. Jimerson-Friday uses that time of uprightness to share the gospel in the ceremony another way she blends church and spirituality. The collective trauma and pain that each tribe faces as a result of years of injustice, abuse and mistreatment is at the forefront of Jimerson-Fridays mind. It surely will not be an easy process the trauma never went away, she said, and has been passed down from generation to generation so how will Native people heal? How can they move forward? That is the No. 1 question I ask God every day, she said. How can we help to end it? And the only thing I can think of is to learn Native spirituality, is to learn from us what weve been wanting to teach people, what weve been doing. The U.S. Supreme Courts long, tortured road to recognizing womens constitutional rights in the late 20th century was preceded by victories based not on the principle of their equality but on the perception of their inferiority. The Court had laid the groundwork in Bradwell v. Illinois (1873), by declaring women weak and therefore unfit for the practice of law. Their place, said the High Tribunal, was in the home. They required protection from the ugly occupations of civil life. In 1908, the Court, in Muller v. Oregon, rendered a historic decision that upheld the states law that prohibited women from working in laundries and factories for more than ten hours a day. The Courts decision transformed the law for American workers by permitting states to impose basic labor standards in the marketplace. It was a pathbreaking decision that poured the foundation for New Deal laws that would win victory in the Supreme Court for federal laws governing maximum working hours and minimum wages and other measures that had been long-term goals of reformers who sought to curtail industrial abuse. Curt Mueller was the owner of a Portland, Oregon laundry. He had been convicted for violating the states maximum working hour law when he kept a female employee at work beyond the 10-hour limit. Muller challenged the constitutionality of the law on grounds that it violated his freedom of contract under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. He was convinced of the merits of his position since the Court, in 1905, in Lochner v. New York, had declared unconstitutional a law that barred bakery employees from working more than 60 hours per week. Louis Brandeis, one of the nations eminent attorneys, and destined for a seat on the Supreme Court, represented Oregon. He argued to the Court that Lochner permitted regulation of the workplace in those circumstances where a genuine health interest was at stake. Brandeis told the Court that employment in a laundry raised real concerns about the health and welfare of its employees. Brandeis presented overwhelming facts in a long brief the famous Brandeis Brief about the relationship between long hours, worker health and the public welfare. He argued that overwork is more disastrous to the health of women than of men and entails upon them more lasting injury. In addition, the deterioration is handed down to succeeding generations and the overwork of future mothers thus directly attacks the welfare of the nation. The Court, in an opinion written by Justice David Brewer, unanimously upheld the Oregon law. The Court, for the first time in its history, took judicial notice of the sociological facts presented in the Brandeis Brief. The Court was fairly mesmerized by Brandeiss presentation. Its embrace of the emerging school of sociological jurisprudence consideration by courts of social and economic data charted a new method for attorneys to write briefs and present their cases to the Court. From that point forward, attorneys briefs routinely provided data from the life of America, beyond the pertinent facts integral to the legal issues. Justice Brewer wrote: The physical well-being of woman becomes an object of public interest and care in order to preserve the strength and vigor of the race. In Muller, the Court for the first-time treated women as a separate class, and not under the cover of their husbands, as the lingering doctrine of coverture had provided. This was progress, of course, for it gave women standing before the law, but female exceptionalism, that is, single sex protections would prove to be a two-edged sword. After all, separate considerations of and for women, advanced the premise of female difference. The premise of female difference, or sex or gender as a legitimate classification - on the basis of sex served as a rationale for many discriminatory laws in various fields for the next several decades, well into the 1950s and 1960s. Feminist critics could say that the Muller decision, and thus the Brandeis Brief, laid a path for gender bias in protective legislation. The principle of gender equality, they could say, was harmed by separate treatment of women. Yet, Brandeis employed a strategy for victory victory for his client, the state of Oregon, and the long-term goal of improving the lives of all industrial workers through laws that would limit hours, improve factory conditions, raise wages and advance occupational safety. Brandeiss supporters agreed that he could not win his case through a frontal assault on the freedom of contract doctrine, for the Court in Lochner, just three years before Mueller, had given it a full head of steam. If Brandeis, however, could win from the Court a ruling that upheld state authority to impose basic labor standards, would that not be significant enough to open the door for more opportunities to work on behalf of labor? Dont we often say that half a loaf is better than none? Brandeis thought so. Brandeis could scarcely imagine a nation in which women, and a few good men, could take up the cudgels on behalf of full-blown gender equality. Indeed, how many could, even during the heyday of the Warren Court, when the Justices were rendering decisions that struck down racial barriers, but not gender barriers? OUR country is over the edge, Ronald Boynes said in an interview with Express reporter Camille Hunte this past Sunday. And unless there is an intervention to take off the pressure we are going to implode. He said in order for that calamity to be avoided, there ought to be a change of leadership in the ruling party. There is a vacuum in terms of visionary leadership right now, he says. About 650 people turned out last November for the inaugural Musical Murals walk downtown, strolling the two-mile route along a series of murals where 10 student ensembles performed. Organizers had anticipated maybe 100 people would show up, which is the average participation in November for the weekly Meet Me At Maynards urban walks. No one saw 650 people coming. I printed out 75 maps last year, and they were gone in like three minutes, said Marissa Olegario, an assistant professor of bassoon at the UA Fred Fox School of Music who coordinated the event with organizers of the weekly Meet Me At Maynards and her UA colleague Elizabeth Schauer. Olegario is more prepared for the second annual walk on Monday, Oct. 17. Shes printing copies of the route walkers can choose a longer route that clocks in just under 2 miles or a shorter one that is almost a mile long and offering a QR code that allows walkers to download an interactive map that pinpoints each mural and ensemble. A dozen University of Arizona student ensembles covering a variety of musical styles folk rock, a chamber string quartet, a saxophone quartet, percussion ensemble, the UA Arizona and Symphonic choirs and opera scenes will set up along the route near the murals and will perform for the passing crowds. Last year, the crowds lingered and at some stops the student musicians would find themselves performing for audiences that filled the street. I dont think some of them have seen an audience that big so that was really special for me as a mentor and teacher, Olegario said. Its an opportunity for us to bring our music to people that probably wouldnt otherwise come into our building and sit for a concert, said Schauer, the Fred Fox Schools director of choral activities. But there is a movement toward art and health and this event is at the intersection of that, too. It was Olegarios idea to partner with Meet Me At Maynards. She has been a regular at the weekly event since early 2019; Mondays walk will be her 109th. I love the sense of community they have developed over 12 years. Theres something so fun about having that regularity of simply walking downtown, said Olegario, who has been teaching at the UA since fall 2018. Its so fun to put art together with health and wellness, and why not add music. Walkers can preregister for Mondays Musical Murals at music.arizona.edu/events/musicalmurals22; there is no cost. Musical Murals is part of the Arizona Arts Signature Series of performances and events throughout the month of October. Visit arts.arizona.edu for more information. You are here: China All delegations to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) have gathered in Beijing by Friday for the upcoming congress. More than 2,200 delegates, representing more than 96 million CPC members across China, will attend the congress, scheduled to open on Oct. 16. Because Cornish hens are so petite, it means they are the perfect bird to air-fry whole. Thanks to the short cooking time (a smaller size hen will only take around 35 minutes!), the meat stays juicy while the skin gets nice and crispy. Each serving is one whole hen per person, which means its perfect for dinner parties. Its also a quick and easy Thanksgiving turkey substitute if youre thinking of a low-key celebration. Bonus for any scenario: No carving required! What are Cornish hens? Cornish hens, also known as Rock Cornish game hens or Cornish game hens, are not actually game birds, nor are they all females! The name is given to a chicken that has been slaughtered at a younger age than the average chicken, which means they can weigh as little as one pound and are usually never more than about two pounds. A few tips Heat your air fryer for 10 minutes. After experimenting with different temperatures, I found air frying at 380 F in a preheated air fryer gave the best results, turning the skin a deep golden-brown without drying out the interior. Adjust the cook time according to size. As the sizes of Cornish hens can differ from 1 to 2 pounds, the smaller size hen will only take around 35 minutes to air fry. If you air-fry a 2-pound Cornish hen, it can take up to 40 minutes. For larger hens, start checking the internal temperature at 35 minutes in the thickest part of the thigh. A hack for repairing a tear in the skin covering the breast Some Cornish hens are sold frozen or defrosted, which can damage the delicate breast skin. Some are even sold with tears. To fix this, thereby preventing the meat from drying out, pull the skin over the exposed area and use a toothpick to secure the skin in place. Or pull the skin over the exposed area and then cover the hen with a slice of bacon, securing the bacon in place with a toothpick under the hen. No tear? This recipe gives you the option to add the bacon regardless. Because, why not? Air Fryer Cornish Hen Serves 2 to 4 2 (1 to 1 1/4-pound) Cornish hens 1/2 small lemon 2 large sprigs fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning, or 1/2 teaspoon ground sage plus 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder 3/4 teaspoon onion powder 3/4 teaspoon sweet paprika 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 2 slices bacon (optional) 1. Pat two Cornish hens dry with paper towels, including behind the wings, legs, and inside the cavity. Place on a wire rack fitted over a large plate. Refrigerate uncovered for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight to dry the exterior and help create crispy skin. 2. Heat an air fryer to 380 F for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the following: Cut 1/2 small lemon in half again to create 2 quarters and remove any visible seeds. Cut 1 of the large rosemary sprigs in half crosswise. Place 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon onion powder, 3/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar in a small bowl and stir to combine. 3. Pat the Cornish hens dry again with paper towels. Rub 1 tablespoon of the olive oil on each hen, including the underside, wings, and thighs. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of the spice mixture inside each the cavity of each hen. Sprinkle the outside of the hens with the remaining spice mixture, liberally rubbing the spices into the oil to create an even coating so that there are no spice clumps, which will burn in the air fryer. Place 1 lemon quarter and half a rosemary sprig inside each cavity. Wrap 1 slice bacon lengthwise over the center of each hen, and secure with a toothpick underneath, if using. 4. Brush the air fryer basket with a very thin layer of the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, reserving the rest. Carefully place both hens in the air fryer basket breast-side down. If you have a small basket, alternate the direction of the hens, so they face each other to ensure they snugly fit in the basket. You may need to use tongs to arrange the hens in the basket. Drizzle any remaining olive oil over both hens. 5. Air fry for 20 minutes. Flip the hens and continue air frying until an instant-read thermometer registers 165 F in the thickest part of the thigh, 15 to 20 minutes more. Meanwhile, pick the leaves from the remaining large rosemary sprig and finely chop until you have about 1 teaspoon. 6. Transfer the Cornish hens from the air fryer with tongs to a large plate or clean cutting board. Let rest for 10 minutes. Discard any toothpicks and garnish with the chopped rosemary. Remove the lemon wedge from the cavity with a fork and carefully squeeze the juice over the Cornish hen if desired. Recipe notes Cornish hens can range from 1 pound to 2 pounds; for air frying, the smaller size (1 to 1 1/4 pounds) is better, as you can fit two hens in the basket. If you can only get the larger 2-pound Cornish hens (which can be shared between two people), the cooking time will be longer if cooking two larger hens at once (if they can fit in your basket). Start checking the internal temperature after 30 minutes. If you have an air fryer with a small basket, you may only be able to fit one 2-pound hen in at once. To serve a larger 2-pound hen to share, use kitchen shears to cut each hen in half down the breast bone and along the backbone. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to four days. Only four Pima County constables are actively working in their positions serving civil papers across the states second-largest county as part of an office highly on edge after an August shooting that killed Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay. Of the countys current constables, who are elected officials charged with serving legal summons such as eviction notices and protection orders from the justice courts, three are on medical leave, and one hasnt shown up to work since the August shooting, according to the constables office. Presiding Constable Michael Stevenson is taking vacation time after announcing he will resign from his position effective Oct. 22. Several constables have expressed a newfound apprehension in their jobs after Martinez-Garibay, apartment manager Angela Fox-Heath and a neighboring bystander Elijah Miranda were shot and killed after the constable attempted to serve an eviction on Gavin Lee Stansell, who turned the gun on himself after taking three other lives. Constable Esther Gonzalez, a close friend of Martinez-Garibays who expressed dismay at a lack of safety afforded to constables after the shooting, has not shown up to work or submitted a resignation letter. She did not respond to the Stars request for comment. The Tucson Police Department is conducting an in-depth review of the shooting through its Sentinel Event Review Board, which will analyze the actions of Martinez-Garibay and responding officers took on Aug. 25 and identify possible process improvements. Only Constables Bennett Bernal, Bill Lake and George Camacho are actively working in the countys most populated justice precincts serving papers from the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court. Constable Jose Gonzalez continues to work out of the Ajo Justice Court, which produces far fewer papers than the eight precincts the consolidated court covers. Bernal, who presides over Justice Precinct 6, said he leaves work every day drained, not only due to an increased workload from picking up inactive constables duties but from a renewed mental toll the job poses. Its more mental now than physical. The way I survive is like every (eviction) Im going to go in there with all intentions of making sure I come back out alive, he said. The combined number of papers served by the three constables working out of the consolidated courts has increased by more than 40% from August to September, according to data from the constables office. According to Lake, each constable is taking over about three precincts, covering two more regions than each was elected to preside over. The county hired First Legal, a process server that serves civil papers constables arent statutorily required to deliver, to help relieve the strain left by vacancies. The three constables are still serving eviction orders and orders of protection, however, which can result in some of the most volatile interactions when removing people from their homes or serving domestic violence protection orders. Lake said the shooting of a fellow constable definitely changed the way we do business. The constables are increasing interaction with TPD and the Pima County Sheriffs Department while asking for backup on services that involve threats of firearms, he said. Martinez-Garibay was killed after attempting to serve an eviction on Stansell for threatening a neighbor with a gun and who has otherwise disturbed the peace, according to court records. We went through and realized that it could have been any one of us. Its not that (Martinez-Garibay) did anything wrong. If it was me, I probably would have been shot, Lake said. Overall, hindsight is 20/20. I read through my papers so I know exactly what Im getting into. Constable Camacho, the third active constable in the countys busiest justice precincts, served 179 papers in September compared to 74 in August, according to the constables office. Ive worked in this office since 2002, and Ive never seen anything like this at all. Its nonstop all day, mostly evictions, he said. Its just a little overwhelming because you gotta be nice in this job because youre handling people at the worst times. But being compassionate takes time and multiple trips on a single eviction. And its really hard to do that right now. Six constable vacancies The combination of an ever-increasing workload and high tensions after Augusts shooting has contributed to resignations and even one constable taking medical leave after an altercation while serving an eviction. Constable Stevenson in Justice Precinct 10 announced his resignation in an Oct. 10 letter to County Administrator Jan Lesher, where he stated he is leaving the position due to personal reasons and said it is best for myself and my family that I move on to other opportunities. The countys Board of Supervisors will initiate the process of appointing Stevensons replacement at its meeting on Tuesday. The board is required to select from a group of candidates who preside in the same precinct and belong to the same political party as Stevenson, who is a Republican. The replacement of other constables wont be so routine, however. Constable John Dorer in Precinct 1 has been out on medical leave since Sept. 28 after he injured his back in an altercation with a tenant who another constable, Camacho, was attempting to serve an eviction notice. According to Camacho, he was providing a few days notice to the tenant of his upcoming eviction when an altercation ensued between the tenant and a maintenance worker. Camacho had the apartment staff call 911 while Camacho called Dorer to inquire about a constable number to call if we had a situation. Hearing the distress in Camachos voice, Dorer decided to show up, Camacho said. Camacho decided to proceed with the eviction immediately, because if I left and this guy goes and does something to the staff, I would be the person liable, he said. The constable said the tenant engaged his two teenage sons in an altercation with the constables. After one of the tenants sons charged at Dorer, according to Camacho, Dorer wrestled him to the ground. Dorer confirmed the events of the eviction and said, My mindset was probably such because of the (August) shooting that I was more heightened than I should have been. When I got there, the guy took off back toward his apartment. And all I could see going through my mind at that point was hes going to get a gun, he said. Dorer said he plans to resign from the office after using up his medical leave. Two other constables, Thomas Schenek and Oscar Vasquez, are also on medical leave. Schenek has been on leave since late July after having foot and knee surgery, while Vasquez is recovering from a car accident that occurred in late August. Dorer, Schenek and Vasquezs terms end in January 2025. The official re-appointment process the countys supervisors must take upon a vacancy wont begin until Dorer officially submits his resignation. Constable Gonzalez, who abandoned the job without notice, is not running for re-election, and her term expires at the end of the year. However, her position in Justice Precinct 2 remains inactive until a new constable takes over in January. Lesher said she has been working with the countys attorneys on how to fill the position in the meantime and gauge the boards authority to cause a vacancy to be created if a constable just isnt showing up. Francisco Lopez, who runs TMZ Tucson, is the only nominee for constable in Precinct 2 and will take over the position in January. The makeup of the constables office will change considerably after the general election. The county has redrawn the Justice Precinct maps to eliminate Justice Precinct 5, which encompasses the eastern portion of the county where Lake presides after being appointed to the position in October 2021. The vacancy left by Martinez-Garibay further complicates matters. The constable won the primary election to continue serving in Justice Precinct 8 after she was initially appointed by the board to fill a vacant position in March. Her only opponent was current constable Lake, who put in his name as a write-in candidate and will now take the position by default. Lesher said current considerations include appointing Lake to the position early, leaving the soon-to-be-defunct Justice Precinct 5 without a constable. In Ajo, Constable Gonzalez is not seeking re-election and will be replaced by write-in candidate Eric Krznarich. The combination of resignations and the upcoming general election means four new constables will take over nine redrawn Justice Precincts in 2023. Key issues remain The constables office has encountered increased scrutiny among a slew of alleged misconduct ranging from public urination to signature falsifications. A county-issued report from September last year found the constables take differing approaches to their jobs that result in disparate outcomes for those the constables serve. Former Assistant County Administrator Mark Napier, the former sheriff who has since retired from his county administration position, wrote the report that called the constables a fractured group with varying workloads that result in the same $67,000 annual salary. Former County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry suggested the constables take a pay cut, or in a more severe move, be replaced by county employees. As independently elected officials, it would require change at the state level to adapt the rules on who can become a constable. County administration has continued to work with the constables on reforming the office, according to Lesher. Stevenson and Lake collaborated on producing a policies and procedures manual to guide constable conduct, but it remains in a yet-to-be-implemented, draft version. The manual lists statutorily required conduct of the states constables, which includes mandates such as avoiding impropriety and maintaining the integrity of the office. But it also lists proposals to enhance training and congruency in the office, such as riding along with other constables to gain familiarity with the process for approximately 30 days or until they are comfortable with working on their own. The guidelines also address an idea posed in the September 2021 report: Constables should consolidate all the papers that come from the justice court in order to even out the workload among them. The manual suggests constables continue to serve the papers coming out of the precincts they were elected in, but adds constables can, and will, assist adjoining constable precincts when other precincts have vacancies, other constables are on leave or it is obvious that there is an overabundance of work that should be equitably distributed. Lake said the current three constables have pretty much adopted the guidelines, but that high turnover will likely make implementing the policies an easier task when new constables come on board. However, as elected officials, constables are not required to follow any guidelines that are not outlined in state law. Lesher said the policies are only as strong as the buy-in from other constables. I think as soon as we get another constable or get some folks lined up, we can begin to start figuring out how do we get the constables the tools they need and help them empower the other constables to have everything they need to do the job? she said. But the killing of Martinez-Garibay has emphasized the inherent risk constables take on when they knock on a door not knowing what lies behind it. Bernal said the job needs to be redefined and that constables shouldnt continue approaching potentially dangerous situations on their own. Were still doing the evictions, which is the most deadly of them, and nothing has changed, he said. Were still doing them by ourselves, which is ridiculous. You cant possibly go into these places nowadays and do this job and think that everythings gonna be fine. Because it isnt. ICYMI: Watch the Star's top videos from the past week Watch Now: Trail cameras catch mountain lions at Tucson home. Watch Now: Breaking down Arizona's 49-22 loss to No. 12 Oregon Watch now: There's a reason why we call it 'Tucson Eat Yourself' Watch Now: Mica Mountain players wish teammate a happy birthday Watch now: Candlelight vigil held at UA for Thomas Meixner Watch Now: Gar and Goyle pick on guests at Nightfall Watch now: Tucson Meet Yourself 2022 weekend preview Watch Now: Bobcat Sadie and a friend drink from a backyard fountain. Watch Now: The Arizona Insect Festival Returns Watch now: Scattered showers sweep over Tucson's north side Watch now: UAPD addresses fatal shooting on campus Watch now: Tucson classes teach dogs to avoid snakes Watch now: Tucson Pride returns with downtown parade on Sept. 30 Watch Now: Arizona's Henri Veesar, Oumar Ballo look back on Wildcats' Red-Blue Game Video: Arizona Game and Fish discusses mountain lion safety At least now theyre talking about it. For decades we have known water has been a festering issue in Arizona, with the states booming population dependent on declining groundwater and the overburdened Colorado River. But the voters and the candidates have chosen to rank the issue down somewhere around pack-rat infestations as a political priority. As long as water ran from the tap, it wasnt an issue most voters or candidates chose to talk much about. This year its different finally. Both candidates for governor, Republican Kari Lake and Democrat Katie Hobbs, have placed addressing Arizonas water supply as a top priority. They have put out policy proposals with some details, enough to figure out how they view the problem and their top solutions. Lake has emphasized finding a big new supply. She initially focused on desalination of ocean water but more recently shifted toward the idea of building a pipeline from the Mississippi or Missouri River basins. She also has proposed large infrastructure projects such as dam and reservoir improvements, as well as lining and covering canals. Long term, we need more water. Period, Lake says on her campaign website. Our population, along with that of the entire Southwest and Northern Mexico continues to grow. Unless we develop a new, sustainable source of water, we will soon be facing a very bleak future. Hobbs, on the other hand, dismisses what she called silver bullet solutions, focusing instead on water efficiency, conservation and reuse, while also calling for the 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act to be reformed. There is a danger in laser-focusing on any single idea and failing to move forward now on a portfolio of proven water security strategies, she says in her Plan for a Resilient Arizona. There are no easy silver bullet solutions to Arizonas water challenges. If youre like me, though, you dont know enough about the issue to evaluate the candidates policies intelligently on our own. So I consulted two out-of-state experts on water in the West to give me their thoughts on the candidates proposals. One, Douglas Kenney, is senior fellow at the Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources at the University of Colorado Law School and former director of its Western Water Policy Program. The other, Felicia Marcus, is the William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow at Stanford Universitys Water in the West Program, a former regional EPA administrator and the former chair of Californias State Water Resources Control Board. Kenney told me in an emailed analysis of the candidates positions, that he is impressed with the discussion. Here is what Kenney said: It seems clear that both candidates understand that water scarcity is a critical issue in Arizona, and that past efforts to address this evolving crisis have been woefully inadequate. That is real progress. Hobbs has a much better understanding of the problem and, particularly, a much better understanding of what the solutions can and should be. In emphasizing the need to incentivize conservation, to make decisions through highly collaborative processes, to reform AGMA (the Arizona Groundwater Management Act), and to involve the tribes in a meaningful way, she presents a very reasonable blueprint for moving forward. The devil, of course, is in the still largely vague details, but shes at least pointing in the right direction. Her acknowledgement of the overarching importance of climate change, and the water-energy-fire nexus is a sound foundation for the solution-oriented discussions that have yet to occur. Kari Lake, in contrast, still clings to the notion that the root problem lies in population growth (rather than changing climate), and that big-technology solutions like desalination, new dams, and cross-country water pipelines are the solution. Theres no doubt that clever engineers could implement this vision, but the economics of doing so would only be possible with massive and ongoing federal water subsidies. To the extent federal monies are available, they are likely to be targeted at cost-effective solutions which, in most cases, are focused on reducing water demand. Lakes assertion that we need more water. Period. is naive and a century late. Sure, that would be a wonderful future, but no southwestern state should make that Plan A. The states that will thrive in an increasingly arid Southwest are those that learn to accomplish more with less water. Finally, both candidates appear unwilling to address the elephant in the room: agriculture. There is simply no way for the agricultural sector to continue to consume water at its historic pace. The cultural significance of agriculture in Arizona is huge, but the economic contribution does not and will not justify maintaining current levels of water consumption. Marcus and I went back and forth by email and phone. I asked her, How you would describe or categorize the differences in their approaches? Marcus answered: Hobbs talks about a range of more immediate tools to use and talks extensively about prioritizing and creating a program. She talks about a range of options and a lot about the process of engaging the range of stakeholders in a more classic governance approach. Lake agrees with some of the examples but reaches for the big dream of bringing in oodles of water from desalination from Mexico or importation from other parts of the country. These are multibillion- or trillion-dollar pipe dreams that sound good but arent realistic because of cost, because they are probably not feasible for a variety of reasons, and because they would take decades to accomplish even if affordable and doable. There is a crisis around the corner in the next year. Even the immediate solutions that deal with more aggressive conservation in the urban and agricultural contexts need to be implemented and accelerated. What do you find most realistic and unrealistic in their policies? Both could use more detail and action steps, though Hobbs has more that falls into the things one could realistically do sooner. Some timelines and metrics are called for. The notion that desal or massive importation from other states will happen is simply not realistic at the moment. What do you think of their approach to agriculture? I thought that Hobbs did a good job talking about stakeholders. You do need to talk these things through. Theres no silver bullet. Theres just silver buckshot. You need to talk to a lot of people. You can farm far more efficiently than the existing models. We need to be thinking about how we, for example, invest in water efficiency without farmers thinking theyre going to lose their water rights. You have to make sure a farmer doesnt feel like theyre giving up their historic patrimony. Do either of them approach the problem with the urgency necessary? Nope. But no-one appears to be in many of the seven states, which is both surprising and not surprising. To be fair, to have water be up front in a gubernatorial candidates papers is unusual, but not surprising in a historic drought. So they both have that going for them. EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) A fifth-grade teacher at a school in northwestern Indiana was charged with felony intimidation Friday after allegedly telling a student she had a kill list of students and staff, authorities said. Angelica Carrasquillo, 25, of Griffith communicated a threat to commit murder," Lake County court documents said. Officials at her school, St. Stanislaus in East Chicago, immediately confronted her and escorted her from the building once they learned of the threat Wednesday afternoon, the Diocese of Gary said in a message to parents. When Carrasquillo was asked Wednesday why she wanted to kill herself and others, she reportedly told school officials, Im having trouble with my mental health, and sometimes the kids do not listen in the classroom. I also have trauma caused when I went to high school. It wasn't clear whether Carrasquillo has an attorney who might comment on the allegations against her. The threats came to light when a counselor overhead a fifth-grader say while being escorted to her classroom for recess detention, I heard Ms. Carrasquillo wants to kill herself and has a list. The student reportedly said Carrasquillo voiced the threat to him directly and told the student he was on the list. The principal and an assistant principal said Carrasquillo gave them the name of one student on the kill list, but she did not reveal all the names, a court document said. Carrasquillo allegedly told school officials she was only joking about it all. Classes were held remotely Friday, and students were offered access to a school counselor, the diocese said. We are deeply saddened by this event, the diocese said. School safety is a paramount concern of our schools. East Chicago police said they are obtaining an emergency detention order for the teacher from the Lake County Prosecutors Office. She was taken into custody at her home Thursday morning. She was not in custody Friday, online court records showed. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: Juan Ciscomani has made his familys immigrant story a cornerstone of his campaign for Congress. Time and again we hear about the American Dream and how the parents of first-generation immigrants struggled as working-class citizens, only to provide a better life for their children and future generations. Ciscomani has provided a glimpse into the past, but he only provides surface-level information when it comes to their immigrant story. How did his father come here? Did he cross the border with a visa? Was he sponsored by a family member? How long did he have to wait to immigrate? Did he benefit from Ronald Reagans amnesty? These are important questions that should be addressed when someone makes immigration one of the primary bases for their political campaign. Bottom line: What was his fathers lottery ticket to the United States? Immigration is very much a lottery. Some people luck out and others dont. Ciscomani is now vowing to protect the American Dream. He uses the current border crisis as a springboard to argue that the American Dream is dying. But is it really? The people who are coming to the U.S. border today are primarily seeking the same dream that his father and other immigrants have sought: economic opportunity, escaping violence, a better life for themselves and their children. This rhetoric being spread by Ciscomani is the same xenophobic talk that went on when his family immigrated to the U.S. and when my family immigrated from Germany in 1948. In response to the question, What are two things you most want Congress to do to impact immigration or border security in the U.S.? by Tara Kavaler from the Arizona Republic, Ciscomani made it clear that we need to secure our border before we do anything else on immigration. That answer doesnt give any idea what will solve our immediate problems: What are we going to do with DACA recipients? The same political party that Ciscomani is part of is trying to end DACA and its coming perilously close to being stopped. Is that a logical move when businesses in all industries are struggling across the country to find enough workers? It will cause more instability in our country at a time where we need to be stabilizing our economy and security. When will the border be secure, Ciscomani? What metrics are you basing this on? What about all the undocumented immigrants who are languishing inside the U.S. waiting for change for the past three decades? What about all the businesses who need the foreign labor and drive the constant flow of border crossers daily? Unless Congress acts immediately on many aspects of immigration, not just border security, we are not going to see any significant change that will benefit the United States and our collective American Dream. Waiting on the border being secured will take years and might never be fully accomplished. Like Ciscomani, I am a first-generation immigrant as my mother, Gloria, came to the United States after World War II. Her parents were working class and eventually she was able to obtain a college education and benefit from the privilege of being an American. But one thing she has never forgotten is where she came from. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Ciscomani. His rhetoric makes it clear that he is very proud of the dream he has now accomplished because his father was one of the lucky ones. Thats all fine and good, but dont forget about everyone else trying to achieve the same goals. Be true to yourself, Juan. Its a bit disingenuous to share only part of the immigrant dream. The public should know the full story about your family and their immigration history. An electric vehicle company that plans to build a plant in Oklahoma has signed an agreement to supply a Los Angeles-based fleet management firm with 5,450 vehicles. Canoos pact with Zeeba has an initial binding commitment of 3,000 units through 2024. We have a large committed, growing order book, are finalizing our multi-year allocations for 2023 customer deliveries and will share our manufacturing plan with the broader market shortly, Tony Aquila, Canoo chairman and CEO, said in a statement. This order is another milestone validating our product and strategy. Small and medium-sized business (SMB) are the backbone of our communities, employing about half of all working Americans, and they are Zeebas target customers. We put technology first and combined class -leading ergonomics, a small vehicle footprint-to-cargo ratio and platform versatility while achieving a lower carbon footprint and higher return on investment for the operator, all of which will help SMBs compete. Earlier this year, retail giant Walmart signed an agreement with Canoo to purchase 4,500 delivery vans to support Walmarts e-commerce business. The pact contains an option for Walmart to buy an additional 5,500 vehicles. Canoo said a year ago that it intended to provide at least 1,500 jobs by building a factory with 3-million-plus square feet of space at MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor. Aquila said earlier this year that a plant capable of producing 300,000 vehicles annually could be operational at MAIP by 2024. Canoo makes commercial electric vehicles built on the companys proprietary multi-purpose platform architecture that integrates all critical components. Most of service, maintenance and updates will be done over the air, which decreases vehicle down time. Canoo units use a panoramic front window to improve road visibility and true steer-by-wire technology, resulting in more interior space and better driver ergonomics. Featured video: Chinowth & Cohen Realtors welcomes Dustin Truitt to its Coweta office. Truitt grew up in Midland, Texas, and graduated from Trinity Episcopal High School before attending Texas A&M University, where he received a bachelors degree in industrial distribution. Truitt spent 16 years in industrial outside sales in the manufacturing and energy markets. During this career he also began purchasing distressed properties, which he renovated and flipped. He has knowledge of project management, working with contractors and understanding estimates. A full-time, full-service agent, Truitt is familiar with residential, farm and ranch listings in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Sand Springs and Coweta, where he currently lives. Arabella Jestus has joined Chinowth & Cohen Realtors south Tulsa office. Originally from Minnesota, Jestus relocated to Tulsa at the age of 7. A full-time, full-service agent, she is familiar with residential listings in Tulsa and its surrounding communities. Jestus obtained her real estate license at the age of 18. When I was in high school, I once worked three jobs at once, Jestus said. After high school I started working at a local brokerage as the receptionist while studying to get my real estate license. Chinowth & Cohen Realtors welcomes Maria Corral to its Muskogee office. Born in Mexico, Corral relocated to Houston, where she graduated from Sam Houston High School. A full-service, bilingual Spanish agent since 2021, she is familiar with residential and lake listings in Tulsa, Muskogee, Tahlequah and Fort Gibson, where she currently lives. Before making the decision to enter the real estate industry, Corral worked for two decades in the restaurant industry. This previous career taught her excellent communication and customer service skills. Theresa Weston has joined Chinowth & Cohen Realtors Edmond office. Weston grew up in Meadow Grove, Nebraska. After graduating from Elkhorn Valley High School in Tilden, Nebraska, she attended Colorado Career Institute, where she studied medical coding and billing and received her certification as a medication aide. Before entering the real estate field in 2020, Weston worked for 10 years as a medication aide. She then relocated to Oklahoma, where she owned and operated a cleaning business. These experiences taught her organizational skills and attention to details. Featured video: About 2,500 journalists, including some 900 from overseas, have registered to cover the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, according to official figures. The meeting's press center, based mainly at the Beijing Media Center Hotel and Hotel Nikko New Century Beijing, offers a range of services to journalists, including help with media interviews, accommodation and data support. On Friday, many journalists were working at the center and preparing for the coverage of the CPC National Congress. Legal Daily journalist Pu Xiaolei was busy contacting congress delegates, in preparation for interviews at the center's 200-cubicle reporter workspace. The site is bright and spacious and the cubicles can help journalists focus on their work, Pu said. "I've also visited interview rooms in the center for one-on-one online talks with delegates. That's essential and will make my work a bit easier." As part of efforts to address COVID-19 concerns, reporters will have limited access to face-to-face interviews with the delegates. To facilitate the interviews, the center will help with video link facilities and arrange written interviews for reporters, according to the center's organizers. An online video system has also been set up to connect the Hotel Nikko New Century Beijing with media sites of the Great Hall of the People and Beijing Media Center Hotel, as well as with 10 video interview rooms at delegations' hotels, according to the organizers. Some delegates will meet the press before the opening meeting and after the closing meeting at the Delegates' Passage. Five press conferences and five group interviews will also be held. Journalists will also be invited to cover various topics in Beijing, such as high-quality development, financial innovation, technology and ecological civilization. Brochures and books about the CPC and China's development in different languages are available at the center for reporters. COVID-19 prevention material and nucleic acid test services are also provided. Reporters are encouraged to get more information about the CPC National Congress and relevant activities on the center's website and social media accounts, according to the center. DENVER After the Tulsa Regional Chambers Intercity Visit here earlier this month, three Tulsa city councilors hopped into pickup trucks and headed to Beloved Community Village. Its a catchy name for a creative program tiny homes for the homeless. Beloved is one of two tiny home villages and three safe outdoor spaces in Denver operated by the nonprofit Colorado Village Collaborative. All of the facilities are staffed and provide wrap-around support services, including mental health care. The programs goal is to secure permanent housing for the residents. Our purpose of the village is to fill the shelter gap for those that were not seeking traditional shelter, said Dorothy Leyba, director of CVCs Tiny Home Village program. Beloved Community Village has 24 units, each approximately 100 square feet, that house a maximum of two people. Pets are allowed, but children arent. Individuals must be 18 or older to live in the villages. Leyba said individuals are referred to CVC by outreach workers who are engaged with the homeless community every day. What the agreement is when we do an intake is to follow all of our community use agreements, and part of that is taking pride in the location, so we have a chore system, Leyba said. Beloved Community Village has a community center with restrooms, showers and a full kitchen where residents can prepare meals. Residents do not pay to live in the tiny homes, which come with air conditioning and heat. With our absence of affordable housing and affordable placement options for the homeless that want to get to a more stable situation, its definitely something we should be considering, said Tulsa City Councilor Connie Dodson. When Dodson and her City Council colleagues Jeannie Cue and Crista Patrick arrived at CVCs Denver Human Services safe outdoor space (SOS), the first things they saw were a portable shower trailer and books on display under a library tent. The large SOS tents there are 41 at the Denver Human Services site are provided by the nonprofit, and for those who need them, metal entrance ramps are available. Residents at the SOSs must be 18 years or older, and while the facilities have no cooking spaces, at least two meals a day are provided. All three councilors said they were impressed not only by the quality and cleanliness of the facilities, but by the staffing and security levels and the expectations placed on the residents. The rules of how you get to stay there and what you have to do to stay there are well delineated, Patrick said. And I think that is something that has to be put in place in order for anything to be successful. Humans by nature tend to stretch the rules if they are not clearly defined. The councilors also said they believe it would be worth the citys time to consider establishing similar programs in Tulsa. We need to clear our streets and our sidewalks and our neighborhoods to make people feel safe, Cue said. And we also need to protect and try to help and make a better way of life for our people out on the streets. Becky Gligo, executive director of Housing Solutions, one of more than 30 organizations that make up A Way Home For Tulsa, said the programs are worth looking at but are not the ultimate solution to the citys homeless problem. A Way Home for Tulsa has formally adopted a housing-first strategy and philosophy, Gligo said. So any pathway to safe and dignified permanent housing the continuum is going to be supportive of, and that includes transitional and interim safe and dignified spaces. That being said, I would urge the community to continue to focus on permanent housing options, and weigh the costs of interim solutions versus the long-term solutions that we are working towards. Dwayne Wilkerson with the Tulsa Planning Office said the citys zoning code does not address tiny home and tent villages for the unsheltered. The closest thing in the zoning code today, he said, would be emergency protective shelters or homeless centers. Those uses are only allowed through a special exception to the zoning code, which must be approved by the citys Board of Adjustment. Wilkerson said the city could consider creating a separate use category for tiny home and tent villages. That process would include defining the use, establishing development standards and providing guidelines for determining locations. The zoning code is really a living document, Wilkerson said. I think the zoning code would have to be modified to support those kinds of uses. We just dont have those kinds of abilities in the zoning code as it is written today. Featured video: Two Tulsa police officers will go before a jury in mid-June, a judge determined Friday after overruling their arguments that prosecutors did not present enough evidence at an earlier hearing to support accessory to felony charges. Attorneys for Tulsa Police Lt. Marcus Harper and Officer Ananias Carson told District Judge Tracy Priddy that testimony heard at their preliminary hearing failed to prove that the men were aware that a felony had occurred in this case, a gang-related shootout involving a fellow officers car at the time they interacted with those involved. But Rogers County Assistant District Attorney Joy Thorp said the testimony indicated that the men were aware that criminal activity was likely afoot and that their failure to communicate any knowledge of the events or evidence to responding officers or their supervisors until days afterward substantiates concealment. The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office appointed Rogers County prosecutors to the case following the recusal of the Tulsa County District Attorneys Office. Harper and Carson were charged with accessory to a felony after the fact last November after prosecutors alleged that they secretly met with and assisted then-Officer Latoya Dythe in concealing an August 2020 shooting that involved her personal car, her boyfriends younger brother and his gangster associate. In a federal case stemming from her April 2020 straw purchase of a firearm for that same boyfriend, Dythe pleaded guilty to conspiracy and to making a false statement to a firearms dealer in April 2021. She apologized for violating the publics trust at her sentencing that fall and received five years of probation and a fine of $1,000. Dythe testified at the preliminary hearing in state court in May that she asked both men Harper, whom she considered a mentor, and Carson, a friend to come to her south Tulsa apartment on Aug. 24, 2020, after her boyfriends brother returned her borrowed car punctured with bullet holes. Attorneys Danny Williams and Allen Smallwood argued that their clients, who they say were in off-duty capacities at the time, stopped short of giving the boyfriends little brother advice on evading authorities and actually arrived at the apartment after the brothers gangster associate whom they didnt know from Adams cat, Smallwood emphasized had fled. The boyfriend testified that Harper instructed the men to make a police report before carrying out any other plans, Williams argued, and that Harper and Carson told Dythe to report the events to her police supervisor. The state would like to attribute (the gang associates) record to my client, Smallwood said, but he had no knowledge of that. And Carson knew he had a conflict of interest in any case involving Dythe, Smallwood said, hence his advice to call a supervisor. Thorp balked at the idea that the seasoned law enforcement officers were unaware that they had information pertinent to a criminal investigation and reminded Priddy that the firearms used in the shooting, which the pair are alleged to have seen during their time in the apartment, still have not been found. The three-day preliminary hearing produced several hundred pages of testimony transcript from the prosecutions multiple witnesses, which Priddy noted when informing the attorneys of her review of the case materials. Although it took 700 pages to get here, Priddy said, it is not her place to judge the strength or weakness of the case but to determine whether prosecutors met the statutory burden of proof at the preliminary hearing, which is to present enough evidence to show that a crime likely was committed and that the defendants likely committed that crime. Some statements at the hearing separated those dots, Priddy said, but many connected them. Thats where we are today, she said. Prosecutors filed amended information Thursday that offered misdemeanor obstruction charges as alternatives a judge or jury could weigh instead of the felony charges, and the defendants were formally arraigned on that information after requesting a jury trial. Harper pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Priddy entered a not guilty plea on Carsons behalf after he did not enter one for himself. Priddy scheduled the trial for June 12 and set a discovery hearing in late February, noting that she expected a flood of motions to follow and anticipated that a hearing on them would be set then. The judge likely will be rotating off the courts criminal docket in January, she said, adding that she has not decided whether to remain over the case. Harper and Carson have been free on bond since hours after their November 2021 arrests, and a Tulsa Police Department spokesman confirmed Friday that each, with about 25 and 15 years of tenure at TPD, respectively, remain on unpaid leave. Featured video: A $2 billion University of Oklahoma fundraising campaign that will benefit all of the universitys campuses, including OU-Tulsa, is now entering its public phase, OU announced Friday. Billed as the largest such campaign in the history of Oklahoma higher education, OUs seven-year Lead On: The University of Oklahomas Campaign for the Future was given a quiet launch in July 2020. Since that time, its been gaining momentum, officials said, and so far $600 million has been raised toward the goal. The campaign will conclude June 30, 2027. We see this as an extraordinary opportunity to shape our future into what weve always dreamed of but never before been equipped to do until now, OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said. Our goal is incredibly ambitious, but we know that through the unwavering loyalty of our OU family, we will seize this moment to build upon our storied legacy. Together, we will achieve nothing short of transformational. All three of OUs campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa will benefit from the campaign, which will provide support for students, faculty and programs. The campaign, consistent with the universitys Lead On, University Strategic Plan, prioritizes increasing access through enhanced student support and programming, fostering faculty growth, creating research opportunities and encouraging a welcoming campus culture. Central to it is a $500 million commitment to scholarship and student support and a $300 million commitment to support the strategic recruitment and retention of talented faculty. The Lead On Campaign for the Future is ambitious, far-reaching and unprecedented in OUs history, OU Board of Regents Chairman Frank Keating said. But, as with every effort taken at the University of Oklahoma, the campaign has at its core the goal of changing the lives for the better of our most important family members our students. On their behalf, we dream no small dreams. Lead On is the universitys first comprehensive campaign in over 20 years and comes on the heels of back-to-back record fundraising years for OU. For more information about the Lead On campaign and how to support it, visit oufoundation.org. Featured video: Get your fill of frights for Halloween with Tulsa's most notable haunted places, many of which are still standing. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Donald Trumps private company arranged for the Secret Service to pay for rooms at his properties in excess of government-approved rates at least 40 times during his presidency including two charges for more than $1,100 per room, per night. That is according to documents released Monday by a congressional committee investigating the former president. The House Oversight Committee said the Secret Service was charged more than $800 per night at least 11 times by his properties. The Trump Organization denied anything improper. It said it provided rooms to the Secret Service at cost or deep discount, adding that its business did not profit at all from the presidency. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers tried to cast his Republican challenger Tim Michels as a radical in a Friday debate, while Michels argued that Evers has failed the state and doesn't deserve a second term. Michels is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, which he touted during the Republican primary, but he did not mention that backing in Friday's debate. Evers defended his record and made a push for increasing funding for schools and local governments. Polls have shown the race to be about even. Highlights from the debate: ABORTION Michels said Evers and his allies were mischaracterizing his position on abortion, calling me a radical. I am pro life and I make no apologies for that. Michels said he would sign a bill creating an exception to Wisconsins 1849 near total abortion ban for rape and incest. Before he won the August primary Michels did not support exceptions. Michels said he was not against contraception. When asked if he would make it illegal for people from Wisconsin to travel to other states to obtain an abortion, he said Im not going to be this radical guy with checks at the border. Evers supports codifying Roe v. Wade. Women should have the ability and the right to make decisions about their health care, including reproductive health care, and that includes abortion, he said. My opponent is radical on this position ... and not consistent with Wisconsin values. GUNS Evers voiced his support for so-called red flag laws that would allow for judges to take weapons away from people determined to be a danger and universal gun background checks. He noted that polls have shown broad support among Wisconsin residents for both. Michels said that crime is running rampant and Im going to fix it. And guns? I have a solution for that, Michels said, without detailing what that solution was. Michels opposes red flag laws and universal background checks. We need to make sure we uphold the Constitution and law abiding gun owners are not having their guns confiscated, he said. Evers said that wasnt a concern. Responsible gun owners dont have to worry about red flag laws because it will never be an issue for them, he said. ELECTIONS Evers defended the 2020 presidential election, which President Joe Biden narrowly won over Trump, saying it was safe, secure and there was no fraud. He faulted Michels for raising questions about the validity of the election. Biden's win over Trump has withstood reviews, audits, lawsuits and recounts. Voting rights are on this ballot, Evers said. It is radical to say Im not sure how this works out or fraud happened when it didnt happen. Michels vowed to work with the GOP-controlled Legislature to increase faith in elections. He also promised to certify every election as governor. Under a Gov. Michels administration we will never have questions, he said. Of course I will certify the election. EDUCATION Michels voiced his support for making access to taxpayer funded school vouchers universal. He has previously said he would not increase funding for public schools. Were going to spend as much money as any governor has on education but were going to spend it wisely, he said. Evers, a former teacher, school administrator and state superintendent of schools, has released a plan to increase public school funding by $2 billion. He said the Michels plan, which would decrease funding to public schools by 40%, was radical and opposed by a majority of Wisconsin residents. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Michels, who co-owns the states largest construction firm Michels Corp., said if elected he will completely divest from the company. State records show Michels Corp. has received more than $1.1 billion from Wisconsin for construction projects since 2014. There will be no conflict of interest, Michels said. Evers said even if he divests, Michels Corp. will still be bidding for state projects. I think its going to look kind of fishy, Evers said. ODDS AND ENDS: Evers repeated his call for increasing funding for local governments, saying that's the solution to addressing crime. Michels said Evers has failed to reduce crime and also faulted the state parole commission for releasing convicted murderers and rapists. Michels described the Evers administration as the Barnes-Evers administration. Mandela Barnes is currently lieutenant governor but he is running for U.S. Senate. The most recent Marquette University Law School poll this week showed U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson with an apparent lead over Barnes, while Evers and Michels were about even. In response to a question about climate change, after Michels cast doubt about whether its caused by actions of people, Evers responded, Instead of blah, blah here, Im going to talk about our clean energy plan. Evers, when asked to address attacks made against him in the campaign, said claims that he isn't a hard worker and spends too much time sleeping is a bunch of crap. After observing the injustice of the Oklahoma State School Boards meeting on alleged violations of House Bill 1775 regarding Tulsa and Mustang public schools, Im wondering why our Tulsa leaders are quiet. I attended the state school board meeting in August where its previous decision to downgrade the accreditation status for both districts was being reviewed. The punishments were unexpected and severe for perhaps imperfect but obviously well-intentioned actions meant to create caring, safe environments for our children. As a Tulsa Public Schools parent and a lifelong Tulsan, the results of that meeting were unsettling. The state school board members did not even converse over the reconsideration; the majority of them simply voted no. The mayor of Mustang spoke up for his school at this meeting. He expressed his fear and disappointment for his citizens especially the students, teachers and parents who are swimming in confusion. He voiced the feelings of all of us who feel bullied by the heavy-handed actions of the state school board, appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt. I was in awe of Mustang Mayor Brian Griders patriotism his brave, earnest and intentional care for his community. Where were Tulsas leaders? And, more importantly, where are they now? I ask that these leaders our mayor and city counselors speak up for us, enact their diplomatic duty to try to ease the stress and burden this measure has put on our teachers and administrators. Stitts disdain for Tulsa Public Schools leadership is no secret, having first criticized the district during his 2020 inaugural address about its pandemic response. Yet, the U.S. Department of Education praised the TPS approach. When Stitt ordered a state financial audit of TPS in July, he included this unrelated reference: Im also concerned that TPS may have violated state law which bans public schools from teaching critical race theory. Specifically the bill prohibits the teaching that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex. The state school boards votes appear in strict alignment with his feud. For anyone to intervene feels like a political sinkhole. But, trapped at the bottom are 33,211 TPS students, their parents, and the teachers, staff and administrators who support them. Nevermind that our schools are an essential pillar to the success of our city, that TPS is the largest school district in Oklahoma, that businesses cannot attract employees with schools embroiled in a political battle, or that on his first day in office Mayor G.T. Bynum proclaimed he would use his position as a megaphone for public schools. Also, it is wrong to punish schools for trying to teach empathy for other human beings, which is part of HB 1775 chilling effect. TPS is trying to create a space where all students and all people feel welcome; where we all feel safe to be compassionate and understanding; where the whole of history can be taught and discussed without fear that someone will feel uncomfortable, causing a teacher to lose their job, an entire school district to lose its accreditation, and our children and our states futures to be put in jeopardy. History and empathy education is often uncomfortable. Here, in Oklahoma of all places, we should know that. But it is essential that we engage with these topics and not be bullied, or legally required, to overlook them. By teaching our students that its OK to learn about and discuss difficult topics, to hold the tension of many viewpoints, we teach them what it means to live in a true community, and what it means to be Americans. If we cant work to understand each other and respectfully find a path forward through our disagreements, then our democracy, our humanity, is lost. Silencing people whether with a vague and confusingly enforced law, or by being the bully at the top, is the death of liberty. Brave and earnest words have the capacity to spur the better angels of our nature in all who hear them. I teach my daughter to speak up at injustice and I expect our leaders to do the same. Oklahoma voters looking for the right person to be lieutenant governor would do well in giving the incumbent, Matt Pinnell, another term in the position. Pinnell will be on voters ballots for the Nov. 8 general election. The lieutenant governors job is one that can be light on duties and importance, but as Pinnell has shown, it all comes down to what you do with it once youre in office. The position is one of being a chief marketer for the state. That means touting the states assets for tourism and business. Pinnell has been one of the states most visible champions for its tourism destinations. This was particularly important during the pandemic as Americans sought more outdoor recreational opportunities. Pinnells led efforts to promote the Oklahoma Fishing Trail, the Oklahoma Road Trip Campaign and the Oklahoma Route 66 Passport. These efforts have helped the state gain a higher profile among those looking for a place to travel while mitigating the pandemics impact on Oklahoma tourism. The tourism campaigns have paid off, generating as much as $259 in for each promotional dollar spent last year. As a promoter of Oklahoma parks, Pinnell says that $354.2 million were spent in 2021 by park visitors statewide, supporting 3,000 jobs. Additionally, he led a statewide agency rebranding effort. Whatever people might think of that process or the designs associated with it, it has paid dividends to state agencies and taxpayers. Since every agency is now using the same branding, thats time and money saved an estimated $1 million a year. If there is one criticism that can be made of Pinnells tenure, its the Swadleys BBQ scandal that hit the Tourism Department. A centralization of oversight toward the Governors Office and its surrogates and away from state commissions and boards allowed millions of dollars in overspending on a state parks restaurant overhaul that is now under investigation. Pinnell has a key role in overseeing the Tourism Department, and too much trust was put in the hands of its former director regarding the Swadleys deal. But part of being a good leader is learning from mistakes and making corrections. Pinnell is seeking legislative support in putting oversight of budgets and contracts back in the hands of a state board, which we believe is a key reform needed to prevent future abuses. This would reverse a years-long trend, but its a move we think is overdue, and were grateful Pinnell put his name behind it. Pinnell is facing Democrat Melinda Alizadeh-Fard and Libertarian Chris Powell. Fard says she wants to strengthen boards and commissions overseeing tourism, while Powell wants to lobby the Legislature to eliminate the lieutenant governors office altogether. Part of deciding on who should be on the states executive team is finding the right combination of experience, successes and ability to learn from mistakes. In that regard, we believe that Pinnell has shown that and deserves a second term as lieutenant governor. Abbott Laboratories said on Friday it was recalling some ready-to-feed baby formula liquid products including Similac-branded items due to inadequate sealing of some bottle caps. The recall, which equates to less than one day's worth of infant formula used in the United States, is not expected to impact the overall formula supply, Abbott said in a statement. Abbott has been at the center of a baby formula shortage in the United States that earlier this year sent parent scrambling for supplies. The recall of baby formula made at Abbott's Michigan plant following complaints of bacterial infection in February exacerbated its shortage in the United States. To boost supplies, the U.S. government temporarily allowed foreign imports from companies such as Reckitt Benckiser and Nestle. Supplies have been improving in recent months, according to large retailers such as Walmart, but the government has continued to allow imports to stock up shelves. Shares in Abbott, which is recalling products made at the company's plant in Columbus, Ohio, were down 1.1% at $101.39 in afternoon trading.